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Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice-President and presidential aspirant seeking to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says only “immoral leaders” would prioritise politics over the country’s fiscal future.

He stated this in response to a post on Nigeria's 2017 earnings from oil, to which he highlighted ways he intends to develop the economy if elected President.

Atiku, who once served as Vice-President of Nigeria for eight years, went ahead to allude to the “failure” of the economic policies of the present administration.

A tweet via his handle read: “What is obvious is that Nigeria is in a dire fiscal condition, but the FG is quiet about it, because to admit this would be to also admit their economic policies have failed.
“Only immoral leaders would put politics ahead of Nigeria’s fiscal future. One of my first tasks as president would be to reintroduce transparency into the management of our nation’s economy.
“Having set the standard for focal transparency as VP and head of economic council, I know this is critical for turning our economic fortunes.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/only-immoral-leaders-would-put-politics.html

A former Minister of Aviation and senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, has left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) just three months after joining the party.
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However, she has announced a return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party she left in June, saying she was wrong to think APGA had ideological leanings to Igboland.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/breaking-i-thought-they-had-ideology.html

Alcohol is responsible for the death of around 3 million people per year, according to a new report by the World Health Organization.

The UN health agency’s latest report on alcohol and health pointed out that alcohol causes more than one in 20 deaths globally each year, including drink driving, alcohol-induced violence and abuse and a multitude of diseases and disorders.

The report, which comes out every four years, shows that about 2.3 million of those deaths in 2016 were among men, and that almost 29% of all alcohol-caused deaths were down to injuries – including traffic accidents and suicide.

The report reveals the continued impact of alcohol on public health around the world, and highlights that the young bear the brunt: 13.5% of deaths among people in their 20s are linked to booze, with alcohol responsible for 7.2% of premature deaths overall.

It also indicates that harms from drinking are greater among among poorer consumers than wealthier ones.
The agency alcohol control expert Dr Vladimir Poznyak, who was involved in the report, said the health burden of alcohol is “unacceptably large”.
Though 95% of countries impose taxes on alcohol, the World Health Organization expects more actions to be undertaken by countries, adding that fewer than half of them use other price strategies such as banning below-cost selling or volume discounts.
“Governments need to do more to meet the global targets and to reduce the burden of alcohol on societies; this is clear, and this action is either absent or not sufficient in most of the countries of the world,” said Poznyak.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/alcohol-kills-over-3-million-people.html

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has assured Nigerians that he will back the much sought after restructuring by a segment of Nigerians if elected the president of the country in 2019.

Tambuwal said that the presidency remains the symbol of the country, adding that he won’t fan the ember of ethnicity or exhibit those tendencies that would make Nigerians perceive him as a sectional leader, as being allegedly experienced under President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

Tambuwal, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday while meeting with PDP delegates in advancement of his aspiration, said he decided to contest the 2019 presidency having realised the lopsidedness in President Buhari’s government in terms of poor performance and failure of governance.

He said he had ruminated on the cost of being a president of a complex nation like Nigeria and was determined to offer dynamic leadership that would unify Nigeria and make it a potent force that would be recognised globally.

The Sokoto State Governor urged the PDP members not to waver in spite of alleged oppression and humiliation being meted to some of their leaders by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

The PDP presidential aspirant said: “The focus of every Nigerian in 2019 is to vote for a president that is pan-Nigerian. A man who is not an ethnic jingoist or religious bigot.

“We are all aware that the present government is desperate to perpetuate itself in power. They are ready to do those things outside the laws of the land to remain in power. That was why they have been harassing leaders like Governor Ayodele Fayose.

“You must try and give the PDP flag to someone who believes in the unification of this country, Someone who has traversed the length and breadth of this nation. Someone who has moved from Maiduguri to Lagos, from Port Harcourt to Sokoto and from the East to the extreme North as a private person.

“As the former Deputy Minority Whip, Minority Leader and Speaker in the House of Representatives, I have an idea about the geographical configuration of this nation, so I am in good position to respect individual rights.

“I will not be that president that will shut the doors against restructuring, I will even facilitate debate that will quickly enhance true and proper fiscal federalism. As a leader, it is not good for you to impose your will on the people, you must allow diverse opinions based on our religious and ethnic diversity.


“As a president, I will respect the rule of law. I won’t be a president that would say national security is higher than the rights of individuals. I will ensure we have peace across the nation through enhanced technology to build security architecture that will protect Nigerians.”

He urged the members of the party to be resolute in spite of the alleged intimidation of members using the state apparatuses, saying: “We need a courageous PDP to take over power in 2019.

“I thank Governor Fayose for his resilience and leadership because if not for people like him, the PDP would not have been where it is today. Governor Fayose has fought hard to reposition the party in Ekiti and at the national level.”

Also speaking at the event, Ekiti State Governor Fayose described the APC-led federal government as a ‘monster’ that was only allegedly interested in oppressing people with power, rather than transforming their lives.

The governor lambasted the federal government for allegedly excluding Ekiti from benefiting from the N2.5 million budget support and N11 billion Paris Club refunds released to some states recently, alluding to such as anti-democratic and against the principles of federation.

He urged the Sokoto State governor and presidential aspirant to campaign for the PDP the way he did in 2015 for President Buhari.

ayose said: “You (Tambuwal) were one of those who repackaged President Buhari in 2015 and ensured he won the presidential election. You must make sure you do same in the 2019 election.

“Everyone knows that we need a youthful president with energy. Someone who can see Nigeria as one indivisible entity, not a tribalist and religious bigot. The treasure of any man is his vitality, which would make him work harder to deliver his people from poverty.

“Look at what they did now, they excluded Ekiti from N11.6 billion Paris Club and N2.5 billion budget support fund I would have used to pay the backlog of salaries.

“I want to appeal to all workers to ensure that the money is not diverted. They should ensure that it was used to pay their salaries the way I would have loved to do.

“So, in selecting the presidential candidate for our party, Ekiti delegates will vote wisely. We will vote for a president we can trust and the one that will see all Nigerians as one,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/aminu-tambuwal-i-will-back.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State governorship aspirant, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday confirmed that he has the support of the 57 local government chairmen.

He, however, refuted speculations that they were doing so for monetary gains.

The former commissioner is being backed by the Mandate Movement, a group loyal to APC national leader, Bola Tinubu, who had allegedly endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu to succeed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.


A statement by the Media Director of Babajide Sanwo-Olu Campaign Organisation (BOSCO), Olusesan Daini, said it welcomed various endorsements and support with excitement.

The statement said: “We are reading all sorts of lies, distortions of facts and some falsehood posts on social media aimed at disparaging our movement and our leader.

“But we have decided not to respond to them because most of the posts are without authors. Rather than dissipate energy on all that, we have concentrated work on mobilising our base and preparing everyone for the election.


“Some party leaders who have openly identified with Mr. Sanwo-Olu include former minister and notable politicians, Mr. Ademola Seriki, Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East Senatorial District), former House of Representatives member Monsuru Owolabi (Bertola) and several current House of Representatives members; a one-time Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, frontline politician Mr. Shakirudeen Sola Giwa, Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku (Baba Eto) among others.

“We expressed joy and excitement at the outpouring of love from Lagosians, particularly the torrent of endorsements from various political and socio-economic groups across the state and several Lagosians living in the Diaspora. It is a confirmation that the people of Lagos are fully in support of my aspiration to administer the state as governor.”

“Apart from Conference 57, which listed the sterling qualities of the aspirant and stood behind him from the beginning, many other political associations and groups have come out to declare their support for him ahead of the party primary elections.

“We have received calls from hundreds of notable politicians from across Lagos State, declaring their love for the choice of Sanwo-Olu. Some have actually written us letters to pledge their support and to endorse our man. Just yesterday (Wednesday), the Private Sector Participants (PSP) operators in Lagos issued a statement to applaud the choice of Sanwo-Olu, whom many have described as a great administrator, a listening leader and a man of character.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/why-57-lg-chairmen-in-lagos-are-behind.html

Again, the bears regained dominance at the end of transactions yesterday on the equity sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), following price losses incurred by most blue chip companies, forcing the All-share index to drop marginally by 0.02 per cent.

