₦airaland Forum

Imo Charter Forum to Ihedioha: Don’t allow Rochas collect Paris Club refund for Imo

Imo Charter Forum (ICF), an umbrella body of different associations and stakeholders on governance and welfare of Imo State have urged the state’s in-coming governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to ensure that the balance of Paris Club refund due for the state is not released to governor Rochas Okorocha whose tenure comes to an end in less than two weeks..



The supervising finance minister, Zainab Ahmed had on Thursday in Abuja, stated that states yet to collect their balance of the Paris Club debts refunds would soon be paid.



She said about N649.434 billion has been released for that purpose.



"For the final phase of the Paris Club debts refunds, the total sum of N649.434 billion was verified by the Ministry as the outstanding balance to be paid to the state governments," the Minister said.



The amount to be paid is lower than about N691.560 billion the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) paid as at March 2019 partly as a result of the exchange rate differential at the point of payment.



She assured that States with outstanding balances of the refund would be paid in due course.



But reacting to the development, ICF in a statement signed by its national secretary, Hon. Zebulon Nwariri and released to newsmen on Sunday, said while it welcomes the announcement of the refunds with open arms, if the fund is released to the outgoing governors, they would find excuses to spend it on frivolities or even divert it to private coffers, adding that previous releases of such funds have not been duly accounted for by some of the governors.



The Forum noted that the case of Rochas Okorocha was peculiar, as the state under his rule presently owes workers and pensioners, several month salaries and pensions, the same with local contractors who executed jobs but have not been paid despite many of such Paris Club refunds and huge internally generated revenue.



The Forum therefore urged the Federal Government to wait for the in-coming governors to be inaugurated so that the money would serve as their take-off grant, in view of the fact that many of them would be inheriting empty treasuries from the out-going ones.



“We welcome the news by the Federal Government that the last tranche of Paris Club refund has been released. For us, this would serve as take-off grant for some of the in-coming governors, most of who would be inheriting empty treasuries from the out-going governors.



“The case of Imo state is peculiar because Governor Rochas Okorocha has no respect for accountability and due process with finances and has always seen the money belonging to Imo State as his personal resource.



“The Federal Government may need to be reminded that Rochas is owing workers over six months of unpaid salaries, the same with pensioners and contractors. This is in spite of the fact the state rakes in much revenue from internal revenue streams, in addition to the huge releases in the past from the same Paris Club refunds.



“We therefore urge the in-coming governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to do whatever is legally possible to safeguard Imo State’s share of the latest refunds by making sure that the money is not released to Rochas before he lives office in a few days from now. He must ensure that the money does not go into the hands of out-going governor Rochas Okorocha as they say that prevention is better than cure,” the Forum concluded.



Among the associations that are members of ICF are Imo Prosperity Network (IPN), Imo Sons and Daughters (ISD), Imo Peoples’ Congress for Development (IPCD), Imo Watchdogs for Transparency and Good Governance (IWTGG) and Women of Imo for Community Development (WICD).

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/imo-charter-forum-to-ihedioha-dont.html

The Ibarapa Polytechnic in Eruwa, Oyo State, now Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, has disclosed that it has increased the wages of its workers by 50 per cent and with immediate payment beginning from this month.



It assured students who are yet to be mobilised for their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a result of non-accreditation of their courses of quick resolution.

Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Dr. Samuel Ogundiran, stated this at the weekend, while speaking with journalists after meeting with former students of the Polytechnic, who are yet to be mobilised for their NYSC two years after graduation.

He said the institution also increased wages of non-academic staff with 25 per cent across board, while the wages of the academic staff, who are non- government employees, had been increased by 50 per cent.

He, however, commended the out-going government in Oyo State led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi for support so far, adding that the institution hopes to enjoy more from the incoming government.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ibarapa-poly-increases-workers-pay-by-50.html

Nigerian veteran actress and producer, Eucharia Anunobi, has advised those going through depression not to consider suicide as an option.

The 53-year-old actress turned pastor came into stardom for her role in the movie series, Glamour Girls (1994) and went on to star in over 90 movies including Abuja Connection (2004) and Letters to a Stranger (2007).

Anunobi gave the advice by posting a solemn video on her official Instagram page.

She captioned it: “I don’t know who you are and where you are now watching this video. PLEASE SUICIDE IS NOT AN OPTION.

“I stand on the finished work of Jesus Christ and command the spirit of depression to lose its hold over you now.”

In 2017, Anunobi lost her only son, 15-year-old Raymond, to complications from sickle cell anemia.

The video had her recounting the loss of her son whom she described as her best friend on numerous occasions.

“I want to let you know that I also feel what you’re feeling; I want you to use me as a point of contact.

“I lost my only son and everyone practically deserted me. I haven’t given up; I want to tell you not to give up.

“All will be well, suicide is not an option it’s a sin against God,” the evangelist said.

Some other movies she had featured in include: Sacred Heart (2007), When you are mine (2007), Joy of a Mother (2006), Miss Nigeria (2004).

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/veteran-actress-eucharia-anunobi-says.html

A Federal High Court in Lagos will on May 31 decide whether it will admit in evidence, statements allegedly made by a former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and three others facing money laundering charges.

Justice Mohammed Aikawa will rule on a preliminary objection challenging the admissibility of the statements allegedly made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is prosecuting the defendants.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fani-Kayode is facing charges bordering on N4.6 billion money laundering alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenandi Usman (first defendant), and Yusuf Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Yusuf Danjuman (third defendant).


The fourth defendant in the suit is a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nig. Ltd.

The EFCC preferred a 17-count charge against the defendants but they pleaded not guilty, and were granted bail.

EFCC has since opened its case and the third prosecution witness, Mr Shehu Shuaibu, is being led in evidence.

On Tuesday, Shuaibu, an EFCC investigator, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, testified that during investigation of the case, the defendants were invited by the commission for their own sides of the story.

He said when the first and third defendants were invited, he showed them Exhibit 8 which is a bank account statement of the fourth defendant (Jointtrust) which they identified.

According to the witness, the defendants thereafter volunteered statements to the commission after requisite cautionary words were administered.

When asked about Fani-Kayode (second defendant), he said that he was invited on May 19 and shown a statement of his bank account where he transferred sums of money from Jointtrust.

According to the witness, the second defendant admitted receiving money from Jointtrust and also volunteered statements to the EFCC.

The prosecution counsel then showed the witness the respective statements of the first, second and third defendants, and he said that they made the statements to the EFCC.

When Oyedepo sought to tender the statements in evidence, defence counsel, Messrs Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), Norrison Quakers (SAN) and Clement Onwuenweunor, raised objections to their admissibility, saying the statements were involuntarily made.

Citing relevant provisions of the Evidence Act, Orbih told the court that the statement of the first defendant was made under duress and in her absence, while she was receiving medical attention.

Quakers aligned with the submissions of Orbih, saying the statement of Fani-Kayode was involuntarily made.

He added that the statement was not taken in the presence of his counsel.

Citing statutory and judicial authorities, defence argued that where voluntariness of a statement was in doubt, the court should order a trial-within-trial to determine whether the statement was voluntary.

Clement, counsel to the third defendant, also aligned with Orbih.

In reply, Oyedepo argued that a court could only order a trial-within-trial where it was satisfied that the statement under contention was confessional.

According to the prosecution counsel, the statement of the first defendant was taken by her counsel, with her authority, and not under any form of duress or inducement.

For the second defendant, Oyedepo argued that his statement was taken in the presence of his lawyer, Mr Olumayowa Owolabi, who he said, confirmed that the statement was voluntary.

He argued that another lawyer for the second defendant, one Wale Balogun, also confirmed that the statement was taken voluntarily.

Oyedepo urged the court to refuse the objection.

The judge adjourned the case until May 31 for ruling on the objection and continuation of trial.

NAN reports that the EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the offences from January 2015 to March 2015.

In counts one to seven, it accused the defendants of unlawfully retaining over N3.8 billion which formed part of the proceeds of stealing and corruption.

In counts eight to 14, the commission accused them of unlawfully using over N970 million which formed part of corruption.

