₦airaland Forum

The nation is set to add at least 5,000 barrels of oil per day and 300MW to its energy capacity with the entrance of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company’s 5,000 barrels of oil per day modular refinery situated at the Ibigwe Field in OPL 2004.According to the firm, the investment will shape Nigeria’s petroleum products supply and make the midstream cum downstream components of the industry more robust.

This move, according to the chairman/chief executive officer of Waltersmith, Abdulrazaq Isa, is part of “our vision to become a fully integrated energy company contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy security and sustainability.”

As it transforms into an integrated energy company, Waltersmith is also developing a 300 megawatts gas-fired power plant for which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted a power generation license in 2017. The plant will be situated in the same energy industrial complex as the refinery and the flowstation in the Ibigwe field.


The power plant, Isa explained, would utilise processed gas from Waltersmith’s Ibigwe marginal field and from third parties operating gas fields that are within proximity to the Ibigwe field, of which the power generated will be supplied to the national grid and is expected to contribute towards bridging the power supply gap in the country and create both direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operational phases.

About 118,000 households and 27,000 commercial/industrial users are expected to be powered through this project.Speaking on the refinery, the Waltersmith bioss said: “This is also a significant milestone for indigenous participation in the Nigeria downstream refinery sector. The 5,000bopd refinery was conceptualised in 2011 to mitigate the frequent outage of the third-party export Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and to optimise the full value of our produced crude through in-country refining and providing the petroleum products for the domestic market.


Read More: Government kicks off 5,000 daily output modular refinery in Imo

“Consequently, we would enjoy uninterrupted crude oil production from our upstream business all year round simply because we would have created alternative evacuation outlet and usage for the volumes.“By so doing, Waltersmith would be in a position to contribute about 271 million liters of refined products (diesel, kerosene, High pour Fuel Oil and Naphta) annually to the Nigerian economy, serve as an import substitution for meeting domestic demand for petroleum products, create both direct and indirect employment as well as reduce the demand for foreign exchange from the country’s treasury to import these products.”

Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited was established as an indigenous exploration and Production company in 1996 and was awarded the Ibigwe field located in OML 16 (now OPL 2004) in 2003 after participating in the marginal field licensing round specifically designed for indigenous companies.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, who performed the groundbreaking of the refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, explained that the Federal Government’s policy on modular refineries is an integral part of the 14-point agenda for reducing militancy in the Niger Delta region.The plan according to him is to set up modular refineries in oil producing communities and use them to create jobs and absorb the militants.

“We would take some of the good skills sets they have, polish them and put them into the system,” he said.He informed that 10 of the 38 licensed modular refineries had made appreciable progress in the development of their projects and the first one is expected to deliver products between December 2018/January 2019, adding that: “From modular refineries, we will be able to process about 200,000 barrels of crude and put them into the system.”

He said the Federal Government was engender the establishment of modular refineries through the financing model being managed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and had also granted free custom duty charges and other waivers to enable the investors bring in their equipment.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/new-modular-5000bpd-refinery-300mw.html

Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has declared that the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was a good sign for the country ahead of the 2019 general election.


He said this in a statement he released to the media Sunday night.

Obi emphasised that what the PDP delegates did in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. was “a mirror of what Nigerians want next year -free and transparent election”.


Obi noted that although all the aspirants were qualified, the victory of Atiku showed that he was widely accepted.

He commended other contestants for putting up brave contest and conducting themselves in a way befitting true leaders.

Lamenting that Nigeria had derailed off the paths of development, Obi said that going by “Atiku’s wealth of experience, track record of wealth-creation, knack for identifying excellence among excellent people, detribalised nature and perfect understanding of the ills of the country”, the former VP had all it takes to restore the nation’s glory.


“Having personally followed him in the past six months, listened and interacted with him on a number of issues negatively affecting our society, I observe in him a person who has the burning desire to leave a footprint in the sands of time”, the statement added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/see-how-peter-obi-reacted-to-atikus.html

As part of efforts to promote financial inclusion and enhance access to financial services for low income earners and the unbanked, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is proposing the establishment of Payment Service Banks in rural areas across the country.

This is coming as the apex bank says it may alter the amount it has ordered South African telecoms firm, MTN to refund to Nigeria for illegally repatriating funds from the country.


To this end, the CBN has released the draft guidelines for the regulation of the proposed banks.

A copy of the document was obtained on the CBN’s website yesterday.

A major difference between the proposed banks and the defunct community banks is that the new rural banks would not be allowed to grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees.

By the guidelines, they are expected to have a minimum capital base of N5 billion with capital adequacy ratio of 10 per cent or as may be prescribed by the CBN from time to time.

The objective of the proposed institutions, it was gathered, is to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas by increasing access to deposit products, payment and remittance services to small businesses, low-income households and other entities through high-value transactions in a secured technology-driven environment.

In terms of structure, the payment service banks are expected to operate mostly in rural areas and unbanked location, with not less than 50 per cent physical points in such areas.

In addition, they are expected to establish ATMs in some areas; be at liberty to operate through banking agents; use other channels, including electronic platforms to reach-out to its customers and establish coordinating centres in clusters of outlets to superintend and control the activities of various access points and banking agents.

Also, the guidelines provide that these rural banks are expected to be technology-driven and are expected to conform to the best practices of data storage; security and integrity.

According to the central bank, activities they are expected to undertake include, “Maintain savings accounts and accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, which shall be covered by the deposit insurance scheme.

“They are to carry out payments and remittance (including inbound cross-border personal remittances) services through various channels within Nigeria; issue debit and pre-paid cards and operate electronic purse.”

These rural banks are also permitted to invest in federal government and CBN’s securities and carry out such other activities as may be prescribed by the central bank from time to time.

On the other hand, the central bank listed the non-permissible items the banks shall not carry out to include, “grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees; trade in foreign exchange market; undertake any other transaction, which is not prescribed in the CBN Regulation on the Scope of Banking and Ancillary Matters, No. 3, 2010.”

The banks are also required to use the words ‘Payment Service Banks,’ in their names to differentiate them from other financial institutions.

“The promoters of payment service banks shall be required to submit a formal application for the grant of a payment service bank licence addressed to the Governor of the CBN,” the CBN said.

The guidelines also stipulate that they are expected to pay a non-refundable application fee of N500,000 in bank draft as well as a detailed business plan or feasibility report, among others.

“Not later than six months after obtaining an Approval-in-Principle, the promoters of a proposed Payment Service Bank shall submit application for the grant of a final licence to the CBN,” it stated.

The application is to be accompanied among other things, with a non-refundable licence fee of N2 million.