Yesterday, the ASI shed 5.88 absolute points or 0.02 per cent to close at 32,375.12 points. Also, the market capitalisation declined by N3 billion to close at N11.819 trillion.Analysts had predicted negative outlook for the market owing to the absence of a near term positive catalyst even as foreign investors’ response to political risk lingers.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited, said: “We continue to observe improving sentiment in the market, which we opine results from investors positioning in fundamentally sound stocks.


“Despite the negative performance yesterday, we expect the performance of the market to be uplifted by close of the week on bargain hunting activities.” Also, APT Securities and Funds Limited, said: “The market shuffles in between sell-offs and mild bargain hunting as outlook remains negative in the near term. We therefore maintain cautious stand point as foreign investors’ response to political risk lingers.”
The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; International Breweries, PZ Cussons Nigeria, FBN Holdings, AXA Mansard and United Bank for Africa (UBA).However, market breadth closed positive, with 24 gainers versus 13 losers. Forte Oil recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N22, while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), followed with a gain of 9.73 per cent to close at N24.80, per share.
Regency Alliance Insurance and Sovereign Trust Insurance gained 9.09 per cent to close at 24 kobo each, while Prestige Assurance appreciated by 8.77 per cent to close at 62 kobo per share.On the other hand, AXA Mansard led the losers’ chart by 9.65 per cent to close at N2.06, while Capital Oil trailed at a loss of eight per cent to close at 23 kobo per share.
PZ Cussons Nigeria depreciated 7.41 per cent to close at N12.50, while Consolidated Hallmark Insurance, and International Breweries shed 6.25 per cent each to close at 30 kobo and N30 per share, respectively.
The total volume traded depreciated by 29.45 per cent to 190.35 million shares worth N1.77 billion, and traded in 2,780 deals. Transactions in the shares of Red Star Express topped the activity chart with 60.33 million shares valued at N298.31 million. Zenith Bank followed with 24.17 million shares worth N500.25 million, while Oando traded 22.11 million shares valued at N112.61 million.Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) traded 9.89 million shares valued at N12.22 million, while Fidelity Bank transacted 6.28 million shares worth N10.41 million.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/bears-regain-dominance-as-nse-index.html

An octogenarian herbalist, Hussaini Musa, was, yesterday, paraded by the Katsina State Police Command in connection with the beheading of a Police officer attached to 56 PMF, Special Duty, Operation Safe Haven, Jos, Plateau State.

The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Wakili, while addressing newsmen shortly before parading the suspect at the police headquarters yesterday, said the herbalist was arrested with two others for beheading Sergeant Unana Ishaya. Wakili stated that the suspects plucked out the sergeant’s eyes after beheading him, as part of requirements given to them by the herbalist, Hussaini Musa, for a charm jacket which will enable them to carry out robbery and afterwards escape arrest by disappearing. One of the suspects, Abubakar Sani, told Vanguard that they wanted to use the charmed jacket to rob the EFCC office in Jos, where they suspected there was huge amount of money, without having to breaking in. According to the Police boss, “so they surprised the officer, who was on a special duty at a joint, though not in uniform, and beheaded him. According to them, the policeman was drunk, though an investigation is in progress to ascertain what happened. “Part of the requirements is to dry the eyes. So they were arrested while drying the eyes in their apartment.” The commissioner said operatives attached to the state police command’s intelligence bureau bust the cultists’ activities based on a tip-off. He identified the suspects as one Abubakar Sani, alias Abu Kwaya, 35; Abubakar Sani, alias Abu Dan Bauchi, 28, and the herbalist, Hussaini Musa, 80. Wakili said the command recovered the two human eyeballs in a plastic container, the axe used in beheading the Police sergeant, the dagger used in plucking the eyes of the deceased and some clothes. He added that the suspects have confessed to the crime, with each stating the role they played in committing the offence, noting that “they will be arraigned in court immediately the investigation is completed.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/80-yr-old-herbalist-2-others-behead.html

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has since started sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for its members seeking to contest various offices in the 2019 general elections, thus increasing the pace of political activities at the Wadata Plaza, the National headquarters of the PDP in Abuja as political office seekers come in on daily basis to purchase forms.

The opposition party pegged the expression of interest forms for presidential aspirants‎ at N2 million, while nomination form is pegged at N10 million. Also, expression of interest form for the Governorship election is pegged at N1 million, while nomination‎ form is N5 million. Similarly, expression of interest from for the Senate is pegged at N500, 000, while nomination form is pegged at N3 million‎. Expression of interest form for the House of Representatives is pegged at N500,000, while nomination form is N1.5 million. The party’s nomination forms for national delegates is pegged at N20,000, while that of three ad-hoc ‎delegates is pegged at N5,000.


The party has directed all aspirants for Presidential, Governorship, Senate, and House of Representatives to purchase their forms at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja, while all aspirants for State House of Assembly elections are to purchase their forms at the national or state party secretariats. The party however exempted all female aspirants from payment for purchase of nomination forms for all offices except national ad-hoc delegate categories.

When compared with 2015 general elections, the main opposition party revised downward its fees. In 2015, the then ruling party pegged its presidential nomination and expression of interest form at N22 million in 2015, while that of governorship was N11 million . I
n 2015, the Senate was N4.5 million, while House of Representatives was pegged at N2.5 million. The House of Assembly was pegged at N1.2 million.
Political heavyweight jostle for PDP ticket

Despite the party selling forms for various political positions, the presidential ticket has attracted so many political heavyweight within the party. As at last count, the opposition party already has 13 aspirants jostling for its presidential ticket.

Those in the race for the presidential ticket of the PDP are: former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo; President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi; and former Minister Special Duties Duties and Inter-governmental Affaires, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.
Others are: former President of the Senate, David Mark; former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; a former Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang; Mr. Stanley Osifo and a former Senator, Dr. Baba Datti Ahmed.

Presidential aspirants disagree on consensus candidate

However presidential aspirants on the platform of PDP seem not to agree on a consensus candidate. While some think it is the best if an agreement could be reached, others think it will be undemocratic.

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Governor of Sokoto state, Aminu Tambuwal said that having a consensus candidate in the 2019 general elections was part of democratic process.

Tambuwal, said, “I can’t say there is no need for consensus; it is part of democratic process. If there is a possibility of it, why not? If it is not possible, then, we all go for the primaries. But I believe that PDP of today is capable of organising free, fair, credible and transparent primaries.”

Also, Presidential hopeful and former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki said that no agreement has been reached about presenting consensus candidate.

He said; “the position of the party is that the party is not forcing the aspirants to a consensus, the party just wants the aspirants to discuss among themselves. I cannot tell you on good authority now the position, because each aspirant has been coming here to pick the form. So that presupposes for now that there is no discussion amongst them for a consensus, otherwise only one person would have probably picked the form at this stage.”

On his part, the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, vehemently opposed presenting consensus candidate, saying it is undemocratic.
He noted; “I think you people are not interested in democracy. If we are talking of consensus at least we are players. I expected you to be a good watchers of the playing ground so that you can see how the game is going to play. If we say that we are going for consensus, what are we going to do with it? We agree we are all brothers. We see it as a game.

“Therefore, if anybody is interested in withdrawing himself from the race, it’s a welcome idea. But talking of consensus you are going to fall like APC where we are going to have a one-man show.

“We don’t want to go for one-man show. We want to practise democracy so that people will choose their own better candidate. For example, if APC is playing democracy, they will allow an least three to four aspirants to aspire for the position. But because the party is a limited liability company while PDP is a public limited company, it is welcome by everybody,” he noted.

Meanwhile, former governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso said presenting a consensus candidate is the best. “if the window exist, which I know it does, presenting a consensus candidate is the best,” he sake.


