₦airaland Forum

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has vowed to ensure that in the next dispensation non- performing National Assembly (NASS), legislators from Katsina state face recall from the electorate.

Masari stated this during the continuation of the APC Presidential and Gubernatorial campaigns in Kaita and Batagarawa Local Government Areas of the state.

“The foot dragging witnessed under Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara Yakubu national assembly leadership would not be allowed in the 2019-2023 period.”


He requested the electorate to vote candidates of APC from top to bottom in the general elections to enable them consolidate on the achievements recorded.

According to him, the government of APC was slowed down by the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives through unnecessary delays in passage of appropriation and confirmation of appointments sent by President Muhammad Buhari.


Masari explained that the state government had executed laudable projects in all the local council areas and hope that the effort would be reciprocated through massive voting of APC candidates in 2019 general elections.

Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed Inuwa, the state Chairman of the Buhari/Masari Campaign Team in a remark, tasked women and youths of the APC to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming presidential and governorship elections.

He urged Nigerians to support the re-election of President Buhari and Masari to enable them consolidate on achievements recorded in the areas of road construction, health, education and railway projects.

Alhaji Shitu S. Shitu, the state APC chairman, in Kaita local council received decampees led by the leader of Kwankwasiyya movement in Katsina state, Alhaji Inusa Abdullahi Dankama.

The defectors also denounced their support for the National Leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Dankama, the leader of the group in his brief address, said they dumped the PDP and Kwankwasiyya because of the impressive youth empowerment programmes the APC-led government in the state had introduced since it assumed office in 2015, reaffirming their support for APC victory in the forthcoming polls.

At Rimi and Charanchi Local Council Areas, the campaign team called on the electorates to shun the act of selling their PVCs for whatever reason to enable them vote for their candidates.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/non-performing-nass-members-to-face.html

The imminent arraignment of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has pitted the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The ruling party yesterday took exception to an allegation by the PDP that it (APC) and its candidate in the February 16 presidential election, President Muhammadu Buhari, are behind the CJN’s ordeal.

PDP spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan accused the President and the APC of being desperate to remove Justice Onnoghen because of the forthcoming elections.

Ologbodiyan, who spoke for the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO), alleged that the ruling party was on a mission to annex the judiciary.

But the APC fired back through its Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu, accusing the PDP of trying to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that the allegations against the CJN had political motives.

Issa-Onilu said the interest shown so far by the PDP in the CJN matter since it was brought to the limelight on January 7 had given the party out of having some unholy alliances with the judiciary.

He said the law should be allowed to run its course.

The APC spokesman urged Nigerians to caution the opposition party over what it called virulent attacks on the party and institutions of government.

Nigeria, Issa-Onilu said, is bigger than any political party or any political interest.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Issa-Onilu also faulted the decision of the CJN not to appear before the CCT to answer charges bordering on false assets declaration preferred against him.

He alleged that such a decision could have been based on the suggestions of PDP governors from the Southsouth, who after their emergency meeting in Abuja on Sunday, urged the CJN to ignore the court summons.

The APC, he said, will not be drawn into debating the legality or sponsored conspiracies of the CCT trial because it believes it was an opportunity for the Chief Justice to exonerate himself and prove his innocence in the matter, adding that the issue concerning the CJN should be allowed to follow the due process of law.

He said the APC believed that democratic and constitutional institutions must be allowed to operate without interference and undue pressure from partisan and sundry interests as being done by the PDP and its cronies.


He said: “While we would not want to be lured into discussing issues that are presently before the courts and for which any respectable political party hoping to hold positions of responsibility should restrain itself, we regret to suggest that the PDP’s attempt to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that there is a political motive behind the allegation brought against the CJN might itself be indicative of some unholy alliances.

“The likely affinity existing between the PDP and a section of the judiciary is further accentuated by the nonappearance of Justice Onnoghen before the CCT on Monday (yesterday), in line with the suggestions made by the PDP governors from the Southsouth on Sunday.

“Are Nigerians expected to see this as a mere coincidence? Is the PDP and their governors acting a script? Haven’t we missed an opportunity to show confidence in an institution headed by the CJN?

“This becomes more worrisome knowing that the PDP’s campaigns have been receiving a cold shoulder everywhere they have gone to and it has become apparent the party and its presidential candidate are facing imminent defeat in the February 2019 elections and may be searching for some unorthodox means of forcing itself on the Nigerian people.

“If this were not so, the PDP should, before coming to these distracting conclusions, have taken cognisance of the facts of the allegations made against the CJN and his admission to the facts so stated.

“The only logical conclusion in the circumstance is that realising the refusal of Nigerians to allow the deception of the PDP con them into returning the party to power, the opposition party has alongside some pliable human rights activists devised a plot to distract the APC and indeed the good people of Nigeria from addressing the very important issues on the APC’s manifesto in the electioneering process.

“We have also noticed the very dangerous attempt to designate the CJN’s arraignment along ethnic and religious lines thereby trying to heat up the polity by evoking primordial sentiment which would do the country no good. This is an ungodly ploy when we consider that the CJN is an officer of the federation rather than that of any region.

“We therefore urge all Nigerians of good conscience to caution the PDP as the country is bigger than any political party or the interest it represents, and nothing should stop the country’s steady march into sustainable democratic governance.

“In our earlier statement on the CJN’s CCT trial, we had noted the PDP’s shocking and innate proclivity to defending cases of corruption anytime it arises. The call by the PDP’s Southsouth governors for the CJN’s boycott of the CCT trial further cements our position. Let it be reiterated that nobody, no matter how highly placed, should be above the laws of the land.

“We wish to put on record that the virulent attack that has come from the PDP in the wake of the trial of the CJN over alleged false asset declaration is particularly worrisome and suspicious when the PDP has, in fact, called for the removal of virtually all heads of government arms, particularly the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Inspector-General of the Police over frivolous issues.

“While we will not be drawn into debates on the legality and sponsored conspiracies of the CCT trial, we insist that our democratic and constitutional institutions must be allowed to operate without interference and undue pressure from partisan and sundry interests as being done by the PDP and its cronies.

“The CCT trial is a legal matter; let the law run its course. The CJN must go through the instrumentalities of the courts, more importantly as an institution he represents. Indeed, this is the true test of our constitution, rule of law and will deepen democracy.

“Where there are contestations on institutional procedures, we must allow same institutions perform their functions unhindered, autocorrect if necessary and set good precedence on future matters. This is the only way we can build strong and lasting institutions.”

Also in a statement by Ologbondiyan, the PDP berated the President and the APC for, according to him, attempting to blackmail Nigerians who have raised a voice against the arraignment of the CJN before the CCT.

It accused the ruling party of attempting to subdue and annex the judiciary owing to agitation by Nigerians for the prosecution of the President’s cronies and some APC leaders for alleged corruption.

The statement reads: “The Buhari Presidency and APC in turning around to fight Nigerians have further exposed their desperation to replace Justice Onnoghen with a pliable CJN, who will execute their plots to use the courts to detain opposition leaders as well as vocal members of the Civil Society during the elections.

“It is now crystal clear to all Nigerians that apart from failing woefully in all its promises, the APC and its presidential candidate, President Buhari, are beginning to manifest their autocratic attributes.

“Furthermore, the Buhari Presidency is not only corrupt but has become an asylum for corrupt people. The PPCO therefore challenges the APC and the Buhari Presidency to name one APC member that has been investigated, prosecuted or arraigned before any court of competent jurisdiction in the last three and half years in spite of their humongous corruption.

“If for anything, President Muhammadu Buhari has encouraged corruption in our nation more than any President that had the privilege of governing our country, Nigeria.

“It is important to restate that the Buhari Presidency is now a refugee camp for known and well-advertised faces of corruption.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/apc-pdp-quarrel-over-cjn-onnoghens-trial.html

Ohanaeze Youth Council, and a coalition of Igbo groups yesterday condemned the verbal attacks on governors of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi by members of the opposition parties and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB leader, Nnamdi KANU, had said in his broadcast that Abia and Ebonyi people should vote out Ikpeazu and Umah, claiming that they are sabotaging their agitation.

The groups described their actions as unacceptable and laughable.

National President of OYC, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, after their meetings in Abakaliki, said Kanu has derailed from his Biafra agitation and should not be listened to.


He urged Kanu to concentrate on the no-election campaign and leave Ikpeazu and Umahi alone to concentrate on their quest to reposition their different states.

In a statement, he said: “The coalition of Igbo groups; namely World Igbo Youth Congress, Southeast Women Professionals and Igbo Students Movement had met with the Forum of BibeingaAgitators and resolved that the attack was laughable.

“It is laughable that Kanu is derailing from his Biafra agitation and now being sponsored by politicians to cause confusion and pursuing campaign of calumny against those who mean well for him.”

The coalition expressed concern at the outburst, asking why the IPOB members did not register to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), despite that they were advised to do so.

Isiguzoro urged the IPOB to emulate the maturity and non-violence approach of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Uchenna Madu.

It lauded the group, which had expressed willingness to allow INEC to conduct election in the southeast, and also ensure that there is no bloodshed during the ongoing Operation Python Dance111.

On Adams Oshiomhole’s allegations that Ikpeazu has been collecting bail out funds without paying salaries, it said: “We are shocked because our members who are Abia workers are paid as at when due, while no Abia or Ebonyi worker is being owed.”

“We unanimously state that zoning formula favours Ikpeazu and Umahi. The opposition parties in Abia and Ebonyi know that their candidates cannot win in these states, because there are no vacancies to be filled in the two Government Houses till 2023.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/ohanaeze-others-flay-ipob-oppositions.html

The recent crisis of confidence between Teleology Holdings, preferred bidder of 9mobile and its Nigerian local partners, resulting in the pulling out of the deal by the former is seen by analysts as tainting the country’s investment outlook.

Coming, even while the damage done to foreign investor confidence with MTN’s ‘avoidable’ row with Nigerian regulators is considered as a failure in yet another investor confidence test, the analysts further argue.

Already, some banks in Nigeria exposed to the $1.2 billion loan obtained by 9mobile, formerly Etisalat Nigeria, are beginning to express uneasiness over the reports of Teleology pullout from the telecommunications company.


Similarly, some stakeholders in the oil and gas industry are worried that the uncertainties surrounding the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) may persist in the New Year and nobody knows long it would take, with the attendant wrong signals to investors in the industry, particularly the International Oil Companies (IOCs).

Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says Federal Government’s 2019 budget of N8.83 trillion is rested on faulty estimates and the $60 per barrel of crude which the budget is benchmarked is unrealistic and dicey, another disturbing signal from Timothy Olawale, Director General of NECA, after a careful review of the budget recently.


Also, trading activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), market with larger percentage of foreign investors, for almost the whole of last week, witnessed bearish activities during its trading sessions as the domestic bourse continued with uncontrollable shedding even as its emerging market peers rose 3 percent.

