₦airaland Forum

The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) yesterday urged governors of the Niger Delta states to establish world-class scientific laboratories to manage oil spills in the region.

ERA/FoEN in its field report released yesterday was sequel to the return of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to oil spillage sites in Edagberi/Betterland Community in Ahoada-West local government area of Rivers State.

The report signed by ERA’s Bayelsa State Coordinator, Alagoa Morris noted that Shell returned to site about two years after abandoning the recovery of spilt crude oil on the environment.

The incident, which occurred in July 2015 from Shell’s Adibawa Well 8 facility, reportedly devastated the flora and fauna. About six months after the oil spill occurred, the affected area caught fire on January 20, 2016 soon after Shell officials allegedly visited and left the site.
The people of the community had accused Shell of setting the area ablaze, an allegation the company vehemently denied.
ERA/FoEN argued that the establishment of standard scientific laboratories by the state governments, either jointly or individually, would help in testing the soil, air and water samples from the affected environments to ameliorate oil pollution incidents in the host communities.
The setting up of these scientific laboratories, it said, would make the oil companies and their contractors to take pollution, cleanup and remediation issues more seriously for a better and safer environment.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/era-urges-niger-delta-governors-to.html

A delegation from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning have arrived the State to monitor various federal government projects in the State.


Receiving the team, Governor Willie Obiano urged the federal government to pay up about fifty billion naira it owes the State government.

The Governor, who spoke through his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, described the visit as timely and stressed that paying up the money owed, will help State government expedite actions on its projects at hand.

The Governor commended the initiative where different organs of government monitor projects to ensure strict compliance to standards and specifications, as well as judicious use of disbursed funds, calling on them to help ensure that work begins on the Amansea to Onitsha portion of the expressway.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr Ann Nzegwu noted that they are part of the South East team, touring the Country for oversight functions, as they have slated to visit eleven projects sited in the State.

Counting the projects to include Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Metrological Institute, Umuoji Erosion Project, federal government’s One Thousand Housing Project, as well as various vocational centers, Senator Udo Udoma said that the move is meant to make physical verification of such projects, expressing optimism that it will go a long way in curbing attendant irregularities.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/obiano-seeks-n50bn-refund-from-fg.html

Barely 16 days to the May 30 event to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1967 declaration of the Republic of Biafra, Igbo self-determination groups have vowed that nothing except God can stop the celebration of the anniversary.
Acting in one accord, the groups said they have perfected plans for a smooth celebration that would prevent the wasting of Biafran blood by trigger-happy Nigerian security agencies on Biafra Day.
Investigations by Sunday Sun showed that various groups have thrown their weight behind the IPOB initiative and assured that the sit-at-home order would be observed fully in Biafra land.
Speaking to Sunday Sun on the issue, IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said the group was aware of the plot of governments both at the federal and state levels to stop the event.
He said, “We are aware that the saboteurs in and outside Biafraland, even those who claimed to be fighting for Biafra freedom, the federal and state governments in the East and security agencies are planning to stop the remembrance of our heroes and heroines who died for our people to live today in Nigeria and to forestall the sit-at-home order issued by our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with IPOB leadership worldwide.
“We want to use the Biafra Day celebration to prove to the entire world that we are ready for the referendum that will soon come for our people to decide whether they want to remain in Nigeria or not. Biafrans, friends of Biafra and lovers of Biafra must obey the sit-at-home order issued by our supreme leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, no matter the threat from the Nigerian government and her security agencies. We are aware that the saboteurs, evil men and women, who want to deceive the people not to observe the sit-at-home order on that particular day will fail.
“We are not deterred by any threat from any corner no matter the arsenal the security operatives might come with to harass people on that day. They will try but they cannot stop it because they don’t have the wherewithal to stop it because IPOB is rooted in every community and state in Biafraland and they cannot force people to come out on that particular day. We know their strategies and IPOB has its own strategies to make the sit-at-home order succeed.
“Therefore, all markets, transport companies, schools, banks, companies, civil servants, petrol stations, okada/tricycle unions, park management, artisans, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Drivers Welfare in Biafraland, must shut down on that particular day in honour and remembrance of our fallen heroes and heroines.
“This is not the first time in history IPOB indulged in this type of event with sit-at-home order and our people have always complied with their hearts in support of Biafra independence being championed by our leader.
“We did the Heroes Day Celebration in Enugu in the year 2014, did it at Aba in 2015 although IPOB did not call for sit-at-home and we did the heroes remembrance day at Nkpor last year where the Nigerian security agencies especially the Army committed the highest crime against humanity. Few months later, IPOB called for sit-at-home on 23rd September, 2016 without much publicity unlike this year’s own that there is much publicity for this epoch event, people complied.”
Corroborating him, the Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Comrade Uchenna Madu said the event is beyond the government’s power to stop, insisting that it would be a golden and superlative celebration.
His words: “The golden jubilee celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary will be golden and superlative. It will be a moment of sober reflection among the Biafra agitators. The commemoration of the anniversary will bring more unifying forces of non-violence for speedy actualization and restoration of Biafra. Different activities of all pro-Biafra groups that will recharge the consciousness of Biafra are all welcomed.
“We are aware that Nigerian security agents are not comfortable with the coming anniversary. MASSOB is also aware that security agents will exhibit their jittery state and fears, as the overzealous, trigger-happy ones will like to operate in a cowardly manner against non-violent Biafra agitators. The threat and presence of Nigerian security agents will not deter us from exercising our fundamental right.
“We the people of Biafra will never relent in promoting, projecting and upholding all the legacies of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the supreme leader and Commander of the Biafra Nation. Whatever measure or approach of security agents against the celebration of Biafra declaration anniversary day can never stop us from observing the independence declaration of Biafra by Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“We’re not seeing the Federal government stopping or challenging the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Biafra declaration. The Federal government cannot stop what they didn’t establish or institute. Their duty is to watch and observe the sympathetic reactions of the international community towards restoration of Biafra. No military or spiritual powers can stop the collective will of the people.”
Asked if they would be able to resist government forces, Powerful said: “IPOB under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a non-violent organization but remember, I said we know their plans, from one week before the event they will begin to apply their strategy, but IPOB will do everything within its reach to make sure that the sit-at-home order scheduled to hold on May 30 is successful. The only thing we request from our people is for them to heed the clarion call from our leader and IPOB worldwide to stay indoors and leave other things for IPOB members.
“We advise everybody to go to market before that particular day and stock up food items, don’t come out openly because the security agencies want to use it as an excuse to begin to kill our people again as they did last year at Nkpor. That day there will be no movement of any kind, markets, transport company of any sorts, banks, parents must withdraw their children from schools that day to avoid soldiers’ attack.
“IPOB is working tirelessly now to ensure that this sit-at-home order is complied with completely; everywhere must be shut down by our people because they know in this contraption called Nigeria nothing is working, the poor become poorer while the rich become richer.”
He said that the focus of the Biafra Day is to remember those who died during the genocidal war against Igbo people between 1967 and 1970, and observe the day at home with prayers. Immediately it is noon (midday), every family in Biafraland must write down the names of those who died in their families and use it as point of prayer for 2 minutes immediately it is noon on that day.
He stressed that Igbo people everywhere should and honour Bruce Mayrock, a Jewish American who set himself ablaze before the United Nations office in New York, USA, to protest the killing and starvation of Igbo during the war.
Speaking on why Ndigbo are solidly behind Kanu, the founder of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) and Secretary, Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA), Evangelist Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko said, “Our reasons are obvious. Our people are behind him simply because, he has proven to be devoted, dedicated and committed to freeing our people from the prison called Nigeria. He has also proven that he will willingly make painful sacrifices for the sake of our people.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/biafra-day-only-god-can-stop-us-ipob.html