The opposition party appears to have learnt some lessons having been out of power for more than three and half years. It has insisted that it won’t force a consensus candidate on the aspirants.
The party has also assured that the process of picking a candidate for the party in the forthcoming election will be free, fair, credible and transparent.

PDP BoT moves to forestall post primary crisis

In a move to avoid post primary crisis that may lead to party implosion, the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) last week met and barred its members from campaigning for any presidential aspirants on the platform of the party.
The BoT Chairman, Senator Jibril Walid revealed that the board was working to ensure that it reduces the increasing number of presidential aspirants but noted that it would not force any aspirant from stepping down.

He stated: “If you are a member of BoT, you remain as a member of BoT and conscience of the party. They should not move about with any aspirant. If we are really conscience of the party, we should not move about with aspirants. That was what happened during the last national convention when we elected the National Chairman. Some of us went and pitched camp with aspirants, taking them all over the place.

“This time, we will not allow that to happen. Anyone of us who moves about with any aspirant should resign from the BoT. We are the one that will settle the complain. But if we are involved, it will not be fair. So we have told the members not to campaign with the aspirants; we are also the delegates.,” the BoT chairman said.

Walid also revealed that the BoT also deliberated on the current situation in the party as regards the increasing number of aspirants, while recommending that the situation should be well managed in order to avoid crisis.

He said; “The presidential aspirants are 13, we are trying our best to ensure that the number is reduced. But we are not forcing anybody. More consultation going among the elders. We are going to bring out a committee that will be best for Nigerians. We are forming a committee to meet with the aspirants. After that we will decide on what to do. We have decided to form a special committee to advice the NWC.”
The BoT insisted that there should be free and fair elections during the forthcoming primary and there should be no impunity, and no godfatherism.

Sets up Committee to choose consensus candidacy

The BoT earlier in the week revealed that it has set up a 12-member committee to discuss with the party’s 13 presidential aspirants, with the view to picking one of them as consensus candidate.

Though the BoT refused to reveal the identities of the member of the committee.
The Chairman of the BoT confirmed in a text message that the committee would impress it on the aspirants the dangers inherent in having such a large number of them in the race.
Jibrin who admitted that the present number of aspirants was complex, saying that there were fears that there could be disagreement among the contestants that could lead to major divisions after the primaries.

He stated: “A committee has been set up to discuss with all the aspirants to come up with one of them as a consensus candidate. We have 13 of them in the race. We have also advised the leadership of the party to regulate the processes and draw a code of conduct to guide the conduct and behaviour of the aspirants and officials to be engaged in the selection process.”

“Consequently, the BoT has forwarded its full recommendations to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP for consideration,” Jibril stated.

PDP Governors kick against consensus candidacy
The PDP Governors’ Forum after meeting with the party’s presidential aspirants said that they would prefer a healthy primary contest to the attempt of the party leadership to produce a consensus presidential candidate.

Though the governors said they would have preferred a consensus candidacy but said that they would not impressed it on the aspirants.
The governors als agreed that the party’s national convention, where the presidential candidate would emerge, should be held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Analysts views

Political analysts believe that while all the aspirants for the ticket of the party have something to offer, it would be better to put forward a candidate who is facing corruption cases hanging on their necks.
Another school of thought posits that a strong message would have been sent in favour of loyalty, if the PDP presidential candidate is one of those who kept his allegiance to the party when others abandoned it. For now, the candidate that will win the October 6 primary is anyone’s guess.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-who-wins-pdp-presidential-ticket.html

Breaks academics reward jinx Says, modern facilities help her learning One of the grave factors militating against development of education in the land is the refusal of many Nigerian billionaires and corporate organisations to reward excellence in the academia. Instead, they take delight in rewarding talents in beauty pageants, Big Brother Nigeria and Gulder Ultimate Search to mention a few.

However, that jinx was broken recently, when a medical student at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Miss Esther Adaobi Azom was rewarded with a N5.7million brand new car and over a million naira cash for her academic performance. The youngster, whose life epitomized success became the cynosure of all eyes when it was disclosed during the induction of 34 medical doctors of ABUAD that she maintained distinctions throughout her stay in the university. Azom, 24 who was admitted to read medicine in 2011/2012 academic session maintained distinctions in all her courses from 100 Level to 500 Level. She also set an academic standard that would be difficult for incoming medical students to match as, she obtained distinctions in Surgery, Medicine and Community Medicine in the final MBBS examinations. With this academics feat, Esther unarguably became the best graduating medical student of the institution. Having monitored her academics performance from year one, the Founder and Chancellor of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola bestowed the N500,000 Founder’s Annual Scholarship Award on her. This she received from her 100 Level to 500 Level. What it portends is that, Azom was already a millionaire before she graduated as a medical doctor. During her induction which took place last week Thursday at the Alfa Belgore Hall, ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, everyone present wanted to contribute and identify with her success. Owner of Coscharis Motors, Mr Cosmas Maduka opened the floor with the presentation of N5.7 million car to her. He told the institution that the gesture was his little way of encouraging hard work and excellence among students. Again, Are Afe Babalola, at the ceremony announced a reward of N500,000 cash for Azom, reiterating that she had distinctions in all the three MBBS courses. On his part, the Oni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Eniitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II who stormed the ceremony with his chiefs and some other first class Obas in Yoruba land, gave her N250,000 and another N1,000,000 to establish ABUAD Medical Doctors Alumni club as a medium to assist the institution and give back to the society. Besides, Oba Dr. Kiladejo, Jilo III, the Osemawe and Paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, who is also a medical doctor, gave Esther an undisclosed amount. Just as the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe Aladesanmi III, in the same vein gave Esther an undisclosed amount too. Apparently, when Esther set out to read medicine at ABUAD six years ago, little did she know that her hardwork would be handsomely rewarded this way. This gesture from ABUAD and other donors have demonstrated to Nigerians that handsome rewards are not meant only for beauty pageants, Big Brother Nigeria winners, Gulder Ultimate Search winners. It has changed the narrative and indicates that academic success should be handsomely rewarded to encourage hard work and healthy competition among the youth. This exceptional youngster who hails from Anambra State was born to a family of four and her siblings are very brilliant, according to her parents. Esther, while speaking with some journalists said: “My experience as a medical student at ABUAD has been great. “It’s been challenging being a medical student, however, above all, you cannot overlook the part God played in all these activities. “I thank God that in the end it has been wonderful. Now I can only look back and smile.” According to her, hard work and consistency contributed to her academic feat, adding, “In medical school, consistency is key.” Her words: “ABUAD is great, my university is the best. The school impacted my life to make me know that hard work is the key to success. I specially thank ABUAD for all these. “I always felt I would be the best because I worked towards it. I want to advise students that hard work pays, keep reading, keep doing what you can, go to a good school and you will never regret it. “At ABUAD, some modern facilities available in the Teaching Hospital that helped our learning include the diagnostic centre which isequipped with CT SCAN, MRI, X-RAY, Ultrasound 2D, 3D, 4D, Modern Laboratory equipment (supplied and managed by the world-renowned Abbott Laboratory), Five Modular theatres, Pneumatic Tubes connecting 37 Floors, Medical Gas & Oxygen (supplied and managed by Protech Gas) for use of the Hospital and for sale to other hospitals in the country and beyond. “Medical services available include Accident and Emergency, Surgery, Pharmacy, Paediatrics, Obstretrics and Gynaecology, Community Medicine, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Fluoroscopy, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Gastroscopy, Brochoscopy, Arthroscopy, Bone Densitometer, Pet-Scan, Nuclear Medicine, Echodardiagraphy, ECGand Threadmill Test as well as Function Test (PFT) among several others.” Asked about her plans, Esther said housemanship is the next thing on her mind. Her mother, Blessing Azom said: “Esther Azom is an exceptional girl. She has been like that since primary school.” According to her, While in primary school, she traveled to South Africa to represent Nigeria in jet competition. She added: “While she was a little girl, I saw her potential and did my best because I am a teacher too. I did my best to encourage her and ensured that what I saw in her did not die. “From all that I know, ABUAD is a special school in terms of academics and environment. She is my second born, the first is in the U.K. doing his PhD. My plans for her is to do her housemanship, youth service and travel abroad. ABUAD is a good school, but at the same time not a cheap school. I would not start to calculate what we spent here because it’s worth it at the end of the day.” On his part, Esther’s father, Emmanuel Azom who is a businessman said he was humbled by what he saw at the induction ceremony. He said: “Sincerely, I didn’t think it could be of this magnitude. Anyway, I saw this coming especially with Esther because she has been bright right from primary school. “Once you mention Baptist High School, she is a special person there. In her WASSCE, she had 6As.” Asked the role he played as a father to Esther’s success, he said his role is like the typical Nigerian man in the running up and down to get the funds for her education. “If there is any human efforts to the academic success of Esther, I would ascribe it to my wife who is a teacher.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/abuad-best-med-doctor-esther-azom-gets.html