In counts 15 to17, the EFCC accused Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, said to be at large, of making cash payments of about N30 million which exceeded the amount allowed by law without going through a financial institution.

It also alleged that Fani-Kayode made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis St., Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/defence-says-fani-kayode-usman-yusufs.html

The Academic Staff of Union of Universities (ASUU) Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete Branch has chided Kwara State Government for interfering in the institution’s affairs, which led to the institution’s forced closure on Thursday, as 10 year of uninterrupted academic session.

At a news briefing, ASUU Chairman, Dr Issa AbdulRaheem said the closure was embarrassing and counter productive to the state’s educational system and development.

The institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Saka Nuhu, on Thursday, announced the closure till further notice after threats from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to make the institution ungovernable, claiming alleged undue procedure in the appointment of an Acting Vice Chancellor.

AbdulRaheem said: “If this situation is not addressed quickly and reverted, it could degenerate into further crisis.

The implication of the closure might lead to the inability of the management to meet several of its obligations.

“KWASU is running on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Without students on campus, generating IGR would be more difficult and staff welfare jeopardised.”

The ASUU leader urged all the university stakeholders, especially members of Kwara State Transition Implementation Committee to promptly intervene, as the closure may place a bad toga on the school and dissuade potential candidates from making it institution of first choice.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ASUU-chides-government-for-interference.html

Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has said the commission intervened in the general elections to prevent the moneybags from determining the emergence of irresponsible politicians at the polls.

Magu stated this yesterday in Kampala, Uganda, during the ongoing Ninth Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa.

He disclosed that the agency secured 189 convictions in 2017 and recovered N437 billion, $98 million €7 million and £294,000 respectively.

On inter-agency relationships, Magu said: “The EFCC consistently strives to assist other government agencies in tackling corruption. This quest in 2018 saw the commission assist the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to recover N6.3b in unremitted tax revenues.


“It equally assisted in the recovery of N542m for the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The Commission recovered N1.6b; N1.76b and N1.030b for AMCON, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and FIRS from January to April, 2019.”

In his paper titled: Creative Initiatives In The Fight Against Corruption In Nigeria, Magu noted that the EFCC’s intervention during the Presidential and National Assembly elections of March 9 and the gubernatorial and states Assembly polls on March 23 paid off with positive results.

He disclosed that huge cash in different denominations were seized from politicians and their associates, adding that arrested perpetrators of voters inducement were being prosecuted, just as a councilor from Gombe State has been convicted.

“For the first time in the history of electioneering in Nigeria, operatives of the Commission were deployed to monitor polling stations and collation centres to discourage vote buying.

“The efforts culminated in some cash seizure and arrests. Some of those arrested have been prosecuted and convicted. The presence of EFCC operatives, according to some of the election monitors, was a major deterrence to dubious politicians and their associates,” he stated.

https://guardian.ng/news/why-efcc-intervenes-in-voters-inducement-cases-by-magu/amp

The National Association of Nigeria Students (NNNS) on Tuesday gave Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, 24 hours ultimatum to revise the schools fee of four state higher institutions to the initial fees.

The four higher institutions are Adekunle Ajasi University, Akungba (AAUA), Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OSUSTECH); Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Ondo State School of Nursing, Akure.

Mr Danielson Akpan Bamidele, President of NNNS, made the calls while speaking with the newsmen in Akure.

Bamidele, who said that NNNS had come to take its responsibilities and future in its hands, alleged that some state governments had introduced new policies to enhance education in their various states but Gov. Akeredolu was not doing same.

According to him, We have come to a point where, we will not allow any government to run the affairs of any state especially the part of it that affects us directly in the manner that pleases them.

He said that decisions on policy should affect the people positively, “Since the return of democracy in 1999, Ondo State Government had made free education available for all from primary to secondary level.

“Adefarati came and initiated that policy, Agagu came to sustain it, Mimiko spent two terms he consolidated it, so Akeredolu should not only sustain it but improve on it.

“AAUA school fees was N63,000 initially but the state government increased it to N200,000 before it was later reduced to N180,000 with a promise to revise it to normal in the next session.

“Also OSUSTECH was N70,000 and increased to N200,000, School of Nursing, Akure and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic fees were increased too.

“WAEC, which used to be paid for by the state government, has been stopped without apology to anyone.

“Gov. Akeredolu should please help our students, who do not have hope to be educated as a matter of urgency, he should revise all the school fees of the state’s higher institutions to the initial fees.

“We are giving him 24 hours ultimatum to do that because we are not ready to fight him but to yield to the yearnings of the students and their parents.

“Ondo State was known for producing the best of the best when its comes to education in this country and it is also known as the bedrock of education in the country,” he said.

He, therefore, called on parents and guardians to join hands with the association to fight the course on behalf of the students.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/nans-gives-akeredolu-24-hours-ultimatum.html

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it arrested 9,824 suspected drug offenders and recovered 316,365.47 kilogrammes of illicit drugs in 2018.

Head of Public Affairs of the agency, Mr Jonah Achema, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Achema said that 9,122 of the nabbed suspects were males while 702 were females, adding that the agency prosecuted 1, 245 offenders during the period.

He said that the agency secured 1, 236 convictions, while seven cases were acquitted and two struck out.


Drugs seized by NDLEA in 2018

According to him, from the total number of kilogrammes of drugs recovered, Cannabis Sativa weighed 271,812 kilogrammes while Codeine Cough syrups intercepted was 16,039 kilogrammes.

Achema said that Cannabis Sativa was the only locally cultivated illicit drug in Nigeria, while Cough syrups with codeine content had been banned since 2018 because of its widespread abuse.

He also stated that the agency destroyed 3, 660 hectares of cannabis farms during the period and recovered 40 tonnes of the weed abandoned on the farms.

The spokesman added that the agency discovered a temporary warehouse in a forest bordering Uteh, a community in Ondo State where 130 tonnes of cannabis was stored.

“In order to ensure that drugs seized do not find their way back into the society and not to constitute threat to public health, the agency sustained its public destruction of drug exhibits by burning.

“Cumulatively, the agency publicly destroyed 375, 371.79 kilograms of illicit substances. This is made up of 14 tonnes of drugs seized over a period of two years in Adamawa.

“In Ondo State, the agency destroyed 110 tonnes while in Edo, it destroyed 136 tonnes, and set six tonnes ablaze in Jigawa.

In Delta, the agency recently destroyed approximately 90 tonnes of illicit drugs and 18 tonnes in Kogi,” he said.

Achema recalled that the NDLEA extended its dragnet to Tramadol, which had become a drug of choice for users.

According to him, in the third quarter of 2018, the agency recovered 581 million tablets of Tramadol in search operations at Apapa port.

“The illicit Tramadol tablets were recovered from 23 containers. Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever used to treat severe pain; it is obvious that the current influx of Tramadol is not for legitimate use.

“Tramadol which is a derivative of Opiate is for post-surgery application, and the seizures in recent times, far outweigh the country’s legitimate needs.

“It only suggests massive illicit use in the country,” he said.

Achema said that Tramadol seized in the hinterland during the period was 22,562 kilogrammes, adding that 270.08 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine were also seized.

He said that the agency also discovered laboratories in Enugu and Imo, where 20 kilogrammes and 77.96 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine were destroyed.

“This brings to 15 the number of Methamphetamine laboratories so far discovered in Nigeria between 2011 and 2018.

“Methamphetamine is an emerging drug clandestinely produced in the country. It is a highly addictive substance that affects the central nervous system,’’ he explained.

Achema said that NDLEA had been involved in the commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, saying the agency used annual awareness days to highlight the dangers of drug use and its illegal trade.

“It has also provided educational material to stakeholders all over Nigeria to help amplify the message about the extreme cultural and economic harm the trade in drugs is still doing across the globe.

“It also used it to sensitize government at all levels to intensify their efforts at combating both drug demand and supply, while improving access to treatment for addicts,’’ he said.

Achema disclosed that 2,777 persons addicted to drug were undergoing treatment and rehabilitation under the agency’s scheme.