This is because the bears continued to dominate trading for almost all the days in 2019 with the crucial market indicators declining further with key performance indicators, the All Share Index (ASI), Market capitalization, dropping considerably.

They say all these developments would further scare foreign investors, even as the country may see further drop in crude oil prices and demand. The World Bank last week projected the global economic growth to soften from a downwardly revised 3 percent in 2018 to 2.9 percent in 2019 amid rising downside risks to the outlook.

Although some reports claim that Teleology Holdings may be pulling out of the deal on account of disagreements with its local partners, Sunday INDEPENDENT gathered that the decision comes as fallout of a back channel probe by the presidency after trending allegations that Ismaila Isa Funtua, a close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, acquired majority stake in the telecommunications company, using bank deposit from Keystone, a government acquired bank.

Teleology Holdings is a special purpose vehicle comprised of telecom industry veterans and led by pioneer chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Adrian Wood. Sources close to the 9mobile organisation told our correspondent that Teleology Holdings had become increasingly uncomfortable with actions taken so far by the local partners.

Insiders told the newspaper that Woods, CEO of the Holdings, and who is believed to have helped Funtua in the acquisition of the majority stake in 9Mobile is smarting from the fall out of the revelation and is looking out for a quick exit from the deal that has gone toxic.


An inside source from the presidency told the newspaper that there had been petitions made to the presidency on the deal. “There was one submitted by a powerful traditional ruler with a vast network at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, detailing alleged use of money from keystone Bank in the purchase of stakes in a GSM company,” explained the newspaper’s source.

The matter was initially discountenanced by President Buhari. The president is said to have long haboured misgivings for the traditional ruler the manner he blew whistle on some shady forex deals in the past. “Mr President believed, at the time the matter was brought to his attention that the ruler had a personal grudge against Funtua. But the last one-week has seen the public and social media platforms fizz over detailed shady deals allegedly perpetrated in the acquisition deal of the telecommunications company.

According to reports, Teleology is backing out of the 9Mobile deal because it has become uncomfortable with actions taken outside of the agreed business plan, since the November 12, 2018 formal take-over of 9mobile. Teleology Holdings is said to have been blocked from concluding a management services contract with the local joint venture, Teleology Nigeria Limited. While the report is silent on who is blocking the contract, Teleology is said to rue the development because the management services contract would have enabled it and its team of experts oversee the implementation of the organisation’s elaborate business plans including funding proposals.

Teleology won the bid ahead Smiles, another company pundits tipped ahead to win 9Mobile bid. When Teleology took over 9Mobile as the preferred bidder, an important part of its agenda is to double 9Mobile’s 3G/4G cell sites. It is also set to add new fiber optics cables stretching thousands of kilometres, accoding to blueprints laid out.

Teleology is intent on using 9Mobile to increase Nigeria’s employment rates. The telco says it is targeting an increase in 9Mobile’s staff by up to 50%. This is a huge deal, especially for current staff members who fear the company would downsize instead. In all, the new agenda seems holistic. It captures Teleology’s vision for 9Mobile, as well as presents the company as technically competent.

But the clincher was the $50 million initial deposit made by Teleology to consummate the deal. But other sources averred that fight broke out between Woods and Funtua over the running of the 9Mobile, which in turn led to the cat being led out of the bag as to how the deal in 9Mobile went down.

According to trending account, Funtua allegedly edged out Adrian Woods out of management. Consequently, it was alleged that Teleology Nigeria replaced Teleology Holdings to remove any influence of Adrian Woods from 9-Mobile totally, after he was said to have secured $260 Million from African Exim Bank, which aided the approval of the sale by NCC, though without meeting 90 percent of the conditions set up ab-initio by the NCC.

It was alleged that Funtua closeness to the president and connection with CBN is said to have been critical in the actions taken so far. Through this influence, he was said to have leaned on AMCON management to buy tidy up the deals.

As the country’s fourth largest telecoms firm, 9mobile (formerly Etisalat Nigeria) was pushed to a tight corner when in June 2017, Mubadala Development Company of United Arab Emirates, the company’s largest shareholder pulled out its investment and headed out of the country.

The development propelled the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and its telecoms industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to intervene and save the service provider from collapse after talks with local banks to renegotiate a $1.2bn loan failed.

However, there was high hope after Teleology Holdings Limited emerged as the preferred bidder for 9Moblie. The expectations became higher when with the confirmation that Teleology beat the deadline to deposit a non-refundable $50 million out of the controversial sum of $500 million it offered to buy the struggling telecommunication firm.

To his credit, Adrian Wood was the Chief Executive of Officer of MTN Nigeria between 2001 and 2004, a period that witnessed the aggressive penetration of MTN into the Nigeria market terrain, during which the foundation for the achieved fame of the brand was laid. Industry analysts were optimistic that the feat Wood brought to the fore would be repeated in 9Mobile through Teleology Holdings Limited.

But like a thunderbolt, Teleology Holdings Limited suddenly began to exit from its shareholding in the local joint venture due to dissatisfaction over the business relationship with its local partner, 9mobile Nigeria.

During the week, there were reports of Teleology Holdings Limited pullout and exit of Adrian Wood from 9mobile. The telecoms company disclosed the reasons behind the sudden development which is already causing uneasiness among the stakeholders of the company.

In a statement issued by 9mobile, signed by Oluseyi Osunsedo, Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs on behalf of 9mobile Board of Directors, and made available to Sunday INDEPENDENT, the company confirmed Teleology pullout and Adrian Wood’s exit, describing the action as unfortunate but inconsequential.

According to 9mobile, “Teleology Nigeria Limited is a consortium including several local and foreign investors. While every partner in the consortium was delivering and meeting their obligations to the partnership in terms of financial resources, physical availability for crucial meetings and extensive network to help build the business, Mr. Adrian Wood’s Teleology Holdings Limited, which only owned a minority stake in Teleology Nigeria Limited, failed severally and wholly to meet theirs. Mr. Wood was not personally present for all the critical presentations made by the consortium during the bid process and failed abjectly with his financing arrangements with Swiss-based UBS Bank. In all these failings, other partners in the consortium filled the gap and pushed ahead until the sale was completed.”

“Since taking over the company, and without any assistance from Mr. Wood or Teleology Holdings, the Board has revived and enhanced relationships with key vendors and core business accounts; improved business relationships with suppliers; enhanced its core network capabilities to deliver network efficiency competitively with other operators. With the assistance of leading global consultants, the company is also undertaking a complete review of its operational, regulatory, financial and technical architecture. On this basis, 9mobile has emerged from a period of uncertainty over the past two years to attain an active subscriber base of 16 million, representing a net increase of over 1 million subscribers in the last 6 weeks alone.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/nigeria-fails-yet-another-investor.html

The Nigerian Police promptly responded to the safety concerns of the Senate President Bukola Saraki, saying that he still enjoys the panoply of security men attached to him.

“All the Police personnel attached to the person of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, his office and family are intact and all the statutory security protection on the person of the Senate President are also accorded him all the time and there was no complaint from the Senate President before now to the Police on this”, Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman said Friday night.

Senator Saraki at a press conference in Abuja raised concern over his safety, his family and those of his political supporters in his state, Kwara.

He claimed that the police have continued to show hostility to him and his supporters in Kwara State as part of efforts to jeopardise and undermine his personal security and that of his immediate and larger family.

He cited three incidents to illustrate his fear about his security. One of them was the allegation that on Thursday, some supporters and thugs of the APC attacked PDP supporters at Adewole/Adeta, Ilorin, who were holding their weekly ward meetings.

He claimed that the same thugs went to his family quarters in Agbaji in Ilorin and vandalised houses, shops and inflicted machete wounds on three persons.

“All these destructions took place in the presence of policemen who came with them but watched without any care, as the APC thugs and supporters unleashed violence on our people.

But in a rebuttal, the police said all the allegations of the Senate President “are incorrect, misleading and false and should be disregarded and discountenanced by the general Public”.

“The Nigeria Police Force did not give any protection to any political thug or shield any APC thug to go to family quarters of the Senate President in Agbaji, Ilorin and vandalize houses, shops and inflict wounds with machete on three people as claimed by the Senate President.

“The Police did not receive any complaint or report of gunshot and wounding as claimed by the Senate President in other areas he mentioned such as Adewole/Adeta, Ile-otan and ubandawaki/pakata.

“For avoidance of doubt, there was no complaint reported at any Police division within Ilorin metropolis or any other Police Division on the 10th January, 2019 till today 11th January 2019 of any attack, wounding, shooting and destruction of any property by any individual(s) or any political party on their members.

“However, Security within Ilorin metropolis and other locations in kwara State has been beefed-up to ensure security of all Nigerians living in the State.

“It is pertinent to state that all Police personnel attached to the person of the Senate President, his office and family are intact and all the statutory security protection on the person of the Senate President are also accorded him all the time and there was no complaint from the Senate President before now to the Police on this.

“It is incumbent on the Force to set the record straight and correct the wrong impressions that must have been created in the minds of the general Public and the International Community from the misinformation and misleading account from the Senate President.

“The Inspector General of Police did not try any trick to implicate the Senate President in some criminal charges; the facts are in the public domain about the suspects of the Offa Bank Robbery now being prosecuted who implicated the Senate President in the matter.

“The Nigeria Police Force is hereby assuring all Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force has no any undisguised hostility to the Senate President or his supporters in Kwara State or to jeopardise or undermine his personal security and that of his immediate and larger family.

“The Force will continue to be apolitical and will ensure adequate security throughout the Country for all political parties, their members and supporters before, during and after the 2019 General Election”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/police-no-security-danger-to-saraki.html

Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to from Chelsea to Ligue 1 strugglers Monaco, in a deal that will run till 2022.

Fabregas put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Stade Louis II after passing a medical earlier in the day, as he teams up with former Arsenal teammate Thierry Henry on the Mediterranean coast.

Fabregas after signing the contract, said on Twitter: Wow. I’m honoured to announce that I will be starting an exciting journey with this wonderfully historic Club. @as_monaco will be my home for the next 3.5 years and I cannot wait to start this new challenge.”

The club’s vice President Vadim Vasilyev also said: We are very pleased to welcome to AS Monaco Cesc Fabregas, a world-class player and a great professional, whose arrival demonstrates the ambition of the club.

“This is obviously a very good technical reinforcement for the team but we are convinced that his experience at the highest level will bring a lot to our players on and off the field”.

AFP quoting sources said that Chelsea will only receive payments related to Fabregas’ performance on the Mediterranean coast, contrasting with media reports that Monaco had already agreed to pay Chelsea 10 million euros ($11.5 million) for the player who could now make his debut for his new club in Sunday’s Ligue 1 game away at Marseille.

Fabregas played with Henry at Arsenal at the start of his career, between 2003 and 2007, and the two share the same agent in Darren Dein.