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has said that he is in the struggle for secession not to make money but to ensure that the rights of the people of Biafra were restored.

Kanu spoke at the weekend at his Afaraukwu residence in Umuahia, Abia State, where some journalists visited him.Kanu said if he wanted to make money from the struggle, he would do so, but he was not interested in money, but to ensure that justice and equity reign.

“This place where you are is my father’s compound, the government house which is just over there is my father’s land too. He gave it to the state government.

“Look at my father there(pointing his direction), you see him, he is a very modest and simple man. Did you see him carrying an air around himself or flying aeroplanes? Yet the government house is his property. That is the kind of life I live.

“Politicians have been coming here to beg me to soft pedal on the struggle, but I know they are not sincere. They simply want to get into power. Money does not move me, in fact what will I be doing with all the money if I make it,” Kanu asked rhetorically.
He stated that, the same politicians who called them noise makers, internet warriors, miscreants and so many names today sneak in to come and lobby him for support.
“They will always ask me to support them to get into office, that while they are in office, they will help push the cause, but I know that what they are after is the four or eight years they will stay so that they can make money.

He said the fears being entertained by politicians about the coming of Biafra republic were neither here nor there because Biafra republic would be founded on the principle of justice, equity and fairness.
He said “I don’t know why they are just afraid. Biafra will be a home for all people who agree with our values.
” If you are from Sokoto you can be a Biafran if you believe in our value system of equity, justice and fairness.
“I don’t even intend to be the head of Biafra republic in the end. I don’t like to always lead. I want to be led so that I can proffer solutions.
” If Uwazuruike had done well, I won’t be doing what I’m doing today. I’m into this struggle because of leadership vacuum.
I’m into this fight because my people are suffering; they are denied of their rights and privileges. Nothing will stop this fight. And I must assure you we are almost there. Biafra is almost here with us.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/im-in-biafra-struggle-not-for-money-but.html

Undercover inspectors have determined that a building registered as a church was being operated as a sex club in Nashville, the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee.

WTVF-TV reports that the city of Nashville has filed a complaint against the owners for “maintaining a public nuisance by permitting acts of lewd conduct” and violating a state law banning sex clubs from operating within 1,000 feet of a school.

The longtime downtown swingers club underwent a conversion in 2015 when it relocated to a run-down office park in the community of Madison, calling itself a church because the new location is near the back of the private Goodpasture Christian School.

more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/registered-church-discovered-to-be-sex.html

Nigerian music superstar, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, popularly known as D’banj has reacted to the recent trend of female celebrities being abused by their husbands.

The singer called on ladies to apply wisdom in their relationship, adding that any man who hits a woman is a beast.

Recall that most recently, actresses such as Tonto Dike and Mercy Aigbe came up with stories of domestic violence meted on them by their husbands.
However, reacting to Mercy Aigbe’s “tell it all” interview, where she recounted all she went through in her marriage to Lanre Gentry, D’banj advised women to run away from violent husbands.
D Kokomaster wrote on his Instagram page, @iamD’banj, “Love hath no violence.
“If he hits you, he is not a man. He is a beast. RUN! Stay safe.

“Give yourself all the nomenclatures you want. Wrong is wrong. When the head is cut off, the ear goes with it. Be wise.
“Don’t be deceived. Anyone who is telling ‘men hit, its normal, is either in denial or guilty.
“No Excuse Leave! God help us all.”
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/mercy-aigbe-dbanj-reacts-to-battering.html

It was all joy as a mentally deranged woman gave birth to a beautiful baby girl yesterday morning in Bonny, Rivers state. The new mother was assisted by people nearby as her baby was taken care of. Congratulations to the new mother.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/mad-woman-delivers-baby-girl-on-street.html

Please​ what could be funny
more photo at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/photo-jay-jaykanu-and-2baba-hangout.html?m=1

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) might adopt a new regional master plan for an integrated development of the region.The commission revealed that the first master plan, which was launched in 2007 was abandoned by previous boards of the NDDC.

Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba stated this when members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Niger Delta Task Force, led by Albert Akpomudje visited the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday.
He explained that since it would be difficult to develop the Niger Delta without an integrated plan, the board mooted the idea of either revalidating, upgrading or coming up with a new master plan because the indices used in the previous plan were no longer valid.

While regretting that the carefully crafted master plan was abandoned almost as soon as it was launched, he however, pointed out that the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan, which had a life span of 15 years was becoming dated.
“We are determined to do the needful and fortunately we have received a lot of interests from partners, the European Union, the United States Government and the Government of Germany to support us in either revalidating, updating, upgrading or coming up with a new plan. But that plan is imperative if we must develop in a consistent and sustainable manner,” he said.
Ndoma-Egba stated that the challenge of peace in the Niger Delta was the challenge of development added that, “In achieving that peace we are ready to engage with everybody to ensure that peace returns to this region.”
He said the Federal Government had in the last few months demonstrated its desire to address the concerns of the Niger Delta and commended the initiatives of the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, who he said, had shown a lot of new zeal by making several visits and promises to the region.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/niger-delta-to-get-new-regional-master.html

Mr Wale Tinubu, the Managing Director, Oando Plc on Thursday said that the company would seek approval from the Federal Government for the refurbishment of one or two refineries.

