₦airaland Forum

Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said on Tuesday he prefers to do landmark achievements than sharing the state’s funds with politicians.

He also asked traditional rulers to pray for peace and “attitudinal change in the state.”

The governor spoke in Takum country home while celebrating the Christmas with his cabinet members, House of Assembly members, chairmen of local government councils, party executives, political supporters and traditional rulers.

He noted that his administration was heavily challenged by paucity of funds.

He said: “The challenge is that what we are getting today is a far cry from what those who were with the late former governor, Danbaba Suntai, were getting.

Ishaku said his priority was to develop Taraba and leave behind a good name rather than sharing the little resources available because he wants a second term.

He pleaded with the people of Taraba State to forgive him, if he had erred in the course of steering the affairs of the state within the two and half years,

“I am very sorry, if I went wrong. I do not have two brains, so forgive me,” he said.

He asked the people continue to love one another and sustain the relative peace to enable him achieve more for the state.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/i-cant-share-tarabas-funds-with-anyone.html

The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has provided reasons Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State will not be contesting against President Muhammadu Buhari come 2019 presidential election.

Speaking to Daily Trust, the National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye, said that Obiano was not contesting the 2019 presidential poll because the party was targeting to win the remaining South-east states.


He said that the recent reports linking Obiano to 2019 presidential campaign were fallacious and designed to pitch him against his admirers and scuttle his administration.
He said, “That is ridiculous. The governor holds his colleagues and, indeed, any other person for that matter in high esteem. For the whole period I have known the governor he has never been associated with vainglory, undignified utterances or uncouth words.
“There was no time the governor told anybody, dead or alive, that he would want to run for the presidency.”
He said being the national chairman of the party, he should have known about such an ambition before it would be made public.

He stressed that the party’s support for President Muhammadu Buhari was “because of the urgent need to work collectively to heal the wounds of the nation and build an egalitarian and just society for the present and future generations.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/2019apga-speaks-on-obiano-contesting.html

The Nigerian Senate does get quite a telling from the citizenry, and sometimes they very well deserve it. However, there are also many times when they do make the people proud. So, as we take stock of the year, here are some of those memorable bills through which our senators have demonstrated that their service and fealty do indeed rest on the interests and wishes of the people.

1.Passage of the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill

Here we saw a Nigerian Senate that not only listens but also has its fingers on the pulse of the people. By passing the NotTooYoungToRun Bill, which reduces the required ages for seeking political offices, the Senate has ignited greater participation of the youth, not just in politics but also in political leadership. For a country with over 70 percent of its population under 35, this is a wonderful development, little wonder the passage of the bill has received widespread commendation across the country and beyond.

The Senate also went beyond just addressing youth participation in politics to deal with pressing constitutional issues. All together, the Senate passed 33 Bills as part of its Constitutional Review Exercise, 29 of which have now been forwarded to the State House of Assemblies for review. Here is a detailed analysis of the bills:

2.Passage of #OpenNASS

If the Senate’s passage of the NotTooYoungToRun Bill demonstrated ability to listen to the people, its decision to open the Budget of the National Assembly to the general public displayed exemplary commitment to transparency and accountability. This was the first time, since Nigeria’s return to democracy 17 years ago, that anyone could google up and see, in fine print every dime that the Senate did intend to spend and how it planned to spend it.

3.Passage of the North East Development Bill

No single issue has, over the past decade, caused so much economic and social destruction to our country as the extremist insurgency in the North East of the country. So, it’s been a thing of great pride to see how everyone has contributed their best to this painful road of recovery. Here again the Senate has led with commitment and focus, passing the North East Development Commission Bill (signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari), which among other things establishes a commission tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding and rehabilitating the North East whilst ensuring the resettlement of the internally displaced persons into their homes. Surely rebuilding the North east is the most definitive way to defeat the insurgents.

4.Passage of the Ease of Doing Business Bills

While the insurgency in the North East has been one of our biggest challenges, it is not the only one. Sadly we rank very lowly on the global scene when it comes to the ease of doing business, so it was a very welcome development when the Senate tackled the issue head on. Over the course of the year, the Senate Passed two Access to Credit Bills (now signed into law, both of which have significantly boosted Nigeria’s ease of doing business rankings.

The first bill, the Credit Bureau Services Bill Passed in May 2017, helps reduce the risk of lending or engaging in business with individuals or companies with a financial history of not paying back while the second, The Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets, enables ordinary Nigerians use invoices and receipts to access loans and working capital. Together, both laws smoothen the rough edges of doing business in Nigeria by securing lenders from working with people who have questionable financial history and also enabling more Nigerians to borrow towards growing their businesses. This, no doubt, would translate in unlocking more growth potential for our economy.

5.Passage of the Whistleblower Protection Bill

Perhaps, just as important as empowering businesses is to growing our economy, so too is curbing corrupt and improper conduct in the public and private sector. In this regard, it has been great to see the Senate take the lead in this campaign by passing the Whistle-blower Protection Bill.

So many memes have been out of this Bill on social media, and it goes to show just how popularity of the action taken by the Senate. The Bill is also very thoughtful in what it seeks to achieve in that it guarantees protection from all forms of victimisation for Nigerians who speak up when they see something wrong.

6.Passage of The INEC Reform Bill

Understanding that the viability of our whole democracy lies in the integrity of our electoral system, the Senate did well to shore up our voting process through its INEC Reform Bill. Thanks to the bill, there shall now be full biometric accreditation of voters with Smart Card Readers, INEC Officers must now instantly transmit accreditation data and results from Polling Units to various collation centres and INEC is now mandated to keep Electronic registers of voters. INEC is now mandated to publish voters’ registers on its official website(s) for public scrutiny at least 30 days before a general election.

The bill also ensures that people are held responsible for their actions by prescribing jail term for defaulting INEC officers. But the best part of the bill is that it kick-starts, in earnest, the technological evolution of our voting system. INEC now has unfettered powers to conduct elections by electronic voting, is mandated to keep a National Electronic Register of Election Results as a distinct database or repository of polling unit by polling unit results for all elections conducted by INEC. Collation of election result is also now mainly electronic, as transmitted unit results will help to determine final results on real time basis.

7.Passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill

From sanitizing our electoral system to cleaning up the petroleum industry, the Senate made another landmark achievement with its passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill. This Bill aims to introduce new operational and fiscal terms for the management of the revenue that is accrued from the sector. In essence, it’s high time we got more out of our petro-dollar, especially now that oil prices have rallied.

8.Passage of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Bill:

If there’s anything we’ve learnt from the anti-corruption cases of the past few years, it’s the importance of financial intelligence. That’s why the Bill, by the Senate, to create a robust, independent Financial Intelligence Unit is very much welcome.

The NFIU Bill also empowers the NFIU to, in line with international best practices, seek and exchange information with partner countries in order to improve international coordination on issues around financial crimes at home and abroad. The passage of the Bill into law would also re-admit and improve Nigeria’s standing within the Group while increasing their levels of cooperation and coordination to ensure that Nigeria achieves membership of FATF.

9.Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill:

Still riding on the need for greater international cooperation to combat crime, the Senate also passed the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, which would enhance collaboration between the Nigerian government and its foreign counterparts. This would significantly ease the challenges our law enforcements currently have identifying, recovering and confiscating proceeds of crime located abroad. Simply put, with this bills, no one can steal public money and transfer it in foreign banks for safekeeping, such stolen funds, or the properties with which they are acquired, would be easily retrieved or seized.

It’s important to note that as encouraging as these legislative actions are, a bill by itself just unlocks the door to opportunity. Someone still has to reach for the door handle, turn the knob, and walk through the door. It’s up to members of the polity to take advantage of this chance with both hands and drive towards the collective goals we seek for Nigeria in the vehicle provided by the Senate

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/9-things-senate-did-to-make-nigerians.html

Former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Babangida Nguroje has called on christian faithful to see the season of Christmas as a moment to pray for Nigerian Christians.

According to Nguroje, Christians should see Christmas as a times of great joy and a moment of remembering the past and hoping for the future.

