₦airaland Forum

Men of the Nigeria Customs Service were said to have killed a man suspected to be a rice smuggler.

A witness said the incident happened yesterday along the Dutsinma Road, around Federal College of Education.

He said the deceased, who drove in a J5 Peugeot van, tried to evade arrest when he sighted the customs officers “who immediately opened fire on him.”

Policemen were said to have taken away the body of the deceased, who was yet to be identified as of the time of filing this report.

The spokesman of the state police command, DSP Gambo Isah, said the suspectwas taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead.

He said the command had begun investigation on the incident.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/customs-kills-rice-smuggler-in-katsina.html

The Bank of International Settlements said Sunday the global economy risked a “relapse” of the crisis that rocked it a decade ago, warning there was little “medicine” left to treat the patient a second time.
“Things look rather fragile,” BIS chief economist Claudio Borio told reporters in a conference call.

“There is little left in the medicine chest to nurse the patient back to health or care for him in case of a relapse,” he warned.


The Basel-based BIS, considered the central bank for central bank, warned in its annual report that the recovery after the 2007-2008 global financial crisis had been “highly unbalanced”, with emerging economies especially facing mounting pressure.

Borio pointed out that central banks around the world had for years been administering “powerful medicine” to counter the effects of the crisis, with “unusually and persistently low interest rates.”

This, he said, had helped boost economic activity, “but some side effects were inevitable.”

– ‘Withdrawal symptoms’ –
He pointed for instance to the crises that have recently erupted in Argentina and Turkey, describing them as “withdrawal symptoms” as the central banks start cutting back the dosage.

After years of ultra-accommodating monetary policy, the US Federal Reserve has begun hiking interest rates, while the European Central Bank (ECB) recently announced it would end its stimulus programme at the end of this year.

But amidst this normalisation process, BIS noted a stark divergence between growth in the US market and the situation in emerging economies especially.


On average, Borio said, global financial markets were doing well.

But, he warned, “the average was not particularly meaningful.

It was a bit like that proverbial person whose temperature, on average, was fine, except that their head was on fire and their feet freezing.”

Asset prices in emerging economies have been hit by a stronger dollar, as well as growing global trade tensions, BIS said.

Signs of a slowdown in the Chinese economy, which has become increasingly critical for commodity producers, were also hitting emerging economies hard, it said.

At the same time, risky lending similar to what landed the world in the global financial crisis a decade ago is on the rise.

Borio pointed out that US-dollar-lending to non-banks in emerging economies “has actually more than doubled since the Great Financial Crisis to some $3.7 trillion.”

And he pointed out that this number does not even include borrowing through so-called foreign exchange swaps, “which could easily be of a similar order of magnitude.”

Borio also voiced concern about the situation in the United States, pointing to the “red-hot” leveraged loan market, with banks “off-loading their loans onto an eager investor base.”

Some of the loans, he said, were off-loaded via collateralised loan obligations (CLOs), which are “close cousins” of the infamous instruments known as collateralized debt obligations, or CDOs, and securities backed by residential mortgages, which sparked the 2008 crisis.

But Borio stressed the future was hard to foresee.

“Will the patient continue to mend, as looked likely until the first quarter of this year, or will there be a relapse?” he asked.

“What one can say is that the patient’s full recovery will not be smooth… Policymakers and market participants should brace themselves for a lengthy and eventful convalescence.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/bis-warns-global-economy-risks-crisis.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the newly appointed Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.


Bichi was ushered into the president’s office by protocol officials and the duo went into a closed-door session.

When he was asked about their discussion, Bichi said it was private.


He, however, disclosed that the president asked if they had ever come in contact.
“Mr President asked if we had met before, I said No”.
Bichi also added that it was the first time he was seeing the nation’s leader face to face.

Buhari had on September 13 appointed Yusuf Bichi, as the new Director-General.
Bichi, who replaced Lawal Daura, the former DG of the DSS, attended Danbatta Secondary School, the Kano State College of Advanced Studies and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
The new Director-General began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.
Bichi had undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
In the course of his career, Bichi was the State Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia States.
He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison, (National War College), Director at National Headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.
Bichi also served as Director at State Service Academy.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/what-buhari-asked-me-during-our-meeting.html

The National Coordinator, Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS), Tunde Adebisi, has said the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will spend $3.5 million in carrying out the living standard survey.

Adebisi told newsmen yesterday in Keffi, that the grant by the World Bank would be disbursed to the NBS through the National social Safety Net Coordinating Office (NASSCO).

According to him, the first trench of the disbursement has already been done and the field work for the project would commence on Sept. 27. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NLSS aims to measure the level of poverty and welfare of citizens at the national and sub-national levels of government.


The survey when completed would inform government in addressing the impact of its policies and programmes.
According to Adebisi, about 320 staff comprising the World Bank, NBS, monitors and trainees would be used in carrying out the project.
Earlier, the Statistician General of the Federation, Yemi Kale, said the survey was supposed to be done every five years but was not done in 2014 due to funding and logistics challenges.
Kale said the project would take 12 months to be completed but some indicators of the survey would be published quarterly. He said the bureau had taken critical quality assurance measures to ensure it got accurate statistics from respondents.
On the proposed census of agriculture products, Kale said: “We are going to every farmland, weather crop or livestock and capturing it on a map.
By the time we finish, we will know where every single farmland is.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nbs-to-spend-35m-on-poverty-statistics.html

A two-term governor of Sokoto State and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential aspirant, Dr Attahiru Bafarawa, yesterday, described the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government as a disaster. Bafarawa, who insisted that Nigeria “is sick because the leadership is sick”, said the opposition party will get rid of the government in 2019. He spoke with newsmen shortly after addressing Ogun State executives and delegates of the PDP, as part of his ongoing campaign tour in Abeokuta.

Bafarawa said: “We don’t have a nation under the leadership of APC government. That is why we, in PDP, have to put our house in order and ensure that we get rid of the APC government in this country because it is a disaster to the country. This country is sick because the leadership is sick. “We cannot allow this to continue. Forget about the number of aspirants, we are all members of one family. Whoever gets the party ticket, we will all work together and make sure we succeed in 2019.” “In trying to do damage control, we are not going to witch-hunt anybody because when you are building a nation. “As a leader, you are not expected to look at the back; you have to face the problem. Nobody can do it alone. It requires our collective resolve as a people and as a nation to put the country in good place.” “I also want you to know that my presidential ambition is not a do or die affair.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/buharis-govt-disaster-says-bafarawa.html

Nigeria may be in for a fresh financing of its infrastructure projects, courtesy of the African Development Bank (AfDB), as the lender signed into a $1 billion Multi-Lateral Development Bank and private sector investors’ facility, tagged Room2Run.

The initiative, which includes the European Commission, Mariner Investment Group, Africa50, and Mizuho International Plc, is aimed at pioneering the use of securitization for new and previously unexplored segment of the financial markets.

Structured as an impact investment, Room2Run is designed to enable AfDB increase lending in support of its mission to spur sustainable economic development and social progress.