Tinubu stated this at the company’s facts behind the figures at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

He said that refurbishment of the refineries would enable the country to end fuel importation.
Tinubu stated that the company would take advantage of its indigenous status by participating in the Federal Government bid.
He added that militancy activities were affecting its production in the Niger Delta.
The managing director said that 2016 was a challenging year for companies due to foreign exchange challenges.
He added that the company was besieged with liquidity constraints, devaluation of the naira and a slump in oil earnings due to low oil prices intensified by the insurgency in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the company has mapped out strategies to mitigate the foreign exchange challenges, as 90 per cent of its earnings focus will be on the dollar, while 10 per cent will be in naira.
On the midstream, Tinubu said that the company would invest in the acquisition of NIPP grid connected power utilities in the current financial year.
He stated that the company would commence phased development of gas distribution system in Tema industrial area Ghana in 2018.
The company for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2016, posted a profit after tax of N3.5 billion, this was against a loss after tax of N47.6 billion posted in the preceding period of 2015.
The result showed that the company posted a turnover of N569 billion against N380 billion recorded in the comparative period of 2015, representing an increase of 49 percent.
Its net debt reduced by 35 per cent to N230.6 billion in contrast with N355.4 billion posted in 2015.
Tinubu attributed the performance to its proactive timely execution of its restructuring programme of growth in upstream division.
He said that some divestments embarked upon by the company during the period under review resulted in a net debt reduction of 125 billion dollars.
He attributed the company’s return to profitability to focus on dollar-denominated earnings.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/oando-to-stop-fuel-importation.html

The Nigeria Customs Service has reconstituted its management and announced some key appointments to rejig the service for effectiveness and better efficiency.

The Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, said on Wednesday in Abuja, the service has appointed four Acting Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs) and seven Acting Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs) to re-engineer the management for efficient service delivery.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, also approved the deployment of eight Comptrollers.

He said that the new management members include Mr Alu Robert, ACG Traiff and Trade now Acting DCG Tariff and Trade; Mrs Olubiyi Ronke, ACG FATs now DCG HRD; Mr. Dangaladima Aminu now Acting DCG E.I.I; and Mrs. Iferi Patience SR&P now Acting DCG SR&P and Mr Chidi Augustine to Act as DCG ExFTZ&I.I.
Other are Comptroller Investigation Hamza Ladan now Acting ACG FAT; Comptroller VAL Ekekezie Kaycee to Acting ACG T&T; Comptroller FOU Haruna Mamud to Acting ACG E.I.I, CAC ED/DT; Mrs Sarki Umar now Acting ACG Ex.FTZ&I.I, and CAC; and Mrs Enwereuzor Francis now Acting ACG SR.
Mr. Dahiru Aminu was also promoted as Acting ACG Zonal Coordinator, while Mr. Umar Abubakar who was formally in charge of Tariff and Trade was deployed to Finance, Administration and Technical Services.
MORE AT http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/customs-constitutes-management-appoints.html

The senator representing Bayelsa East constituency at the upper chamber, Sen. Ben Murray Bruce, has urged Nigeria politicians to give women chance in the political practices in Nigeria, thus to move with the pace at which first world countries are moving.

He made this known via his video clip, when he charged Nigeria women to unite and participate fully in the political system of Nigeria.
He said that Nigeria should not be left behind when countries like United Kingdom, Germany and France are producing female presidents. Nigeria is a third world country, but if we want to make this country a second world status in one generation we need more women in politics, he said.
According to him, “I watched the French presidential election with keen interest, because just like in the American elections, a woman almost made history by becoming the first female president of France at the April 23rd presidential elections.
“Marine Le Pen now has to run against Emmanuel Macron on the 7th of May. Women are already leading the two of the biggest economies in Europe, ‘Theresa May in the United Kingdom and Angelo Merkel in Germany’.
“Women have come of age in the world of politics and Nigeria cannot be left behind. “We most emancipate our women and empower them. “Look at the great work of Allen Johnson of Sirleaf is doing in Liberia.
“This cannot be replicated here, because it will never happen. “ If we do not take proactive steps to empower our women folk, I believe Nigerian women deserve an affirmative action that will help them narrow the widening gap between the genders in Nigeria.
“As such I call all the political parties in Nigeria to reserve 35% of all the elected and appointed positions for women, 35% of our Gubernatorial candidates in all parties should be women, 35% of our Ministerial candidates should be women, 35% of our Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates should be women, 35% of our Ambassadors should be women and 35% of Heads of parastatals and Agencies should be women.
“As men, we should not feel insecure in empowering our women. “The key to defeating poverty is by empowering our women. “Women are more tied to communities and the family unit than men.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/give-women-chance-in-politics-to-change.html

Body of the Attorneys General of the South South states of the federation has called on the Federal Government to immediately stop gas flaring in the zone.

The body has also called for payment to the states in accordance with the provisions of Section 162 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, their share of the revenue that ought to have accrued to the federation account from the flared and or wasted natural gas.

In a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day meeting of the body in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Sunday, the body regretted the quantum of gas being flared annually by oil companies operating in the region and the nonchalant attitude of the Federal Government towards the enforcement of extant legislation on gas flaring.

The communiqué presented by Uwemedimo Nwoko, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State, also expects the Federal Government to “recover from the oil companies the outstanding penalties for gas flaring, running into trillions of Naira and pay same into the federation account for sharing in accordance with section 162 of the constitution.”
The Attorneys General, however, declared their support for the war against crude oil theft but frowned at the manner in which the recovered crude oil is usually blown up and burnt in the communities, thereby endangering innocent lives and destroying the environment.
“We demand that the Federal Government devises a more environmentally friendly plan of managing and disposal of recovered stolen crude oil.
“We also note with grave concern the frequency of crude oil spillages in the region occasioned by the operations of the oil companies and the consistent refusal of the Oil companies to pay compensation and carry out effective clean up and remediation.

