₦airaland Forum

Operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command at the weekend arrested Suleiman Seidu, 33, for allegedly attempting to kidnap a two-year-old boy, Chimdi Udwu, in Owode area of Ogun State.
The decoy team of the squad got a hint about a kidnap attempt on a little boy by one of the two persons, whom the prime suspect had contracted to perpetrate the crime. Upon gathering further intelligence, a member of the RRS Decoy Team posed as a lady that the kidnapper sought to help give the child a good care.
A RRS source disclosed that for more than two weeks while the kidnapping took shape, the investigator, pretending as an accomplice, was exchanging information with the prime suspect.It was revealed that the suspect assured the accomplice that he had gotten motorcycle to use in kidnapping the boy, stressing that the ransom was N10 million, which the father of the boy would be able to afford as a landlord and dealer in electrical appliances.
A source in RRS disclosed that one of the kidnapping suspects was shocked by the insistence of the prime suspect to kidnap the little boy and request for N10 million ransom. He continued: “I knew it was going to boomerang if I concealed the information and would not inform the police.
Then, I called one of my friends, who resides in Lagos and explained the whole idea of the kidnap attempt on an innocent boy by someone in my neighbourhood, and the person also solicited that I joined him to commit the crime.
“It was my friend, who told me to come to Lagos to inform the RRS. I eventually came the following day to report the case at its headquarters in Lagos,” the informant was quoted as saying.
The source added that the suspect had successfully kidnapped two persons in Kogi State where he collected huge ransoms from their families.
The suspect, who confessed to the crime, said he wanted to kidnap the young boy because his biological mother was seriously ill and looking for money by all means to pay her hospital bill.
In his confessional statement, he revealed: “I have been on the trail of that young boy and her parents for quite a while now. I conceived the idea to kidnap him when I was left with no option than to commit the crime because my mother is very ill at the moment.“I wanted to demand N10 million ransom but if his parents could not afford the whole sum, at least I was expecting N3 million at the end of the day.
Although, I just relocated to that area and I am not that familiar with the neighborhood, I thought of contracting someone, who knew the environment very well and would make the job easy for me.”
On how he would have carried out the kidnap, the Kogi State- born suspect explained: “I had been watching the movement of his parents for about two weeks. I discovered that whenever he was taking the boy to school everyday, when the man drove out, he would alight from the car to lock the gate because they don’t have a gate keeper in their house. Also, he takes him to school between 7:00a.m. and 8:00a.m.
“What I devised was to kidnap the boy whenever the driver alighted from the car to close the gate and escape on a waiting bike. Although, I live in a room and parlour apartment, I had planned to keep him with me in my house while I would threaten his parents to bring my expected ransom,” he said.
The father of the child, Udwu, who had no inkling of the looming woe, thanked the policemen for carrying out the intelligence report successfully, which led to the arrest of the kidnap suspect.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/police-foil-mans-attempt-to-kidnap-two.html#more

The collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo that killed scores of worshippers and injured many more is one too many of such incident in recent times. But, as if it was not enough, nine days after, market stalls collapsed and reportedly killed two and injured about 17 others in the same state. The collapse of buildings is not limited to Akwa Ibom State. Indeed it has become a recurrent embarrassment all over the federation but especially in urban areas. In Kano this August, five persons reportedly escaped death when a three-storey building under construction in Kano State University of Technology gave way; in Abuja, a structure under construction for a private company collapsed, trapping some workers under the rubbles. And in Lagos, structures large and small so often collapse, the most remembered in recent times being a guest house owned by The Synagogue Church of All Nations that killed over 100 persons, most of whom were foreigners. The incident nearly provoked a diplomatic row between South Africa and Nigeria.
Besides those that are triggered by natural disasters of which Nigeria has very few incidents thereof, repeated events of collapsed building indicate glaringly the shoddiness of work done by just about everyone concerned with construction. It is evidence of non-adherence to the rules and standards of construction. At the first level of liability in varying degrees therefore, the developer, the contractor, the consultants in relevant professions must be held to account. Did the developer hire and was he prepared to pay for a sufficiently competent and experienced contractor for a work of the magnitude? Did the contractor hire competent and experienced soil, structural, electrical, mechanical and other relevant engineers? It is not unusual that some clients are ‘penny wise and pound foolish’ when confronted with the cost of, in some cases, their ego-driven, projects. It is axiomatic, however, that you pay for a short-cut in the long- run. But the burden upon true professionals is to insist on adherence to high standards, for the sake of their own reputation, as well as the safety of future users of the building.On the second level of liability, government building inspectors are supposed to identify, inspect, and monitor the construction of buildings in their respective areas of jurisdiction. Ministries and departments of works at various tiers of government have professionals who are supposed to ensure that developers of buildings -large and small – adhere to rules and regulations, including the quantity and quality of construction materials.
It is difficult not to conclude, generally, that many persons are simply derelict in their respective duties for reasons that range from penny-pinching through greed to unprofessional compromise. The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has observed that there is sufficient reason to believe that the trusses used for the roof of the Uyo church building were inadequate to support such span, and their anchorages to the columns and beams were also inadequate.Egotism is sometimes the cause of hastily constructed buildings. It is not uncommon in this environment for clients to insist that contractors hurriedly put up a building to be ready for a birthday or a wedding anniversary. But, of course, all these are symptoms of a dysfunctional system where rules are observed in the breach and nearly everyone has his price, where the personal good overrides the public good.
The government of Akwa Ibom has promised to institute an inquiry into the cause of the collapse of Reigners Bible Church building. Very well. But this should be done with thoroughness and dispatch. The major reason these sad incidents recur is that hardly are culprits punished to deter others. The case of The Synagogue Church has dragged on for more than two years, professional bodies do not go tough enough on their members found wanting in the discharge of professional duties. COREN’s proposed committee to, in the words of its president Kashim Ali, ‘identify the consultants, designers, builders, and contractors that are involved in the project…’ is a helpful contribution in the state government’s inquiry. Other professional and or regulatory bodies should act similarly.
The Akwa Ibom State government commission of inquiry should also set new high standards by ensuring that justice is done and seen to be done in this matter regardless of whose ox is gored. It will serve to deter criminal negligence on the one hand, and save lives on the other.