Now 31, Fabregas eventually made the same move as Henry when he left the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona, but he returned to English football with Chelsea in 2014.

After winning two Premier League titles with the Blues, he has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge this season under new coach Maurizio Sarri.

Fabregas made a tearful farewell to Chelsea fans in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup win at home against Nottingham Forest, where he had a penalty saved.

Having enjoyed a glittering career, capped by winning the World Cup with Spain in 2010, Fabregas arrives at a club who were French champions just 18 months ago but are currently in crisis.

France legend Henry was appointed coach in October after Monaco started the season poorly under Leonardo Jardim.

However, they have won just twice in nine league games since Henry’s arrival and currently languish in the relegation zone, five points from safety before the weekend’s matches.

Nevertheless, Monaco have already progressed in both domestic cup competitions since the turn of the year, and the arrival of Fabregas takes the number of signings made by Monaco in the January window to three already.

Veteran defender Naldo was the first to join from German club Schalke 04, and on Thursday Monaco announced the signing of France under-21 left-back Fode Ballo-Toure from Lille for 11 million euros plus bonuses.

One player who will not now be signing on at the Stade Louis II, though, is the midfielder William Vainqueur.

The former Marseille and Roma player was expected to put pen to paper on a move from Turkish club Antalyaspor, but Monaco announced earlier on Friday that he had failed a medical due to a calf problem.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/fabregas-completes-monaco-switch-will.html

Foremost pan Biafra group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra ( MASSOB ) on Friday directed its members in the forthcoming general elections.

MASSOB gave the directive after its National Executive meeting presided over by its leader Comrade Uchenna Madu at Awgu, Enugu state.

The meeting was attended by all the state, zonal, LGA coordinators and National Directors.

A statement by the group directed the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) should be allowed “to conduct elections in Biafra land for those that still believe in Nigeria state”.

“MASSOB advised that other pro Biafra groups that planned to boycott the elections are entitled to stay at home during elections days,” according to a statement by its Director of Information, Comrade Samuel Edeson.

MASSOB added: “In recognition of the freedom of political participation and exercises, we declare that this year general elections in Nigeria will not be stopped or boycotted in Biafra land.

“Our people that still believe in Nigeria projects are free to participate in the electoral processes of Nigeria including this year as we have allowed INEC to conduct elections in Biafra land.”

The group, however, reaffirmed commitment to actualisation of Biafra through the principles of non- violence and international diplomacy in collaboration and brotherhood with other progressive pro Biafra groups.

“MASSOB, having realised that Biafrans cannot forcefully impose our desirable interest on the people of Nigeria and also having understood the principles of non -violence, MASSOB unanimously agreed and resolved that Nigeria state will independently and internally observe and conduct their political exercises including general elections.

“That Nigeria elections will come and go irrespective of whoever that wins in both national and state elections.

“That we must continue with Biafra projects of actualization irrespective of both internal and external distractions.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/participate-in-2019-elections-massob.html

Mr Darlington Chimezie, Action Alliance (AA) candidate for the Imo State House of Assembly has started drumming support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chimezie, a Real Estate mogul and philanthropist turned politician, is vying for the Ikeduru State Constituency in the House of Assembly.

He told NAN in Abuja that Buhari’s integrity and character was unequalled.

He called on his constituents not to be deceived by any politician for selfish reasons.

The Ikeduru-born politician urged his people to demonstrate their love for him by voting for Buhari as president and Uche Nwosu as governor.

“I have told my people to show their love for me by supporting Buhari and Nwosu irrespective of party affiliations.

“We are no longer following party but individuals, therefore, we have confidence in Buhari and Nwosu,” he said.

Chimezie, who promised his people better live if elected, said that only a chain of the Buhari, Nwosu and himself would re-position the economy of Nigeria, Imo and Ikeduru.

He restated his determination to change the narrative of politics, which was no longer the trend, saying that it was time to put smile on the faces of his constituents.

Chimezie said that his ambition was born out of his love and sincere commitment to the development of his people, whom, he had contributed immensely to their progress even as a non-politician.

According to him, only tested and trusted persons like Buhari, Uche Nwosu and himself can deliver on their promises.

He descried as deceit what he called the “falsehood of some politicians” whose duty was not to serve the people, adding that time had come for inclusive governance.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/2019-elections-action-alliance-imo.html

The Army has arrested a wanted Boko Haram member, Babagana Abubakar (aka Alagarno) at Bulabulim Ngarnam community on the outskirt of Maiduguri.

Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the army spokesman, said in a statement on Friday that Abubakar was arrested in a room in a house, where he was hiding in the community.

According to Usman, two military ballistic helmets, a pair of military desert boot, a fragment jacket, a Jersey pull over, military backpack, camouflage design shorts, two voters identification cards, National identification card, amulets, camouflage T-shirts and a military jungle hat were recovered from the terrorist.

“He has since been moved out of the area for further interrogation,” the army spokesman said.

He said combined troops of 195 Battalion, Mobile Policemen and Civilian Joint Task Force -CJTF, nabed the suspect on Thursday.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/troops-nab-wanted-boko-haram-terrorist.html

The Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Alex Otti has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for confirming the alarm it raised that politicians have perfected plans to rig the 2019 elections.

Alex Otti Campaign Organisation recently 6 issued a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Kazie Uko, drawing the attention of Abia indigenes to a clandestine plot by the government of Abia State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to collect details of people’s PVCs and in some cases outrightly purchasing the PVCs, from unsuspecting members of the public.


Though Yakubu’s statement was not directed at any particular political party, the Alex Otti Campaign Organisation believes the INEC Chairman assertion gave credence to information at its disposal.

“We commend the chairman of INEC for this act of courage and boldness hardly seen in public service. We believe that with this kind of attitude, Nigerians will have confidence in INEC and the electoral process. We urge INEC to go a step further by collaborating with relevant security agencies to fish out politicians involved in this fraud and deal with them, accordingly. We urge Ndi Abia to be vigilant, we must not allow the event of 2015 repeat itself. The Alex Otti Campaign is resolute and will defend the mandate so given by Ndi Abia,” Uko stated.

Prof. Yakubu confirmed the Otti campaign revelation in Abuja, during the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with political parties. He accused some politicians of buying up Permanent Voter Cards or inducing voters financially to collect their Voter Identification Numbers. According to the INEC chairman, by collecting PVCs the politicians may be trying to deprive the voters of voting.

Yakubu said, “A new method of vote-buying is being devised. We have received credible information that some partisan actors are now going around buying up PVCs from voters or financially inducing them to collect the VINs (Voter Identification Number) on their PVCs.

“In some instances, telephone numbers and details of bank accounts of voters have been collected. By collecting the PVCs, their intention may be to deprive the voters of voting since no one can vote without the PVC. By collecting their phone numbers and bank details, the intention is to induce voters by electronic transfer of funds to their accounts, since it will be difficult to buy votes at polling units.

“By collecting the VINs, they may be acting on the mistaken notion that our system can be hacked into and the card readers somehow preloaded ahead of election and compromised. We want to assure Nigerians that we are aware of the new tricks. It is a futile effort; we will work with security agencies to deal with the violators of our electoral laws, including those who may be trying to compromise our staff responsible for making the PVCs available for collection by the legitimate voters.

Mr. Uko alleged that the Abia State government and its party, PDP, have set up organised groups, allocated large sums of money to them and charged them with the responsibility of fraudulently obtaining PVC details of voters, especially those in the rural areas.

“To realise this evil agenda, the government printed fake employment forms, brought some fertilisers and palm seedlings, and other gifts which are given to their unsuspecting victims in exchange for their PVCs. We understand that PVCs so collected are intended to be used if incident forms are going to be used by INEC, otherwise, they would be withheld to ensure genuine voters, majority of whom would vote against PDP, are disenfranchised,” the statement revealed.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/abia-apga-governorship-candidate.html

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in Benue State, Comrade Godwin Anya, was noticeably absent at the NLC protest march, in Makurdi, on Tuesday, following attack on him and me, bears of his family by unknown gunmen.

In a telephone chat with newsmen shortly after the march, Comrade Anya said he could not lead the protest because of the robbery attack in which his wife was shot.

Explaining how the attack happened, Anya disclosed to newsmen that he had travelled to his village in Ushongo to celebrate the Christmas and New year festivities when on New Year day, while they were praying in his compound into the New Year, some gunmen numbering between three and five invaded his home.

Said he, “At about 12 midnight, the entire family gathered in my compound in prayer to usher in the new year when the armed gun men stormed the premises, quickly switched off the light from the main control and started shooting sporadically.

“My wife who was beside me was hit by the bullet and she fell down while the gunmen ordered me to follow them into the house.

“They led me to the bedroom and collected over N750,000 meant for my children school fees and all our handsets.

“I have reported the incident to the Ushongo Divisional Police office and my wife is recuperating,” Anya said.

Anya who was represented at the protest march by the State Chairman Joint Negotiation Council 1,2 and 3, Comrade Ojotu Ojemu appealed to the governor to ensure that the gunmen are apprehended and brought to book.

He also stressed the need for security personnel to be attached to labor leaders to protect their lives noting that the new minimum wage of 30,000 is lawful and long overdue.

On his part, National President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who was represented at the protest March by Dr. Success Leke, National Auditor of the Union appealed to Governor Samuel Ortom to prevail on his colleagues to implement the new minimum wage.

Responding, Governor Ortom who identified with the workers over their plight said if he has the capacity, he will not hesitate to implement the new minimum wage.

“I wish to call on the Federal government to review the revenue sharing formula. For my administration, I am committed to prioritising payment of workers salaries and this is exactly what we are doing’, Ortom said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/benue-nlc-chair-absent-at-workers.html

Borno State elders and leaders yesterday made a passionate appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to save the state from the devastating activities of Boko Haram.

They also presented 10 demands to Buhari on the security situation in State.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who led the elders to Aso Rock said: “We came with some observation and 10 requests for urgent presidential intervention. These observations and requests are products of discussion in the aftermath of our extraordinary security meeting held one week ago.

“We didn’t rush to come after the meeting. We felt the need to travel to northern Borno, interact with displaced persons and the military so as to strengthen public confidence.

Meanwhile, the activities of the Islamist sect, overwhelmed the governor, as he broke down in the meeting.

In the governor’s team were traditional rulers, elders, national and state assembly members, local government chairmen, women groups, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and labour unions.

Others at the meeting included the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; acting Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar and the Director General of Department for State Services, Yussuf Bitchi.

He said: “Between 2013 and 2014, we witnessed the most daring and vicious evil of the Boko Haram, losing 20 local government areas.

“We rushed here because of the recent upsurge in the activities of the demented monster called Boko Haram especially in northern Borno senatorial district. We are here because since 2015, Mr. President, you were able to restore our hope.