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said it generated N3.5 trillion for Federal Government between the months of January and September 2018.The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, who disclosed this in Lagos, during a stakeholders meeting, said the amount generated was N1trillion higher than the revenue it recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

While reeling out the statistics that showed how the agency has fared since 2016, Fowler stated that FIRS had a bank turnover of more than N5 billion from those who have not paid taxes.He said the 23 banks the agency has so far analysed, there were about “31,395 records, out of which, effectively, minus duplications, we have 18,602” that attracted attention.

“We broke these into three categories- those that have Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN); those that have no TIN and of course, no TIN, no payment; and those that have TINs and are not even paying anything.”According to him, the total number of “TINs and no pay,” and “no TIN and no pay” is 6,772, which would soon have their accounts frozen or put under substitution, pending when they come forward.

“First of all, they refused to come forward in 2016; they also refused to come forward under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) and now, we are putting them on notice that it is their civic responsibility to pay taxes and to file all audit accounts.”He said that government would sell properties built and developed in corporate names across the country on which taxes were not being paid. He however, admitted that some have paid when contacted, but warned that FIRS “will go to court to get approval or court order to sell those properties”, whose owners are irresponsive. We are not only doing that in Abuja, but also in Lagos. We are currently going to Osun, Oyo, Kaduna and eventually, we will cover the whole federation.”

While calling on banks to support the service, the FIRS chief announced that the service has come up with a consolidated data base for all tax payers in Nigeria, which he said would be ready before the end of the month of September.

Meanwhile, Fowler stated that the service would commence audit of taxpayers across the country, to ensure increased tax revenue collection, improved service delivery to tax payers and enhanced voluntary compliance.Some of the stakeholders, who commended the service for the efforts made to deepen tax administration in the country, urged that taxes collected by relevant government agencies be appropriately remitted, while the issue of multiple taxation across tiers of government be adequately addressed.

The Head of Tax at KPMG, Wole Abayomi, explained the need for tax reforms and bemoaned the 10-year period it took after the previous tax reforms was done, saying it should now be a yearly affair.He also expressed worry that three months after VAIDS’ deadline, no action has been taken by government, “so that those paying their tax accurately would not feel shortchanged.”

A representative of Andersen Tax, Chinedu Ezomike, canvassed guidelines on how small businesses in the informal sector can be helped to pay taxes without affecting their operations negatively.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/firs-freezes-6772-accounts-generates.html

The Lagos State Government has delighted retirees from the state’s public service with the release of N720.445 million into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) of 190 Contributory Pension Scheme retirees in the month of August 2018.

Addressing the retirees at the 54th Retirement Benefit Bond Certificate Presentation at Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, Dr. Akintola Benson Oke, said that 9,591 retirees have had accrued rights of N39.45 billion paid into their Retirement Savings Accounts in the last 36 months- August 2015 – August 2018.

Akintola said that pensioners have remained on the payroll priority of the state government monthly and that the state is happy that it had cleared the backlog, which was on ground at the beginning of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC), Mrs. Folasade Onanuga, expressed gratitude to the retirees for their contributions in the development of the state, assuring them of the governor’s commitment to their welfare. She advised the retirees to spend wisely in retirement, saying: “Any project you know you cannot finish, don’t put your money into it.”The retirees in their responses thanked the LASPEC for operational effectiveness and efficiency in the past years and implored the workers to keep up the good work.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/lagos-settles-n720m-accrued-pension.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Sunday asked government agencies to closely monitor the operations of MTN Nigeria, in the light of the Thabo Mbeki report on illicit financial flow.

NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja that the Labour body has been vindicated by recent report by the Central Bank of Nigeria on the alleged illicit activities of the company and the tax invasion report of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation against the company.

Wabba said the congress had earlier highlighted labour laws, local content law and security breaches by MTN which led to fatalities of our security personnel in the North East conflict area.

He said “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress hereby urge MTN Nigeria to comply without further delay with the directive of the Federal Government to it to pay $2 billion in tax arrears as well as the $8.13 billion it was said to have illegally repatriated to South Africa over which four indigenous banks have been fined.

“We similarly urge the Federal Government to spare no effort in recovering this money as anything to the contrary will send wrong signals to other corporate organisations it had punished for lesser tax infractions.

“The need to enforce this order is all the more compelling when it is realised that workers pay taxes they can ill-afford, but religiously pay all the same. It is also worth noting that government’s tax reforms have been skewed in favour of corporate organisations, there is no reason for a default. After all, every taxable person is expected to pay their tax as when due.

“If companies default, with what is government expected to run the country or conduct its business? In our view, this incident does not just directly testy to the Thabo Mbeki Report on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, it is a major crime against the government and people of Nigeria.

“On our part, we are not surprised by the unethical conduct of MTN. They are not only engaged in the exploitation of Nigerian workers and turning them into slaves, but have extended their frontiers to unwholesome economic exploitation and sabotage.

“The questions on every ones lips are: How many times has MTN done this? How many other companies are doing this? In our Tax Justice Campaign, we relentlessly and assiduously drew the attention of government and the entire citizenry to this humongous crime against the vulnerable people of Africa, especially Nigeria, over 70 million of whom are said to be the poorest in the world.

“In our candid view, government should use this opportunity to send an appropriate message to everyone especially corporate organisations who often pay taxes in the breach. Coupled with this, government’s tax reforms will only make meaning if they are judiciously and judicially executed.

“Finally, we feel vindicated by the latest discovery. While offering an explanation for picketing MTN offices across the country in July this year, we highlighted labour laws, local content law and security breaches by MTN which led to fatalities of our security personnel in the North Easy conflict area.
“We exposed other acts of impunity by MTN in spite of the fact that 60 % of its global income comes from Nigeria.
“Coupled with demanding MTN obey our national laws by allowing unionisation, we urged critical government agencies such as NCC, EFCC, DSS, Immigration and Central Bank to closely look into the operations of the company, especially in light of the Thabo Mbeki Report. We are vindicated.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/probe-mtns-operations-in-nigeria-nlc.html

The equity market witnessed the seventh consecutive trading sessions amid continuous sell off yesterday, resulting to a further decline in the All-share index by 0.84 per cent.



Yesterday, the All Share Index (ASI) was down by 270.56 absolute points, representing a decrease of 0.84 per cent, to close at 32,022.23 points. Similarly, the market capitalisation dipped N98 billion, to close at N11.691 trillion.



The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nestle Nigeria, Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN), Conoil, Lafarge Africa, and Forte Oil.


Analysts at Cordros Capital, said: “our outlook for equities in the near-to-medium term is negative; and we guide investors to trade cautiously amidst absence of a near term positive catalyst and political jitters ahead of the upcoming 2019 elections.

However, macro-economic fundamentals remain stable and supportive of recovery in the long term.”Market breadth closed negative, with nine gainers versus 26 losers. Skye Bank recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at 67 kobo, while Unity Bank followed with a gain of 8.97 per cent to close at 85 kobo, per share.

Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) appreciated by 4.63 per cent to close at N1.13, while Wema Bank, and Lasaco Assurance rose by 3.33 per cent each to close at 62 kobo and 31 kobo per share, respectively.