http://t.guardian.ng/opinion/one-collapsed-building-too-many/

Barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari presented the Olive branch to Niger Delta militants, the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) has accused some forces in and out of government of frustrating his peace efforts.
The President had on Sunday while receiving a delegation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) residents led by the Minister, Mallam Muhammed Bello, who paid him a Christmas homage, appealed to the militants to sheathe their swords.
Buhari said negotiation was the best option to decide how resources could be managed, instead of picking up arms.
But reacting yesterday in a statement, the JRF said Buhari should hold Fifth Columnists responsible for the inability of the government to achieve the desired peace in Niger Delta.
JRC noted that peace would have been achieved in the region if some inner members of the Buhari government had not preferred to deal with merchants instead of genuine militants.
Whtye, in the statement titled: “Separate the wheat from the chaff and the boys would listen”, said it does not represent the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), but genuine militants interested in peace in the region.
“We received your message of a willingness to talk to agitating units within the Niger Delta struggle with good faith. However, we are burdened by the fact that in the past few month of your administration, certain agents within your administration have shown a preference to dialogue with conmen, conflict entrepreneurs, drivers of extortionist enterprises and wholesale blackmailers. It is for this reason that your pursuit of peace has failed. If you truly seek peace with the Niger Delta, then peace shall come.
“This is the official email address of the Joint Revolutionary Council. This is the same email address we have used since 2005. We do not speak for the Avengers. We do not speak for MEND. MEND is dead. We are just a few people who speak for ourselves, but you may come to see that our word may just be our bond. We do not need a roundtable. Sometimes, just two chairs are enough. Peace is possible even though negotiable. The end of the end might just be about to begin,” the JRF said.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/militantsbuharis-men-frustrating-peace.html#more

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Sunday vowed to continue to find sustainable solution to the challenge posed by insurgency in the Niger Delta.
The NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr Ndu Ughamadu, said this in a statement issued in Abuja.
“The Corporation has created security management platforms that would enable it identify and evaluate risks, develop and superintend implementation of investigations.The platform will also aggregate and deploy necessary resources to guarantee peaceful business environment in the region,” Ughamadu said.
Quoting the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr Maikanti Baru who addressed staff during an end of year message, the spokesman said the corporation was committed to implementing a robust security.
“’The Corporation is committed to implementing a robust security and stakeholders’ strategy that would ensure that peace reigned in the industry operational areas.
‘“Dr Baru attributes the recent increase in the country’s oil and gas reserves to 37 billion barrels and 192 trillion cubic feet, respectively, to the relative peace that was instituted in the Niger Delta.
“’Over the year, NNPC adopted strategies to ensure the Corporation’s operational profitability, renegotiation of all existing contracts to achieve substantial value realisation of between five and 30 per cent discounts.
“This singular effort alone translated to substantial cost savings in favour of NNPC,” Ughamadu said.
He said NNPC had commenced the implementation of a 12-key Business Focus Areas developed by its Management Team to enhance the corporation’s business performance.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/nnpc-vows-to-find-lasting-peace-in.html#more

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, for always putting Nigeria’s interest above every other thing.
The President stated this on Sunday in Abuja in a statement to mark the Speaker’s 49th birthday anniversary.
Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that he was impressed with Dogara’s rising political career and his leadership style at his relatively young age.
He added that the Speaker’s performance had reinforced his confidence in the country’s youth.
“With Dogara’s performance as Speaker, fears that the country’s younger politicians have been pushed into background are unfounded,” the President said.He said that his administration would always encourage the younger generation.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/buhariim-impressed-with-dogaras.html#more

Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi yesterday disclosed that over 306 persons were reportedly killed this year in road accidents involving 338 fuel tankers and 692 vehicles across the country.Dr. Oyeyemi who spoke yesterday at the flag off of the Special End of Year 2016 Patrol in Makurdi, lamented that “losses from tanker crashes have been estimated to be causing the nation about N7billion annually.” Represented by Assistant Corps Marshal Julius Asom, the Corps Marshal noted that the campaign against carnage on Nigerian roads required the support and collaboration of all stakeholders in the country hence the campaign. Speaking, chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Comrade John Shom who urged the FRSC to curtail the incessant activities of it’s mobile court also urged the federal government to address the dilapidated state of Nigerian roads. In his remark, the Commandant, Nigeria Navy Provost and Regulating School, Commodore Suleman Bello appealed to road users to adopt the strategy of sailors “by having it at the back of their minds that any driver involved in a crash is liable even if the driver of the other ill fated car caused the accident. “When this strategy is adopted our roads will be safer because all drivers will drive with care just like sailors do.” Benue state Sector Commander, Chidiebere Nkwonta said the Yuletide season usually witnessed issues of over-speeding, drunken driving, use of phones while driving and recklessness on the roads assuring that the command was prepared to enforce all driving rules in the state. Governor Samuel Ortom, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr. Toytange Akaagerger, said the government would soon establish centralized motor-parks in the three
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/frsc-corps-marshalpetroleum-tanker.html#more

Fellow Nigerians, remember I predicted 20 things that will be
experienced this year 2016. Almost 90 percent of what the Holy Spirit
led me to predict came to pass.
The Holy Spirit has once again led me to tell Nigerians what may
happen in 2017. We therefore need prayer to avert further calamities
in Nigeria.
May God help our country.
1. 2017 will be a defining year for Nigeria as there will be major
revolution and uprising against the Federal Government because of
economic hardship.
2. More judges perceived not to be doing the bidding of the Federal
Government will be arrested and humiliated.
3. Efforts will be made to prevent Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen from
being made the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).
4. Dollar will go as high as N600 to $1.
5. APC-led Federal Government will still not have solution to the
economic problems of the country as the economy will move from
recession to depression.
6. About four ministers will be removed.
7. There will be more pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
8. Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will absolve Senate President Bukola Saraki.
9. Crisis in the APC will deepen as former Vice President, Alhaji
Atiku Abubakar will officially show intention to leave the party and
declare his intention to vie for the office of the president in 2019.
10. A former Head of State/President may pass on.
11. A new (major) party that will wrestle power from the APC will emerge.
11. More Shi’ite Muslims will be killed and Federal Government will
not release the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) leader, Ibrahim
El-Zakzaky.
13. Disobedience to court order and abuse of human rights will continue.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/gov-fayoses-predictions-for-2017.html#more