CBN May Alter MTN Fines



Meanwhile, the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that the apex bank may alter the $8.134 billion fines imposed on MTN Nigeria for illegal repatriation of funds from the country.

Reuters quoted Emefiele as saying this yesterday in London.

“I don’t think it will be staying at $8.1 billion. This issue will be dealt with amicably and equitably,” he said.

Emefiele said the central bank had received documents from MTN and four banks involved in the case.

“The central bank will be examining these; then it will be escalated up to my level,” he said.

He said he expected to get the results in a couple of weeks.

The central bank filed a counter-claim on Friday to a court request by MTN, which is seeking to stop the bank from forcing it to bring back the money, according to MTN’s lawyer.

Emefiele also said Nigeria’s central bank would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange markets, adding that he believed in a stable exchange rate regime.

Nigeria’s current stance of monetary tightening would continue, he said.

The central bank had alleged in August that MTN and four banks, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Stanbic IBTC Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, illegally repatriated the sum out from the country.

MTN Nigeria thereafter went to court to challenge the directive of the CBN. In a suit at the Federal High Court, MTN Nigeria had prayed the court to restrain the CBN from taking further action in respect of the order.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/cbn-to-accelerate-financial-inclusion.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may reduce the $8.1billion it ordered MTN Nigeria to repatriate as part of an ongoing disagreement, its governor Godwin Emefiele said yesterday.

The MTN and the CBN are in a dispute over the transfer of $8.1 billion of funds which the bank said the company had sent abroad in breach of foreign-exchange regulations. Nigeria accounts for a third of MTN’s annual core profit.

“I don’t think it will be staying at $8.1 billion,” Emefiele said during a visit to London, adding he expected the issue to be dealt with “amicably and equitably”.

“I want to believe that the figures will reduce. Whether they will be dropped completely, I honestly cannot say at this time.”

Emefiele said the CBN had received documents two weeks ago from MTN and four lenders involved in the case –

Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank and Diamond Bank – and was in communications with all parties involved.

“The central bank will be examining these, then it will be escalated up to my level,” he said, adding he expected to get the results in a couple of weeks.

The two sides are locked in a court dispute over the transaction. The central bank filed a counter-claim on Friday to a court request by MTN, which is seeking to stop the bank from forcing it to bring back the money.

Emefiele said the MTN case was a one-off, and the central bank was not looking at transactions involving any other companies operating in Nigeria.

“We respect the sanctity of these companies,” he said.

Shares in MTN lost almost five per cent over the past week.

Emefiele also said the CBN would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange markets, adding that he believed in a stable exchange rate regime.

Nigeria has been battling to defend its currency and shore up its reserves of around $44 billion, hobbled by lower oil prices. At the same time, the oil exporter has suffered from high inflation, which edged up to 11.2 percent at its last reading – well above the central bank’s 6-9 percent target.

Emefiele said Nigeria’s current stance of monetary tightening would continue.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/81b-cbn-raises-mtns-hope.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday hosted the Xplicit Dancers to a breakfast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Xplicit Dancers are young boys and girls, who engage in vigorous and scintillating dancing to entertain their audiences.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja said the dancers were in Abuja to show their prowess at the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said their performance at Eagle Square on Saturday night earned them the invitation to breakfast at State House on Sunday.

Adesina quoted the President at the event as saying: “I am very impressed with your performance. It must have taken a lot of discipline and training.
“To dance with such dexterity is fantastic. I congratulate you.’’
The father of the home, David Abraham, and a graduate of Business Administration, explained that the young dancers, aged between 11 and 27 years, are mostly orphans.
He said they were taken off the streets, and brought up at Explicit Home of Favour Initiative, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He revealed that the Home of Favour Initiative, which was established in 2004, was funded from takings at dance appearances and freewill contributions.
“I love to dance, and I was dancing in church one day, when God told me that dancing is not enough. I was instructed to take orphans off the streets, and empower them,” Abraham said.
According to him, his wife, Oluwakemi, serves as mother, and they jointly run the registered welfare home, adding that they have two biological children of their own.
He told President Buhari: “I still feel this is a dream, and if it is, I don’t want to wake from it.
“Thanks sir, for being a father. Because you invited us to have breakfast with you, came down to our level, stood on the line with us to take your own meal, ate with us, favour will not depart from you.’’
Fourteen members of the dance group were at the breakfast meeting, though the home currently has an enrolment of 56 people.
They had numbered up to 100 at a certain time, but 45 have graduated, 10 got married, and are pursuing their professional and domestic lives.

See more photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/photos-president-buhari-hosts-dance.html

Ibrahim Dankwambo, Governor of Gombe State, has congratulated Atiku Abubakar for emerging victorious at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary.

Atiku polled 1,532 votes to emerge the PDP presidential flag-bearer for the 2019 general election.

Dankwambo took to Twitter to thank Atiku, just as he promised to work "assiduously" for the party's victory at the 2019 poll.

A post by the Gombe Governor read: "Congratulations to Former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party. We are united under one Umbrella and we will work assiduously for our party’s victory in 2019."

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/breaking-dankwambo-concedes-defeat-vows.html

Kanye West is done with social media, again. The rapper deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Oct. 6, a week after his pro-MAGA rant on ‘SNL.’

Kanye West, 41, has quit Twitter and Instagram, again! After weeks of sharing his pro-MAGA, pro-Trump thoughts, the rapper deleted his social media accounts on the afternoon of Oct. 6. There was no word of warning. Just, poof, gone! He vanished from the social media world at around 1:45pm Pacific Time, according to TMZ. His digital disappearance comes one week to the day when he sparked backlash following his Saturday Night Liveappearance. After the cameras stopped rolling Kanye, who was the season premiere musical guest, stayed on stage and accused the SNL team of bullying him and telling him to remove the red MAGA baseball cap that he was wearing.

But that isn’t the only outburst that has prompted many hip-hop fans to cancel Kanye. Shortly after his SNL appearance, Kanye headed over to Twitter to call for the 13th Amendment to be abolished. People were outraged that the man who once said that slavery was “a choice,” called for getting rid of the very amendment that abolished slavery.

Over on Twitter fans reacted to Kanye’s decision to delete his account. One person tweeted, “And please don’t come back this time.” Another person wrote, “#KanyeWest has deleted his account on my birthday, what a lovely day.”
It’s not the first time that Kanye has exited social media. In May 2017 he deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts, but he returned 11 months later. He returned by writing philosophical posts like, “Often people working with the existing consciousness are jealous of those who are more in touch and they become hard-core capitalist in hopes of creating the illusion that the value of money is worth more than the value of time and friends.”
Who knows when the dad-of-three will return to social media this time – if at all. One person who doesn’t seem to be leaving the platforms though is his wife Kim Kardashian, 37. On the day her husband disappeared from Twitter, she was tweeting to her 59 million followers, promoting her new Facebook show, You Kiddin’ Me? At least one member of that household is going nowhere – for now, anyway!