“The body calls on the Federal Government and its agencies to ensure that the oil companies discharge their statutory duties by carrying out their operations in a pollution free manner and paying compensation and carrying out clean up and remediation whenever spills occur.
“The body also calls on the Federal Government to carry out a thorough clean up of the damage already occasioned by the incessant crude oil spillages.”
The Attorneys General called on oil companies to heed the admonition of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to establish operational offices in their areas of operation in line with the provisions of sections 25,26 and 27 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010.
“The Nigerian Content Development Management Board, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the Federal Government should enforce the aforesaid provisions of the Act,” the communiqué read in part.
The zonal Attorneys General also noted with great concern the continuous absence of Judges in the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court in Bayelsa State, just as it called on the Chief Judge of the federal High Court and the President of the National Industrial Court to urgently deploy Judges to the said courts.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/south-south-attorneys-general-to-fg.html

82 Chibok girls released by the Boko Haram sect on Saturday have arrived the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this on his Twitter handle, @FemAdesina.


He said the girls were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kari, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“82 Chibok girls now in Abuja. Received on behalf of the President at the airport by Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari. Congrats Nigeria,” Adesina wrote.
The Presidency had on Saturday said security agencies took back the 82 freed Chibok girls in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, in a statement on Saturday said Buhari is “pleased to announce that negotiations to release more of the Chibok Girls have born fruit with the release of 82 more girls today.
“After months of patient negotiations, our security agencies have taken back these abducted girls in exchange for some Boko Haram suspects held by the authorities.
“The girls are due tomorrow (Sunday) in Abuja to be received by the President.

“The President expressed his deep gratitude to security agencies, the military, the government of Switzerland, the Red Cross, local and international NGOs for the success of this operation.
“It may be recalled that when the first batch of 21 Girls were released in October last year, the President directed the security agencies to continue in earnest until all the Chibok Girls have been released and reunited with their families.
“The President has been receiving full reports from the Director-General of the State Security Services at each stage of the negotiation/operation.”
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/82-freed-chibok-girls-arrive-abuja.html

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said the Senate will intervene with legislations and other policies aimed at saving the nation’s poultry farmers from unfair competition by smugglers of imported products, lack of access to cheap funds and unfriendly policies which inhibit their growth.

Saraki, who spoke at the weekend during a tour of Shonga Commercial Farms project in Edu Local Government Area in the northern part of Kwara State, where displaced Zimbabwean Farmers now operate on a large scale in Nigeria, said the Senate will do everything it can to help big and small time poultry farmers survive, so that they can contribute to achieve self sufficiency in food production.
Accompanied on the trip by Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senator Abdullahi Adamu who is Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Senator representing Kwara North District, Senator Shaba Lafiagi, the Senate President said there was no reason for Nigerian poultry farmers not to take over the West African sub-regional market.

He congratulated the owners of the Valentine Chicken, which now produces 4000 birds per day for their belief in Nigeria, which made them to invest millions of dollars in a rural area in Nigeria and employing over one thousand locals who now have the opportunity to learn new methods from the foreign farmers.
“What we have seen here is impressive. The massive hatchery, breeding and abattoir and the level of technology employed at the various levels show that the poultry industry is a big sector, which we must pay attention to. The Senate will work to save the sector against all the factors militating against its growth.
“We know that apart form providing cheap protein for our people and earning foreign exchange for us, we can also use the poultry industry to develop allied areas like maize and soya beans farming so as to supply feeds for the birds. What we have been told is that all the maize and soya beans grown in Kwara State is not sufficient to feed the Valentine Poultry feed mills. Our people can earn more money by increasing production as they are sure of ready market,” he said.
Responding to the briefing by Mr. Peit Dutoit of Valentine Chicken on the challenges the farmers face in their business, Emefiele said the apex bank will support the farmers with N2 billion agriculture loan facility at nine percent interest rate to support their expansion plan.
The CBN Governor who expressed satisfaction at what he described as the magic of a “genuine foreign direct investment” said what he witnessed during the tour of the farm was an eye opener and an indication that several opportunities abound in the Shonga Farms venture which could produce a value chain that can be tapped into for the benefit of the national economy.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/senate-set-to-save-poultry-sector-says.html

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, declined to comment on the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Obasanjo, who was in the Olubadan of Ibadan palace for the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Mayegun of Ibadanland on the former Secretary to the Government of Oyo State, Olayiwla Olakojo, also declined to field questions from newsmen on the state of the nation .

The former president who was reported to have held meeting with some former military heads of state and politicians in Minna, Niger State recently, said he was in Ibadan to facilitate with Olakojo and not to speak on the state of the nation .

When asked, “How will you respond to the apprehension of Nigerians about the status of President Buhari’s health, Obasanjo simply replied, “ I will not talk on any issue today. If you have any question I will not talk about it today. We are here for the conferment of a chieftaincy by the Olubadan of Ibadan land. If you have something to ask me about Nigeria, come to where I am another day,” said Obasanjo.
At Olakojo’s house, where he was accompanied to by former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, he held a closed door meeting with Oyewole Fasawe and others, including Oyinlola.
After the meeting, he drove away after dancing to a religious tune rendered by a band, while Oyinlola, who also declined to speak to journalists, left few minutes later.
Speaking on the title, Olakojo said the Olubadan actually wanted to bestow it on Obasanjo, but the former president recommended him (Olakojo) for the honour.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/obasanjo-declines-comment-on-buharis.html

Emir of Jema’a, Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Muhammadu, has stated those responsible for killings in southern part of Kaduna will face God’s wrath.

The Emir stated this at his palace in Kafanchan yesterday when he received Kafanchan Peace Forum, a voluntary group working for genuine reconciliation among people of the troubled areas of Southern Kaduna.
The Emir who received the forum, which consists of Muslim and Christians from different tribes of Southern Kaduna with excitement, hopedKafanchan and the entire zone return to old days of peaceful communities.
The Emir said: “Kafanchan used to be a very peaceful and hospitable town where people from different walks of life enjoyed to work and live.
“All of a sudden, we don’t know what happened that people start killing one another. We don’t know the people doing this but we condemn it
“All those killing will face God’s judgment and wrath because no religion preaches killing of fellow human beings.
“So, we must hold ourselves together irrespective of our ethno-religious background and work together for peace.”
He went on: “We must realise it is we people of faiths that are killing ourselves.
“When you inquiry about people who have been killed, they are either Christians or Muslims.
“So, we must stop these killings and put an end to this indigene/settler dichotomy, because no one group can displace the other.”
He expressed support for the forum, urging it to take the peace efforts very seriously.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/southern-kaduna-killers-will-face-gods.html

Barring any unforseen circumstance, former Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, will today (Saturday) formally register as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party he had already vowed to facilitate its victory in the state by 2019.