Nigeria recorded the largest outbreak of Lassa fever in its history between 2015 and 2016, with 273 reported cases resulting to 149 deaths, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, said on Friday
Chikwe Ihekweazu, Chief Executive Officer of NCDC, said this in a statement in Lagos.
Mr. Ihekweazu said the cases were reported from 23 states.
He said following this, the Minister of Health inaugurated a Lassa Fever Eradication Committee, under the leadership of a professor, Oyewale Tomori.
It said that the committee was to look into the situation and proffer solutions to the NCDC towards preventing future outbreaks and reducing the deaths from the disease.
According to Mr. Ihekweazu, the committee came up with an approach that focused on strengthening the capacities and capabilities of states to prevent, detect and respond to Lassa while the NCDC coordinates the efforts.
”The prepositioning of commodities has now ensured that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria have a full complement of emergency materials.
”The materials comprising Personal Protection Equipment, Ribavirin, Disinfection sprayers, hand sanitizers, hypochlorite (bleach), case definition posters, hard copies of IDSR technical guidelines and safety boxes,” it said.
The statement said that NCDC had dispatched a team of epidemiologists to support Ogun State to respond to the recent outbreak where a case of Lassa fever was confirmed in a healthcare worker, who died later at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
”Emergency Operations Centre has been setup and is now monitoring all contacts of the case, disinfecting contaminated areas and coordinating all response activities.
”This case highlights the risk Lassa fever still poses to the lives of Nigerians, particularly at this time of the year,” it said.
The Ogun State Government also said on Friday that 396 people who had contact with the deceased heath worker are being monitored.
“All the 396 contacts have not shown any abnormal symptoms or signs of Lassa fever, their temperature is under control and we have stationed our monitoring officer with each of the contacts to continue monitoring throughout a specific period in line with the World Health Organisation standard,” health commissioner Babatunde Ipaye said.
In his statement on Friday, Mr. Ihekweazu added that a nationwide risk communications plan had also been developed.
”Throughout the dry season, a new communication plan would address priority antecedents of Lassa Fever outbreak to ensure prevention is guaranteed,” he said.
He said the communication targeted all key stakeholders, from presidency to households, and would emphasise on the ways to prevent Lassa fever infection.
”The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with infected rodent urine or faeces.
”Lassa can also be transmitted from human to human through contact with the body fluids of an infected person.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/breakingnewsnigeria-records-273-lassa.html?m=1

Austin Jay Jay Okocha has attributed his decision to retire early from active football to lack of enough playing time. The ex-Nigeria international who dazzled the footballing world with his sizzling skills and breathtaking performances made the shock decision to leave the game in 2008. According to the Olympic Gold medallist, reduced minutes on the pitch of play triggered his exile from the round leather game, at the age of 34.I must confess that not getting a lot of playing time was the main reason why I retired from playing at a very young age,” Okocha told media men at a press conference organised by Star Times. “I believe that it is not worth it to train from Monday to Friday just to have 20 minutes on the pitch or sit on the bench on Saturday. I am very competitive.”
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/jay-jay-okochawhy-i-retired-from.html?m=1

kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai said, yesterday, that President Muhammadu Buhari has backed the 24-hour curfew imposed on three local government areas in Southern Kaduna, as well as other measures to protect lives and properties.

The curfew was imposed on Zangon-Kataf, Kaura and Jema’a local government areas, just as the State Security Council also endorsed a ban on processions and unlawful assembly in any part of the state to forestall crisis.

On Tuesday, el-Rufai met hundreds of women and youths protesting against alleged killings by Fulani herdsmen in Southern Kaduna.

The women, mostly half clad, and the youths, stormed the council secretariat where the governor was holding a security meeting with the local government officials and traditional chiefs.

In their submissions, the women alleged that soldiers one and injured many youths in Garajere, after shooting sporadically.

The governor’s convoy was reportedly stoned by the protesters.

But, speaking to State House Correspondents, yesterday, after a closed-door meeting with the president which lasted for over an hour, el-Rufai said all hands are on deck to restore peace in the state.

“I came to brief the president about the situation in Southern Kaduna in the last few days and outlined to him measures we have been taking, as a state government, with the support of the Nigerian Army, the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

“The president has given us unqualified support to stabilise the state and bring those responsible for the violation of our laws to justice. So, we have the full support of the president to move on and we are confident that things will return to normal very soon.”

On criticisms trailing the state’s decision to extend the curfew to Christmas day, the governor said, “well, we have curfew, even on Christmas day, but, it is for 12 hours. People will be able to get out at 6:00am and be back at 6:00pm; it is because of the security situation.

Meanwhile, to resolve recurrent violent clashes between herdsmen and host communities in Southern Kaduna, the federal government will establish two military formations in the affected areas.

el-Rufai disclosed this during a media chat on Wednesday night in Kaduna.

Scores of people have been killed in the clashes this year alone.

The governor said the state government is discussing the new military formations with Buhari, the Ministry of Defence and Chief of Army Staff.

One military formation would be located in Fadan Karshi, in Sanga Local Government Area and the other in Kauru Local Government Area.

“We are talking with the president, the inister of Defence and the chief of army staff. I will meet with the president on continuation of the project.

“The presence of these military formations will help in securing lives and properties and provide rapid response to any act of criminality and the maintenance of law and order.”

The governor further disclosed that two other military formations would be established in Birnin Gwari and Kubau Local Government Areas of the state.

To ensure the crisis does not escalate, he said two squadrons of mobile police have been drafted to the area.

“This is part of the state government’s effort to provide adequate security for the people during the Christmas and new- year celebrations,” he added.

The governor linked the rising insecurity in the area with loss of investors.

He said foreign investors, who the goverment agreed to revive a ginger processing plant in Kachia local government and an Australian, who wanted to invest in mining nickel, in Jema’a local government, have withdrawn initial commitments because of violence in the area.

el-Rufai said he is, however, doing his best to assure the investors to return to the state.

