₦airaland Forum

No fewer than 56 Nigerian mariners have been kidnapped and killed by sea pirates on the nation’s territorial waters, a report by Dryad Maritime has shown.

According to the renowned maritime security firm, Dryad Maritime, in the latest report released recently, there seems to be no signs of piracy abating in the Gulf of Guinea, with the number of attacks ramping up off Bonny Island over the past few weeks.

The firm, in the latest report sighted by Akelicious Weekend, says there have been 15 attacks against commercial ships reported within 60 nautical miles radius of Bony Island in recent weeks.

The report also states that the attacks led to the death of at least 56 seafarers in 2017 alone in serial attacks by sea pirates across the volatile Gulf of Guinea, where Nigeria is prominent maritime actor.
“Unfortunately, it is the seafarers who pay the highest price as they ended up being held for ransom as a highly-valued commodity.
‘‘Sometimes, their ordeals last for years as talks between shipowners and pirates hit a stalemate, other times, they are left to be rescued by maritime forces or they manage to escape. This year alone, 56 mariners have been kidnapped off the Niger Delta,’’ Dryad Maritime said.
The security outfit also forecasts that the attacks against shipping in the Gulf of Guinea are likely to continue their target being kidnapping seafarers for ransom.
But, the director general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has assured that the agency is working with stakeholders and the global maritime community to ensure that the menace of piracy is totally stamped out in the Gulf of Guinea in order to allow for free flow of trade in the region.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/pirates-kill-56-nigerian-mariners-in.html

A joint taskforce, comprising security agencies and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) monitoring team set up to end petroleum products supply gaps in the country has uncovered 144 trucks that were not streamed by some marketers in Kano.

Spokesman of the NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, said yesterday in Abuja that the products were meant to feed Kano and its environs. According to him, the resurfaced trucks had been sent to discharge their products at the designated locations, adding that 26 of the trucks were scheduled for Katsina, while 118 trucks were made to discharge products in Kano and its environs.

The corporation warned marketers across the country to desist from acts that could heighten supply gaps noticeable in parts of the country, saying security agencies have been detailed to go on the trail of any marketer hoarding products.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nnpc-uncovers-144-hoarded-petroleum.html

A soldier serving in Operation Lafiya Dole has been sentenced to death by a General Court Martial (GOC) sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The soldier, Lance Corporal John Godwin was sentenced to death for killing five rescued civilians in the Yamteke area of Borno State.

Some other soldiers were also jailed by the court for various offences ranging from manslaughter to illegal possession of fire arms and ammunition.
Corporal John Godwin was charged with murder, punishable under Section 106 (a) of Armed Forces Acts (Cap A20), Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
The 7 Division’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Samuel, while confirming the sentence said, “The civilians were earlier rescued by troops of Godwin’s battalion and were taken for investigation at the time he shot and killed five of them.
“Another soldier, Sergeant Innocent Ototo, was sentenced to life imprisonment for manslaughter after torturing and killing a 13-year-old boy who he said stole his phone.
”The incident happened at Zamanbari area of Maiduguri in Borno State.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/breakingsoldier-gets-death-sentence-for.html

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A female cashier of the Iludun-Oro Micro Finance Bank, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mrs. Dupe Abolarin, has been dragged before an Ilorin Magistrate Court for allegedly defrauding the bank of a sum of N4 million.
The accused, a 47-year-old married woman, who was dragged before the court after she was reported to the police by the management of the Micro Finance Bank, was a cashier at the Isanlu-Isin branch.
In the case file number MCIA/840C/2016, the accused who hails from Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, was accused of criminal breach of trust.
The accused, who was also said to have confessed during interrogation at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Ilorin, to have committed the offence, had also agreed to pay back at installment.
Akelicious gathered that the bank had lodged a complaint against the accused person, who is an employee of the bank, on December 1, 2016, and that the accused had confessed to the commission of the offence.

According to police First Information Report (FIR), “That Mrs. Abolarin was posted to Isanlu-Isin branch as officer in charge of cash centre; that she defrauded the bank and customers to the tune of N4, 089, 267.