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/kanye-west-deletes-his-twitter.html

The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths (Worldwide) led by Mr Kingsley Dozie has said they would only vote for candidates who would restructure and introduce policies that would improve lives of Nigerians.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osmond Nkeoma, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Dr Okey Nwachukwu and Deputy National Legal Adviser, Emeka Odom, said this in a statement in Owerri on Saturday.

The group, however, said that it was not a political party, but would not endorse any political party or candidate whose mandate would not be restructuring the country.

It said that the apex Igbo cultural group would only seek for and vote government that had policies and programmes that would better not only the lives of Nigerians, but the Ndigbo in particular.

The group called on the public to disregard “the vituperation from fictitious Ohanaeze youths backing the PDP and demanding for the position of vice president from the South East in the 2019 general elections.”

It alleged that the said youths were using the name of Ohanaeze youths for dubious endorsements ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“We did not have any meeting where we discussed on who should be given ticket or not.

“We ask the public to be weary of rumour mongers and dubious elements whose work is to use the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths to dupe, disorientate and endorse unsuspecting Nigerians.

”No meeting was held to discuss on the party vice presidential slot. These elements who parade themselves hide under the media to propagate lies against Igbo youths.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths will only vote a candidate who will guarantee Igbo’s welfare and restructure Nigeria and on the basis of personal conviction.

“We never sat to endorse any particular political party nor demand for the position of vice president for any candidate,” it said.

The group called on the public to ignore the position of any other group parading itself as Ohanaeze ndigbo youth group.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ohanaeze-youths-take-position-on-2019.html

The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo is the best polytechnic in Nigeria, according to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, at the end of the Second Regular Meeting of the NBTE Governing Board. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Modupe Adelabu.

Kazaure explained that the polytechnic emerged the best after scoring 85.08 per cent in the assessment of 112 federal, state and private polytechnics in the country, in the pilot ranking of Nigerian polytechnics.

He said that the exercise covered 2015/2016 and 206/2017 academic sessions.

He said that the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun came second with 73.08 per cent, while Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State came third with 72.31 per cent.

Other polytechnics in the top 10 included The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State, ranked fourth with 67.69 per cent; Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger, fifth, 65.38 per cent; and Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo, sixth, with 63.85 point.

Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Enugu State, seventh, with 62.31 per cent. Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Ondo State and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos State were ranked eighth with 60.77 per cent.

Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra was ranked 11th with 60.00 per cent and Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi, occupied the 12th position with 59.23 per cent.

The NBTE boss also said that when disaggregated by ownership, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede also emerged the best Federal Polytechnic in the country followed by Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Kaduna Polytechnic.

“The Polytechnic Ibadan, IMT and Rufus Giwa polytechnics were the highest ranked among state polytechnics, while Lagos City Polytechnic is the highest ranked private polytechnic and the 16th in the country.

“Dorben Polytechnic and Heritage Polytechnic were the second and third best private polytechnic in the country.

Kazaure explained that the polytechnics were ranked based on total number of programmes with full accreditation in the last two years and percentage of programmes with full accreditation.

“Other criteria include proportion of academic staff showing the right mix, that is, chief lecturer and principal lecturer down to assistant lecturer; and ability of institution to introduce programme in new and emerging fields.

“They were equally assessed based on capacity building of staff both within and outside Nigeria, teaching quality, including staff /student ratio and ratio of full-time to part-time staff.

“Other areas are availability of current Campus Master Plan, Strategic Plan, and Academic Brief; percentage of academic staff with relevant higher qualification and professional registration; and 70:30
technology-non-technology enrolment ratio.

“Another consideration was the incorporation of entrepreneurship education into the institute’s curriculum and fully established Entrepreneurship Development Centre,” he said.

He said other issues discussed by the board borders on quality assurance, accreditation, resource inspection visits and proliferation of illegal technical and health institutions in the country.

He said that 191 out of the 239 programmes in 41 polytechnics visited for accreditation between June and September 2018 were granted full accreditation while 48 got interim accreditation.

He also said that 117 programmes were scrutinised for resource inspection within the same period and 94 programmes were granted interim accreditation to commence operation, while 23 were denied.

“Four proposed private polytechnics were also visited for approval and licensing within the period under review and only one was recommended while three were asked to remedy some identified deficiencies.

“The governing board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria to reduce the burden of duplication of quality assurance visitation and accreditation activities.

“The board also agreed to hold meetings with relevant stakeholders to put an end to proliferation of illegal technical institutions and unapproved private health institutions operating in the county.

“The board particularly commended the effort of the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Dogo for expressing concern to the board on illegal health institutions operating in the state,” he said.

Kazaure added that the board equally frowned at the conversion of colleges of agriculture to polytechnics by some state governments and agreed to take necessary actions to put a stop to the development. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/federal-polytechnic-nekede-no1-in.html

The Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ has intercepted a bus carrying two big sacks containing military uniforms and boots along the Ijebu-Ode expressway.


The white Hiace bus which belongs to Chimezie Motors Nigeria Limited with registration number JJT 905 XB, was intercepted on Wednesday.

“This is national security. Though they are not much but the damage that will be done will be much, that is why we seized them,” Mohammed Aliyu, the unit boss, told journalists in Lagos Thursday.


Aliyu disclosed that his unit also seized 22 cars, including nine bulletproof cars.

He said the cars worth about N1.2 billion, were intercepted inside a bush in Idiroko axis of Ogun State while others were kept in hidden warehouses in Lagos.

“This is the second time I will be briefing the press since I was here. The first time, I told you how we seized contraband goods worth N1.5 billion within 2 weeks in office.


“Now, we have seized 22 cars which nine are bulletproof worth about N9.27million while other non-bulletproof worth N2.4 million.”

He said his officers intercepted 11,000 bags of 50 kilogrammes rice barely one month after it seized 3,000 bags.

“We seize bags of rice on daily basis. If you wait a bit, you will see my officers bring in seized bags of rice. Most times. They come in convoy and immediately they see our officers, some will escape while others arrested.”

Other seizures made include 25 litres of vegetable oil and 245 parcels of India hemp worth N19 million.

“We don’t have any arrested suspects. They ran away. If you are in the bush, they always come in twos-they and passenger”, he said.