The violence in Southern Kaduna took a new turn on Tuesday when angry protesters in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area, on Tuesday stoned Mr. El-Rufai’s convoy and also burnt down the local government chairman’s house.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/el-rufaibuhari-backs-curfew-others-to.html#more

The Minister of State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, monday said the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja would be closed between February and March next year to allow Julius Berger carry out repairs on the damaged runway.
Briefing journalists after an on-the-spot assessment of the runway, he said while the runway would still be put to use during the six months of rehabilitation, the airport would however be shut for six weeks between February and March, when the mid section of the runway would be reconstructed.According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the reconstruction work through the emergency procurement procedure for work to commence because of the centrality and importance of Abuja to the general administration of the country.
He admitted that government cannot afford to close down Abuja airport for a long time, even though palliative repairs had been ongoing at the runway in the last three months.
The minister said: “From start to finish of the runway, it will take six months. However we will be using the runway almost throughout the period except for about six weeks when the runway will be closed. That is when we are going to do the mid-section of the runway.”
According to him, government had accepted the design done by the contractor, adding that the runway would last for more than 10 years on completion early next year.
On the six weeks closure of the airport to passenger traffic, he said Abuja bound passengers from any part of the world will use the Kaduna airport as alternative, explaining that robust arrangement had been finalised the with Kaduna State Government to convey the passengers to Abuja.
Sirika said: “It will cost government substantial amount of money but we thought in our wisdom that palliative approach is wrong because three years down, we will come back to do the same repairs therefore we decided to go for the bigger option which is to do structural repairs if the runway which will take about six months to complete.
The minister said the government was not unaware of the pains passengers are currently going through due to the non-availability of aviation fuel and the scarcity of foreign exchange which has also impacted on government finance.
While pleading for understanding, he said consultations were ongoing with oil marketers, the Ministry of Petroleum and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to resolve the crisis, adding: “Very soon, the country will be out of this, as we cannot be relying on Ghana for aviation fuel.”
On the Bilateral Air Agreement with other countries, he said government had signed BASA with 18 countries that Nigerians frequently visit and do business with.
The MOUs, he said, gives Nigeria the opportunity to operate air services with 18 countries, adding: “With this, we have the freedom to fly and land safely in other air space and this will assist in opening our market.”
While expressing optimism that Nigeria will reap great benefits from Turkey, he said that country had made progress in air transportation being at the centre of Europe and therefore a hub in aviation business, adding that the United States of America operates open skies with Nigeria.
This came as the National Executive Council of National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) have directed the commencement of a joint strike at Arik Air with effect from 00:00hrs on December 20, 2016.
A statement signed by the three unions said the strike would continue indefinitely until certain conditions were fully realised.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/fg-to-close-abuja-airport-for-six-weeks.html#more

The Indigenous People of Biafra on Monday warned President Muhammadu Buhari to ‘stay clear’ of the South-East.
The President is slated to attend the opening session of the South-East Economic Summit in Enugu on Thursday.
But IPOB, in a statement entitled ‘Muhammadu Buhari must stay clear of Biafraland or have himself to blame for the outcome of any such visit’, told the President to abort the planned visit, for his own good.The secessionist group, in a statement by its spokespersons, Emma Nmezu and Clifford Iroanya, equally warned Igbo governors and other political leaders against hosting Buhari in Enugu or any other part of the South-East.
IPOB said Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and other leaders should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the state if Buhari goes ahead to visit the Coal City on December 22.
The pro-Biafra group accused Buhari of persecuting the Igbo and warned politicians in the South East against welcoming the President.
It said, “We object totally to this visit. We warn that any governor or Igbo politician that receives Buhari in Enugu will have himself or herself to blame.
“We make it public that should there be a breakdown of law and order in Enugu on the 22nd of December, greedy Igbo politicians will have themselves to blame.
“Any Igbo governor or politician that is found among those hobnobbing with Buhari becomes an enemy of the people and shall pay dearly for it.”
The demanded the release its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, all detained pro-Biafra agitators and called for
an investigation into the Amnesty International report, which accused the army of mass killing of Biafra activists.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/ipob-warns-buharistay-away-from-south.html#more

see more photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/reginal-daniel-looking-gorgeous-in.html

The Enugu State Police Command says it has commenced investigation into the clubbing to death of a police officer who was attempting to apprehend some hoodlums smoking Indian hemp in Enugu metropolis.
The incident took place at about 5.p.m on Saturday at the popular New Artisan Market within Enugu metropolis.
It was gathered that the hoodlums overpowered the officer and then used hard objects to club him to death.
Reacting, the command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said that the police had begun massive crackdown and investigation into the matter.We are saddened with the development that we lost one of our own in the line of duty.
“It is unfortunate that at this age, people still engage in maiming law enforcement officers meant to protect and ensure they live peacefully in their neighbourhoods.
“We have launched investigation into the matter.
“The command would unravel what happened and deal with the culprits decisively,’’ he said.

more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/police-officer-clubbed-to-death-in-enugu.html#more

At least three persons have reportedly lost their lives in two separate accidents along Asaba axis of the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha expressway.
This is coming barely one week when about 23 persons were burnt to death in a multiple accident at Abudu town along the expressway. One of the latest crashes which claimed the life of the conductor of a Mercedes Benz 911 was said to have occurred at midnight in front of MTN head office, Asaba along the road. The driver of the ill-fated 911, laden with wood, was attempting to avoid an on coming vehicle when he swerved into the road divider. Although the driver survived, the impact of the crash on the concrete road divider led to the death of the motor boy (conductor).
Delta State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Rindom Kumven, who confirmed the crash, could not, however, confirm the second crash which was said to have claimed two persons.
Full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/road-crashes-claim-3-in-delta-state.html#more

Exxonmobil has sacked about 150 Nigerian workers in what its management described as a regular evaluation of its operation as part of a disciplined management process.

But the Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Exxonmobil branch, Mr. Paul Eboigbe, in a telephone interview with Daily Sun, said the sacking of the workers did not follow due process, and cannot stand in the face of the law.

Eboigbe said while discussions and negotiations were still ongoing, and a final agreement yet to be reached, the management unilaterally abandoned talks and went ahead to issue sack letters to the 150 affected workers.

He said the ploy deployed by the management was to exit Nigerian workers and in return bring in expatriates to take up the jobs that Nigerians were capable of executing, lamenting that the salary of an expatriate could pay the salaries of 10 Nigerians.

The union leader said a couple of sectional heads and General Managers were sacked in an undignified manner to pave way for the employment of the expatriates, saying PENGASSAN would not allow that to happen. ‘‘We adjourned the meeting to reconvene at a later date. And while waiting to continue talks, the management started issuing sack letters to the affected workers. This ill treatment cannot stand. And we will do all we can to resist it.”

On what the next line of action would be, Eboigbe said he has directed all his members in offshore location to down tools while similar instruction is being carried out at the Exxonmobil headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Responding, Exxonmobil Manager, Media and Communications, Mr. Oge Udeagha, explained that ExxonMobil regularly evaluates its operations as part of a disciplined management process and continually strives to operate its business in as safe and efficient a manner as possible.

