₦airaland Forum

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of 10 internet fraudsters in Lagos.

They are: Wusu Damilare, Salako Oluwasegun Daniel, Odunola Jason, Brian Emeka Ebong, Arinze Princewill, Babajide Mudashiru and Adeshina Afeez Kolawole. They were sentenced to one year imprisonment each before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.

The convicts were arraigned by the EFCC for possession of fraudulent documents.

Some of the charges read: “That you, Wusu Damilare, sometime in 2019 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession to wit: pseudo email account, document titled ‘wusubaba@yahoo.com’ and ‘oluwadamilarewusu@gmail.com’, which document you knew contained false pretence.”

“That you, Salako Oluwasegun Daniel, sometime in 2019, in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a fraudulent document, which document you knew contained false pretence.”

Similarly, Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos has convicted and sentenced the trio of Balogun Sultan, Olalekan Savage and Daniel Ezo to various jail terms for possession of fraudulent documents.


The convicts were arraigned separately by the EFCC for their involvements in internet frauds.

In view of their guilty pleas, the prosecution informed the Justice Mojisola Dada’s court that the defendants had entered into a “plea bargain” with the Commission, adding that they also made confessional statements.

The prosecution, while reviewing the facts of the cases, told the court that the defendants were arrested, following intelligence reports received about their involvements in internet frauds.

The prosecution further stated that some false documents, two cars, iphones, laptops and some amounts of money were recovered from the defendants.

The court admitted in evidence the defendants’ confessional statements, the false documents as well as the funds recovered from the defendants.

Consequently, the prosecution urged the court to convict the defendants.

Justice Dada, after listening to the prayers of both parties, convicted and sentenced the fraudsters to one year imprisonment each.

The Judge further held that the sentencing must commence from the “day of judgment”.

Justice Dada also ordered that items recovered from the convicts be forfeited to Federal Government.

The Judge, however, gave an option of fine of N250, 000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) to Ebong, Princewill, Mudashiru and Kolawole.

The convicts were ordered to write an undertaking with the EFCC, promising that they would never return to the crimes.

One of the charges against Balogun who was brought before Justice Sherifat Solebo reads: “That you, Balogun Sultan, sometime in 2019 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a fraudulent document, which document you knew contained false pretence.”

For Olalekan, the charge reads: “That you, Olalekan Savage sometime in 2019, in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession a fraudulent document, which document you knew contained false pretence.”


The defendants pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution informed the court that the defendants had entered into a plea bargain with the EFCC.

The court admitted in evidence the defendants’ confessional statements and some false documents tendered by the prosecution.

The prosecution also urged the court to convict the fraudsters according to the plea bargain agreement.

Delivering her judgment, Justice Solebo convicted and sentenced Sultan to seven months imprisonment. The Judge also sentenced Savage to one year imprisonment.

The third defendant, Ezo, was convicted and sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/10-internet-fraudsters-jailed-in-lagos.html

A Lagos lawmaker, Mr Tunde Braimoh, has appealed to governors in the South-West to be more practical about security issues in order to return the region to Nigeria’s safe haven.

Braimoh, representing (APC-Kosofe II) in the Lagos State House of Assembly, made the plea on Monday in Lagos.

According to him, the region and by extension, the nation, should be proactive and resist the primordial sentiments being orchestrated and articulated by some political capitalists that the bandits are Fulani herders.

“It’s most astonishing and disheartening to watch our dearest South-West hitherto prided as Nigeria’s safe haven sliding into a pitiable and miserable habitat smirking of primitivism and barbarism where life is brutish, short and nasty.

“The unsavory development is reported to be perennially recurrent, but is highlighted only when the nobility is hurt.

“All lives are important and regardless of their circumstances of birth or station in life.

“All Nigerians deserve a guarantee of their lives and property in exchange for the individual sovereignty they submitted to the governments.


“It’s high-time our governors in the South-West did something concise and precise, not only in response, but in proactively against this revolving, all-pervading menace,” Braimoh, also a lawyer said.

The lawmaker described the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s promise to deploy troops to the highways in the region as laudable.

He, however, said that such step might be the beginning of another round of problems, if not properly directed and over-sighted.

According to him, the place of intelligence and empirical precision cannot be overemphasised in this security challenge.

Braimoh said: “These criminals are not ghosts, and they didn’t dramatically descend from heaven. They live within us in Nigeria and rise up within our ranks to afflict untold injuries on us.

“If the Federal Government believes our claims are exaggerated, can’t the governors, at least, supply verifiable statistical data to back up our claims?

“We must resist the primordial sentiments being orchestrated and articulated by some political capitalists that the bandits are Fulani herders.

“A criminal is a criminal, no matter the race or religion, creed or colour. Will a Yoruba man be justified for committing those heinous crimes? The answer is no!

“Therefore, it will not matter who does what, so long as that thing is wrong,” Braimoh said.

According to him, a section of the country of such morbid crime flagrantly without empiricism will only divert attention from the crime to our original fundamental ethno-religious problems which will only exacerbate the already precarious position.

“A stitch in time saves several, and that the time to rise and act is now, ’’ he said.

Braimoh said this brigandage was aliened to us, and should be given no place to even hibernate. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/be-more-practical-about-security-issues.html

Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, has declared that Nigeria’s cup is full with the killing of the daughter kof PA Reuben Fasoranti, Mrs Olufunke Fasoranti by yet to be identified gunmen.

The fiery cleric, who broke down in tears while delivering his sermon on Sunday, wondered how Nigeria found itself in a situation where life counted for nothing even to the leaders, adding that with the latest killing, Nigeria’s ‘cup is full.’

According to Bakare, political and security leaders in the country are both had been playing politics with the lives of the citizens through deliberate inaction.

“A few weeks ago here, I called the attention of the nation to the impostors who visited Aso Rock in the name of Afenifere leaders. Now you have killed the daughter of the real Afenifere leader, a 95-year-old man,” Bakare said while crying.

“And you think God will overlook these things. Someone who had gone to see her father and returning to her station! I tell you, now, the cup is full.”

Bakare, a former presidential running mate to President Muhammadu Buhari, further stated that security agencies had used different standards for different categories of people whose kinsmen were victims of criminals in the country.

Bakare said: “The other day, the wife of the Governor of Central Bank (of Nigeria) was kidnapped; and within a few hours, they did not just rescue the woman, they also arrested those who perpetrated the crime.

“Now, the daughter of Pa Fasoranti has been killed, and we have been hearing only stories, nothing tangible has been achieved.

“If someone desires a thing so seriously and does not know the purpose for such a thing, when he gets it, he won’t achieve anything with it.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/dailypost.ng/2019/07/15/nigerias-cup-full-pastor-tunde-bakare-reacts-fasoranti-daughters-murder/amp/

Players and officials of the Super Eagles have stated that they are fully ready for the antics of the Desert Foxes of Algeria in today’s semifinal game at the on-going Total Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Today’s semifinal cracker holding at the Cairo International Stadium is tagged: ‘Final before the final’ of the competition, and the Super Eagles have said that they know the task ahead of them.

Speaking at a pre-match conference yesterday in Cairo, Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo said they wouldn’t fall to the football antics of the Algerians, which they are known for.

“The Algerians are known for their football antics; trying to provoke opponents to commit fouls. But we will take care of it. Our coach always says no foul, particularly around the 18-yard box. That will be our weapon in the match against the Algerians. We will beat them to their antics,” he stated.

Omeruo, who scored Super Eagles’ lone goal in the second Group B match against the Syli Nationale of Guinea in Alexandria, however, stated that today’s match would be tough.


