₦airaland Forum

The challenge came a day after a National Commissioner with INEC, Mrs Aminat Zakari, challenged the governor to prove allegations that she had conspired with three others to pre-load card readers, supply faulty card readers and provide ballot papers for stuffing of ballot boxes.Fayose also tackled the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmed Bello and the Director of the Department of State Services, Mrs Promise Ihenacho, for allegedly deploying security aides of former governor Kayode Fayemi to Ekiti State to rig the July 14 governorship election.

The governor pointed out that Fayemi’s ex-Chief Security Officer, Hakeem Abiola, and former Aide de camp, Adeyemi Ajayi, were already in the state to coordinate indiscriminate arrest of the members of the opposition.

Fayose spoke at a town hall meeting organised by the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room for governorship candidates in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

The Chairman on the occasion, Mr Clement Nwakwo, said the essence of the meeting was to extract assurances from INEC, security agencies and candidates that the coming election would be credible.

He said, “We are going to hold INEC accountable for whatever happens and that is why it is good for the security to be helpful and we know they won’t default in this regard.”

The governor tendered video evidence of people allegedly pre-loading card readers in Akure ahead of the July 14 governorship election to the National Commissioner in charge of Ekiti, Osun and Oyo states, Mr Solomon Soyebi.

Fayose said, “This is the evidence of people pre-loading card readers in Akure. Any officer who is seen to be biased should be relieved of any sensitive assignment.”


But dismissing the video, Soyebi said the card readers to be used for the election were already in Ekiti and had not been configured.

“I know the information will come to you, but they are fake. The card readers will only start working on the day of the election. A lot of people will be giving you information, a lot of them will be fake,” he said.

Also, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakub, described the governor’s allegations as untrue and baseless.

Yakub in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, stressed that it was impossible for anyone to rig the election in favour of any candidate.

Rather than malign them at press conferences, Yakub urged the governor to make any evidence of wrongdoing available to the Commission for appropriate action.”

“We wish to emphasise that it is impossible for the Commission’s officials, any individual or group for that matter to pre-load the Smart Card Readers or provide ballot papers for stuffing as alleged,” he said.

Yakub explained that the SCRs performed three functions: identifying, verifying and authenticating the voter and the PVC, adding that it could only function on the election day.

“In addition to the results sheets that we issue to party agents at the Polling Units and at every level of collation, the Commission also deliberately introduced Form EC60E to show election results at the Polling Units, which is the most important level. This form is pasted at every Polling Unit after collation,” he added.

INEC reiterated its resolve to conduct a credible, free and fair election that would be a model for other elections in Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/card-reader-fayose-confronts-inec.html

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

To this end, the government has indicated its interest to organise the maiden edition of the National Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Awards.

Tola Adekunle Johnson, Special Assistant to the Vice President on MSMEs who made the announcement at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said the event would hold on August 2, 2018.

The award which he said will hold in Abuja, the nation’s capital, will be cash-backed and aimed at encouraging MSMEs in the country.

According to him, the award will be in 12 categories namely: MSME of the Year, Young MSME of the Year, Most Friendly MSME State, Excellence in Creative Arts, Excellence in Agriculture, Excellence in Manufacturing, Excellence in Manufacturing, Excellence in Technology Innovation and Excellence in Fashion and Style.

Others are Excellence in Leather Works, Excellence Furniture and Wood Works, Excellence in Beauty, Wellness and Cosmetics as well as Excellence for Non-Profit Service to Humanity.

He listed the criteria to include: outstanding business concept, locally produced goods, use of local technology, provision of conducive atmosphere for MSMEs to thrive among others.

He said nominations will commence from July 4 to 13, 2018, pointing out that it would be national programme that would hold annually.

He added that the Vice President has held discussions with over 300,000 MSMEs across 17 states of the Federation.

The presidential aide said the award is for individuals who have distinguished themselves in the MSMEs sector.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/economic-growth-fg-set-to-award.html

A former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, (SAN), has said that he is better educated than President Muhammadu Buhari and therefore in a better position to lead the country in 2019.

Turaki, who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, spoke in Abuja on Monday when he visited the national headquarters of the party.


He was at the headquarters of the party to intimate to members of its National Working Committee his aspiration.

He said he could match President Buhari’s much-talked-about integrity, adding that he had what the President didn’t have.

The former minister said, “I can match President Buhari’s integrity for integrity and I have what he does not have: I have education, I have the knowledge, I have the fear of God, which he doesn’t have.

“Even if you have a good sales team, you need a good product. And I am that product. I can assure you that I am not made in ‘Taiwan’.

“Nigerians are crying, weeping and dying and they believe that the only party that can save them from this malady and psychological trauma is the PDP.”

While reminding members of the NWC of the great task ahead, Turaki said the PDP needed a good product to confront the ruling party in the Presidential election.

According to him, “Since 2015 that we lost the election, many things have changed. It is no longer about the platform alone but also about the candidate.


“We must be able to come up with a candidate that has the strength of character to wrestle Buhari and pin him to the ground (should he emerge APC Presidential candidate).”

On the security situation in the country, Turaki blamed Buhari’s government for declaring victory over the insurgents; a development he said made the people take government’s position hook, line and sinker.

He said, “APC has lied over the flushing and defeat of insurgents and when they (people) relax, they are picked up in soft targets and killed by insurgents,” adding that until killers were made to face the wrath of the law, the reign of terror would not abate.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/2019-im-better-educated-than-buhari.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has so far secured 139 convictions between January and June, 2018.Spokesman of the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Uwujaren said the convictions were significant as they included those of Mr Jolly Nyame and Sen. Joshua Dariye, former governors of Taraba and Plateau states respectively.

According to him, both men are currently serving a 14-year jail term each for criminal breach of trust, misappropriation of public funds and receiving gratification.

The new figure, he stated, is an improvement of the 89 convictions recorded in May.

He said, “Indeed, the EFCC has remained consistent in its efforts of effectively changing the negative narrative of pervasive corruption in the system.

“The commission is altering the general perception that there are some people who are above the law.

“Suffice to state, that the record of convictions, also includes that of a former Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Nwobike, who was convicted for attempting to pervert the course of justice.’’

Uwujaren added that several of such corruption cases were being prosecuted by the EFCC across the country, restating the commission’s determination to see them to a logical conclusion.

The spokesperson said the agency would not rest on its oars and was determined to surpass the 189 convictions secured in 2017.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/efcc-secures-139-convictions-in-6-months.html

Source:http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/2018-approved-hajj-package-for.html

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advocated for security-tightened borders to checkmate influx of unregistered pharmaceutical products into the country.

The agency said all land borders, including Onne and Tincan Island ports should remain shut as entry points for pharmaceuticals.

In a similar vein, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Faraday Orumwense, has harped on the urgent need to address drug abuse on campuses.


Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye, who gave the advice at the weekend at a symposium on “Problems of Drug/Substance Abuse organised by UNIBEN in Benin City, Edo State, attributed abuse of hard drug among youths to lack of due diligence to ensure the integrity of the distribution chain, which according to her, has led to illicit channels and to traders with little or no knowledge of the public health consequences of codeine-containing products.

The NAFDAC boss, represented by Edo State co-ordinator of the agency, Esther Itua, decried reports of clearance of drugs at unapproved entry points.