‘‘We invest for the long term and are focused on maintaining a stable, well-developed workforce and are committed to treating our employees with respect and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations,’’ he said.

According to him, the development is a limited programme that will impact a relatively small fraction of employees, adding that special benefits specifically introduced for this purpose will be paid to affected employees consistent with existing labour agreements.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/breakingnewsexxonmobil-sacks-150.html#more

Cameroon Government is trying to dominate the country as a full French country. Knowing fully well that the country is made up of both French and English citizens. The youths are retaliating by destroying government properties and the government reacts by killing them.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/photoscameroon-youths-destroy.html?m=1

The Senate yesterday called for immediate resignation and prosecution of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, over allegations that he exploited his vantage position to award contracts on North-east rehabilitation project to his company, Rholavision.The call for Lawal’s resignation was the fallout of the presentation of the report of the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-east presented by its Chairman, Senator Shehu Sani.
Sani had reported that the Presidential Initiative on North-east (PINE), saddled with the responsibility of rebuilding and rehabilitating the region devastated by the activities of Boko Haram, took advantage of the dire situation in the region by inflating contracts.
He alleged that top government officials took advantage of the development to award contracts to companies belonging to their cronies, family members and close associates.
According to him, Lawal, until September this year was a Director of Rholavision Engineering Limited and till date remains a signatory to the account.
Senator Sani described Lawal’s failure to resign his position in the company before assuming office as the SGF as a breach of the law and should be made to resign and prosecuted.
Sani further said Rholavision got a consulting contract for the removal of “invasive plant species” (weeds) in Yobe State, adding that all contracts awarded by PINE had been either 95 per cent or 100 per cent paid for, even when some of the contracts had not been fully executed.
For instance, he said Dantex Nigeria Limited is yet to supply 125 units of the total 1,225 units of the temporary tarpaulin carbines valued at N302,000 per unit.
According to Sani, the company had been paid N108 million despite the outstanding 125 valued at N37.7 million.
Sani further reported that most of the contracts awarded by PINE had no impact on the lives of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) whom he said had been languishing in hunger, starvation, disease, squalor and other deplorable conditions.
The senator said that even though the IDPs in the North-east lived in deplorable conditions, PINE opted to award irrelevant contracts such as the removal of plant species, for which he said N223 million was paid, pointing out that there was a serious humanitarian crisis in the North-east as evident in the plight of IDPs at the camps and host communities.
He also said in all the camps visited, the Federal Ministry of Health was conspicuously absent, but a few critical government agencies such as National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) were noticed without synergy from other agencies.
He added that the Nigerian Air Force medical team was found rendering medical services to the lDPs with the little equipment at their disposal, submitting that “despite the claim by some federal government agencies that a huge amount of money was spent on the IDPs in the North-east, what was on the ground as seen by the committee neither justified nor reflected the claims”.
After the submission of his report, the Senate resolved among others that the Federal Ministry of Health must be compelled to immediately deploy personnel to all the lDP camps to support the efforts of the international humanitarian crisis managers and the Nigerian Air Force medical team, and also provide the necessary medical assistance to avert a possible outbreak of communicable diseases like cholera, measles, and diarrhea, etc.
It also resolved that the federal and state governments should intensify efforts towards rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, rehabilitation and empowerment of the lDPs to enable them go back to their respective homes while the newly constituted Presidential Committee on the North-east Initiative (PCNI) should ensure there is synergy and proper coordination among all the humanitarian crisis agencies to enable the IDPs gain maximally from the entire exercise.
The Senate also ordered PINE to forward a detailed report of all the contracts approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), in accordance with Section 43(iv) of the Public Procurement Act.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/senate-calls-for-sgfs-resignation.html#more

It is far from convincing that Yahya Jammeh changed his mind over the Gambian presidential poll in protest against a flawed electoral process with unresolved posers over some alleged missing votes. Even if some votes were really not accounted for, it is clear by now that Jammeh is only looking for an excuse not to hand over to the winner of the presidential election. Since the reason for Jammeh’s rejection of the poll’s result he earlier accepted cannot pass muster, he has given room to an exploration of the various possibilities that could have influenced his decision. How about considering the possibility that it was a single call from Robert Mugabe, that veteran of sit-tightism of African politics, that made Jammeh to change his mind ? For Jammeh’s easily giving up would make Mugabe to feel that he is losing members of his league of crass tyrants. Again, consider this: Mugabe might have strongly rebuked Jammeh for not coming to him to rejuvenate his strategies of remaining in power. For it is clear that Jammeh’s strategies are outdated and that was why he lost the election to opposition candidate Adama Barrow.
Clearly, as long as sit-tight despots like Mugabe still hold sway in Africa, they would remain as sources of inspiration to other leaders who are tempted to manipulate elections to remain in power. This is the overarching challenge that African leaders must resolve to stabilise democracy on the continent. This goes far beyond the fatuous approach being adopted by African leaders now to persuade Jammeh to step down. African states must ensure stable institutions that would make democracy to flourish. The notion that some leaders have done so well and therefore they need more time to solidify their achievements must be discouraged. It is when African leaders want to pervert their state constitutions and prolong their stay in power that they use their stooges to emote about the sovereignty of their countries and the unimpeachable need of the West not dictating to them how to run their own governments. Yet, it is the same countries with perverted democratic systems that are bogged down by sit-tight leaders that would run to the West to seek help for the development of their countries.
It was this notion of incumbent African leaders’ indispensability to the survival of their nations that once seduced former President Olusegun Obasanjo into seeking a third term in office. He deployed financial resources and people to amend the constitution to accommodate his whimsical ambition. He was distracted from real governance to improve the lot of the citizens. And he would have had his way but for a wary citizenry and patriotic lawmakers who rebuffed him despite allegedly taking his humongous bribes. It is this notion that has also made Paul Kagame to seek another term to remain in power in Rwanda after already spending two terms of 17 years in office. He claimed that the people have allowed him through a referendum to continue in power. With this so-called endorsement by the people, Kagame would now begin a third term of seven years from 2017. After this he is entitled to another two five-year terms to remain in power till 2034 or probably for life as he wishes.
If African nations are serious about stabilising democracy, the idea that the people have willingly given their leader more time to consolidate their achievements must be presented as it is – cant and humbug. For how can we be sure that the people have really spoken when the leaders easily intimidate and manipulate them? To what extent do voters in Africa really determine who govern them? Was it the electorate who determined Mugabe’s and Jammeh’s stay in office for decades? Have the so-called leaders not been emerging in African countries after the polls have been brutally manipulated?The African leaders who are outraged at the volte-face of Jammeh are intervening too late. For decades before now, African leaders should have insisted on ensuring stable democratic practices through periodic elections. There should not be room for the prolongation of a two-term of office of a leader. African leaders should emulate countries of the world which do not allow their leaders beyond two terms no matter how popular and auspicious the regime of a leader has been. But here lies the big challenge: African leaders do not have the right democratic credentials to enforce such a policy. They are the ones who manipulate the electoral process to pervert the people’s will to get power. They also hanker after an extra term.
True, the Nigerian state has been a stabilising force on the continent. It has intervened to restore peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It played a major role in the collapse of apartheid in South Africa. But it is not only when there are stark consequences of an abuse of the electoral process that Nigeria should intervene. If it is really interested in ensuring democratic stability in Africa, it must mobilise the rest of the African countries to adopt a common constitutional template that would guarantee stable democratic systems on the continent.It is because the Jammehs and Mugabes of Africa know that the continent’s leaders are only replicas of antediluvian despots who do not have the democratic credentials to ask their colleagues who have lost elections to quit office that they would snigger at the attempts by Buhari and others to broker peace in The Gambia. However, for the sake of peace and the innocent citizens of The Gambia, Jammeh must consider the need to quit now. He should not allow the rest of the world to force him to leave. The innocent lives he has wasted through his tyrannical regime of 22 years are enough. He should not add to the grim statistics of trepidation and death by insisting on remaining in power and precipitating a conflict that would consume innocent lives. Even if Jammeh takes the case to the courts and wins, he should not delude himself that anybody would accept that verdict. We know that the courts in The Gambia grovel before him and they would not disoblige him.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/on-gambia-africa-is-late.html#more