On the other hand, Lafarge Africa led the losers’ chart by 10 per cent to close at N20.70 per share. Conoil followed with a loss of 9.88 per cent to close at N21.90 per share.

CCNN depreciated by 9.87 per cent to close at N25.10 per share. NPF Microfinance Bank fell 9.70 per cent to close at N1.49, while First Aluminium shed 9.09 per cent to close at 30 kobo per share.

The total volume traded depreciated by 29.71 per cent to 173.55 million shares, worth N3.71 billion, and traded in 3,082 deals. Transactions in the shares of Guaranty Trust Bank topped the activity chart with 28.19 million shares valued at N929.76 million.

Zenith Bank followed with 25.86 million shares worth N514.61 million, while Skye Bank traded 18.87 million shares valued at N11.18 million.United Bank for Africa (UBA) traded 16.31 million shares valued at N116.16 million, while FBN Holdings transacted 7.36 million shares worth N58.9 million.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/sell-off-persists-all-share-index.html

The Naira on Thursday appreciated further against the dollar at the investors’ window, exchanging at N362.78, stronger than N363.10 posted on Wednesday.

It exchanged at N306.25 to the dollar at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) window.

The Nigerian currency was sold at N359 to the dollar at the parallel market, maintaining same rate for three consecutive days.

The Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N480 and N413, respectively.

Trading at the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment saw the naira close at N360 to the dollar, while the Pound Sterling and the Euro closed at N480 and N413, respectively.

Meanwhile, some analysts believe that the naira will remain stable in the weeks ahead.

For instance, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, a Senior Economist at Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, said many politicians who had stockpiled dollars would convert them to naira to fund their campaigns, hence the market would be awash with liquidity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/naira-strengthens-further-against.html

EA Sports have announced the list of the top 10 best players in FIFA 19 with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, the best rated players in the game. The gaming company has been releasing its list of the top 100 players to feature in FIFA 19 in a countdown to the top 10.


Ronaldo has an overall rating of 94 with his shooting rated 93, while Messi is also rated 94 with his most outstanding ability, dribbling rated 96. The top ten also features PSG’s Neymar and UEFA best player Luka Modric in third and fourth place with 92 and 91 overall ratings respectively. Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos is the only defender in the top ten while Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea emerged as the only goalkeeper that makes the list. Real Madrid are the most represented team on the list with three players while the Premier League had three representatives.

No player from World Champions France makes the list with Ngolo Kante and Antoinne Griezmann in the top 20.

Gamers itching to play the game will have to wait till 28 September when the game is scheduled for release.

Top ten in full

Cristiano Ronaldo -94

Lionel Messi – 94

Neymar – 92

Luka Modric – 91

Kevin De Bruyne – 91

Eden Hazard – 91

Sergio Ramos – 91

Luis Suarez – 91

David De Gea – 91

Toni Kroos – 90

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/de-gea-hazard-modric-rated-top-10.html

Governor of Imo state Rochas Okorocha has terminated the appointments of 13 serving members of his cabinet for allegedly seeking elective positions in next year’s elections.

Although, the offices of their preferred interests were not specified in the termination of appointment letter signed by his chief press secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo.

Top on the list is his chief of staff, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu who he endorsed to succeed him in office and Secretary to the Government of Imo state, George Eche.

Names of other affected appointees are principal secretary to the Governor, Paschal Chigozie Obi, deputy chief of staff (Operations) Kingsley Uju, commissioner for trade and investment/commerce, Emma Ojinero, and commissioner for information. Nnamdi Obiareri.


Others are Commissioner for gender/social development, Ngozi Njoku, commissioner for market development, Lady Joy Mbawuike, commissioner for finance, Dan Nworie, commissioner for tertiary education, Obinna Mbata, special adviser on urban renewal, Simeon Iwunze, special assistant general duties, Obinna Amagwula and special assistant finance, Betty Uzoma.
Okorocha wished the departed members of the government well in their future endeavours.
Prior to their dismissal, it was speculated that the governor had lost the backing of some members of the state executive council.
Their alleged loss of confidence in the governor came after he endorsed his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him as governor.

Complete report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/breaking-okorocha-sacks-13-aides.html

Former Vice-President Abubakar Atiku has described President Muhammadu Buhari as the most incompetent leader in the history of Nigeria.

Atiku, through his campaign organisation, said his attempt to come to power “is to clean the mess that Buhari would leave which has resulted in job loss, poor economy and ranking of the country as one of the poorest.”

The spokesperson for the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, in a reaction to Buhari’s comment while receiving the All Progressive Congress nomination forms, said, “Never in the history of Nigeria has a more incompetent person served in the chambers of the exalted office of the President. No President of Nigeria, politics apart, will speak in such manner. The fact is that freedom of association is guaranteed by all the United Nations’ conventions and the constitution of our country.
“That Buhari has not been able to provide leadership and keep high-network individuals in the APC is to his own weakness and a question of his lack of capacity to keep Nigerians together. We are in the campaign and we are on the ballot. Atiku is attempting to become the President to clean the mess that Buhari caused in our country.
“Buhari has made many Nigerians lose their jobs and our country has become one of the poorest countries in the world. He has divided the country and people cannot move freely. He has made a mess of the economy.
“Therefore, we take his comment as not possibly referring to us. He should speak to issues, development, job creation, restructuring and so on. Obviously, these things he cannot do,” Sowunmi said in a statement.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/you-are-most-incompetent-leader-in.html

The Bank of Industry (BoI), and the Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to provide a credit line of up to $500 million towards the establishment of modular refineries, and Flare Gas Recovery Programmes in the country.Speaking at the signing ceremony in Beijing, the Managing Director/Chief Exevcutive, BoI, Olukayode Pitan, emphasized the job creation potential of this partnership.

“I am delighted to begin the next chapter of a long-term trading relationship with China through CEXIM. This agreement is set to create over 100,000 jobs in Nigeria’s Oil & Gas sector – a decisive move that will advance the Federal Government’s Modular Refineries and Flare Gas Recovery Programme,” he added.

As part of the MoU between BOI and CEXIM, the facility will be utilised to finance the purchase of equipment and machinery from China by investors and project owners of modular refineries in Nigeria.

The aim is to ensure availability of refined petroleum products within the country, monesze gas flare, reduce cost of products in the mid-term, and provide employment for Nigerians.

The establishment of modular refineries is part of the government’s plan to end importation of petroleum products, and discourage illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta region.
To date, a total of 38 operating licences have already been granted by the Federal Government to establish modular refineries in the Niger Delta, while 10 are already at advanced stages of development. This facility will therefore ensure that more modular refineries are constructed, and can be accessed via letters of credit issued for the delivery of specified modular refineries and gas processing equipment to qualified Nigerian companies establishing petrochemical plants under the Modular Refineries and Gas Flare Recovery Programme.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/boi-cexim-seal-500m-pact-for-refineries.html

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Monday made a public declaration for re-election in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ambode spoke at the open ground in Alausa, while addressing party faithful who thronged the place, telling them there was more to be done and he was not tired.

Ambode had earlier picked his nomination form for a second term at the APC Headquarters in Abuja.

“In these three and a half years as your governor, I have seen visible proof that we can achieve unbelievable things when we all come together with no more than our belief in our dreams.

“We achieved because you believed. But there is still a lot more to be done. But I am not daunted. I am not tired and I am sure you feel the same way because we all envision a better Lagos, a Lagos of our dreams,” he said.

The governor said he had collected his nomination form earlier in the day, and asked for support as he sought to continue with the mandate to steer the affairs of the state.
“I ask you to believe again, and together, let’s achieve more.
“Exactly four years ago, I called on you to join me in a journey of selfless service to build a secure and prosperous Lagos State driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.
“You believed in me and gave me your support,” Ambode said.
He thanked Lagosians for believing in him and his government as well as their support so far throughout this administration.
“I thank all members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress; our political leaders, most especially our National Leader, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for giving me the platform to contribute to the further growth and development of our state.
Speaking on Ambode’s second term bid, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East Senatorial District, said he was happy with Ambode’s declaration and was in support of his move.