Orumwense, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Prof. Pius Irihogbe, said there is urgent need to address drug abuse in campuses, adding: “Life is all about human beings and their existence. The more we come together to exchange ideas, break new grounds on campaign against this life-threatening menace, the better we shall be.”

Besides, pharmacists, under the aegis of Board of Fellows (BoF) of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), have launched a five-year campaign against drug abuse to curtail the adverse effect of the scourge.

Chairman, BoF, Chiedu Mordi, said this during the 2018 yearly meeting and award ceremony of the pharmacists in Lagos.

NAFDAC DG, who spoke at the event, said the agency had engaged young pharmacists’ group to lead a nationwide campaign against drug abuse.

She charged the citizens to play an individual role in terms of nation building.

Also, President, PSN, Ahmed Yakasai, said: “I must appreciate the Director-General, NAFDAC, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, for using the young pharmacists group nationwide in fighting against drug abuse. This is surely the way to safeguard the lives of our youths as they are great resources for nation-building.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/nafdac-uniben-pharmacists-intensify.html

The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai has commissioned a monument for the fallen soldiers who were attacked and killed by Boko Haram militants while liberating Gudumbali town in Borno State.

He described the attack as the worst in the fight against insurgency.

During the commissioning on Saturday, he said the pyramid and monument symbolised that the slain soldiers would not be forgotten for their selfless services to keep Nigeria together.


Buratai, who led senior officers from the Nigerian Army Headquarters to Gudumbali town in Guzamala Local Government Area of the state, said the Nigerian Army would continue to appreciate all those who had paid supreme prizes especially in the Northeast region.


The visit was part of 2018 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) activities.


The Army Chief recalled that Gudumbali is a strategic place in the Lake Chad Basin regions and was a stronghold of insurgents, saying the troops made four attempts before it was finally recaptured.


Buratai walked round Gudumbali town where he visited the market, interacted with traders and promised them adequate security to enable them work in the farms.


Some of senior Army officers at the event included Director, Army Training and Logistics, Maj.-Gen. David Amodu; the Theater Commander, Operations Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Rogers Nicolas and the Commander, Operations Last Hold, Maj.-Gen. AM Dikko.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/army-honours-slain-soldiers-in-borno.html

The Army has assured Nigerians that it will continue to work for the common good of the nation in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai said in Maiduguri, that the army would continue to professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibility.

“We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army is for you and we’ll continue to work for the common good of the country while professionally carrying out our constitutional responsibility,” Buratai said.

His comments came a few days after global rights group, Amnesty International, accused the Nigerian Government of encouraging the impunity fuelling the increasing insecurity in the country.

The group had also accused the security agencies, including the military of ‘unacceptable lapses’ while condemning the killings in Plateau State.

While the military has rejected previous reports from the group indicting soldiers, the Army Chief said they remain committed to carrying out their duties in accordance with the constitution.

He, however, noted that while the security agencies have a duty to keep the nation safe, it is a collective responsibility that cannot be achieved without the support and conscious participation of patriotic citizens.

“We all should be our brothers’ keepers,” the Lieutenant General added in his address to mark the commencement of this year’s Army Day Celebrations.

Buratai further reminded the people, especially those affected by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east that the military remains committed to their security.

According to him, this is why the Army recently launched an operation tagged “Operation Last Hold” in the region, to help displaced persons resettle and commence farming activities in their ancestral homes.

“The Nigerian Army is continuously making sacrifices towards ensuring unity and development of this great nation. We, therefore, solicit for the cooperation, prayer, and goodwill of all,” the Army boss added.

The 2018 Army Day celebration commemorating Nigerian Army’s 155th year of establishment would be marked in Monguno, one of the communities recovered from the insurgents in Borno.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/07/army-is-for-good-of-nigerians-buratai.html

Nigeria has revealed a new approach to harness its tremendous gas resources with the aim to capture 10 per cent of the world’s market share in traded Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of measures to derive maximum value from its abundant natural gas resources. Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this while addressing the 27th World Gas Conference (WGC) in Washington DC, United States. Speaking at a session on ‘The Role of Gas in Power Generation’ under the theme ‘Fuelling the Future,’ Baru said Nigeria has enormous gas potentials and their huge contributions to the nation’s economy is great. “We are focused on jumpstarting and sustaining gas supply to support a rapid growth in power generation, re-positioning Nigeria as the regional hub for gas-based industries such as fertilizer, petrochemicals, methanol, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), as well as leveraging our enormous reserves position to strengthen our footprints in high value gas export through LNG and regional gas pipelines,” Baru told delegates at the triennial gas gathering. He said with emerging gas markets and the need to generate more power across Africa’s Sub-Saharan region, there abound an unprecedented investment opportunity in the gas sector for the country. According to the GMD, Nigeria is focused on expanding its existing 22 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) Nigerian LNG plant with additional 8MTPA from its proposed Train 7, a development that will significantly increase global power generation capacity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigeria-targets-10-global-lng-market.html

One Adewale Adesanya, a survivor of the Otedola Bridge fire which occurred on Thursday, June 28, has disclosed how he escaped from the terrible inferno. In an interview with Vanguard, the lucky survivor said he never envisaged that the fuel tanker which caused the fire would experience any brake failure.

Akelicious.net gathers that he stated that the tanker fell and began spilling its contents, after the brake failure occurred. According to Adesanya, immediately he noticed the highly combustible liquid spilling on the road and approaching his vehicle, he ran out and crossed over to the other side. He said: “Due to the state of the road, I saw the content spilling towards my vehicle with fire accompanying it. So I quickly ran out of the vehicle and crossed to the other side to avoid been caught in the inferno.” Another commuter, one Michael Simon, whose car was among the vehicles which got burnt in the inferno, stated: “I am happy I didn’t die while trying to escape from the scene. I tried maneuvering my vehicle to avoid been burnt, but my efforts proved abortive.

A female eyewitness, one Maria Oje, while in tears, described her escape as the handwork of God. She stated that she saw how some motorists tried to escape, but did not make it. In her words: “One of them, who was on fire, fell down, as he could not run any longer. Nobody could rescue them as everyone was also running for dear life.”

The spokesman, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Kehinde Adebayo, confirmed the incident, stressing that four persons sustained various degrees of injury.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/otedola-bridge-fire-survivors-narrate.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has charged lawyers and law enforcement officers on effective delivery in the administration of justice, which he said, is far too slow in holding people accountable to anything, including corruption, petty offences or even some of the security issues the country faces.

The Vice President stated this while addressing over 1,200 young and senior lawyers participating in the 12th yearly Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) yesterday in Abuja.

He said it is the duty of lawyers as professional elite in the country to continue to support security framework and system of administration of justice.


“The charges made at our doorstep frequently are the fact that the administration of justice system which involves lawyers, the profession and the judiciary, as well as the police and so on, is far too slow in holding people accountable to anything.

“It is one of the critical ways we can contribute to making our society safer and better,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, who spoke at the commissioning of the new Court of Appeal Mediation Centre in Abuja, called on all judges and heads of courts to encourage Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in cases that are less contentious before them as it aids in decongestion of the courts’ jurisprudence.