Already, the bank, in connection with Room2Run, has committed to redeploying the freed-up capital into renewable energy projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, including projects in low income and fragile countries.
Meanwhile, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has closed in on another facility, signing into a Korea-focused $150 million club loan, which has Shinhan Bank as coordinator and lender, with other participating institutions in the three-year tenor deal including KEB Hana Bank, Woori Bank and NongHyup Bank.
Afreximbank’s Executive Vice President in charge of Finance, Administration and Banking Services, Denys Denya, said the facility would greatly enhance Afreximbank’s capacity to achieve its core mandate, in particular, expanding intra-African trade, supporting export manufacturing.He said it will also significantly fill the trade finance gap the continent was currently experiencing, by providing it with the requisite funding capabilities at competitive pricing.
“The facility also helps Afreximbank to diversify its sources of funding by geography, instrument and investor base,” he said.He noted that despite being a debut facility in the particular market, the facility, which targeted to raise $150 million, was oversubscribed to the tune of $160 million, with four banks joining in, saying that the development was clear testimony of strong confidence in Afreximbank.
By the arrangement, Room2Run will transfer credit risk on a portfolio of approximately 50 loans from among AfDB’s non-sovereign lending book, including power, transportation, financial sector, and manufacturing assets, providing the needed liquidity.
The said portfolios span the African continent, with exposure to borrowers in North Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa, while the global alternative asset manager and a majority-owned subsidiary of ORIX USA- Mariner Investment Group, are the lead investor in the transaction.
AfDB Group President, Akinwunmi Adesina, has described Room2Run as fresh resources to invest in the projects Africans need most, adding: “Africa has the most promise, the greatest natural resources, and the world’s youngest population. But we also have the world’s most persistent infrastructure deficits.
“The African Development Bank has the strategy to address these infrastructure finance gaps—and Room2Run gives us the capacity to make it happen.”The Lead Portfolio Manager and Head of the Mariner Infrastructure Investment Management, Dr. Andrew Hohns, said: “Room2Run answers the call of the G20 for private sector participants to step in and facilitate development finance, providing a template for attracting significant private sector capital into urgently needed projects in developing economies.”
“On the Impact scale, Room2Run is off the charts,” said Dr. Andrew Hohns, Lead Portfolio Manager and head of the Mariner Infrastructure Investment Management team. “Room2Run answers the call of the G20 for private sector participants to step in and facilitate development finance, providing a template for attracting significant private sector capital into urgently needed projects in developing economies.”
Also, the Head of Infrastructure Investment at Africa50, Raza Hasnani, said: “Room2Run provides an innovative and commercially viable solution to AfDB’s risk management and lending objectives, while paving the way for commercial investors to support and benefit from the growth of infrastructure on the continent. Africa50 is very pleased to participate in this landmark transaction, which is in line with our mandate to drive increased investment in infrastructure in Africa, and to create pathways for long-term institutional capital to flow into this space.”
Room2Run enjoys the support and participation of the European Commission with an investment from the European Fund for Sustainable Development, in the form of a senior mezzanine guarantee.”Only a few days after announcing our renewed Alliance with Africa for sustainable investments and jobs, I am very happy to announce that we are, together with the African Development Bank, launching Room2Run.
“This initiative is a perfect example of what we are doing to support investments in African low income and fragile countries through the External Investment Plan. Through Room2Run we provide an additional protection to investments in the field of renewable energy.”Through our Guarantee, investments under Room2Run will translate into extending supply to many people currently without electricity whilst creating much-needed new jobs,” the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, said.
Room2Run also directly responds to calls by the G20 that MDBs use their existing resources to full capacity, as articulated in the 2015 G20 MDB Action Plan to Optimize Balance Sheets, as well as calls for greater MDB efforts to crowd-in private investment. The G20 has called on MDBs to share risk in their non-sovereign operations with private investors, including through structured finance, mezzanine financing, credit guarantee programs, and hedging structures.

The Government of Canada has been a global leader in advocating for MDBs to use their existing resources more efficiently and to mobilize private capital for global development.”Attracting more private capital into global development efforts is critical to building economies that work for more and more people around the world,” Canada’s Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, said.
“That’s why Canada and our G20 partners have been calling on multilateral development banks to use their existing resources as efficiently as possible, and to look for new ways to attract more private capital. We are pleased to see the African Development Bank come forward with a transaction that directly responds to both of these objectives. Room2Run is an innovative solution to a long-standing challenge,” he added.
Co-Head of Structured Solutions at Mizuho International, Juan Carlos Martorell, notes: “Compared to other synthetic securitizations, a major achievement of Room2Run has been to ensure that ratings agencies, and in particular, S&P, reflect the merits of the risk transfer into their rating assessments for multilateral development banks.”AfDB’s leadership through this transaction has now set the stage for broader adoption of the instrument throughout the MDB community.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/afdb-signs-into-1b-private-sector-led.html

Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited, SPDC, has denied its involvement in the $1.3 billion Malabu oil deal as an Italian court plans to rule on the case. In a statement sent to Vanguard, yesterday, Shell stated: “Based on our review of the Prosecutor of Milan’s file and all of the information and facts available to us, we do not believe that there is a basis to convict Shell or any of its former employees. “If the evidence ultimately proves that improper payments were made by Malabu or others to then current government officials in exchange for improper conduct relating to the 2011 settlement of the long standing legal disputes, it is Shell’s position that none of those payments was made with its knowledge, authorisation or on its behalf. “We believe the trial judges in Italy will conclude that there is no case against Shell or its former employees. “Shell attaches the greatest importance to business integrity. It’s one of our core values and is a central tenet of the business principles that govern the way we do business. Shell has clear rules on anti-bribery and corruption and these are included in our Code of Conduct for all staff. There is no place for bribery or corruption in our company.” Already, Reuters had stated that oil majors, Shell and Eni, will be carefully monitoring a first ruling this week by a Milan judge in one of the energy industry’s biggest corruption scandals for clues to what might be round the corner for them.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/count-us-out-of-13bn-malabu-oil-deal.html

The outgoing Governor of Ekiti state Ayodele fayose performed miracle by commanding a cripple to stand up and walk. Lo and Behold, the cripple walked. Praise the Lord!!!
More photos at
https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/photos-gov-fayose-turns-pastor.html?m=1

The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has unveiled Major General John W.T Gbor (rtd) as its presidential aspirant for the 2019 presidential polls.
The National Chairman of APGA, Dr. Victor Oye, broke the news on Tuesday in Abuja, while addressing newsmen after a meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

He also named an industrialist and oil magnate, Chief Jerry Chukwueke, as the running mate of the presidential aspirant for the 2019 elections.

Maj. Gen. Gbor who hails from Katsina-Ala Local Government of Benue State had his last assignment in the military as commandant in the Nigerian Army Education Corps. His running mate Chief Chukuweke hails from Imo state.

“We have good news for all Nigerians. APGA has now got a presidential and vice presidential aspirants; it is no longer speculation. It is now a reality. Our presidential candidate will be formally unveiled as soon as our national convention is held. But they will be talking to the media from time to time.

“Our presidential aspirant is a retired Major General of the Nigerian Army with a PhD from one of the Ivy colleges in the United States of America. Our Vice Presidential candidate is a technocrat, international businessman with many degrees in economic and business management,” Oye said.

He said that the NWC of the party are working hard to reposition the party’s affairs in order to improve the fortunes of the party.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-apga-gets-presidential-aspirant.html

The Senate President and presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bukola Saraki, has said Nigeria’s Presidency is not a part-time job, insisting that the occupant must be youthful, energetic and vibrant.

This was even as he has expressed worries that Nigeria of today is dangerously disunited, lacking leadership capacity, with insensitivity and impunity being the order of the day.

Saraki, who recently defected to PDP, noted that even developed democracies are now rushing for energetic, vibrant, focused and capable youthful leaders in order to compete favourably with other countries.

He also emphasised that the occupant of the number seat in the land need to be bold, focused and courageous in order to take those decisions that need to be taken.

Saraki spoke, on Monday night, during his visit to the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum at the Asokoro’s residence of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum leader, Chief Edwin Clark, in Asokoro, in Abuja.

According to Saraki, “Where we are as a country today is too serious for us to take lightly. The Nigeria that we have today have never been so disunited.

“When you go to many parts of the country, people will tell you ‘Do I truly belong? Are we part of this country called Nigeria?