“After verification, it was discovered that there was no remittance of the said amount of money into the bank’s coffers which she acknowledged.

“That in the course of investigation at the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, she made a confessional statement agreeing to have committed the offence.

”The accused, before her arrest and subsequent transfer to the state police headquarters in Ilorin, was said to have escaped to Lagos State.”

The case, which came up yesterday for mention before Magistrate I.O Olawoyin, was adjourned to January 10, 2018, for hearing.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/female-cashier-of-iludun-oro-micro.html

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The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said supply and demand in the global oil market would likely balance out by the end of 2018 as a result of a pick-up in oil demand, particularly from the transport sector.


This is, however, coming as the cartel’s oil production fell to its lowest in six months but rival United States production was surging faster than expected, thus raising concerns that the market may not rebalance before the end of 2018.

OPEC said in its monthly Oil Market Report released yesterday that oil demand was projected to grow by 1.51 million barrels per day in 2018, compared to an already higher-than-expected 1.26 million increase in 2017.

With the projected increase in demand in 2018, OPEC said global demand would reach 98.45 million barrels per day next year, adding that “expansion in the transportation sector is expected to provide the bulk of oil demand growth”.

According to OPEC, expected strong economic expansion across the world will also underpin industrial and construction fuel demand.

The group noted that its crude production fell by about 133,500 barrels a day in November to 32.45 million barrels a day.

OPEC’s own crude oil output is likely to edge up to 33.2 mb/d next year from 32.8 this year, a smaller increase than previously thought.

OPEC and some non-members of the cartel, including Russia, last month extended an output cut agreement until the end of 2018 in the hope of re-balancing the oil market and underpinning the price of crude.

However, the output decrease last month was tied to other factors with domestic demand for Saudi oil declining in the winter and Angola and Venezuela facing production issues.

OPEC predicted that non-OPEC oil producers will pump around 990,000 barrels of crude oil per day more next year than this year as US shale oil producers ramp up output.

OPEC, however, said an overhang of global stocks would dwindle next year, “arriving at a balanced market by late 2018.”

Non-OPEC oil supply growth for 2017 now stands at about 810,000 barrels a day, representing an upward revision of around 150,000 barrels a day from the previous OPEC report.
For 2018, the forecast for supply growth outside the cartel was increased by about 120,000 barrels a day to around 990,000 barrels a day.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/opec-oil-market-to-balance-within-year.html

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The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF ) and the National Orientation Agency ( NOA ) have mobilised 43 journalists to check the increasing prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Adolescent and Young Persons ( AYPs ) in Kaduna State.


The Officer in charge of UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, Dr Idris Baba, said at a One-day Media Dialogue on AYPs HIV Intervention held in Zaria, that the move was necessary to curb the increasing HIV related deaths among AYPs.

Baba said that UNICEF had committed significant resources to supporting AYPs HIV intervention in the state, noting that much would not be achieved without support from the media.

“For various reasons ranging from gender, biological to socio-economic; young women have a higher HIV prevalence rate and were infected earlier in life than men of the same age group.


“So far, only about seven per cent of AYPs in the state knows their HIV status due to lack of HIV/AIDS awareness and because HIV services in health facilities are not youth-friendly.

“This is why UNICEF in collaboration with the state government launched the AYP-HIV intervention project, a combination of HIV counselling, testing and treatment.

“The project is being implemented in seven local government areas of Chikun, Igabi, Lere, Kagarko, Birnin Gwari, Jaba and Jema’a,’’ he said.

Baba explained that youths were not comfortable discussing HIV related issues with elderly people, adding that they felt comfortable with their peers and open up more.

“This means that we will break more grounds when we engage youths to sensitise their peers about the virus to increase demand for the services.“468 are creating demand for HIV services, while 156 are providing HIV counselling and testing services in the seven LGAs,’’ he said.

Baba said the project had reached out to 147,196 AYPs with HIV information in the seven LGAs from August to date of which 39,927 were tested and received result.

