Edunwablog's Posts
Nairaland Forum › Edunwablog's Profile › Edunwablog's Posts
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 (of 44 pages)
 Politics › No Plan To Impeach Ambode – Lagos Assembly by edunwablog(op): 3:47pm On Oct 22, 2018 |
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has refuted claims that the State Assembly is planning to impeach the state governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Ambode, early October, amid dramas, lost the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress in the state to his rival Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a most humiliating defeat. “Impeachment is constitutional and has its process. we are not embarking on that yet,” the assembly speaker Mudashiru Obasa said on Monday. “Akinwunmi Ambode has not committed any impeachable offence.” There have been speculations that there is a fast-paced plot is unfolding in the state assembly to unseat Ambode before the expiration of his single term. The impeachment rumours thicken after the lawmakers on Thursday ordered Private Sector Partnership (PSP) operators in all the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state to resume refuse collection and disposal with immediate effect. The PSP operators were disengaged by Ambode following the introduction of a new environmental initiative, through the Visionscape Sanitation Solution Limited. There was a discontent of residents of the state over the challenged capacity of Visionscape to handle the refuse business is now being explored by the party elite to push the impeachment. However, the speaker while reacting to the rumours said “We don’t need wailers to advise us on how to go about our duties. For now, we are still working in one accord to move Lagos forward. This is to clear the rumours.” Meanwhile, a Lagos-based civil rights movement, Save Lagos Group (SLG) last Friday threatened to picket the Lagos State House of Assembly if it goes ahead with its alleged plans to impeach Ambode. It also warned lawmakers against being the tool to be used by some selfish individuals to impeach Ambode, saying that the group had prepared to legally, constitutionally and democratically resist any attempt by the State Assembly to impeach the governor. “They wanted Ambode out of office prematurely because they didn’t want him to be entitled to the pension emolument of the exalted office,” the Group said in a statement. “As a civil rights group that stood for truth and Justice, we must say capital ‘NO’ to selfish removal of the Lagos governor. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/no-plan-to-impeach-ambode-lagos-assembly_22.html 3 Likes
|
| Politics › 2019: Nasarawa APC Reps Candidate Denies Allegation Of Sexual Gratification by edunwablog(op): 1:41pm On Oct 21, 2018 |
Dr. Muhammad Ya’u, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Akwanga/Wamba/Nasarawa-Eggon Federal Constituency has denied allegation of sexual gratification levelled against him, as he prepares for the 2019 elections. Ya’u in a statement issued on Sunday by Innocent Pada, Director-General of his campaign organisation described the allegation as untrue and handwork of his political detractors. The politician was reacting to an allegation on how he pestered a married female admission applicant (name withheld) for sex, as a former university staff. NAN further reports that Yau until recently served at the Nasawara State University, Keffi as the Director of Information Communication Technology (ICT), before joining politics. He said that “The said scandalous report is unfounded, untrue, ill motivated and the handiwork of our political detractors bent on dragging the reputation of our candidate in the mud. “We would like to put the record straight by saying that our candidate does not have the power to offer admission to any student. “He would never engage in any action that would undermine the laid down pre-requisite for admission into the university. “Our candidate does not know, have not spoken or met with the said woman in the report before. “He was never arrested nor spoke with any journalist on any issue relating to sexual assault as being speculated by the fictitious report.” The organisation urged supporters of the APC candidate to remain calm and be committed to the vision and benefits of quality representation awaiting them after the 2019 general elections. When contacted the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr Abraham Ekpo, he said that “I am not aware of any official complaint or communication to the institution in respect of the sexual allegation against Dr Muhammad Ya’u”. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/2019-nasarawa-apc-reps-candidate-denies.html
|
| Politics › Cross River Garment Factory Unveils Callyphina Wears by edunwablog(op): 4:42am On Oct 21, 2018 |
Cross River State government, in partnership with Blue Ocean, India, has unveiled a new set of wears, ranging from tee-shirts, boxers, polo, shirts and trousers at the Calabar Garment factory. Governor Ben Ayade, speaking at the unveiling of ‘Callyphina wears’ said: “The state is proud to showcase high quality wears with special finishing, which will be formally launched during 2018 Calabar Carnival. “If you look at the finishing and lining, you will see precision and expertise. And if you look at the hemming and final knitting, it just could be a Versace, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana.” Managing Consultant, Blue Ocean, Atul Kakkar, explained that the job specification handled in his two-week stay in Calabar was in line with the governor’s vision of creating world-class garment factory. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/cross-river-garment-factory-unveils.html
|
| Politics › Gov Wike Shuns Opportunity To Visit Suffering Victims Of Flooding by edunwablog(op): 3:41pm On Oct 20, 2018 |
Gov Wike Shuns Opportunity to Visit Suffering Victims of Flooding …. as VP Osinbajo Visits Rivers and Bayelsa States While the Vice President, His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday visited some flooded communities in Rivers and Bayelsa States to give hope and succour to victims of flooding in the two states, Gov. Nyesom Wike and his government officials were ostensibly absent even if the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson was personally present as the Vice President toured the affected communities in both States. Warisenibo Chris Finebone, Rivers APC Spokesman in a statement noted that despite the absence of Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Arc. Tonye Patrick Cole and a number of APC chieftains in the State among whom were Rivers West Senatorial Candidate of the party, Hon. Asita Honourable and Free Rivers President, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara were also on hand to receive the VP and his team. According Finebone, “The only visible presence of Rivers State Government was the Deputy Governor, Dame Ipalibo Harry who was at the Port Harcourt International Airport to merely receive the VP on arrival and returned to bid him farewell at the end of the visit as strictly required by protocol.” While Prof. Osinbajo and Gov. Seriake Dickson undertook the visit by means of a chopper from the Port Harcourt International Airport, APC Chieftains including Arc Tonye Cole were on hand at Mbiama to receive the VP and his entourage. Thereafter, Arc. Cole and Gov. Dickson accompanied the VP to visit Internally Displaced Persons camps in Mbiama and Akinama in Rivers State after the VP had done aerial assessment of the affected communities in Bayelsa State. Rivers APC profoundly thanked the VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari for this kind gesture of visiting the flood affected areas and the victims. “We are convinced beyond doubt that the promised intervention will be swift in coming to cushion the excruciating suffering of victims of the devastating flooding” Rivers APC expressed optimism. “It must be mentioned that whereas the APC has been nudging the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, to show compassion by visiting the flooded communities and the victims so as to assess and assuage their needs, the governor simply underlined his lack of duty of care that a governor owes his people by shunning a golden opportunity to latch on to the window provided by the visit of the VP. This goes to confirm that the governor has no compassionate heart expected of a governor. It underscores that Gov Wike is totally bereft of what governance entails. For him, politics is the beginning and the end of everything. Indeed, what this explains is that governor Wike has no business being a councillor much more a governor of a state” the statement finally declared. More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/gov-wike-shuns-opportunity-to-visit.html
|
| Politics › My Detractors Must Apologise To Imo APC, Says Gov Okorocha by edunwablog(op): 5:49am On Oct 20, 2018 |