The CJN, represented by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, noted that the use of ADR mechanisms in courts, besides forming part of the quarterly performance evaluation for judges, the mediation centre is expected to grow to become a veritable alternative to the rigours of the courts and promote conflict resolution for more effective justice delivery in the Courts of Appeal.

In a related vein, Onnoghen has ordered magistrates to carry out inspection of police stations and other detention facilities across the country.

The directive, which was sent to chief judges of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on Media, Awassam Bassey, following alleged police brutality, inordinate arrest and unlawful detention, among others.

He said: “I have observed and received several complaints of the horrific incidents of police brutality, inordinate arrest, detention and extortion of innocent Nigerians by officers across the country.

“These incidents have assumed frightening proportions in recent times. The magistrate courts are currently overwhelmed with cases of such brutality, inordinate arrest and detention of citizens.

“As we approach election year, it is imperative that we curb these excesses through the instrumentality of the statutory powers of the courts.”

He further directed the chief judge of every state and FCT to put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/osinbajo-tasks-lawyers-others-on.html

The National Economic Council on Thursday lamented that the standard of basic education at the state level had fallen drastically.

It, therefore, set up a committee to look at how to address the issue.


The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of a meeting of the council presided over by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

All state governors, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and some relevant ministers are members of the council chaired by the Vice-President.

The minister said he presented a Ministerial Strategy Plan (2016 – 2019) for the education sector to the council, adding that the presentation centred on the achievements, challenges and way forward in the sector.

He said the plan also recognised that more investment was needed in the education sector, while emphasising that collaboration among the federal, states, local governments, the private sector and development partners was necessary.

“Council noted that the standard of basic education at the state level had fallen drastically and resolved that a committee comprising governors of Kano, Osun, Delta, Anambra, CBN Governor and the Minister of Education should look into what needs to be done urgently in the education sector at the state level and report back to the council,” the minister said.

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said the council received and approved the annual report and accounts of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority for the year ended 2016 and update on 2017 activities.

“Council resolved that account of NSIA be approved,” he said.

The governor noted that the NSIA reported a fifth straight year of profitability in all its funds with core profits (excluding FX transaction gains) of N26.28bn ($88m) for the year.


He said the authority also reported that the total assets under management were about $1.25bn for the most part of the year, as the additional contribution of $250m was not received until the third quarter of 2017.

The authority, he added, reported that the return on asset was up to 6.60 per cent in dollar terms.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nec-sets-up-committee-on-fallen.html

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof Moji Adeyeye, has said the fines of N300,000 for smugglers of controlled substances like Tramadol and codeine is not enough to deter those involved.

She called on the Federal Government to come up stiffer penalties for drug smugglers stressing that their actions had caused the death of many Nigerians.


Adeyeye spoke during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday as part of activities marking ‘Drug Abuse Awareness Day.’

The NADFAC boss said, “A few days ago, a court gave a peddler of Tramadol five years in prison with the option of paying N300,000.

“This is the most ludicrous sentence for somebody that brought Tramadol into our country in order to destroy our children. Giving such a person the option of paying a fine of less than $1,000 is wrong.”

Adeyeye lamented that over 40 trucks of codeine and Tramadol had been impounded this year, the highest in the history of NAFDAC.

Adeyeye called on parents and religious institutions to do more to discourage youths from abusing drugs, especially controlled substances.

She also called for the creation of more rehabilitation centres to cater for drug addicts.

She added, “We don’t have enough rehabilitation centres for our youths and people that are addicted to drugs. Right now, we have just about 10 centres in the country. We need like 10 centres in each geo-graphical zone. So, we need to provide more rehabilitation centres.”

Responding to a question on which state had the highest prevalence of drug abuse, the NAFDAC boss said a survey was underway, adding that some young pharmacists had already begun distributing questionnaires in various schools and vocational centres across the country.


Adeyeye, who announced a ban on the importation and production of codeine-based syrup in April, noted that the price of the substance increased astronomically.

She added, “The drugs are available (in the black market) because after the ban, it went underground. So, something that used to cost N1,000 now costs about N6,000.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nafdac-flays-n300000-fine-for-drug.html

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday faulted the ongoing efforts by various stakeholders in the mining sector towards curtailing the acute Lead poisoning which has killed over 400 children in Zamfara and Niger State.

The vice president, while declaring open in Abuja the 2nd International Conference on Lead Poisoning, associated with artisanal gold mining in Nigeria, said that, regrettably, five years after the Zamfara outbreak, another outbreak of severe lead poisoning was recorded in April 2015 in two villages in Niger State.

According to him, “As with the outbreaks in Zamfara State, this new outbreak was precipitated by environmental lead contamination from artisanal gold mining activities, nearly 30 children died from severe lead complications and many more were poisoned.”


The VP, said: “We must start by admitting that the current efforts in tackling lead poising in artisanal gold mining have not been adequate, what better evidence do we have than the fact that the Niger State outbreak happened 5 years after we thought we have contained that problem.

“Indications of recontamination in previously remediated sites in Zamfara compel us to rethink and refocus our commitment and strategy to protecting our vulnerable children and communities at large.”

He added, “I am aware that the first international conference on lead poisoning was a joint effort of the Federal Ministry of Health and Medecins San Frontieres and that was held here in Abuja in May 2012.

“The 2012 conference covered technical aspects, environmental management and the treatment of poisoned children. But today’s event has been organised by the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in collaboration with Medecins San Frontieres, and it would provide a platform for key national, regional and international stakeholders to come together to develop a multi-sectoral disciplinary and pragmatic national strategy for forestalling future outbreak of lead poison associated with artisanal gold mining, and to prevent the recontamination of previously remediated sites.

He explained that while the federal government has pursued a National Gold Purchase Scheme as well as the development of a National Gold Policy, “gold mining in Nigeria as been heard repeatedly is currently dominated by artisanal miners using rudimentary mining methods and crude processing techniques.

“The obvious consequence is the exposure of miners, environment and local communities to serious dangers in areas where gold ore contain high concentration of heavy metals like lead, exposure to the dust released by these methods lead to serious health consequences to the person directly involved in the mining and also for all the neigbouring areas. Children, of course are the ones most at risk of death and disability.

“Many will recall the outbreak of lead poisoning that occurred in Zamfara State and that has also been repeated many times today, in 2010, as a result of the processing of lead-rich gold ore by artisanal gold miners in residential compounds and village squares.”

Osinbajo, observed that, “Studies carried out in the affected village at that time showed that more than 17,000 people were severely exposed and an estimated 400 to 500 children lost their lives due to acute lead poisoning.

“The combined efforts from various international agencies including the Mediceins san frontiers, the US centere for disease Control and prevention, the WHO, the Telegraphics international foundation, government of Zamfara State and the federal government helped to bring that tragic episode under control.”

Continuing, he said: “I am informed that this is the largest group of children under-5 years of age with severe intoxication anywhere. Unfortunately, treatment does not reverse the debilitating effects of lead poisoning it only accelerates the rates at which the body expels the lead in other to prevents further damage or death so that the thousands of children who did not die of lead poisoning in Zamfara and Niger State, may therefore has to live with cognitive and other deformities.

“Many of these children may never attain their full potential as productive citizens.”

As Nigeria traverses “the road to shared mining prosperity,” we must ensure that we do not do it in a way that harms our heath or environment. Those who say the opinion is death by poisoning, rather than poverty, offer a cynical choice.