Read full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/second-term-bid-more-to-be-done-im-not.html

Ojukaye’s Court Victory Has Ended Wike/Abe's Conspiracy against Rivers People - Eze

Describes the adoption of the Indirect Primaries by the Rivers APC as a masterstroke and the death knell to this devious plot

The recent perpetual injunction granted by an Abuja High Court, affirming the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as the undisputed chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state has been described as the end of the conspiracy to stall the party's progress.

A chieftain of the APC in the state, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, who noted this in a statement he signed and circulated in Port Harcourt on Monday, also thanked God for putting the enemies of the party and those of the leader of the party in the South-South, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, to shame in Rivers state.

According to the party chieftain, plans were afoot by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and Senator Magnus Abe to create crisis for the APC in the state so that it would be difficult for the party to put itself together, put up a strong candidate, through whom the party can dislodge Wike from the Brick House next year.

"Governor Nyesom Wike knowing that his time as Governor of Rivers State is up collaborated with some elements within Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress to plot for the decimation and dismantling of APC so that he has an essay sail back to the Brick House come 2019", he said.

"This plot that resulted to the formation or rather setting up of an illegal chapter of APC in Rivers State addressed as Magnus Abe chapter knowing very well that APC has a chapter well constituted after duly constituted Congress that brought up the authentic State Chapter with Ojukaye Amachree as State Chairman.

"The plot which will cause Governor Wike to be elected unopposed by 2019 while paving way for Senator Magnus Abe to take over the reins of governance of Rivers State come 2023.

"With an Abuja High Court 14 presided over by His Lordship, Hon. Justice A. O. Musa ruling on Tuesday granted an Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Chairman, His Excellency (Comrade) Adams Oshiomhole (1st and 2nd Defendants) from ‘tampering with the mandates of the elected Officials/Delegates elected at the 1st Defendant’s Ward, Local Government and State Congresses in Rivers State on May 19, 20 and 21, 2018 respectively, either by nullifying, removing or in any way refusing to give effect to the outcome of the said congresses or by purporting to conduct another congress in respect of Rivers State.” have rendered Wike and Abe's plot useless and worthless.

"With this affirmation by a competent court of jurisdiction it becomes imperative to formally declare the Abe's chapter of APC in Rivers State not only as illegal but assemblage of law breakers that must be dismantled as a matter of urgency before they hatch another devious plot to make Rivers State a laughing stock", the statement said.

Eze commended and congratulated Ojukaye Amachree and his Team for not only reviving the true spirit of APC but positioning it as the party to beat come 2019. For a very long time in the politics of Rivers State, Wike for the first time is at his wit end and confused on how to handle the twist that Ojukaye have brought to bear in the politics of Rivers State.

Eze congratulated the leadership of the Rivers State APC for adopting the indirect primaries in electing its candidates for the 2019 general elections. “Apart from saving cost, this strategy will save the party from the devious plot by Wike and Abe to flood the State with PDP elements from Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States to vote in Abe and his cohorts during the primaries to the detriment of the genuine party members”. The adoption of the indirect primaries is truly a masterstroke and death knell to this devious and wicked plot to deny the Rivers State chapter of APC credible representation during the 2019 general elections, he said.

Eze counsels his good friend, Prince Peter Odike who is being used as a scapegoat to act as an illegal Chairman of a none existing political structure which may lead him to have problems with the security agencies.

Eze finally reiterated that, "With three Senators in our kitty and with an international and well respected figure like Pastor Tonye Cole coming in to rescue Rivers State from the shackles of backwardness, the days of Wike as Governor of Rivers state are truly numbered. To the people of Rivers State, we need to celebrate and thank God for saving the State from the devious plot that would have caused the State more years of backwardness", he said

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ojukayes-court-victory-has-ended.html

The National Union of Nigerian Students, (NUNS), yesterday, said the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is extorting ordinary Nigerians to impress President Muhammadu Buhari.

The union kicked against exorbitant charges levied on admission seekers into higher institutions, saying the regulatory body is derailing the change mantra of the president, part of which includes making education affordable to the citizens.


At a press conference organised by NUNS in Kaduna, its President, Ambassador Salahudeen Adeyemi Lukman bemoaned exorbitant charges on admission seekers, threatening that the union shall commence action against JAMB over what he described as “extortion of common man” by the regulatory body.

He said: “JAMB cannot be holding the government and entire Nigerian students to ransom, this is basically fraud.

JAMB is never an IGR-based government agency. It is a regulatory body. Why would it suddenly turn into an IGR agency just to impress someone who never sent them?

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nuns-jamb-extorting-nigerians-to.html

Senate president and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bukola Saraki has said the leaders Nigeria needs cannot be mediocre, as they must have the energy and vision to entrench justice and egalitarianism for all citizens, irrespective of ethnicity and religion.

He said this in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday, while addressing PDP leaders and stakeholders to canvass their support in his bid to fly the party’s presidential flag in 2019.

He said he was seeking to become president in order to redress the glaring injustice in the country, which he said, is most pronounced now than ever.


Accompanied by three Abia State Senators, Theodore Orji; Mao Ohuabunwa; and Enyi Abaribe, as well as Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi State, Saraki urged Nigerians to vote out the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari and replace them with himself and the PDP.
According to him, his long political career spanning over a decade has adequately equipped him with the necessary experience and exposure to hold the exalted office of the President.
Meanwhile, The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Campaign Organisation (ABSCO) has appointed Mr. Ilemona Onoja, as its spokesperson.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-urgently-needs-competent.html

Kebbi chapter of Nigerian Fruit Sellers Association, says its members have lost N25 million worth of fruits due to recurring flood at its main market in Birnin Kebbi.

The association’s Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday that the absence of proper drainage had led to recurring flooding of the market annually.

‘‘We have no where else to go, it’s the only market we have, we just watch in agony as flood destroy our fruits and the loss has reached as much as N25 million.


‘‘You can see water all over the market yourself as if human beings are not living in the market,’’ he said.
Abubakar appealed to the state government to re-build the market to make it safer and conducive for business, and earn more in revenue generation.
The chairman also urged the state government to provide support to members of the association to cushion their losses.
‘‘We are appealing to the government to support us with soft loan to boost our business.
‘‘Farmers, traders, and different types of business associations have been getting support from the state government, but we were never considered to benefit from such support,’’ he stressed.
According to Abubakar, the association has over 20,000 members in all the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.
‘‘We also employ over 3,000 unemployed youths who are helping to transport our goods and sell in major towns across the state.
‘‘Imagine the burden of the numbers of unemployed youths we can help government to reduce, if we have support and empowerment,’’ he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/flood-washes-away-n25m-fruits-in-kebbi.html

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu is conspicuously absent at an ongoing meeting between Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and some gubernatorial aspirants under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the 2019 elections, DAILY POST reports.

Ajimobi, our correspondent reliably gathered, will at the meeting on Saturday formally announce the four aspirants he intends to endorse for the gubernatorial ticket of the party.

The four aspirants, Akelicious learnt, will then face members of the party at the primary election later this month.

The Governor also invited aspirants for the senatorial and House of Representatives seats across the state on the platform of the party.
The meeting of the governor with the gubernatorial aspirants was scheduled to take place today (Saturday) at the government house, while the one with the senatorial and House of Representatives aspirants was scheduled to hold in the same venue on Sunday.