“On top of that, over a number of years, we have seen series of impunity. People are not held accountable. There is no inclusiveness in government.

“There is insensitivity and lack of empathy. These are big issues and unless we can unite a country, everything is…., development, creation of jobs.

“So, the first thing that is key to us is how do we unite this country. What kind of President can unite this country?

“Lack of insensitivity, these are the issues that are driving suspicion, pulling us apart. Anything else we talk, development e.t.c can’t happen unless we bring everybody back.

“As such, he must somebody that can represent, somebody in any part of the country can say ‘I think he represents Nigeria’, ‘I think he will be fair to me whether I’m a Christian or Muslim’, ‘I think he will be fair to me whether I’m a northerner or southerner’.

“That gives us an opportunity of a platform to move forward,” Saraki said.

According to the Senate President, “Secondly, more importantly, I think what has been one of our major problem is capacity.

“I think over the years we have voted on sentiments. We have left capacity and ability, and used sentiments to decide who leads us. That is why we are where we are today.

“But we need Mr. President that has the capacity; that has the vision that can drive and perform.

“Without capacity on the part of the leadership, Nigeria cannot progress even though God has continued to blessed the nation.

“There is no country that can provide for its people, take them out of poverty the way we are going about it,” he warned.

The Senate President also pointed out that the countries that are getting it right did not happen by chance or trial and error.

According him, “The Asian tiger we talk about didn’t happen by chance, it didn’t happen by trial and error, it happened because they have visionary leaders, leaders that know where they want to take their countries to.

“As such, when looking for a president, he must be somebody that knows what it takes to do it. I say this all the time, you cannot give what you don’t have.

“I said it three years ago, I was harassed for it, when I said there are governments within government. There was no mistake about it. Governments are existing with no direction. And at such you must have a leader that understands.

“There is a new order in the world today. All over the world, they are now looking for vibrant leadership, youthful leadership.

“Even developed democracies are going there because it is not a part-time job, it is not an easy job.


“Today, the President of a country is a 24-hour job if you want to do it properly, especially in an environment where you want to reform a country.

“So, you need youthfulness, you need energy, you need vibrancy.

“And most importantly, you need to be bold and courageous in order to take those decisions that need to be taken.

“And also to be focused. These are the qualities that are required,” he said.

On the economy, he said that the government cannot do it alone without creating the environment for the private sector to flourish.

Saraki also said, “Seventy percent of our population are young people. Government alone cannot take us there.

“Unless we have a private sector that is ten times bigger than what it is today, forget it young people will still be roaming around carrying their CV looking for jobs in government that will never come. It will never come because those jobs will never be there.

“The only way they will get jobs is when we have private sector that have ability to create jobs, and to create the investments that will make it happen.

“Two million barrels a day, with population growing at three percent, is not enough. What you need to do is ensure other sectors, minerals, agriculture are growing.

“As a governor, I came up and said you must have commercial farming. What I said over seven years ago is what is the blueprint today that the government is trying to adopt.

“When I said it then, I was attacked. Today, the country is still spending N2 to N3 billion and it will continue to do so,” he said.

The presidential aspirant assured the elders that he has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of the country.

Saraki also said, “If it is about the work, my leaders, I know I am very competent and I know what needs to be done to put this country on the right path.

“I have shown my experience, apart from my eight years and Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum, I have shown that …make people work together. I have also shown that in the Senate in the last three years, which have 18 former governors, despite all the efforts of the government.

“I believe I have been able to show leadership and capacity. it’s okay for us to say we want to get rid of Mr. President.

“By getting rid of Mr. President, we might not fix Nigeria. I don’t think we want to get rid of Mr. President without fixing Nigeria. So, we must find a candidate that must fix this country. I have the capacity that is required to turn this country around. This time around I believe we must go for capacity,” he said.

Saraki commended the elders for the sacrifices they are making towards ensuring good leadership for the nation.

He also said, “Let me appreciate the sacrifices you are all making at this time because you would have thought that with the many years you have given to this country, that what you should be doing now is relaxing and thanking God for where the country is going.

“But you are concerned, patriotic and desired to leave a better Nigeria for your children and grand children.” he said

Speaking earlier, the President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nwodo, reiterated that their reasons for interacting with presidential aspirants is to deepen democracy.

Nwodo said, “Our desire is to deepen democracy in the course of our exchange by presenting the aspirants a number of national issues we feel important and critical to enable our country survive.

“We have spoken to about four presidential aspirants. We are anxious to know more about the candidates so that in our interactions with our people who are in the political parties we can better inform them of our dialogue with the various candidates, our judgement as to how they represent the aspirations of Nigerians.

“This elections is very important to Nigerians. For many Nigerians, if we get it wrong this time, we will be singing of our country.” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/senator-saraki-nigerias-presidency-not.html

Following an accusation by a lady, weekend, that she had a one-night stand with John Okafor, popularly called Mr. Ibu, the comic actor has denied that he never had anything to do with the lady in question. Recall that a lady identified as Igwe Gloria, set the social media agog after she took to a Facebook group, No CHILLS in NAIJA, to narrate her beautiful one-night stand experience with the actor.

Commenting on Mr. Ibu’s big tummy, the lady said she was not bothered as far as she got the money she deserved at the end of the day. According to Gloria, “the level I am right now, two years from now none of you guys will get there even in your next life. I finally had a one-night stand with my Mr. Ibu. “He is so cool, sweet and lovely. All celebrities have their own ways of having sex; they don’t rush it like all chewing gum guys we have here. “He shift the pants gently, kiss you romantically and lastly insert it gently. OMG! Last night was wow! I felt on top of the world. His pot belle no be here ooo. But me I no send as far as money is involved.” How I met her—Ibu However, narrating his side of the story to Vanguard yesterday, Mr. Ibu denied having anything to do with the lady in question, saying he has never met her before now. Ibu’s words: “The girl came to see her boyfriend, an Uber driver working with an American-based humanitarian worker, Belinda Babila, who was in the country to carry out some charity work. “We were planning to visit an orphanage in FESTAC last Friday and the lady came to the hotel where the woman was lodging to see her boyfriend. Through her boyfriend, she approached me to take pictures with me. “I am always flexible when it comes to taking pictures with my fans. I am not rigid. So, I took pictures with her. “Later, the NGO Founder invited the lady to be part of the team that would visit the orphanage. At the orphanage home, we all took pictures and that was it. What happened next, I can’t explain.” ‘She said her Facebook account got hacked’ According to Ibu, “I didn’t even know that the lady in question is even married and she hails from Ebonyi State. Her husband is based in Enugu and they are planning for their traditional marriage, so that she can join her husband in Enugu. “And here she is, dating an Uber driver, who made it possible for her to meet with me. It was later her husband called me and apologised, explaining that it was not his wife that made the post on the Facebook group. “The girl in question also called me and was crying profusely that she never made such damaging post on social media. She swore with her marriage and her unborn child. “She claimed that some mischievous persons hacked into her Facebook account and posted the nasty comment. I believed her because the language used in that post was that of a professional prostitute.” However, the comic actor said despite the negativity of the post, he cannot stop taking pictures with his fans, but will do so with caution.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/one-night-stand-claims-i-never-had.html

The world should help Africa invest in its people as the continent confronts a demographic boom, said billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, whose foundation released its annual report on Tuesday.