“I am confident that this conference will produce a federally coordinated preventions plans that leverages all the lessons learnt so far and bring local, state and federal authorities as well as civil society and the corporates into alignments.

“We must avoid walking in sideways and except we solve the problem, especially because, these problems caught across all sectors and discipline. I strongly believe that a carefully thought out National Plan that focuses on population and communities most vulnerable to lead poisoning being associated with artisanal gold mining, will yield the desired results.

“Let me commend the efforts of the minister of Mines and Steel Development and Medecins San Frontieres and other ministries and actors in convening this critical summit and this critical research for the optimal ways of preventing led poisoning, especially of children,” said Osinbajo.

Speaking earlier, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alh. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, said: “critical lesson we must learn is that no matter the scope of remediation and treatment, there will always be some recontamination, there will always be children who do respond to treatment, and there will always be people willing to defy the dangers of mining gold using unsafe practices. Clearly, the only effective long-term solution in ending further lead exposure is through behavioural change and the use of appropriate and economically feasible technologies.

Bwari, noted that: “As you are well aware, artisanal miners currently use rudimentary tools for excavating gold -bearing gravels and for dry crushing and grinding them.

“The ground gold is thereafter washed in ponds shared by both humans and animals to recover the gold, resulting in the pollution of water with lead bearing waste material which animals and humans later used. “Investigation on the Zamfara and Niger lead poisoning incidences showed they were caused by widespread lead contamination of residential areas, with the lead poisoning highest amongst children.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/osinbajo-fault-current-efforts-to.html

Veteran Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde aka ‘Omosexy’ has been given a membership invite to the 2018 Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science popularly known as the Oscars.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Omosexy is listed among the record breaking 928 members to be admitted this year.

The Academy invites notable industry professionals ranging from Actors to Writers, and two categories, Members-at-Large and Associates to accommodate individuals who have no defined branches in motion picture.

It is the world’s pre-eminent movie related organisation, comprised of over eight thousand accomplished men and women working in cinema.

Academy membership is limited to film artists working in the production of theatrically-released motion pictures.

According to the list, Omotola’s invitation stemmed from the recognition she got in the 2010 romantic drama ‘A Private Storm’ and the 2012 thriller ‘Last Flight to Abuja’.

‘A Private Storm’, co-directed by Lancelot Imasuen and Ikechukwu Onyeka, received three nominations at the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards including awards for Best Makeup, Best Supporting Actor and Best Nigerian Film.

‘Last Flight to Abuja’, written by Tunde Babalola; directed and produced by Obi Emelonye won the Africa Movie Academy Awards award for ‘Best film by an African based abroad’.

Since Omotola’s Nollywood debut in 1995, the screen diva has appeared in over 300 films, selling millions of video copies.

NAN also reports that aside her show business accomplishments, she is also applauded for her remarkable humanitarian efforts.

In 2013, she was honoured in Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world alongside Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Kate Middleton.

In early 2013, Omotola made her US television debut in VHI’s scripted series, `Hit the floor.’

In 2014, she was honoured by the Nigerian government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR for her contributions to Nigerian Entertainment Industry.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/omotola-jalade-ekeinde-gets-oscar.html

Ahmed Musa is basking in confidence to score again for Nigeria ahead of tonight’s crunch clash against Argentina.

Musa, 25, scored the two goals that gave Nigeria victory over Iceland in the Group D fixture of the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

The Leicester City forward reckoned that he has always scored against the Argentina national team and Lionel Messi, stating that he has a target to continue his scoring streak against the La Albiceleste on Tuesday.

He said, ‘Whenever I play against Argentina, or whenever Messi is playing against me, I score.


‘Four years ago I scored two goals. When I transferred to Leicester City and we played against Barcelona I scored another two goals, so I think in the next game anything can happen.

‘Possibly, I’m going to score another two goals.’

The Eagles forward bagged a brace against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup, although Nigeria lost the match 3-2, with Messi also scoring two.

Then in 2016, Musa scored two more when he lined up against Messi, this time in a pre-season friendly between Leicester City and Barcelona.

Musa was on the losing side, as Barcelona beat the Foxes 4-2.

The game will get underway at 7pm on Tuesday night with Iceland and Croatia playing at the same time.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ill-score-against-argentina-musa.html

More than 23,000 people have prayed against the ongoing killings in Nigeria particularly the recent massacre of over 86 people in some villages in three local governments in Plateau state.

The participants prayed on a prayer point tagged “Let the wickedness of the wicked end in Nigeria”, during the ongoing Hallelujah Challenge, a midnight prayer and praise hour anchored by gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey.

Over 23,000 who joined a live video of the Hallelujah Challenge on the instagram handle of the singer: @nathanielblow, prayed God to end the wickedness of those who were responsible for the massacre across Nigeria.

They prayed God not to allow the wickedness and the killings to go on but to intervene so that an end may be found to the blood shed.
The participants led by the anchor also prayed for the family of those killed that God should comfort them as they mourn.
The one hour midnight prayer is broadcast live on instagram and also on facebook.
The number of participants recorded in this report is drawn only from instagram, as correspondent did not take note of those who joined in the prayer through the live facebook video.
Police said 86 people were killed in several villages while six persons were injured in the attack that lasted between 1p.m. and 8p.m.
But residents said Monday over 120 people were massacred in separate attacks at different locations.
The state government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in parts of the state, amid growing tensions between locals and migrant herdsmen community.
The singer also led the over 23,000 who were hooked up to the live video to pray for the family of Ace Singer, Dbanj, who lost his son.
The hallelujah challenge is a programme where over 68,000 people basically believers in the world gather on Instagram and Facebook live to worship God in song and prayers.
The challenge which holds every midnight till 1 a.m started as a 30-day worship session, which began on June 1 to June 30, 2017.However, Nathaniel, through his Instagram page, explained that he was led by the spirit to hold the challenge for 14 days this year.
“I’ve learned that in our kingdom, anything of value must be cooked in the place of prayer and the word. “And while in Israel, the Lord spoke some great things to us, we can only anticipate a glorious future ahead,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/hallelujah-challenge-23000-people-pray.html

Anything done for the good of the country will be ultimately rewarded, and redound to the good of those behind it, President Muhammadu Buhari told some groups of Nigerians in the diaspora.

Receiving the groups and some professionals hitherto based abroad, but who have returned home in recent times, at State House, Abuja, Monday, the President stated:

“You have been working quietly, supporting the government physically and materially, and you are doing it for your own country. Head or tail, you won’t lose. Please continue to do your best for the country.”Speaking on behalf of Diaspora Alliance Group, Mr Ade Omole, said the organisation was a think-tank in the United Kingdom, which formulates policies to help Nigeria. They currently have recommendations to help the country in the areas of agriculture, youth empowerment, community development, and education.

“We also educate people in the diaspora on the good work the Buhari administration is doing for Nigeria. You are rebuilding the country. We supported you in 2015, and we will also support you in 2019,” Omole said.Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, speaking on behalf of returnee professionals from the diaspora, said they were excited and willing to contribute to national development.