The former governor had sometime in March resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) even as he declared the party dead in view of the leadership crisis that engulfed it since the inception of the present administration.

Checks showed that party leaders in the state led by the chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye are in high spirit to receive the former governor into the party like they did to other notable politicians including former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo.
Chime had during a pre-defection press briefing vowed to ensure that his new party clinched the governorship of the state. He also disclosed that he had no personal rift with his predecessor, Chimaraoke Nnamani.
He however did not spare the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who he accused of sponsoring protests and campaign of calumny against him with the sole intention of stopping his inevitable defection to the APC.
He also used the forum to dismiss as false and mischievous, recent claims by Ekweremadu that he did not provide appointments to people from his Aninri council during his reign as governor.
The former governor maintained that “if things continue this way in 2019, I can assure you that APC will be in government. APC will take over government in Enugu State; what I cannot tell you now is who the candidate will be but anybody running as PDP candidate will be wasting his time.
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“There is going to be an election in Anambra State this year and the PDP may not even have a candidate; the Anambra election will teach them a lesson. Every serious politician in Anambra has already moved; I expect Peter Obi to end up in APC if he still wants to be politically active.
“Let’s not speculate what will happen between now and then but I can assure that the change has come to Enugu State; PDP is now part of history in Enugu State.”
Chime, who spoke on a wide range of issues, equally decried the level of negative media reports against him, which he insisted were totally sponsored.
He said: “In about four weeks’ time, it will be exactly two years since I left office. Between then and now, a lot has been said about me, mostly negative.
“Most of the stories were being sponsored by whoever. I decided to stay away not just from the media but from politics. But events have formed me out from retirement.
“A lot has happened and not too long ago, I announced my resignation from that party, the PDP. Technically, you can say I left the party but actual fact, the party left me.
“The party left me because the party introduced to me in 1999 no longer exists; that party no longer exists; that party was badly run down, mismanaged; the party abandoned its constitution that used to guide us. The party eventually came to where it is today-dead.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/chime-formally-joins-apc-rules-out-rift.html

In the early hours of Sunday, March 12, 2017, robbers shattered the peace of Ugbene Ajima, a community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, and plunged the residents into agony.
The villagers were roused from their sleep by a staccato of gunfire by robbers, who had stormed their community and carted away the only solar telecommunication mast serving the area. The incident cut off the area from telecommunication service. Since then, the villagers have been forced to ascend hills in the locality to make phone calls.
A native of the community, Aluma Jona Enyi, told Daily Sun that the robbers broke into the entrance of the solar-powered MTN mast located at Akutala-Oda and took away 24 pieces of solar energy batteries estimated at N24 million. He explained that Mr. Samuel Ajogwu Okwe, the landlord that provided the space where the local telephony was sited and who also monitors the facility, was unable to confront the dare-devil robbers, who fired volleys of bullets into the air during the raid. It was reported that the robbers spent hours dismantling the facility before speeding away in their vehicle.
At dawn, Mr Ajogwu hastened to the police station in a neighbouring community, where he was subsequently arrested and detained. He said some MTN officials visited the area to assess the situation and promised to restore the stolen items. But, one month after, the community has had no respite.
Investigations revealed that the local neighbourhood watch appointed to provide security in the area was also unable to confront the robbers.
The traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Bartholomew Aluma, Okwunoke 1 of Ugbene Ajima, who spoke with this reporter in his palace, condemned the attack on the community by hoodlums, and urged the police to apprehend the criminals. He said the unfortunate incident has brought untold suffering and agony on poor villagers.
Igwe Aluma further explained that the stolen mast was too small for the entire Ugbene community, which was among the largest in population in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area. According to him, the community had at several times pleaded for a bigger mast that would cover the entire area. He noted that the solar-powered mast vandalised by the hoodlums was installed in Akutala but had limited coverage, cutting off areas like Ajona-Oda, Ajona Ugwu and Akibite. Several villages had no coverage, including Umuologonye, Akibite, Ujaju, Ashenyi, Umuasa, Amachukwu, Anioma, Ngwokwa, Amaogidi, Akakwu, Orba, Isiama, Umueze, Uwani-Areji, Agboda, Ezi-Ugbene, Amaogbo and Echara, among others.
A chieftain of the community, former provost of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Ehamufu, Chief Robert Ezike, decried the activities of the criminals that stole the transmission gadget, noting that the absence of telecommunication network had drained the economic life of the community.
“The effect on the community is unimaginable,” he lamented. “It has affected everybody, both those residing in the villages and their relatives living in various cities. You could imagine the effect of staying without a mobile phone for one week. Life has become quite miserable for our people during this period. We implore the telecoms service provider to expand its service and install a higher capacity mast that would serve the community better. We also invite other service providers to take advantage of the large market in our area and install their own masts,” he said.
Ezike also lamented the absence of a police post in the four communities within the area, noting that such unfortunate incidents could have been averted with the presence of the police. He stressed that the activities of criminals fleeing the cities to rural areas could be checked if the government took a proactive step to secure life and property in rural communities.
“There is no police station in Ugbene, Abbi, Nrobo and Nimbo. The nearest police station to these four communities is Adani, which is over one hour’s drive from our town. People go as far as Nsukka township to report cases to the police. There is the need for a police station, or even a divisional police command to serve the security needs of these four communities,” he said.
On his part, a pastor with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Onitsha, Anambra State, Bartholomew Echegi, who hails from the community, said the incident had made it difficult for him to communicate with his relatives at home. He urged other telecom companies like Globalcom, Etisalat and Airtel to extend their services to the community, since he described the area as business-friendly. He said the robbery attack on the MTN facility in the community was quite regrettable, and urged other investors not to be discouraged.
Another native of the community, Festus Versatile Utazi, said the lack of telecommunication service had compelled him to travel regularly to the village to see his relatives. In addition, he noted that those living in the cities no longer responded swiftly to emergency situations in the village.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/in-enugu-community-residents-climb.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook

Some Automated Teller Machine (ATM) users in Lagos have got a rough deal with suspected fraudsters, who lurk around the booths to dispossess them of their money.

They have also perfected the act of plying their nefarious trade, usually at weekends. They forcibly dispossess ATM users of their cards on Friday evenings and make away with the Personal Identification Number (PIN) codes to make withdrawals elsewhere.
This is because banking operations are usually shutdown for the weekend and complaints about stolen cards or ATM deactivation would not be possible until Monday.