Among the gubernatorial aspirants jostling to succeed Ajimobi expected at today’s meeting included: the Minister of Communications, Shittu, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN); Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe; former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Olalekan Alli; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan; and former Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade.
Others are: Commissioner for Land, Housing and Survey, Mr. Isaac Omodewu; a former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crime, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari and Dr. Olusola Ayandele; a former Chief Press Secretary to Late Governor Lam Adeshina, Kehinde Olaosebikan and Professor Soji Adejumo.
But our correspondent observed at the venue of the meeting that the Minister, Adebayo Shittu was at press time absent at the meeting of the governor and the gubernatorial aspirants. The meeting started around 2.00 p.m.
Among the aspirants who have however, arrived the governor’s lodge, venue of the meeting as at 4.15 p.m include former governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan and Mr. Joseph Tegbe.
Others are: former Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade; Secretary to the state government, Mr. Olalekan Alli and Mr. Isacc Omodewu.
A close aide to the Minister, who spoke with Akelicious in confidence, said he was not sure if the Minister, Adebayo Shittu was invited, noting that this may be responsible for his absence at the meeting.
He said, “Let me tell you the truth, I was told that the governor has called a meeting and he has reduced the aspirants to four. He has called some of them, he held a meeting with them and he told them that they should step down for the four.
“I can tell you, I will tell you their names, they are Tegbe, Soji Eniade, Bimbo Adekambi and Isaac Omodewu. He said he will pick from the four. Why should he do that, all of them are aspirants. Let them go to the field. Barrister Shittu has purchased the form and Akala has also bought the form.”
The aide maintained that Shittu’s absence may be as a result of the fact that he was not invited to the meeting.
He added, “I don’t think he was invited, he was not invited. If he was invited, he would have come. Though, he is not around now. He is not in the country.”

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019buharis-minister-adebayo-shittu.html

The Nigerian Prisons Service (NP has been declared winner of the 2018 United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Confucius Award for Literacy and Skills Development.

Making the presentation at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Director General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay noted with satisfaction the uniqueness in enhancing the capacity of prisoners to access knowledge and skills for self development.

In a statement by the NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore, the UNESCO boss emphasized that occupation specific and literacy skills will continue to play vital roles particularly in addressing ex-convicts acceptance back into the society.

He said while receiving the award, the Controller General of Prisons, Ja’afaru Ahmed thanked the organizers for the recognition and promised to extend the opportunity to reach more prisoners across the country.

The NPS boss however, appealed to well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies to assist ex-offenders who might not have completed their free studies before discharge and would be required to pay for continuation once out of the prison.

“He noted that most indigent prisoners may be lost in the process and may return to crime,
” Enobore quoted the CG as saying.

The Nigerian Prisons Service presently has about 465 undergraduate inmates, 23 master degree students and 2 studying for their PhD programmes in 10 special study centres across the country.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigerian-prisons-service-wins-unesco.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday said the alleged deduction of N1.886 billion fine from Stanbic IBTC Bank’s account was in the national interest.

An official of CBN, who pleaded anonymity while confirming this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said he could not immediately give details, but the apex bank would issue a statement on the matter later.

The management of Stanbic IBTC Bank, had on Friday, alleged that the apex bank unilaterally deducted N1.886 billion from its account as a fine imposed on the bank.

Mr Chidi Okezie and Mrs Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami, Secretary and Ag. Head, Marketing and Communications of Stanbic IBTC Bank, made the allegation in a statement.

NAN reports that the bankers’ bank, had on Aug. 28, ordered MTN and four banks, including Stanbic IBTC Bank to refund 8.1 billion dollars illegal capital repatriation from their Nigerian operations to offshore investors.

This allegation was swiftly denied by Stanbic IBTC with claims that it did not violate any regulation on money remittances.

The bank, however, assured stakeholders that the situation would not affect their transactions with the bank.

The affected banks, Citibank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Standard Chartered Bank, were to repay the sum of N5.87 billion for allegedly issuing irregular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) on behalf of some MTN offshore investors.

Standard Chartered Bank was fined N2.4 billion, Stanbic IBTC N1.8 billion, Citibank Nigeria N1.2 billion and Diamond Bank N250 million.

MTN was also directed by the apex bank to refund 8.134 billion dollars to its coffers.

In a letter, dated Sept. 6, 2018 to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Stanbic IBTC Bank, whose parent company, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, is a quoted company, informed stakeholders that the CBN had debited N1.886 billion, the full amount of the stated fine from its account with the apex bank.


“Following our earlier announcement to NSE on Aug. 30, 2018 in respect of the penalty of N1.886 billion imposed by the CBN on our banking subsidiary – Stanbic IBTC Bank, in relation to the remittance of foreign exchange on the basis of certain capital importation certificates issued to MTN, we write to update the NSE that the CBN has debited the account of our banking subsidiary with the CBN for the full amount of the above stated fine.

“But Stanbic IBTC has not breached any extant laws relating to CCI executed on behalf of MTN.

“Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC as well as our banking subsidiary maintain our position on this matter which is the fact that the Bank has done nothing illegal.

“And accordingly, the Bank will continue to provide CBN with documents and details in support of our contention that our actions in relation to these transactions were not illegal,’’ the statement said.

Going by point-to-point rebuttal, the letter from the bank examined different allegations contained in the CBN’s letter.

“Regarding the claim that the shareholders of MTN Nigeria invested the sum of $402,590,261.03 in the company from 2001 to 2006, the bank states as follows:

“The twenty CCIs transferred to our bank by Standard Chartered Bank and which in the above quoted sum were re-issued from existing CCIs that had been issued by Standard Chartered Bank to the original investors in MTN.

“These CCIs were transferred to our Bank to facilitate the repatriation of the proceeds of MTN’s Private Placement which took place in February 2008,’’ the statement said.

The Stanbic IBTC Bank reiterated its preparedness to engage with the CBN in order to resolve the matter.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/cbn-n18-billion-fine-imposed-on-stanbic.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the reason President Muhammadu Buhari refused to sign the amendments to the Electoral Act is to frustrate the National Assembly’s efforts to check the rigging strategies of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

It said President Buhari’s bid to use his veto against the amendments showed that he and the APC were clutching on straws ahead of the 2019 elections.

A statement on Thursday by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan said: “all social, economic and political indicators show that the game is up for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the 2019 general election, in spite of the many anti-democratic machinations of the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The party said “President Buhari’s desperate bid to use his veto to frustrate the amendment to the Electoral Act passed by the National Assembly, which practically checks all APC’s rigging strategies for the election, shows that the president and his derelict party are now clutching on straws.
“Since Nigerians rejected his veto and approved that the National Assembly should override him, the rigging plans perfected by the Buhari Presidency and the APC have been dismantled.
“The Buhari Presidency and the APC in their plans failed to note that Nigerians are already aware that President Buhari is mortally afraid of the amendments because it effectively checks the use of underage and alien voters, vote-buying, alteration of results and manipulation of voter register; the very basis for which APC and Buhari Presidency have been boasting of winning the 2019 elections.

“Nigerians are aware that President Buhari does not want the amendment because it provides for instant transmission of results from the polling to collation center, thus eliminating interferences and planned alteration of results by the APC.
“President Buhari is not happy because the amendment makes it mandatory for INEC to publish voter register online, thus terminating APC’s plot to doctor voter register to suit their rigging script.
“Nigerians are full of commendation for members of the National Assembly, who, in spite of executive intimidation and President Buhari’s determination to set aside the amended electoral law, have maintained their patriotic stand in the overall quest by our citizens for a free, fair and credible 2019 general election.
“The APC should know that Nigerians have since seen through their lies and machination, including the exposed plot to use security agencies to intimidate oppositions. The citizens are, now more than ever before, ready to resist all anti-democratic machinations in the 2019 general elections.
“What is left for the Buhari Presidency is for it to end its scheming, tender a direct apology for its abysmal performance and get prepared to accept defeat and leave the stage for a more innovative and people-oriented President, to be elected by Nigerians on the platform of the repositioned PDP, come 2019.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/real-reason-buhari-refused-to-sign.html

Despite the challenges bedevilling Nigeria’s automotive sector, some assemblers have expressed interest to invest in the production of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.Experience has shown that Nigeria usually turned out to be a dumping ground for a variety of banned products. Given its preference for used vehicles over brand new ones due to very poor purchasing power of the masses, it stands at a higher risk of dumping when other countries eventually phased out the use of conventional fuel cars.