“Immediately you flag them, they will know they are in danger. They will abandon the vehicle and run away. That is why we did not (make) any arrest.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/photos-customs-intercepts-military.html

Heavy crisis at Ekwulobia Township Stadium as APGA delegates vehemently resisted ant attempt to disenfranchise Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.


It is heavy right now.

Gunshots and teargas everywhere. There was also an attempt to disenfranchise the real APGA delegates with fake delegates who were driven to a hotel at Isuofia.

The fake delegates were to be imported into the venue but the resistance by the real APGA delegates has disrupted the event.

It is choas everywhere.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/apga-senatorial-primaries-delegates.html

Text of a speech by Vice President YEMI OSINBAJO at the Independence Day Dinner and Gala night held at the State House in Abuja on Monday

I am extremely pleased to be here to join you all at this special anniversary dinner. I also must thank you all very much for honouring our invitation to be here to celebrate our country, especially on this 58th anniversary of our Independence. I am 61 years old this year, and most of those six decades I have lived here in this country, here in Nigeria. So, I think I can say that I know Nigeria quite well.

A few years ago, a poll reported in The British Independent newspaper declared us the happiest people on earth. The same poll said that we were also amongst the most optimistic people on earth, despite everything that we’ve experienced as a nation. I agree with both assessments, in other words, that we are possibly one of the happiest in the world, but I must also add that we are by far the most humorous people on the face of the earth. Well, if you don’t agree with me, but I can tell you so many reasons why we are the most humorous.

A few months ago, an important Nigerian politician who was on his way to a trial in a court said he was abducted. And after he escaped from his abductors, he remained hiding on a tree for 11 hours. The most interesting part of that story is that many people online in particular, on the Internet, started to tell stories of different birds and how long those birds could remain perched on a tree. All these were the Nigerian contributions to that story.

Yet another very important politician insists, and still insists that the most important attribute for leadership is dancing, and boy could he dance! And for those who think that that is ridiculous at least 200,000 people voted for him in a particular election.


Wherever we are from, from whatever part of this great country that we are from, whether we are from the North, the South-South, the South East, West, wherever, we have the same DNA. We love our country and this may not always be obvious, but you try insulting Nigeria if you are a foreigner and you will see how fierce and angry our reaction can be. A Nigerian can say the same thing, but if you’re a foreigner, don’t try it.

When I served as Adviser to the Attorney General of the Federation between 1987 and 1992, I had a driver who was always broke. But he was always so optimistic. He had 14 children, while I, his boss, had only one child at the time. And I asked him, “Why do you just keep having so many children?” Of course he had more than one wife. He said to me in Yoruba “I don’t know which of them can become President of Nigeria. So, the more I have, the better my chances.” How optimistic can you be? Only a Nigerian can be that optimistic.

Wherever we are from, from whatever part of this great country that we are from, whether we are from the North, the South-South, the South East, West, wherever, we have the same DNA. We love our country and this may not always be obvious, but you try insulting Nigeria if you are a foreigner and you will see how fierce and angry our reaction can be. A Nigerian can say the same thing, but if you’re a foreigner, don’t try it.

We love our food, we love our clothes, we love our merrymaking. We love to be successful and we love success. We are resilient, we are fair minded. Nigerians always fight for the underdog, we believe in justice and the rule of law, even though our system still can do much better. But we are by far one of the smartest and, perhaps, the most talented people on earth. And I don’t say that lightly.


The reason why we are so optimistic is because we know that we are the best, we know we are going to excel, it may seem like it’s taking a while, and there are many problems, but every one of the over 1,000 days that I have been Vice President for, I grow stronger in my complete confidence that we are going to be the envy of the whole world in a few short years

In the US, Nigerians are the most educated ethnic group, not one of the most educated, but the most educated. Sixty per cent of Nigerians in the US, we are told, have college degrees. This is above the American average of 30%. And Nigerians in US are one of the highest income earners in the US, and I choose America as one example. Nigerians earn 25% more than the median US income.

The world’s fastest supercomputer was designed by a world-renowned inventor, Philip Emeagwali, a full-blown Nigerian. This means Nigeria has the patent for the world’s fastest computer. The wealthiest black African, a Nigerian. Isn’t that a good thing? We are also told that the wealthiest black woman in the world is also a Nigerian. Who knows who the next wealthiest African would be here or the next wealthiest African?

A Nigerian family, The Imafidons, who live in the UK, have been officially declared the smartest family in the UK, a family of about six children who have excelled in their academics in incredible ways. The designer of that famous car, Chevrolet Volt, is a guy called Jelani Aliyu, he now works for the Nigerian government; super talented Nigerian from Sokoto State. And for those who think that we are only giants in technology and business, Anthony Joshua is the world’s best heavyweight boxer, for those who watch boxing.

Everybody is dancing to Nigerian music, and our traditional attires, especially our women attires and headgears have conquered Africa. Even our male attire, there’s just something about the Nigerian swag. Whether they like it or not, we Nigerians are just exceptional, we are just different. Anywhere you go, you know a Nigerian, don’t you recognise a Nigerian when you see one? You can just tell. If you see anyone reading a book on How to become self-confident, know that he is not a Nigerian, we are born self-confident.

The reason why we are so optimistic is because we know that we are the best, we know we are going to excel, it may seem like it’s taking a while, and there are many problems, but every one of the over 1,000 days that I have been Vice President for, I grow stronger in my complete confidence that we are going to be the envy of the whole world in a few short years. Well, you might say that that is optimistic, why not, I am a Nigerian.

Happy Independence Day. God bless you all.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/world-will-envy-nigeria-soon-osinbajo.html

Hopes have been reignited that a 40-year treaty signed 17 years ago for a Joint Development Zone (JDZ) between Nigeria, and Sao Tome & Principe, may become economically viable going by the level of renewed efforts by the countries.

Such efforts will lead to further review of the commercial viability of over 500 million barrels of crude oil reserves stranded in the region.Although most of the International Oil Companies (IOCs) that pushed for drilling rights in the region left at some point, are now showing interest in returning to the zone, according to top management staff Joint Development Authority (JDA), who craved anonymity.

The JDZ, an area in the region of the Nigeria – São Tomé and Príncipe boundary, considered to be rich in oil and gas reserves came into force in 2001, with a treaty to make both countries explore the resources in the zone without interfering with the maritime territory of each other. The Nigeria – São Tomé and Príncipe Joint Development Authority (JDA) is an organisation established by the treaty to regulate activities in the zone.Nigeria had sent a delegation to Sai Tome & Principe earlier in the year, to discuss among other issues, the need to strengthen the relationship.