In a Christmas message to Nigerians and other christians across the globe, Nguroje said the joyous celebration which marks the birth of Jesus Christ should also be a unifying factor for all Nigerians.
According to him, the several biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ as saviour and peace maker should be the guiding principle in the celebration of His birth.
He also called on Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for their leaders , pray for everlasting peace, sacrifice and remain committed to only those things that would further promote and unite the country.
” I therefore wish the people of Taraba state and Nigeria in general a happy Christmas and prosperous new year”.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/christmas-pray-for-our-leaders-nguroje.html

Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to consult God before running for president in 2019.

The Primate warned that if the Waziri of Adamawa fails to consult God, he “may not get it right.”



The warning was contained in Ayodele’s 2018 prophecies, where he called on Nigerians to be prayerful.
He also predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s aides will create problems for him.
Ayodele said Buhari will ​have to ​do a lot of alliance to boost his political chances.
In a statement he issued, the cler​ic​ ​l​isted five politicians who are likely to be future president of Nigeria.

He identified Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, ​Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola and Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
The clergyman also said Nigerians should pray against scarcity of food commodity in the country​.
​
The prophecies read​:​ “Bread ​wil​l be scarce in the country, even garri. Some markets will be shut down, and let’s pray against explosion in some markets.
“We should also pray so that we don’t lose any Iyaloja or Babaloja.
“Iyaloja General should pray against multiple troubles, she should also be watchful of scandals.

“For the presidential election, this is what you should be expecting: Buhari will do a lot of alliance, he will try to settle so many things and try to balance right and left. But Buhari’s aides will create problems for him.
“The only people who can hold Buhari’s government are Fashola and Amaechi.
“2019: Atiku wants to be president; it’s going to be serious. Only if Atiku consults God very well before he takes the right step, otherwise, Atiku may not get it right.
“The presidential candidate of the PDP will be imposed, he will not be democratically elected after their presidential primaries.
“These are the future presidents after 2019, if they are still alive; Tambuwal, Saraki, Fashola, Amaechi, watch these people. Watch Ibikunle Amosun, these are future presidents of Nigeria.
“It is not PDP or APC that can put ​things ​
in order. Those two parties have nothing to offer Nigeria. The House will break because of Buhari 2019.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/primate-ayodele-releases-2018.html

Ogun State government has pledged to ensure zero maternal and child mortality, through qualitative and efficient health care delivery.

Wife of the state governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunsho Amosun, at the flag-off ceremony of the December Round of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW), and induction of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health Champions (RMNCAH), held at Sango Primary Health Centre, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council Area of the state, said the state was committed to improving maternal health and reducing child mortality, as no woman should die in the process of giving birth or children die during childbirth.
Amosun noted that the MNCHW campaign was essential to ensuring progress in the realisation of children’s right to good healthcare and best start in life, adding that it aimed at improving the healthcare of the whole family, especially pregnant women and children under five.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ogun-commits-to-zero-maternal-child.html

Kia Motors Nigeria has recorded increased sales in 2017 with over 200 per cent year-on-year sales from 2016.Besides, the company said it is set to triple its sales in 2018 with a sustained comprehensive business strategy.

According to the company, the increased sales followed the country’s economic recovery from the recession that had hitherto stagnated all the sectors of the economy particularly, car sales in 2016. The business strategy and the extensive customer-based sales and service programs broke the ice and paved way for a record high year-on-year sales.

Chief Executive Officer, Kia Motors Nigeria, Jacky Hathiramani, said: “With our strategic business propositions, we are set to triple sales by expanding our units in operations (UIO) with increased new sales in the in the year 2018,” said.Speaking on the increased sale, Jacky alluded said Kia had always stay ahead of the curve with the top of the segment cars that have low maintenance costs and are affordable to the customers.


It will be recalled that there was an offshoot in the prices of products across all sectors of the economy amidst low buying power; however, Jacky maintained that Kia’s commitment to offering highly competitive pricing on its models played a major role in the record sales.He said the automobile company is poised to sustain the sales growth by introducing new models to the market and offering a highly competitive pricing on all their models.

Jacky said he’s confident that the second half of 2017 (2H17)’s sales momentum can be sustained into the 1H18, and this would help the company achieve better results over last year. “There’s an increased sale in the last six months compared with the same period last year. So, we project increased sales in 2018,”

Meanwhile, among the aggressive sales initiatives undertaken by the company in 2017 was Kia drive your dream and ember surprise promos. The company’s service promos also contributed immensely to the overall revenue for the company. The introduction of Kia double deal promo with over 15 per cent discount on both parts and labour recorded tremendous success and helped increase Kia brand confidence among customers. “These programmes increased our customer retention and loyalty towards the brand,” Jacky said.

He added that the company is set to introduce new models in the year 2018, headlining these models will be the world adjudged best-in-class luxury sedan, Kia Stinger, the B-Segment leader, SC Kia Rio and newly refreshed Kia Cerato amongst others.

On the general low stock level pervading the industry, he said the company was currently facing a high back order for some models, and was looking forward to assembling the cars at its plant in Lagos, Nigeria before the year-end.

It will be recalled that Kia Motors Nigeria began its local production in the wake of the implementation of the auto policy in 2014. The company built an ultra-modern assembly plant in Lagos with a capacity to produce 27,000 units of vehicles per annum.

Locally producing cars to the exact standard of Kia Motors Corporations in Korea, Kia Motors Nigeria currently produces the cars locally and the 2018 Kia Rio in addition to the recently launched Sorento, Sportage and Optima are produced in its plant in Lagos.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/kia-nigeria-records-200-year-on-year.html

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has warned policemen to distant themselves from the proscribed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

He also warned them to guide against being infiltrated by those who don’t mean well for the country.

He said this in Abuja on Thursday evening when he met with Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

He said: “I am directing you to keep away from people that do not mean well for this country to avoid putting yourselves in trouble.


“Every police officer must remain loyal to his service, government and citizens of this country. Especially those serving in the Southeast. As much as possible, keep a distance from IPOB and other illegal organisations.

“Don’t allow any of them to penetrate you to work against this country in any way at all.

“I know that in the past, some Police officers were seen taking pictures with him. I believe it is not in the interest of this country to associate yourselves with somebody that came openly to say he wants the country divided.

“These are very serious issues and I want the men to keep a distance from them because they don’t mean well”.

On the essence of the meeting, the police chief said: “I decided to arrange this meeting because I believe that in the coming months, the PMF is going to be tasked with the responsibility to ensure that law and order is maintained all over the country.

“We are now in December and from January next year, it would be a period with highest forms of legal and illegal activities and I believe it is crucial that I summon all of you to ensure that your mind is prepared to provide security for this country.


“There are issues that are bothering this country right now, there are beehives of political activities and this calls for professionalism from all police officers serving in this country.

“With the political activities, people would try to infiltrate you to get your support by indulging yourself in unwholesome activities”.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/distance-yourself-from-ipob-igp-tells.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded a stop to alleged harassment and intimidation of its members by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The warning by the PDP came just as the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, said the new executive was poised to rediscover the winning magic of the party and to reignite the fire that once made Nigeria a shining beacon in Africa.


Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekwerenmadu, has said the opposition would field a presidential candidate with popularity that would outmatch any candidate presented by the APC in the 2019 election.

Secondus, who spoke yesterday when members of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) paid the National Working Committee (NWC) a courtesy call at the party national secretariat, Wadata House, Abuja, said the rate at which leaders of the party were being harassed was getting out of hand.

The national chairman was particularly angry over the alleged hounding of the former Senate President, David Mark, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), adding that, “there is no where in the world where a former Senate President has been harassed like this before.

“APC should stop intimidating our leaders, we will no longer take it, enough is enough! They don’t need to attack us, they should fulfill what they promised us. Enough of this, we are not in a military government. What I am telling them is that God is not sleeping. When the time comes, the people will speak through their votes.”

Speaking at a two-day retreat for the newly elected NWC on the determination of the party to return back to power in 2019, Secondus said efforts will be geared towards repackaging the PDP and to unveil it to the Nigerian electorate so as to regain their confidence.
According to Secondus, PDP will be taking a cue from the International Republican Institute (IRI) which said the party lost the election because of its inability to recognise the power of social media and its failure to harmonise its communication channels.

“We must therefore begin to invest in our party with the aim of repackaging and eventually unveiling a reformed PDP to the Nigerian electorate, so as to regain their confidence. We must redefine who we are in the minds of Nigerians, down to the grass-root level,” he said”
Secondus said the two-day retreat is a self-reawakening; to give everyone a say in the outcome, a chance to fully participate in crafting the key strategies to move the party forward.