“Any opponent at this stage of the competition is a tough team. We watched the match between Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire, and we saw how the Algerians played. But the Super Eagles is equally a tough team. We have players, who are capable of handling any situation. I am sure we will beat Algeria.”

Coach Gernot Rohr said he would parade the best squad in today’s semifinal, saying: “We have given some young players the opportunity to prove themselves in this competition. This is the semifinal and we have to parade our best. So far, the players have given a good account of themselves in this competition. They have given good image of the country, fighting on. And we will continue to fight on until we win the trophy.”

Despite eliminating some heavyweights in the competition, including the defending champions, Indomitable Lions of Cameroun and ‘stubborn’ Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Rohr says the Eagles should not be tagged the favourite for the trophy. “All the four teams in the semifinal are favourites for the title. I can only say we are second favourite.”

Meanwhile, an Algerian player, Sidi Abed has declared that they would do everything to conquer the Eagles in today’s semifinal, saying: “Nigeria has good players, but we know where to go and how to go about it tomorrow (today).”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/we-wont-fall-for-algerians-antics.html

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has denied responsibility for the violent protest at the premises of the National Assembly which witnessed the shooting of two police officers.

According to a statement by the IMN signed by Abdullahi Musa, a leader of the group’s Academic Forum, denied the police officers who were later hospitalised after the violent protest were attacked by their colleagues.

“After they had committed these atrocities, the police preposterously claimed that the protesters confiscated a gun from police and shot the officer. This is incongruous with reason and conclusive evidence at hand; nay it is even inviting serious ridicule. How on earth could a protester, known to be unarmed and defenceless, have sequestered a gun and fired it?

“But, considering the narration of a former Abuja police commissioner, Sadiq Bello, that the police had their men put in free-Zakzaky protesters, it is quite obvious that that police set up for use were the ones who caused the inflictions at the National Assembly and elsewhere today,” the statement reads.

The statement by IMN comes after the Senate yesterday called for a security beef up around the National Assembly complex following the bloody protest by members of IMN.

The Senate said the leadership of the National Assembly was already in talks with security agencies that are investigating the incident.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/shiites-deny-responsibility-for-violent.html

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo wednesday charged military officers and men to be ready always to defend Nigeria with their lives.

Osinbajo, who served as the reviewing officer at the passing out parade of the Direct Short Service Course 28 of 2019 comprising 187 new officers, held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kaduna, described military career, which is to defend the territorial integrity of the country, as the most civic service.


According to him, beyond earning salary and getting a chance to wear a coveted uniform, the military should put their lives on the line for the safety and welfare of Nigerians.

He, however, told the new military officers that Nigeria was still grappling with insurgency in the North-east, and kidnapping and banditry in other parts of the country.

The vice president said given the security challenges confronting the nation, the new officers would soon be busy by fulfilling their responsibilities to the military and the country.

He said: “As you already know, this profession you have chosen requires absolute discipline, loyalty and hard work. It is much more than just securing a job, or earning a salary; and more than just getting the chance to wear a coveted uniform or wield coveted weapons. This is the ultimate form of civic service to defend the territorial integrity of your country and to put your life on the line for the safety and welfare of millions of your countrymen and women. There is no nobler occupation than this one you have chosen.

“You are passing out at a time when our nation is grappling with an insurgency in the North-east, and the challenges of kidnapping and banditry in other parts of the country. You will, therefore, have come to terms with the fact that the days and weeks and months ahead of you will be extremely busy, as you fulfil your responsibilities to the military and the nation.

“While the armed forces have effectively contained the territorial ambitions of the Boko Haram terrorists by substantially degrading their capacity to attack and wreak havoc, they remain intent on shedding blood and sowing fear. There is also the threat of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad Islands and part of Southern Borno.

“Also, more often these days, these insurgents are focusing on soft targets, opportunistic attacks on isolated military units, as well as an increasingly sophisticated propaganda aimed at making them out to be more organised and lethal than they really are.

“This ever-increasing reliance on propaganda is a reminder that this is not only a ‘battleground’ war; it is just as much an information-and-narrative war. Winning hearts and minds has always been important in military warfare; it is even more so in a century defined by information and communication technologies.

“As 21st-century military officers, how you project your strength and confidence to your enemies and the world, especially using social and digital media tools, is as important as the sophistication of the conventional arms and ammunition that you wield.

“But to do so effectively also means that you must take the time and trouble to fully understand the nature of the threats that confront us, the narratives and philosophies that underlie those threats,” the vice president stated.

Osinbajo told the officers that President Muhammadu Buhari, in collaboration with governors, has been reviewing the security architecture of the country, which involved not just the armed forces but also the police, who have recently announced their community policing strategy.

He said: “This initiative involves the recruitment and training of policemen in each local government and ensuring that such new policemen remain in their local governments working with local and traditional authorities to maintain peace and security.

“As the President has said, security is a 24-hour occupation involving continuous investments in strategy and innovation. We will continue to take all necessary measures to tackle all forms of criminality across the country and to safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians.

“The Nigerian Air Force will, as part of the Armed Forces, continued to be at the forefront of our national security interventions. I note in particular the extremely successful digitally accurate bombings of terrorist hideouts in April that led to the destruction of Boko Haram mechanic workshop in Borno
“In May, there were airstrikes on Tumbun Hamma on the fringes of Lake Chad, inflicting heavy casualties on ISWAP forces under Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole; while in June, airstrikes on Sambisa Forest further eliminated insurgents
“It is particularly commendable that you are adopting measures to ensure that the resources available to you are used judiciously; in a manner that delivers optimal results and maximum value for money.


“This nation is great and can only become greater. We are Africa’s largest economy by GDP – states of Nigeria have larger economies than many African states. We have become the last frontier for major economic growth.

“We are the world’s largest growers of cassava and yams, we are top five in the world in sorghum, millet; we are approaching self-sufficiency in paddy rice production. Our potential in technology and entertainment has been attracting huge attention.

“First is the market, at 174 million GSM phones, we are top 10 telephone users in the world, and we have the highest percentage of people who use internet on their phones in the world. We are also number two in mobile internet banking in the world; 17 million Nigerians are on Facebook.

“Microsoft has announced that it will establish a 100 million dollar African Develop Centre in Nigeria. We are already building our own drones. But not only are we building drones, we are also making spare parts for our aircraft. We are also manufacturing armoured personnel carriers and all sorts of different military platforms.

“All of these are things that Nigerians are doing in this country. Just last week, we saw, at the Army Day, sophisticated mine sweepers that are manufactured in this country. In a few short years, this country will be, by far, the greatest military force in Africa and certainly the most developed economy in Africa.

“All of these have been built on the sacrifices of many in blood and sweat, especially men and women of the armed forces. What will undermine our efforts now and in the future is disunity. All of those who are preaching narratives of divisions along ethnic and religious lines. We must resist all who try to destroy our present gains and in particular our future.

“The future of our country is bright; all we need to do is to keep focus not to allow any to preach any division amongst us. If we remain stable and united, everything that we desire for our great country will be ours.”

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/07/11/defend-nigeria-with-your-lives-osinbajo-tells-military/amp/

The Fulani own all the land in Nigeria according to the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Alhaji Abdullahi Bodejo, and that those claiming to owe land and would not release it to government for ranching were being selfish and do not want peace in the land.

In an interview granted to journalists, he said that his group was supporting the establishment of ranches 100 per cent, disclosing that, “it is because there are no ranches that some Fulani elements from other states are opposed to anti-grazing law.

“But with the intervention of the Federal Government, Fulani can now confine their grazing activities to a particular area.