Gates put forward a “simple idea” that investing in the health and education of Africa’s younger generation would help tackle poverty. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation released its annual “Goalkeepers” report measuring progress towards achieving UN poverty-reducing goals in 2030, based on an assessment of 18 indicators. While poverty is receding globally, the demographic boom could stall that progress and it could even rise, the report warns. “If those investments are made in the right way,” said the report, young Africans would contribute to the economy and the population growth would likely diminish, as has been the case in other countries. A projection of poverty rates in the report showed that by 2050, more than 40 percent of extremely poor people in the world will live in just two countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria. “The particular challenge of the population growth in Africa leads to a simple idea that the world should help Africa invest in its human capital, and that means both the health and the education of this young generation coming up in Africa,” Gates told journalists. In its annual assessment, the foundation cited progress from Brazil on nutrition, Indonesia for family planning and Vietnam for the quality of education. Bill and Melinda Gates will co-host an event in New York next week, on the sidelines of the gathering of world leaders at the United Nations, to highlight their campaign for investing in youth.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/to-fight-poverty-world-should-invest-in.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned the killing of Miss Saifura Hussaini Khorsa, an aid worker, by the Boko Haram terrorists.


Khorsa, who worked for the Red Cross, was kidnapped about six months ago at the Rann camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno by Boko Haram terrorists.

The president in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday described the killing of aid worker as heinous and despicable.


The statement read: “The government of Nigeria strongly condemns this reprehensible and inhuman act. No religion permits the killing of the innocent.

“Saifura worked for the Red Cross, a humanitarian organisation tirelessly working to bring succor to all the victims of violence irrespective of the sides of the conflict.

“The President, therefore, appealed to Nigeria’s international partners and everyone with an influence on the terrorists to prevail on them “to stop these acts of extreme barbarism.


“Buhari further assured that his administration would seize “every given opportunity, with both hands and to use all means available to bring home all citizens being held against their will by the Boko Haram terrorists.

“The President, on behalf of his family, the government and people of Nigeria extends condolences to the family of Saifura, the Red Cross and UNICEF over the loss of the “selfless and hardworking mother.’’

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/boko-haram-president-buhari-reacts-to.html

The Supervising Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, has vowed to work assiduously for Nigeria’s attainment of economic stability.

A statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Information Department quoted her as saying yesterday when she formally resumed duties. The minister was received by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, accompanied by other management staff.

During a meeting later with the permanent secretary and directors, Ahmed noted that the nation was currently facing serious revenue challenges, reminding the attendees that it was the responsibility of the ministry to shore up Nigeria’s revenue base.

“We have very serious revenue challenges and it is up to us to make sure we shore up the revenue base of the country,” she said.
The minister urged the management team to justify the confidence of the president in their ability to achieve the much-needed economic turnaround of the country.
“The president has a lot of confidence that we can do this if we work together.
You are working for the president and at the end of the day, you are also working for the benefit of the citizens,” Ahmed added.
The supervising minister pledged harmonious working relationship with the management and staff of the ministry, whom she said, are highly skilled.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/zainab-ahmed-resumes-at-finance.html

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has boasted that he can never be impeached as the Senate President hinging his stand on the fact that the All Progressives Congress, (APC) championing the cause are minorities at upper chambers and therefore don’t have the powers to carry out the impeachment threat.The Senate President who made these clarifications while answering questions from Journalists in Minna, Niger state Sunday as part of his presidential campaign said, “The APC members know that we are in the majority and whatever they want to do they know that they don’t have the number”.


“The other kite they are trying to fly is asking me to step down from my seat, but I can tell you that this cannot be possible as I will not step down.”

“One thing is very clear and that is to say that I will not sacrifice the interest of the country for my personal interest and in the last three years as a Senate president, I have demonstrated that my interest is second to that of national interest,” he remarked.

He condemned the calls from various quatres on the Senate to suspend its recess and resume adding that it was a collective decision by all members to adjourn and that their recess is under the ambit of law and has therefore not contravened any section of the procedures and that they will reconvene when it is time for them to resume from the break.

According to him, “We did not adjourn the Senate in the dark; there was a procedure where at the end of the session there was a vote and it was seconded that we should go on the annual recess.

“So it wasn’t anything done in the secret, everybody was there. It is not that some few people met somewhere and took the decision. “Everybody participated and everybody took the decision that we should adjourn for a normal annual recess.

” We took a similar decision last year and even two years ago and we agreed to resume on a certain date and it was the agreed date that we resumed, so there is nothing abnormal about the senate adjournment this year and what we are after is a country rooted in the rule of law and a democratic process,” he further remarked.

“What is important to me is to ensure the independence of the three arms of the government, to allow rule of law, to ensure that we respect the democratic process,” he declared.

On his Presidential ambition, the Senate President said his ambition is to unite all Nigerians no matter their ethnic, religion and political lenient.
According to him, “the country needs a President that can unite everybody, the country needs a leader where all Nigerians will have sense of belonging, the country needs a youthful president, the country needs a President that understands how the executive and legislature work together and not in an environment where there is no harmony.”

On whether he still has control of Kwara state, Saraki said,”the people of the state know their leader and we are not the type that patronize the electorate few months to elections and disappear after such elections and resurface years after.

“We are with our people election or no election and we will continue to be with them and the people will also continue to embrace us all the time so, the 2019 general elections will surely determine who the leader is so let us wait till then,” he declared.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/saraki-fires-back-i-cannot-be-impeached-i-will-never-step-down-as-senate-president/

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Sulaimon Lasun Yusuff, on Sunday dismissed report that he had defected from the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lasun in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Wole Oladimeji‎, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, described the alleged defection to the PDP as “highly misleading and uncalled for.”

The statement reads: “Lasun has said it repeatedly that he is progressive to the core and remains in APC as loyal party man to the core .


“It is the machinations of his political distractors who are head bent in maligning his political image that is spreading the rumour.
“A silence does not mean that he has left the party, the rumour recently being spread is by his political distractors.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/deputy-speaker-lasun-speaks-on-dumping.html

Minister of Transportation and leader of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State and the South-South zone, Rotimi Amaechi has asked Senator Magnus Abe to stop referring to him as his leader.

Amaechi said continuous reference to him by Abe as his “leader” is deceitful and misleading.

The position of the Minister of Transportation is contained in a statement circulated by his Media Office in Abuja.


He accused Senator Abe and his supporters of privately and publicly abusing, insulting casting aspersions, “On me, my wife and members of my family, daily? Is that how a follower treats his leader?
“It’s cheap and indeed shameful political sophistry for Abe to stand in the APC secretariat and deceitfully say I am his Leader, while all he has done, both privately and publicly in recent times is to undermine me, the APC and desecrate the APC in Rivers State.
“As a matter of fact, it is indeed very doubtful if Senator Abe is still in the APC. He mouths APC but his actions belie his words and clearly tell a different story.

“I am not Magnus Abe’s leader. Abe has long left me and the political family that is largely responsible for his rise and fame.
“A man who wakes up, create an imaginary parallel party executive and went ahead to open an office for the non-existent parallel executive, that has no base and foundation, cannot be said to be committed, in anyway, to the party. As a matter of fact, his actions are obviously targeted at weakening and destroying the party.
“Such a hypocritical, devious character cannot be my follower. I am not his leader,” the statement concluded.
Recall that since the controversy in APC, Senator Magnus Abe has consistently referred to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi as his leader.
Last week, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, Sen. Abe after submitting his expression of intent and nomination form told newsmen that Amaechi was his leader.

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/i-am-not-your-leader-amaechi-disowns.html

The National Pension Commission (PenCom), has announced a total recovery of N14.76 billion by Recovery Agents (RAs) to date.The Commission said the entire amount, which comprises principal contribution of N7.53 billion, and penalty of N7.23 billion, has been credited to the workers Retired Saving Accounts (RSAs).