In his determination to assert authority, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, said yesterday that his detractors, who called him all sorts of names and allegedly engaged the military to truncate his re-election bid in 2015, must apologise to him before he could allow them to have ground membership of the party in the state. In a statement issued yesterday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, Okorocha, was angered that he was referred to as “Okoro- Hausa” and “Alhaji in Government House and “APC Boko Haram”, apparently to stop his chances and that of President Muhammadu Buhari to clinch power. The statement reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) Imo state which Governor Rochas Okorocha is the leader will never allow those who called him “Okoro-Hausa” and “Alhaji in Government House” and who branded APC Boko Haram party and harassed members of the party with armed personnel in 2015, to make any valid claim in the party, unless they first apologise to the governor and APC members in the State. “Some of these elements include Chief Hope Uzodinma who wants to be governor today on the platform of APC and their cohorts in PDP gave Governor Okorocha all sorts of derogatory names during the 2015 elections. They did all they could to ensure that Imo people and indeed, Ndi-Igbo in general reject APC and President Muhammadu Buhari at the poll. “They called the governor, “Okoro-Hausa” and “Alhaji in Government House” and called APC Boko Haram Party. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/my-detractors-must-apologise-to-imo-apc.html 2 Likes 2 Shares
|
| Business › Glo Bags Best Exhibitor Award At Abuja Trade Fair by edunwablog(op): 4:57am On Oct 20, 2018 |
One of the leading telecommunications companies in Nigeria, Globacom, was adjudged the best exhibitor in the telecoms sector at the just- concluded 13th Abuja International Trade Fair. Presenting the award to Globacom, Director General of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Tonia Shoyele, expressed gratitude to the company for constantly supporting the chamber. She said that Globacom won the award, having showcased unique products and services at the 12-day event, including ‘SME Flexi,’ designed for stakeholders in the small, medium and micro enterprises. Visitors to the Glo stand expressed delight with the 4G LTE gadgets on sale at the fair, saying the speed and quality of its Internet service gave them a beautiful experience on the network. The visitors commended Globacom for providing them with free Wi-Fi at the pavilion, free corporate gift items and Glo Free access prepaid SIMs and CUG lines. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/glo-bags-best-exhibitor-award-at-abuja.html
|
| Politics › Fayemi’s First Week As Ekiti Governor by edunwablog(op): 2:18am On Oct 20, 2018 |
The people of Ekiti State are still basking in the euphoria of having a new governor, a ritual that happens once in every four years. History was made on Tuesday, October 16, when Dr. John Kayode Fayemi was sworn into office alongside his deputy, Otunba Adebisi Adegboyega Egbeyemi, at an impressive inauguration ceremony at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti. For the residents and guests who made it to the inauguration venue and others who watched the event life on the television sets, Fayemi has a huge burden of expectations and he has expressed the determination to perform. Based on his performance in his first term, which ran from 2010 to 2014, Fayemi, having been armed with previous experience in governance, is not expected to act as a novice having had a three-month interregnum between his electoral victory and installation. With the hoopla of the swearing-in over, Fayemi later on that day announce the appointment of the first set of principal aides to set the machinery of governance in motion. The governor appointed former Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, as Secretary to the State Government. Former Chairman of Ijero Local Government and ex-Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Mr. Biodun Omoleye, was appointed the Chief of Staff, while Mr. Olayinka Oyebode returned to the office of the Chief Press Secretary, which he held during the governor’s first term. The appointments drew applause in many quarters but knocks in some, especially among the Muslim folks, who had expected that one of their own will clinch the SSG job as it was during Fayemi’s first term. On Wednesday, Fayemi followed up with Town Hall meetings in Ekiti North and Ekiti South senatorial districts. The governor, the deputy governor and the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi, party leaders and other admirers moved to Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti North senatorial district headquarters and Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti South senatorial district headquarters to thank the people for his July 14 electoral victory and to unveil what is in store for the people. Town hall meetings are key features of the first tenure of Fayemi and they are used to preparing budgets in which the chief executive asked people in villages, towns and cities to submit at least three projects in order of priority to be incorporated into the budget. This resulted in projects like palaces, civic centres, transformers, school rehabilitations, construction of community roads, health centres, markets etc, which are still standing in those communities to date. Apparently impressed by the governor’s decision to visit them barely a day after coming into office, residents in the two senatorial districts turned out in large numbers to receive Fayemi and Egbeyemi. Traditional rulers, community leaders, opinion leaders, politicians and other residents, who didn’t belong to any political party, waited enthusiastically for the governor at Odo Udo Primary School grounds, Ido-Ekiti and Ereja Park, Ikere-Ekiti where the parleys were held. Fayemi unfolded some policy thrusts of his administration which, he said, would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the people. The governor, during the town hall meetings in the two locations, announced the cancellation of the education development levy imposed on pupils in private and public schools by the Ayo Fayose administration. Under the Fayose regime, pupils in primary school pupils paid N500 each as tax, while students in secondary schools coughed out N1,000 per term. The imposition of the levy sparked outrage in the state and it later turned to a court battle spearheaded by the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti with the verdict being awaited at the Court of Appeal. Also at the town hall meetings, Fayemi also announced the return of free education in public primary and secondary schools where students paid sundry fees under Fayose. The order for the scrapping of the education development levy and return of free education threw the crowd that thronged the town hall meetings into a frenzy. In Ikere, as the ovation that greeted the policy statement was yet to die down, Fayemi further disclosed that Ekiti pupils in public schools would be enjoying free meals latest by December. Besides, the governor said the welfare of civil servants, who were traumatized by irregular salaries and low morale, would be a top priority for him as he settled down to his gubernatorial duties. Fayemi further gladdened the hearts of the residents by revealing that the monthly payment of stipends to the aged people and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) established during his first term would come back. The policies,he said, are geared towards making life easier for the citizenry, especially the senior citizens, bring government closer to the people thereby reducing less pressure on the state government and offer opportunities of career progression to council workers and politicians at the grassroots. By Thursday, Fayemi hit Abuja for the first time since coming to power to attend the meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF). He was the cynosure of all eyes at the two meetings as personalities like Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other governors, led by the NGF Chairman, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Yari Abubakar, welcomed him back to their fold. Fayemi’s presence in Abuja denied him the opportunity to attend an Inter-Faith Prayer/Thanksgiving Service held at the Government House grounds as part of activities to mark his inauguration. Hide original message But the deputy governor held forte for the governor at the inter-faith service where he (Egbeyemi) said the government will not discriminate against anybody in spreading dividends of democracy. Egbeyemi said: “Whether you are a member of APC, PDP or any other party, if your children are in public schools, they will enjoy free education because this government is a friend to everybody. “We will do more than what we did during the first tenure. I moved round with the governor during the campaign and there are projects to show in all towns and villages. “We have said we are not probing anybody but we want to look into the books because workers want us to pay them, pensioners want us to pay them and we are going to work out how we will pay them.” With the action-packed first week, Ekiti people have tasted the stuff the Fayemi administration is made of and they will, of course, continue to ask for more in the next four years. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/fayemis-first-week-as-ekiti-governor.html
|
| Travel › Why Is The Nigerian Passport So Useless? by edunwablog(op): 6:55am On Oct 19, 2018 |