“Drug abuse education has been infused into the curriculum of both formal and informal education in the country,” he stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ndlea-arrests-9824-drug-suspects-seizes.html

Comedian Akpororo has attacked critics, Daddy Freeze for taunting him over a supposedly low turnout at his show, saying he has no sense:

Freeze had posted a video from Instablog on his Instagram page and attacked Akpororo who was changing the fee on tickets for his show to free.

Freeze attacked: “Wasn’t this the same comedian that insulted me and called me a wall gecko at the House of the Rock experience last December? Has his tithe stopped working for him or did he miss paying his tithe for a month?

“Although he cursed me and said hurtful things about me, I have forgiven him and have nothing but love for him and wish he stopped paying or advertising this idolatrous tithe and worshiped God for who he really is in spirit and truth (John 4:24).”

Akpororo, in a video on his Instagram page mocked and attacked Freeze, calling him a walk gecko.


The comedian first of all attacked Instablog for posting the video which elicited Freeze’s comment, saying in pidgin: “Instablog, me I no surprise for una matter, una no dey post better thing o, even my birthday, una post? No; I buy house, una post? No. If I do better thing, una no dey post, I no no say una you be sadist.”

He then took a swipe at Freeze for interfering in the matter.

“Then, you come go put mouth, wall gecko, you put me for your page, you ask me whether my tithes no dey work again? I still pay my tithes and it is still working for me man. Daddy Freeze, look the picture, na beta show I get yesterday, people full am, eoo, you be elderly person now, guy, get sense,” he lashed out.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6BlvvF_Wpw



https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/low-turnout-at-show-daddy-freeze-has-no.html

Seven banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) paid N144.99 million as fines to regulators in 2018 for various contraventions.

Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria indicated that the fines were paid to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Reporting Council and Corporate Affairs Commission.

The affected banks are: Sterling Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith International Bank, GT Bank, Access Bank, FBN Holdings and Fidelity Bank.

A breakdown of the figure as contained in the banks’ annual reports showed that FBN Holdings and its subsidiaries, First Bank of Nigeria, FBN Quest Merchant Bank and FBN Insurance Limited, paid the highest fine of N32.65 million during the period under review.

UBA came second having paid N30 million to the apex bank for various offences.

Similarly, GTBank was fined N24 million during the period under review, while Access Bank paid N20 million.

Sterling Bank, Fidelity Bank and Zenith International Bank paid N15.33 million, N13.01 million and N10 million, respectively for various offences during the review period.

Commenting on the contraventions, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella of Economics department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, said the preference of banks to pay penalty instead of complying with CBN directive was an age-long problem.

Tella said, “Banks weigh the cost of complying against paying penalty and decide to pay if the former is quite high.”

“There was a time the banks would prefer to pay penalty than lend to the agriculture sector because of the failure of many farmers to pay back due to bad weather, long gestation period and possibly mismanagement,” he added.

Tella also attributed the development to delay in responding to requests by some banks due to unnecessary bureaucratic measures.

“Increasing the contravention fee may not be helpful but a meeting of the stakeholders in the banking sector arranged by the CBN should also be helpful,” he noted.

Mr Moses Igbrude, Publicity Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, told NNN that shareholders were not comfortable with the various fines paid by the financial institutions.

Igbrude said no company would decide to break the law in order to pay penalties.

“I don’t think any public company will deliberately flout the law in order to pay penalties unless such act must have brought some unseen benefit.

“Otherwise why would management do that when they know the reputational risk associated with it and queries from shareholders at Annual General Meeting?

“We shareholders are not happy about these payments and we have been advocating that companies should employ compliant officers to monitor all regulatory requirements to avoid penalties and if such officers fail they should be the ones to pay the penalties for negligence.

“It seems regulators prefer to punish the corporate bodies instead of the officer who fail to perform his or her duty to detriment of the shareholders.

“They should use stigmatisation and reputational risk approach by classifying such management non-compliant management,” Igbrude stated.

Malam Shehu Mikail, National President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, blamed the shareholders for not asking the companies they invest in necessary questions.

“We shareholders have a lot to do and our regulators should also take a proactive approach and decide on any petition ever made to them by minority shareholders,” Mikail said.

He said companies should do the needful by doing things at the appropriate time and as well follow due process by adhering to rules and regulations to avoid unnecessary fines.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/7-banks-pay-n14499m-fine-to-regulators.html

Prof. Alexander Kure, Provost of Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, says the institution produces more than 75 per cent of teachers in the state. Kure made the remark on Saturday during the matriculation ceremony of the 2018/2019 National Certificate of Education (NCE) students, held at the permanent site of the institution at Gidan Waya, Jema’a Local Government Area.

He noted that since the establishment of the college in 1977, it had consistently maintained a reputation for character and learning. “The college has produced a substantial number of graduates who are working in the education sector, as well as other sectors.

“In fact, it is on record that over 75 per cent of the teaching manpower in Kaduna State is from this college,” he said. The provost reminded the matriculating students that the institution was built on a solid foundation of discipline with a well-defined roadmap; adding that its core values remained honesty, transparency, hard work and competence, amongst others. He, however, observed with dismay that examination malpractice had become the order of the day in the country’s education system. According to him, no society will fully develop its potentials if students, especially in tertiary institutions, depend on cheating to pass exams. Kure urged the students to desist from examination malpractice and other social vices, including drug abuse, alcoholism, cultism, sexual harassment, indecent dressing and rape. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 3, 339 students took oath during the matriculation ceremony.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/see-college-which-allegedly-produced-75.html

Kingsley Okonkwo, aka Kcee, has rubbished insinuations that his record company, Five Star Music, hindered Skiibii’s growth

After struggling to make a noticeable impact in the music industry for years while with Five Star Music, Skiibii is now showing a glimpse of his talent. His song, Sensima, featuring Reekado Banks, has performed well since its release. His followers on social media have also grown tremendously.

Kcee said he had always known that Skiibii was destined for greatness. The singer stated, “Maybe you guys didn’t see his potential but I saw it from the first day I signed him. I invested so much in him because I knew he was good. Before he left us, I told him he would make it. Seeing him for the first time, I knew he didn’t need to do much to get to the top. All he needed was to be focused and he is now doing that.”

Kcee, however, disagreed that it was when Skiibii left Five Star Music that he started gaining grounds in music. He said, “It is wrong for people to say it was when he left Five Star Music that he started making hit songs. For me, I think it is about God’s time. Everyone has their own time to shine. Once it is your time, you will achieve great things. It is Skiibii’s time and I am happy for him. If you have been following me on social media, you will see that I have been celebrating him. He makes me proud and his success is my success. I believed in him even when he was looking down on himself. I kept telling him that his time would come. People are yet to see the best of him; he will shock everyone who has underrated him.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/five-star-music-didnt-hinder-skiibiis.html

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has advised members of his cabinet to work tirelessly for his administration to deliver good performance to the people, saying his 2022 succession plan will be determined largely by level of dividends of democracy offered the populace.

Fayemi stated that Ekiti people must start seeing evidence of governance now that a full complement of commissioners and special advisers have been appointed to drive his four cardinal agenda.


He spoke at Iloko Ijesa, Osun State yesterday, while declaring open a three-day retreat organised by the state government to equip the political class and technocrats in the state civil service.

At the retreat attended by over 100 senior public servants , Fayemi stated that apart from fulfilling promises to the people that the task of delivering on his promises has become more convoluted and tasking by the N30,000 minimum wage, which he said his government was ready to pay to workers.

He said all the public servants especially those in charge of revenues must brace up for the task of generating more funds to be able to meet the new demand.

Officers present are, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, Head of Service, Ayodeji Ajayi, the Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye, commissioners , special advisers and director general of agencies and permanent secretaries.

Fayemi said: “We have to be focused on how to deliver on our promises to the people, that is why you will sign to performance agreement at the end of every quarter and if you think what we set for you was too high, then you bow out.

“We have to take reclaiming Ekiti values from the level of promise to reality. I know you need resources and there must be plans on how these will be provided and measured the extent to which you have delivered.