The source told The Guardian that the level of interest shown by the two countries, which included a visit of the Prime Minister of Sai Tome and Principe to Nigeria recently, were indications of readiness to revive the partnership.Similarly, the source disclosed that the organisation has been restructured with new workforce, and have gathered new data on the viability of the oil deposits in the region.

This discovery, the source noted, could bring back Total, Chevron, Sinopec, Addax, ExxoMobil, who had pulled out of the zone on the claims that it is difficult to drill there, and that the oil has no commercial value after drilling some wells.

“There is a lot of renewed interest by the oil majors in the zone. Some of the data we have now, we do not have it in the past. Also, they now have the equipment they didn’t have in past for deep offshore drilling,” the source said.

Furthermore, difficulties in exploring at the zone was not the only the reason that led to the pull-out of the oil majors, he said, adding that international politics as well as the oil market realities of the time created unfavourable situation for the investors. The source debunked allegations that the organisation was running on a budget of about $12 million despite not being productive for the past 17 years.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/optimism-greets-nigeria-sai-tome.html

In a statement issued by the Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day on Monday, the government congratulated Nigeria and its people on the nation’s independence anniversary.

Pompeo said: “I would like to convey warm wishes to the government and people of Nigeria on the 58th anniversary of your independence. Nigeria remains a key partner and friend of the United States.


“Through its strengthening democracy, its dynamic economy and the great entrepreneurial spirit of its people, Nigeria is a leader in the region and beyond.

“We count on Nigeria to continue its leadership through free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in 2019.

“The United States offers our continuous support to Nigeria in its efforts to expand trade and investment, counter-terrorism, ensure regional stability and tackle corruption.

“As you celebrate the anniversary of your independence, please know that the people of the United States celebrate with you.”

Nigeria, a former British colony, gained Independence on Oct. 1, 1960.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/nigeria-is-leader-friend-key-partner-us.html

Kums Shedrach, a 300level student of the University of Jos, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen at the University of Jos Student Village hostel.

Shedrach was killed with many others in a fresh wave of violence that engulfed the state Capital on Sunday afternoon and evening.

Shedrach's killing came a day after a put out a strong status update on Facebook saying anyone still praying for peace in Plateau would be disappointed.In the post, he called for a "balance of terror", even proclaiming: "If I die in the struggle, so be it. Plateau has seen so much of this nonsense!"

Undie Udie, the Plateau State Police commissioner, confirmed the attack, calling for restraint on both sides.

He urged residents of Students Village, Bauchi road, Angwan Rukuba and Rikkos areas to remain indoors while rescue operations continue.

The death toll could not be ascertained as the time of filing this report, as heavy gunshots were still being reported all around the city centre.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/unijos-student-killed-24-hours-after.html

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State will on Tuesday (tomorrow) play host to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who will be visiting Enugu for the 19th edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Clinic, billed to hold at the Michael Okpara, Square, Enugu.

The National MSME Clinic is a brain-child of the Vice President’s Office in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Commerce, and other federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) responsible for business facilitation. It is aimed at providing solutions to various challenges affecting the growth and development of MSMEs, which account for 99 percent of businesses in the country, in order to accelerate their ease of doing businesses with the Federal Government’s regulatory agencies.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on SME and Investment Promotion, Mr. Anayo Agu, the state is ready and anxiously waiting to receive the Vice President for the “all-important event”, which he said was germane to the efforts of the state government in promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance, human capital empowerment and investment development, among others.


Agu disclosed that the Enugu edition of the programme also “offers Enugu State Government the opportunity to underscore the progress recorded in entrepreneurship and MSME development through the Enugu SME Center; the state’s Ease of Doing Business Council; the state’s Traders Empowerment Programme; state’s partnership programmes with the federal government on social investments.

These programmes, according to him, include, the Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme (GEEP) known as Market Moni, the school feeding programme, N-Power and the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) aimed at lifting targeted families out of extreme poverty.

The Special Adviser disclosed that “Enugu State is one of very few states in Nigeria where residents have equal access to all the state’s MSME programmes including funding, regardless of state of origin, religion, ethnicity or political interests”.

He explained that the state government’s collaboration with the federal government and other stakeholders was borne out of the noble vision to assist them have a better understanding of local business needs as well as appreciate some peculiar challenges facing MSMEs in their respective business ecosystems, stressing that “Gov. Ugwuanyi is committed to the partnership and successful hosting of the event in Enugu”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ugwuanyi-hosts-osinbajo-on.html

With the recent takeover of Skye Bank Plc by Polaris Bank, following the inability of the owners of the bank to shore up the capital of the distressed bank, shareholders are now at the risk of losing an estimated N10.69 billion, being the value of the shareholders’ fund.

The shareholders, who spoke in an interview with The Guardian, amid lamentations, noted that while retail investors were still grappling with N83 billion loss of investment occasioned by the sale of the three nationalised banks- Keystone Bank Limited; Mainstreet Bank; and Enterprise Bank, they are currently faced with another dilemma arising from the sale of the Skye Bank.

According to them, one of the reasons why retail investors had shown apathy to the Nigerian stock market since the meltdown in 2009, was because of the issue of nationalised banks.

They bemoaned the failure of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to protect the interest of investors, noting that this is a disincentive to market growth.

The shareholders also blamed the former directors of the banks on the current predicaments, insisting that they fail to carry them along even when it became obvious that the bank needed to be recapitalised.

For instance, the Former Secretary General of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Adebayo Adeleke, lamented that since Skye Bank is no more in existence, it means the N10.69 billion shareholders’ fund has also gone.

He pointed out that capital market regulators may find it difficult to attract more investment with the loss of such huge amount of money.

“The regulators have specific responsibilities giving to them by the act that establishes them, CBN protects the interest of the depositors, NDIC insures the securities of the deposit, AMCON is the midwife, to get the get the banking industry out of this toxic asset.

“We have SEC, whose statutory duty is to protect the interest of the investors.


While all these regulators have played their part, you will find out that it is only SEC that did not do anything at all.

“Unfortunately, Skye Bank had its own problem, but the management put in place by CBN in the past two years, with no annual report, no yearly general meeting, should explain at what point they really asked shareholders to recapitalise the bank and the shareholders said no,” he queried.

The President, Proactive Shareholders Association, Taiwo Oderinde, said: “The issue of Skye Bank’s takeover is not acceptable by our group at all.

It is a daylight robbery and a rape on our capital market and investment. The management and Board of Directors have been managing the bank for two years and they cannot come and be talking of takeover of our bank. God willing, we will challenge it in court.”