In his remarks, Ekwerenmadu said the emergence of Secondus as PDP’s national chairman has struck fear in the minds of the APC leaders who sees him as an experienced political tactician capable of swaying victory to his side
On the party’s presidential ticket, Ekweremadu urged the NWC to provide a level playing ground for all interested and qualified aspirants.
He said: “Of utmost importance in the build up to 2019 election year is our choice of presidential candidate. The fate and political fortunes of the party depend on the party’s presidential candidate.

“The party must therefore identify a candidate with the credentials, reach, charisma, competence and popularity to outmatch any candidate presented by the ruling APC and any other party for that matter.”
The Jostle for the PDP’s presidential ticket seemed to have taken off as one of the presidential hopeful and former Governor Jigwa State, Sule Lamido, yesterday stormed the national secretariat of the PDP with his supporters.

Lamido later met with the new leadership of the party behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the PDP has said the Anambra State Caretaker Committee led by Chukwudi Umeaba would remain in office until a fresh state congress is held.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party said the Anambra State congress would be held at a later date and time to be determined and announced by the NWC.
“That the Anambra State Caretaker Committee led by Umeaba continues to subsist and pilot the affairs of the party in the state until a state congress is held.

“The NWC of the PDP yesterday, December 19, 2017, reviewed the state of our great party in Anambra State and resolved as follows:

“That the ward congresses as declared by the Appeals Committee are upheld. That the local government congresses as declared by the appeals committee are upheld.
“All members of the party, particularly in Anambra State should be guided by this resolution.”
Meanwhile, in a bid to forestall any relapse to legal tussle in the PDP, the Chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee, Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriaka Dickson, has expressed his preparedness to engage the aggrieved chairmanship aspirants, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja.

Dickson who gave the hint at retreat for the newly elected national executive of the party, said the committee would meet with Adedoja with a view to persuading him to withdraw his suit against the party.

Adedoja, a former Minister of Youth and Sports, said he filed a suit at an Abuja Federal High Court to challenge the outcome the election which saw the emergence of Secondus as the national chairman.
The aspirant claimed that his name was wrongly spelt as “Taoheed Oladoja” thereby misleading delegates and robbing him of victory at the convention.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/stop-harassing-our-leaders-pdp-warns.html

Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday revealed that state governors resolved to approve money for national security after a national security summit organised by the National Economic Council.

The Vice President who presided over NEC gave the explanation at the opening of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Secretaries to State Governments’ retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He explained, “It was after a national security summit of the National Economic Council that Governors at their forum decided to approve some money for national security.”

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, Abdulaziz Yari, had at a NEC meeting last Wednesday announced that the governors had asked the Federal Government to withdraw $1bn from the Excess Crude Account to fight the insurgency.

The decision had, however, attracted controversies from groups and individuals, including the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/breakinggovernors-have-approved-1bn.html

Victor Moses’ hope of winning his first African Footballer of the Year award was shattered yesterday when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ignored the Chelsea wingback in its final three contenders for the title.
Nigerians were expecting Moses to win his first continental title and the country’s first since Nwankwo Kanu took it in 1999.CAF yesterday chose Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Senegal’s Sadio Mane as final three contenders for the title, which will be announced at gala night in Accra on January 4 2018.

Moses was one of the outstanding performers in the 2016/2017 season, with his forays from the right wingback position helping Chelsea to clinch the EPL title last season. The irony is that during the period in question, Salah was playing for Roma and was not as significant as he is now in Liverpool. However, his outstanding displays for Liverpool seems to have swayed the voters to his side.

All the nominees are strikers, which lend credence to the belief that the award is tilted towards goal scorers. Salah, who was recently named BBC African Player of the year, is the favourite to win this award.
This is Aubameyang’s fourth inclusion in the final three of the title he won in 2015.Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr is a finalist for the Coach of the Year, which he is contesting with Egypt’s Hector Cuper and L’Hussein Amoutta of Wydad Athletic Club.

The Super Eagles and the national U-20 women’s team (Falconets) are also in contention for the National Team of the Year and Women’s National Team of the Year awards respectively.

Former Arsenal and Liverpool striker, Asisat Oshoala is in the running for the Women’s Player of the Year alongside Chrestina Kgatlana (South Africa & UWC Ladies) and Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene (Cameroun & CSKA Moscow).

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/moses-fails-to-make-final-cut-as-caf.html

The Architectural Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), has warned the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to stop sending its graduands to teach in secondary or primary schools during their one year mandatory service as such practice has negatively affected their skills and quality at the end of the scheme..

It said instead, Architectural graduates should be sent to serve in firms where their skills would not only be tested and enhanced but that such opportunities will go a long way to preparing them for final qualifications and induction as full members of the profession..

ARCON is a professional body that sets standard and regulates all Architecture related courses in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The body does not only approve courses leading to the study of architecture in the country, it is also saddled with the responsibility of mentoring young ones to be professionally qualified before preparing them for induction as qualified members due for professional practice in Nigeria.

ARCON President, Aliyu Umar, said the warning has become necessary to enable qualified architects to be exposed practically in their noble profession for the well being of the construction industry in the country.

Umar stated this in his message to ARCON 5th Induction Ceremony where about 130 new members were received in its fold. in Abuja.

The President stated that it was gratifying to know that till date, the body has registered 8 firms and inducted very qualified Nigerians capable of competing with their counterparts all over the world.


“As you can see today, we are inducting 130 new members into our folds, this has brought the total of qualified architects and members of ARCON to about 4,600, we are indeed very glad.’’

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/stop-sending-our-graduates-to-teach-in.html

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that all communities that promote peace will continue to enjoy strategic projects from his administration.
Flagging off the reconstruction of the Government Secondary School, Abua yesterday, Wike noted that projects implementation in Abua/Odual became easy after the people embraced the peace initiatives of the Rivers State Government.

He said: “Abua/Odual is close to my heart. When there is peace, government finds it easy to execute projects. We are here executing projects because peace has returned to Abua/Odual.”
Wike said as part of the empowerment scheme of his administration, more than 90 per cent of the contractors for the reconstruction of the school are from Abua/Odual.

He, however, warned that any contractor that collects government money and defaults will face the full weight of the law.
The governor said that his administration remains committed to the rapid development of the state.
“God has blessed us. While other states are struggling to pay salaries, we are not only paying salaries and pensions, we are executing key projects,” he said.


He urged the youths of the area to protect the contractors for speedy completion of the project.
Describing the project, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Jaja said the school will be re-modelled, reconstructed and upgraded.

He added that boarding education would be introduced in Government Secondary School, Abua as part of the remodelling process.
Member of the House of Representatives representing Abua/Odual/Ahoada East Federal Constituency , Mrs Betty Apiafi praised Governor Wike for always giving Abua/Odual priority attention.

Oda Abua, King Kalay Obugeh lauded Governor Wike for the return of peace to the area. He said through the implementation of projects, peace has been sustained by the Wike administration in the area.

Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Oladipo said Wike is the only governor that has initiated and commissioned projects in the area since the creation of the council.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/peaceful-communities-will-enjoy-more.html

Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics company, INTELS Nigeria Limited, has been conferred with the award of the “Most Outstanding Terminal Operator in Corporate Social Responsibility” by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), which is a federal government agency under the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

The award, which was conferred on Intels during the NSC’s stakeholders’ appreciation night held in Lagos recently, was in appreciation of the company’s efforts at uplifting individuals, families and the host communities through its CSR.

Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, also commended INTELS for its huge investment and commitment to ports development in the country.

He said Intels as a core investor in the concession of major oil and gas terminals in Nigeria and has consistently raised the living standards of its host communities in Onne, in Rivers State, Warri in Delta State and Calabar in Cross River States.

In recognition of the company’s support, the paramount ruler of Onne clan in Rivers State, King John Dennis Osaronu, recently commended the company, describing it as “a company Nigerians must be proud of.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/intels-wins-shippers-council-csr-award.html

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, yesterday called on the people of the Niger Delta to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) for small scale farmers in Nigeria or lose out on its many benefits.