“Our goal is to ensure that 90 per cent of HIV positive AYPs know their status, 90 per cent HIV positive placed on treatment and achieve 90 per cent viral load suppression among the HIV positive by 2020,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Media and External Relation Officer, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Malam Rabiu Musa, had said the meeting was organised to discusse issues affecting AYPs in the state.

Musa said that the meeting provided the needed avenue to interact with journalists in Kaduna and design effective ways of reaching out to the AYPs through media reportage.

Also, Malam Lawal Haruna, a Deputy Director, NOA Kaduna Office, also said that media was crucial in winning the war against HIV in the state.

“This is because the media informs, educates and influences peoples’ opinion and decisions with the potential of reaching a large audience.

“We therefore, need the media to continue with their support of providing the needed awareness on HIV/AIDS among young persons on how to remain HIV free,’’ Haruna said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/unicef-noa-mobilises-journalists-to.html

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has raided some outlets and sale vehicles in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. One person was arrested and over 15 cartons of unregistered herbal products seized.



Findings within Port Harcourt metropolis showed that herbal medicines were advertised and sold in every corner and trade fair centres.

Rivers State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mrs. Mercy Ndukwe, lamented the sale of drugs without NAFDAC registration numbers.She said the owners of such stores would be sanctioned in line with NAFDAC regulations.


“The agency is determined to ensure that only registered and authorised herbal drugs are sold to the public,” she assured.She advised the public against patronising unregistered herbal preparations to avoid endangering their health.She said that “the agency has slashed registration cost to almost half for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).


While product registration is now easier and faster in line with the Federal Government’s policy.” She wondered why some producers still indulged in dubious and unwholesome practices.

Ndukwe said that some unregistered bread producers, and those producing with expired licenses and labelling lapses were also arrested and three of their vehicles impounded while distributing bread during the early morning raid.The operation covered Mile 1 and Mile 3 Markets, Ikwere Road, Orazi Road and Mile 4 Market Junction within Port Harcourt metropolis.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nafdac-arrests-suspected-quack-herbal.html

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The Federal Government on Monday announced that when some power generation projects were completed by 2018,they could generate additional 1,129 Mega Watts to the current 7,000 Mega Watts in the country.

The Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this at the 22nd monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at Geregu, Kogi.

Fashola said “the Azura power plant will give us another 450MW; I know that we will also get 10MW of wind power from Katsina State.
“I know that we will get 115MW from Gbari and 30MW from Kashimbila.


“From Afam III, we will give 240MW of power in 2018, while Gurara is working to deliver 30MW, as Dadinkowa in Gombe will provide 29MM and Kaduna will generate
215 MW.

“All these power plants do not involve the mini grids and solar systems that are coming.”

The minister explained that in spite of the attainment of the current 7,000MW in the country, 2,000MW of the total power was not being distributed to Nigerians.

He said it was important to devise means of taking the unutilised 2,000MW to Nigerians who needed power, noting that “we cannot afford to keep power; that is not good for business, especially those who invested in it.

“One of the steps we are taking with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPH) is to try and complete some of the distribution projects under the Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) projects.

“In Kogi, the distribution project that will affect the people positively are the ones in Okene, Igba, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2018.”

Fashola said the narrative must change from not enough power to how unutilised power could be distributed.

He explained that he had contacted the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to discuss how its members could key into the undistributed power.

He added that “Director Generator, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other chambers of commerce had been contacted on how to take up the 2000 unused megawatts

“We are also working on how Distribution Companies (Discos) could benefit from the entire process.”

The minister, who said the sector had made progress on power Generation and Transmission, added that Distribution issues would also be cleared soon.

He attributed the success recorded in the sector so far to government polices, “especially the provision of N701 billion assurance guarantee fund that enabled the payment to gas suppliers by Generating Companies (Gencos).

“The assurance guarantee brought confidence to power production business, which resulted to increased power production which took us to all-time high of 7,000MW power availability.”

“As at Dec. 5, 2017, power supply stood at 5,019MW, which was below the 5,074 MW achieved in January 2016.