The Founder of Noble Shareholders Association, Gbadebo Olatokunbo, said: “These are the things that are discouraging local investors.

CBN should hold the directors of the bank responsible and should not allow shareholders to suffer the way they did when the three banks were nationalised.

“It is a big disappointment and I am just going through my holdings to know how much I have there. The directors of the bank must be made to pay for this.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/shareholders-may-lose-over-n10-billion.html

A Second Republic House of Representatives member, Senator Roland Owie, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari will surely reap what he is sowing in this country.


Owie, who was a Senator under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and now ADP national leader, also berated the National Assembly for allowing President Buhari to remain in power till now.

The National Leader of the Action Democratic Party, ADP, said that President Buhari has committed a lot of impeachable offences.


Owie made the claim when he entertained questions from journalists on national issues as Nigeria celebrates its 58 years of independence.

He said, “Under normal circumstances, if the National Assembly was ready, by now, Buhari would have been impeached for irresponsibility and disruption of the system.

“He has committed a lot of impeachable offences and that same man will sit down with his own party and think he still wants to govern. The truth is what is not of God cannot succeed.


“Nigeria belongs to God and God will ensure that He cleans the country and those who are resisting, God will take them away.

“The truth is that if what Buhari is sowing is of God, he will reap it; if it is not of God, he will reap it.

” A responsible Nigerian cannot say that he is now higher than the law.

“After that statement, I realised that Buhari was back to 1983 when he was jailing former governors for 300 years and at the same time, he was allowing an Emir to come into the country with bags of millions of dollars; himself and the late Idiagbon decreed that people of certain age should not go for hajj and that same evening, their underage children went to Saudi Arabia.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-at-58-you-will-reap-what-you.html

Put on your dance shoes as Subject recruits Paul Okoye of the Defunct P Square Rudeboy for new song titled ”Energy”.



Click here to download https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/music-subject-energy.html

Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication, has said it would be his pleasure to participate in the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC).

The minister, who was recently screened out of participation in the governorship primary of the party, for not participating in the NYSC scheme, had earlier insisted that he didn't need the certificate since he had done "higher service" in the Oyo State House of Assembly.However, on the programme, State Affairs, which was a interview by Edmund Obilo, recorded on Tuesday, Shittu said he would be willing to participate in the scheme.

Asked if he would be ready to participate in the NYSC scheme, he said: "Of course, I would go. It would be a pleasant thing to go. After I'm a governor by the grace of God."

He also said he would be ready to serve wherever he was posted, stating that "I'll serve in any place, if it becomes necessary for me to go."

When asked if he would still participate in the NYSC scheme, even if he doesn't become governor, he said: "If it becomes necessary, I will. Courts would have to decide whether serving in the House of Assembly and being minister is not superior and does not replace service in the NYSC."

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/adebayo-shittu-backtracks-says-itll-be.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolences to the Nigerian Air Force, following the death of an Air Force pilot, Bello Mohammed Baba-Ari, who was involved in a crash in Abuja on Saturday.

This was contained in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.

Baba-Ari was the pilot involved in the F-7Ni aircraft crash in Katamkpe Hills, Abuja on Friday.

Although he made it out of the aircraft, he later died from injuries sustained during the crash.

The president also wished the two other officers who sustained injuries in the crash quick recovery.

He extolled the virtues of the dead pilot, saying he laid down his life in the service of his fatherland at a time that patriotic citizens were needed to join hands to move the nation forward.

He stated that, having paid the supreme sacrifice, the nation would not forget him and prayed that God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest. He also assured family members that the country will not abandon them.

Representatives of the president also visited the two other officers, Squadron Leader Abatuba and Flight Lieutenant Ambi in the hospital, and conveyed the president's good wishes to them.

Buhari wished them quick recovery, assuring them the hearts of Nigerians are with them and are praying for them as they make a quick return to good health.

He assured Nigerians that the country will do whatever it takes to ensure that they are back on their feet in excellent state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-will-not-forget-late-pilot.html

Anambra and Enugu States have unanimously agreed to sheath the sword and do their boundary demarcation as decided by the two sister States.

A meeting between the two Deputy Governors including Dr. Nkem Okeke and Barrister Cecilia Ezeilo who are the Chairmen of their State Boundary Committee held yesterday.

Boundary Stakeholders in the two States and the federal government, attended the event held at the Enugu State Government House, Enugu.

Deputy Governor Okeke who reiterated that the National Boundary Commission does not establish demarcation to cause enmity among communities, but to foster developments in the individual Communities.

Dr Okeke further stressed the impressiveness of such Boundary meetings as it will lead to peaceful resolutions.

The Enugu State Deputy Governor, Barrister Ezeilo commended the National Boundary Commission, office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and members of the Boundary Committee of both States, for their relentless efforts geared towards definition, determination and demarcation of all interstates boundaries.

Barrister Ezeilo expressed optimism that the meeting will be effective to resolve all boundary disputes affecting Anambra and Enugu States.

The Director General of National Boundary Commission, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed represented by the Director, interstate Boundary, Mr Adamu Adaji said that so much efforts have been made to solve the boundary dispute between the two sister States, adding that demarcation exercise by the commission is to ensure unity between communities and States To Help them determine the limit of each road project they undertake.

Copies d communique was exchanged between the two states deputy governors, while the Traditional Ruler of Ibite-Olo and his local government chairman, the Traditional Ruler of Ifitedunu, among others, witnessed the occasion.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/anambraenugu-meet-over-boundary-dispute.html

Frontline governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has threatened to boycott the primaries of the party scheduled this Saturday if the party fails to adopt direct primaries as earlier advocated by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.

Abe, issued the threat while speaking at a mega rally organised by the APC in Rivers South-East senatorial district in Wiiyakara community, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The APC governorship hopeful also threatened that he would not accept the result of the primaries if a candidate emerges through indirect process.


Abe, who is the senator representing Rivers South-East district in the National Assembly, urged the party’s national leadership to reverse itself and conduct direct primaries in the state.

He said: “It is bad that we continue to worship individuals when we want change. It is clear that they are doing what they are doing because somebody has been appointed a DG (Director-General).

“If they are doing this to please one person, then the party will not move forward. If the primaries in Rivers is not through direct primaries I will not take part and I will not accept the result.

“If we continue to be a nation where individual are better than our institutions then something is wrong.

“When we were fighting former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Amaechi called me that I should lead the party in the state. I did but when I want to pursue my ambition he turned me down. I am the leader of APC in my senatorial district but I do not have a ward Chairman,” Abe lamented.

Abe told the committee that will organise the party’s primaries to remove his name from the list of aspirants if they are bent on indirect primaries.