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja on Saturday to continue discussion on how to resolve the impasse in The Gambia.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the coalition of seven political parties that produced Adama Barrow, President-elect of The Gambia, looked earnestly up to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to deploy his vast experience, alongside other African leaders, to resolve the political logjam in the tiny West African country.
Speaking with the media during the high-level ECOWAS /AU/UN Joint Mission to The Gambia on Tuesday, Hamad Bah, one of the coalition members, declared: “We need the experience of President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria in many ways. Like President Jammeh, he is a former military officer, so he knows how the military thinks, and would be able to talk to him appropriately.Again, President Buhari was in the opposition in Nigeria for about 12 years, before he won election in 2015. So, he also knows how the opposition thinks. He can feel what we feel. We are quite glad that President Buhari is here, it gives us a lot of hope.”
Adesina said the high-level team held a series of meetings that lasted the whole of Tuesday, met with President Yahya Jammeh twice, conferred with Barrow, consulted with security chiefs, members of the diplomatic community, leadership of the electoral commission, and many other interest groups.
According to him, the consensus was that President Jammeh needed to respect the result of the December 1 election, which he had earlier accepted, congratulated the winner, only to recant a week later, calling for fresh polls “to be conducted by a God-fearing electoral commission.”
Adesina said the Joint ECOWAS-AU-UN team, made of President Buhari, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia (current Chairperson of ECOWAS), President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, outgoing President John Mahama of Ghana, and Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, (UN Special Representative for West Africa), encouraged Jammeh to reconsider his rejection of the election results citing “tallying errors” and his call for new elections.
full details at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/ecowas-leaders-to-meet-in-abuja.html#more

The political agitation in Rivers State emerging from the vicious rerun decisions held in the state on Saturday, got ugly yesterday when some security agents made up of warriors and policemen in Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) regalia raged the Port Harcourt City Hall examination focus and attempted to upset the announcement of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC yesterday hosted declared the Peoples Democratic Gathering (PDP) hopefuls – Senator George Sekibo and Mr. Osinachukwu Ideozu – champs of the senatorial rerun races in Rivers East and Rivers West Senatorial Districts, respectively.This was after the commission had proclaimed Senator Magnus Abe as the victor of the Rivers South East Senatorial District decision on Sunday.

Be that as it may, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state kicked against the outcomes that indicated PDP had won two of the senatorial seats, saying it would challenge them as it was not done as per the law.

Proclaiming the outcomes at the assemblage focus, the Returning Officer for Rivers East, Prof. Orji Okumenkama, said Sekibo scored 93,098 votes to overcome the applicant of the APC, Chief Andrew Uchendu, who scored 34,193 votes.

The Returning Officer for the Rivers West Senatorial District, Prof Raphael Ndubuisi Echebiri, likewise pronounced that Ideozu of the PDP had surveyed 107,166 votes to annihilation APC's Otelemaba Amachree who scored 46,898 votes.

The declaration of the outcomes, in any case, did not come without dramatization, as some security agents made up of troopers and policemen in SARS garbs raged the Port Harcourt City Hall grouping focus and attempted to disturb the procedure.

Notwithstanding, as more individuals were pulled in to the scuffle that followed at the city lobby, the security agents shot sporadically into the air to unnerve the general population and made their exit.

In the resulting disarray, an INEC decision officer, Mary Tokoyo, was mauled.

"They (security agents) hit me with a seat, they slapped me. I was attacked," she advised columnists as she was taken to the healing facility for therapeutic consideration.

The state representative, Nyesom Wike, was among the individuals who hurried to the grouping focus, as the security agents attacked the inside.

Tending to supporters not long after the declaration of the outcomes, Sekibo committed his triumph to "the flexibility of the Rivers senator and the general population".

"I devote this triumph to every one of the general population of the Rivers East Senatorial District and without a doubt the whole individuals of the state. Notwithstanding their dedication and that they turned out to bolster majority rule government, I trust that the hellfire thieves would have taken away our order," he said.

He additionally guaranteed to seek after appointive changes when he rejoins his associates at the Senate.

Additionally tending to the group at the city corridor, Wike said the oppressive government may which he said was in plain view some time recently, amid and after the rerun surveys in the state, would not be permitted to happen in some other decision in Rivers State, as the general population had been instructed how to get ready for races.

He additionally undermined to pull back coordinations support to security organizations in the state in light of their exercises amid the decisions.