Acting Director General, PenCom, Aisha Dahir-Umah, disclosed this on Tuesday, at an interactive forum with the Organised Private Sector (OPS), on the challenges and future outlook of the Pension Reform Act (PRA 2014), in Lagos.She said the Commission has adopted different strategies toward ensuring employers’ compliance with the provisions of the PRA 2014 described the recovery exercise as being largely successful, saying it has boosted contributors’ confidence, and encouraged employers to embrace the Contributory Pensions Scheme (CPS).

Represented by Head of Compliance, PenCom, S.L. Buala, she noted that out of 14, 511 applications received, the Commission issued certificates to 13,469 organisations that remitted about N110.69 billion.She assured employers that the Commission has set up a transparent, efficient, and effective process to ensure timely issuance of certificates to qualified applicants.

She noted that the pension industry has transited from a deficit of over N2 trillion in 2004, to accumulated pension fund asset worth over N8.23 trillion with registered membership of 8.14 million as at July 2018.While urging the OPS to continue to champion programmes that will ensure the successful implementation of the CPS in Nigeria, Dahir-Umah also assured that PenCom will continue to ensure the protection of employees’ retirement benefits through robust dialogue with relevant stakeholders.

Earlier, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Segun Oshinowo, represented by the Director, Learning, Celine Oni, hinged social dialogue as one of the critical success factors that has shaped and guided the achievement of milestones in the administration and implementation of the PRA since inception.
He called for continuous engagement between PenCom and stakeholders, for the purpose of development and sustainability, noting that forum would afford the regulator the opportunity to obtain direct feedback from key stakeholders, to enhance service delivery, guide operators, and improve compliance to the scheme.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/pencom-recovers-n1476-billion-from.html

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State on Thursday destroyed drugs weighing 110,542 tonnes.

Speaking during the exercise in Akure, the Chief Executive of NDLEA, retired Col. Muhammad Mustapha, said drug trafficking and abuse were not abating. Mustapha, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Oloruntoba, said the magnitude of drugs coming out of the farmlands “ was not a thing of joy.’’ “ Ondo State remains one of the six states in the country where cannabis is cultivated in large quantities. “ As a result of cannabis plantations, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find virgin forests. “The agency has invested a lot of resources to seize this magnitude of drugs. I commend the commander, officers and men of this command for a job well done. “This quantity of drugs, weighing 110,542 tonnes, is frightening and demands more reflections,” he said. Mustapha also said the use of cannabis remains high in the state because of availability and affordability. He, however, added that abuse of tramadol and cough syrup containing codeine rampant in other states was not common in the state. Mr Haruna Gagara, the Commander of the NDLEA in the state, also disclosed that one tonne of cannabis was seized in August alone. Gagara said no fewer than 200 suspects were also arrested, while some had been convicted. He said collaboration with the community was part of strategies used to sensitise the people against the cultivation of cannabis. Gagara added that between January and August, the agency destroyed over 300 hectares of farmland used in cultivating cannabis. (NAN)

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ndlea-burns-110542-tonnes-of-cannabis.html

Nigeria’s former minister of education Obiageli Ezekwesili has called for a mass reduction in the sales price of forms for elective offices in the country to 100,000 Naira.

Ezekwesili, who was also minister of solid minerals under former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, believes the high cost of forms discourages capable person without financial strength from going into governance.

Currently, the two major political parties in the country, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charge millions of naira for sales of forms to their members who have interest in running for the office of the president.


It will be recalled that incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari cried out of not having 27 million Naira to purchase the ruling APC forms to run for office. Three years later, the same form is now sold for N45 million Naira. The PDP’s form is sold for 12 million Naira.
“When I decide to run for elective office, no way any Party that charges above N100,000 for Nomination Forms would get my membership. Tufiakwa. I would not want some amoeba group paying for my form with money that has an opaque source,” Ezekwesili tweeted.
Ezekwesili further stated that the exorbitant costs of the forms under the major parties will make it difficult for persons with the competence to get elective positions.
“Do you folks think we can have a 21st Century David versus Goliath fight in our Politics 2019? Do you think that the forces for good governance can mobilize together against our decadent political order?”
She advised president Buhari to reject the nomination presented to him which the president accepted a day after.
“Dear Nigeria President Buhari. I wish to give you a free counsel. Do not accept a N45M nomination form laced as ‘donation’ by an opaque group of people,”
“Ask one of your staff in Aso Rock to place before you, the basic dictionary definition of integrity. Then, decide,” Ezekwesili said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ezekwesili-advocates-reduction-of-party.html

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, has urged the management of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to intensify efforts toward enlightening people in the state on the scheme.

Masari made the call during a courtesy call by the NHIS Executive Secretary, Prof. Usman Yusuf, on Wednesday in Katsina.

He said the call became imperative because some people misunderstood the scheme, hence the need for more enlightenment.

The governor said it was only when people understood the scheme that they would be able to enrol in it.
He further said the state government was making arrangements to enrol its workers in the scheme for their own benefits.
Earlier, Yusuf, explained that the bill establishing the NHIS which was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, provided that one per cent of Federal Revenue be spent on the health sector.
Yusuf commended the administration of Gov. Masari for renovating and upgrading some general hospitals across the state.
He also announced that the NHIS had opened a new Zonal Office in Kano to take care of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States for effective service delivery.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/governor-masari-calls-for-more-nhis.html

Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Isa Pantami has said the 2019 general elections may be disrupted if adequate information technology security measures were not put in place.

He raised the alarm at the 10th annual conference organised by Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Abuja Chapter, yesterday.

Dr. Pantami said terrorists may disrupt the national elections by hacking into the voter registration database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“If proper IT security measures are not put in place, terrorists may disrupt the national elections by hacking into the INEC voter register database; they can disrupt the banking system by hacking into and taking over the Bank Verification Number (BVN) platform.
“They can critically disrupt the national economy by cyber-jacking the Treasury Single Account (TSA) software, and so on,” he said.
He, however, said the agency was developing a Nigerian government enterprise architecture dedicated to securing the country’s information technology systems.

“NITDA is developing a Nigerian Government Enterprise Architecture and a critical part of it was dedicated to the security of Information Technology systems.
“This section specifies what security measures should be in place while deploying IT systems in Public Institutions,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/how-terrorists-plan-to-disrupt-2019.html

The reign of the bears persisted yesterday, following sell pressure by investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), as market capitalisation plunged further by N155 billion.

Yesterday, the all-share index (ASI) shed 426.22 absolute points, representing a decline of 1.25 per cent to close at 33,611.69 points. Also, market capitalisation lost N155 billion to close at N12.271 trillion.The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nestle Nigeria, Forte Oil, Global Spectrum Energy Services, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Nigerian Breweries.

Reacting to the market performance, analysts at Afrinvest Limited said: “market performance reflects investors’ bearish outlook on the market, as political risks remain heightened in addition to the continued absence of positive drivers. “We, however, expect some bargain hunting to drive performance in the near term based on the availability of attractive stocks in the market.”