The job of a passport is primarily to allow you to enter another country and given that Nigerians are in practically every country in world, how can we accuse our passport of uselessness? The second reason you may come up with this assertion is that Nigerian passport holders do not have visa free entry to as many countries as we would want, but, take note that visa matters and many diplomatic matters are reciprocal. Nigeria does not allow citizens of countries that require visas from Nigerians free access too. Even visa fees are reciprocal, most countries charge the same amount the corresponding country charge in visa fees. Since it does the job it is meant to do well, I don't see how you can allege that it is useless. One point though, Nigerian passports in the hands of 2 individuals can be miles apart in usefulness, Otedola, Adenuga, Dangote may have over 50 visas in their Nigerian passports whereas a poor fresh uni graduate may have none in his. Obviously one Nigerian passport will then be deemed to be more powerful than another. Not everything about Nigeria is bad and the passport that gives you visa free access to about 44 African countries can't be called useless. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/why-is-nigerian-passport-so-useless.html 1 Like
|
| Business › Naira Down To N364.33/$ In I&E Window by edunwablog(op): 3:45am On Oct 19, 2018 |
Naira, yesterday, depreciated to N364.33 per dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window even as the volume of dollars traded dropped by 78 percent. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the window rose to N364.33 per dollar yesterday from N363.96 per dollar on Wednesday, translating to 37 kobo depreciation of the Naira. The volume of dollars (turnover) traded on the window yesterday declined by 78 percent to $70.74 million from $317.11 million on Wednesday. On the other hand, the Naira yesterday was stable at N360 per dollar in the parallel market. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/naira-down-to-n36433-in-i-window.html 1 Like
|
| Politics › EFCC Detains Fayose As Fayemi Threatens Probe by edunwablog(op): 5:40am On Oct 17, 2018 |
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose.Source https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/guardian.ng/news/efcc-detains-fayose-as-fayemi-threatens-probe/amp 3 Likes 3 Shares
|
| Politics › PENGASSN Urges FG, States To Resolve Issues On Minimum Wage by edunwablog(op): 9:23pm On Oct 16, 2018 |
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has urged the Federal, state governments and organised private sector to resolve the differences in the ongoing negotiation for a new minimum wage in the country. The National President of the Union, Mr Olabode Johnson made the appeal while addressing newsmen on its planned 40thanniversary, in Abuja, on Tuesday. He described as ungodly, the shenanigans displayed by some state governors when it comes to payment of workers’ salaries. “ We need to give priority to the issue of minimum wage now before the political campaigns starts in full by next month, all parties need to agree on a particular amount on this issue. According to him, PENGASSAN believes that the Federal and state governments have the capacity to resolve the minimum wage issue before campaigns start, so that it can be legislated upon, passed and eventually becomes law. “PENGASSAN, as an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, we are also bound to look at the dictates of the agreement. “ When you look at the issue of the new minimum wage, you will agree that it is long overdue. You must be able to give Nigerians a minimum wage. Look at the current hardship, look at depreciation; look at what everybody is facing. “I also want to appeal to the Federal and state governments, Nigeria Employers Consultative Assembly, (NECA), and other stakeholders, that a stitch in time saves nine. “ Whatever everybody is supposed to do, because, by the end of November, politics will start; so now is the time to do everything we have to do in that regard,’’ he said He added that Nigerians should also see the disagreement on this issue that the leaders know what they are doing, saying “ for every state that has political appointees, I have never seen that they are been owed salaries. “ The issue of minimum wage we want to appeal to government to give it priority. Let this bickering of N24,000, N25,000 and N30,000 be sorted out, so that you don’t create an impression with Nigerians that you are insensitive to their plights. Let us pay everybody his or her due.” he said On the planned 40th anniversary scheduled to hold, October 18, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari, would be the special guest of honour. Others expected at the event are businessman, Aliko Dangote, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, state governors, chief executive officers of international oil companies and security experts. Johnson noted that past labour leaders who fought for the actualisation of June 12 would also be recognized at the anniversary. He added that the union with the anniversary would expand its scope in ensuring job creation through the world class event center that it would launch. He said that qualified Nigerians would be employed to run and mange the operation of the center professionally. He said that the conference would focus on ‘Labour, fuelling the economy. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/pengassn-urges-fg-states-to-resolve.html
|
| Education › Rescue Nigeria From Collapse, Don Begs Educationist by edunwablog(op): 6:06am On Oct 16, 2018 |
A professor of educational planning at the Lagos State University, Ojo, Solomon Oladapo Olaniyonu, has pleaded with stakeholders in the education sector to rescue Nigeria from its current challenges. He urged their intervention in the prevailing insecurity, economic meltdown, unemployment and general infrastructure decay in the country, maintaining that they hold the solution to the ‘wobbling and fumbling’ national economy. He stressed that the aspiration of every country was to increase national wealth and improve the wellbeing of the citizenry. The former Dean in the institution’s Faculty of Education added that formal training “contributes significantly to productivity when provided in the right quality and in an enabling environment that lays the bedrock of economic development.” Delivering the 2018 yearly Independence Lecture of Satellite Baptist Church on Sunday in Lagos, he reminded Nigerians about the significance of the 58th anniversary of nationhood. He said: “A degree is not equivalent to education nor economic development, but when learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms leading to innovation; when innovation is fully lit, the economy blossoms.” Olaniyonu regretted that Nigeria had gained independence politically on October 1, 1960 but remained economically dependent ever since. “Our importation is greater than the exportation which can drastically sharpen the economy to experience waterloo,” he said. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/rescue-nigeria-from-collapse-don-begs.html
|
| Politics › APC Primaries: Ganduje Inaugurates 12-man Reconciliation Committee by edunwablog(op): 11:43am On Oct 15, 2018 |
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has inaugurated 12-man high-powered reconciliation committee to reconcile all aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. This is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abba Anwar and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Kano. Ganduje, who, inaugurated the committee at the Government House, Kano, said that the committee would bring unity among party members and also take care of some misunderstandings that cropped up after the recently concluded primary elections in the state. “The committee will reconcile our party members as a result of the emergence of some few issues after the conduct of the primary elections, excluding Presidential and Gubernatorial primaries of which we had single candidate for each of the two positions. “Normal misunderstanding as seen after the primaries in the state are normally unavoidable in democracy. Particularly in the practice of party politics,” Ganduje was quoted as saying. He said that the committee would look into the matter at hand with a view to ensuring amicable reconciliation ahead of the general elections. “The committee will come up with a strategy that will bring in amicable reconciliation of the party members as we are approaching general elections. “It will also come up with a strategic approach in building strong party cohesion. Are part of the terms of reference,” he highlighted. Ganduje said that it was only in the Presidential and Gubernatorial primary elections, the process was conducted without any contenders in the two positions. He added that the state unanimously gave President Muhammadu Buhari the highest votes in Nigeria of about three million in the primary election. ”Kano being the largest democracy in Nigeria with the highest population coupled with higher elective constituencies in the federation, the state is bound to experience such political complexities. “We also chose to conduct direct primaries, fundamentally for the simple reason that we want to get optimum participation. The committee is chaired by Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), Speaker of the State Assembly, Kabiru Rurum,. Yusuf Ata, Gen Jafaru Isah (rtd) and Amb. Kabiru Rabi’u, Sabo NAN on and Dr Maikano Rabi’u. Others are Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Barrister Umar Danlasan, Garba Yusuf Abubakar and Amadu Haruna Zago as members, while Musa Salihu Riruwai would serves as the Secretary of the Committee. The committee was given two weeks to submit its report to government for further action. Meanwhile, the governor has dispelled the rumour that Presidency was not happy with the way Kano conducted the primaries. “Presidency has no quarrel with us over the conduct of our primary elections conducted recently in the state. “Ours is much more cleaner, healthier and peaceful than many other states across the country,” the statement said. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/apc-primaries-ganduje-inaugurates-12.html