“Our main goal now is investing in Nigeria. We are planning a Nigeria-Diaspora Summit on Investment soon. We are quite pleased with infrastructural development round the country. We want to attract people in diaspora to bring their money, and invest here,” she said.

Dr Salihu-Dasuki, who spoke on behalf of young people in the diaspora, lauded President Buhari for signing the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill into law, assuring that young people would soon begin to utilize the legislation.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/buhari-to-diaspora-nigerians-you-are.html

Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to devise quick measures to tackle the spate of killings in the country.

In reaction to the killings in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State which has left scores dead, Saraki said on Sunday that President Buhari should call security chiefs to immediately produce quick response measures aimed at tackling the incessant killings.

“I am very sad to hear the news of the incident in Plateau State. This is very depressing and giving the impression that the country is not safe. The problem of Boko Haram in the North-east is well known to everybody but this killing by an unknown band of assailants in Benue, Taraba, Plateau and Kaduna States is now giving another dimension to the crisis. Coming at the time we are getting ready for elections, we need to respond fast.

“If the plan is to develop some long-term measures, we also request that the President should mandate the security chiefs to put forward an immediate short-term and quick response measure which will restore confidence in the system and demonstrate to the criminals behind this killings the capacity of government to tackle the issue,” Saraki said.In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President added that this quick action is necessary because it is important for Nigerians to have the assurance that the government is decisively responding to the current threat to lives and properties in parts of the country.“We have to immediately devise a plan through which the criminals behind the killings and their sponsors can be nabbed and made to face the wrath of the law. We have to also develop plans to mop up illegal firearms in the hands of dangerous elements while also stopping the influx of these arms into the country,” he stated.

The Senate President however commiserated with the people of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and the Government of Plateau State over the weekend attack.

He prayed for the repose of the deceased and for God to grant the injured swift recovery.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/plateau-killings-we-need-quick-security.html

Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, has a new set of leaders.

Some of the new National Working Committee (NWC) members are returning to office while many are occupying their seats for the first time; after their election.

The chairman of the APC convention committee, Abubakar Badaru, announced the results and elected officials on Sunday evening at the convention.

Adams Oshiomhole, who was elected unopposed, is the new national chairman of the ruling party.

Mr Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, takes over from John Odigie-Oyegun.

The party’s national secretary, Mai Mala Buni, returns to his office.

All the new NWC members were inaugurated on Sunday at the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the convention.
Below are the names of the newly elected officials.

Nduka Ayongo – ex-officio south-south

Aminu Tumnaga- zonal woman leader

Blessing Onuhua- zonal woman leader south-east

David Okumba – zonal secretary south-south

Zuera Bakare- zonal woman leader north-west

John Uwede – zonal secretary south-east

Timothy Amah- zonal organising secretary south-east

Femi Ibedeyi – zonal organising secretary south-west

Ade Fadileri – zonal organising secretary south-south

Shuaibu Abdulrahman – zonal organising secretary north-east

Gabriel Osuori – zonal youth leader south-south

Onyeka Osimeka- zonal youth leader south-east

Laoke Olanrewaju – zonal youth leader south-west

Abubakar Sa’adu – zonal youth leader north-west

Kasim Bello Maigari – zonal youth leader north-east

Afeez Bolaji – deputy national youth leader

Abubakar Shuaib- national youth leader

Onye – deputy national woman leader

Salamatu Umar – national woman leader

George Mohgalu- national auditor

Bolaji Abdullahi – national publicity secretary

Sunday Chukuma- deputy national financial secretary

Adamu Fanda- national treasurer

Ado Oguta – deputy legal adviser

Hillary Ekpe- national vice-chairman south-south

Emmanuel Omachukwu – national vice-chairman south-east

National vice chairman north west- Inuwa Abdulkadir

Deputy national auditor- Isah Mabuchu

Deputy national secretary – Victor

National vice chairman northeast- Mustapha Salisu.

Deputy national chairman north- Lawal Shuaibu

National Organising Secretary – Emma Ebediro

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/apc-names-elected-leaders.html

One year after the introduction of the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) Window by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) in the Nigerian equities market recorded a 116 per cent growth year-on-year (YoY) as at end of April, 2018.



Total foreign portfolio investment between January and April this year, rose to N504.35billion compared to N233.51billion recorded in the same period in 2017, representing an increase of 116 per cent.

Investments by foreign investors in the market witnessed a sharp decline in the same base period in 2016 when the figure dropped to N148.87billion as against N439.57billion recorded in April 2015 Year-to-Date (YTD).

FPI in Africa’s largest economy returned to the path of growth in 2017, rising to N233.51billion in April YTD compared to N148.87billion YTD in April 2016, representing 56.9 per cent increase.

FPI in 2018 (April YTD) compared to the same period in 2017 recorded 116 per cent growth from N233.51billion in 2017 to N504.35billion in April (YTD).

Data supplied by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that transactions at the nation’s bourse decreased by 22.11 per cent from N272.48 billion recorded in March 2018 to N212.23 billion (about $0.70 billion) in April 2018. The cumulative transactions from January to April increased by 114.22 per cent from N509.38 billion recorded in 2017 to N1.091 trillion in 2018.

Foreign investors outperformed domestic investors by 15.48 per cent in April 2018. Total domestic transactions reduced by 36.0 per cent from N140.27 billion in March to N89.70 billion in April 2018. Foreign transactions also reduced by 7.32 per cent from N132.21 billion to N122.53 billion within the same period.

There was a 7.79 per cent decrease in foreign inflows from N69.71 billion in March 2018 to N64.28 billion in April 2018. Besides, foreign outflows reduced by 6.8 percent from N62.50 billion to N58.25 billion within the same period.

Meanwhile, financial experts have attributed the renewed interest of foreign investors in the Nigerian equities market to the smooth operations of the I&E window introduced by CBN in April 2017.

According to the apex bank, “The purpose of I&E Window was to boost liquidity in the FX Market and ensure timely settlement of eligible transactions.”

Afrinvest Research noted that weak sentiment in the Nigerian capital market was upturned in April 2017, following the launch of the I&E FX. “Market returned 42.3 per cent in 2017 following a 3-year losing streak. The performance was due largely to renewed interest by foreign and domestic investors because of stability in macroeconomic fundamentals”.

Specifically, analysts at Afrinvest Research confirmed that the I&E FX window operations has had a material effect on the attraction of FPI into the Nigerian economy through the equities market since its introduction about a year ago. According to them, “Foreign Portfolio Inflow (FPI) into Nigeria through the NSE, more than doubled from N256.5billion in 2016 to N596.8 billion in November 2017. Average monthly inflow of FPI into the equities market in the review period rose 153.8 percent to N54.3billion from N21.4billion.”

Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, in his review of the performance of the nation’s economy in January 2018, said the introduction of the I & E FX window has boosted the confidence of investors in the Nigerian economy.

Emefiele, in a signed statement, had said the condition of the economy in January reflects strong investor confidence in Nigeria. “We have recorded inflows of almost US$13billion since our introduction of the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I&E) Window about nine months ago.”

According to the apex bank, the inflows from foreign investors into the economy of Nigeria, have boosted FX supply and helped stabilise the exchange rate.

His words: “We have also seen the market capitalisation of our Stock Exchange improve by 22.3 per cent from N13.21trillion on 30 November 2017 to N16.15trillion as of 19 January 2018”.