“They are raising opposition to it because the President of the federation is a Fulani man. I don’t know the basis of the opposition, but those people who are opposed to it are enemies of the Fulani. They are trying to gang up against the Fulani because of their personal interests.

“Is it not a good idea to also settle the Fulani? This will be a solution to the herders-farmers’ conflicts Insha Allah.

If we close all the cattle markets in this country, the economy will come down. Take the case of Lagos where they slaughter almost 6000 cows per day; go and ask the governor how much revenue they are raking from there. For almost 60 years, Fulani have not gained anything from government.

“Some people are just bent on destroying the Fulani economy.

“As far as I am concerned, they have no reason for opposing creation of ranches. It is just a demonstration of their hatred against the Fulani.

“Everybody has a right to his opinion but the hatred is too much for us. Let us have a rethink and build Nigeria together.”

Speaking on the fact that many states were reluctant to donate land for ranches because they don’t want to regret it in the end, Bodejo declared,

“The day those people were born, were they born with the land? The people who are claiming land are the ones causing crisis in this country. If Fulani have the culture of staying in one place, do you think anybody can claim land more than Fulani?

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/ruga-fulani-own-all-land-in-nigeria.html

The stock market is experiencing a bearish trend that has sent jitters down the spines of a lot of short term investors. Year-to-date the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index declined by 6.8 per cent as at last Monday.
Most stocks have depreciated by over 50 per cent, making their prices to be very attractive for long term investors to take advantage of.

Although the bearish nature of the equities market is giving many investors concerns, the management of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) may have little to worry about.


The NSE is aware that stock markets globally fluctuate and is confidence that the Nigerian market will rebound at certain point. However, the major reason why the NSE may worry less over the current rout is the fact that its market capitalisation has received a major boost from the listing of two telecommunications companies within the last two months.

The first to list was MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, which got listed on May 16, 2019 followed by Airtel Africa Plc, which was admitted yesterday.
Before the listing of MTNN, the equities market capitalisation of the NSE stood at N10.626 trillion, while the NSE All-Share Index was at 28,286.08.

However, when MTNN had its 20.35 billion shares listed on the local bourse at N90 per share and rose to N99 per share on May 16, the market capitalisation jumped to N12.458 trillion. MTNN added N1.832 trillion to the capitalisation. And following the appreciation of shares of MTNN to N129.45 translating to N2.634 trillion, the market capitalisation further rose to N12.909 trillion as at Monday.

When the shares of Airtel Africa Plc were listed at 3.758 billion shares at N363 per share on Tuesday, it added N1.364 trillion to market capitalisation of the NSE to close at N14.273 trillion.
But for the listing of MTNN and Airtel Africa Plc, the market capitalisation of the NSE would have depreciated to N8.9 trillion. However, the stock exchange has the two telcos to thank for the high level of market capitalisation still being maintained despite the rout in the market.

NSE’s excitement
Speaking on the listing of the Airtel Africa Plc, Oscar Onyema said it was a promising development in Africa with Airtel Africa being the second company to have its ordinary shares listed on both the LSE and NSE.

According to him, this gives credence to the successful partnership between the two exchanges, and encouraging similarly situated companies to explore the different opportunities for raising capital on the exchange’s platform.

Onyema said: “Airtel Africa’s listing on the NSE will not only showcase the company as an established player in the African telecommunication industry, but will enable the firm to actualise its strategic vision “To enrich the lives of customers.”

This listing is a result of many months of hard work by all parties to the transaction and will add N1.36 trillion to the market capitalisation of the exchange, further deepening the Nigerian capital market.
“It will also increase the visibility of Airtel Africa whilst differentiating its brand as a major player in the Telecommunication sector.”

The NSE boss said the exchange would continue to support the telecom industry and the real sector by promoting efficient capital formation and allocation, enabling industries to raise long-term funds for growth & expansion of their business to reduce unemployment and sustain Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Speaking earlier on the listing of MTNN Onyema said: “We are delighted to welcome MTN Nigeria to the exchange. This listing is a promising development in the country’s telecommunications sector and we encourage other players in the sector to explore the different opportunities in the capital markets for raising long term capital.

“As a listing platform of choice, today’s listing will add to our bouquet of diverse investment offerings to the public. Having MTN Nigeria listed in our market is a testament of the exchange’s commitment to building a dynamic and inclusive market and creating channels for sustainable investment.

“This listing will promote liquidity for MTN Nigeria, enhance its value and increase transparency, as our platform remains one of the best avenues for raising capital and enabling sustainable growth for national development.”

President, NSE, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, also expressed excitement saying: “We are particularly pleased that MTN Nigeria has joined the prestigious club of companies listed on our Premium Board with this landmark transaction, which will differentiate it as a professionally run telecommunications company with high standards, having met the NSE’s listing criteria.

“A Premium Board listing is a sign of commitment to strong corporate governance, excellence, professionalism, efficiency in service delivery and providing increased returns to shareholders. It is our expectation that the MTNN, which is the NSE’s 2nd largest, will encourage other telecommunication companies to list their shares on the exchange, thereby opening the sector up to cheaper, long term capital that will boost innovation and development.”

Head, Listing Regulation of the NSE, Godstime Iwenekhai had disclosed that after the book building by Airtel Africa Plc , about 130 shareholders subscribed to issue, which is below the 300 shareholders requirement of the exchange.
Iwenekhai, however, explained that the firm had a free float of 25 per cent across the London Stock Exchange and the NSE, above the exchange requirement of 10 per cent for cross boarder listing.

According to him, the rules of the NSE’s cross boarder listing was developed in such a way that it could grant exemption or waivers to attract cross boarder listing to the exchange and deepen the market.
“The exchange cross boarder listing requirements rule also grants the exchange the powers to give exemption or waivers in every part of the rule because the rule is developed in such a way to attract cross boarder listing to the exchange.

“We have the requirements that we feel we can deploy to attract such big and foreign companies to Nigeria, the rule as approved by the SEC gives the exchange the power to grant such requirement,” he said.
Iwenekhai noted that the waiver was granted considering the fact Airtel has also listed on the LSE and must have complied with the stringent listing requirements in the foreign exchanges.

Airtel’s road to listing
Before the listing on the NSE, Airtel made an initial public offering (IPO) through a book building process to determine the eventual price and volume of shares to be sold to investors. A book building is a process of price discovery, through which the issuer ascertains the demand for the securities being issued and assesses the price at which such securities may be issued before ultimately determines the quantum of securities to be issued. The company ended up with a price of N363 per share. The shares are being offered to high networth and institutional investors.

The directors of Airtel Africa Plc said offering the shares in Nigeria and listing on the NSE would encourage operational discipline through the establishment of an independent capital structure and governance framework following the successful turnaround of the group’s operations.

“It will also facilitate measurement of the Group’s continued positive performance against holistic, publicly disclosed metrics as it enters a strong free cash flow phase; introduce an optimal capital structure and enable improved leverage for greater flexibility in pursuing growth opportunities going forward; and provide access to the capital markets and diversification of the Group’s capital base to support the Group’s continued growth. The company intends to use the net proceeds from the offer principally on the reduction of debt, in particular to achieve a targeted leverage ratio of 2.5x based on underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the year ended 31 March 2019.

Market share and Performance
Airtel Africa has been offering mobile services in Africa since 2010 and has leveraged this experience to roll out relevant products and services across its footprint. The Group offers a range of country specific entertainment, lifestyle and general content through its VAS products. The group aims to continue positioning its non-voice businesses, in particular through its investments in value-added digital services and continued expansion of mobile money services, as an opportunity for long-term sustainable growth in response to the rapidly changing telecommunications environment in the markets in which the Group operates.