Electric vehicles are a novel and eco-friendly technology designed to reduce man’s dependence on fossil fuel, and potentially a threat to the conventional fuel car market.Top auto assemblers like Volvo, a Swedish vehicle manufacturer, has committed to fitting every car it produced by 2019 with electric or hybrid engines, just as Germany’s BMW plans to mass-produce EVs by 2020, offering 12 models by 2025.

A recent report published by the World Economic Forum, entitled “Electric vehicles for smarter cities: The future of energy and mobility,” also indicated that French multinational automaker, Renault, plans to produce 20 electrified models by 2022, while Germany-based, Volkswagen, will invest up to $84 billion in battery and EV technology to electrify all 300 of its models by 2030.


These transitional commitments to electric vehicles by manufacturers are not sufficient threats to the fossil fuel market, but a very imminent one to Nigeria, which relies heavily on foreign exchange earnings from oil.


Global strategies
Another report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), revealed that the sale of electric cars may rise by 24 per cent yearly till 2030. The Agency estimated that based on existing policies; there would be 125 million electric vehicles on the road, which could further rise to 220 million if strategies became more ambitious to meet global climate goals and other sustainability targets.

Of the one billion cars in the world, only two million are electric. But that will soon change, as costs diminish, and governments encourage the adoption of EVs to cut carbon emissions and fight urban pollution.Sequel to this, some cities across the world have set target year to ban the use of fossil fuel cars to mitigate the effect of gaseous emissions from them.

The cities include; Oslo the Norwegian capital, Madrid, Spain; Chengdu, China; Hamburg and Berlin, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Paris, France; Brussels, Belgium; Bogotá, Colombia; London, England; Mexico; and New York City, San Francisco in the United States of America.

Progress in Nigeria
To catch up the evolution train, Nigus Enfinity, an indigenous automaker, plans to introduce electric vehicles into the Nigerian automobile market this year, while its local assembly plant for EVs will be ready by 2020.The company Chairman, Malik Ado-Ibrahim, noted that many countries across the world have already set targets for the ban of fossil-fuelled vehicles with India targeting 2030, and the United Kingdom, 2040.He said Nigeria and Africa need to look inward to be at the fore of the automotive revolution, or risk becoming a dumping ground for banned vehicles from other countries.

In preparation for this, Ado-Ibrahim said his firm is already building a 100-megawatt (mw) solar power plant in Katsina, and Adamawa states.Ahead of the debut for its brand of EVs, he said Nigus Enfinity is partnering with a Chinese firm, Build Your Dreams, to import electric vehicles at affordable costs.“We are also working with BYD to get a local brand, and start an electric vehicle assembly plant for Nigeria from 2020. Gradually, we will move to an EV with an African DNA, starting in Nigeria,” he explained.

Although still not so popular, the Marketing Manager, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh, revealed that Nigeria had already launched the use of EVs since 2015, as the automaker was the first to bring in such vehicles into the country.Accordingly, Jimoh said a number of people especially some government officials are currently driving electric vehicles.


“Senator Ben Murray Bruce is currently using a Kia electric vehicle, and some other people are using that electric vehicle as we speak right now. So we have brought the electric vehicle since 2015, and it is something that if the government is willing to partner with us on, then certainly we can bring it in large quantities,” he explained.He noted that developed countries which manufacture eco-friendly vehicles, which might be hybrid or electric vehicles are quite expensive than that of combustive engine.



“What governments do across board, particularly in developed countries, is to create some kind of subsidy to intensify interest in those eco-friendly cars by granting subsidies, and working closely with the manufacturers or distributors of these vehicles in such a way that the initial cost of purchase won’t be a burden for buyers.”

The Managing Director, Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria (PAN), Ibrahim Boyi, said: “We are taking some pragmatic steps, we are having a team working on the electric vehicles, and they are reaching out to other key stakeholders at the national level; and we are also reaching out to global partners to ensure we are able to develop a Nigerian electric car.”“We see the development as one of the disruption of the industry, and we are positioning ourselves properly to maintain leadership in that respect, Boyi said.


To increase interest and usage of EVs, Deputy Managing Director, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Victor Eburajolo, argued that government needs to take a decision, give assemblers time to comply, and fall in line. Eburajolo noted that the initiative is supposed to be led by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), which should give assemblers a period to adjust. “They must give us time and say from this time to this, these are the vehicles you are encouraged to assemble, and then Nigerians would get used to it.”

However, the NADDC is at the margin of developing a national policy on electronic vehicles.”The Director-General, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, admitted that Nigeria would need to look at how to introduce and support the electric car technology in terms of its scalability.“A number of the companies that are interested in Nigeria either already have electric vehicle programmes in place, or are looking at going into it. We will have to work closely with them to provide these vehicles in Nigeria,” he said.

Nigeria has put in place an auto policy, although widely criticised, which is meant to reduce the importation of used vehicles. However, the success and sustainability of such a policy in the face of hyper-inflation and poor purchasing power remain to be seen.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigerian-automakers-struggle-with.html

Meet The 12 PDP Presidential Aspirants, All From The North.



Who Do You Think Can Defeat BUHARI Among Them ?


[b]Source: [url]http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/meet-12-pdp-presidential-aspirants-all.html

The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), Lagos State chapter, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to review the nomination and expression of interest fees for aspirants contesting the 2019 general elections.

The group made the appeal in a statement jointly issued by Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga and Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe, the State Coordinator and General Secretary of the group respectively.

According to the group, the fees being demanded by the ruling party from aspirants is a “disenfranchisement weapon” for genuine aspirants, especially youths.

“Our youths deserve a platform to showcase their leadership prowess.

“We are calling for a prompt review of the high cost for nomination and expression of interest forms in other not to slam the doors at competent candidates who would not be able to afford the fees.

“This cost will subject such candidates to the mercy of looters or corrupt persons who will make them stooges while dictating the affairs for such candidates, ’’ the group said.

According to the group, the reputation built by President Muhammadu Buhari has drawn the attention of various world leaders to the country.

It said many supporters of the president were willing to donate to ensure he was returned as the president till 2023.


The group, however, said it would be difficult to replicate the gesture for other candidates who may not be able to raise such funds by crowdfunding within the limited time.

“We are advocates of good governance and a government that belongs to everybody and nobody.

“We also believe APC is a listening progressive party that wants every Nigerian to have equal access and rights to opportunities.

“The prompt review for fair fees will enable active participation of more members in the party’s success in the 2019 general elections,’’ the group said.

The APC’s National Working Committee had proposed N55 million as the cost of the nomination and expression of interest forms for the office of President, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

This is higher than the N12 million being charged by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

For the Senate, APC aspirants will pay N 8.5 million as against the N3.5 million of that of the PDP for the same seat.

While for the House of Representatives, APC demands N3.8 million from its aspirants, PDP is charging N1.5 million.

APC governorship aspirants would cough out N22.5 million as against the N6 million charged by the PDP.

Aspirants for the state Houses of Assembly elections in APC would pay N 1.1million as against PDP’s N600, 000.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/byo-group-seeks-review-of-apc.html

Nasarawa State Government has donated a 2,000 capacity boarding secondary school in Lafia, the state capital, to the Nigeria Police Force.

Gov. Umaru Al-Makura disclosed this on Monday in Lafia at the occasion of the formal presentation of the 2,140 secondary school teachers employed by the state government.

He said that the donation of the school was in line with the state government’s support and collaboration with the Police.

“We have built a full-fledged 2,000-capacity boarding secondary school behind the Emir’s palace in Lafia and donated to the Police.

“It has dormitories, classrooms, offices and all the paraphernalia of a modern secondary school.

“I am in touch with the Police and hopefully, the school will become operational this school season and our children in Nasarawa State would start benefitting from admission,” Al-Makura said.

The governor congratulated the newly employed teachers and said that their engagement was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment toward promoting the standard of education in the state.

According him, the employed teachers are core professionals with Bachelors degree in Education and National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders qualified to teach in senior and junior secondary schools respectively.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nasarawa-govt-donates-boarding-school.html