Furthermore, Emefiele disclosed that the All-Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian bourse, which was rated second best performing exchange in Africa and 11th best performing stock exchange globally in 2017, had recorded a favourable growth in the very first month of the year 2018 at 18.8 percent as the Index moved from 37,944.60 points in November 2017 to 45,092.83 points on January 19, 2018.

Other areas, where Nigeria has enjoyed gains from the I&E window, according to analysts at Afrinvest Research, are favourable movement on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking for 2018, where Nigeria ranked among the 10 most improved countries of the world. According a statement attributed to the office of the Vice President of Nigeria, “Nigeria moved up 24 places (relative to a target of 20) to 145th in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business Ranking and ranked in the top most improved countries”.

Emefiele has assured that the CBN will do everything at its disposal to ascertain that the gains from I &E FX window on the economy is sustained. “The management of the CBN is determined to sustain these gains and will continue our vigilance and pro-activity to ensure macroeconomic stability through 2018,” he said.




BRIEFS
Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2018 Appropriation Bill into law on Wednesday in Abuja. The total budget is N9.1 trillion, up from the N8.6 trillion Buhari submitted to the National Assembly on November 7 last year. The two chambers of the National Assembly had passed the budget on May 16 after raising the figure by N500 million. They also increased the oil benchmark proposed by the executive from $45 to $51 per barrel.

FX Market

The Central Bank of Nigeria boosted the foreign exchange market with $210 million to meet customers’ requests in various segments, Isaac Okorafor, Acting Director, Corporate Communications, said in Abuja. According to him, the bank, in its desire to meet customers’ needs, offered $100 million to authorised dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises segment got $55 million. Okorafor also said customers needing foreign exchange for invisibles, such as tuition fees, medical payments, and Basic Travel Allowance, among others, were allocated $55 million. He added that the naira continued its stability in the foreign exchange market, exchanging at an average of N360 per dollar in the Bureau De Change segment of the market last Wednesday.

Oil Spill

Oil giant, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited, is liable to a $3.6 billion fine levied on it by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency over a 2011 crude oil spill offshore on Nigeria’s coastline, a federal court has ruled. Justice Mojisola Olatoregun held that NOSDRA’s power to impose penalties did not violate the provisions of the Nigerian constitution.

Border Closure

The federal government closed the land border with an unnamed neighbouring country to avoid smuggling of foreign rice into Nigeria. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Audu Ogbeh disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at a youth leadership clinic under the auspices of Guardians of the Nation International. Ogbeh said shutting the borders had become necessary to encourage local production and sustain the economy of the country. Nigeria shares borders with Niger, Chad, Benin and Cameroon. The pronouncement came weeks after media reports indicated that importation of Thai and Vietnamese rice was flourishing in the south-western borders of Nigeria with Benin Republic.

Foreign Investment

No fewer than 20 German firms were in Nigeria to explore investment opportunities. The chief executives of the visiting firms, led by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah, paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to obtain first-hand information on the various investment opportunities. According to Enelamah, the delegation came from Bavaria, the region of Germany covering Munich and other industrial areas of the country. He said, “This is a very robust delegation; one of the important insights I gained from the meeting is that they really think that Nigerian economy is picking up.

They think investments are all looking positive and they believe that it is better to face it and see for themselves rather than read about it from a distance. It is also noteworthy that some of them are already here and most of them are actually prospecting.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/cbns-i-boosts-foreign-investment-in.html

The Eagles Square, the arena of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention was busy and choked by supporters who turned up in large numbers to cheer their candidates in spite of the Saturday rain in Abuja.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who went round the city, saw APC supporters, who came from different parts of the country, dancing and jubilating under the rain.

Mrs Talatu Kabir, a member of the APC in the FCT, said “no situation could deter us from supporting our
candidates, without supporters, the convention would be boring.”

She said that supporters were the ones making politicians relevant.

“We are politicians, so, come rain or sun; we must come out to support our candidates because without supporters, the politicians are nothing.

“I am supporting Adams Oshiomole and Ramatu Aliyu but whoever wins does not matter because we will all joins hands to work for the growth of the party.

“We have seen their previous performances in office and I believe they will do better.”

Mr Usman Aliyu, a supporter from Zamfara, said that he travelled all the way to Abuja for the convention,
adding that the rain would not stop him from cheering his candidate.

Aliyu added that it was rainy season so it was expected that there could be rain

“So, we are not bothered about it, we believe the convention will be carried out peacefully.”

In another development, business men and women said they were happy because they recorded
high sale, irrespective of the rain.

A snack seller, Mrs Tosin Taiwo, said business was good in spite of the rain that was thought could obstruct everything.

She expressed optimism to sell more, saying “with the peaceful nature of the convention, I believe people will like to have something to eat.”

Mr Muhammed Sani, a food seller, also said business was good as he had recorded high patronage.

Sani said “we thank God that business is actually moving in spite of the rain. We are expecting more customers and more gain before the end the day.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/apc-supporters-jam-abuja-convention.html

The Aviation Round Table (ART), a think-tank organisation in the aviation sector made up of industry experts, has advised the federal government to review upward, the minimum number of aircrafts required for commercial airlines from the current two to between 10 and 20.

The body said this would enable the airlines operate with high capacity, economy of scale and ensure their survival, noting that currently Nigerian airlines operate small with minimum of two aircraft capacity that contributes to their short lifespan of average of 10 years.


This was part of the communiqué issued by the ART after a breakfast meeting in Lagos recently, as the body looked at how airlines could survive, operate safely and profitably.

The experts noted that as the federal government works towards the establishment of a new national airline, a level playing field should be provided for all players in Nigeria’s aviation industry in order to allay the fears among existing airlines that the planned national carrier would undermine their operations, as government might introduce policies that would promote the national airline at the detriment of the private sector driven carriers.

ART also urged aviation agencies to conduct a study on the role of owner-manager syndrome in the collapse of local airlines over the years, with a view to addressing it.

The body also called on the aviation agencies with technical shortfalls to address them by exploring training opportunities in various fields, saying aviation waits for nobody.

In addition, the agencies were also urged to look inwards where human capacity is insufficient in line with the various executive orders on local content.

On aircraft leasing, ART advised that the NCAA should notify the Nigerian judiciary on the implications of issuing court rulings that defy the Cape Town Protocol, an international agreement to which Nigeria is signatory, which allows lessors to take back their aircraft leased to the airlines when the later failed to abide by the agreement reached before the conduct of the transaction.

On the lack of airfield lighting at the domestic runway of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, known as Runway 18L, ART called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to expedite action on the repair of night landing facilities as a matter of urgent concern while they also challenged the agency to address the seeming “mis-communication between its marshallers and pilots in command.”

ART said government should as a matter of urgency and critical safety concern address the shortfall in air traffic controllers and engineers because inadequate personnel in the two areas may affect safety of flight operations in the country.

ART also commended the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) for improved technical training, equipment optimisation, international collaboration and the gradual release of accident reports and enjoined the bureau to go further by pushing for the implementation of safety directives as stated in some of these reports.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/experts-urge-fg-to-review-minimum.html

An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded a 36-year-old man in prison for allegedly raping his one year old daughter.