As at 31 December 2018, Airtel Africa was the second largest mobile operator in Africa by number of active subscribers, according to Ovum. The group’s footprint is well-diversified, serving an aggregate of 98.9 million subscribers and 14.2 million mobile money customers across its footprint as at 31 March 2019.
Nigeria represents Airtel Group’s largest single country subscriber base, comprising 37.6 per cent of total subscribers as at 31 March 2019.

In terms of financial performance, as the year ended 31 March 2019, revenue in Nigeria was $1.106 billion (representing 35.9 per cent of the Group’s revenue in the year) and underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $550 million. In the year ended 31 March 2019, revenue in East Africa was US$1,102 million (representing 35.8 per cent of the Group’s revenue in the year) and underlying EBITDA was $442 million. Revenue in rest of Africa was $888 million (representing 28.9 per cent of the Group’s revenue in the year) and underlying EBITDA was $339 million

A further analysis of the performance showed that revenue from $2.884 billion in 2018 to $2.910 billion in 2019. This increase was primarily due to mobile data revenue growth and Airtel Money revenue growth. Profit after tax rose from $142 million to $441 million.

Airtel Africa operates in three main business lines, mobile voice, mobile data and Airtel Money. The mobile voice business line comprises pre- and post-paid wireless voice services, international roaming, fixed-line telephone services and interconnect revenue paid to the Group by other telecommunications providers. The mobile voice business line is the largest component of the group’s revenue, representing 62.2 per cent and 66.4 per cent in the years ended 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018, respectively.

The Mobile data business line comprises data communications services, including 2G, 3G and, increasingly, 4G data services, and other VAS for mobile subscribers. The mobile data business line accounted for 22.2 per cent and 18.9 per cent of the group’s revenue in the years ended 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018, respectively.

On an aggregated basis, the Mobile business lines before inter-product elimination and including infrastructure tower sharing income accounted for 94.8 per cent of the group’s consolidated revenue and 92.7 per cent of the group’s underlying EBITDA in the year ended 31 March 2019 and 95.4 per cent of the group’s consolidated revenue and 95.2 per cent underlying EBITDA in the year ended 31 March 2018.

On the other hand, Mobile money services, offered under the Airtel Money brand, are an increasingly important part of the Group’s service offerings. The Airtel Money business line comprises a mobile commerce service that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week through customers’ mobile devices. The Airtel Money business line before inter-product elimination accounted for 7.6 per cent of the Group’s consolidated revenue and 7.3 per cent of the group’s EBITDA in the year ended 31 March 2019 and 5.2 per cent consolidated revenue and 4.1 per cent EBITDA in the year ended 31 March 2018.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/telcos-to-nses-rescue.html

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano arrived New Jersey at the weekend to sign a bilateral agreement with the Mayor of the City of Orange.

More Photos at
https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/photos-gov-obiano-arrives-new-jersey.html

Emmanuel Amuneke’s contract as Tanzania’s coach has been terminated by the Tanzania Football Federation(TFF) .

This followed the country’s poor outing at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Taifa Stars did not make it beyond the group stages. They lost 2-0 to Senegal, 3-2 to Kenya and 3-0 to Algeria, to finish bottom of Group C . They recorded no point.

“The Tanzania Football Association (TFF) and the national team coach, Emmanuel Amunike, have reached a joint agreement to terminate the contract between us.

“TFF will announce the TAN coach who will lead the national team for Chan matches.

“TAN coaches will be announced after the Emergency Committee meeting on July 11, 2019,” read a statement on the TFF website.


Amuneke had helped the Taifa Stars qualify for AFCON for the first time in 39 years

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/tanzania-ff-terminates-amunekes-contract.html

The former Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters to former President, Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, a prominent Northern Elder, has replied the youths and elders of the South-East geopolitical zone on the issue of RUGA, insisting that its rejection is equivalent to the rejection of the 2023 Presidential slot by the South-East region.
According to Yakassai, RUGA settlement is a panacea to resolve the persistent conflicts between Farmers and Herders.
“Farmers claim Herders destroy their farms while rearing their cows. Therefore, in an effort to find a lasting solution to this incessant crisis”, he recalled that the Federal Government came out with the introduction of RUGA settlement, whereby a portion of land would be set aside with necessary amenities like roads, water, and other things for the Fulani Herders to settle down with their livestock in different States of the Federation, instead of roaming about and getting into conflicts with Farmers.
Disappointed by its outright rejection, Yakassai warned that the action might cause the South-East the 2023 Presidential zoning formula.
He said: “People were talking about power shift; that is to say the Igbos should produce President come 2023. But one thing that is certain is that this lofty idea cannot be achieved just on a silver platter. I am committed to the unity of this country, and this is what I had been fighting for as far as back to 1953. It will be recalled, that as a result of my commitment to the unity of this country that I was arrested and imprisoned, for fighting against the plan of making Nigeria a Confederation, rather than a united country. That was when I was just about 20 years old.

“This is what I expected the youths to be fighting for, not expressing sectional and parochial views.

“When we say power should move to the Igbos; as we all know, for anybody to become President of this country, he has to garner votes from at least 24 States of the country. The North has 19 States, while South has 17. Therefore, for the Igbos to realise this dream, they need the support of every part of the country. So also, any Northerner equally needs the support of the South, one way or the other.

“The South-West has produced President. The North has also produced, while the people of the South-South had their turn by producing former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

“What I am trying to say here is that the Igbos at this crucial stage in their quest of producing Mr. President in 2023, or at any time Allah destines them to occupy the seat, still need the collective support of people from the North and other parts of the South.


“What I am trying to say is that for their people to kick against the establishment of RUGA, which is an interest of the North, there would be a time when the Igbos would equally need the support of the North for an assistance, and they might also not render such an assistance to them, because they could tell them, ‘you did not support us when we needed your backing for RUGA settlement”, Yakassai noted.
Full details at
https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/no-ruga-no-2023-igbo-presidency.html

Alhaji Waziri Bulama contested unsuccessfully for Borno State governorship in 2011 on the platform of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), but eight years after he says he want to be national secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with MSUGH ITYOKURA, the Borno State-born Architect talks about contending issues in the ruling party.



There has been quiet agitation for replacement of vacant offices in the National Working Committee of APC, what informed your decision to aspire to the position of national secretary?
There are a number of reasons. After failing to clinch the position in the last national convention, I served as a deputy director in the Buhari Campaign Organisation in 2019, where I also garnered a lot of experience concerning the party.


A lot needs to be done about coordination and information sharing among party members. And of course, you will discover the need for unity and better cohesion in the party for members to meet their aspirations. So, as someone who has experience in party management and presidential campaigns, we hope to make the party stronger by institutionalizing information sharing.
A lot of people feel the national chairman Adams Oshiomole is running the party with iron hand, what is your take on this?

This is a completely misplaced impression. The chairman as you know, is the highest-ranking official of the party and Comrade Oshiomhole is an organisational leader, an activist and fighter, who has always fought for the rights of Nigerian citizens. So, how can anybody say he is a dictator? He is not; because his entire life has been service to the people and as a leader of the party, whatever he says or does has no ambiguity and this is something many people find difficult to understand.

But, the point is, he is a highly experienced leader, who is tested and trusted, having served the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) meritoriously and as governor of Edo State. He led the party to victory and so to me, may be it’s because of the nuances of his presentation that make people misunderstand him.

But, some party faithful also accuse him of being responsible for the electoral woes of the party in Imo State…

There is nowhere the APC as a party lost out that it was not due to local problems, whether it was Imo, Zamfara, Ogun, Benue, Adamawa or Bauchi States respectively.