Market breadth closed negative, with 11 gainers versus 21 losers. Sunu Assurance recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 22 kobo per share. Union Diagnostic & Clinical Services followed with a gain of 7.41 per cent to close at 29 kobo, while Honeywell Flour Mills appreciated 5.56 per cent to close at N1.52 per share.
University Press gained 4.17 per cent to close at N2, while Mutual Benefit Insurance gained 3.70 per cent to close at 28 kobo per share.On the other hand, Nestle Nigeria led the losers’ chart with 9.67 per cent to close at N1,355 per share.
Global Spectrum Energy Services shed 9.45 per cent to close at N5.75, while Forte Oil fell 9.29 per cent to close at N19.05 per share. Regency Alliance Insurance lost 8.70 per cent to close at 21 kobo, and Japaul Oil also shed 7.69 per cent to close at 24 kobo per share.
The total volume traded depreciated by 11.75 per cent to 137.63 million shares worth N1.36 billion, traded in 3,104 deals. Transactions in the shares of Diamond Bank topped the activity chart with 30.07 million shares valued at N40.4 million. United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 16.66 million shares worth N130.87 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank traded 11.25 million shares valued at N390.94 million.Fidelity Bank traded 10.11 million shares at N17.19 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 6.64 million shares worth N59.76 million.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/market-indices-plunge-further-by.html

Twelve South-East based groups on Monday threw their weight behind the September 12 sit-at-home directive given by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

This formed part of their meeting at the Enugu residence of Chief Maria Okwor, a prominent member of the Eastern Consultative Assembly.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the convener, Mrs Okwor lamented the humiliation meted out to Igbo women who she said “were locked up in Owerri for expressing their opinions in a democracy.”
She complained bitterly over “the continuous ill treatment of Ndigbo as a conquered people”, calling on Ndigbo “to sit at home on Friday September 14th to express our frustrations in Nigeria.”
She insisted that “Nigeria must be returned to the 1963 constitution for the country to survive.”

Also speaking, Secretary of the ECA and founder of the Igbo Youth Movement, IYM, Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko described the constant invasion of Igboland with military hardware every September as provocative and insulting.
His words “every September military equipment is moved menacingly into Igbo land just to remind us that we are a conquered people. Next, they will say some students threw stones at them and mayhem will be unleashed on our people.
“There’s no war going on here,there are no killings going on here. Igbo land is peaceful,why the invasion.
“The soldiers should be drafted to sambisa forest,borno LGA ‘s where killings are going on everyday. They should go to Plateau, Benue etc and save hapless citizens who are slaughtered daily ,while the government is either blaming Lybians or telling middle beltans to surrender their land to the hersdmen to save their lives.
“Bringing so-called python dance 3 to our peaceful region now is only designed to deliberately provoke a confrontation that will lead to loss of lives as they did last year.”
Ugochukwu-Uko announced that the emergency meeting asked all Ndigbo “who are aggrieved over this endless provocative and humiliating invasion called python dance 3, to stay indoors on Friday September 14th to send a message to the world that we angry over this constant humiliation.”
“The meeting also resolved to send a message to the United Nations that Nigeria will die if the structure is not returned to the 1963 constitution.
“The meeting also agreed to organize a street march in October to drive home their demand for a new constitution,asserting that the rigid unitary constitution designed by the military is an evil document,” he further stated.

Read complete details at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/igbo-groups-endorse-ipobs-september-sit.html

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Shoptomydoor, Mr. Nduka Udeh, has taken a swipe at government agencies and banks as major impediments to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) growth in the country.

Shoptomydoor is an e-commerce company which specializes in exportation and importation of various items to and from Nigeria, United States and the United Kingdom. Udeh, in a chat with Vanguard at a programme tagged: “Export Opportunity for Everyone” in Lagos, listed the impeding factors faced by SMEs in the hands of government agencies such as National Agency for Foods, Drugs and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the banks, to include time wasted on product inspection, product registration by NAFDAC and SON, bank financing, letter of credit, and collateral based finance by banks. He said, “Nigeria does not have any credit system that works unlike the US where most SMEs start with credit from banks.” Speaking about the Bank of Industry, (BOI) he said: “Go to their website and see the requirements needed to get a loan, you will get frustrated and jettison the idea because there is no way a small business can meet those requirements.” He listed other impeding factors to include lack of information, which he said include improper awareness campaign on export processes, and limited information on the potential of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), storage facilities, local logistics, which he linked to bad roads connecting farms.

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/govt-agencies-banks-blamed-for-poor.html

The Federal Government, in collaboration with Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA) has succeeded in financing 15, 000 Micro-small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Abuja.

They have also promised to sustain the recent grant of N20, 000 to each of the 223 market businesswomen in the territory.

The Vice-president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said the efforts are in line with government’s agenda to boost the sector, and that the interventions have also created 12,517 jobs from 2015 to date.


Osinbajo stated this, yesterday, while commissioning the Federal Capital Territory MSME ‘One Stop Shop’ in Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, Osinbajo said the initiative was designed to further facilitate the synergy between the MSMEs and Business Support and Regulatory bodies, thereby eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks facing MEMEs in the country.
The Managing Director, Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA), Muhammad Tukur Arabi said over 8,500 businesses are being sensitised on regulatory issues, government support programmes and projects, stressing that the MSMEs have been afforded opportunity to directly interact with Business Regulatory and support institutions.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/fg-agency-give-financial-support-to.html

It finally happened! Cardi B and nemesis Nicki Minaj nearly got in a physical fight — wearing designer evening gowns nonetheless — at the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS Party in NYC and it was all caught on tape!

Having Nicki Minaj and her rival Cardi B in close quarters was bound to cause a ruckus, and sure enough a near-brawl broke out when the two met up at the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party in NYC on Sept. 7. Cardi, 25, apparently was the one who went on the attack, throwing one of her red platform heels at Nicki. The women were quickly separated but in the process the back of Cardi’s red gown’s skirt was ripped completely open. Cardi later took to Instagram and ranted that Nicki spoke on her ability to be a good mother to nearly two-month-old baby girl Kulture which is what set her off.

According to TMZ, when Cardi laid eyes on Nicki she said “Let me tell you something” and began to lunge at Nicki. Security was able to swoop in and save Nicki just inches from the “Bodak Yellow” rapper coming in contact with her. Instead as they were getting pulled away from each other, Cardi took off her red shoe and threw it at Nicki.

In video of the actual near-brawl, the crowd begins to scream as something is clearly going down and Cardi is seen in her gorgeous red ball gown being pulled away by security who keep telling her “No! No!” Somehow during the altercation the entire left side of Cardi’s long, full skirt ended up ripping all the way to her belt and then some, exposing her bare butt and white thong. There are reports that LHHNY’s Rah Ali punched Cardi in the head as she was going after Nicki.

After leaving the party, Cardi took to Instagram to call out Nicki and explain why she came at her:

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/cardi-b-attacks-nicki-minaj-throws-shoe.html

Heads of State, Governments and delegations from 52 African countries, which includes Nigeria and the People’s, Republic of China met in Beijing, under the auspices of the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

The tri-annual summit was held with the theme: “China and Africa: Towards an Even Stronger Community with a Shared Future through Win-Win Cooperation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari led a strong delegation from the public and private sector that included senators, state governors and the Ministers of Finance, Transportation, Power, Works and Housing, Budget and National Planning, Petroleum and Industry, Trade and Investment, and Minister of State, Aviation.

The gains for Nigeria from the recent FOCAC, which alternates its meetings between China and Africa every three years, can be summed up in three ways: Nigeria as a member of FOCAC; Nigeria-China bilateral engagement and Nigerian Government–Chinese business partnerships.


At the summit, which attracted multiple benefits for Nigeria, members agreed to bind themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative of the Chinese government, which essentially seeks to promote collectively, among one another, extensive consultation, cooperation and ensure shared gains.

Essentially, this translates into closer connection in policy, infrastructure, trade, finance and people-to-people ties. All members will share development opportunities and promote cultural exchanges.

Going forward, Africa and China will form a stronger synergy in world bodies such as the UN, World Trade Organisation and G77+China. They will align themselves in pursuit of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2063 of the African Union and support individual national development strategies.

Overall, this should generate more resources for everyone, expand markets and create space for African development and broaden its economic prospects. To realise this, African countries have agreed to participate in November this year in China’s first-ever International Import–Export Expo in Shanghai.

It is important to note that China has categorically stated their commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs of members, as well as pledged to support development efforts without political strings attached. This should answer mostly Western critics who doubt the sincerity of China.