|
| Politics › Travel Ban: I Have Been Acquitted, Says Bafarawa by edunwablog(op): 1:29am On Oct 15, 2018 |
Former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa yesterday said he cannot be on the travel ban list because he has been discharged and acquitted by a Sokoto State High Court on the case in which he was involved. Bafarawa, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, said: “In respect of the case listed against me in the Executive Order 6, I have been discharged and acquitted since July 31st 2018 by a court. I stood trial for almost 10 years> I was not found wanting by the court. “I also need to put on record that my accounts have not been frozen by any of the anti-graft agencies. None of my properties has been confiscated till date. I have tried to live above board in public service and in my private life.” https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/travel-ban-i-have-been-acquitted-says.html
|
| Politics › Why Is Nigeria Such A Terrible Country? by edunwablog(op): 8:21pm On Oct 14, 2018 |
I'm an Israeli that lived in Nigeria for 5 years working on an agricultural project in Plateau State. Nigeria is no better or no worse than any other country in the world. Every country has it's advantages and dis-advantages. The leadership is the biggest Nigerian problem with rife corruption and lack of basic humanity. The Nigerian people are suffering from a lack of leadership and too much religious dogma. One of the main problems with Nigerians is that they are too tolerant of their politicians. No strikes or protest marches for justice. They have come to terms with the fact that they have to bribe a government official, customs officer, police officer, immigration officer just to progress in life. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/why-is-nigeria-such-terrible-country.html
|
| Politics › Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Commend Atiku For Choosing Igbo Son As Running Mate by edunwablog(op): 3:56pm On Oct 14, 2018 |
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths (Worldwide) has commended the PDP and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for choosing an Igbo son as the vice presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections. The commendation was given through a statement issued in Owerri on Sunday by its Acting National President, Dr Kingsley Dozie and Emeka Odom, its Assistant National Legal Adviser. It said that assistance of Igbo youths would be made available to the PDP having chosen Dr Peter Obi as its presidential running mate. The group said it had already started discussing and liasing with youths of other ethnic nationalities on how to have a productive and people oriented election. “To restructure Nigeria is our priority now and we’ll get it right this time. “The choice of the former governor, Peter Obi is great. He was not wasteful in the management of resources while serving as governor. “Peter Obi is a good choice. He will bring business intelligence into governance. “He is not corrupt and as a governor, he was not wasteful. Igbo youths are very happy . “Obi’s success story as a businessman would help in reviving the nation’s economy if elected in 2019. “The decision to pick him, we believe, is based on his outstanding performance as governor of Anambra state,” it said. The group said that as a successful businessman, it expected Obi to translate his wealth of experience into good governance for the nation. They expressed optimism that he would not disappoint Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria at large. The group had earlier commended the PDP for electing Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2019 elections. It’s leader, Dr Kingsley Dozie, described Abubakar as an apostle of restructuring. He promised that his group would liase with its parent body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, alongside “our brothers after our consultations and get it right this time.” “The party’ s primary was free and fair and the most credible presidential primaries. “Igbo youths are pleased with the party’s style of leadership and particularly the restructuring agenda of its candidate which placed him first in the race. “Consequently, the leadership of igbo youths, led by Kingsley Dozie, shall mobilize all igbo youths, home and abroad, to ensure that a better candidate who places our interest as a priority and who will genuinely restructure Nigeria emerged as the president of Nigeria come 2019,” he said. Dozie said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing was now out to protect, preserve and promote the welfare of ndigbo through massive mobilization of the youths to vote for a preferred, detribilized and someone who would put smiles on the faces of people in the forthcoming presidential election. He urged the youths to ensure they had their PVCs, saying that was the surest way to electing credible candidates. [b][url]https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ohanaeze-ndigbo-youths-commend-atiku.html[[/url]/b]
|
| Politics › Falana To IG: Prosecute Parents Who Refuse To Educate Their Kids by edunwablog(op): 10:34am On Oct 12, 2018 |
Mr. Femi Falana has urged the Inspector General (IG), Ibrahim Idris to arrest and prosecute parents and guardians, who refuse to allow their children and wards to acquire basic education. He gave the advice sequel to the grant of N291 billion Universal Basic Education Fund (UBE) by the World Bank to fund primary education. He gave the advice in a statement, titled: “Stakeholders must monitor disbursement of N291 billion Basic Education Fund”, issued in Lagos yesterday. Falana urged the IG to direct state police commissioners to arrest and prosecute parents and guardians, who refused to allow their children and wards to acquire basic education, which, he said, is compulsory from primary to junior secondary school to ensure the success of the UBE scheme. The senior lawyer counselled the IG to comply with the provisions of the “compulsory, free Universal Basic Education Act”. Falana, who is the president of Peoples Alternative Front (PAF), counselled stakeholders in the education sector to monitor the disbursement and utilisation of the fund. He contended that except this is done by all concerned, “the fund may be diverted by politicians who are desperately looking for money to purchase votes during the forthcoming general election in the country”. He added: “Unless these measures are adopted without any further delay, the UBE fund will be diverted or wasted while the future of the 13.2 million out-of-school children will be doomed to the detriment of political stability and development of the country. The statement stated in part: “A couple of days ago, I blamed the authorities of the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory for the embarrassing increase in the number of out-of-school children from 10.5 to 13.2 million. “I disclosed that N86.5 billion had not been accessed by majority of the state governments as at January 2018 due to their refusal to contribute counterpart fund. “However, I acknowledged that the World Bank had made available a grant $611 million ( N219 billion) for the UBEC scheme.” https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/falana-to-ig-prosecute-parents-who.html[url][/url]
|
| Celebrities › Davido’s Song ‘IF’ Leads On New York’s Shazam Chart by edunwablog(op): 8:51am On Oct 12, 2018 |
Ace Nigerian singer Davido’s hit single “IF” has emerged number one on the New York ‘Shazam’ chart for songs that listeners in the United States city have searched for its identity. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shazam is a popular app used by millions of music lovers around the globe each month to identify a song that is playing at each moment. The app also provides details such as the artist’s name and title of the particular song playing at the time. As at Thursday October 11, the song stands at number one on the Shazam’s chart above Lil Wayne’s hit ‘Uproar’, Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode’ and ‘Backin It Up’ by Pardison Fontaine featuring Cardi B, among others. This makes Davido the first Nigerian artist ever to be number one on the charts in the US . In a swift reaction, elated Davido took to his Instagram page to express delight over the report. He wrote: “We got the most Shazam song in New York!!! Its Lit!!” “My old records Just breaking , imagine what the new ones will do !” This feat has added another accolade to Davido’s richly adorned cap, especially in recent times. Earlier in the year, he clinched the Best International Act trophy at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards. The “Assurance Crooner” was also recently nominated, alongside Nigerian female music sensation Tiwa Savage for the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards (MTV EMAs) in the Best African Act category. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/davidos-song-if-leads-on-new-yorks.html