“You have demonstrated empathy for Borno and the overriding commitment to ending the Boko Haram. This is why we rushed here on witnessing some setback.

“We are here because we thought that Allah will use you to fully reclaim Borno traditional glory of being the home of peace. We are here as a people who worked, prayed and waited for your Presidency in the firm and under the belief that with you as the Commander-In-Chief, Boko Haram will become history in Borno.

“Mr. President, from 2013 to date, more than 20,000 youth volunteers amongst them young women, have offered themselves in fighting Boko Haram under the Civilian JTF. These youths are sons and daughters of the same people of Borno accused of undermining the fight against Boko Haram.

“From 2013 to date, our administration has been solely responsible for funding hundreds of successful operations carried out by the Civilian JTF. We have been have been responsible for their recruitment after thorough vetting by the DSS.

“Most importantly, these Civilian JTF are good in gathering local intelligence and they are experts in identifying Boko Haram members no matter how they try to conceal themselves.

“From 2015 to 2018, the Nigerian military was able to liberate all the 20 local government areas hitherto under the Boko Haram. The military even took control of Boko Haram’s main operational base in the Sambisa forest.

“Borno State Government was able to rebuild more than 30,000 homes in various communities with all public facilities restored. Many of our hitherto displaced brothers and sisters, including some of our traditional rulers, voluntarily returned to rebuild communities in 14 local government areas including Bama.


“I will seek the understanding of the journalists by not making public any of our observations and 10 requests. They are matters of security which we hope to discuss with Mr. President in a close door.”

Responding, Buhari promised to raise the standard of the Nigerian Armed Forces and get the resources to encourage them to do better in the fight against insurgents in the North East.


Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said in a statement that Buhari also told the delegation that the collective safety and security of civilians would continue to remain paramount in his administration’s strategy to restore peace and stability in the region.

He said: “Having been a former Governor in the North East, a GOC in the region and very familiar with the terrain, I assure you that as Commander-in-Chief, I’ll raise the standard of the Nigerian Armed Forces and get the resources to encourage them to do better than what they are doing.”


President Buhari thanked Shettima for demonstrating leadership during these difficult times.

“I have an idea how much you are doing and I very much appreciate it. I’m sure that has earned you more respect from the people,” he said.


Other stakeholders from the State who made comments included Bishop Mohammed Naga, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio, Secretary, Borno Elders’ Forum, Maina Ma’aji Lawal, former Governor of the State, HRH Muhammad Masta II bn Al-Amin El-Kanemi, Emir of Dikwa, representing the Shehu of Borno, Senator representing Borno North, Abubakar Kyari and Senator Ali Ndume, Leader, Borno Caucus, National Assembly.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/borno-elders-beg-buhari-save-our-land.html

Labour & Employment Minister Chris Ngige has pleaded with striking varsity teachers to show mercy on students by calling off their strike.

The teachers, under auspices of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), began a nationwide strike since November, last year, over some disagreement between the union and the Federal Government.

Ngige also declared that Federal Government would pay a minimum wage, adding that things were being worked out by the Committee saddled with that responsibility.

Ngige spoke yesterday in Awka, Anambra State capital, in a chat with reporters at the premises of a local radio station, belonging to the state.

The Federal Government and Labour representatives adjourned their meeting till today after a five-hour deliberation last Friday. At the end of the meeting, the minister said substantial progress was made and that all that is left is a final resolution. Ngige said the problems of ASUU were not caused by President Muhammadu Buhari, but were bequeathed to the present administration by the previous governments based on agreements reached in 2009.

He said: “FG will comfortably pay minimum wage, we want to pay it, but there must be balancing because figures were bandied and we are asking Labour to exercise patience.

“I appeal to ASUU and Labour to have mercy on students and be patient. As far as I’m concerned, we have treated Labour well. And they should also know I’m a comrade and that is why I always intervened on matters that concern them.”

Ngige, who narrated how he became Anambra governor in 2003, said some of the things being faced in governance today were same problems that he confronted, yet, he paid salaries and piled pensions without borrowing.

The minister said he was made governor under compulsion, and such made him to stand his ground when the hurricane invaded Anambra State then, adding that the rest was now history.

Ngige said: “What Buhari is doing now is what I did in office as governor in Anambra, which was mainly my offence that brought the problems. So, Buhari is not the architect of salary issue in Nigeria.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/ASUU-strike-ngige-begs-varsity-teacher.html

Amid political uncertainty ahead of the 2019 general election, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje at the weekend paid separate visits to former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

During the visits on Friday, the two leaders described Wamakko as the strong pillar behind the APC and its presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari since its inception.


This was revealed in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Bashir Rabe-Mani, acknowledging Wamakko’s sacrifice for national peace, unity and socio-economic prosperity.

As quoted in the statement, Tinubu said the former governor was a man he respected because he strongly believed in team work and had developed other leaders for today and tomorrow.

Tinubu explained that Wamakko “is also extremely dependable. Whatever you are doing with him, you will be the one to disappoint him. He is a serious believer in the unity of Nigeria.

“We have always worked together and we will continue to do so . If i come to Sokoto and I have not visited him in his house, it means I have not come to Sokoto, meaning that, such a visit would be incomplete. “

At the meeting, Tinubu recalled it took only one phone call to concede the governorship ticket to Governor Aminu Tambuwal and that phone call came from me and the rest is now history.”

He promised to always to stand with Wamakko and work with him, thereby urging the state’s governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto “to rely on a good leader on Wamakko.

“Wamakko has remained resolute and focused in spite of some seemingly formidable challenges. As such, you have a reliable father in him. Leadership is a divine responsibility, as God gives and takes leadership to whosoever He wishes and at the time He wishes. “I believe Sokoto is safe. We just need to get more votes out so that we can help absorb other areas of weakness. Nigeria will make progress as it is already on a solid foundation built by leaders like Wamakko. We will always be with him,” Tinubu explained.

On his part, Ganduje has described Wamakko as a highly dependable friend, colleague and brother.

Ganduje commended Wamakko for his sustained support “to President Buhari. His fatherly role at the Senate is also highly commendable. His contributions to the promulgation of people-oriented laws, entrenchment of democracy and ensuring national security are superb.”

In his response, Wamakko extolled the invaluable contributions of the APC national leader, noting that Sokoto “is proud of you. We have high esteem in you. We have been with you. We will remain with you.

“You are a doing a great job for Nigeria. The high powered delegation that includes all those who matter in Kano State in all spheres of human lives is a strong indication that the state is entirely an APC State. “We at the eighth Senate have adopted dialogue and the spirit of give and take, rather than violence and rancour. We will continue to be fair and just to Nigerians. The masses of Nigeria have no any other party, but the APC. “

In 2018, THISDAY had reported that Wamakko abandoned his immediate successor and political godson, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal due to N15 billion fraud allegation currently investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against his administration.

THISDAY findings revealed that Tambuwal decided to defect to the PDP because he had been assured of clinching the PDP presidential ticket by some governors from the South-east and South-south before he eventually dumped APC.

Consequently, political intrigues showed that compelled Wamakko to shelve his defection plan at the weekend, claiming that the presidency learnt about the defection plan after the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki visited Wamakko.

Wamakko, also Chairman of Northern Forum of Senators (NFS), was one of the five governors that defected from the PDP to the APC in 2014 due to irreconcilable differences with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership.

Wamakko then defected to the APC alongside other serving governors: Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State), Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State), Mr. Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) and Mr. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), among others, three of whom had returned to the PDP due to APC’s internal rift.

Tambuwal, who defected to the APC as the Speaker of House of Representatives in 2014, eventually returned to the PDP precisely on July 31 to pursue his long-time aspiration to become the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, a source told THISDAY that Tambuwal could not again defect to the PDP along with Wamakko, his political godfather contrary to their initial plan to dump the APC at the same time and with a grand political rally to announce their exit.

The source, therefore, disclosed that Wamakko could not leave the APC again for fear of being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He explained that the presidency learnt about Wamakko’s plan “to defect when Saraki visited him sometimes in 2017. Saraki was returning from a foreign trip the day he visited Wamakko. He flew directly to Sokoto to discuss Wamakko.

“After Saraki’s visit, the EFCC revisited a N15 billion graft allegation against Wamakko. He was shown incriminating evidence that compelled to shelve his defection. The EFCC probe actually compelled to stay back in the APC and not because he has any difference with his political godson.

“He never had misunderstanding with Tambuwal. Even during the congresses, he gave Tambuwal free hand to chose party officials at all levels. He simply wanted to defect to the PDP to help his political son realise his presidential ambition.”

However, another source said Tambuwal “defected to the PDP because some of his allies betrayed him. As governor, he did not have access to the president.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/2019-amid-uncertainty-tinubu-ganduje.html

If you’re looking for information on Airtel Nigeria data plans, bundles, and their subscription codes, you’re just on the right page.

Whether you’re looking to get internet access on your smartphone (Android, iOS, etc.), tablet or even laptop or desktop PC, Airtel has the right data plans for you.

Generally, Airtel Nigeria data plans are known as the SmartSPEEDOO Data Plans and they come in different packages. In this post, we’ll be looking at the various plans available, their prices, and subscription codes.

Airtel Nigeria Free Surf

This data plan is a pay as you go package and with this plan and you can get up to 160MB of free data. The validity period is 30 days and to subscribe to this plan, dial *400#

The free surf provides you with a reduced browsing rate at about 1 kobo per KB and the billing starts from N10/MB and can be as low as N2/MB

Airtel Nigeria Daily Bundles

There is the 50MB daily bundle which cost N100 and it is valid for 24 hours. You can subscribe to this plan by dialling *410#.

Also, there is the 3-day bundle with a data cap of 200MB. This bundle cost N200 and it is valid for 3 days (72 hours) and to subscribe to this plan, dial *412#. Additionally, there is the 5-star bundle with a data cap of 25MB. The bundle comes with a daily data allowance of 5MB daily for 5 days and you can subscribe to this bundle by dialling *401#

Airtel Nigeria Weekly Bundles

This bundle offers 350MB for 7 days at a cost of N300 and to subscribe to this bundle, dial *417#.
Easy bundle

The plan cost N500 with a data cap of 750MB and it is valid for 14 days. To subscribe to this plan, dial *418#

Airtel 2G Pack

For this package, there are 2 bundle options.
Unlimited bundle 1: This bundle provides unlimited data for 10 days at N To subscribe to this plan dial *482*1#
Unlimited bundle 2: This bundle provided unlimited data for 25 days at N To subscribe to this plan, dial *482*2#

Airtel Nigeria Android Data Plans

Android 1.0: This bundle is usable on all devices at N1 per MB. But if you’re using an android phone, it cost N1000 for 1.5GB and the plan is valid for 30 days. To subscribe to this plan, dial *496#

Android 2.0: This bundle cost N2000 for 3.5GB. The plan is valid for 30 days and to subscribe to this plan dial *437#

Android 2.5: This bundle cost N2500 for 5GB and to subscribe to this plan, dial *437*1#

Android 3.5: This bundle cost N3500 and it is valid for 30 days. The data cap is 7GB and to subscribe to this plan dial *438#

Android 4.0: This plan is valid for 30 days and the data cap is 9GB. To subscribe to this plan dial *438*1#

Airtel Nigeria Social Plans

The social plan is also known as the Opera Mini Monthly Plan and it gives you access to 250MB for 25 days. The plan cost N300 and to subscribe to this plan dial *885*1#. The plan is usable for Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, We Chat and 2go browsing.
Airtel Nigeria Mega Packs

Mega 5

The data cap for this bundle is 10GB and it cost N5000. The plan is valid for 30 days and to subscribe to this plan, dial *452#.