In line with the general principles of the accord, Nigeria, with few African countries, were preferentially treated to bilateral meetings. The Chinese and Nigerian government met exclusively to discuss matters of mutual benefits. The leaders of both countries witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by their foreign ministers, captured as “One Belt, One Road (OBOR)’’.

There was the signing of USD 328 million financing agreement for the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone by the Nigerian Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Wang Xiaotoa, Director-General, China International Development Cooperation Agency.

As for more specific takeaways from the bilateral meetings, Nigeria received blessings of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping for the building of the country’s largest hydroelectric power plant in Mambila. Work on the power project will commence on the site in early 2019.

When President Xi announced a USD 60 billion to finance aid and infrastructure projects in Africa at the FOCAC Summit in Johannesburg in 2015, Nigeria joined other countries to draw from the funds for critical infrastructure that included railways, roads and power.

In the last 24 months, China has given Nigeria support in scholarships, military trainings and security assistance, agriculture and concessionary loans to fund infrastructure. Nigeria has attracted more than USD 5 billion finance and more is still under discussion with the government of China.

With a further USD 60 billion announced for the next three years by President Xi, Nigeria should hope to make more progress in closing its infrastructure deficit.

At the Johannesburg summit, President Xi announced RMB 100 million in humanitarian and military assistance to Nigeria in the fight against terrorism. At this summit, he promised a further sum of RMB 50 million for the same purpose. President Xi promised to open China’s market for agricultural products from Nigeria and widen cooperation between the two nations in media, sports and culture. He noted that several Nigerian footballers in China were idolised by fans. The Chinese leader also promised to step up cooperation in intelligence and military training.

While commending President Buhari for taking measures to fight terrorism and insecurity, President Xi said the Nigerian leader was decisive in dealing with terrorism. “You are resolute–the same attitude as China,” he said.

President Xi told President Buhari that he would support the reform of the UN “to increase the voice of developing countries in Africa”. He equally promised continued support for Nigeria’s infrastructure projects, citing the country’s railway modernisation project; Lekki Deep Sea Pot; Zungeru Power Project; Abuja Light Rail; ICT and infrastructure backbone and Abuja Water supply as laudable developmental projects.

The Chinese leader announced the establishment of a “manufacturing section” so that Nigeria can gain from China’s leading role in the world. “In some we lead, in others we need to catch up,” he added.

On a parting note, President Xi told President Buhari that he was fully cognisant of the status and influence of Nigeria in Africa, saying, “We will step up cooperation and will provide assistance. The relationship between China and Nigeria is as best as ever, given the deeper mutual trust. China will continue to stand with Nigeria.”

President Buhari was also accorded the honour of a state banquet by the Chinese Premier Li, who assured the Nigerian leader that China was ready “to press ahead” with infrastructure, including the Mambila hydroelectric power project. He, like President Xi, requested for “thorough feasibility and sustainability studies.”

Among the several outcomes of the engagements of President Buhari and his delegation at the FOCAC Beijing summit were the many agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed between the Nigerian Government and Chinese businesses, and between Nigerian businesses and their Chinese counterparts.

The Nigerian delegation was able to sign thirteen agreements during the summit out of 25, with more to be signed by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation.

In all, more than USD 10 billion agreements were signed. Others, still under discussion will be quantified upon the conclusion of discussions by various parties. Among those that have been signed, in agreements or MOUs include that entered between the China National Petroleum Corporation, which has agreed to secure funding for the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Ajaokuta – Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline to cost USD 2.8 billion. The agreement entered by the Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry for USD 2 billion, for a first-ever cotton value chain; that is from cotton growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture and garment with Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States as the chosen locations.

Another Chinese conglomerate, Capegate Integrated is into an MOU worth USD 1.5 billion for energy and organic fertilizer that will cover Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Kano to generate:

· 300 MW of electricity

· 500,000 tonnes of organic fertilizer

· 60,000,000 litres of oil from pyrolysis

· Create up to 10,000 jobs

· 400 garbage collection trucks, various types of city

sanitation equipment and

· One million (1,000,000) waste bins to be deployed.

The NNPC entered another agreement with Nanni Good Fortune Heavy Industries Group and Capegate Group for a USD 400 million investments across six states to allow for:

· 90 litres of ethanol

· 64 MW of power

· 72,000 tonnes of sugar per annum

· 10,000 tonnes of animal farm per annum

· 5,500 direct employment

The Nanni Industries and Capegate Group submitted an MOU to the NIPC for an investment in 15,000 hectares of Cassava Ethanol in the South-west, and another project of the same value and scale in the South-east.

Among other agreements that the NNPC signed was one with Obax-Complant Consortium and another with Capegate-Nanning Consortium that targets 10 biofuel complexes nationwide. NNPC’s Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru said through these ventures, Nigeria is giving effect to her aspiration for the exploitation of renewable fuel sources.

Edo State Government, as reported widely, had signed for the construction of the Benin River Port; the Benin Industrial Park and a 550 Barrels per day modular refinery. A funding MOU between Huawei technologies and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Galaxy Backbone for the training of 1,000 Nigerian government officials to acquire basic ICT knowledge and skills has been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice.


Huawei also plans the annual training of 10,000 Nigerians in ICT, with a wider and deeper training of 5,000 out of this number who, upon certification by Huawei will be employable anywhere in the world. Another attractive MOU signed was that by KhromeMonkey Nigeria Limited, behind whom is Leadership newspapers owner, Sam Nda-Isaiah and Shenzen Right Net Technology Limited.

This partnership will lead to setting up of Amanbo Nigeria, a business-to-business-consumer (B2B2C) platform and portal that would enable Nigerian exporters to trade with Chinese importers and vice-versa. This partnership holds tremendous opportunities for Nigeria in terms of creating thousands jobs, if not millions as core and support services to the platforms such as warehousing all over the country, logistics, distributorships, customer services, shipping services, credit facilities for small businesses etc. The estimated trade potential of the platform within the first three years given the current trade relationship with China is USD 500 million. This is expected to continue to grow, creating millions of jobs for Nigerians.

From addressing the FOCAC as FCOWAS Chairman, and doing so as President of Nigeria, to having 30 minutes discussions with President Xi Jinping and another 60 minutes with Premier Li, to addressing a room filled with influential Chinese businessmen and women, President Buhari’s six-day engagement in China had turned out to be really eventful, successful and highly rewarding.

Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media and Publicity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/president-buharis-takeaways-from-focac.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on investors in the diary industry to facilitate backward integration in the sector including providing incentives for local diary farmers.

Osinbajo expressed this view on Friday when he received a delegation from FrieslandCampina led by its Global CEO, Mr. Hein Schumacher on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The delegation also included the Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Robert Petri, the Chairman of the FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Mr. Jacob Ajekigbe and other management staff of the company.

According to the Vice President, “I think that Friesland needs to, on its own, do something because there is really no incentive for backward integration.“I think that there is a need for you to do more in terms of local production and set some timelines. Maybe after six years, you should be doing 70 per cent and not 10 per cent. My view is that if we go at the current rate it will be extremely difficult for the local producers to move up.”

Speaking specifically about the need to develop a robust plan to improve local production across the country, Prof. Osinbajo said, “The plan of extending the dairy development programme to other states is extremely important. I just think that backward integration is just so crucial, my worry is the lack of incentives for backward integration.”

He advised, “as part of the backward integration, a programme of how to put the farmers in a position where they are able to produce more should be put in place. There should be a very robust plan to encourage cattle breeders to actually increase yields so that we can say, after a particular period, 70 per cent of products should be locally produced but the problem, I must say, is still the lack of incentives,” Prof. Osinbajo added.