Olaitan Adewoye, a businessman, will stay at Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos for at least the next 21 days.

The Chief Magistrate, P. E. Nwaka, directed that the case file be sent to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

Mr Adewoye, who resides at No. 10, Arogundade St., Harmony Estate, Oke-Iran Nla, Ajah in Lagos, is being tried for child defilement.

Earlier, Police prosecutor, Christopher John, told the court that the accused committed the offence on May 17 at his residence.

Mr John alleged that the accused raped the child when her mother left her with him in the room.

“The mother, while bathing the girl, noticed that she usually cry anytime she washes her private parts.

“She decided to take her to hospital for a medical check-up and it was at the hospital that the child was confirmed to have been defiled.

“The child’s mother said it was only the father she left the girl with when she went to buy something.

“The case was reported at the police station and the father of the baby was arrested for questioning,’’ the prosecutor said.

The offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence is punishable with life imprisonment.

The case has been fixed for July 11 for mention.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/36-yrs-old-man-allegedly-rapes-own-year.html

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday debunked claims that it has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 2019 presidential election, dissociating itself from endorsement of Buhari by a political group, Change Advocates of Nigeria, using similar CAN acronym with the Christian body.

Speaking on the report, CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle, stated that the association “has been drawn to a report with the title: ‘CAN says no vacancy in Aso Rock, endorses Buhari, Oshiomhole’ as published on some online media platforms.”

According to CAN, “After reading the report, we have come to realise that the statement was issued by a political movement, Change Advocates of Nigeria, with the same acronym, CAN.
“We wish to reiterate here that the Christian body has not endorsed President Buhari or any other presidential aspirant for election. We wish to urge the public to discountenance the claim because it did not emanate from Christian Association of Nigeria at all.”


Ayokunle explained that “CAN recognises the right of political groups to perform their activities and also endorse whoever they deem fit in support of their political aspirations, disassociating its members from the political group using its acronym ‘CAN’.

“While we are presently making enquiries to determine the circumstances behind a group deploying our acronym for political mileage, we call on Nigerians once again to dismiss the alleged report as coming from CAN.

“We pray for all that are contesting for one position or the other including the incumbent president that the will of the Lord will come to pass in their lives and that the best person in the mind of God would emerge victorious in the name of Jesus Christ.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/we-didnt-endorsed-buhari-for-2019_21.html

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is seeking the support of the Federal Government to tackle the menace of drug abuse in the country.

NAFDAC Director General, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed this in a statement personally signed by her on Wednesday.

She disclosed that stakeholders are working with the Minister of Health, as well as the Office of National Security Adviser and the Presidency to develop strategies to mitigate the trend.

Professor Adeyeye decried the rate of abuse of prescription medicines and other psychoactive substances not under international control.

According to her, the fundamental objective of the drug control conventions is to achieve a balance between ensuring availability for medical and scientific purposes and preventing diversion to illicit use and abuse.

In this regard, NAFDAC vowed to continually raise awareness of the public health consequences of drug abuse.

They also promised to promote healthy lifestyles through effective and comprehensive demand reduction initiatives, in accordance with the three international drug control conventions and national legislation.

The statement read, “The most commonly abused drugs in the country are tramadol and codeine. tramadol is a synthetic opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain and is the most abused effective medicine among addicts. It has no effects on the respiratory system, but overdose causes arrhythmias, cramps, coma and death.

“In Nigeria, it is regulated as the 50 and 100mg dosage strengths but very high dosage forms of 200 and 225mg have infiltrated the market. There is also a noticeable increase in smuggling of tramadol capsules. tramadol use disorder is associated with physical withdrawal symptoms and compulsive behaviour.”

“Codeine can be obtained in a compound form in Over-The-Counter painkillers and cough medicines, but consumers often became addicted. The risk of addiction is great and, in many countries, including Nigeria consumers require a prescription for all opioid-based medication.

“The misuse of codeine products contributes to severe health outcomes including liver damage, stomach ulceration, respiratory depression, coma and death. In Nigeria, all codeine-containing products are locally manufactured and are prescription-only-medicines since 2012, but the reclassification did not stem the trend of abuse partly due to non-adherence to the provisions of prescription,” it added.

NAFDAC identified the lack of due diligence to ensure the integrity of the distribution chain as the cause of unauthorised persons distributing the products to illicit channels.

In a bid to address the social problems and other threats resulting from drug use, the agency stressed the need for extra-territorial enforcement to identify, disrupt and dismantle organised criminal groups operating across the borders.

They also decried over-prescription by health professionals and overconsumption by the public, as well as the lack of collaborative and inter-professional research among stakeholders that could generate the needed data and justify control at the nation’s borders.

NAFDAC also pointed out the common phenomenon of users by-passing the health facilities and turning directly to pharmacies and medicine stores.

They, however, stated their commitment to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGASS) 2016 outcome document on the safe use of controlled medicines for pain and palliative care and others.

The agency emphasised the need to develop early warning systems that look at the emergence and consequences of the non-medical use of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

full details at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nafdac-seeks-fgs-support-to-fight-drug.html

One of the paint manufacturers in the country, Meyer Plc said it recorded gross revenue of N1.097 billion in its 2017 financial trading year. This was an increase by 0.5 per cent, compared with a gross revenue of N1.091 billion it recorded in 2016.

Disclosing this recently in Lagos at the company’s 46th annual general meeting (AGM), the Chairman, Meyer Plc, Kayode Falowo, said the company recorded a net loss of N267.74 million, compared with N214.4 million in 2016.


He added that with negative working capital of N992. 74 million, the capacity utilisation of the company for the year under review dropped to 21 per cent of the installed capacity leaving 79 per cent of idle to be financed, therefore he noted that the company was unable to meet its orders as at when due.

According to him, “The 2017 right issue of a total 291,489,840, shares at 75 kobo each was completed with 70.75 percent success amounting to N154.67 million.

“A total of 85,252, 117 ordinary shares representing 29.25 percent of the subscribed portion of the right issue were cancelled and reverted to the unissued shares of Meyers Plc.

“Following the receipt of regulatory approvals, the registrars have concluded the allotment of the rights and share certificate dispatched accordingly.

“The implementation of the Auto Industry Development Policy (AIDP) which portends increased sales for our Auto-refinishes has not taken off with the anticipated momentum.

“There is renewed that government will intensify this in 2018 and we are assured of a share of the market.”

He noted that the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) loan, which had been a major overhang on the company, had been resolved.

“We have reached a mutual beneficial compromise and in due course, it will be fully resolved. The waiver granted us in the AMCON loan will be reflected in 2018 financial report,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/meyer-records-n1097-billion-revenue.html

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Distinguished Senators on the parliamentary delegation have arrived in Russia. The delegation was received by Amb. Steve Davies Ugbah, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Russia.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/photos-senate-president-saraki-arrived.html[/b]

A van slammed into pedestrians near a Dutch campsite at a huge music festival early Monday, killing one person and seriously injuring three others just hours after headline act Bruno Mars wowed tens of thousands of fans.

The four pedestrians were hit around 4:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday by the van which then fled the scene, only hours after the end of the three-day Pinkpop Festival in the southern town of Landgraaf, near the German border.

“The white van that was involved in the collision is still being sought,” police said in a statement, adding they had set up an emergency call center for information.