Mega 8

The data allowance of this bundle is 8GB and it cost N8000. To subscribe to this plan, dial *460#

Mega 16

The data cap for this plan is 16GB. The cost of subscription is N8000 and the validity period is 180 days. To subscribe to this plan, dial *406#

Mega 36

The data cap for this plan is 50GB. The cost of subscription is N36000 and the validity period is 180 days. To subscribe to this plan, dial *406#

Mega 70

The data allowance for this plan is 100GB. The cost of subscription is N70000 and the validity period is 365 days. To subscribe to this plan, dial *407#

Mega 136

This plan is valid for 365 days and the data allowance is 200GB which cost N136000.
Airtel Nigeria Unlimited Data Plans

Unlimited month bundle

This plan is valid for 30 days and it gives access to 3GB of data at N1500. The plan is usable on all devices.

Unlimited week bundle

The plan is valid for 7 days and it gives access to 200MB of data. It cost N525 and to subscribe to the plan dial *440*17#. Also, the plan is usable on all devices.

Unlimited day bundle

The plan is valid for 30 day and the data cap is 40MB. To subscribe to this plan, dial *440*18#

However, the unlimited data plans don’t always allow you to keep browsing at high internet speed until the end of your validity period. Instead, there is a Fair Usage Policy (FUP) Data speed which slows down your unlimited data plan after a threshold is reached.

Usually, the 3 plans have different fair usage policies (FUP) at which your internet speed is throttled to 256kbps. For instance, Unlimited 10 is 40GB; Unlimited 15 is 65GB while Unlimited 20 is 100GB

Also, it is important you note that the validity period for the unlimited data plan is 30 days from the activation date.

A Brief About Airtel Nigeria

Formerly known as Celtel Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria is one of the major telcos in the country.

The history of Airtel in Nigeria can be traced to the year 2000 when Econet was established in the country. At that time, the company was the first telecoms operator to launch GSM services in the country in 2001.

Currently, Airtel Nigeria is the third largest operator in the country with over 33 million subscribers as of November 2016.

Apart from being the first company to be offered the GSM license in the country, Airtel has scored many first in the country.

The company was the first to launch a toll free 24 hour customer care service in the country. Also, Airtel Nigeria was the first to launch their service in the 6 geo-political zones of the country. Some of their other firsts include being the first to introduce affordable recharge denominations, the first to introduce monthly free SMS and the first to introduce monthly airtime bonus.

More details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/airtel-nigeria-data-plans-bundles.html

Nigeria has been rated the 110th best country for business in the world in 2019, out of 161 graded countries.

Top on the list are United Kingdom (1), Sweden (2), Hong Kong (3), Netherlands (4), New Zealand (5) and Canada (6).

The United States of America is rated 17th, below Ireland and Finland.


South Africa, according to the list released by Forbes, came first in Africa.

With a population of 203 million people, a GDP growth of 0.8 per cent and GDP per capital of $2,000, Nigeria is ranked 14th in Africa.

The rating puts Nigeria behind South Africa (59), Morocco (62), Seychelles (66), Tunisia (82), Botswana (83), Rwanda (90), Kenya (93), Ghana (94), Egypt (95), Namibia (96), Senegal (100), Zambia (103) and Cape Verde (104).

Giving the criteria for the rating, Forbes said, “We gauged the Best Countries for Business by rating nations on 15 different factors, including property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom (personal, trade and monetary), red tape and investor protection. Other metrics included were workforce, infrastructure, market size, quality of life and risk. Each category was equally weighted.

“The data is based on published reports from Freedom House, Heritage Foundation, Property Rights Alliance, United Nations, Transparency International, World Bank Group, Marsh & McLennan and World Economic Forum.”

Nigeria rated 115 out of 153 assessed countries the previous year, with a GDP growth of -1.6 per cent and GDP per capital given as $2,200.

The country was 15th in Africa during the period.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/forbes-ranks-nigeria-110th-best-country.html

Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Nigerians to emulate Second Republic president, Shehu Shagari.


Obasanjo explained that Nigerians should emulate Shagari’s virtues of forgiveness and forbearance.

He made the appeal yesterday at the Sama road residence of late Shagari during his condolence visit to the family.


Recalling how he handed over to his “true friend” in 1979, Obasanjo said if Nigerians could learn lesson from his habit of forgiveness, they would live in peace with one another.

The former president described Shagari as an epitome of personal integrity and simplicity who was committed to his fatherland.

Obasanjo recalled that they both served as Federal Commissioners during Yakubu Gowon’s regime during which he proved his honesty and transparency.


“Late Shagari should not be mourned but to be celebrated as a true, honest and sincere leader who was a nationalist to the core; Nigerians has lost a gem,” Obasanjo said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/why-nigerians-should-emulate-shehu.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday that emerging indices showed that President Muhammadu Buhari was slowly but steadily growing the country’s economy, explaining that it was a matter of time before its impact would start hitting the people.


But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a related development countered the APC, saying the high rate of unemployment in the country and the 90 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty were the main legacies of the president’s over three and half years in the saddle.

Speaking on the ‘Morning Show’ of Arise TV, a sister broadcast arm of Akelicious, the Director of Strategic Communications of the APC’s presidential campaign, Mr. Festus Keyamo SAN, said Buhari’s administration is turning the focus away from a mono economy to an economy beyond oil.

Quoting a report published a month ago by Akelicious, Keyamo said the non-oil sector grew the country’s GDP by 1.8 per cent.
According to him, “This is the first time in history that the non-oil sector is adding so much to the GDP. That is how we are getting the indices right again. There is a slow but steady focus of the economy to the fundamentals.

“We are not just going to be giving handouts again. For 16 years there was no concentration on non oil sector. For 16 years there was no concentration on the building of critical infrastructures to reflect the economy.
“To put the economy back on the path of growth you have to get the macro economy right, you have to get the critical infrastructure right and rebuild them and the micro economy will begin to fall in place.

“The future of a nation, the growth of an economy doesn’t depend on momentary rise in the price of rice and beans and that is what they are using to deceive Nigerians and the ordinary people.”
When asked to comment on the endemic poverty situation in the country, the APC campaign spokesman said fighting poverty is not like moving it into a room or keeping it in the dustbin.
According to him, fighting poverty requires careful economic planning and execution of critical infrastructural projects that would help alleviate the suffering of the masses.
Keyamo said, for instance, the Mambilla hydro power project he said was abandoned by the PDP administration for over 16 is now about to start this month.
He also said that due to government’s new policy direction, the country has once again restarted local production of fertilizer, which has led to the reduction of its price from N10, 000 to between N6, 000 and N5,000.

He told Arise TV, “First, how do you arrest poverty? First of all, you have to get the macro economy correctly; you have to address the building of critical infrastructures; you have to address the issue of power, so that you can now revive the micro, small and medium scale industry that is one of the major tools around the world to clear out people who are unemployed.
“When artisans, tailors, welders begin to work optimally because there is power you will have a lot of people having jobs so now they are addressing the issue of power because we have raised it from nearly 3,900 megawatts that we found to about 7,000 megawatts.

“Rice import has dropped from 644,000 to 23,000 metric tonnes; about 95 per cent drop in the import of rice alone because of the Anchor Borrowers Program.”
Reacting to speculations that the absence of the wife of the president, Aisha, at the APC rally at Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, was evidence of her lack of support for husband’s re-election bid, Keyamo stated that the president’s wife is set to lead a campaign for the president’s re-election.
He said the president’s wife will soon begin to lead her women support group to canvass support for the re-election of her husband, adding that she is prepared to give 100 per cent in support to her husband.

Keyamo said, “She is just warming up to hit the road, I am sure you have seen the list released this morning; there is a release this morning of a youth and women support group headed by the first lady and that youth and women support group is an expanded group – more expansive than the campaign group, which comprises of people across the country and the wife of the president is just warming up to hit the road. So, just wait and see her level of support. She is 100 per cent ready and 100 percent in support of her husband and you will see her very soon in the next few days.”

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/buhari-is-growing-economy-steadily-says.html

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has again stated that Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) will win this year’s governorship election in the state.

Amosun also advised the federal government against deploying soldiers to the state for the polls, even as he assured that the elections would be free of violence in the state.


He stated this Monday night at the New Year cross-over fanfare held at Oke-Ilewo in Abeokuta.

The governor, who was re-elected in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and is running for the Senate on the party’s platform, is backing Mr Akinlade who moved to the APM after losing the APC ticket to Dapo Abiodun.

According to Premium Times, the ruling party’s candidate, Abiodun, is currently enmeshed in a certificate forgery scandal after being exposed for not participating in the mandatory one-year national youth service for Nigerians who obtain a first degree or its equivalent before the age of 30 years.

Amosun boasted that his protege, Akinlade, will beat Abiodun and other contestants and emerge as the next governor to take over from him in May.

The outgoing governor called on the people of the state to make peace their watchword as the elections approach. “Let us prove to the world that Ogun State is known for peace and a state which has produced a number of eminent personalities in the country,” Amosun said.

“Let us tell them that we don’t need the service of the military and police for the conduct of election because we are going to comport ourselves as peaceful people. And for the youth, don’t allow yourself to be used as political thugs. Anybody who approaches for such, tell them to bring out their children to join in the thuggery.”

As he prepares to leave office, Amosun thanked the people of the state for their contributions to the success of his administration, noting that the crossover ceremony will be his last as their governor.

He expressed optimism that the next edition of the event will be conducted by Akinlade, and he would be invited as a former governor of the state.

Amosun said he has done his bit in adding value to governance, noting that the support he got from individuals and bodies contributed to his achievements in office.

The crossover ceremony attracted a number of fun-seekers who were entertained by various artistes and musicians. Traditional rulers led by Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland also graced the occasion.

Other notable personalities at the event include Sarafa Ishola, a former Minister and Director-General, Akinlade Campaign organisation; Olufunsho Amosun, wife of the governor; Olanrewaju Bisiriyu, the Head of Service; Akinlade and Suraj Adekunbi, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly.

more at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/apc-will-lose-ogun-governorship.html

Contrary to high expectations that the Nigerian equities market will sustain the 2017 positive performance in 2018, the market closed the immediate past year with a decline of N1.898 trillion, while the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (ASI) depreciated by 17.8 per cent.