|
| Politics › Nigeria Worries Over Ghana’s Continuous Closure Of Shops by edunwablog(op): 6:43am On Oct 11, 2018 |
Nigeria has expressed concern over the continued closure of Nigerians shops in Ghana two weeks after President Koffi Nana-Akudo gave the order to reopen them. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said in Abuja when the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) led by its President, Ken Ukuoha, paid her a visit. Ukuoha had led the Nigerian and Ghanaian Chapters of the union to present a petition on the continuous closure of their shops to President Mohammadu Buhari through Dabiri Erewa’s office. Nigerian traders were shut-out of their business premises in pursuance of the eviction order dated 27th July 2018. The Ghanaian authority was demanding that traders must have one million dollars as minimum foreign investment capital to do business in Ghana as stipulated its Ministry of Trade and Industry (GIPC) Act, 2013. She expressed worry that in spite the assurance of President of Ghana to Buhari that the shops will be re-opened, and despite an instruction to reopen the shops on Sept 27, the shops still remain closed. I am just going to start by appealing to you I know it is painful it is emotional, it is deep but I just urged to remain calm. “I am surprised that after the announcement of President of Ghana on the reopening of the locked shops, they still remained under lock up till now. “The president of Ghana paid a courtesy call on our president during the UN General Assembly in New York and he assured him that Nigerian traders were not being targeted “When they said foreigners, he assured that Nigerians were not the target; and since that time which was on Sept. 27, I am very surprised that as at today over 400 shops were still under lock in Ghana,” she said. Dabiri-Erewa expressed dismay that Ghanaian president yet to honour his promise to reopen the closed shops 13 days after. The presidential aide promised to convey the union’s message to the president who he said was the Chairman of the ECOWAS about what their petition. She said that President Buhari as the ECOWAS chairman would ensure that the matter is resolved once and for all. She urged the traders not to take laws into their hands no matter how provocative the situation may but to remain calm “I am sure that the matter will be resolved between the two presidents and will be treated as ECOWAS matter. “I know it is not only Nigerians that are affected but other ECOWAS nationals as well but I know that Nigerians are the largest. “On behalf of the government I advised and urge to remain calm because this is an ECOWAS matter and we cannot be doing this to ourselves,” she said. While noting that millions of Ghanaian traders in Nigeria were treated as brothers she appealed to the union not to even think about retaliation but rather be calm and obey their laws. “It is only a matter of time when this would resolved, it is a matter of days these long faces would soon smile because President Buhari would surely intervene,” she assured them. Ukuoha said that in 2018, the Ministry of Trade and Industry(GIPC) and Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in a joint operation established a taskforce with specific mandate to clamp down on Nigerian traders. He said that this had eventually resulted in the ongoing closure of over 400 Nigerian Traders’ shops in Kumasi and the Ashanti region of Ghana. “We are deeply worried with the high level of government complicity and state sponsored incitement and xenophobic attacks on Nigerians on the street of Ghana. “We can provide evidence based on information in video clips and recorded attacks leaving countless Nigerian traders at various hospitals. He noted with concern that Ghanaian security continually expressed helplessness by turning their eyes the other way, when Ghanaian hired thugs and criminals unleash mayhem on Nigerians, molesting and looting their goods and properties. He said among NANTs demand, is the immediate reopening of the over 400 Nigerian owned locked shops in Ghana, as well as the immediate return of all seized goods. He said the government should undertake to protect and provide security for all Nigerian traders and families and be held accountable for any ill treatment on Nigerian traders, or Nigerian citizens residing in Ghana. Nigerians should not be subject to arbitrary and punitive taxation. GIPC Act should not be applied on Nigerian traders as we are not foreigners in Ghana but bonafide community citizens under ECOWAS Law, he stated. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/nigeria-worries-over-ghanas-continuous.html
|
| Politics › Breaking: Court Sentence Shell MD, Others To 3 Months In Prison by edunwablog(op): 3:55pm On Oct 09, 2018 |
The managing director of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Mr Osagie Okunbor, and two others have been sentenced to three months in prison with hard labour by a Port Harcourt High Court. Others also sentenced to three months in prison with hard labour in contempt proceedings were Shell’s secretary and head of legal, Nike Oyinlola and the deputy country head of legal/managing counsel global litigation sub-Sahara Africa, Keibi Atemie. The presiding judge, George Omeriji, has directed the Nigerian Police Force and other law enforcement to effect immediate arrest of the aforementioned Shell officials who were absent in court and send them to prison. Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/breaking-court-sentence-shell-md-others.html
|
| Career › Longest Serving Teacher, Missionary In Nigeria, Dies by edunwablog(op): 12:19pm On Oct 09, 2018 |
The Catholic Diocese of Makurdi has announced the death of Rev Fr. Angus Fraser, believed to be the longest serving teacher and missionary in Nigeria. Fraser, who was aged 87, was born on April 8 1931 and hailed from a Caribbean Island country called Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Announcing the death in a statement on Monday in Makurdi, Fr Jude Ortese, chancellor of the diocese, said Fraser was the founding principal of Mount Saint Gabriel’s college, Makurdi in 1971 and also founded the Via Christi society. Ortese said the Catholic church “was saddened to announce the death of Very Revd Fr Angus Fraser, the founding Principal of Mt St Gabriel’s Secondary School(MSG) Makurdi and founder of Via Christi Society”.Rev Fr. Angus Fraser, belived to be the longest serving teacher and missionary in Nigeria, during a procession Ortese said Fraser died on the night of October 7, after a brief illness at Princess Royal Hospital, Farnborough, near Orpington, United Kingdom, where he was receiving treatment. Otese, however, said burial arrangements would be communicated later. The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that the late priest was appointed principal of MSG on July 9, 1971,while the school was founded in January, 1964. In 2003, Fraser was given a National Award of Member, Federal Republic of Nigeria MFR ,under the then President Obasanjo’s regime and was honoured with the “Lifetime Achievement Awards” by the Former US President,Mr Bill Clinton, as the “Best Teacher in Nigeria. Fraser also bagged the THISDAY prestigious award of the “Longest serving Principal in Nigeria” in Abeokuta ,Ogun in 2013. NAN also reports that the priest taught highly placed Nigerians including; one time Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, late Sen. Emmanuel Okpede, former Rep. Terngu Tsegba, Herman Hembe and ex Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). Others are two incumbent priests, their Lordships Most Rev. Dr. William Avenya and Most Rev. Dr. Peter Adoboh, bishops of Makurdi and Katsina-ala dioceses respectively. Amongst those he taught are politicians, Politicians, technocrats, dons, musicians and captains of industry. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/longest-serving-teacher-missionary-in.html
|
| Politics › Enugu 2019: APGA Candidate, Bede Chukwuekezie Speaks After Winning Ticket by edunwablog(op): 10:43am On Oct 09, 2018 |