“The task ahead is tedious but not insurmountable. Most of the states used to fail because they don’t have plans and have nothing to deliver. There must be something measurable to be put in place and that can be evaluated periodically as a government.”

“There are more obligations to attend to apart from N30, 000 minimum wage. If we do well, it will give us the leverage to put up a government that will sustain the programme of our administration after our tenure, because no single government can do it alone.

“So, performance is key to our government “, he said.

The retreat, according to him will centre on reflection on Fayemi administration from 2010-2014, the period of interregnum and the lessons both offer for the new team, to brainstorm, reflect and devise strategies on how to restore Ekiti values through governance and delivery, to induct the new appointees and permanent secretaries on the pillar of Fayemi administration. To reflect on how the government will deliver services to citizens through focus on plans, policies, programmes , budget and service delivery and to build a team spirit and prepare the appointees for time after government.”

A scholar and Professor of Public Administration, Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun, stated that most of the states of the federation are failing in their duties, because politics has been personalised, and this he said can’t enhance economic growth.

“People must have a say in decision making, hold policy makers accountable, free from all forms of discriminations.

“We must know that when good people are in government, people enjoy and rejoice and enjoy basic needs of life.”

Speaking on the topic: ‘Governance and Service Delivery, from Promises to Reality’’, Adamolekun , said the late Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was able to deliver owing to solid plans his government put in place.

Harping on the need for the civil service to be insulated from politics, Adamolekun added that the recently appointed Head of Service in Ekiti, Mr. Deji Ajayi and the 17 permanent secretaries, were products of merit, geared towards achieving success.

He revealed that available statistics at his disposal during interviews conducted for Ekiti civil servants showed that very low percentage of workers were vast in Information Communication and Technology (ICT)

“Let us focus on government and seek partnerships with technocrats who can make the civil service work, because the workers are the engine room of government and you must not lose that edge.”

Adamolekun advised Fayemi to brief the public on his development plan through the House of Assembly on yearly basis and welcome criticisms, reform the public service, insulate civil service from politics.

The former Sierra Leonean Minister of Trade, Dr. Richard Conte, was also present.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/performance-key-to-my-2022-succession.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Thursday, asked its members and people of the Benue, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States, to sit at home on May 30.


IPOB explained that the order was in protest over killings by Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram activities in the affected states.

The annual sit-at-home order is a move by the proscribed IPOB aimed at pushing for the actualisation of the sovereign state of Biafra across the South-East. It is expecting that Igbo and those sympathetic to the struggle for Biafra on May 30 stay indoors.


In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, the secessionist group stated that there would be no vehicular movement both in South East and the Middle Belt region of the country on May 30.

The statement reads: “IPOB explained that We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) consider it imperative to use this great opportunity provided by the Most High God to announce the sit at home order throughout Biafraland and Nigeria in remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines whose sacrifice made it possible for this generation to be alive today.

“We shall also remember all victims of Fulani herdsmen attacks, Boko Haram violence and those that died at the hands of Nigerian security agencies over the years that nobody remembers.


“We are calling on all the people of Southern Kaduna, Middle Belt especially Benue, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, those affected by herdsmen terrorism in Ondo, Osun and other states in Yorubaland to join the great family of IPOB in observing a day of solemn prayer and sit at home to remember those that lost their lives unlawfully at the hands of Fulani terrorist herdsmen and security agencies even during the recently concluded fraudulent 2019 general elections.

“This year’s remembrance and Sit-At-Home order will be special because it will present a unique moment of shared pains and misery for all the families that lost their loved ones to war, hunger, starvation, disease, terrorism and state-sponsored killings going on now in the contraption called Nigeria.

“We remember the heroic few that stood up against tyranny especially those that sacrificed their lives to defend the defenceless and those that lost their lives because there was no one to defend them.


“There will be no human, vehicular or animal movement across Biafraland on the 30th May 2019. Biafraland will be in total lock down. Middle Belt and Yorubaland brethren are advised to join this historic sit at home order to honour the memory of all that died unjustly in Nigeria.

“Churches, Mosques, Synagogues and Temples are encouraged to open their places of worship on the midnight of the 29th of May for special midnight prayers in remembrance of all that died as a result of violence and sponsored killings. Special vigil will be held at the homes of select Biafran heroes and heroines who were murdered in cold blood in Biafraland.

“30th of May is now an annual remembrance event initiated by IPOB worldwide to honour our fallen Biafran soldiers without whom this generation of Biafrans would not have existed. We owe our heroes and heroines of the class of 67-70 an incalculable debt of gratitude and shall honor them annually until the end of time. We shall never forget them as long as this world exist.


“In our usual tradition, all IPOB families in the diaspora must rally on the streets of their respective countries with written petitions ready to be submitted to the nearest United Nation offices and embassies of foreign missions in that country.

“As our freedom draws near this year, our 30th of May sit-at-home and total lockdown of Biafraland will be remarkable. The whole world is looking up to Biafrans especially IPOB family members worldwide, who through the grace of the Most High God will deliver Biafra and all other oppressed people’s of Northern and Western Nigeria from bondage Northern oligarchy put innocent and unarmed citizens in the country.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ipob-calls-for-sit-at-home-in-benue.html

Policemen attached to the Pedro Police Station, Somolu, have lamented the non-payment of their allowances for the 2019 General Elections.

Akelicious gathered that the allowances, which were for election duties, had been paid to policemen in other formations and divisions.


However, cops attached to the Pedro division were said to have been sidelined in the payment.

One of the affected policemen said no one had explained what went wrong to them.

He said, “There are 11 divisions under Area H Command and only Pedro division has not been paid. The allowances for election duties were supposed to be paid once into our accounts. But in our division, from the DPO to the last constable, nobody has received a dime.

“The officers among us are entitled to N85,000, while the rank and file are entitled to N35,000. We are more than 100 in number. We have done all they asked us to do and everybody is already fed up. In the whole of Lagos State, we are the only division that has not been paid. In other states, it may just be a few names being skipped in a division.”

A sergeant appealed to the government not to deny them their rights.

He said, “The President claims to be fighting corruption, yet we are being denied our legitimate earnings. We have been quiet about it for fear of being intimidated. The total amount that is to be remitted to our division is about N8m.

“What we learnt was that the allowance was supposed to be paid by the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System; we just don’t know what went wrong. We even informed the mother of the Vice President who lives within our division with the hope that our matter will receive urgent attention, but we still have not got anything. We are fed up.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, said the non-payment of the allowances was caused by a glitch in the system.


The PPRO added that the policemen would be paid as soon as the issue was resolved.

He said, “I don’t think the issue is peculiar to Pedro Police Station alone. Majority have got their payment, only a few officers have not received theirs. We have taken the complaint to Abuja because the payment was controlled centrally.

“The officer in charge of salaries is in Abuja at the moment with the complaint. The feedback I got from him was that there was a failure of the payment platform; the money hanged. So, they are reconciling with the Central Bank of Nigeria and once that is done, they will get their payment.


“In Lagos, Pedro division personnel were mostly affected and a few personnel from the task force. There was also a circular from the Inspector-General of Police recently, saying that all commands should compile the names of those affected so that it could be rectified. This is not a mistake from anybody or a deliberate action. It is a system failure; so the money has not gone to anybody.”

https://punchng.com/lagos-policemen-lament-non-payment-of-election-duty-allowances/amp/

Because of the glitz and glamour that surround the movie industry, most people seem to think that actors have it all rosy. But talented actress, Bimbo Akintola, painted a different picture during an interview with Akelicious. The Out of Bounds star noted that unless the industry becomes more structured, actors would continue to get the short end of the stick.

She said, “Until actors start getting what is really due to them, such as royalties, the industry cannot be robust. In Nigeria, when you shoot a film, you only get whatever fee is paid; you don’t get royalties from subsequent monies that the movie makes. If we truly want positive and meaningful change, the industry has to be properly regulated. The truth is that people are living from hand to mouth. Lagos is not an inexpensive place to live. By the time you deduct your rent, children’s school fees and other expenses, you would realise that the money you are making is nothing. That is why everybody is becoming producers; meanwhile, that shouldn’t be so. You cannot just say you are a producer without following the laid down procedures but there are no enabling laws.”