Wike said: "I say thanks to God for the quality and fearlessness he has given to us in this race. We have truly relinquished. I realize that flexibility accompanies give up.

"Streams individuals were killed for simply straightforward authoritative races. The government accompanied their strength to vanquish Rivers State, since they needed to win. They executed individuals since they need the state.

"The blood of those individuals they slaughtered will be on their heads. States that can't pay their laborers compensation and can't complete important tasks conveyed cash to fix the decisions in this state.

"They ought to be embarrassed in light of the fact that they won one senatorial seat however we won two of the senatorial seats. They battled however God said, no chance, don't be threatened. This will never happen in 2019.

"They have demonstrated to us that there is no majority rule government in Nigeria, if not why don't they lead races the way they have been done in different nations."

In his response to the outcomes discharged yesterday, APC gubernatorial applicant in the 2015 decision and Director General of the National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said the gathering would not acknowledge the outcomes, affirming that some neighborhood government zones were not ordered.

Tending to writers at the APC state secretariat, Peterside said: "We need to rapidly give you a couple of essential improvements that happened today with the goal that Rivers individuals and Nigerians will recognize what is occurring in the state.

"At the beginning of today by 9:00 hours, Chinyere Igwe, an individual from the Rivers State Executive Council, who is not an INEC authority was gotten with unique pre-filled senatorial outcomes for Emohua Local Government Area. The police have since captured him.

"As I speak, Chinyere Igwe is still with the police and those pre-filled outcome sheets by individuals from the PDP are with the police. We have additionally been advised by our delegates that they have proceeded to examine senatorial outcomes without the aftereffect of Emohua, which is the neighborhood administration of our senatorial hopeful.

"In the mean time, there was an appropriate race in Emohua and solid outcomes where APC rose triumphant. In any case, since, they couldn't get their fake outcome sheets, the outcome they filled outside the domain of INEC, they have proceeded to proclaim a couple of different outcomes."

Whenever reached, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nnamdi Omoni (DSP), communicated obliviousness over the capture of Igwe.

He said he didn't know that the chief was captured for any race misbehavior.

Different outcomes pronounced by INEC demonstrated that the PDP's hopeful, Boma Goodhead, won government supporters situate in Akukutoru/Asaritoru, Tai Barinada of the APC won the Tai/Eleme/Oyigbo elected voting demographic, Pronen Maurice of APC won the Khana/Gokana elected voting demographic, while Wihioka Chidi Frank of APC won the Ikwerre/Emohua elected voting public.

Additionally, Tekena Wellington of the PDP won the Asaritoru I state body electorate, Enemi Alabo George of the PDP won Asaritory II state supporters, Blessing Pepple of the PDP won Bonny state voting demographic, Josiah John Olu of the APC won Eleme state voting demographic, Friday Nubari Nkeye of APC won Khana II state voting public, and Nwanjoku Chikre Azubuike of APC won the Ikwerre state voting public.

After the outcomes were declared, INEC affirmed the finish of the senatorial decisions in Rivers State.

Preparation writers at the state base camp in Port Harcourt the previous evening, INEC's National Commissioner responsible for the South-south Zone, Dr. Lecki Mustapha, said: "At the senatorial locale level, we have three seats that were challenged and every one of the three seat have been returned. Nothing is exceptional to the extent the senatorial races are concerned.

more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/security-personnel-attempt-to-disrupt.html#more

The son is really taken good care of the mother
More at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/photostiwa-savage-and-her-son-looking.html?m=1

Two partner in crime
More at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/okey-bakasi-and-nkem-owoh-dapper-in.html?m=1

Governor Willie Obiano tomorrow 12/12/2016 proclaim open the 2016 Press Week of the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Awka.

The current year's Press Week which will end on the eighteenth of this current month has its Theme as "The Media in National Development".

A Special Church administration to introduce the occasion is occurring today at Saint subside's Anglican Church Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area, starting at nine o'clock in the morning, while a thanks offering administration to stamp the end of the press week, will happen at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Awka, on the eighteenth of this current month.A discharge marked by the Secretary of the Council, Mr Emmanuel Udeagha, welcomes honing writers, heads of Media foundations, Media Executives, and the general population to the occasion.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/2016-press-week-begins-tomorrow-in-awka.html#more

A 60-year-old man was on Tuesday killed at a brothel in Maiduguri, Borno State, after a quarrel with some personnel of the Nigeria Air Force.
The fight occurred at a popular brothel located in Simari area of Maiduguri.
Witnesses said the victim, Ibrahim Bulama, was shot dead by soldiers after they clashed over a woman at the brothel.
Air Force authorities confirmed the killing, but did not clearly admit its personnel were involved in a struggle for a prostitute.
The Commander of the 105 Composite Group, Charles Ohwo, an Air Commodore, told journalists at a press briefing on Thursday that the deceased was not shot.
He said the man died when soldiers were trying to retrieve a rifle allegedly snatched from their colleague.
According to the Nigeria Air Force account, the soldier, Kamal Usman, a Lance Corporal, was on his way home from his duty post when he ran into people having an argument.
He said the armed personnel was trying to find out what happened, when his rifle was snatchedinvestigation revealed that, on Wednesday 7th December 2016, an airman, Lance Corporal Kamal Usman, left his duty post at about 10pm, and on his way home, when he came across some gathering near a hotel in Simari area; and in an attempt to find out what was wrong, the crowd got scared and took to their heels,” Mr. Ohwo said.
“When the airman decided to check the surroundings to find out what scared the crowd, he entered one room in the hotel and found a woman laying on a bed.
“Unfortunately, the deceased old man, Bulama mobilized some people and came back to the hotel and attacked him from the back with matchets, inflicting serious injuries on his head and snatched his rifle.
“On sensing danger, the lance corporal left and mobilized his fellow colleagues for assistance. Upon arrival at the scene, they descended on the old man, and beat him to death in the process of recovering their rifle.
“The airman is now recuperating at the air force medical facility in Maiduguri, while his colleagues who were involved in the incident have been detained pending further investigation,” Mr. Ohwo said.
Witnesses questioned the Air Force’s narratives, saying it did not explain what exactly took the armed airman to a brothel, or how exactly he got to see the woman on the bed, or what he was doing with her at the time the mob mobilised to attack him.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/nigeria-air-force-kill-60-year-old-man.html#more