Bede Chukwuekezie, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) has thanked the members of the party for nominating him as the party’s torchbearer for the 2019 governorship election. Bede in a statement after he clinched victory at the APGA primary in Enugu on Friday, enjoined all to join hands with him to work for the party’s victory at the poll. Bede who described the victory as that of the party said he would remain focused, noting that he could now have a good night rest after a period of serious campaign “I thank God for this day and the outcome of our party primaries. I am humbled by this show of confidence reposed on me by the representative electorate of our great party, APGA. “I thank our party leadership, the executive governors who oversaw the electoral process, the APGA leaders. “I congratulate and thank my fellow aspirants for their graciousness and extend a hand of fellowship to them and invite them to join me in the campaign to win the government house for our party. “I thank my family, friends, admirers and supporters immensely. To Ndi Enugu, I promise in humility to remain focussed on the campaign to turn Enugu around and deliver good governance to our people because Enugu deserves better. “I will get a good night sleep and then, begin to strategise on the campaign that lies ahead. Thank you,” he said. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/enugu-2019-apga-candidate-bede.html
|
| Politics › APC Mocks Saraki Over Crashed Presidential Run by edunwablog(op): 7:50am On Oct 09, 2018 |
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says senators should reject Senate President Bukola Saraki just like delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did at the weekend.https://www.google.com.ng/amp/s/www.thecable.ng/apc-mocks-sarakis-presidential-ambition-asks-senators-to-reject-him-as-their-leader/amp 10 Likes 2 Shares
|
| Politics › New Modular 5,000bpd Refinery, 300MW Plant To Boost Nigeria’s Energy Capacity by edunwablog(op): 5:43am On Oct 09, 2018 |
The nation is set to add at least 5,000 barrels of oil per day and 300MW to its energy capacity with the entrance of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company’s 5,000 barrels of oil per day modular refinery situated at the Ibigwe Field in OPL 2004.According to the firm, the investment will shape Nigeria’s petroleum products supply and make the midstream cum downstream components of the industry more robust. This move, according to the chairman/chief executive officer of Waltersmith, Abdulrazaq Isa, is part of “our vision to become a fully integrated energy company contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy security and sustainability.” As it transforms into an integrated energy company, Waltersmith is also developing a 300 megawatts gas-fired power plant for which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has granted a power generation license in 2017. The plant will be situated in the same energy industrial complex as the refinery and the flowstation in the Ibigwe field. The power plant, Isa explained, would utilise processed gas from Waltersmith’s Ibigwe marginal field and from third parties operating gas fields that are within proximity to the Ibigwe field, of which the power generated will be supplied to the national grid and is expected to contribute towards bridging the power supply gap in the country and create both direct and indirect jobs during the construction and operational phases. About 118,000 households and 27,000 commercial/industrial users are expected to be powered through this project.Speaking on the refinery, the Waltersmith bioss said: “This is also a significant milestone for indigenous participation in the Nigeria downstream refinery sector. The 5,000bopd refinery was conceptualised in 2011 to mitigate the frequent outage of the third-party export Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) and to optimise the full value of our produced crude through in-country refining and providing the petroleum products for the domestic market. Read More: Government kicks off 5,000 daily output modular refinery in Imo “Consequently, we would enjoy uninterrupted crude oil production from our upstream business all year round simply because we would have created alternative evacuation outlet and usage for the volumes.“By so doing, Waltersmith would be in a position to contribute about 271 million liters of refined products (diesel, kerosene, High pour Fuel Oil and Naphta) annually to the Nigerian economy, serve as an import substitution for meeting domestic demand for petroleum products, create both direct and indirect employment as well as reduce the demand for foreign exchange from the country’s treasury to import these products.” Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited was established as an indigenous exploration and Production company in 1996 and was awarded the Ibigwe field located in OML 16 (now OPL 2004) in 2003 after participating in the marginal field licensing round specifically designed for indigenous companies. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, who performed the groundbreaking of the refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, explained that the Federal Government’s policy on modular refineries is an integral part of the 14-point agenda for reducing militancy in the Niger Delta region.The plan according to him is to set up modular refineries in oil producing communities and use them to create jobs and absorb the militants. “We would take some of the good skills sets they have, polish them and put them into the system,” he said.He informed that 10 of the 38 licensed modular refineries had made appreciable progress in the development of their projects and the first one is expected to deliver products between December 2018/January 2019, adding that: “From modular refineries, we will be able to process about 200,000 barrels of crude and put them into the system.” He said the Federal Government was engender the establishment of modular refineries through the financing model being managed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, and had also granted free custom duty charges and other waivers to enable the investors bring in their equipment. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/new-modular-5000bpd-refinery-300mw.html
|
| Politics › Peter Obi Reacts To Atiku’s Victory by edunwablog(op): 6:55am On Oct 08, 2018 |
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has declared that the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was a good sign for the country ahead of the 2019 general election. He said this in a statement he released to the media Sunday night. Obi emphasised that what the PDP delegates did in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital. was “a mirror of what Nigerians want next year -free and transparent election”. Obi noted that although all the aspirants were qualified, the victory of Atiku showed that he was widely accepted. He commended other contestants for putting up brave contest and conducting themselves in a way befitting true leaders. Lamenting that Nigeria had derailed off the paths of development, Obi said that going by “Atiku’s wealth of experience, track record of wealth-creation, knack for identifying excellence among excellent people, detribalised nature and perfect understanding of the ills of the country”, the former VP had all it takes to restore the nation’s glory. “Having personally followed him in the past six months, listened and interacted with him on a number of issues negatively affecting our society, I observe in him a person who has the burning desire to leave a footprint in the sands of time”, the statement added. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/see-how-peter-obi-reacted-to-atikus.html 21 Likes 5 Shares
|
| Business › CBN To Accelerate Financial Inclusion With Rural Banks by edunwablog(op): 6:17am On Oct 08, 2018 |
As part of efforts to promote financial inclusion and enhance access to financial services for low income earners and the unbanked, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is proposing the establishment of Payment Service Banks in rural areas across the country. This is coming as the apex bank says it may alter the amount it has ordered South African telecoms firm, MTN to refund to Nigeria for illegally repatriating funds from the country. To this end, the CBN has released the draft guidelines for the regulation of the proposed banks. A copy of the document was obtained on the CBN’s website yesterday. A major difference between the proposed banks and the defunct community banks is that the new rural banks would not be allowed to grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees. By the guidelines, they are expected to have a minimum capital base of N5 billion with capital adequacy ratio of 10 per cent or as may be prescribed by the CBN from time to time. The objective of the proposed institutions, it was gathered, is to enhance financial inclusion in rural areas by increasing access to deposit products, payment and remittance services to small businesses, low-income households and other entities through high-value transactions in a secured technology-driven environment. In terms of structure, the payment service banks are expected to operate mostly in rural areas and unbanked location, with not less than 50 per cent physical points in such areas. In addition, they are expected to establish ATMs in some areas; be at liberty to operate through banking agents; use other channels, including electronic platforms to reach-out to its customers and establish coordinating centres in clusters of outlets to superintend and control the activities of various access points and banking agents. Also, the guidelines provide that these rural banks are expected to be technology-driven and are expected to conform to the best practices of data storage; security and integrity. According to the central