According to information gathered, the robbers approach their targets with smiles while carrying out transactions on the ATM. They display their guns and point to their colleagues standing around in case you try to raise the alarm or call for people’s attention.
A victim, who was robbed recently while narrating her ordeal told The Guardian that “ There criminal snatched my three ATM cards and forced me to release my PIN. The sum of N680,000 withdrawn between Friday and Sunday night on all my three accounts.
“They knew that there was no way I could reach my bank to notify them of my encounter at the ATM before Monday. After collecting my ATM cards and confirming that the PIN given to them was not fake, they drove off on a motorcycle with the two accomplices, “she said.
A law enforcement officer, Mr. Solomon Agbedo, advised bank customers to avoid making withdrawals on lonely or less secure environments, especially on weekends to avoid falling into the hands of the criminals and to raise the alarm whenever they notice any suspicious movement.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/why-friday-is-unsafe-for-atm-users.html

Facebook plans to hire 3,000 more people to review videos and posts after getting criticized for not responding quickly enough to murders shown on its service.

The hires over the next year will be on top of the 4,500 people Facebook already has to identify crime and other questionable content for removal.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote Wednesday that the company is "working to make these videos easier to report so we can take the right action sooner - whether that's responding quickly when someone needs help or taking a post down."

Videos and posts that glorify violence are against Facebook's rules, but Facebook has been criticized for being slow in responding to such content, including videos of a murder in Cleveland and the killing of a baby in Thailand that was live-streamed. The Thailand video was up for 24 hours before it was removed.

In most cases, content is reviewed and possibly removed only if users complain.


News reports and posts that condemn violence are allowed. This makes for a tricky balancing act for the company.

Facebook does not want to act as a censor, as videos of violence, such as those documenting police brutality or the horrors of war, can serve an important purpose.


LIVE STREAM CHALLENGES



Policing live video streams is especially difficult, as viewers don't know what will happen. This rawness is part of their appeal.While the negative videos make headlines, they are just a tiny fraction of what users post every day. The good? Families documenting a toddler's first steps for faraway relatives, journalists documenting news events, musicians performing for their fans and people raising money for charities.

"We don't want to get rid of the positive aspects and benefits of live streaming," said Benjamin Burroughs, media professor at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Burroughs said that Facebook clearly knew live streams would help the company make money, as they keep users on Facebook longer, making advertisers happy. If Facebook hadn't also considered the possibility that live streams of crime or violence would inevitably appear alongside the positive stuff, "they weren't doing a good enough job researching implications for societal harm," Burroughs said.


FUNHOUSE MIRROR?



With a quarter of the world's population on it, Facebook can serve as a mirror for humanity, amplifying both the good and the bad - the local fundraiser for a needy family and the murder-suicide in a faraway corner of the planet. But lately, it has gotten outsized attention for its role in the latter, whether that means allowing the spread of false news and government propaganda or videos of horrific crimes.

Videos livestreaming murder or depicting kidnapping and torture have made international headlines even when the crimes themselves wouldn't have, simply because they were on Facebook, visible to people who wouldn't have seen them otherwise.

As the company introduces even more new features, it will continue to have to grapple with the reality that they will not always be used for positive, or even mundane things. From his interviews and Facebook posts, it appears that Zuckerberg is aware of this, even if he is not always as quick to respond as some would hope.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/facebook-to-hire-3000-to-review-videos.html

The travails of immediate-past Senate leader, Ali Ndume, may be far from over as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, yesterday, removed him as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) committee.


In his place, Saraki announced Chairman of the Committee on Labour, Suleiman Nazif, from Bauchi State.

“For now, there is no committee chairman on INEC. We need to get this job done. Senator Suleiman Nazif should now be the chairman of that committee. You are to report back within two weeks,” Saraki said.

Ndume was removed as Senate leader early January, 2017. He was subsequently suspended as a Senator in March, 2017, following the adoption of a report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
Ndume’s suspension is expected to last for six months and has not has not been seen within and around the National Assembly complex since then.

Saraki made the announcement of Ndume’s replacement when the Senate commenced moves to consider 27 names of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs)
Senate’s consideration of the names of the 27 RECsagainst the backdrop of President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sack acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu.
On March 28, Senate urged president Buhari to respect its decision on Magu.

Failure to take heed, the chamber vowed it will not consider or confirm any nominations from the Presidency. Last week, the chamber received nominations of RECs from the Executive, amid fears Senate would stand its ground and refuse to work on the request.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Peter Nwaoboshi, Senate had directed Saraki to, within two weeks, convey its position about non-replacement of Magu to Buhari and report back, to allow it take further legislative action on the matter.

As at the time of filing this report, Saraki was yet to officially brief his colleagues on the outcome of his meeting with Buhari, on Magu’s stay in office as EFCC boss.

Regardless, names of the 27 REC nominees are: Prof. Godswill Obioma (Abia), Ibrahim Abdullahi (Adamawa), Alhaji Ahmad Makama (Bauchi), James Apam (Benue), Mr. Mike Igini (Delta), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji ( Ebonyi), Dr. Illoh Chuks (Enugu), Hussaini Pai (FCT), Sadiq Musa (Kaduna), Jibrin Zarewa (Kano), Dr. (Mrs) and Asmau Maikudi (Katsina).


http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/saraki-removes-ndume-as-committee-chair.html

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru has said plans are ongoing to stop importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu.

According to the statement, The GMD, who was represented by the Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, United States told journalists that as at today, all the nation’s three refineries were producing petroleum products.

“We load out at least 5 to 6 million litres of PMS daily and about that same quantity of AGO daily from the three refineries. That is part of what is making the PMS market in Nigeria stable today. We believe that the set target of exiting PMS importation in 2019 is achievable,” he stated.
He maintained that because rehabilitation of the refineries has been hampered by lack of regular Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) over the years, it would take more years to get the refineries fully back to their nameplate capacities.
“Don’t forget also that for us to exit PMS importation in 2019, we have to also bring in new refineries that will co-locate with existing ones together with the new ones that will be built. Then, we see ourselves as a net exporter of products. On this, I can tell you that we are on course,” he added.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/we-will-stop-importation-of-petrol-by.html

The Minister Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday urged the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua (T.B. Joshua) to reconsider his decision to relocate from Nigeria, saying such move will not in the best of the country.