The party was actually able to secure 35 per cent and above in the states and don’t forget that this is a party that has broken the line of religion in Nigeria. This is to the credit of the leadership of Oshiomhole, which was why we won the election very successfully and any decision taken by the chairman is that of the National Working Committee of the party.


How is the party preparing to avoid mistakes in the forthcoming elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States later this year?
The party is getting prepared, just as it has always prepared for elections. We are going to mobilise all our members and unite all stakeholders in the party so as to go into it strong, robust and to carry out issues-based campaigns.

We will look at merits. Members will discuss and take decisions collectively and arrive at a decision that will be in the best interest of the party. Thereafter, we would present policies and programmes that will help those states move to another level.

How would you want President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issue of poverty in the country in this second term?
The level of poverty is high, but it is being addressed through the provision of infrastructure. More investments are coming in and the government has spent billions of naira on improving infrastructure. And this has led to massive improvement in rail transportation and roads.

Infrastructure is what provides the foundation for economic growth and solving the problem of poverty permanently. The President has also introduced many business-friendly policies, where for instance, access to capital has being made easy. Development banks, like the Bank of Industry and Agriculture and others, are encouraged to give small-scale loans to medium and small-scale enterprises.

A lot of facilitation is done through the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) to encourage farmers. The level of insecurity and brigandage you see is not due to poverty. I attribute the insecurity in terms of abductions, cattle rustling and banditry largely to the level of lawlessness among youth gangs in many states and the situation differs from state to state. While some state governments have taken measures to bring in some local militia, the situation is less in some states.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/bulama-apc-needs-unity-better-cohesion.html

Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, has declared his intention to contest for the November 16 Governorship election in Bayelsa on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lokpobiri made his intention known on Saturday after consultation with the state leadership of the APC at the party’s Secretariat in Yenagoa.

Lokpobiri told the party leadership that he was ready to lead APC to the “Creek Haven’’, Bayelsa State seat of power; so that he can build an economy beyond oil for the state.

“I am here to formally inform my political family about my intention to contest the governorship of Bayelsa State on APC platform. I have the support base to win the election come Nov. 16, 2019.

“My plea to the leadership of our party is to ensure that the party remains united in order to form a formidable front to win this election.

“If party members work together, we will surely win the governorship election, come November.

“I am coming to give direction to Bayelsa State; develop the state and build the economy beyond oil,’’ he said.

The Chairman of APC in Bayelsa, Mr Jothan Amos, said that the primary to choose the governorship candidate would be free and fair.

He urged all aspirants to carry out their consultations peacefully, without any form of violence.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/ex-minister-heineken-lokpobiri-joins.html

Following Federal Government’s recent suspension of its Ruga Settlement policy, the Equity International Initiative (EII) has
called on President Muhammadu Buhari to completely bury the idea and instead concentrated towards making life more comfortable for citizenry, while also ensuring their safety.

The group equally commended the Federal Government for suspending the aforementioned policy, saying because it was a poorly conceived project, “is capable of destroying this country as a nation”.


The EII made the call for the complete abolition of the Ruga policy or any of such through its Country Focal Person, Chris Iyama, while addressing journalists on the State of the Nation, in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

Iyama said, “We commend the Federal Government for suspending the RUGA policy due to protests against the poorly conceived, divisive and potential destructive project; because it is capable of destroying this country as a Nation.

“But it’s interesting to note, that it first came as a ‘grazing route’ and was suspended. It was later re-baptized as ‘cattle colonies’ and also suspended. Subsequently, it was christened ‘RUGA’ and again was suspended as at today. Who knows what next? This is because the Leopard may change its name but the spots remains.


“EII hereby calls on the Federal Government to bury the RUGA idea and concentrate its effort towards making life more comfortable for citizens while ensuring their safety.

“As an organization which has been in the fore-front of promoting citizens participation on issues that directly and remotely affects them through Advocacy, Public Policy Research and Capacity building, “We demand that the federal government completely perish the idea of Ruga project, cattle colonies and any such ideas that will seem to favour Fulani herdsmen who have been known killers and oppressors above other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

“We ask the Federal Government to provide enabling environment for businesses and enterprises to thrive in Nigeria irrespective of the state or region the businesses are located instead of focusing on grabbing land illegally from states and from citizens for Fulani herdsmen.


“Federal government should ensure provision of regular power supply, this is the most important thing that both small scales, medium scales and large scales businesses need in Nigeria to make their businesses thrive and improve the economy over all and not Ruga or cattle colonies”, he maintained.

Iyama calls for adequate transparency in the procurement of military equipment.

“We call on the military to desist from excessive show of force to intimidate civilians whenever it feels aggrieved.

According to him, “The laws of Nigeria have made adequate provisions for how such should be addressed and the military should not act outside of these laws.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/ruga-settlement-group-urges-fg-to.html

Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said that he was sure of a sponsored campaign against the efforts of the board.

Oloyede said this on Thursday in Abuja while presenting another suspect to newsmen, Kokowa Cletus, a 20-year-old, who allegedly falsified his Unified Tertiary Admissions Examination (UTME) result.

It will be recalled that the board had on June 24, presented a 19-year-old Adah Eche, who allegedly falsified his UTME result, yet wrote a letter of complaint to the board for presenting him with two results.

The registrar frowned at the fraudulent trend, saying that it was unfortunate that the board was making efforts to serve the public yet it was being discouraged by detractors.

“This is especially when cases that were meant to be investigated were not appropriately done.

“We believe that there is an organised and sponsored campaign against JAMB for whatever reason.


“We have no apology, but will want the public, who might be misinformed to always know the situation at hand and the gravity of what we do.

“This campaign going on against JAMB is done by people who knowingly or unknowingly, are inadvertently employed to do this.

“At the appropriate time, we will come out to tell the people what is really going on but there is a personal war, you will see that soon,’’ he said.

He noted that many of such campaigns were done through complaints of the board issuing out double results to candidates who sat for the 2019/20 UTME among other complaints.

Oloyede said that some of the people who make the claims are aware of the Nigerian factor where most accusations were not properly investigated before undergoing public judgements.

The registrar said instead they preferred to go elsewhere to cry foul instead of approaching the board.

He said Cletus was invited to the board’s headquarters from Bayelsa after he wrote a complaint to the board for issuing him two results and subsequently he was apprehended.

“He came with his uncle who, fortunately, is an army officer and we investigated the matter together before the members of the board.

“He presented two results; one was 206 and the other was 162.

“We found details of transactions on his phone between him and the syndicate, including a video on how to process result upgrade and negotiations were made on the phone too.

“There was also a screenshot of an imposition result of 206, yet, he had the guts to claim that JAMB sent him two results while we also discovered that he checked the results 15 times via `55109’, Oloyede added.

The registrar explained that the suspect did not know that once a result has been checked, a copy was being sent to the candidate, another was copied back to the board with the date and time of check.

He also narrated how the father of the suspect had written a letter to the board, expressing disappointment at the board’s incompetence.

Oloyede quoted the letter as saying, “your inability in swift response to address the issue has led to my son’s forfeiture of his Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission opportunity.

“However, am craving your indulgence to quickly rectify the result in affirmative to enable him have a good chance for the second choice of the institution.’’

The registrar said that the board would stop at nothing to expose the syndicates working against it, noting that about 80 of such cases were already being prosecuted nationwide.

He assured that others would be apprehended in no time, adding that the board would have to focus on the admissions process for now.

According to him, the suspect’s result will not be cancelled but be invalidated, while he will be handed over to the police to face the law.

The suspect told newsmen that his parents would be disappointed at his actions.

He said that he did not believe his original result was a reflection of his performance and so, decided to approach the board for a proof.