Shooting down allegations that she is a snub, Akintola said, “The problem is that many people judge you without knowing you. If you do your findings, you would realise that the people that accuse me of being a snub have never even met me. Rather, they rely on hearsay or just form their opinions. You also should not judge me based on certain roles you’ve seen me act. Whatever happens on screen ends on screen; it’s all make-believe. I am always original and I don’t try to be what I’m not. At this stage of my life, I don’t live my life to impress anybody; and I have never done that anyway.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/many-actors-living-from-hand-to-mouth.html

Following recent concerns over increase in the nation’s debt to over N24 trillion, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government to be cautious on the issue of borrowing both within and outside the country. Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, NLC General Secretary, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja. “We now owe a debt stock in excess of N24 trillion which is quite excessive. We can take comfort that we are not excessively breaking out of the guidelines. “However, we take the view that it is not just the technical matter of the debt to GDP ratio alone that we should be focusing on, more importantly, we should be focusing on debt service burden. “The amount we spent to service the amount annually can then become a major drag on the annual budget and that is the situation we are worried about. “Borrowing in itself is not bad if you deploy a borrowed fund to generate the capacity to service such loans. So what is crucial is the utilisation of the cumulative borrowing, that we have done,” he said. Ozo-Eson explained that the Federal Government has continued to borrow to finance infrastructure. “We want a situation in which borrowed funds are quickly used to execute projects that have the capacity to generate income. “If you use the fund judiciously and quickly create railway infrastructure between two major towns and you run those rails efficiently and commercially, you should be able to service that loan from the proceeds that are then generated from the rail service. “I am not sure we are matching borrowing to match our specific projects so that we can expect those projects to run in a way to service those loans. I think these are things we need to start focusing on. “Take for instance, the rail service between Kaduna and Abuja, it is booming due to the complete collapse of security on the highways. “Now we also hear of syndicates that are now taking advantage and there are manipulation of tickets and things like that; those are haemorrhages.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/n24trn-debt-nlc-urges-fg-to-borrow-with.html

At least 15 people have been killed while 14 sustained injuries in an attack on Numa Village, Andaha Town, in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Sunday night.

A security source told SaharaReporters that the people were killed by armed bandits party late into the night.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/bandits-kill-15-during-overnight-party.html

Ahead of the inauguration of the National Assembly, a former governor of Abia State, now a Senator-elect for Abia North senatorial zone, Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that he will champion enactment of bills and other initiatives that will aid in revamping the economy.

Kalu stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja at the end of the orientation programme for members of the Ninth Assembly.

The former governor said he would focus his interest on how the economy can be stimulated so as to increase the purchasing power of the citizen.

This is even as he stressed the importance of private sector driven economy. According to him, if the economy is strong, it will help to address some of the security challenges in the country.

His words: “The Nigerian people will see me contributing to how to stimulate the economy. The economy is very important to me. We need to put the economy on the right path so that people will get money to spend and be good citizens. We are going to work hand- in-hand with the executive to see how we can put bills that will stimulate the economy and make the private sector to be strong.”

On his aspiration to be the next Deputy Senate President, the former governor expressed optimism that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would hearken to his call for the position to be zoned to the South East. “I don’t want the party to start having divisions in the National Assembly. I want us to wrap up this business. I want us to speak in one voice in the National Assembly. I have enormous respect for the leadership of the country and the leadership of the party,” he said.

Also speaking in the same vein, the Senator-elect for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Uche Ekwunife, canvassed that either the position of Senate President or the Deputy Senate President should be ceded to the South East in the Ninth Assembly.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/9th-senate-ill-champion-economy.html

Africa to America Production has announced their upcoming romantic comedy movie titled Love Me. The cinematic project which is set in an hotel in Lagos and Dubai, will be released sometime in June. At a press briefing on Thursday, the head honcho of the production firm Dozie David Atuenyi, who also doubles as the movie producer explained that “Last year we conceptualise this production titled Love Me. The concept is the search for love through several different avenues. The whole idea is this which is about the representation of the heart desire.


“So it’s not just about the man woman relationship. In our story we have the lead character that is in a relationship but is unfulfilled. And she searches for something higher and when she finds it, she’s still not satisfied and she realizes that she got everything she wanted but lost what she needed. It’s a very interesting storyline.”

The movie stars Nigerian singer and songwriter Chidinma Ekile in the lead role. Chidinma it would be recalled cut her teeth in the film industry by been a part of Kunle Afolayan’s movie titled The Bridge in 2017. This would be the petit songstress’s second movie.

Alongside Chidinma in the lead role is another Nigerian singer, Kizz Daniel. Love Me features several other screen favourites with huge following and influence among movie lovers across Africa and beyond. They include Ngozi Nwosu, Wale Ojo, Annie Idibia, Broda Shaggi, Alexx Ekubo, Linda Ejiofor Sulaiman, Nedu, Sharon Ooja and Timini Egbuson; all of whom will be sure to drive viewers to the cinemas through their influence, huge social media following and engaging content that will be promoted extensively via their channels and accounts. Atuenyi however noted that one of the things the production decided to do was to bring specific individuals who have excellence in their fields that could be brought to bear on the production. This in the sense that it carefully selected the people believed will bring value to that role, to that character. He explained that for instance the lead character Chidinma playing the role of Kemi Taiwo, is a different personality and that there’s a big difference between Chidinma and Kemi. On the choice of Chidinma and Kizz Daniel on the set, the producer said the casting followed a process which was done on individual characters and not casting to pair two people but individual characters and the traits of each character and who best suit that role.

Speaking further on the work, Atuenyi who boasts of 17 years cognate experience in theatre production said “we believe this will be the establishment of Chidinma as an actor. We have to reach out to some people who have proficiency in their field. We sort a director who we have worked with in the past and whose meticulous attention to detail was necessary to execute this project. His name is Felix Odion. He came all the way from Australia just to direct this project. Because some of our actors are new in the field, we also looked for someone (Israeli born Ronya Man) who could train these people to be able to deliver not just in Nollywood standard but something that could be comparable to what exist in Hollywood.”

Love Me. tells the story of Kemi Taiwo, (Chidinma Ekile) who works in the Housekeeping department of Gideon’s Hotel, a 4 star concern. By day, she carries out her thankless job of cleaning rooms and suites domiciled by the high and mighty. By night, she and her colleagues and closest friends, Kevwe, cynical realist, and Ada, a diehard romantic, dream of better days and deep pockets. The poor wages and pains of working for a slave driving boss are not enough to hold Kemi down. She dreams of owning her own hotel someday and is saving for an expensive hospitality course which will serve as a first step to realizing her dream. Her boyfriend, Kachi, a goofy accountant, is as economical with cash as Nigeria is with distributing electricity.

He more than makes up for it by being a sweet friend and great lover, not to mention, highly beloved by Kemi’s charmingly oddball parents. One day, Kemi has a chance meeting with Daniel, Nigeria’s top music star, and manages to bowl him over. Daniel, smitten, stops at nothing to win her heart but Kemi resists, shunning his expensive gifts and grand moves, believing that Daniel is on a ‘hit and run’ mission. Soon, it is clear Daniel wants more than to make Kemi a conquest. He genuinely likes her. A confused Kemi is further shaken by her friends’ conflicting counsel. Kevwe urges her to ditch Kachi for Daniel, arguing for financial security; while Ada pushes for Kemi to stay with Kachi, arguing for happily ever-after. Daniel ups the ante on his quest for Kemi’s heart, firing every weapon in his romantic arsenal. Unable to resist any longer, Kemi starts to fall for the superstar.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/chidinma-kizz-daniel-entangle-in-love-me.html

The federal government has accused Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of planning to replicate the Venezuelan model in Nigeria, following media reports that he has hired a United States lobbying firm to convince the US not to recognise the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari until the Supreme Court rules on the suit.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, disclosed this Thursday while addressing a press conference in Abuja.