“However, grid supplied power peaked at all-time high of 5,155 MW on Dec 8,an increase over the January 2016 figure of 5,074 MW.”

He said the success was due to teamwork and leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo and other stakeholders.

He then urged stakeholders to join hands in solving the problems in the sector, saying it was a privilege to be involved in salvaging the challenges in the sector.

The Managing Director of Geregu Power Plant PLC, Mr Aderemi Adenuga, said owners of the company injected 94 million Dollars to overhaul and upgrade the plant.

He said the company was comfortably running the tree turbines in the plant and thanked Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for payment of the electricity generated to the company
http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/power-plants-to-generate-additional.html

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Former aide to ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan, has described president Muhammadu Buhari as a tyrant who should be removed from office in 2019.

Omokri had earlier described President Muhammadu as clueless, having allegedly failed woefully in all the agenda set for his government namely, anti-corruption, economy and security.

In his tweets, he wrote, “My boss and bosom friend Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, welcoming another friend of mine,@atiku,
“Atiku the man who will democratically unseat the tyrant, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/2019atiku-will-unseat-buhari-omokri.html

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2017 Batch "B" Stream 1 Corps Members who applied for "Relocation" at the Orientation Camp to check their dashboard for the status of their application immediately after the closing ceremony on Monday 11th December 2017, in case they did not receive SMS notification.

Source http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/a-must-read-for-nigeria-corps-members.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has berated the Federal Government over the resurgence of fuel queues across the country, stressing that it considers the scarcity an insult to the collective pride of Nigerians.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said in Abuja yesterday that various excuses given by government, as reasons for the pain Nigerians were experiencing, are not acceptable.

He said: “The NLC considers this scarcity as an act of cruelty and sabotage from which a few privileged are benefitting. The timing of this artificial scarcity is not lost on us, as it is intended to maximise pain and profit, since it is a well-known fact that the Christmas season witnesses the biggest movement of people, goods and services.”


Ayuba reiterated that the congress equally considers the scarcity as an insult to the collective pride of all good Nigerians.Also, NLC General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, told The Guardian that the confusion in the downstream sub-sector of the Nigerian oil and gas sector was established when the price modulation based on petroleum products import regime was introduced.

“Nigerians will be bear us witness that we canvassed against the introduction of price modulation; we said it was going to fail. Our argument then was that there was no way a price modulation regime can work in an environment that is import dependent. It would be recalled that the NLC staged protests against the move, but we were ignored. Today, we are back to the same turf. The scarcity we are witnessing now is not new. It started two years ago technically.”

Dr. Ozo-Eson, who is also a member of the PPPRA board, said there was no discussion on upward price adjustment when the board met last week. He insisted that it was the duty of the PPPRA management to respond to all the issues that are driving the present scarcity, adding: “The board does not speak on any matter. That is the job of the management. It is the management that speaks on all the issues. The management should sort out all the bottlenecks, so that people will not have any problems travelling during Yuletide.”
On his part, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Abdukadir Umar, said there are no plans to increase fuel price.

“We want to use this medium to assure all Nigerians that there is no need for apprehension or panic buying. We are confident that the NNPC, being a major supplier of petroleum products into the system and the supplier of last resort, can ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products into the market and the corporation has given assurances in that regard.”

The PPPRA boss urged fuel consumers across the country to be calm as there is no plan by government to review the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). He stressed that his agency would continue to monitor the supply situation and take every step required to ensure that there is no disruption in the system. He also assured stakeholders and members of the public of uninterrupted products supply and distribution, pursuant to the overall goal of facilitating a vibrant and robust downstream oil and gas sub-sector.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/return-of-fuel-queues-unacceptable-says.html

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As the yuletide season draws closer, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the week ended increased its regular sale of foreign exchange, selling $513.9million dollars within the week.

The apex bank in easing forex liquidity had sold $210 million on Monday and another $303.9 million on Friday. While the Monday FOREX sale was to meet the needs of wholesale, small businesses and invisible demand, the Friday sale was mainly for the real sector.