bank, activities they are expected to undertake include, “Maintain savings accounts and accept deposits from individuals and small businesses, which shall be covered by the deposit insurance scheme. “They are to carry out payments and remittance (including inbound cross-border personal remittances) services through various channels within Nigeria; issue debit and pre-paid cards and operate electronic purse.” These rural banks are also permitted to invest in federal government and CBN’s securities and carry out such other activities as may be prescribed by the central bank from time to time. On the other hand, the central bank listed the non-permissible items the banks shall not carry out to include, “grant any form of loans, advances and guarantees; trade in foreign exchange market; undertake any other transaction, which is not prescribed in the CBN Regulation on the Scope of Banking and Ancillary Matters, No. 3, 2010.” The banks are also required to use the words ‘Payment Service Banks,’ in their names to differentiate them from other financial institutions. “The promoters of payment service banks shall be required to submit a formal application for the grant of a payment service bank licence addressed to the Governor of the CBN,” the CBN said. The guidelines also stipulate that they are expected to pay a non-refundable application fee of N500,000 in bank draft as well as a detailed business plan or feasibility report, among others. “Not later than six months after obtaining an Approval-in-Principle, the promoters of a proposed Payment Service Bank shall submit application for the grant of a final licence to the CBN,” it stated. The application is to be accompanied among other things, with a non-refundable licence fee of N2 million. CBN May Alter MTN Fines Meanwhile, the Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has said that the apex bank may alter the $8.134 billion fines imposed on MTN Nigeria for illegal repatriation of funds from the country. Reuters quoted Emefiele as saying this yesterday in London. “I don’t think it will be staying at $8.1 billion. This issue will be dealt with amicably and equitably,” he said. Emefiele said the central bank had received documents from MTN and four banks involved in the case. “The central bank will be examining these; then it will be escalated up to my level,” he said. He said he expected to get the results in a couple of weeks. The central bank filed a counter-claim on Friday to a court request by MTN, which is seeking to stop the bank from forcing it to bring back the money, according to MTN’s lawyer. Emefiele also said Nigeria’s central bank would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange markets, adding that he believed in a stable exchange rate regime. Nigeria’s current stance of monetary tightening would continue, he said. The central bank had alleged in August that MTN and four banks, Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Stanbic IBTC Plc and Diamond Bank Plc, illegally repatriated the sum out from the country. MTN Nigeria thereafter went to court to challenge the directive of the CBN. In a suit at the Federal High Court, MTN Nigeria had prayed the court to restrain the CBN from taking further action in respect of the order. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/cbn-to-accelerate-financial-inclusion.html
|
| Business › $8.1b: CBN Raises Mtn’s Hope by edunwablog(op): 1:32am On Oct 08, 2018 |
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may reduce the $8.1billion it ordered MTN Nigeria to repatriate as part of an ongoing disagreement, its governor Godwin Emefiele said yesterday. The MTN and the CBN are in a dispute over the transfer of $8.1 billion of funds which the bank said the company had sent abroad in breach of foreign-exchange regulations. Nigeria accounts for a third of MTN’s annual core profit. “I don’t think it will be staying at $8.1 billion,” Emefiele said during a visit to London, adding he expected the issue to be dealt with “amicably and equitably”. “I want to believe that the figures will reduce. Whether they will be dropped completely, I honestly cannot say at this time.” Emefiele said the CBN had received documents two weeks ago from MTN and four lenders involved in the case – Standard Chartered, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Citibank and Diamond Bank – and was in communications with all parties involved. “The central bank will be examining these, then it will be escalated up to my level,” he said, adding he expected to get the results in a couple of weeks. The two sides are locked in a court dispute over the transaction. The central bank filed a counter-claim on Friday to a court request by MTN, which is seeking to stop the bank from forcing it to bring back the money. Emefiele said the MTN case was a one-off, and the central bank was not looking at transactions involving any other companies operating in Nigeria. “We respect the sanctity of these companies,” he said. Shares in MTN lost almost five per cent over the past week. Emefiele also said the CBN would continue to intervene in the foreign exchange markets, adding that he believed in a stable exchange rate regime. Nigeria has been battling to defend its currency and shore up its reserves of around $44 billion, hobbled by lower oil prices. At the same time, the oil exporter has suffered from high inflation, which edged up to 11.2 percent at its last reading – well above the central bank’s 6-9 percent target. Emefiele said Nigeria’s current stance of monetary tightening would continue. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/81b-cbn-raises-mtns-hope.html
|
| Politics › Photos: President Buhari Hosts Dance Group From Ibadan by edunwablog(op): 12:07am On Oct 08, 2018 |
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday hosted the Xplicit Dancers to a breakfast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Xplicit Dancers are young boys and girls, who engage in vigorous and scintillating dancing to entertain their audiences. Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja said the dancers were in Abuja to show their prowess at the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said their performance at Eagle Square on Saturday night earned them the invitation to breakfast at State House on Sunday. Adesina quoted the President at the event as saying: “I am very impressed with your performance. It must have taken a lot of discipline and training. “To dance with such dexterity is fantastic. I congratulate you.’’ The father of the home, David Abraham, and a graduate of Business Administration, explained that the young dancers, aged between 11 and 27 years, are mostly orphans. He said they were taken off the streets, and brought up at Explicit Home of Favour Initiative, Ibadan, Oyo State. He revealed that the Home of Favour Initiative, which was established in 2004, was funded from takings at dance appearances and freewill contributions. “I love to dance, and I was dancing in church one day, when God told me that dancing is not enough. I was instructed to take orphans off the streets, and empower them,” Abraham said. According to him, his wife, Oluwakemi, serves as mother, and they jointly run the registered welfare home, adding that they have two biological children of their own. He told President Buhari: “I still feel this is a dream, and if it is, I don’t want to wake from it. “Thanks sir, for being a father. Because you invited us to have breakfast with you, came down to our level, stood on the line with us to take your own meal, ate with us, favour will not depart from you.’’ Fourteen members of the dance group were at the breakfast meeting, though the home currently has an enrolment of 56 people. They had numbered up to 100 at a certain time, but 45 have graduated, 10 got married, and are pursuing their professional and domestic lives. See more photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/photos-president-buhari-hosts-dance.html
|
| Politics › Breaking: Dankwambo Concedes Defeat, Vows To 'work Assiduously' For Atiku by edunwablog(op): 1:27pm On Oct 07, 2018 |
Ibrahim Dankwambo, Governor of Gombe State, has congratulated Atiku Abubakar for emerging victorious at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary. Atiku polled 1,532 votes to emerge the PDP presidential flag-bearer for the 2019 general election. Dankwambo took to Twitter to thank Atiku, just as he promised to work "assiduously" for the party's victory at the 2019 poll. A post by the Gombe Governor read: "Congratulations to Former Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on his emergence as the flag bearer of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party. We are united under one Umbrella and we will work assiduously for our party’s victory in 2019." https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/breaking-dankwambo-concedes-defeat-vows.html
|
| Celebrities › Kanye West Deletes His Twitter & Instagram Accounts After Pro-trump Backlash by edunwablog(op): 5:24am On Oct 07, 2018 |