“Today, I stand here to assure you that nobody is bigger than all of us. It is the responsibility of the party to bring a better ground for all the aspirants

“I hereby serve them a notice that they should remove my name from the list of the contestants. I will not participate in a process that has already been determined.

“I will not be part of a coronation that the king will not be crowned. They have gone to the national that they will send me home. Every campaign of hate must stop, Rivers must move forward,” Abe stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/abe-threatens-to-boycott-apc-primaries.html

The Governor Samuel Ortom-led Benue State Government has dragged Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and two commercial banks before the Federal High Court, Makurdi, the state capital over the recent freezing of its accounts.


The banks are United Bank for Africa, UBA, and Fidelity Bank.

The state government through the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is demanding that the court declares that the EFCC acted against the law when it directed the banks to freeze its accounts.


The State Government is also praying the court to make a declaration that by freezing the said accounts, EFCC denied the government the right to operate and transact on the affected accounts.

The suit also seeks the verdict of the court to the effect that a state government’s account maintained with any bank or financial institution in Nigeria does not fall within the class of bank accounts liable to be frozen by EFCC.

Another relief sought by the Benue State Government is an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC or its agents from freezing accounts held in UBA and Fidelity Bank or any other bank. The State Government is also demanding N30,000,000,000 from the defendants as damages suffered during the periods the accounts were frozen.


The case comes up on October 8 this year for hearing.

It will be recalled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on the 7th of August, 2018, ordered the freezing of Benue State Government’s accounts in UBA and Fidelity banks; a decision that adversely affected government business for some days.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/benue-government-drags-efcc-uba_71.html

The Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Olusegun Agbaje, has assured the electorate, voting at the state re-run election, of adequate security as voting process commences on Thursday.

Agbaje gave the assurance when he visited the polling unit at Ward 5, Unit 17, on Adewale Street, Alekuwodo Area in Osogbo.

He said INEC and the ad hoc staff were ready to conduct the election and that “the deployment of heavy security is an assurance that nobody or individuals can distrupt the process.

“INEC staff and ad hoc staff are prepared for the election and we have heavy security presence which will gurantee the safety of everyone.

“Anybody coming to snatch ballot boxes is putting his or life in danger.

“Party agents should conduct themselves in an orderly manner, while the electorate should remain peaceful.”

Agbaje equally charged corps members serving at polling units to take their time and make sure they verify voter cards very well before they allow them to vote.

He said “election should close by exactly 2 p.m. because of the limited units and voters”, saying he was optimistic the election would run smoothly.

Mr Emmanuel Attah, the State Cordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Osun, said INEC had assured him of the safety of corps members that would be participating in the re-run election.

Attah said that the NYSC and corps members were apolitical and that they would carry out their task without fear or favour.

“I came to check how my children (corps members) are doing and know if they are properly taken care of.

“I am happy about how the whole election process is going and I wish the parties involved the best of luck.

“NYSC is apolitical and the corps members serving as INEC ad hoc staff are doing their duties without favour to any party.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/osun-re-run-ballot-box-snatching.html

Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba yesterday alleged a major breach and threat to his private security after two persons were arrested in connection with a drone deployed discreetly to monitor activities in his Abeokuta residence in Ogun State.

Osoba, Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution Drafting Committee, equally demanded thorough investigation into the deployment of the drone after the suspects were handed over to an arm of government agencies for investigation.
This was contained in a statement Osoba’s long-time political associate and a lawmaker in the seventh House of Representatives, Hon. Adekunle Adeyemi issued yesterday on his behalf.


In the one-page statement, Osoba lamented that the political climate of Ogun State had taken a dangerous dimension, which according to him, had triggered a major beach and threat to his personal security.

The statement, which the former governor personally sent to THISDAY, chronicled series of breach and threat to his private security, including an incident that occured yesterday and called on the security agencies to unravel the motive of those behind the plot.
Specifically, on Tuesday (yesterday) afternoon, the statement explained that two persons – a lady and a young man – were caught using drone to monitor activities in Osoba’s expansive compound in Abeokuta.

The statement added that the security staff of Osoba were able “to bring down the drone and got operators of the drone arrested. Neither of the arrested youngsters were able to give coherent explanation to Osoba’s security staff.
“Osoba arrived at Abeokuta from the United Kingdom early in the morning on Tuesday to prepare for a private meeting where the peaceful conduct of the presidential party primary scheduled to hold on Friday will be discussed.”

The statement added that the incident was another in series of breach of Osoba’s private security, a situation it described as disturbing and worrisome citing the recurrence of security breach of and threat to his private security. Few years ago, according to the statement, unknown people invaded part of the compound and buried armoured cable in a most professional manner.

The statement noted that two bungalows within the premises “were vandalised by unknown hoodlums. Another breach was when insultive and abusive graffiti were written around the fence of Chief Osoba’s house, not too long ago.”
With these series of security breach and threat, Osoba said those behind the latest action had been handed over to an arm of government agencies for investigation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/osoba-alleges-threat-to-his-security.html

A motorcyclist and his passenger were on Monday crushed to death in an accident involving a truck and a motorcycle on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

My Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), who confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta, said the incident happened close to a Connoil filling station on the highway.

Akinbiyi said that the accident, which occurred at about 6:20 p.m., was as a result of excessive speed and loss of control on the part of the driver of the truck with registration number JJJ 472 XP.

“The truck had hit the motorcycle with no registration number from the back, killing the motorcyclist and his passenger on the spot,” he said.

Akinbiyi added that the truck driver survived the accident while the corpses of the deceased were deposited at the morgue of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

“TRACE is using this opportunity again to admonish drivers, particularly drivers of articulated vehicles, to avoid excessive speed and give consideration to other road users for the safety of all,” he said.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/truck-crushes-motorcyclist-passenger-on.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate in the inconclusive governorship election in Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has thanked electorate in the state for their kind support in Saturday’s governorship poll.

Adeleke led the race with 254,698 votes, 353 votes more than that of Gboyega Oyetola of the APC.

The margin was, however, less than the 3,498 votes in the polling units where voting were cancelled.


Consequently, the Returning Officer for the election, Professor Joseph Afuape, declared the poll inconclusive.
But, Adeleke in a statement he personally signed on Sunday; said he was honoured to have won considerable votes across all local governments of the state despite the “blackmail” during electioneering campaign.
He, however, appealed to the people to rededicate themselves to the ‘struggle, adding that ‘the tyrants can be forced to submit to the will of the people.