He acknowledged that the government was aware of media reports that Atiku had on Wednesday distanced himself from the posters that were circulating in Abuja.

The minister noted that If the media reports were right, it means that the former Vice President had suddenly realised the grave implication of his actions, hence he had decided to beat a quick retreat before it was too late.

Muhammed added that Atiku, as a self-avowed democrat, should realise that the only lawful channel for challenging the result of an election was through the courts, rather than resorting to self-help.

Noting that resorting to self-help is an act of desperation, he warned that the consequences were dire.

The minister stated: “The posters and the hiring of US lobbyists, the latest of such by the PDP candidate, have triggered questions about what Alhaji Abubakar is up to. Is he starting a fresh campaign after the elections have been won and lost? Has he rescinded his decision to challenge the results of the presidential election in court, perhaps after realising that the results he claimed to have obtained from the INEC back server are cooked? Is he now going for self-help? What really is Atiku’s motive?”

“There is no doubt that the PDP presidential candidate, out of desperation, is thinking of replicating the Venezuelan model right here in Nigeria. But he should realise that Nigeria is not Venezuela, and that the situations in both countries are not the same.

“President Muhammadu Buhari won the Feb. 23rd 2019 presidential elections fair and square, with a margin of 3,928,869 million votes. The election’s credibility was attested to by local and foreign observers.

“There is no doubt that President Buhari’s victory is well deserved. As I said at a different forum, it represents the triumph of the ordinary Nigerians over the elite. The election is a direct contest between ordinary Nigerians and the elite, most of whom are rent seekers. Of course, the ordinary Nigerians have won. This is not a surprise, considering the pro-poor policy of the Administration.”

Asked how possible was it to recreate a Venezuelan model in Nigeria, Mohammed said, “When you try to make inflammatory statement either through yourself or through your supporters capable of setting the country on fire. I won’t use the word as strong as treasonable felony, I won’t. But I will simply say that any act of anybody capable of creating crisis will not be tolerated by the government.”

The minister stressed that Atiku had the right to do whatever was lawful to challenge the outcome of that election, but stressed that he cannot get through the back door what he couldn’t get through the front door, saying that would be a pipe dream.

According to him, “If he believes hiring a foreign lobbying firm will advance his quest, we wish him the best of luck. But seeking US recognition as the winner of an election that he lost by almost 4 million votes is unconscionable. Recall, gentlemen, that after the result of the presidential election was announced, the US joined other countries to congratulate President Buhari.”

Muhammed stressed that Atiku would not be the first or the last person to lose an election, and he should realise that losing an election is not the end of the world.

He said that while he had challenged the result of the election in court, he should not give the impression that he does not have confidence in the judicial process, which is what resorting to self-help implies.

“He should stop overheating the polity and quit trying to instigate a political crisis in Nigeria. No citizen, no matter how highly placed, is above the laws of the land. Enough is enough!,” he warned.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/fg-atiku-desperate-to-replicate.html

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the APC of plotting to arrest former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on trumped up charges of treasonable felony.

Frank in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, said that according to authoritative sources in the Villa, how to kill Atiku – who is currently challenging the victory of General Buhari in the last elections – has been the subject of series of hushed-up security meetings by the Aso Rock Cabal in the past few weeks.

He disclosed that the sinister plot against Atiku has commenced with the planting and spreading of fake news by members of the cabal purporting that Atiku has paid lobbyist in the United States of America the sum of $30,000 to lobby the U.S. Congress not to recognise the fraudulent re-election of Buhari for a second term.

He said that the grand plot is to arrest Atiku on arrival from his vacation abroad and clamp him into jail for alleged treason.

He stated that, “as part of the overall design to liquidate the former Vice President, the Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has already called on the nation’s security agencies to “probe Atiku” – a euphemism for arrest and kangaroo trial – for allegedly seeking the ‘Venezuelan option’ by lobbying the U.S. Congress not to recognize the re-election of General Buhari.”

He said that after the planned arrest and detention of Atiku, the Presidential Candidate of the PDP would suddenly be pronounced dead in prison just like the winner of the June 12 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Abiola, who died in questionable circumstances in prison while seeking to reclaim his stolen mandate during the General Sani Abacha’s Junta.

He disclosed that the sole aim of wanting Atiku out of the way at all cost is borne out of desperation, “the cabal having realized that Buhari’s purported victory during the last presidential election cannot withstand forensic judicial scrutiny, which the former Vice President is now poised to unravel before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.”

He disclosed that information available to him further that the presidency has ordered all APC state governors to pull down all Atiku’s Billboards in their states and in their place erect others with inciting and incendiary messages just like they have started to execute with the “PUKKA Posters” bearing the name and photograph of Atiku now placed at strategic positions at the Central Business District in Abuja.

The Bayelsa-born political activist however warned Buhari and his evil plotters to desist from acts capable of eclipsing democracy in the country and with untold consequences for all Nigerians.

He stated that any attempt to frustrate and foreclose the judgement of the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal by arresting Atiku and sending him to jail, preparatory to his murder will ignite the anger of Nigerians and bring cataclysmic tragedies never before witnessed in the history of the country.

He called on patriotic Nigerians and members of the international community, especially the General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s Peace Committee and the United States and United Kingdom respectively not to gloss over events of monumental proportions currently being incubated by General Buhari and his men, in the interest of peace and democratic sustainability in the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/frank-alleges-fresh-plot-by-buhari-apc.html

Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has forecast a much tighter market in 2019, and has seen its production fall significantly this year, led by curbs to Saudi Arabian output along with dramatic, involuntary declines from sanctions-hit Venezuela.

Last month, total OPEC-14 preliminary crude oil production averaged 30.02 million barrels per day (mb/d), a decrease of 534,000b/d over the previous month. Crude oil output decreased mostly in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq, and IR Iran, while production increased in Libya, Congo and Nigeria.Demand for OPEC crude in 2018 averaged 31.35 million b/d.

According to secondary sources, Nigeria recorded 1.73mb/d, while S&P Global Platts survey puts the nation’s output at 1.84mbpd from 1.88million b/d in February.The reported output is about 0.5mbpd lower than Federal Government key’s assumptions and micro-framework for the 2019 budget based on a projection of 2.3mbpd oil production, oil price benchmark of $60pb and exchange rate of N305 to a dollar.

Though oil prices like the Brent Crude and Nigeria’s Bonny Light traded above $71 yesterday, Nigeria needs to ramp up production albeit the agreed OPEC cuts to meet its fiscal responsibilities.In its monthly oil market report, OPEC estimates demand for its crude to average 30.30 million b/d in 2019, a fall of 1.05 million b/d on the year, signifying that oil inventories are going to decline sharply, pointing to a very tight market. But it said that the market remains oversupplied and warned of slowing demand growth.

Oil prices have recovered sharply since December, when they fell to a 15-month low, and ICE Brent has been trading a five-month high of above $71/b this week.OPEC revised demand growth down in 2019 to 1.21 million b/d due to “slower-than-expected economic activity.”

Global oil demand is estimated to average 99.91 million b/d this year, compared with 98.70 million b/d in 2018, OPEC said. The group pegged 2018 global oil demand growth at 1.41 million b/d.OPEC also revised down non-OPEC oil supply growth in 2019 by 60,000 b/d “due to extended maintenance in Kazakhstan, Brazil, and Canada.”

The U.S., Brazil, Russia, UK, Australia, Ghana, Sudan and South Sudan, will be the main drivers of supply growth this year, with U.S. crude production to rise by 1.46 million b/d in 2019 to 12.42 million b/d.“The highest incremental production is expected in the Gulf Coast, albeit at a slower pace compared to a year ago due to the pipeline constraints in Permian Basin,” it added.



Steep decline
Venezuela reported a production figure of 960,000 b/d, down by a massive 472,000 b/d, as power outages and U.S. sanctions cripple the South American oil producer.Saudi Arabia’s crude output fell 289,000 b/d in March, to average 9.79 million b/d, according to an average of the six secondary sources that OPEC uses to gauge production.