This, he explained, was because he thought he did better than 162 as the UTME questions he answered were not so difficult believing that the second result is not his.

“Someone sent a mail to me saying that they can upgrade my result, so I asked them to send me proof that they could do it and they sent me 206.

“The person now asked me to pay N10,000 but I told him I didn’t have that kind of money, he then promised to make things hard for me.

“When I checked later via `55109’, I got 162, then I decided to complain to JAMB to know if my scores were actually changed or not,’’ he said.

Cletus said that he knew upgrading scores was a criminal offence and did not expect the syndicate to be successful, yet he believed that it was JAMB that sent the 206 result to him and wanted to be sure.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/there-is-sponsored-campaign-against.html

The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria has said its members are not getting foreign exchange at N305 to a dollar for the importation of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has been the sole importer of petrol into the country for more than a year as private oil marketers stopped importation due to a shortage of forex and increase in crude oil prices, which were said to have made the landing cost of the product higher than the official pump price of N145 per litre.


The Chief Operating Officer, Downstream, NNPC, Mr Henry Ikem-Obih, had, during a panel discussion on Wednesday at the just-concluded Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, said the forex intervention scheme, which was rolled out by the Central Bank of Nigeria and co-managed by the NNPC had been extremely successful.

“Since that scheme was set up, we have received applications from marketers for $7.2bn worth of forex. In terms of actual disbursement, about 50 per cent of the applications got funding. But the truth is that the forex that came through that scheme, especially for PMS, got potential funding for the majority of the applicants and forex was available to the marketers. However, applications that came in for AGO, HHK, ATK also got forex at N305. And so, I don’t agree that access to forex is a big issue for marketers,” he had said.

But the Chairman, MOMAN, Mr Tunji Oyebanji, who spoke on the sidelines of the event, said marketers had not resumed petrol importation as they could not access forex at N305/$1.

“We don’t know who is getting foreign exchange at N305/$1. If we are getting it at that rate for petrol, we will be importing. But we are not getting it. Yes, when the scheme started, that was the plan and CBN was the one handling it. Eventually, the NNPC took over it, and we don’t know who is getting it at N305. So, maybe he can enlighten us by publishing the names of those who are getting it,” he said.

Oyebanji, who is the Managing Director of 11Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc), said, “We are not importing PMS at all but if we want to import Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) or Aviation Turbine Kerosene (aviation fuel), we have to go and buy at N330 or N346. You can’t compete because the NNPC is bringing everything at N305; so, it is not a level-playing field at all.”

Asked what exchange rate would enable the marketers to resume the importation of petrol, he said, “If we were getting at N305, maybe we will be able to [import]. But again, technically, for the country as a whole, does it even make sense? In the market, your dollar is being sold at N360; so what Nigeria should be earning for every dollar is N360. That is really the market value.

“So, every time you are even selling it at N305, you are also subsidising and it is a loss to the country. So, we all have to determine what we want to do.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/were-not-getting-forex-at-n3051-oil.html

Governor Udom Emmanuel has applauded security agencies in the state for their collaborative effort in sustaining the peace and making Akwa Ibom State a safe haven for investors.

The Governor gave the commendation while hosting the Commandant, Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade at Government House, yesterday. While appreciating the Commandant for the visit, Gov Udom urged security agencies not to rest on their oars but to continue policing every part of the State to keep the criminals at bay. He emphasized on the need to intensify intelligence gathering so as to deliver precise strikes on all forms of criminality in the Niger Delta Region and pledged his administration’s commitment to provide necessary support to boost their operations. He mentioned that the second phase of the ongoing rehabilitation project at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa would soon commence, assuring that portable water would be provided for the residents. Furthermore, Governor Udom drew attention of relevant security agencies to the menace of drugs abuse which he said is prevalent among youths and appealed to them to help eradicate abuse of hard drugs as well as fish out hard drug dealers to help stem the tide of crime in the Niger Delta Region in particular and Nigeria as a whole. Earlier, Rear Admiral Akinjide Akinrinade, who said the courtesy visit was to intimate Governor Udom Emmanuel on activities of his Command, thanked him for the logistic support granted Security Agencies to boost their operations in the State and by extension the Niger Delta Region. He acknowledged the fact that Governor Emmanuel has collaborated with security agencies to make Akwa Ibom one of the safest states in the country, noting with delight the rehabilitation project at the Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak Local Government Area as well as establishment of the Navy Military School and the Command Science Secondary School in the state. The Navy boss used the occasion to enumerate feats recorded by his Command since his assumption of duty, saying that the Task Force has arrested over 300 criminals who indulged in oil theft, pipeline vandalism, destroyed illegal refineries in the creeks and impounded seven ocean going vessels used by the criminals. He once thanked Governor Emmanuel for granting them audience, saying that the gesture is a testimony of his commitment to sustain the existing peace in the state and boost investment.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/gov-udom-lauds-security-agencies-for.html

Ok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8HX3eA_Ijo


https://www.akelicious.net/2019/06/unravelling-okorocha-substandard.html?m=1

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday swore in Chief Funkekeme Solomon as his Senior Political Adviser (SPA), saying the position is not for a ”neophyte”.

The governor, who performed the function at Government House, Asaba, said that Solomon remained the most qualified for the position.

He, however, charged Solomon to bring his wealth of experience to bear while ensuring fairness, equity and justice in execution of his duties.


The governor thanked the former SPA, Mr Festus Ochonogor, for his loyalty and sacrifice in the past four years, wishing him well in his future political career.

According to Okowa, the office of a Political Adviser is very important, as the governor needs to be guided on the right policies and programmes.

“I wish to congratulate Funkekeme Solomon who has just been sworn in as Senior Political Adviser to the government.


“The SPA must be a person with high political pedigree; he cannot be a neophyte, but a political gladiator with wide network and this will enable him advise the government properly.

“Rt.Hon. Funkekeme Solomon is the right man for the Job.

“He is a man with vast media and political experience, he has been a minority leader in the state house of assembly.

“Until his appointment, he was the Director General, PDP Campaign Organisation 2019, who led the party to victory,” Okowa said.

He congratulated him and prayed God to give him wisdom to carry out his assignment with equity, fairness and good conscience toward all persons.

On his part, Solomon thanked God for the favour that had led to his new appointment and appreciated the governor for giving him the opportunity to serve.

He pledged to deliver good leadership with fairness and ensure equity while carrying out his duties.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/06/delta-gov-ifeanyi-okowa-swears-in.html

Abuja, June 3, 2019 (NAN) The Kano State Fire Service said it saved 34 lives and goods worth 98 million naira from 55 fire incidents across the state in the month of May.

The Public Relations Officer, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, made this known on Monday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, North West Nigeria.

Mohammed, however, said that seven lives were lost during the period, while properties valued at 15 million naira were also destroyed.

He said the service responded to 31 rescue calls and eight false alarms from residents.

Mohammed identified the careless handling of cooking gas, use of inferior electrical materials, use of boiling rings, poor handling of electrical appliances, improper wiring as major causes of the fire in the state.

He urged the public to patronise quality electricians and electrical materials, avoid abuse of electrical appliances, monitor thoroughly the use of cooking gas in their homes to avert fire outbreak.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/06/kano-state-fire-service-saves-34-lives.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f5DXsmt3-k

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/flavour-ariva-official-video.html

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Friday, announced the release of results of 4,536 candidates that participated in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

The result were released following a confirmation by the committee set up by JAMB to investigate 4,760 candidates whose results were withheld due to multiple facial matches with different names during the 2019 UTME.

JAMB also released the result of 231 candidates that sat for the examination at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, after “diligent” investigation revealed that allegation of involvement of candidates in examination malpractice was untrue.