The Synagogue founder has said during a church service on March 30 that he would relocate from Nigeria to Israel over what he described as hostile operating environment.
He said, “This is the most persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry? My people, Africa.
“That is why I choose to live a lonely life. If you want to see me, come to this church. I don’t go out. It has not been easy – because I don’t know who is a friend or who is an enemy. If you learn T.B. Joshua is not around, I am in a revival. I live in the church here. I don’t have a house outside.”
“What happened to me from the beginning of my ministry is enough to chase me out of this country. But I am still in your midst. Upon the persecution and hatred, I decided to follow the path of love. You show hatred; I show love. When I go for a revival, you will see the stadium full but I am not carried away by that. I leave where I’m celebrated to live where I’m persecuted.”
However, the minister, in a chat with journalists during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), held in Ikeja, Lagos, described Joshua’s decision as unfortunate.
Mohammed called for dialogue between the pastor and the authorities over whatever challenges he was facing.
He said, “That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect our tourism in Nigeria. Pastor Joshua is an important person, he must bear with us. This is his country. If he moves out and go to South Africa (for example), the revenue will go to South Africa. It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the relevant authority and resolve whatever problem he has. If I have access to him this is exactly what I am going to tell him
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/lai-mohammed-to-tb-joshua-stay-in.html

Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr Maikati Baru, on Tuesday disclosed that he briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the relative stability in the nation’s oil and gas sector in recent time.

The president on Tuesday met separately behind closed doors with the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami,‎ and Baru.

Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting at Presidential Villa, Abuja, the NNPC boss said Buhari expressed delight over the stability in the oil and gas sector in the country.
His words: “I briefed Mr President on the state of the NNPC and its subsidiaries and also (oil availability) nationally to get him briefed on the situation of fuel supply, crude oil productions, gas production and by extension, ability to supply gas to the power sector.
“We had an extensive briefing as you could see; I passed here over two hours. I spent quite some time with him to discuss these national issues.

“He was happy with the state of the corporation and told us to continue with the efforts that we are doing and if we need any executive attention, we should not hesitate to come back to him”.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/what-i-discussed-with-buhari-nnpc-boss.html

Supporters of former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido have threatened to take to the streets, today, if the police fail to release or arraign him in court, today.


A close associate of the ex-governor, Suleiman Ringim disclosed this to Daily Sun, yesterday.

Lamido was arrested by the Zonal Command of the Nigeria Police on Sunday on alleged inciting statement and remained in detention till yesterday.

“If they don’t release him (Lamido), and they fail to arraign him, we will certainly take to the streets of Kano to demand for his release,” he reiterated.

Ringim alleged that the ruling Progressives Congress APC) masterminded Lamido’s arrest, for fear of losing the forth-coming council election in Jigawa State. He said the ex-governor’s arrest and detention was a move to “intimidate and silence” him. Ringim said for the eight years Lamido spent as governor, council polls were held periodically, “as he never allowed what has become the norm in most states of the country–Care-Taker-Committee (CTC) in his administration.

Meanwhile, the National caretaker Committee of the Peoples Dmocratic Party (PDP has condemned Lamido’s arrest and detention. The committee, in a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by its spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, described Lamido’s arrest and detention as outrageous and anti-democratic. The opposition party added that Lamido was not arrested because he made any inciting statement as the police claimed, but because of the forthcoming local government election in Jigawa.

“The true reason for his arrest, however, is linked to the forthcoming local government elections in Jigawa state. The long incarceration of former governor Gabriel Suswan is also linked to the forthcoming council polls in Benue State.”

“The APC administration is fast losing the confidence of the people because of its non-performance, high handedness and lack of empathy over the suffering of the people. The only option left for it is to prevent the opposition from effectively campaigning and mobilising the people for the elections,” PDP said.

The main opposition party also alleged that “the whole strategy of the failed APC government is founded on the assumption that if there is no opposition, then they cannot be defeated. Hence, the intimidation, harassment and incarceration of popular opposition leaders like Sule Lamido.

“We are aware that we, in the opposition, will be in for a hard time in the run up to the 2019 general elections with more arrests and intimidation of our prominent leaders.”

The PDP accused President Buhari of “unleashing the Police and other security agencies to harass and intimidate judges, opposition leaders, social media influencers/bloggers and other Nigerians that speak against the APC administration at the federal and state levels in a bid to cow them.

The party added that “Lamido merely asked the people to defend their votes against rigging. How is that a crime? If you are not planning to steal the peoples’ votes, why should you be afraid if the people are advised to defend their votes? Of course, no thief would want the owner to guide his house against burglary.

“The excesses of the security agencies have now reached alarming proportions. If they must be reminded, their mandate is to defend all Nigerians and not to act as a willing instrument of oppression of the people by the autocratic APC government.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/release-lamido-now-or-elseassociates.html

As the $100 million Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Ltd assembly plant in Lagos begins the production of trucks, the management has hinted of plans to export the vehicles to neighbouring markets after meeting local demands.

A 65 percent/35 per cent joint venture between the Dangote Group founded by Africa’s foremost industrialist, Aliko Dangote, and China’s Sinotruk, the plant has the capacity to assemble at least 10, 000 heavy duty trucks and sundry commercial vehicles a year and create about 3, 000 jobs when the facility is fully operational by 2018.


Speaking during a media tour to mark the formal roll-out of the Sinotruk heavy duty trucks, the Group General Manager {Projects}, Hikmat Bahadur Thapa, and the General Manager, Dangote Sinotruk, Daniel Biju, disclosed that the plant is presently producing four to five trucks a day.

It was, however, learnt that the auto maker would be embarking on two assembly shifts by June his year, while the local production of the cabin or hood would begin by February 2018 as part of the plans to shore up the local content in the trucks and raise capacity utilisatiion.

Daily production is expected to rise to about 16 units a day in the next few months, and 20 to 30 daily, when full operation begins during the third stage of the implementation of the plant project.

“One of the objectives of setting up Dangote Sinotruk is to form a base for heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles in West Africa. With this, not only the market demands in Nigeria can be met, but also the requirements of covering the neighboring countries will be gradually met,” Hikmat Thapa disclosed.

Located on Oba Akran Street in Ikeja, Dangote Sinotruk was built to produce a full range of commercial vehicles covering heavy duty trucks, medium trucks, light trucks and other related vehicles for haulage and logistics, construction and industrial uses.

The visiting journalists were informed that the project dovetails into government’s drive towards the diversification of the economy with emphasis on the local production.