The kingdom also self-reported production of 9.79 million b/d, its lowest since January 2017 and a fall of 350,000 b/d month on month. That is much below its quota of 10.31 million b/d under the cut agreement.The kingdom has decreased production by 1.30 million b/d since November when it pumped a record-high of 11.09 million b/d.

At the last OPEC meeting in Vienna, the group’s members agreed to slash output by 812,000 b/d, with Russia and nine other non-OPEC allies committing to a cut of 383,000 b/d for the first six months of 2019.Iraq’s production fell marginally to 4.52 million b/d in March, slightly above its quota of 4.51 million b/d, according to OPEC secondary sources.

In Iran, hit by U.S. sanctions, output was slight down, falling 28,000 b/d to 2.70 million b/d in March.Fellow exempt member Libya pumped 1.098 million b/d in March, up 196,000 b/d from the previous month, but output remains at risk as the country is on the brink of a possible civil war.

A key metric for the deal has been to lower oil inventories below the five-year average. OPEC said it has made some progress toward achieving this goal.OECD commercial oil inventories fell to 2.63 billion barrels in February and were only 7.5 million barrels above the five-year average, according to OPEC’s report. In December, stocks were 28 million barrels above the five-year average, showing that the producer group has made progress in balancing the market.Also, U.S. total commercial oil stocks fell by 15.6 million barrels to stand at 1.229 billion barrels in March, according to preliminary data

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/opec-sees-tighter-2019-market-as.html

Imo State Election Tribunal has granted Uche Nwosu, governorship candidate of Action Alliance (AA), leave to access the materials used during the governorship election on March 9, 2019.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party winner of the election with 273,404 votes over Uche Nwosu, who polled 190,364 votes.

Nwosu, the son-in-law of Rochas Okorocha, Governor of the state, approached the tribunal, claiming the PDP candidate did not meet the constitutional requirements.

At the hearing on Wedneday, the panel ordered INEC to permit Nwosu to check every copy of the electoral materials, including the voter register and ballot papers.
The tribunal also granted Nwosu leave to inspect “Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E, EC 17A, EC 25A, EC 25B, EC 40A, EC 40G, EC 40H; all the incident forms filed by voters in all the polling units in the election; the list of permanent voter cards collected and used in the election; all the card readers used in the election; data of accredited voters as captured by all the smart card readers deployed during the 9th March, 2019 governorship election conducted in all the polling units in Imo State, sorted out into Local Governments, Wards, Polling Units and voting points; record of ballot paper allocation to all the polling units in the election; the list of all presiding officers for all the units in the election".
Nwosu's access also extends to “INEC manual and guidelines; the list of the polling agents submitted to INEC by all the political parties and every other electoral material used in the conduct of the election for the purpose of instituting, maintaining and prosecuting the petition and for the purpose of presenting same at the trial”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/imo-tribunal-grants-nwosu-permission-to.html

The Senate yesterday passed the 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) of the Federal Government prior to the passage of the N8.83 trillion 2019 budget.

Adopting the report of its Finance Committee during plenary, the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly approved all the critical assumptions and projections proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari in the document.

The three year-expenditure planning sets out the medium-term expenditure priorities and provides the basis for the preparation of the yearly national budget.


In passing the document, the lawmakers sanctioned 2.3 mbpd crude oil; a benchmark of $60 per barrel; exchange rate of N305/to the dollar as well as a GDP growth rate of three per cent and an inflation rate of 9.98 per cent.

Also approved are total federally collectable revenue of N14.89 trillion; net oil and revenue after costs, deductions and derivations amounting to N7.60 trillion; net non-oil revenue after costs, deductions and derivation of N2.38 trillion and Federal Government-retained revenue of N7. 92 trillion.

Others are proposed expenditure of N8.83 trillion; fiscal deficit of N1.86 trillion; new borrowings to the tune of N1.65 trillion; statutory transfers of N492.4 billion; N2.14 trillion for debt servicing while Sinking Fund got N120 billion.

The rest were total recurrent (non-debt), N4.72trillion; personnel costs (MDAs), N2.29 trillion; capital expenditure, N2.86 trillion; and special intervention of N500 billion.

Although the committee chairman, John Enoh, admitted that crude oil production was two million barrels daily as at December 2018, he, however, enthused that the 2.3mbpd target was achievable “due to the continued efforts of all stakeholders in checkmating the issues of oil facilities’ vandalism related vices.”

While recommending an exchange rate of N305/$1, the panel encouraged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “to continue adopting strategies that will aid the strengthening of the naira and bridging of the gap between the official and parallel market rates.”

The president on November 6, 2018 sent the document to the legislature for approval.

Meanwhile, the chamber has given its appropriations committee till tomorrow to submit the 2019 budget report.

Speaking after the vice chairman of the panel, Sunny Ogbuoji (APC, Ebonyi), told the legislators that only 24 of the 61 sub-committees had submitted their reports, Senate President Bukola Saraki insisted that the report must be presented tomorrow ahead of the approval of the money bill on April 16.

Besides, the lawmakers passed the Nigerian Police Trust Fund Bill to provide a legal framework for the management and control of the special intervention money for the training of personnel of the force.

The piece of the legislation, which is awaiting transmission to the president for assent, also provides for procurement of operational equipment, instructional materials, maintenance of the stations and quarters the officers inhabit.

Also yesterday, the red chamber expressed concerns over what it called the “inefficient and failing audit system” in the country.

Chairman of its Committee on Public Accounts, Mathew Urhoghide, lamented that the weak audit regime, particularly the alleged withholding of reports by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, was undermining the anti-corruption war of the current administration.

He said his committee had not received the audit report for 2016.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/senate-okays-fgs-mid-term-expenditure.html

The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu has been officially decorated with a new rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

He was urged to keep up the good work of keeping the State safe and secure for all residents.

Brief History:
He was born in Lagos Island; He had his post-primary education at Mayflower Junior School, Ikenne, Ogun State; attended Pobuna Secondary Grammar School, Epe; and Saint Gregory’s College, Lagos.

He Obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English (Education) at the Lagos State University; post-Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies at Lagos State University; a Certificate in Personal Protection in the United Kingdom; and has a Master in Public Administrations at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State.

He joined the Nigerian Police in 1992 as Cadet ASP and was trained at the Nigeria Police Academy, Kaduna. He has served as DPO in various divisions and states.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/rrs-commander-acp-olatunji-disu.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has queried the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government and the presidency over alleged ‘unwholesome borrowings’ leading to the escalation of the nation debt stock from N12.12 trillion in 2015 to an overburdening N24.38 trillion in 2018.

The main opposition party has called on the National Assembly to commence a system-wide investigation into the borrowings by the present administration, particularly the terms of the borrowing and the handling of the funds.


The party in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, described as “saddening and devastating” that President Muhammadu Buhari administration, in its manifest incompetence and lack of initiative to stimulate and run a productive economy, relies on heavy borrowings and unbearable tax regimes, which have crippled productivity, caused untold hardship and mortgaged the economic future of the nation.

He added that the Buhari-led administration therefore has a huge explanation to make to Nigerians for its borrowing spree, especially as it cannot point to any meaningful development project into which the borrowed funds were invested.

Ologbondiyan noted that this was particularly against the backdrop of allegations in the public space that the borrowed funds, which were taken as development funds, were diverted to 2019 general election campaign activities of the APC, a huge part of which ended in private pockets of corrupt APC leaders.

He stated: “Since President Buhari assumed office in 2015, there has been a culture of unexplained borrowings leading to a steep rise in the debt stock from N17.5 trillion in 2016 to N21.72 trillion in 2017 and a huge N24.387 trillion in 2018.

“It is shocking and completely insupportable that our nation’s debt had risen from N21.72 trillion in December 2017 to N24.387 trillion in December 2018, showing an accumulation of a whopping N2.66 trillion in a space of one year.

“This is in addition to direct frittering of public funds through the alleged N1.4 trillion sleazy oil subsidy regime, the looted N9 trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, the alleged N33 billion fraud in the handling of funds meant for the welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East, among other sleazes.