They are really ready for xmas


https://www.instagram.com/p/BNwHQKaD6M8/?taken-by=peterpsquare&hl=en

Embattled Justice of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, got the shock of her life yesterday morning, as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invaded her home at about 5.00 a.m. to conduct a search.
That the men of the anti-graft agency, who arrived in their numbers, surrounded the Park View Estate, Lagos residence of the judge.According to the Head, Public Affairs of the Lagos zone of the commission, Samin Amaddin, the operatives went to the house in search of Ofili-Ajumogobia’s daughter, Aridim Tochukwu and son, Goziem.
He said that during the course of investigation, they discovered that the United Kingdom account in which she was lodging monies was opened by her daughter.
“We sent a letter to her house, inviting the daughter and she did not appear or respond. When she was arraigned at the Lagos High Court, the lady surprisingly appeared. Before we could approach her, she sneaked away. We reminded her mother of the invitation and she promised she would honour it but never did.
“So, on Tuesday, we got intelligence report that the lady is in town and decided to go and get her. But we did not see her. We only saw her mother, who promised to bring her to our office later in the day. She fulfilled her promise and brought two of them to our office. So they are presently in our office undergoing interrogation,” Amaddin said.
Wondering why EFCC would conduct such a surprise raid on the home of a person who has already been arraigned in court, one of Ofili-Ajumogobia’s lawyers said the action was unlawful and an abuse of human right.
The EFCC had arraigned Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia alongside Mr. Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on November 28 this year before Justice O.H. Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a 30-count charge ranging from conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, offering gratification to a public official and unlawful enrichment by public official among others.
Ajumogobia and Obla were in EFCC detention since early November before their arraignment.The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Thereafter, counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) and counsel to Obla, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) moved applications for them to be granted bail.
They were granted bail in the sum of N20 million and on self-recognition.Meanwhile, Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja division, has granted Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court six weeks to prepare his defence for the16-count charge of corruption levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The trial was scheduled to begin yesterday with the first prosecution witness testifying but at the resumed hearing, counsel to Justice Ngwuta, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that even though they were anxious to defend themselves, they still have a number of documents to study to allow for efficient defence.In opposing the application, the prosecution counsel, Charles Adeogun-Philips told d the court that it would be unfortunate for the defence counsel to ask for an adjournment since the trial was fixed for yesterday with the consent of all the parties in the matter.
He also urged the court to consider the fact that it was a high-profile case that required efficient administration of the Criminal Justice Act.According to him: “Section 396(4) of ACJA provides for a day to day trial upon arraignment until conclusion of the trial.”
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/efcc-raids-ofili-ajumogobias-lagos-home.html#more

Youths under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party National Youth Frontier, PDPNYF, has slammed the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government over the ongoing inflation in the prices of goods and services in the country.
The youth group, while lamenting the rate at which prices of goods and services have skyrocketed in the country, recalled that during the last administrations led by the Peoples Democratic Party, things were very affordable.
PDPNYF in a series of tweets on its twitter handle @PDPNYF Tuesday gave a clear analysis of how things have gone from bad to worst under the current government.It bemoaned that the prices of goods and services had increased steeply under the APC government as compared to the immediate past administration of the PDP.According to PDPNYF, “a bag of rice which sold for N8,500 in the PDP administration now sells for N22,000; Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol which sold for N97per litre has now been hiked to N145 per litre.
“A bag of cement which used to cost N1,400 is now N2,300.
“The Pounds and Dollar rates have increased steeply, leaving the Dollar to N420 from N187 and the Pounds from N280 to N560.”
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/pdp-youths-slam-buhari-over-hardship-in.html#more

Buraimoh Kikiope, a 200l Law student, University of Lagos , UNILAG has said that the current economic situation drove him into making corporate ties with Ankara fabrics for clients both home and abroad.Buraimoh Kikiope, a 200l Law student, University of Lagos , UNILAG has said that the current economic situation drove him into making corporate ties with Ankara fabrics for clients both home and abroad.His words, “I am known as EkAfricanclassic. What inspired me into creating ties with Ankara is the present situation of joblessness among the youths of Nigeria. I feel it is time we the youths become creative and come up with ideas. “Okikiope said the success story of business mogul, Aliko Dangote made him to task himself with business ideas. In the process, he found love in the use of fabrics to make fancy ties. “ I had started reading of Dangote and this spurned me to believe that I can make a difference with my ideas; “I could make 50 ties in the middle of the night. I am aiming to be the number one distributor of Ankara ties in the continent,” The young undergraduate said since October he started showcasing his products, he has garnered patronage inside and outside the shores of Nigeria through his use of the social media platform such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc.
More at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/unilag-studentrecession-forced-me-into.html#more

More at http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/chika-ike-shows-off-her-water-melons-in.html?m=1

The Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has said despite the insurgency in the state, Maiduguri, the state capital, is safer than Lagos, Abuja and most state capitals in the country.


He stated this in Bauchi on Tuesday while addressing the Batch B National Youth Service Corps members deployed in Borno State, who are undergoing their orientation in Bauchi State.

The 1,387 corps members, deployed in Borno State, were sworn in on November 28 at their camp in Bauchi.Shettima, while assuring them that Borno State was now peaceful, said, “With all sense of responsibility and honesty, am saying that the worst in Maiduguri is over. Borno is now on the path to sustainable peace.

“Maiduguri is now safe even more than Lagos, Abuja and many other state capitals in Nigeria.”

He added that the Federal Government and the state government were working to maintain the peace in the state as the fight against insurgency was getting to an end.

The governor stated that despite some differences among Nigerians, they shared and were tied to a common destiny of making Nigeria great.

He noted that despite the seeming ideological, political and religious diversity of Nigerians, they should strive to ensure unity among themselves, which, he said, was the only way to put the country on the path of development.

Shettima informed the corps members that he was happy with their determination to serve their country by leaving their comfort zones and serving in the state.

He said the NYSC scheme would open their eyes to the reality of national coexistence, adding that the future of Nigeria rests on the shoulder of the youth.

The governor promised to provide necessary assistance to the corps members, including an increase in their allowances and the provision of decent accommodation.

He commended the Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, for accommodating Borno State corps members and the assistance rendered to them.

The Borno State NYSC Coordinator, Alhaji Lawal Turawa, said the prompt intervention of the Bauchi State governor, which led to the relocation of the corps members to the new camp, saved what would have been an ugly situation.

http://www.akelicious.com/2016/12/gov-shettimamaiduguri-now-safer-than.html#more