And to deepen efforts in this regard, Biju explained that the trucks maker was having talks with its partners to encourage their input suppliers in China to come to Nigeria and set up parts production facilities in order to further shore up the local content level in the made-in Nigeria Sinotruk.

It also came to the fore during the visit that with the coming on stream of the assembly plant, all the companies hitherto engaged in the local assembly of Sinotruk and the importation fully built up units, will now have to come under the umbrella of Dangote Sinotruk as the joint venture confers on it exclusive control of the brand in the Nigerian market. A nationwide distribution and after-sales service network, it was gathered, would be set to ensure availability and ease of usage by customers.

Earlier while taking the visitors through the facility during production, the Project Manager, Dangote Group, Tijani Momodu , explained the process of assembling the trucks. He stressed that production is never over until the vehicles rolling out have been inspected with relevant equipment to obviate skidding and okay the axle weight, brake, exhaust, steering, speaker and the headlamps.

Adjoining the production area is the training where technical staff’s skills and knowledge of Sinotruk technology are updated.

“Sinotruk is very strict on quality. Quality control experts hold regular training for the staff to ensure that everything is done in compliance with Sinotruk’s high standards,” the guests were informed, even as Biju assured that due to a technological intercourse between the Chinese brand and MAN, a reputable German trucks giant, “the Sinotruk technology is as good as German”.

The largest manufacturing conglomerate in West Africa, Dangote Industries Limited was established in May, 1981 with products range covering cement, fertilizer, sugar, flour, salt, pasta and drinks, in addition to providing services in petroleum, natural gas, automobile, communications, as well as iron and steel.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/05/dangote-sinotruk-rolls-out-trucks.html

The Minister of Aviation, Rotimi Amaechi, has declared he is not corrupt and does not like money.

Featuring on Channels Television, the former Governor of Rivers State disclosed why Nigerians are of the impression that he is a corrupt individual.


According to Amaechi, “Is my honesty in doubt? I have told Nigerians and I repeat to Nigerians today I am not corrupt and I don’t like money. I am not one swayed by money. I have lived a character that most Nigerians can tell you.

“I try as much as possible not to annoy God by saying I am honest. But with all modesty, I am a honest Nigerian and there are very few honest Nigerians.”

Reacting to claims by Nigerian that he is corrupt, the Minister said, “When did that impression start? Nyesom Wike becomes the governor. He takes documents from Government house that people can’t read, and says oh, we sold Gas turbines and disappeared with the money. He set up a panel of inquiry? Publish the report.”


On whether the corruption angle came up because he led the campaign organization of President Buhari, Amaechi said, “When you talk about the PDP angle, they are bitter that we fought and led the movement against the former government and PDP, and we were successful to have removed them from power.

“If I was corrupt, why didn’t President Goodluck prosecute me? The fight between Goodluck and Rivers state government or myself lasted for two years.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/04/im-not-corrupt-and-i-dont-like-money.html

The Federal Government has called on Nigerians in the Diaspora to return home and seize the various economic opportunities to make billions of naira.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu made the call at an investment forum organised in New York by his ministry for Nigerians in the U.S.

Onu explained that various investment opportunities currently existed and were waiting for them at home, challenging them to take it before they were given to foreigners.

The former Governor of Abia from 1992 to 1993, informed the Diaspora Nigerians that various research products with opportunities to yield billions of naira, were waiting for them at home.
“We are asking you to come and be billionaires. That is what we are asking you, not millionaires. Come and make billions.
“We will give you products of research at nothing or little cost to you because it would be nice for the agency that has done this research to get some little returns.
“It would also be nice for the scientists, engineers who were involved in doing this research just to get something, that’s all but it would be very small.
“So we give it (research products) to you, knowing that you will keep the money in Nigeria, you will help employ Nigerians and you will help to grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“That is our interest; that is the reason why we are here,” the minister said.
Onu, who was the National Chairman of the defunct ANPP, explained that the agencies under the ministry had already developed the research products through various stages of tests and trials.
According to him, we are asking Nigerians in the Diaspora that think home, come and take the researches that we have done.
“We have taken them to a level where you can now immediately convert them into products, make money out of it; that is the message.”
The minister, who returned to Nigeria from the U.S. in 1981, said as a policy, researchers would not be involved in the commercialisation of the research products to enable them concentrate on innovation rather than money.
He said that one of the agencies under the ministry was already working on a cure for epilepsy and was only awaiting the final stages of trials by the National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
“We are working on a cure for epilepsy; there is a drug that one of our agencies is working on, it is being tested now.
“And we know that epilepsy is a disease that is worldwide and this agency will not on its own commercialise this drug.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/04/come-home-and-be-billionaires-fg-tells.html

The Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is yet to perfect his bail two days after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail.

The akelicious learnt that Kanu’s lawyers are battling frantically to secure his freedom by Friday afternoon.

His lead counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, told Akelicious that the legal team was doing everything within its powers to secure freedom for Kanu.

He, however, did not rule out the option of approaching the court for a variation of the bail conditions should the need arises.

“We are still on it. We have met some of the conditions but not all. By mid-day tomorrow (Friday) we shall have a clear picture of what the situation is and what further steps to be taken.

“We are working assiduously to ensure that he regains his freedom,” Ejiofor on Thursday.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/04/we-are-working-to-perfect-kanus-bail.html

she is looking so beautiful
more photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/04/yemi-alade-looking-beautiful-in-new.html?m=1

The United States of America has replied former President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that President Muhammadu’s victory at the 2015 presidential election was the will of Nigerians.

The US Government stated this while responding to an allegation by Jonathan, that former American President Barack Obama, was responsible for his loss.


He had said, “President Barack Obama and his officials made it very clear to me by their actions that they wanted a change of government in Nigeria and we’re ready to do anything to achieve that purpose.

“They even brought some naval ships into the Gulf of Guinea in the days preceding the election.

“I got on well with Prime Minister David Cameron but at some point, I noticed that the Americans were putting pressure on him and he had to join them against me.


“But I didn’t realise how far President Obama was prepared to go to remove me until France caved in to the pressure from America.

“But weeks to the election, he had also joined the Americans in supporting the opposition against me.”

In response, US Embassy spokesman, Russel Brooks, said the country advocated a free and fair election.


“The US advocated a free, fair and transparent election. The election outcome was an expression of the will of the Nigerian people,” Brooks said.
more at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/04/buhari-won-2015-election-because.html