He, however, assured the company of the Federal Government’s readiness to support it to actualize set business objectives while urging for better synergy between the public and private sector.

Earlier in his remarks, the Global CEO of Friesland Campina, Mr. Hein Schumacher said the company, established in Nigeria since 1973, has developed a plan to grow Nigeria’s local dairy industry through a small-holder farmer dairy programme.He however appealed to the Federal Government to support the company’s development plan by improving infrastructure in its operational base in Oyo State and also providing tax incentives for its new investments.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/osinbajo-calls-for-backward-integration.html

The political make-up of Africa’s most populous nation is coming under scrutiny after a leading election hopeful promised greater devolution if he becomes president at polls next year.

Nigeria’s former vice-president Atiku Abubakar said this week he was in favour of handing more powers to the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory if he wins in February.

“Over the years, since (the) military got involved governing the country, they have created too many states and concentrated a lot of power in the centre,” he said.

“So, we believe we should return to the principles of true federalism: devolving more power and resources to the components of federalism in terms of security, healthcare, education.”

Such issues “will be best dealt with by people nearer to the people than the FG (federal government), which is too far away”, Abubakar, 71, told reporters in an interview.

In July, states and local governments received 656.6 billion naira ($1.8 billion, 1.6 billion euros) from a total of 821.9 billion naira in federal funding, according to official statistics.

The money shared out from the central account comes from revenue generated by the states themselves.

But more prosperous states — particularly those in the oil-producing south — have long complained they are subsidising less productive counterparts, especially those in the more impoverished north.

‘Bottle feeding’

Abubakar’s call for a loosening of federal ties is significant because it stands at odds with the position of his fellow politicians from the north, including Buhari.

Until now, the idea has had more support in the south.

Nigeria as a single entity dates back to 1914 when British colonial rulers amalgamated northern and southern Nigeria for commercial purposes.

But there have been tensions ever since — and questions about whether the union can hold — because of ethnic, cultural and religious divisions.

Regional identity is fiercely guarded in Nigeria, which is almost evenly divided between a mainly Muslim north and the largely Christian south. The most obvious division has been between the north and south.

Abubakar, who was president Olusegun Obasanjo’s deputy from 1999 to 2007, described Nigeria as “a number of countries in one country”.


Critics of the current political set-up, such as the Restructure Nigeria group, have called the current system of allocations “unfair, ridiculous and bizarre” and suggested it provides no incentives and breeds corruption.

Ending “unitary ‘feeding bottle’ federalism” and giving states more control of areas from natural resources to policing would kickstart moribund local economies and improve security, they argue.

Militancy in the oil-producing south has largely been fuelled by demands for greater control of the revenue generated by oil and gas.

Repeated lack of central funding for infrastructure has equally contributed to the revival of separatist sentiment in the southeast.

But Buhari’s administration has maintained that good governance and better execution of infrastructure projects is more important than restructuring.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said last month: “It is about managing resources properly and providing for the people properly, that is what it is all about.”

He recalled his time as a commissioner in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, between 1999 and 2007 and how he fought for financial autonomy for the state.

“We felt that there was a need for the states to be stronger, for states, to more or less, determine their fortunes.”

Osinbajo on Tuesday said Abubakar lacked proper understanding of restructuring, calling his plan “vague” and ill thought-out.

Support

Abubakar, who wants to secure the ticket for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, admitted that his position would not be popular in his native northeast Nigeria.

But it could be a canny political move to win support in the south, which traditionally has not been inclined to back northern Muslim candidates.

The ethnic Yoruba socio-cultural group Afenifere in the southwest has led calls for greater devolution. The region includes megacity Lagos – a key election battleground and must-win prize for any presidential hopeful.

“When people talk about good governance and promise good roads, agricultural development and all that, we just laugh,” Afenifere leader, Ayo Adebanjo, said last weekend.

“There must be a country first before any development.”

Nigeria is riven with security challenges from Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast to Biafran separatists in the southeast and violence between farmers and herders in central states.

Peace and stability would be elusive without restructuring, he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/restructuring-nigeria-becomes-election.html

Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye has raised alarm over earth tremors being experienced by residents in some parts of Abuja.


Melaye in a post on his Twitter page, speaking on the recent development, said he felt earth tremors in his Maitama home on Friday morning.

He, however, stated that he has informed the FCT minister, Mohammed Bello of the development.


He assured Abuja residents that measures were been taken to address the problem.

Melaye wrote: “I have informed the FCT Minister and Perm Sec. on the scaring earth movement in some parts of Abuja at 6:11am. I felt earth tremors in my home in maitama too.

“Measures are been taken to address the problem.I will keep the FCT administration on their toes on this.”


Here are some comments gathered by Akelicious:

@Fantis “Did you all feel this crazy big tremor just now 6:12 am in Abuja? Now this is getting scary. My house and bed shook! Felt 2 More smaller ones now.”

@AliyuAtiku “The whole Abuja is vibrating. It happened yesterday and it’s happening right now. Anybody felt it? Could it be an earthquake?

@BashirYusuf “Another heavy tremor just occurred at 6.01 a.m. in Maitama, Abuja. Truth is, this seem like a warning for an earthquake. I think the authorities should do some scientific investigation or evacuate residents as a matter of precaution.”

@Chrisngwodu “These tremors shaking Abuja require a definite explanation. What are they? Why are they happening? What or who is responsible? Are they seismic events?

@Oyenne9 “It’s the third day of tremors in abuja, Today’s just started very early this morning and its getting stronger. It’s spreading to areas that weren’t affected on day one. The windows are vibrating as well. I’ve counted more than 5 since 6:11am.”

@Olajideobe “we also need to ensure all first responders are on emergency alert.
As we pray/hope for the best (safety), we should also brace for the worst, in case earthquake eventually occurs.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/dino-melaye-abuja-residents-raise-alarm.html

A good governance advocacy group in Ebonyi State, Movement for Greater Ebonyi, has condemned what it called draconian taxes and levies introduced by the Governor Dave Umahi government.

The group said the governor’s recent announcement that illegal tax collection in the state had been suspended was deceitful.


It accused Umahi of trying to hoodwink the people with a dishonest declaration concerning the controversial tax regime to secure re-election in next year’s general election.

Movement for Greater Ebonyi slammed the governor for turning a blind eye to economic dislocations brought about by his administration’s several taxes and levies.

“This is absolutely ludicrous,” leader of the group, Silas Nworie, said. “Many well-meaning Ebonyi people had begged him to stop his penchant for using unruly thugs to extort scarce money from innocent Ebonyi residents in the guise of taxes and levies, but all pleas fell on deaf ears.”

Nworie said Ebonyi people were not deceived by the governor’s antics.

A resident of Abakaliki, the state capital, who had been a victim of the alleged tax harassments, but preferred anonymity, said regarding the controversial tax system introduced by Umahi, “what he should do now is to urgently arrest and prosecute those criminals that squeezed money out of people.

“But we know he cannot do it because those people are his men; they were acting on his instructions. Ebonyi people know this. They are not deceived.”

The contentious taxes and levies were said to be part of the reasons a senator from the state and member of the governor’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sonni Ogbuoji, moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A youth leader in the state’s chapter of APC, Benjamin Ogbonna, said the governor had created hardship in Ebonyi State. “People are forced to buy ‘environmental basket’ for N8,000, whether they already have or not.

“Monthly refuse collection fee is N400 per shop, but collection and disposal never happens,” Ogbonna alleged, adding, “These and other numerous oppressive acts of the governor are the reasons for the public outcry that forced the governor to indulge in his recent unsuccessful sham move.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/residents-slam-governor-umahi-for.html