The youths regretted that the objectives of the programme were little known in the region, noting that most eligible people of Ijaw descent had not been able to benefit from the N43.92 billion so far released for the scheme.


Daniel Dasimaka, the IYC’s national Spokesman, in a statement in Yenagoa, said the region was being left behind in terms of keying into the programme inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 for small holders in the agricultural sector in the country.

President Buhari had while reeling out his scorecard in October described the programme as a huge success, mentioning some states that were benefitting hugely from it.

“N43.92 billion (has been) released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions, 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting, 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soya-beans, poultry, cassava and groundnuts, in addition to fish farming” he had said.

The IYC urged all Ijaw people interested in the programme to intimate themselves with the CBN’s ‘Anchor Borrowers’ Programme Guideline’ which is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.

“The programme thrust of the ABP is the provision of farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production of these commodities, stabilise inputs supply to agro processors and address the country’s negative balance of payments on food.

“At harvest, the SHF supplies his/her produce to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the cash equivalent to the farmer’s account,” the youth body explained.

IYC added: “Recently, as part of our consultation to improve the wellbeing of Ijaw people, especially the youths, we visited the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and he also mentioned the benefits of this programme.

“But are Ijaw youths aware of the existence of this programme? How many youths of Ijaw descent are aware? How many Ijaw youths have benefitted from the N43.92 billion released through the CBN? If we have not, why?”

The group argued that the key to the region’s development “lies in our taking full advantage of the opportunities presented to us”, adding that while we struggle for Resource Control and self-determination to manage our God -given resources, we should also take full advantage of the many opportunities in the non-oil sectors of the economy.

“While we are here talking about crude oil which has the full attention of Nigerians, some people are making cool tax-free billions on the back of government incentives,” Dasimaka noted.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ijaw-youths-urge-ndelta-to-key-into-fgs.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was yesterday pronounced worthy in character and learning for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Christian Theology. The pronouncement was made after he spent 163 minutes to defend his voluminous dissertation before a six-man academic panel.



He got the degree from the Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abeokuta Study Centre, Ogun State.Obasanjo’s PhD thesis is titled: Resolving The Unfinished Agenda in Liberation Theology: Leadership, Poverty And Underdevelopment In North Eastern Nigeria.

The former president, with matriculation number: NOU 146058901 submitted the thesis as part of the requirements for the award of a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology.


Members of the defence panel were Prof. Deji Ayegboyin (Major Supervisor), Dr. Mustapha Raheem Adejoro (Head of Department, Religious Studies), Prof. Nebath Tanglang (School of Postgraduate Studies), Dr. Samaila Mande (Dean, Postgraduate School), Prof. Godwin Akper (Internal Supervisor and Dean, Faculty of Arts) and Prof. Cletus Gotan (External Supervisor).

Asked by Mande, who chaired the panel, to justify in a nutshell why he should be awarded a PhD degree of the institution, Obasanjo said he had put in enough study and intellectual rigour to produce his work based on diligent guide and supervision from his teachers and supervisors.

At the end of the defense, Mande declared Obasanjo worthy of the degree, stressing that he had satisfied the requirements and thus qualified for the award of Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology of NOUN.

Mande said it was a thing of joy to him as the former President was one of the pioneer students to receive a PhD in Christian Theology under his management and expressed the confidence that the feat would be celebrated during the NOUN convocation.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/obasanjo-bags-phd-in-christian-theology.html

General Overseer of The Word Bible Church, worldwide, Prophet Juluis Babatinde Kumoluyi, has described the Biblical significance of President Donald Trump’s desire to make Jerusalem the capital of Isreal, as a signal of end time, saying: “For me, I can tell you categorically that it is God that brought Donald Trump in as U.S President in order to fulfil His promises. Trump is just like Jesus Christ, the Messiah who came to redeem us from our iniquities. What is happening about Trump and Jerusalem is even Biblical and it is in fulfilment of God’s promises. It is an indication that anytime from now, the trumpet may sound and that we must be ready and be at alert. The end is very near. ”

The cleric, who is a Prophet with track records of many of his predictions coming to pass, one of which was his predictions about President Muhammadu Buhari’s illness before the President fell ill and was flown to London, gave the remarks during the 25th anniversary of his church at the headquarters in Ajelogo area of Ketu, in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos.



Oba Fasiku Adewunmi Ajibade, Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti, and paramount ruler of Egbe Oba kingdom, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, who graced the ocassion with many other dignitaries, said: “I feel happy and great because it is a thing of joy for me. We were together and living close to each other in Lagos when he started this ministry 25 years ago. ”

“I appreciate the mercy of God for his life and also appreciate how God has used him for me in certain major achievements in my life through his prayers. I also appreciate his wife, Prophetess Kumoluyi for supporting her husband and ensuring that she fill the gap whenever Prophet Kumoluyi is away doing God’s work. He has receive the grace and mercy of God and he must remain in God truly and continue to preach true words of God.”

Bamidele Ayanlowo, a medical doctor and General Overseer of Divine Life Ministries, (aka Holy Ghost Assembly) Shagamu, Ogun State, preached a sermon entitled: “Recipe for long life and work of God” at the event, said he was drawn to Pastor Kumoluyi because he watched him preached God’s undiluted words in a television broadcast.

Speaking about the topic of his sermon, he said, “There is this widely held view and fear about death. That nobody knows the day of his death and that anyone could die anytime. But that is an uncertainty that we children of God should not accept. From the word of God, we don’t see that happening with those who walked with God. God has a covenant with His people which He wants to respect and keep, He doesn’t just want them to die suddenly. He wants to communicate with us and you would. Find out that for those who have been walking with God, He gives them premonition and even instructions, and opportunity for them to prepare before he time comes.”



Ayanlowo listed the recipe for long life as, walking closely with God, repentance from dead works, especially sexual sins, reading and applying God’s words to everyday life, using our tongues rightly, choosing what to eat right, rejoicing in the Lord no matter the situation, not allowing the difficulties of life to weigh you down and relating well with all people, loving everyone and respecting men of God and obeying rules of practical healthy living among other.

Oba Olagbade Ojo, Elemuje of Emuje kingdom in Ifedore local government area of Ondo State, who said he could pass for a kinsman of Prophet Kumoluyi said: “My place is just three kilometres from Pastor Kumoluyi’s place and that makes us kinsmen. He is a true prophet and he stunned me with all his prophecies for me which came to pass. I urge all members of the church to always listen to the man of God.”

Congratulating her husband on the 25th anniversary, Mrs. Funmi Kumoluyi, said: “I feel happy and grateful to God on a day like this. It is God’s doing. God is faithful in promises. It is not easy but God has been seeing us through so we give him all the glory.

” We have witnessed many challenges but because we have Jesus Christ. We know that in this world, we will face many challenges but all these that we encounter in this. Journey are making us stronger.I rejoice with my husband, he should continue to be prayerful, thankful and faithful obedient to God. In spite of the challenges, he should look up to Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith, ” she said.



Commenting on the journey of 25 years as a man of God, Kumoluyi said:

“It gladdens my heart to witness this milestone. 25 years in the ministry is not a joke. It is not very easy but God in His infinite mercy has made it easy for me. I have seen so many storms and challenges here and there but I was able to triumph, may be it was because of my commitment, I don’t know but this is what we call mercy of God, favour of God because there are many people who are holier than me and can work assiduously in God’s vineyard more than me. But we thank God that I am alive today to witness this glorious occasion. So, to me it is mercy and grace of God.

” There was a time people were leaving the church, and they were people I never thought could think of leaving. I almost got discouraged but when I asked God, he said He was the one sanitizing the church. Those who left then were very close to me and they were people I relied on to take over the ministry should I be called home any time. But glory be to God, in no time he replaced everyone who left with even more people.

“There are people in the church today who would decide to leave the church if you do not give them a strategic post they want. I allow those to go and continue to pray for them so that God’s wrath won’t be on them. There are agents of darkness in church but you may not know after a long while unless the Lord shows you, he said.

Recalling the challenges he had faced, he said: “I had many horrible experiences that almost made me to quit but what has kept me going are two, that this was a true call from God and also that since I heed His call, I have never consulted lesser God for any power. I often stand on these two facts to relate with God in difficult times.

“So, I enjoy challenges when they come, particularly criticism, to me when a man of God is criticised, you become better as you would know areas where you are failing and quickly make amends.”