Breakdown of the total sales on Friday indicate that much priority was given to the real sector of the economy with the sale of 75 per cent of the days sales amounting to $229.89 million for raw materials and machinery.

Confirming the sales, the acting director, Corporate Communications Department of the apex Bank, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, hinted that various sums were also offered to other vital sectors like the agriculture and airline which got $24.68 million and $12.467 million respectively, while petroleum products got $36.89 million.

On Monday, the sum of $100 million was offered to the wholesale segment, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got an allocation of $55 million. The invisibles segment (i.e. tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others) was also allocated $55 million.

On the performance of the foreign exchange market in the out-going year, the Director noted with nostalgia that the Naira exchange rate has not only remain stable and considerable accretion to the foreign reserves but Bank had so far met all the legitimate demands from genuine customers.

The value of the naira at the official window which had dropped to N307 during the week had firmed to N306.4by the close of trading on Friday while the value of the local currency remained stable at the parallel market selling at N363 to the dollar.

Meanwhile, the governor of the apex bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, yesterday said that the bank would continue to support measures that would deepen penetration of financial services in the country.

Emefiele disclosed this while delivering a welcome address at the 9th annual Bankers Committee Retreat in Lagos.

According to him, the measure will capture those who are financially excluded from the system. The theme of the retreat is “Improving Financial Access, Enabling Job Creation and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nigeria’’.

He said such measures would also consider micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that were unable to obtain credit facilities from financial institutions. Emefiele identified some of the measures already taken by CBN to achieve the plan to include Biometric Verification Number (BVN) and Credit Reporting Act 2017 that led to the establishment of the Credit Bureaux. He said that the CBN, in order to drive adoption of financial services, partnered other stakeholders to develop agent-banking guidelines. According to him, agent banking is designed to encourage participation in the financial sector by individuals unfamiliar with the banking system through the provision of agents in underserved areas. He said part of the measures was the introduction of the Anchor Borrowers Programme with an investment of over N45 billion which had been effective in improving production, by smallholder farmers of rice, maize and soya beans. Others were Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme and Collateral Registry. “In furtherance of these efforts, this Bankers’ Committee retreat is rightfully focusing on strategies to address current constraints in improving access to finance for the unbanked. “It is also providing actionable steps that will be taken in order to ensure that they make meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development. “The retreat will also highlight and discuss key enablers for improving access to credit for MSMEs,” he added. Earlier, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said for Nigeria to meet its growth ambitions and achieve full economic potential, concerted efforts must be made to create at least four million jobs annually. He added that policies that stifled development should be jettisoned. Ambode said it was time for the government to review such policies that inhibited growth, and as well come up with a well-functioning low cost financial system that would work for all Nigerians. He also said that all hands must be on deck to create more jobs for the people and ensure 6.7 per cent annual growth rate. “To meet our growth ambitions, we need jobs. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in employment terms, from a labour force population of about 81 million people. “We currently have 11.5 million people unemployed in Nigeria and 17 million people under-employed with the total employment is around 52.6 million while the working age population grows by 3.7 per cent every year. “So, to make a meaningful dent on un-employment and underemployment, and to reduce poverty which is at over 60 per cent, we need to be creating at least four million jobs per year.” He said it was painful that mobile money had been so slow to take off in Nigeria in spite of huge population. The governor said it remained very low, increasing from just 0.7 million adults in 2014 to 0.9 million in 2016, in spite of the fact that there were about 58.2 million people who actually had mobile phones in 2016.”

Ambode urged CBN, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Commission, commercial banks and stakeholders in the sector to decide the type of financial system that would impact on employment and bring more people into the formal financial system.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/cbn-sells-513m-forex-ahead-of.html

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Online and offline e-commerce company, Yudala, is ramping up its investment in the retail segment of the economy as its announced yet another offline marketplace which is situated at its corporate headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos.

The new market will operate weekly and promised to offer shoppers variety of genuine products at their best prices.