It said that the Computer Base Test (CBT) centre has been suspended for acts that were contrary to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of examination.

JAMB however confirmed that specialised software and IT experts engaged to carry out facial match recognition, exonerated the candidates whose results were released.

A statement from JAMB spokesman, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, indicated that “out of the number subjected for screening, the board will subject the results of 127 candidates to further physical examination, while the results of 97 candidates established to have been involved in multiple registration and other forms of infractions would be withheld.”

He explained that those to be subjected to further physical examination would be contacted, and they must appear before an inspection team to clarify other likely areas of multiplicity.

He said: “They have been grouped in zones for convenience and easy accessibility. Candidates in South West would converge on Lagos at the West African Examination Council (WAEC) office, Yaba, Lagos, while those from Ibadan and Ekiti respectively would converge on the JAMB office in Ibadan, Oyo State.


“Candidates in South East zone would converge on Owerri, Imo State, those in the North East would be screened in Gombe JAMB office while North West candidates would converge on Kaduna.

“Candidates from North Central states such as Kwara would converge on Ilorin, while those from Plateau, Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja would converge on JAMB National Headquarters, Bwari, Abuja.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/examination-malpractice-jamb-releases.html

The Anglican Bishop of Niger Delta North, Rt. Reverend Wisdom Budu Ihunwo has prayed and laid hand on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for a successful administration.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/photos-anglican-bishop-lays-hands-on.html

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Saturday empowered no fewer than 1,000 fashion designers and charged them to be hardworking in their chosen career.

The Ooni gave the charge during the maiden edition of Ojaja Fashion Training Graduation at his palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Oba Ogunwusi thanked God for giving him the grace to contribute his own quota to the progress and growth of the beneficiaries who were mostly youths.

He condemned the rate at which crimes were increasing daily in the society, a situation he attributed to lack of jobs.

“Unemployment and none availability of helper for the less privileged have led most of our youths to take to prostitution, drug trafficking, kidnapping,internet fraud and the removal of human organs for rituals.

He said, “We need to put all hands on deck to assist the youth academically and in vocational training, saying government alone cannot do it.”

The royal father also condemned the rate at which the nation’s population was increasing daily without the provision of commensurate jobs .

He congratulated the parents, guardians and the graduands for the success of the training, and appealed to them not to abuse the opportunities given to them.

Also, Samuel Olaoluwa, the Coordinator of the programme, acknowledged God for the grace to coordinate the institute.

He noted that youths from across the country benefitted from the training, and urged other philanthropists to emulate the Ooni’s good gestures.

Also, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Tailors, Mr Wasiu Taiwo, commended the Ooni for the training.

He admonished the graduands to face their career and ensure that they take it to greater heights.

Mrs Eniola Ali-Faweya, the Corporate Affairs Manager, Nigeria Breweries, Omi-Asoro, Ilesa, lauded the Ooni for the gesture.

Ali-Faweya advised the graduands to be dedicated to their vocations.

She pledged that the company would continue to support the Ooni in all his efforts to empower youths and in other initiatives.

One of the benefactors who spoke on behalf of others, Miss Kehinde Adebiyi, applauded the Ooni for transforming their lives through the training and for providing them quality sewing machines.

Adebiyi said she was hopeless before for she had no helper, but now Oba Ogunwusi had given her hope.

She promised to utilise the privilege wisely and urged other youths to find something tangible to do rather than wasting their brighter future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries had a one-year training in fashion designing before their graduation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ooni-empowers-1000-fashion-designers.html

No less than 626 persons were reportedly killed in the event leading to and during the conduct of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. 2019 election Out of the number, the South-south geopolitical zone recorded the highest incidents of violence (59), while the North-West had the highest number of fatalities (172), with South-East recording the least incidents of violence and fatalities, 7 and 14, respectively.

The disclosure was contained in stakeholders reports reviewing the security challenges in the 2019 general elections, held in Enugu by civil society organisations including SBM Intelligence and Gatefield Nig. Ltd, in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, OSIWA.

The stakeholders which also included the military, the police and the Civil Defence Corps, blamed the rising cases of violence on politicians, their supporters, as well as security operatives. Head of Research, SBM Intelligence, Cheta Nwanze lamented the high scale violence which trailed the elections.


In the group’s report presented to the stakeholders, it was disclosed that “thuggery, influenced by politicians and political parties, protest, election fraud, violence in battleground areas and vote buying impacted on the outcome of the elections. “Same can be said for terrorism, especially in the North-eastern States of Yobe and Borno, and the activities of security agencies in some contentious States.”

While blaming low turnout of voters partly on the fatal clashes recorded in the months leading to the elections, SMB said: “there were 161 verified incidents, which resulted in 626 deaths within the period between 16 November 2018, the official start of the campaigning and the day of elections.” It concluded that by voters’ admission, “the 2019 general elections in Nigeria were greatly flawed.

Some of the blame adduced to INEC’s shoddy preparation for the elections, some electoral officers’ willingness to participate in fraud and politicians’ lack of sportsmanship.” Tracing the root Causes of Electoral Violence during the 2019 Elections, Dr Maurice Ogbonnaya from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, said with the wild scale violence and manipulations, “young people are losing hope in the election system. They do not believe that the election represents the voice of the people.”

Ogbonnaya added that elections ought not to cost the life of any Nigerian. Even if it is one person, it is a loss too many. Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Anambra State, Nkwachukwu Orji, identified major challenges during the elections to include insufficient assessment of trouble spots; unavailability of deployment information; insufficient number of security agencies; poor response to situations, late of deployment of senior officers, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/626-killed-in-2019-elections-report.html

Contrary to reports on social media platforms, former governor of Abia State and eminent businessman, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, said he met with President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, on a peace initiative of the Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation and its partners across the globe.

Social media reports had insinuated that Kalu, senator-elect for Abia North, visited Venezuela to cut oil deals.

Clarifying his mission, to journalists at the Simon Bolivar International Air- port yesterday, Kalu, said for any nation to thrive, there must be peace and harmony.


He revealed that he seized the opportunity of his visit in Venezuela to meet with members of the Afro-Venezuelan Community, as well as called on the governments of the United States of America, United Kingdom, Peoples Republic of China, Russia, Nigeria and others, to fashion out inclusive and integrated strategy to overcome the crisis facing Venezuela.

He stressed that foreign leaders and the diplomatic corps across the globe are deliberating on the challenges being faced by Venezuela, in a bid to restore normalcy.


Kalu said: “I am in Venezuela, in my capacity as the founder and chief promoter of Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation.

“The visit is in line with our foundation’s objective of promoting peace across the world.

“We are working with development partners and critical stakeholders to ensure peace and prosperity in Venezuela. We are living in a global community and, as such, we must continue to promote and sustain peace initiatives across the world.”

He declined to give full details of his meeting with resident Maduro but noted that upon his return to Nigeria, he would brief President Muhammadu Buhari and convey a message from the Venezuelan president to the Nigerian leader.


“President Buhari has continually played leading roles in promoting world peace. This feat will, in no distant time, earn Nigeria’s president the Noble Peace Prize,” he said.

The former governor, who was seen off by Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil, has since departed Caracas for Germany. He is expected back in Nigeria this weekend.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/i-held-peace-talks-with-venezuelan.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has disclosed that Kebbi State government is awaiting the final circular on the commencement and implementation of N30,000 new minimum wage from the Federal government to all states of the country to start payment.

Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Umar, Halidu AlHassan, who confirmed this on Tuesday during a press briefing with newsmen on the new minimum wage, noted that Governor Bagudu had shown serious commitment to immediately commence payment of the new wage to workers in the state once the Federal government issues final circular.