On his achievement as leader of the church, he said: “God has given us great achievements, an example if the magnificent building you are seeing. God has also given us. Branches across the country and in some parts of the world. Recently I was in London to minister at a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) branch in Coventry city, when God used some brethren over there decided to start a another branch of this church in Manchester , they were about 20 in number and I tell you till now, they are expanding and marching forward. We have over twelve branches across the world and our membership is well over 10, 000.”

About the fight against corruption in Nigeria, Kumoluyi gave a shocker: “Corruption is in every Nigeria’s blood. Only way to stop corruption in a drastic way is to enact a draconian Law. Once you are found guilt of any corruption, you get killed!.

“This has happened in China and has made many to desist from committing corruption. Also, in, if you steal government money or are found guilty of corruption, in Indonesia, they simply kill the person. That way, we can get rid of corruption. The damaging thing is that those who are parading themselves as honourable citizens are among the most corrupt and that is why they can’t fight corruption. I laud the efforts of President Buhari because he has been able to tackle the menace far more frontally than his predecessors, ” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/trump-is-god-sent-prophet-kumoluyi.html

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Nigeria’s trade balance peaked at N1.23 trillion in the third quarter of 2017, indicating the highest figure posted since 2014, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said.


In its foreign trade statistics report for the third quarter of 2017, the NBS also disclosed that total imports value of N2.234 trillion posted in the third quarter of 2017 represented a 10.51 per cent decline over the second quarter, and 4.68 per cent lower than the third quarter of 2016.

According to the NBS, the positive trade balance was attributable to an increase in exports and a decline in imports.

Providing further data, the statistical agency said that the N1.23 trillion trade balance exceeded the N506.5 billion recorded in the previous quarter.

The NBS said in the report that the country’s exports in the third quarter of 2017 stood at N3.57 trillion, marking a 13.19 per cent increase over the figure recorded in the second quarter.

It added that the N3.57 trillion also represented a 35 per cent increase over the amount posted in the corresponding period in 2016.

Raw materials export value, the report added, increased by 16.88 per cent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to raw materials exports in the second quarter of 2017 and 70.42 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016.

In addition, the NBS report stated that the value of solid minerals exports increased by 85.3 per cent in the period under review compared to the second quarter of 2017 and was 78.72 per cent higher than the third quarter of 2016.

It also showed that the value of Nigeria’s total imports in goods decreased by 10.51 per cent in the third quarter of 2017 from the N2.6 trillion recorded in the second quarter of 2017 to N2.3 trillion.

Total imports (goods) were 4.68 per cent lower than the N2.4 trillion recorded in the third quarter of 2016.

Aggregate trade for the third quarter stood at N5.93 trillion, showing a 3.94 per cent and 23.86 per cent rise over the value posted in the second quarter of 2017 and the third quarter of 2016, respectively.

Also, the value of imported agricultural goods stood at N232.2 billion, a 0.05 per cent increase over the N232.1 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and 16.91 per cent higher than the value recorded in Q3 2016.

The value of exported agricultural goods stood at N21.47 billion, indicating a 38.43 per decrease over the N29.71 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2017.

It was however 25.29 per cent higher than agriculture exports in the third quarter of 2016.

Manufactured goods exports, valued at N50.13 billion, were 62.68 per cent lower than the N1.24 trillion recorded in Q2, 2017, but 22.98 per cent higher than the value recorded in Q3 2016.

Manufactured goods imports in the third quarter of 2017, valued at N1.2 trillion, were 4.08 per cent higher than the N1.1 trillion recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and 2.79 per cent lower than the value documented for the third quarter of 2016.

Other oil products exports valued at N474.9 billion in the third quarter were 13.53 per cent lower than the N539 billion recorded in the second quarter of 2017 and 37.22 per cent higher than the value recorded in the third quarter of 2016.

Crude Oil exports in Q3 2017 stood at N2.9 trillion, representing an 18.40 per cent increase and 34.13 per cent hike over the N2.43 trillion recorded in Q2 2017 and the value posted in Q3 2016, respectively.

“Exports in the third quarter were still dominated by crude oil, with the commodity accounting for 83.17 per cent of total exports,” the report stated.

NBS in another report on banking sector data also revealed yesterday that the deposit money banks in the country extended a total of N15.83 trillion in credit to the private sector in the third quarter of 2017.

The NBS said in a report on select banking sector data for Q3 2017 that 213,693,964 transactions valued at N19.33 trillion were recorded in Q3 2017 on electronic payment channels in the Nigerian banking sector.

NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) transactions dominated the volume of transactions recorded.

The report showed that 97,530,856 NIP transactions valued at N13.96 billion were recorded in the quarter under review.

In terms of credit to the private sector, of the N15.83 trillion extended by the banks, the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors got N3.54 trillion and N2.27 trillion, respectively during the third quarter, the report stated, while the total number of bank staff increased by 9.16 per cent from 75,607 in the second quarter of 2017 to 82,531 in the third quarter of 2017.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nigerias-trade-balance-hits-n12tn-as.html

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Lagos State alone contributed 73 per cent to the 2018 World Bank’s rating of Nigeria on the ease of doing business, a global competitive index for measuring business regulations, the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said.


Also, the governor said the state, currently with an estimated population of over 22 million people, has received more foreign direct investments (FDIs) in the last two and half years than it received in the previous 15 years.

He made the disclosure at a strategic meeting he held with the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gauer, alongside some delegates of the Movement of the Enterprises of France (MEDEF) at the State House, Alausa yesterday.

Established in 1998, MEDEF is the largest employer federation in France. However, MEDEF replaced the National Council of the French Employers (CNPF) founded in 1946. Now it has more than 750,000 member firms, 90 per cent of them being small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees.

At the meeting which the Lagos State Officer of Overseas Affairs and Investment coordinated, the governor said the resolve of the state government to enhance the ease of doing business in the state had started yielding dividends.

He noted that Nigeria moved 24 steps in the recently announced World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, noting that it was most gladdening “to remember that Lagos State alone contributed 73 per cent to the World Bank’s ranking of Nigeria on this front.”

He, therefore, said the state government would continue “to inspire confidence among investors worldwide and it is a fact that Lagos has received more FDIs in the last two and half years than it received in the previous 15 years.”

By implication, the governor added that the state’s modest achievement “has been made possible by our resolve to improve security of lives and property in the State, by embarking on security and justice sector reforms, by lightening up Lagos streets and by easing the passage of traffic across the state.”

“In the nearest future, Lagos State will put in place an intermodal transportation system, taking full advantage of our waterways, rail networks to mention but a few. As a country, we have had a great relationship with France even if this slowed down some time back,” Ambode explained.

With what it has to offer, the governor said Lagos State could spearhead the revival of this relationship and the ushering in of a stimulating cooperation between Lagos and France, noting that Lagos is open to business.

Consequently, he urged the French business community not “to miss out on the real and great opportunities that exist in Lagos State in such sectors as health, agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism and entertainment among others.”

He noted that Lagos might be the smallest state in Nigeria by size, but it was the most populous State in the country with 22 million people and with a GDP of $136 billion, which he said, earned it a prime place of Africa’s fifth largest economy, much bigger than several African states’ economies combined.

The governor, thus, said now that the French business giants have witnessed the progress our government has made in the last two years especially in the area of infrastructure development and creating an enabling environment for business in the state, it is my hope that you will be encouraged to invest in Lagos.”

In its 2018 report, the World Bank had ranked Nigeria 145th, precisely 24 positions better than the 169th position the country was ranked in the 2017 report. The report showed that Nigeria was among the 10 top countries that improved on reforms.

Although the report ranked New Zealand first on the ease of doing business index for the second consecutive year, it listed the areas that Nigeria improved with reforms to include starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering a property, getting credit and paying taxes.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lagos-contributed-73-to-nigerias-ease.html

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There are billions of Android phones and tablets out there, but only a vanishingly small number of them are running Google’s latest Android release, known as Oreo.