According to the company, the new store which is open for business every Saturday has on display a wide range of product categories including cosmetics, home and kitchen appliances, computing, electronics, mobile phones, wines and spirits.


Others are fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) such as rice, vegetable oil, beverages, cereals and other items from a host of premium brands.

The market which was opened amidst pomp and ceremony attracted shoppers from different parts of Lagos State including Anthony Village, Oworonshoki, Bariga, Ikeja, Oshodi and Maryland.

Expressing his experience, one of the shoppers, Mr. Nathan Ikechukwu, said, “I came here with my wife specifically to get a feel of the marketplace which Yudala had promised. I was not disappointed. There were so many products to choose from and at very good prices too. In addition to buying some much-needed items for Christmas such as bags of rice, oil and some wines; my wife was equally able to buy a number of cosmetics for herself. We will certainly be returning here next Saturday to get more items.”

The event was spiced up with performances from ace comedian Akpororo, supported by a strong cast of entertainers including Mr. Patrick, Laff Doctor, Memory Card, among others who were on ground to thrill attendees to an exciting time.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/yudala-expands-opens-new-offline-store.html

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The National Youth Service corps on Friday launched a job website for corps members.

This was disclosed by NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, while speaking at a launch held in Lagos.


According to him, the portal is to provide job opportunities for corps members.
He said, “The National Youth Service Corps has launched a job portal that would enhance job seeking opportunities for corps members and also make them available for prospective employers.
“The portal would serve as a pool for employers searching for suitable candidates and also provide a means of verification of credentials.
” The Management of National Youth Service Corps have also established Zonal lntegrated Skill Centres in six different locations across the country aimed at entrenching entrepreneurship among Corps Members.

“It solves need for every job seeker to acquire relevant information in order to survive in the competitive job market and reduce unemployment in Nigeria.
“Corps members are advised to upload their data on relevant portals.
NYSC Lagos State Coordinator, Prince Mohammed Momoh, added that the NYSC Lagos initiative would reduce the stress of job search among Corps Members.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nysc-launches-job-portal-for-corps.html

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President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration’s trade and investment policies will help the nation to diversify the economy, attract more foreign investments and speed up the country’s industrialization.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said Buhari stated this at the commissioning of two newly-established agro-based industries, shortly before he ended his two-day State Visit to Kano on Thursday.

The President noted that the overall effect of these achievements would lead to job creation and better living conditions for citizens as promised by the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).


At the newly-built 1,200-tonne capacity solvent extraction plant of Gerawa Oil Mills Limited, the biggest oil mill plant in West Africa, located at Tokarawa Industrial Estate, the president commended the owner of the plant for taking full advantage of the prevailing investment climate in the country.

The President also commissioned and inspected Fullmark Rice Mills, the biggest rice mill in West Africa, at Kwanar Gunduwawa, Hadejia road.

While touring the facilities, Buhari expressed delight at the wholly-owned indigenous companies and assured agro-investors of his administration’s commitment to creating the right policies for agriculture to thrive.

At the solvent extraction plant of Gerawa Oil Mills, the Chairman of the company, Alhaji Isa Gerawa, commended the policies of the Buhari administration on agriculture, describing them as key to Nigeria’s exit from recession and upward attainment of food security.

The industrialist, however, appealed to Buhari to urgently address the issue of poor access to finance for farmers and agro-investors in the country.

The President, who was accompanied to Daura, his hometown by Govs. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, was received on the border between Jigawa and Katsina States by Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk.

The presidential media aide revealed that the condition of the weather necessitated the president’s trip to Daura by road.
more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/buhari-inaugurates-2-manufacturing.html

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Ahead of Saturday’s national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district in the National Assembly, Buruji Kashamu, has drawn the attention of delegates, leaders and stakeholders of the party to media reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning to re-arrest some aspirants accused of corruption cases.

According to the media reports, which are yet to be refuted, the aspirants included two former governors from the South-west and two other aspirants from the South-south who were accused of receiving money from the Office of the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, Kashamu said: “While it is true that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, our great party cannot afford to close its eyes to this potential threat.