This is just as the Debt Management Office (DMO) has revealed that Nigeria’s total public debt stock rose slightly in the third quarter of 2018 to $73.213 billion (N22.429 trillion) as at September 30, 2018.

The decline in the stock market was in contrast to the 42.3 per cent growth recorded in 2017 after three years of fall.

Based on the positive performance in 2017, operators and other stakeholders were upbeat that growth would be sustained.

While 2018 started on a positive note with the NSE ASI rallying 15.95 per cent in the first month, the bearish trend set in the following months, which persisted to the end of the year.

And the close trading for the year yesterday, the market capitalisation dipped from N13.619 trillion to N11.721 trillion, NSE ASI depreciated from 8,243.19 to 31,430.50.

According to analysts at CSL Stockbrokers Limited, the down trend in the stock market, which was initially triggered by rising yields in the United States(US) due to hike in interest rates by the Fed, was exacerbated by escalating trade war between the US and China, and investor fears surrounding a “contagion effect” on the back of the turmoil in emerging markets (Turkey and Argentina in particular).

“In addition, the political uncertainties in the domestic economy in the build-up to the 2019 elections amidst a sluggish growth in gross domestic product (GDP), which slowed from 2.1 per cent in Q4 2017 to 1.95 per cent in Q1 2018 and then to 1.5 per cent in Q2 2018, from the economic recession led foreign investors to flee the equities market in search of high-quality lower-risk assets in developed economies notably the US,” they said.

Reflecting on the slowdown in the participation of foreign investors in the local bourse, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) data revealed that foreign transactions has declined by 49 per cent from N166.39 billion in January to N84.36 billion at the end of November.

“Noteworthy to mention is that, foreign transactions for the month of July stood at N36.15 billion, the lowest since the Investors and Exporters window was introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in April 2017. The data further revealed that foreign outflows for the months of January till November has increased by 51 per cent from N402.2 billion in 2017 to N605.5 billion in 2018,” CSL said.

Looking ahead, the analysts said: “Although, we acknowledge that the broad sell off in the market has led to a significant moderation in the share prices of stocks providing opportunities for bargain hunting, we think that the argument for “Buying the dip” frequently advanced by money managers and traders is still too early to call for.

“With growing concerns about a weakening global economy, the US Fed providing guidance for two rate hikes in 2019 and more importantly, the elevated political risk in the domestic economy, we expect foreign investors to remain on the sidelines. Hence, we still expect a choppy theme to characterise the nation’s bourse over the short term.”

Speaking on the performance of the stock market recently, the Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk, had said a large percentage of these who do business in our market are foreign investors and as at the third quarter of 2018, the capital outflow stood at N513 billion as against N477.7 billion inflow.

“We can see that the impact of increase in interest rate in advanced countries not just US, has impact on capital outflow thereby leading to reduced performance in our markets. I want to say that the interest rate increase in advanced economies not just the US, does not affect only Nigeria but also affects other emerging and frontiers market in the world,” she said.

Meanwhile, the latest debt figure released by the DMO which comprised external and domestic debts of the federal government, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was 0.22 per cent higher than the $73.208 billion or N22.38 trillion it was as of June 2018.

External Debt declined by 2.02 per cent to $21.592 billion due largely to the redemption by Nigeria of a $500 million Eurobond which matured on July 12, 2018.

The Eurobond, which was issued for a tenor of five years in 2013, was the first Eurobond maturity for Nigeria and Nigeria’s ability to repay it seamlessly, boosted the country’s position as a good credit in the International Capital Market.

Nevertheless, debt service in the third quarter soared by 320 per cent compared to what the country spent on serving its external debts in the second quarter of the year.

Between July and September this year, the country had spent $849.972 million on servicing its external debts, while 82 per cent or $697.43 million had expended on servicing bilateral obligations.

This was a substantial increase compared to $202.373 million that was expended on external debt servicing, where 56.5 per cent or $114.37 million went into servicing bilateral obligations.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/equities-investors-lose-n19tn-market.html

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says an estimated 25,685 babies will be born in Nigeria on New Year Day.

According to a statement issued on Monday by UNICEF Nigeria Communications Specialist, Eva Hinds, Nigerian babies make up 6.5 per cent of the estimated 395,072 babies born on New Year Day globally.

“Within Africa, Nigerian babies will account for almost 40 per cent of all those born in West and Central Africa, and more than 23 per cent of those born in sub-Saharan Africa.


Globally, over half of the world’s births are estimated to take place in just eight countries, including Nigeria.

“At current life expectancy rates, a child born in Nigeria today is likely to live only to the year 2074, which is 55 years of age. A child born today in Denmark is likely to live until the 22nd century. Only children born in three countries today have a lower life expectancy than that of Nigerian children including Central African Republic, Chad and Sierra Leone, “ it said.

The statement said that globally in 2017, about one million babies died the day they were born, and 2.5 million in just their first month of life. It said that in Nigeria, about 262,000 babies die at birth each year, the world’s second highest national total, while 257 babies die within their first month of life.

“Among these children, most died from preventable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia, a violation of their basic right to survival, “ it stated.

UNICEF Nigeria’s Acting Representative, Pernille Ironside, said in the statement that more could be done to ensure children born in Nigeria survived their first day of life.

Ironside added that such children should be able to survive and thrive for many months and years to come.

“In Nigeria today, only one out of every three babies is delivered in a health centre, decreasing a newborn baby’s chance of survival. This is just one of the issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the chances of survival of those babies born today and every day. This New Year Day, let us all make a resolution to fulfil every right of every child, starting with the right to survive. We can save millions of babies if we invest in training and equipping local health workers so that every newborn is born into a safe pair of hands, “ he said.


The statement also noted that 2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child which UNICEF would be commemorating with worldwide events throughout the year.

According to the statement, under the convention, governments committed to, among other things, taking measures to save every child by providing good quality health care.

“Over the past three decades, the world has seen remarkable progress in child survival, cutting the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday by more than half.

“But there has been slower progress for newborns; babies dying in the first month account for 47 per cent of all deaths among children under five.

“UNICEF’s Every Child Alive campaign calls for immediate investment to deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn.

“These include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities and the presence of a skilled health attendant during birth,’’ it stated.

It further called for ample supplies and medicines to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy, delivery and birth as well as empowerment for adolescent girls and women who could demand quality health services.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/nigeria-to-expect-25685-new-babies.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is turning Nigeria into a police state, where those opposed to his re-election bid are treated like enemies of the state.

The main opposition party has also condemned the continued siege on the residence of Senator Dino Melaye in Abuja, describing it as unwarranted and provocative.


Melaye had last week raised the alarm that the police planned to arrest and inject him with a poisonous substance.

The party noted that the siege showed that the police under President Buhari has become an instrument of oppression to subjugate dissenting voices ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, stated that the Buhari Presidency is turning Nigeria into a police state, where those opposed to his re-election are treated like enemies of the state.

He said, “The only sin committed by its Presidential Campaign Director of Civil Societies, Senator Melaye, is his return to the PDP and his forthright stand against the misrule of the Buhari administration, which are all well within his rights as a citizen.”

“Since Melaye, left the APC, the Buhari administration has continued to hound and harass him, as well as the members of his family with trumped up charges, all aimed to silence and put him out of circulation ahead of the 2019 general election.

“The PDP has become extremely worried about the safety of Melaye and his family members under police lockdown and charges Nigerians to hold President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible should any harm befall him or any member of his family.”

He expressed the hope that opposition figures like Melaye would not suddenly become victims of ‘accidental discharge’, unexplained assassinations or mysterious motor accidents.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/you-are-turning-nigeria-into-police.html

Over 65 registered APC youth support groups in Kano State, yesterday, merge under the umbrella of Kano State APC Voluntary Organisation Chairmen’s Forum to campaign for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2019.

Speaking during the inauguration of the leadership of the newly formed forum, the Director General, Kano State, Directorate of Youth and Economic Empowerment, Alhaji Ado Abba Tudunwada, said the directorate would continue to support the youth’s decision to support the re-election of both President Buhari and Governor Ganduje.

“We have seen and witnessed remarkable developments so far achieved by the APC administration in Kano state and in the federation. Therefore, when the youth decide to come together and gather resources to support APC government, we have no option than to give our 100 % support to the move,” said Tudunwada.

The chairman of the forum, Comrade Ibrahim Sa’idu Warawa, said the youth would sustain total support for the APC administration.

Read more at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/over-65-kano-apc-support-groups-merge.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo saturday asked the Igbo leaders across the federation to remain focused and united, saying the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not honour its promise to hand over presidency to an Igbo indigene in 2023.

Consequently, Obasanjo urged the Igbo not to allow any person from any part of the country relegate them to the background, noting that the Igbo occupied a place of preeminence in the emergence of Nigeria.


He gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting held at the residence of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazuluke Amechi in Ukpor Nnewi South Local Government Area, Anambra State yesterday.

At the meeting, Obasanjo urged the Igbo to bury all their differences and work together for the actualisation of the Atiku Abubakar/Peter Obi candidature, which he said, was in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

He, particularly, urged Atiku’s running mate “to reach out to Mbazuluke Amechi and other eminent personalities in Igbo land to drum support for his candidature.”

Obasanjo equally, said the Igbo should be weary of the promise of the APC government to hand over power to them in 2023, noting that it was dangerous to take the APC government seriously

He, therefore, prayed for a successful outing for Atiku and Obi in the 2019 presidential election, tasking them to do the right thing for Nigeria and Nigerians if eventually elected.

Obasanjo urged the Igbo not to allow anybody relegate them to the background as they occupy a place of preeminence in the emergence of the nation.

He observed that Obi and his principal “have great work to do for Nigeria,” noting that they “have become a beacon of hope to all Nigerians who have had it so rough in the last four years.

“It is incumbent on Obi to think out of the box to take the nation out of the woods caused by incumbent clueless administrators. With Obi’s pedigree as a governor, he was hopeful that things will work for Nigeria under his leadership as vice president of the country.

In his address, Amechi described Obi as good man and his principal the country needed at a time like this.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Obi, former Minister of Power, Chief Barth Nnaji, former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, former Imo State Governor, Mr. Ikedi Ohakim, member of National Assembly, Hon. Chris Azubogu and Chairman, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.

At a session with journalists after the meetings, the vice president candidate of the PDP assured Nigerians that his principal Abubakar Atiku and himself would not let the nation down.