Police cordoned off the section of the road while an investigation is underway, and a police helicopter was deployed to take aerial shots of the crash site.

The Pinkpop festival was launched in 1970. This year as well as Mars, who closed the event on Sunday, other major bands including Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Snow Patrol and Noel Gallagher performed to sell-out crowds.

The festival has drawn around 67,000 fans a day since opening on Friday, according to the director, Jan Smeets, quoted by the Dutch news agency ANP.

The organisation said in a statement on Facebook that it was “shocked, and our thoughts are with victims and their families.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/one-dead-three-injured-in-dutch-music.html

Africa’s first-ever contactless payment cards for bus transit recently won the award for “Card With the Most Utility Relevance for the Cardholder” at the Digital Pay Expo Awards in Lagos.

The smart payment solution introduced by Sterling Bank Plc eliminates challenges associated with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) such as facing long queues to purchase a ticket or handling exact cash fares for a trip.

Out of seven award categories at the event, two cards were nominated for the most utility relevant card category with Sterling Bank’s FarePay card emerging as winner in the category.


FarePay cards are built on a contactless payment technology, with a connected bus validator system linked to the users’ bank account allowing passengers to ‘tap in and tap out’ of BRT buses with ease.

The Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking at Sterling Bank, Yemi Odubiyi, said the card was designed to ease the hassle associated with mass transit across Africa.

“Barely a month after launch, we have facilitated over 30,000 trips within Lagos with the FarePay card and we are looking to replicate this system across the continent,” he said.


“FarePay is all about offering a convenient and flexible lifestyle for the user. Before FarePay, there was nothing like it across Africa where card owners can load as little as N500 to as much N5m on a card and the exact value of the trip is deducted each time a rider taps in or taps out of a bus.

It simplifies the users’ commute eliminating the need to carry cash or wait on long queues for tickets. Each time a rider taps in or out of a bus, we are able to see routes and services that are more in demand, to deploy additional resources.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/farepay-gets-utility-payment-cards-award.html

There is confusion regarding the actual employers of the 300 street sweepers’ supervisors that were recently sacked in Lagos State, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Environmental Utility firm, Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Ltd (VSS) told NAN on Sunday in Lagos that the supervisors were employed for the Lagos State Government, under the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI).

Mr Adebola Shabi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on CLI said the government had nothing to do with the news making the rounds that it had sacked the 300 supervisors.

Shabi said that the CLI contracted Standard Street Manpower Ltd. (SSML) on the employment of street sweepers.


According to him, Cleaner Lagos is a government initiative, not a contractor, while Visionscape is the contractor, hence, government can decide it does not want Visionscape but Cleaner Lagos will remain.

“Maybe it is Visionscape that sacked them, Cleaner Lagos has not sacked anybody.

“SSML is a consultant to the state government on engagement of sweepers but we have told them that at the end of June, all sweepers should be handed over to the Ministry of Environment.

“We don’t know any issue about the sack; I have been trying to get the information from Visionscape and they are directing me to their head office.

“The sack has nothing to do with Cleaner Lagos because we did not employ and we did not sack. Lagos State does not believe in sacking people,’’ he said.

The Head, Corporate Communications, VisionScape, Mrs Motunrayo Elias, told NAN that the company was not the only contractor under the CLI.


Elias said that when the structure for waste management was put in place, government said it wanted street sweepers to clean the inner streets, among other arrangements.

She said that the structure for street sweepers’ supervisors was also put in place, that was the arrangement between CLI, VSS and SSML, which was the company managing the street sweepers.

Elias said that the supervisors were hired by SSML but were trained by VSS and worked with VSS Area Managers, to ensure the synergy of sweeping and packing the refuse.

“Now, with the controversy about PSP operators wanting to go back to work, government said that the street sweepers should revert to them.

“So if you have taken the street sweepers, what are you going to do with their supervisors?

“When we had a meeting, the issue was brought up and government asked how much was the salary, that was where the problem started.

“Government said it cannot afford the salary, which was between N80,000 to N120,000 but can only pay N25,000 per month.

“So the company paid the supervisors their disengagement bonuses, with Visionscape paying them two months’ salaries, while government was trying to decide.

“For fact, the supervisors were supposed to be transferred to the Ministry of Environment. It was a labour contract from the CLI,’’ she said.

Elias said that the structure that was put in place for waste management in the state injected income to the economy, as people were better off.

She said that it was essential to take the good with the bad, as nobody talked about the good that the whole system was doing when it was creating employment.

NAN reports that the disengagement letters to the supervisors was signed by the Head, Human Resources and Administration, SSML, Oluwatoyin Ayoola.

The letter reads; ‘“In light of the recent review of the implementation of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative and the impact of these changes on our operational requirements as discussed at our meeting held on the 2nd of June 2018, we regrettably write to inform you that it affects your employment with Standard Street Manpower Ltd.

“As discussed, the transfer of Ward Level Sanitation Programme (Community sanitation workers) to the Lagos State Government has rendered your position as Sanitation Supervisor redundant and your services will no longer be required with effect from 14th of June, 2018.’’ (NAN)

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/confusion-trails-ownership-of-sacked.html

Mohamed Salah was kept on the bench in Egypt’s opening World Cup defeat against Uruguay on Friday because the team did not want to risk further injury to the Liverpool star.

Salah, who turned 26 on Friday, injured his shoulder three weeks ago in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

On the eve of the Uruguay match in

Yekaterinburg, which the South Americans won 1-0, Egypt coach Hector Cuper said Salah was fit, raising the Pharoahs’ hopes that he would start the Group A clash.
“He’s certainly important, nobody can deny that, but you need a good team too — and we are a good team,” said Cuper. “If Mo had been on the pitch it may have been different but we can’t know that.”
“He did not play today because we wanted to avoid risk or danger but I think that he will be fine for the next match,” said the coach.
“Yesterday we were quite certain that he would play. At the end of training he was examined in depth and there was some doubt if he fell or was hit by another player.
“We thought perhaps he might get another injury and we want to avoid that so we decided not to take that risk.
“We want him on top form for Saudi Arabia and Russia.”
Jose Gimenez was the unlikely 89th-minute match winner as Uruguay defeated an Egypt side shorn of star man Mohamed Salah 1-0 in their World Cup opener on Friday.
Uruguay’s deserved last-gasp victory leaves them and Russia in early control in Group A after the hosts’ 5-0 mauling of Saudi Arabia in the tournament opener on Thursday.
A poor game looked likely to end in stalemate but with Uruguay cranking up the pressure late on, defender Gimenez rose to power a header into the top corner and break Egypt hearts.
Aside from Liverpool ace Salah failing to get off the bench with his shoulder injury, another major talking point was also off the pitch — large portions of empty seats in one main stand at the Yekaterinburg Arena were an embarrassing sight for FIFA and local organisers.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani had a couple of half-chances for Uruguay in the first half, the best made by himself when he juggled the ball and lashed it on the volley from outside the box, but it was deflected over.
Attacking partner Luis Suarez — in his first World Cup appearance since his biting ban of 2014 — was largely quiet in an unremarkable first period, doing his best work when he drifted between the lines of Egypt’s defence and midfield.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/why-egypt-failed-to-use-salah-against.html