The statement reads, “I sent my appreciation through this medium to Osun voters who find me worthy of their votes. Your votes humbled me and further strengthen my resolve to truly serve our people.
“Despite all the blackmails and persecution, you stand by me, you voted for me and you defended your votes. You adopted me as the rallying point of the redemption movement. Words cannot express the depth of my appreciation.
“We will get to the promised land. It started well and it will end in praise to our dear God. Let us rededicate ourselves to the struggle. You have proved that with determination, the most powerful tyrant can be forced to submit to the will of the people. I appreciate you all.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/osun-decides-adeleke-finally-breaks.html

The Search and Rescue Team of the Nigeria Army has vowed to find the body of missing Major-General Muhammad Idris Alkali, who was declared missing on September 3, 2018.

This was revealed after Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General Augustine Agundu, visited the pond where the general’s body and car may have been dumped.

Spokesman of the Special Task Force (STF), Major Adam Umar, told The Guardian that the team had started draining the water where his body might have been dumped.


“On Sunday, September 2, 2018 youth in the area protested the killing of their kinsmen and possibly the missing general could have been among the victims and we suspect that his body could be in the water.

“Although we are not sure where his body could have been dumped, we strongly suspect that he could be one of those thrown inside the pond. But as I speak, the draining of the water is still ongoing,” he said.

But a source said at the weekend that Alkali may have been killed together with the 11 people who were murdered on September 2, 2018 by unknown gunmen after which the youths protested and barricaded the road at Lopandet Dwei Community in Du District of Jos South Local Council of Plateau State.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/rescue-team-vows-to-find-body-of.html

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has pledged to pay the new minimum wage that is agreed upon by the tripartite committee constituted by the Federal Government

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jigawa chapter, Malam Usman Ya’u made the disclosure in Dutse on Sunday.

Ya’u said that in spite of the impasse in the committee’s meeting that led to the national leadership of the NLC giving a 14-day ultimatum which started on Sept. 12, to the tripartite committee to finish its assignment and announce a new minimum wage.

“I am, however, glad to assure the workers in Jigawa that the state government, led by Gov. Muhammadu Badaru, has expressed readiness to pay whatever is agreed upon by the committee,’’ he said.

The chairman said that labour was not happy with the delay on the issue of new minimum wage, particularly since the tripartite committee was set up in 2017 and held the public hearings in the six geo-political zones.
Ya’u said that in view of the ultimatum by labour to government, Jigawa Council of NLC will on Sept. 24 hold its executive council meeting to deliberate on the directives from the National Secretariat and other issues affecting workers.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/new-minimum-wage-jigawa-government.html

non-governmental organisation, ‘I Am Change’ Humanitarian Organisation, has trained about 64 youths on vocational skills and information and communication technology in Sokoto State.

The youths, aged between 18 and 25 years old, were selected from the Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic, Sokoto state and trained on computer skills and solar power installations during the programme.


At the training programme, the Executive Director of the organisation, Hajia Hafsat Umaru Shinkafi, said the training was in partnership with Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

She said the programme was in fulfillment of the organisation’s core objectives to provide policy support, advocacy and develop programs in support of youths and vulnerable citizens of the country.

Hafsat described the vocational skills being imparted on the youths as the most sought after job skills which are needed in any community, calling on the youths to utilise the skills acquired in order to improve their lives.

The executive director said the training programme “is an opportunity for you to be self-reliant and also become useful members of the society.”

In his remarks, Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr. Bello Kware commended the organisation for ts efforts in training youths in the state to be
self-reliant.

“This is a laudable initiative because there is no lasting gift to give a youth other than that of education. This administration had embarked on youth development programmes within the last three years especially in the education sector and training of civil servants through computer skills,” Kware explained.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ngo-ahmadu-bello-foundation-train-64.html

Except for its indefinite suspension last Wednesday, the national carrier, Nigeria Air, was to cost Nigeria at least N180b yearly for the next 10 years, operators have said.

Local airlines operators, who are privy to the actual business design, as well as, the cost implications said the financial commitment, weaved into the five per cent equity, was mandatory to keep the airline up and running.Even though the Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika did not give reasons for the suspension of the airline, which he earlier said would takeoff on December 24, 2018, The Guardian’s investigation showed that the development was not unconnected with investors’ apathy, ownership structure and funding issues.

It was further learnt that the huge financial request forced the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) to drop Nigeria Air off the priority list, since it was not budgeted for anywhere.While the operators described the indefinite suspension of the launch as a step in the right direction, sources hinted that over a billion naira had been sunk into the business case design, work by the transaction advisory team in the last two years, and unveiling of the logo in London recently.

According to the Chairman of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Capt. Nogie Meggison, setting up an airline requires huge capital investment and that explains why national carriers are no long fashionable around the world. Meggison said it was in this light that AON continued to call for a rethink, especially given the tough economic situation in the country and the fact that “it is a moribund idea”

Meggison said: “Setting up of National Carrier will cost Nigeria at least N1.08t ($3b). A single Boeing 777 as of today costs about N115.2b ($320m).“Is it wise and should it be our priority as a nation to take $3b from our coffers today and put into a venture that will for sure go down the drain within a maximum of five years it will take to establish a national carrier?

Also, bear in mind that the national carrier will need an additional cash injection of N180bn ($500m) subsidy per year on average for the next 10 years to keep the airline afloat, while about 97 per cent of the 200 million Nigerian masses today are grappling for the basic necessities of life; food, shelter, electricity, water, education and good roads,” he said.

Sharing AON’s view that owning a national airline because of national pride is out of vogue because it is capital intensive is Chief Executive Officer of Topbrass Aviation Services, Capt. Roland Iyayi. Iyayi said: “Just recently, the South African government had to inject $2m into the South African Airways, but how many times will a government be bailing out a national airline? There was a time Alitalia was bailed out by the Italian government, and when it found out that it was no longer tenable, it turned to privatisation.

“I am a businessman. If I have already lost $5m and I see that my continued exposure to the same enterprise would amount to $100m loss, I would choose, which of the two options is cheaper for me. And that will be $5. Meaning that no matter how much the government has expended now, it will be pittance to what it will lose in the long term. For me, I would stop now instead of doing something that is not sustainable.”

The Federal Government in July unveiled the name and logo of the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, at the Farnborough International Public Airshow in London. As contained in the Outline Business Case (OBC) approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and disclosed to the public, the airline is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project, with 95 per cent share pushed to investors while the government will own the rest.To get the new national carrier start off, the government will be injecting N3.168b ($8.8m) as the startup capital. It was learnt that the N3.2b is part-payment for the government’s five per cent equity in the investment, whose takeoff fund in the next three years of operation has been put at N108b ($300m).

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-air-to-cost-nation-n180b-yearly.html