Obasanjo, Obi and dignitaries later went to unveil the statue of the former aviation minister built by the Ukpor community in honor of Dara Amaechi.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/dont-be-deceived-apc-wont-hand-over-to.html

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has raised the fears that there are frantic efforts to exclude their region from the political equation of the country.The group made the submission at the Igbo National Stakeholders Assembly (INSA) Summit and prestigious awards tagged: “Ositadinma,” held in Lagos yesterday.

The Convener of the summit and First President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos, Chief John Uche, said the time had come for Ndigbo to make conscious efforts to ensure they were not undermined politically.

He said: “Elections is fast-approaching and lots of people are jostling for political offices and making coalitions for political relevance but Ndigbo appears to be complacent about the whole issue.

“We have suffered in the last four years and we do not wish to suffer anymore. It is saddening that in a country that belongs to everyone, we are excluded from the scheme of things; there is no key appointments by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Uche, who noted that there would be need for negotiation of their votes, stressed that any political party that would ask for the votes of the Igbo people must negotiate with them appropriately.

He noted that part of the condition would include assent to call for restructuring of the country. However, Keynote Speaker at the event, James Ezike, represented by Okey Onuakalusi, lamented that it was 40 years ago that an Igbo man, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, attained the highest political office as a vice president of Nigeria and a further attempt by him (Ekwueme) in 1999 at the presidency failed because of political conspiracy.

The lawyer maintained that there was a political conspiracy to exclude the Igbo people in the political equation in the country.He said it was time for the region to be making adequate preparations to ensure they were included in the political affairs of the country.Also, Vitus Uzoh, who spoke on behalf of the vice president, said the group is doing all it could to sensitise members adequately on the need for full participation in the election.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/ohanaeze-alleges-conspiracy-against.html

Davido’s girlfriend Chioma, declared Christmas day her worst day as she cooked throughout that day.

Christmas, well known as a time to be happy and share love, was not the same for Chioma, the celebrity girlfriend of top Nigerian singer Davido.

The much publicized girlfriend who the singer often referred to as his wife took to her Instagram on Christmas Day and wrote ‘worst day’ without giving any clue or explanation why the day which many people all over the world celebrate and make merry happened to be her worst.

Hours after posting that, also on her Instagram she wrote that she could not eat anything despite having to cook all day. She revealed that she ended up eating noodles on a Christmas day of all days.

While Davido was partying in Owerri with his guys ,Chioma wasn’t having a good day .

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/i-cooked-all-day-this-christmas-davidos.html

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Thursday presented the sum of N152, 756, 088, 830 before the Osun House of Assembly as the fiscal proposal for 2019.

He also promised that workers’ salary would now be paid promptly and in full.

The governor, during the budget presentation, said the era of modulated salaries had ended and workers and pensioners would now be paid full salaries and pensions as and when due.

Oyetola, who tagged the fiscal proposal as ‘Budget of Hope’, said it was largely hinged on consolidation of social security protection and welfare programmes of the immediate past administration.

He said N91, 957,496,420 would be spent on capital projects, while N15,870,175,600 would be spent on recurrent expenditure.

A further breakdown of the budget reveals that the sum of N36,928,416,810 would also be spent on personnel during the fiscal year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that projections on raising the money for the budget were hinged on statutory allocation from the Federal Government, crude oil payments, internally generated revenue and tax.

The sum of N150,298,379,020 was projected to be sourced internally and externally, comprising all the projections of the administration in raising fund for the budget.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the health sector, education, infrastructure, agriculture and rural development would be given priority in the budget.

The governor stated that the budget was a product of deliberations with stakeholders across the state.

Mr Najeem Salaam, the Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, in his remarks, said the budget presentation was special, being the first for the Oyetola administration and the last for the lawmakers.

Salaam described the governor as a man with a clear vision and imbued with principles.

He added that the proposed budget clearly indicated that the governor was working in the light of current realities.

The Speaker thereafter called for the laying of the budget by the governor, promising that the house would ensure due deliberation on the proposal.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/oyetola-presents-n152bn-budget-promises.html

The Nigerian Army has degraded Boko Haram, the Nigerian terror group, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, insisted at the weekend, explaining that the recent sporadic attacks on military locations in the North-east of the country were the handiwork of international terror, isolating Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) as the culprit.

Buratai spoke at an interactive session with media editors in Maiduguri and said the military had successfully concluded the physical and conventional war against Boko Haram, having expelled it from the Nigerian soil.


He explained that what subsisted was the psychological phase of the fight against terror, saying the terrorists sought to intimidate the Nigerian military through propaganda that could demoralise the troops and discourage them from effectively concluding the ongoing mop up of remnants of the insurgents.

Saying the major platform of the terrorists in this psychological phase of the fight was the media, he appealed to the editors to make their media unavailable to the extremists even as he praised the Nigerian press for their cooperation with the military in the war against terror.

“The real situation on the ground is that in terms of the conventional war against insurgency, Boko Haram has been degraded,” he said, adding, “What we are dealing with now is international terror led by Islamic State West Africa Province.”

According to Buratai, “The operational and physical war has been contained. It is no more a physical war. It is a psychological war and they are using the media to wage it.”

He said what was happening in the North-east was less of insurgency and more of crime, explaining that the trend had moved from local uprising to organised international terrorism.

The Army boss said Boko Haram having been effectively contained had yielding ground to ISWAP and warned that even when the new terror machine is defeated there are no guarantees that a new group would not emerge.

“There are people somewhere pulling the strings, and what we have now is a psychological war with international terror dimensions,” Buratai said.

Appealing to the media not to yield their platform to the terrorists,

he said, “My appeal to the media is to deny the terrorists access to propagate their dastardly acts. Giving them space in your media encourages them. It is the tonic they need to energise their followers, intimidate the public and demoralise troops.”

He praised the media for what they had done so far in the coverage of the war against terror even as he requested for less dramatization of the activities of the terrorists.

Buratai responded to media complaint of slow response to enquiries, explaining that it was the nature of the military to be cautious in disseminating information, particularly about causalities, adding that apart from the need to ensure accuracy, there were also national security implications that would have to be considered.

“We have procedures in the military, which may not accord with your need for timely response to request for information. But I assure you that our policy is openness, and all I appeal for is your understanding, knowing full well that we have nothing to hide at all times,” he said.

The military had come under heavy criticism over its handling of information on recent attacks on 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele, on the fringe of Borno State, where 23 soldiers were killed by Boko Haram. It took the Army almost a week before it clarified the casualty figures.

But the Army boss explained that it was not deliberate, saying military procedures required that they do proper checks and account for troops before making pronouncements, saying these take time to conclude.

He assured that the army took the welfare of troops seriously, denying any iota of truth in speculations that soldiers’ salaries and emoluments were being compromised by the military high command.

“No officer would dare such a thing. We take issues of welfare of troops very seriously and deal decisively with any infraction in that regard,” he said, appealing against further publication of such speculations because “portraying the officer corps as corrupt and uncaring would have demoralising effects on the soldiers.”

Buratai also spoke about the funding and equipment available for the war against terror and said the federal government was doing its best within the resources available to the country.

“No Army can have all it needs for its operations. I say to you that the federal government is doing its best and we are optimising what we have to do the job the nation has given us to do,” he said.

With Buratai were the first General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, now Chief of Training and Operations, Maj. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, and the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Benson Akinroluyo, as well as sector commanders and officers of the operation in the North-east.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/army-has-degraded-boko-haram-insists.html

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) says that total financial flows from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector reduced to 17.05 billion dollars in 2016, indicating a 31 per cent decline on the 24.79 billion dollars generated in 2015.

NEITI disclosed this in its 2016 Oil and Gas Audit Report released in Abuja on Friday.

The report revealed that the decline was a 75 per cent plunge on the sector’s peak earnings of 68.44 billion dollars generated in 2011.

It noted that the 2016 figure was the lowest in 10 years and the fifth lowest in the 18 years covered by NEITI’s audit reports from 1999 to 2016.

The report blamed the plunge in revenue in 2016 on the low oil prices in the global market and reduced oil production in Nigeria, which in turn was caused by disruption and vandalism of oil assets and spike in crude theft, among others.

It added that the yearly average price of crude oil per barrel stood at 43.73 dollars in 2016 as against 52.5 dollars in 2015.

It said that a total of oil production in 2016 was 659 million barrels as against 776 million barrels produced in 2015

This, it noted was a decline of 15 per cent.

“The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas’ NLNG, dividend, loan and interest repayment for 2016 dipped by 63.5 per cent to $390.2 million, as against $1.07 billion recorded in 2015,’’ it added

On crude oil theft and sabotage, it revealed that the country lost about 101 million barrels of crude oil to theft and sabotage valued at 4.4 billion dollars

“Of the total loss, Seplat Petroleum Development Company and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, accounted for 81 million barrels of crude oil lost through sabotage, while 20 other oil companies recorded 19.8 million barrels lost to theft.

“Losses due to crude oil theft and sabotage rose from 27 million barrels in 2015 to 101 million barrels in 2016, an increase of 274 per cent.

“This was aside losses due to deferment, which in 2016 was put at 144 million barrels which also went up by 65 per cent when compared to the 87.5 million barrels in 2015,” it said.

On cash calls and Joint Ventures (JV), the report said that 8.2 billion dollars was budgeted for cash calls in 2016, out of which 5.5 billion dollars was released and 4.9 billion dollars was paid.

It added that Non-Joint Venture, JV, cash call expenses came to 874 million dollars, representing 17.59 per cent of cash call expenditure.

It further revealed that the contribution of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped from 9.5 per cent in 2015 to 8.3 per cent in 2016.

On gas production, it said that total gas produced in 2016 was 3.051 trillion Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) out of which 288.209 billion SCF was flared, representing 9.45 per cent of production.

“A total of 126 million barrels, valued at 5.48 billion dollars or N1.37 trillion, was earmarked for domestic consumption, allocated as follows: 23 million barrels (18%) for refineries, 55.9 million barrels (45%) for Direct Sale Direct Purchase (DSDP), 36.6 million barrels (29%) for PPMC lifting and 10.4 million barrels (8%) for offshore processing.

“From the money for domestic crude allocation (DCA), NNPC deducted the following upfront: N512 billion for JV cash call; N126.5 billion for pipeline repairs and maintenance; N99 billion for under-recovery and N20 billion for crude losses,” it said. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/financial-flow-from-oil-gas-sector.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Thursday, sworn in Rose Orianran-Anthony as its new secretary.

The swearing-in ceremony of the new Secretary to the Commission was held at the Conference Room, INEC Head Quarters in Abuja.

Orianran-Anthony’s appointment was earlier announced in a statement by the national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on December 6.


“The Independent National Electoral Commission at its weekly regular meeting held today has approved the appointment of Mrs. Rose Orianran-Anthony as Secretary to the Commission for a four-year term with effect from 6th December 2018,” Okoye said.

Orianran-Anthony hails from Edo State, holds a degree in Language Arts from Ahmadu Bello University and a Master’s degree in Public Communications and Public Relations from the University of Westminster, London.