Google has released updated platform distribution numbers, which show that a mere 0.5 percent of Android devices are on Oreo, and the latest 8.1 build hasn’t even hit the necessary 0.1 percent cutoff to be included. This sounds bad, but the news is actually better than it was last year.
As things currently stand, Android 7.0 and 7.1 (Nougat) have a combined share of 23.3 percent, but Marshmallow is still the biggest chunk of all Android devices with 29.7 percent market share. That version of Android was launched over two years ago, so many of these devices are no longer getting security updates. Lollipop, which came out the year before that, is also larger than Nougat with 26.3 percent of active devices.
The remainder of Android phones and tablets are running older versions of the OS like KitKat, and Gingerbread. Yes, there are still 0.4 percent of devices (less than Oreo!) running Gingerbread. That version of Android launched just over seven years ago on the Nexus S. This OS is so clunky and slow by today’s standards, I can only assume it’s running on modded tablets or smartphones in some far-flung corner of the world.
Android’s sluggish update timeline is thanks to the way it’s deployed on devices. Googlemakes the operating system and releases the open source code. Device makers take than, optimize for their hardware with the help of vendors like Qualcomm and MediaTek, and sell phones. It’s the smartphone maker that’s responsible for pushing updates, and sometimes there’s not a compelling business reason for them to do so quickly or at all. If you purchase a cheap phone, there’s little incentive for the maker to spend resources pushing more than a few small updates.
It’s not all bad news, though. Nougat’s rise last year was actually slower than Oreo this year. So, we should see better results as the big 2018 flagship phones start dropping in a few months. Going forward, all phones that launch with Oreo will have support for Project Treble. This is a modular version of the Android platform that separates the low-level vendor code like hardware drivers from the user-facing stuff. This change should make updates faster because OEMs don’t need to wait for updated drivers from Qualcomm and others.
For the time being, Oreo users are in the extreme minority. Hopefully, that won’t be the case for future updates.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/05-percent-of-android-devices-run.html

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Residents of Ipaja, Abesan Estate and Baruwa communities of Lagos State have petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, and the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, over alleged harassment and extortion by operatives of the Ipaja Division of the force.
In a letter signed by Gbenga Adeboye and made available to The Guardian, the petitioners alleged that the officers have turned the station into a bank, where innocent citizens are being exploited.

“A case in question was the illegal arrest of artisans in retail market in their shops while doing their lawful duties. It took the intervention of the Iyaloja, who gathered around N20,000 before the artisans could regain their freedom.”


They also alleged that a nursing mother was arrested and detained over night late last month because she quarrelled with a relation of one of the police officers.

“Also, a young boy was sent to Kirikiri Prisons by a police officer. The young boy, Ahmed Akinlusi, had an argument with a hotel director. He was reported to aan officer who demanded N15,000 from the boy’s family. The family couldn’t afford the money.

“ We want you to please investigate all the claims. We are ready to cooperate with you. These are just a few of the injustice committed by someone, who heads a Divisional Police Headquarters. We don’t want to take the law into our hands as law abiding citizens, but please help us to put an end to this shameful display by policemen at Alagolo,” the residents pleaded.
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/lagos-communities-petition-igp-over.html

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The Future Africa Awards 2017(TFAA2017), tagged the #Nigeria’sNewTribe was concluded some minutes ago.

The awards which was held at the Federal Palace Hotel, was hosted by Mimi Onalaja and Adekunle ‘Gold’ Kosoko.

Here is the list of the categories and the winners.

Prize for Professional Service


Olamide Bada

Prize for Comedy

Otolorin Kehinde Peter (Kenny Blaq)

Prize for Advocacy

Ayodeji Osowobi

Prize for On Air Personality (Visual)


Nancy Isime

Prize for On Air Personality (Radio)

Tisan Jeremiah Bako

Prize for Music

David Adeleke ( Davido)

Prize for Business

Bisola Borha (Trendy Bee)

Prize for Acting

Sambasa Nzeribe

Prize for Public Service

Dada Olabisi Mary

Prize for Technology

Chris Kwekowe

Prize for Agriculture

Adetola Adeleke

Prize for New Media

Femi Bakare

Prize for Beauty

Adetola Adetoye (Anita Brows)

Prize for Art and Culture

Ayobami Adebayo

Prize for Education

Samson Abioye, Akanbi Gideon and Oluwaseun Imole

Prize for Photography

Yagazie Madu

Prize for Journalism

Eromo Egbejule

Prize for Fashion

Bisola Adeniyi (LadyBiba)

Prize for Media Enterprise

Timilehin Bello

Prize for Sports

Anthony Joshua

Young Person of the Year

Ayo Balogun (Wizkid)

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/tfaa2017-here-is-list-of-winners.html

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Nollywood actress, Adediwura Adesegha, also known as ‘Blarkgold’ has revealed why many actors and actresses attend white-garment churches.

She said most of the actors like churches where they would be told what becomes of them tomorrow.

The dark-skinned actress said many Yoruba actors, especially the females, prefer attending Celestial churches to get visions.

She told Vanguard, “You know people love it when they tell them visions about themselves. I think that may be the reason they attend Celestial churches.
“I might be wrong though. You know the Yorubas believe in the power of the spiritual. Some actresses were born into the Celestial church while some joined.”
She added, “Spirituality has nothing to do with your mode of dressing. It has to do with your heart.
“When you talk about being spiritual, let me just score myself fifty percent. My morning devotion is on zero level. I will rather sing.
“I find it difficult to pray and keep saying ‘Lord do this or that for me.’
“Singing is the way I pour my heart to God. Everybody doesn’t have to kneel down and pray.
“I might sit down and just look on a spot for a while and keep my thoughts connected to God. It depends on one’s way of connecting and your relationship with God.”
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/why-many-actors-actresses-attend-white.html

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has stated that for Nigeria to meet its growth ambitions and achieve full economic potential, concerted efforts must be made to create at least four million jobs annually and as well jettison policies that stifle development.
Speaking yesterday at the opening session of the 9th Annual Bankers’ Committee Retreat of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held at Renaissance Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, Ambode said it was time for the government to review such policies that inhibit growth and rather come up with a well-functioning low cost financial system that will work for all Nigerians.

He described the theme of the retreat — “Improving Financial Access, Enabling Job Creation and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nigeria,” as apt, noting that it was at the heart of the nation’s economy.

He said: “To meet our growth ambitions we need jobs. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in employment terms, from a labour force population of about 81 million people, we currently have 11.5million people unemployed in Nigeria and 17 million people under-employed, with the total employment around 52.6 million, while the working age population grows by 3.7 per cent every year. So, to make a meaningful dent on un-employment and underemployment, and to reduce poverty (which is at over 60 per cent), we need to be creating at least four million jobs per year.

“Where do banks fit into all of this? Well, the reality is if we do not have a well-functioning banking sector, all of this is not possible. Both investment and day-to-day commerce requires the intermediation of banks. And while someone outside of the formal financial sector can in some cases make a living, the reality is that incomes of the bottom of the pyramid are increased when we have better financial inclusion but we are not there yet.”
The Governor, who particularly alluded to the strategy adopted in Kenya to deepen financial inclusion, said efforts must be made to ensure low cost access to banking services especially through mobile money.
Ambode challenged the CBN, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission (NDIC), commercial banks and other players in the financial system to decide the type of financial system that would really impact on employment and bring more people into the formal financial system.
He added: “This is where we should focus as a nation not the type of directives or decisions that actually try to stifle growth and commerce. One clear example is this; as a State Government, I want to take a commercial loan from the bank and they tell me I should go and get a letter from Debt Management Office (DMO); I should get approval from the Federal Ministry of Finance; I should go to CBN and so on. Who does that?
“You want to accelerate growth and everything that I am doing even when I take loan from the bank; when I do bond and so on, I am only trying to reflate the economy. Each construction site that you see in Lagos, I am trying to create employment at the lower level so that the artisans, the bricklayers and so on can go home with N5,000. I need to do something in Badagry to make the people stay there and not come to the central Lagos and when you take the extra money outside the IGR, you are actually trying to help the economy to reflate itself and that is why you are able to excite yourself with the growth that you have seen in the third quarter that we say is 1.5 but that is not the number that we want.



“So sometimes, government seems to shoot itself in the leg. Why should Lagos State go and be meeting DMO to say I want to take a commercial loan when 80 per cent of my IGR can pay the loan itself back? So, you see that there is some sense of homogeneity in the policies that we make but sometimes they are not really flexible and you end up coming back to say we want to create jobs but the things that create jobs are the things that we are actually working against and you create unnecessary competition in the system.”