“The National Assembly should also save the future of our nation by restricting the Buhari administration from taking further loans on behalf of our country until explanations are provided on the terms and handling of the borrowed funds.”

Ologbondiyan added that Nigerians cannot afford to continue to bear burden of an incompetent and insensitive administration and that is why they eagerly await the retrieval of the stolen mandate at the Presidential election petition tribunal.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/pdp-queries-fg-buhari-over-n2438tn-debt.html

The Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr. Anthony Ayine, has accused the National Assembly of not treating the audited reports of all the federal government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) submitted to it in the last 20 years.

The AGF who spoke at the weekend while presenting a paper titled ‘The Role of National Assembly in Promoting Public Accountability’ at the ongoing orientation programme for 9th National Assembly members-elect, asked the federal legislators to take steps to clear mounting backlogs of audit reports submitted to them.

Ayine emphasised that to the best of his knowledge, there was no Auditor-General’s report that has been fully considered by the National Assembly since 1999. He explained that for audit report to be seen to have been fully considered after submission, a resolution of the National Assembly on the audit report must be transmitted to the executive arm for necessary action.

The AGF explained that for audit report to be submitted to the National Assembly, “we work with the financial report of the Accountant General of the Federation financial report.”

“The two Public Accounts Committees (PACs) (of the National Assembly) should draw up time table for clearing backlogs of audit reports,” he said.

The AGF insisted that the public accounts committees should ensure timely consideration of audit reports as well as address the late responses to audit queries by ministries, departments and agencies

According to him, “we are already working on the 2017 financial report for submission to the National Assembly for consideration”.

He said the last report submitted to the National Assembly was for 2016.

Ayine stated that there was no doubt that corruption had stifled economic growth and development in the country.

Good governance, he said, will remain a mirage in the country, without transparency and accountability.

“Corruption has stifled economic growth and development in our country. I am therefore, optimistic that synergistic effects of efforts of the three arms of government in ensuring openness and accountability can put Nigeria on a good pedestal and enable her attain her place in the comity of nations where corruption is despised.

The AGF noted that accountability has to do with stewardship while openness is important because nothing is hidden, a situation that makes corruption impossible.

Ayine who stressed the need for a paradigm shift in the country noted that the National Assembly could lead the way in being transparent through a demonstration of public accountability in handling its affairs, including finances.

He noted that “transparency allows access to information, reinforces accountability and makes corruption difficult to be successfully perpetrated because corruption is usually a hidden affair.”

Public accountability, according to AGF, will be greatly enhanced, if those in public positions begin to see governance as a social contract for the people they represent and realise that they are responsible to the public.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/04/08/nassembly-yet-to-treat-fgs-audited-reports-since-1999-agf-alleges/%3famp

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Mr Simbi Wabote, has disclosed that about eighty projects with net value of some $100 million would be open to indigenous oil firms in the next two years.

Wabote made this disclosure in Yenagoa, yesterday during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2019, Nigerian Oil And Gas Opportunity Fair, NOGOF 2019, where over 1,500 participants gathered to network on opportunities in the industry.

The theme of the fair is tagged “Maximising oil and gas industry for benefit of Nigerian people”.

Wabote also called for policies to further drive establishment of modular refineries and local production of Liquefied Natural Gas, LPG cylinders.

According to Wabote, there are multiple opportunities in the oil and gas sector yet to be harnessed by indigenous operators as policies have been designed to drive the implementation by operators.

Wabote explained that despite the various achievements recorded in the milestones set, in 2017, opportunities are being offered to indigenous operators who take advantage of the five policy frameworks designed for the growth of the industry.

Specifically, he identified the opportunities to include ones driven by policies, funds, infrastructure, linkages and people.

He added that recent International Energy Agency (IEA) data revealed the rising demand for gas, especially from Africa, necessitating Nigeria to maximise the opportunities and play a key role in the sector.

On his part, Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Seriake Dickson assured operators of the commitment to stability in the state and region by oil producing state leaders.

He also emphasised the need for the international oil companies to commit to the environmental issues raised by communities adding that addressing such concerns further help the state administrators to make the environment conducive for their operations.

The governor said the government has deepened consultations with community leaders and other critical stakeholders to bring about lasting peace in the state, such that activities in the oil and gas industry will thrive.

Dickson said that part of the efforts resulted in rehabilitating about 15,000 youths who were pulled out of the creeks and currently in boarding house of model schools established by government.

He also demanded more commitment from major oil companies in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR to boost government rehabilitation strategies.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/100m-investment-open-to-indigenous-oil.html

The Youth Project for the Promotion of Democracy and Good Governance (YPPDGG) has called on Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition to rid the country of corruption and poverty.

In a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Shuaibu Mustapha and made available to journalists in Kano, the group urged Nigerians to restore their confidence in the leadership of President Buhari, insisting that his re-election will bring better tides for the country.

According to the Statement, “We want to seize this opportunity to commend Nigerians for giving President Buhari another mandate. We are not unaware of the perceived sufferings of the masses. In any case, we want to urge Nigerians to remain resolute and pitch their tent with the desire of the ruling All Progress Congress (APC) government to take our great nation to the Next Level.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s government should be appreciated in somewhat ways such as the N-Power programme which has directly and indirectly touched the lives of the Nigerian youths. In spite of the undue propanganda being peddled by the opposition, Buhari’s government has recorded huge achievements in agriculture, infrastructural development, power and technology.


“We have persistently observed the tremendous efforts being put in place by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Ogbonnaya Onu which has continued to empower Nigerian youths.”

The group noted that, “the Ministry of Science and Technology under Ogbonnaya Onu has remained committed towards intensifying research and innovation, as well as, increase the awareness among the people in the country of the importance of science and technology to their daily needs.”

The group also commended President Buhari for his unrelenting efforts in the fight against corruption and called on Nigerians to lend their support to incumbent government in that regard.

On the issue of insecurity, the group hailed President Buhari’s resolve to stamp out terrorism, kidnapping and youth restiveness, pointing out that Nigeria can only get better when Nigerians see the fight against insecurity as a personal project.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/buhari-committed-in-fight-against.html

Sen. Ahmad Babba- Kaita, (Katsina North) says he has covered the 12 local government areas of his district in the provision of constituency projects.

He said the developmental projects executed in the LGAs were in the areas of health, power supply, roads and empowerment among others.

The senator made this known through his Senior Legislative Aide, Malam Lawal Shinku, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State.

Babba-Kaita added that among the projects were 26 boreholes, 26 blocks of classrooms and 12 child and maternal health centres provided in rural areas.

“We have covered the twelve local government areas of the district with projects,” he said, adding that drugs and mattresses were recently released to Daura, Ingawa and Maiadua general hospitals for the use of indigent patients.

According to him, efforts are also on to upgrade power supply to Daura, while the second phase of Daura township roads project will soon be completed.

The senator commended people of the area for their cooperation, understanding and support especially the overwhelming victory recorded by the APC in the last general election.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Katsina north senatorial district comprise Daura, Sandamu, Maiadua, Baure, Zango, Mani, Mashi, Ingawa, Kusada, Kankia, Dutsi and Bindawa LGAs.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/i-have-constituency-projects-in12-lgas.html

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has claimed that some “fraudsters in banks are laundering public funds for corrupt politicians and terrorists”.


Magu stated this during a meeting with compliance officers of different banks in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Friday.

According to him, apart from colluding with the corrupt politicians and “terrorists”, the banks also help Internet fraudsters commit financial crimes using money transfer services.


“The banks also help the politically exposed persons to steal and launder public funds.

“Money is being laundered and money is being used to fund terrorism in the country. There are more terrorist activities in this country. So, it is a good business for them.

“You will also agree with me that the banks give lifelines to internet fraudsters; the one we call Yahoo boys.


“They (banks) provide market for them through MoneyGram and Western Union that are readily available.

“They throw confidentiality to the wind and subject people’s accounts to a lot of intimidation and extortion.

“So, this is the reason we say we must come here. We have to talk. Unfortunately, we have fraudsters working in the banks; working right inside the banks,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/efcc-boss-magu-reveals-those-who.html