She has spent 28 years at the commission, serving in various capacities including as public affairs officer, INEC website content manager and head of civil society liaison, before her promotion as director and subsequent posting as administrative secretary in Delta state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/inec-gets-new-secretary.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the claim by the Amnesty International, AI, that the problem between farmers and herders was a new thing over the last three years of his administration.


In a statement forwarded to Akelicious on Thursday by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari said that AI got some of its facts wrong.

Buhari also pointed out that his administration had given absolute freedom to the National Human Rights Commission and set an important record by paying compensation to the victims of the rights abuses.


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The statement added, “The first thing to say about Amnesty International’s Report: Setting the Record Straight is to thank the organisation for confirming a fact stated time and again by President Muhammadu Buhari that the conflict between herders and farmers in Nigeria is not about religion.

“There is equally a confirmation by Amnesty International (AI) that it is being stoked by local politicians and that this whole problem is about scarcity of resources.

“Beyond these, the report has raised our concerns about the validity of their evidence-gathering. It is like knowing the facts but drawing the wrong conclusions.


“Still, Amnesty International got some of its facts wrong. It is not correct to state in any way that the problem between farmers and herders is a new thing over the last three years. It has been happening for over 100 years. Colonial Powers Britain and France had regularly recorded these conflicts which are available in Archives.

“It is equally untrue that government has done nothing. Alleged human rights abuses have been investigated. Clashes have been reduced through government’s actions.

“This progress is due to the strong determination of the administration to punish rights violators no matter who they are, including the military through Orderly Room trials, Court Martials and the regular courts.

“This administration has given absolute freedom to the National Human Rights Commission and set an important record by paying compensation to the victims of the rights abuses.

“The Apo Six, for instance, had received compensation to the tune of N135 million. Just a few months back, the President signed the law against torture.

“In an interim report in October this year, the International Criminal Court, ICC, stated that:

‘The Nigerian authorities appear to have taken concrete steps in fulfilling their primary responsibility of investigating and prosecuting ICC crimes. While there seem to be a tangible prospect of further proceedings against members of Boko Haram including high level commanders, at this time, the same cannot be said of NSF in particular since the Nigerian authorities deny any allegations against the latter.’

“Every country experiencing any level of insecurity or insurgency either as a matter of external aggression, or even more sensitively, internal conflict is confronted with complex and sensitive issues. Nigeria is no exception.

“The government is very much concerned about the sad and unfortunate loss of lives and properties, and the collateral broken/threatened communal relationships and societal mutual trust occasioned by attacks our nation has experienced.

“As a nation, we remain unrelenting in securing our country, and restoring peace in troubled areas. Although the complications that attend internal conflicts are present in Nigeria, the courage to confront both the conflicts and their complexities remain a matter of priority to this Administration.

“Indeed, reputable global organisations have recognised that the efforts of our security forces, who work tirelessly to secure our communities, are yielding results. An example of this is the recently published Global Terrorism Index Report, 2018, which acknowledged the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations, stating that:

‘Total deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 1,532 in 2017, a decrease of 16 per cent from the prior year. The decline follows the 63 per cent drop in deaths in Nigeria in the preceding year, and a 34 per cent drop in 2015. This highlights the effectiveness of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken in Nigeria and its neighbours, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.’

“Curiously, the Amnesty International report, ‘Harvest of Death: three years of bloody clashes between farmers and herders in Nigeria’, appears to be inconsistent with the Report above. Global Terrorism Index Report is considered a credible source even for Amnesty International covering the same period and the same terrain.

“However Amnesty International in addition to stating inaccurate casualty figures misleadingly alleges that the government has failed to protect affected communities and refused to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of these attacks. Nothing could be further from the truth.

“This administration has continued to work ceaselessly to enhance security in affected parts of the country, ensure that victims are provided with relief, and that criminals are arrested and prosecuted. It is careless and mischievous to misrepresent the facts and thereby mislead the public.

“Our security forces are not going to be deterred, neither will their morale and effort be affected by any tendentious report that mischaracterizes the important sacrifice they make to protect citizens at great risk of injury or death.

“It is the global norm and custom that assessors and commentators are fair and factual in their reportage and accounts of incidents and situations so that they do not endanger the lives of security personnel or worsen conflicts. Nonetheless, our security forces will continue to intensify ongoing and new multi-pronged approaches to conflict resolution.

“The Federal Government welcomes fair and constructive assessments aimed at dousing tension and promoting mutual communal confidence, safety and security, but rejects inflammatory statements, reports or assessments that stoke tension and deepen mistrust and thereby intensify conflicts and violence.

“As part of a more comprehensive intervention and response to the violence and conflict, the Federal Government deployed security forces to affected areas, empanelled fact-finding missions, and repeated visits and engagement by the most senior government and security officials/special forces including the President as well as relocating command and control apparatus to such areas. Further, the National Economic Council established a 10-man Committee on farmers/herdsmen clashes, headed by the Vice President.

“These high-level security operations and attention have led to the arrest of many people responsible for perpetrating violence. As a result, relative calm and peace have been restored to many communities.

“There have been 500 arrests, with many convicted and as a result, relative peace and calm have been restored in many of the affected areas. Of particular note was the arrest and conviction of Alhaji Tashaku Aliyu and others who were apprehended in connection with the killing of 2 priests and 17 worshippers at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on April 24th, 2018 in Benue State.

“In addition, seven herdsmen that were involved in the kidnapping of a farm owner have been sentenced to life imprisonment by an Ondo State High Court.

“Beyond the security measures, President Muhammadu Buhari also authorized a mechanism and released NGN10 Billion for the rehabilitation of farms and farming communities to provide relief to affected areas. During a visit to Nasarawa State in February 2018, the President also reiterated his condemnation of the violent conflicts and their perpetrators and his administration’s commitment to protecting citizens and mitigating their losses. He said:

‘I also want to assure the people of the North Central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day and night to ensure peace and stability return. We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order. The attacks by suspected herdsmen and other bandits will not be tolerated. I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute any persons found with illegal arms. I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.’

“This position was again reiterated by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in June 2018 during his visit to Plateau State, where he held meetings with community leaders and condoled with the people.

“A vital component of our successes or any success in similar conflicts is accurate reporting and credible intelligence. We encourage reporters to be accurate and citizens to provide information about known or even suspicious activities or persons to ensure we succeed in preventing attacks, and eliminating this scourge.

“Finally, and in the interest of openness, the Federal Ministry of Justice is analysing the Amnesty International Report for further responses, and actions where applicable and necessary.

“The Federal Government also appeals to communities not to be provoked or inflamed by this misleading report to seek or pursue reprisal action against others within their communities, but to remain assured that the government will continue to take steps to secure citizens and promote amicable conflict resolution as well as peaceful co-existence.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/herdsmen-farmers-clashes-buhari-replies.html

The country’s unemployment rate worsened in the third quarter of 2018 (Q3,2018), rising from 18.8 per cent in Q3 2017 to 23.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2018, the labour report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has shown.

According to the Labour Force Statistics – Volume I released yesterday, the total number of people classified as unemployed-which means they did nothing at all or worked for a few hours (under 20 hours a week) rose from 17.6 million in Q4 2017 to 20.9 million in Q3 2018.


The economically active or working age population (15 – 64 years of) also increased from 111.1 million in Q3, 2017 to 115.5 million in Q3, 2018.

The report also showed that the labour force, which is the number of people who are able and willing to work rose to 90.5 million in Q3, 2018 from 75.94 million in Q3, 2015.

It was 80.66 million in Q3 2016 and 85.1 million in Q3, 2017, the NBS’ report stated.

According to the statistical agency, the total number of people in part-time employment (or under-employment) however, rose to 18.21 million in Q3 2018, from 13.20 million in Q3 2015, 11.19 million in Q3 2016 and 18.02 million in Q3 2017.

The total number of people in full-time employment (at least 40 hours a week) also increased from 51.1 million in Q3 2017 to 51.3 million in Q3, 2018, the report said.

The NBS, however, explained: “Of the 20.9 million persons classified as unemployed as at Q3 2018 11.1 million did some form of work but for too few hours a week (under 20 hours) to be officially classified as employed while 9.7 million did absolutely nothing.

“Of the 9.7 million unemployed that did absolutely nothing as at Q3 2018, 90.1 per cent of them or 8.77 million were reported to be unemployed and doing nothing because they were first time job seekers and have never worked before.

“On the other hand, 9.9 million or 0.9 per cent of the 9.7 million that were unemployed and doing nothing at all reported they were unemployed and did nothing at all because they were previously employed but lost their jobs at some point in the past which is why they were unemployed,” the report said.

According to the NBS: “Of the 9.7 million that were unemployed and did nothing at all; 35.0 per cent or 3.4 million have been unemployed and did nothing at all for less than a year; 17.2 per cent or 1.6 million for a year, 15.7 per cent or 1.5 million had been unemployed and did nothing for two years, and the remaining 32.1 per cent or 3.1 million unemployed persons had been unemployed doing nothing for three and above years.”

It, however, pointed out that a rise in the unemployment rate is not entirely equivalent to an increase in job losses, adding: “Rather, an increase in unemployment can occur as a result of several reasons of which loss of an existing job is just one.”

A rise in unemployment, the NBS said, generally means that the number of people searching for jobs has increased, “which can occur because people previously outside the labour force – students and housewives, have decided to join the labour force and are now in search of jobs, or people previously working have lost their jobs and are now in search of jobs. Often, it is a combination of these two.”

Controversy had preceded the release of the unemployment statistics by the NBS.

The Statistician General of the Federation and Chief Executive, NBS, Dr. Yemi Kale, had refuted an online report that the presidency had asked him to doctor the country’s unemployment/underemployment data.

He had threatened to resign if he was asked to tinker with the data in order to favour the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

The report had alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari had during a recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) ordered Kale to change the high unemployment statistics and reflect the rising rate of employment in the agriculture sector.

Responding to the statistics, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed serious concern over the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, saying the Buhari-led federal government is clueless on the way out of the unemployment problems confronting the nation.

Atiku said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Mr. Phrank Shaibu, that hopes for better governance and improved standard of living that many had nursed with the assumption of office by Buhari in May 2015 had since given way to despair and hopelessness.

He said a cloud of uncertainty now hangs over Nigeria, as millions of ablebodied men who are willing and capable are unable to access gainful employment.

Atiku said in the midst of biting unemployment and unprecedented level of insecurity, the APC-led federal government seems utterly clueless on how to arrest the situation, forcing many to conclude that Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state.

‘’In the midst of all these, the government through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is spending money like drunken sailors, shelling out billions of taxpayers’ funds on Tradermoni, a crafty scheme to buy voters ahead of next year’s polls,” the presidential candidate said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/nbs-unemployment-rate-rises-to-231-209m.html