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nigeria-must-create-4-million-jobs.html

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The ECOWAS Parliament has ended its Second Ordinary Session with the decision to discuss the free movement of persons and goods at its next meeting in Dakar, Senegal.
The session, which held from November 21 through December 9, 2017, saw the parliament exercise its recently enhanced powers to review the 2018 Draft Community Budget of the region. It also witnessed the parliament’s approval of the draft budget with an equal revenue and expenditure totaling N122bn.
Speaker of the Parliament, Moustapha Cissè Lo, said the first meeting of the parliament in the New Year would hold from February 12 to 14, in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting, an International Forum on the Free Movement of Persons and Goods, and Migration issues in the region, will focus in particular, on the Libyan situation.
In an earlier resolution during the session, Parliament decided to send a fact-finding delegation to Libya. According to Cissè Lo, the grand event will see the participation of some presidents of the region closest to Senegal, including President of Senegal, Mackay Sall who will open the session. Also to attend is the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou. As a migrant route country to Europe, President Issoufou will speak on on-going efforts and challenges of illegal migration via Niger’s border community, Agadez.
The First Extraordinary Session of the Parliament would kick off immediately after the forum and run from February 16 to 22, 2018 in Senegal.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ecowas-to-discuss-free-movement.html

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Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has solicited the support of the Thailand government in the country’s quest to boost its agricultural sector.

Obasanjo hinted that as part of moves to attain food sufficiency, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration was planning to introduce 2,000 tractors to boost mechanised farming in the country.

He made this request at the Thailand Tractors and Agric-Machinery Show (THAITAM 2017), organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) of the Ministry of Commerce, which began at Kasetsart University, Thailand, on Thursday.


He also urged other countries to partner President Buhari’s initiative to ensure increased local production of food crops in the country.

Obasanjo who spoke through one of his aides, Abraham Idowu Akanle, said, “Nigeria’s agricultural sector requires international support in its programmes and initiatives such as cattle breeding improvement, climate change, standardisation and certification of food products, seed development and improvement and capacity building, among others.

“As I am made to understand, the Buhari administration is working vigorously to commercialise and mechanise Nigeria’s agriculture by introducing about 2,000 units of tractors and various kinds of harvesting and processing equipment to mechanize our farming annually.”

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/obasanjo-seeks-thailands-support-for.html

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that there is nothing like micro-zoning in relation to today’s (Saturday), National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike noted that the former acting National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, is the best candidate to drive the party to the next level in view of his (Secondus) experience and track record.

The governor added that PDP would come out from the National Convention stronger and re-positioned to provide credible opposition. He spoke yesterday from the Abuja Studio of Channels Television, when he featured on the station’s Sunrise Daily programme.

He said: “The issue of micro-zoning and gentleman’s agreement does not arise. There is nothing like that. The so-called micro-zoning is being floated by a presidential aspirant from the North supported by campaign officials of Tunde Adeniran”.

He reiterated that the presidential position was zoned to the North and the National Chairmanship zoned to the South. Governor Wike regretted that some PDP National Chairmanship aspirants have resorted to blackmail, simply because they have lost the contention for the delegates.

“Anybody, who believes in PDP will work for the party after the National Convention, whether or not you emerge. You will do otherwise when you are controlled by external forces. No right thinking party member will resort to issuance of threats”, he said.

He explained that contrary to the planting of stories against Prince Secondus by his opponents, the National Chairmanship aspirant has no existing issue with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having gone to court against the agency and won. He said damages were awarded in favour of Secondus.

“After tomorrow’s convention, PDP will come out stronger. It will come out refreshed and re-positioned for the good of the country. Somebody who believes that he will win, will not resort to writing petitions before the convention. All reports in the media against Secondus are planted and false. Secondus has never said anything negative against any other candidate. He has remained focused on his campaign,” he said.

Wike insisted that the South-South remained the bedrock of the PDP, saying that no zone should be taken for granted. “National chairmanship in the South-West will not change the fortunes of the PDP. Even when the President hails from the South-West, the fortunes of the party did not improve in terms of votes in that zone.

“The zone is prone to incessant crises as can be seen. Any candidate who emerges from the South-West will lead to further crisis from other factions from that zone. Only a candidate from outside the South-West such as Prince Uche Secondus can unite the zone. He has the reach and capacity to unite all factions in the South-West. He is the person suited for the party at this time “, he said.

He noted that of all the National chairmanship aspirants, only Secondus is from a State with PDP as the party in government. The governor further said the other candidates have no political presence in their respective states to drive the revival of the party.


“I have analysed the scenario. I have analysed the delegates spread of each state. There is no way that Prince Uche Secondus will not coast to victory by over 90 percent of delegates votes. I am talking because I am in the campaign team of Prince Uche Secondus and I am a delegate”, he said.

The governor added that he resigned his membership of the National Convention Planning Committee because he wants to focus on the campaign for the emergence of Secondus as National Chairman.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/no-micro-zoning-for-pdps-convention.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night declared that the massive crowd that turned out to welcome him on his arrival in Kano for a two-day working visit was a message to the opposition that his support in the region remains unshaken and his popularity undiminished.

President Buhari, who made this comment at a state dinner held in his honour, said he was grateful to the government and people of Kano for the very warm and peaceful reception.

‘‘I am overwhelmed with the massive reception I have received, and definitely, since this is partisan politics, I think it has sent a clear message to the opposition.

‘‘Even going by the details of the election results in 2003, 2007 and 2011, it was very clear that nobody could even dare to rig my scores from the elections in Kano.
‘‘It has been so consistent and I don’t think I have the vocabulary to express my thanks to the people of Kano. I am very grateful to God and the people of Kano for the complete trust you have in me,’’ he said.
The president, in a statement by his senior special assistant on media, Garba Shehu, noted that during his drive around the city on Wednesday to commission several projects, he observed that many of those who thronged the road to welcome him were very young people.
He pledged that, as a person in a position of authority, his priority was to provide a meaningful future for the teeming youth in the country through education and the prudent management of the economic resources of the country.
The president congratulated Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on his development strides in the state and urged other political office holders to emulate and support the state governor.
‘‘He is a great politician and I am afraid I am still learning,’’ the president remarked.
President Buhari restated that his message at his inaugural address, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody,’’ will continue to guide his stewardship to the Nigerian people.
‘‘My problem is Nigeria and I have been involved in almost all the instability Nigeria experienced: the civil war, the coups, and counter-coups. That was why I said during my swearing-in that ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.
‘‘Nigeria is my target and I will continue to maintain focus,’’ he said.

Kano APC Endorses president, Ganduje For Second Term
… as president expresses worry over financial inducement, violence in recent polls
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State yesterday adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as their candidate for the 2019 general election.
According to a statement by the president’s senior special assistant on media, Garba Shehu, the party leaders also expressed their support to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as their sole candidate for 2019.
Akelicious Friday reports that President Buhari did not accept or decline the endorsement in his speech even after the party leaders promised to procure the nomination forms for him.
The party leaders even threatened to sue if he declined the said endorsement.
But President Buhari merely beamed with smiles and went on to underscore the need for unity in the party and among the diverse peoples of Nigeria.
The APC stakeholders meeting, held on the sidelines of the president’s state visit to Kano, was attended by Governor Ganduje, his deputy, Professor Hafizu Abubakar, the state chairman and members of the state executive committee and members of the national executive committee of the party from Kano State.
Also in attendance were two of the state’s senators; members of the House of Representatives from the state; the Speaker and 34 of the 40 members of the Kano State House of Assembly and the 44 party chairmen, their deputies and the local government area secretaries of the APC.
Others are Governor Muhammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa and other leaders of the party in the state.
The state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Inuwa Abbas, hinged their endorsement of the president on his achievements in the last two years, especially in the fields of security, the war against corruption and the revival of the economy.
“Security is important for everyone, not just for Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states; it’s even more so for us as a commercial and industrial state. We are convinced that you are best for these times when the country has begun to muster energy and resources to develop agriculture, infrastructure and empower the younger citizens,” Abbas said.
Speaking on a jocular note, governor Ganduje said the party was prepared to drag the president to court to force him to accept the second term ticket.
In his response, President Buhari said he understood the clamour by the ordinary people on the streets who raised four fingers on each arm, ‘’meaning four plus four,’’ that is, second tenure as president.
He, however, stressed the need to sanitise party politics by ridding it of vote buying and violence.
“What I saw in the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Rivers – the use of money and those headless bodies – really upset me. I don’t wish to see that anywhere. I would not have won if money and killing was the modus of operation. That is my view of politics,” the president said.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/2019massive-reception-in-kano-clear.html

The Gombe State Government has launched its action plan on United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325, tagged ‘HeforShe Campaign and Peace Architecture,’ aimed at minimising the hardship, difficulties and atrocities women go through during conflicts and disasters.

Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, represented at the event by his Special Adviser, Mrs. Dudu Manuga, who is Director General, Gombe State Enterprise Development and Promotion Agency, on Thursday, said that the action plan would create the much-needed opportunity for women protection and participation not only in governance but also in all facets of our human endeavour.

Governor Dankwambo said the policy thrust of his administration would be in alignment with world best practice by ensuring that women are not only protected against insecurity but also have access to effective participation in peace negotiation, peace building and governance among others.

Deputy Programme Manager Women Peace Security UN-Women, Peter Mancha, said that globally over 1.1 million men have joined the HeForShe movement, stressing that the HeForShe campaign began online with a simple affirmation that gender equality is not only a women’s issues, but also a human right issue that requires everyone’s participation and commitment to achieve.

Mancha lamented the enormity of the challenges facing women across the country, stressing that women comprises under 6 percent of the membership of the legislature, with women also constituting over 65 percent of the 70 percent of the estimated people living below the poverty line.

“HeForShe is a solidarity movement which aims to engage at least 1 billion men and boys on the topic of gender equality. HeForShe is also a critical part of our efforts to promote gender equality in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, which include a commitment to end discrimination and inequality, access to justice, and participation in political and economic life based on gender by 2030,” she said.

Mancha described as commendable and worthy of emulation, UN-Women’s initiative with support from European Union in promoting women’s engagement in peace and security processes in Adamawa, Plateau and Gombe States, where government and traditional leaders have taken bold step to increase the representation of women in decision-making.

He added that in Adamawa State for instance, 49 women have been appointed as advisors to the paramount Ruler of Bachama Kingdom in Numan local government Area, and District Head of Doho in Gombe State appointed 57 women as members of his Traditional Council and Advisors,

Mancha noted also that the Mai of Kaltungo, Engr Sale Mohammad engaged over 40 women as advisers in his Traditional Council. Plateau State has also seen the appointment of 95 women as advisers to Traditional Councils and Community Leaders in some local government areas.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/gombe-launches-un-resolution-1325-to.html

Ife Klub 1 is to celebrate its 40th anniversary with a public lecture with the theme : Yorubas Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, in Ile Ife,Osun State on Saturday, December 9, 2017
The President , Chief Adebisi Ogundipe, in a statement, said two eminent Yoruba personalities – Prof. Banjo Akintoye and Chief Leman Alabi – will speak on the theme of the lecture holding at Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall in Enuwa, Ile Ife at noon.

The occasion will also witness launch of Phase Two of the Klub House Fund and investiture of new patrons and matrons. They include Oba Adebisi Fatunmise and Oba Hezekiah Owolola.

Ahmed Ipoola Omisore, Chief Kayode Odunyemi and Moses Olaobaju will also be admitted into the Klub’s Hall of Fame.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ife-klub-marks-40th-anniversary-with.html

President of Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has emerged the only African to make the Bloomberg list of 50 most influential people in the world this year.

Bloomberg on Monday announced The Bloomberg 50, a new annual, multi-platform initiative that honours 50 icons and innovators who have changed the global business landscape in measurable ways over the past year.

The first Bloomberg 50 honorees were selected by the Bloomberg Businessweek team after months of input from many of Bloomberg’s 2,700 journalists and analysts around the globe, leveraging the resources of the Bloomberg Terminal, and representing the most influential thought leaders in business, finance, technology and science, politics, and entertainment.
The executives, entrepreneurs, experts, and entertainers on the Bloomberg 50 all have a quantifiable metric underpinning their inclusion.


“What sets The Bloomberg 50 apart from other lists is that each person chosen has demonstrated measurable change over the past year,” said Megan Murphy, editor of Bloomberg Businessweek.

“Readers will find many names they recognise, but will also discover new visionaries—people who are impacting the world in significant ways, and are rapidly gaining the attention they deserve.”

Other prominent honorees on the Bloomberg 50 include – Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, a primary proponent of an initiative that would allow women to drive, a decision that is forecast to add $90 billion to the economy by 2030; Elon Musk, CEO, Tesla Inc. and Space Exploration Technologies with a market capitalisation of over $50 billion. Elon Musk nurses the ambition to establish a human colony on planet Mars by 2022; Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon, the biggest global retailer, with a major interest in sending tourists into space in Blue Origin rockets; Masayoshi Son, Founder, Softbank Groups Corp., who engineered $93 billion, the largest ever technology investment fund, to fund ride-hailing, artificial intelligence, connected devices, satellites, and the integration of computers to humans; Diane Greene, CEO, Google Cloud and the brain behind integrating advances in artificial intelligence and quantum computing to market; and Ken Frazier, CEO, Merck & Co., a leader in drug makers market with an innovative drug for advanced lung cancer treatment.

Dangote who only last week inaugurated his $300 million 1.5 mtpa capacity cement plant in Congo Brazzaville, has remained top-notch in various global rankings.
Dangote said: “I am very delighted with this selection and I see the recognition as a call to do more towards youth empowerment, job creation, better health for the people and economic emancipation of the African continent.”

As of February 2017, Dangote, according to Forbes magazine, had an estimated net worth of US$12.5 billion. He is ranked by Forbes magazine as the 67th richest person in the world and the richest in Africa and peaked on the list as the 23rd richest person in the world in 2014.
Bloomberg is a global information and technology company that connects decision makers to a dynamic network of data, people and ideas – accurately delivering business and financial information, news and insights to customers around the world.

Bloomberg, in the preface written by Paul Wallace, synopsized Dangote’s person and business in the following words: “The quiet billionaire for his relatively frugal lifestyle, Dangote fast-tracked plans to help his country of 180 million people import less of what it eats.
“Dangote, who made his fortune in the cement industry, is turning his attention to dairy and sugar farming; he’s earmarked $800 million to buy 50,000 cattle in the hope of producing 500 million litres of milk annually by 2019.

“He’s also racing to finish a 650,000-barrel-a-day oil refinery in Lagos, set to be one of the world’s biggest, and says he intends to spend as much as $50 billion in the next decade on renewable energy and petrochemical refineries, including investments in the U.S. and Europe.
“Which is all fine, but not quite his grand ambition: buying Arsenal, his favourite soccer team.”

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/dangote-emerges-only-african-on.html

The Compliance Team of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS ) said it has seized contraband with Duty Paid Value ( DPV ) of N93.7 million in the course of its operations.

The Coordinator of the Compliance Team, Ahmed Azarema, made this known while displaying the seized contraband to news men in Owerri on Tuesday at the Imo/Abia Command of the service.

Azarema said the compliance team, attached to the office of the Comptroller-General of Customs, confiscated 1,028bags of 20 kg foreign rice with a DPV of N8.22 million concealed with motor spare parts.

He said 1,258 bags of 50kg of foreign rice with a DPV of N74.8 million and 111 bales of second hand clothing with a DPV of N10.65 million was also seized by the team.

He said all the items were seized along Aba/Umuahia/Port Harcourt axis adding that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seized goods.

Azarema observed that because of the Yuletide season, smugglers are more desperate and always want to skim their way through but would always fail because of the dedication and ingenuity of the customs personnel.

He, therefore, charged Nigerians against ferrying contraband in and across the country, but to engage in legitimate businesses to avoid their goods being confiscated.

According to the compliance team coordinator, locally produced rice is more nutritious, better and cheaper than foreign rice which are preserved with chemicals.

He said that patronising locally made goods would help boost the country’s foreign exchange and provide jobs to the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

Azarema also urged Nigerians to desist from buying foreign rice to encourage the local producers.


more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nigeria-customs-seizes-contraband-worth.html