AlHassan, told newsmen that the leadership of NLC met Governor Bagudu few days ago during breaking of fasting, and he reiterated his readiness to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

“We were with His Excellency during the breaking of fasting and he made his commitment known to us and assured us that once the final circular is released on the payment of N30,000 new minimum wage, he was ready to comply.

He told us that we shall be having our N30,000 new wage.”

Comrade Alhassan who urged the Federal government to ensure all states governors comply uniformly with the implementation of the new minimum wage, noted that, that would strengthen the nation’s economy and reduced poverty among Nigerians.

Speaking on the proposed disbursement of Paris Refunds to state governors, the labour leader noted that although the Federal government is planning to release another tranche, that ought not to be done before handing over to new governments across the country.

“The NLC has made it clearly that if such funds would be released, it must be after the swearing in of the new governments.

“Secondly, we have made proposals on the sharing and how the funds should be utilised. We have told state governors that certain percentages must be set aside for the payment of backlogs of salaries, pensioners, gratuities and others for the infrastructure developments. Many of governors are rejecting our conditions but in Kebbi State, we don’t have problems at all,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/minimum-wage-gov-bagudu-awaits-fg.html

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on Tuesday described a statement credited to former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, that Fulanization and Islamination of West Africa is the main reason for Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and banditry.


Obasanjo, Akelicious recalls, had on Saturday, claimed that “Fulanization and Islamization of West Africa” is the reason for Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping and banditry. The former President was a guest speaker at the second session of the Synod of Anglican Dioceses held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Oleh in Isoko Local Government of Delta State.

Obasanjo, while speaking on the topic “Mobilizing Nigeria’s human and natural resources for national development and stability”, said: “They are now combined and internationalized with ISIS in control. It is no longer an issue of lack of education and lack of employment for our youths in Nigeria which it began as, it is now West African fulanization, African Islamization and global organized crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change.


“Yet, we could have dealt with both earlier, and nip them in the bud, but Boko Haram boys were seen as rascals not requiring serious attention in administering holistic measures of stick and carrot. And when we woke up to the reality, it was turned to industry for all and sundry to supply materials and equipment that were already outdated and that were not fit for active military purpose.

But the Muslim students, while reacting, said that the statement relating the crimes to Islam, most especially coming from a former head of State and former President, “is not only reckless, it is unpatriotic and uncalled for”.

The students, in a statement signed by Qaasim Odedeji (Amir/Zonal Coordinator), Abdul Jalil Abdul Rasaq (Zonal Secretary) and Bashir Momoh (Public Relations Officer) of the MSSN B Zone, a copy of which was made available to Akelicious on Tuesday, insisted that insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, drug trafficking being perpetrated across all states in Nigeria and by people of different religions and tribes, have no basis in Islam and have nothing to do with Islam and Muslims.


MSSN said, “MSSN B- Zone believes that the statement relating the crimes to Islam, and most especially coming from a former head of State and former President, is not only reckless, it is unpatriotic and uncalled for.

“If despite the incomparable loss of lives by Muslims in the boko haram insurgency and other criminal activities, people like Obasanjo still find it difficult to believe that the crimes have no way in Islam and can go ahead to associate them to Islam, it is most unfortunate and highly dissapointing to say the least.

“If we must remind Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, perhaps he has forgotten, his regime as President of Nigeria gave rise to regional insurgency such as Niger/Delta militancy and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) with the militants being mainly southern christians, yet, nobody ascribed the militancy to ‘CHRISTIANIZATION’


“Also considering where Obasanjo chose to make the reckless statement, the congregation being purely southern Christians, it shows Obasanjo deliberately made the wrong assertion to instigate tribal and religious crisis. This is worrisome and unbecoming of somebody of Obasanjo’s status as former head of State.

“In the circumstance, MSSN B-Zone condemns in the strongest term the statement made by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo claiming what he called ISLAMIZATION as the reason for boko haram insurgency and other criminal activities.

“We want to state it for the umpteenth time that insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, drug trafficking been perpetrated across all states in Nigeria and by people of different religions and tribes, have no basis in Islam and have nothing to do with Islam and Muslims.


“We call on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be careful in his statements and stop making statements defamatory and indicting of Islam and Muslims in Nigeria in order not to put Nigeria in an avoidable tribal and religious crisis.

“We finally call on well- meaning Nigeria and international community to call Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to order in his reckless statement capable of throwing Nigeria into conflict. As an old man and a former President of the country, he should be more patriotic and concentrate on actions that can bind Nigeria together rather than those that can break it,” MSSN said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/muslim-students-attack-obasanjo.html

Three Nigerians — Kennedy Udo, Michael Mgbedike and Emmanuel Okubote, have been sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison by a Woolwich Crown Court in the United Kingdom (UK) for breaking the law.

According to a tweet by the UK Metropolitan police, the trio aged 29, 22 and 27 respectively landed in jail for attempting to smuggle ammunition and drugs into the UK via Eurotunnel.

The tweet said Udo of Avery Hill Road, Eltham, SE9 was sentenced to eight years and six months, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of goods.

Mgbedike of Spur Road, Orpington, BR6 was sentenced to eight years, having been found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

While Okubote of Evan Cook Close, Peckham, SE15 was found guilty of conspiracy to supply firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/uk-court-jails-3-nigerians-for-40-years.html

The Nigerian Army is about now taking delivery of more weapons and ammunition which just landed in Abuja. The consignment will boost its counter-insurgency war and other internal security operations in the country.

The weapons which came in a Boeing 727 cargo aircraft Aquiline International, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 2:55 pm and was received by one Brigadier-General Robert Aiyenigba, Head Nigerian Army Operations Monitoring Team.

The weapons and ammunition are to boost army operations against terrorism, banditry and other security threats bedeviling the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/boko-haram-army-takes-delivery-of-more.html

The Chuibike Amaechi-led Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied given Governor Nyesom Wike pre-conditions for accepting the olive branch he offered during his broadcast.

The party said no such pre-conditions were issued in whatever form, publicly or privately requested the completion of projects by the previous administration as pre-condition for accepting the olive branch offered by the Governor in his broadcast.

The party in a statement signed by Chris Finebone,the Publicity Secretary said:”For the avoidance of doubt, we stand by the suggestions made through distinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu at a Press Conference as the way out of the present state of insecurity our dear State is wallowing in.”

The party said that it has no doubt that “if the Wike government had not abandoned, but improved upon the security architecture put on ground by the Amaechi administration, including the C4i infrastructure; if the various human capital development projects and programmes such as foreign scholarships were not abandoned/discontinued but continued, and consolidated upon by the Wike government; if the various projects such as RSSDA, Songhai Farm, Banana Farm, Buguma Fish Farm and many others that provided employment for our people were not abandoned or destroyed by the present government; the present killings and large-scale insecurity would have been stamped out or, at least, stemmed significantly.

“We believe that the widespread hopelessness and despondency bedevilling our youths is, to a high degree, the cause of the present insecurity pervading our land.”

“Rather than the APC give pre-conditions, it is the governor that has given the acceptance of his olive branch as a pre-condition for taking definite, concrete and altruistic steps to ensure political harmony in the State. We accepted the olive branch in the belief that such political harmony will engender peace, security and development in the State.

“The inaction following our acceptance and the recent twist of facts by the Governor tend to confirm the cynicism of some APC members who questioned the sincerity of the offer,” he added.

The party assured the people of Rivers State and Nigerians that it would continue to exercise utmost restraint in conversations and actions, regardless of the seeming public flip-flops by the Governor.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/we-did-not-give-pre-conditions-for.html