Kanye West is done with social media, again. The rapper deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts on Oct. 6, a week after his pro-MAGA rant on ‘SNL.’ Kanye West, 41, has quit Twitter and Instagram, again! After weeks of sharing his pro-MAGA, pro-Trump thoughts, the rapper deleted his social media accounts on the afternoon of Oct. 6. There was no word of warning. Just, poof, gone! He vanished from the social media world at around 1:45pm Pacific Time, according to TMZ. His digital disappearance comes one week to the day when he sparked backlash following his Saturday Night Liveappearance. After the cameras stopped rolling Kanye, who was the season premiere musical guest, stayed on stage and accused the SNL team of bullying him and telling him to remove the red MAGA baseball cap that he was wearing. But that isn’t the only outburst that has prompted many hip-hop fans to cancel Kanye. Shortly after his SNL appearance, Kanye headed over to Twitter to call for the 13th Amendment to be abolished. People were outraged that the man who once said that slavery was “a choice,” called for getting rid of the very amendment that abolished slavery. Over on Twitter fans reacted to Kanye’s decision to delete his account. One person tweeted, “And please don’t come back this time.” Another person wrote, “#KanyeWest has deleted his account on my birthday, what a lovely day.” It’s not the first time that Kanye has exited social media. In May 2017 he deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts, but he returned 11 months later. He returned by writing philosophical posts like, “Often people working with the existing consciousness are jealous of those who are more in touch and they become hard-core capitalist in hopes of creating the illusion that the value of money is worth more than the value of time and friends.” Who knows when the dad-of-three will return to social media this time – if at all. One person who doesn’t seem to be leaving the platforms though is his wife Kim Kardashian, 37. On the day her husband disappeared from Twitter, she was tweeting to her 59 million followers, promoting her new Facebook show, You Kiddin’ Me? At least one member of that household is going nowhere – for now, anyway! https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/kanye-west-deletes-his-twitter.html
|
| Politics › Ohanaeze Youths Take Position On 2019 Election by edunwablog(op): 2:56pm On Oct 06, 2018 |
The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths (Worldwide) led by Mr Kingsley Dozie has said they would only vote for candidates who would restructure and introduce policies that would improve lives of Nigerians. Its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osmond Nkeoma, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Dr Okey Nwachukwu and Deputy National Legal Adviser, Emeka Odom, said this in a statement in Owerri on Saturday. The group, however, said that it was not a political party, but would not endorse any political party or candidate whose mandate would not be restructuring the country. It said that the apex Igbo cultural group would only seek for and vote government that had policies and programmes that would better not only the lives of Nigerians, but the Ndigbo in particular. The group called on the public to disregard “the vituperation from fictitious Ohanaeze youths backing the PDP and demanding for the position of vice president from the South East in the 2019 general elections.” It alleged that the said youths were using the name of Ohanaeze youths for dubious endorsements ahead of the 2019 general elections. “We did not have any meeting where we discussed on who should be given ticket or not. “We ask the public to be weary of rumour mongers and dubious elements whose work is to use the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths to dupe, disorientate and endorse unsuspecting Nigerians. ”No meeting was held to discuss on the party vice presidential slot. These elements who parade themselves hide under the media to propagate lies against Igbo youths. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths will only vote a candidate who will guarantee Igbo’s welfare and restructure Nigeria and on the basis of personal conviction. “We never sat to endorse any particular political party nor demand for the position of vice president for any candidate,” it said. The group called on the public to ignore the position of any other group parading itself as Ohanaeze ndigbo youth group. https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ohanaeze-youths-take-position-on-2019.html 1 Like
|
| Education › Federal Polytechnic Nekede No.1 In Nigeria: NBTE by edunwablog(op): 4:49am On Oct 05, 2018 |
The Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri in Imo is the best polytechnic in Nigeria, according to the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr Masa’udu Kazaure made this known in Kaduna on Thursday, at the end of the Second Regular Meeting of the NBTE Governing Board. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Modupe Adelabu. Kazaure explained that the polytechnic emerged the best after scoring 85.08 per cent in the assessment of 112 federal, state and private polytechnics in the country, in the pilot ranking of Nigerian polytechnics. He said that the exercise covered 2015/2016 and 206/2017 academic sessions. He said that the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun came second with 73.08 per cent, while Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State came third with 72.31 per cent. Other polytechnics in the top 10 included The Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo State, ranked fourth with 67.69 per cent; Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger, fifth, 65.38 per cent; and Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo, sixth, with 63.85 point. Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Enugu State, seventh, with 62.31 per cent. Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Ondo State and Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos State were ranked eighth with 60.77 per cent. Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra was ranked 11th with 60.00 per cent and Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi, occupied the 12th position with 59.23 per cent. The NBTE boss also said that when disaggregated by ownership, the Federal Polytechnic Nekede also emerged the best Federal Polytechnic in the country followed by Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Kaduna Polytechnic. “The Polytechnic Ibadan, IMT and Rufus Giwa polytechnics were the highest ranked among state polytechnics, while Lagos City Polytechnic is the highest ranked private polytechnic and the 16th in the country. “Dorben Polytechnic and Heritage Polytechnic were the second and third best private polytechnic in the country. Kazaure explained that the polytechnics were ranked based on total number of programmes with full accreditation in the last two years and percentage of programmes with full accreditation. “Other criteria include proportion of academic staff showing the right mix, that is, chief lecturer and principal lecturer down to assistant lecturer; and ability of institution to introduce programme in new and emerging fields. “They were equally assessed based on capacity building of staff both within and outside Nigeria, teaching quality, including staff /student ratio and ratio of full-time to part-time staff. “Other areas are availability of current Campus Master Plan, Strategic Plan, and Academic Brief; percentage of academic staff with relevant higher qualification and professional registration; and 70:30 technology-non-technology enrolment ratio. “Another consideration was the incorporation of entrepreneurship education into the institute’s curriculum and fully established Entrepreneurship Development Centre,” he said. He said other issues discussed by the board borders on quality assurance, accreditation, resource inspection visits and proliferation of illegal technical and health institutions in the country. He said that 191 out of the 239 programmes in 41 polytechnics visited for accreditation between June and September 2018 were granted full accreditation while 48 got interim accreditation. He also said that 117 programmes were scrutinised for resource inspection within the same period and 94 programmes were granted interim accreditation to commence operation, while 23 were denied. “Four proposed private polytechnics were also visited for approval and licensing within the period under review and only one was recommended while three were asked to remedy some identified deficiencies. “The governing board also approved a memorandum of understanding with Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria to reduce the burden of duplication of quality assurance visitation and accreditation activities. “The board also agreed to hold meetings with relevant stakeholders to put an end to proliferation of illegal technical institutions and unapproved private health institutions operating in the county. “The board particularly commended the effort of the Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Paul Dogo for expressing concern to the board on illegal health institutions operating in the state,” he said. Kazaure added that the board equally frowned at the conversion of colleges of agriculture to polytechnics by some state governments and agreed to take necessary actions to put a stop to the development. (NAN) https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/federal-polytechnic-nekede-no1-in.html
|