“It is a no-brainer that if a national chairman with a corruption case is elected, the party will literally be put on trial with him. This is one avoidable risk that is too much to take. You can be sure that a corruption trial of the national chairman of an opposition party will come with a lot of bad publicity that will sound the death knell of the party.”

He urged the delegates and stakeholders, especially the South-east, to support the quest of the South-west to produce the national chairman in the interest of equity and justice.

While calling on the South-east to borrow a leaf from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in supporting the South-west in its aspiration, Kashamu said, “Our brothers and sisters from the South-east need to be categorical now in support of the South-west on the ongoing national chairmanship tussle between the South-West and the South-South.

“The implication of this avoidable tussle is to make uncertain the settled South-east vice-presidential quest in 2019. If the South-east expectedly takes a principled stance in support of the South-west, naturally as a reliable race in adherence to agreements, the Yoruba people would reciprocate without any prompting. What is currently happening is glaringly an orchestrated assault on the South-west to end up with nothing in 2019, just like we did when our party was in power. This is a dangerously illogical political permutation for 2019 national elections.”
Although the lawmaker acknowledged the right of others to seek election, he was of the view that it should not be done at the expense of established norms and agreements.

“Without prejudice to anybody’s right to aspire for party positions, it is an open secret that the PDP national chairmanship had been conceded to the South-west pre-Port Harcourt convention. It was because of this that the other positions zoned to the South-west are innocuous deputies to substantive offices except the National Treasurer. All these are because of the vital national chairmanship had already been conceded to the South-west.

“It is in the light of the above that I wish to reiterate my call on our notable leaders, elders and delegates to put the interest of democracy and the future of our great party above any pecuniary interest or considerations. This is the time we have to rebrand our party and reposition it,” Kashamu said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/pdp-convention-its-risky-to-elect.html

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Family of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has, again, called on the Nigerian Army to return the property its personnel carted away from their home at Afaraukwu, Umuahia, Abia State.

Soldiers, who were on a special operation in the South East code-named Python Dance 11 (Egwueke11), in collaboration with policemen from Abia State command, on September 14 and October 8, raided the home of the IPOB leader and the family and, allegedly, carted away household properties.

Some of the items the family alleged were carted away included television sets, generating sets and two boxes filled with wrapper, belonging to the matriarch of the family, among other items.

The army and police spokespersons had denied the allegation, stating: “We were there to search for weapons, no household items were removed from Kanu’s home.”

However, yesterday, Kanu’s family maintained her ground that the invading soldiers and policemen carted away their personal belongings and demanded they be returned.

Spokesman of the family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother told Daily Sun that what was disturbing the family most was the boxes of wrapper belonging to their mother, which the soldiers made away with.

“We have said this before and we will keep talking about it, of all that the soldiers and policemen took away when they invaded our home, the ones we are worried about most are the two boxes of wrapper belonging to our mother.

“What are they going to do with the old woman’s boxes of wrapper? If they do not return them together with other items they made away with, they must surely face God’s wrath.”

Kanu said apart from their mother’s belongings, the soldiers also desecrated their father’s palace by ransacking and taking every available thing that represents Igbo culture.


“What the army did is barbaric and despicable; taking our old parents’ belongings was the height of callousness, and we call on them to return those items without further delay or they will face the wrath of Chukwuokike Abiama.”

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/kanus-family-demands-return-of-property.html

The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ) Abia State office, confiscated food and drug products worth over N5 million between October and December 4 in Abia.


The NAFDAC Coordinator for Abia State Office, Mr Olisa Okeke, disclosed this in Aba on Tuesday.

He said that the confiscated products include: beverages, food stuffs and drugs which were being sold without NAFDAC’s permission at night.

He said that the agency had also sanctioned seven shops selling provisions in Aba and Umuahia because of the status of the goods they were selling to unsuspecting residents.


The coordinator said that most of the shops were selling expired products to the public at night.He said that the Abia NAFDAC Office Surveillance Team got information from residents which resulted in the bursting of the sales of the expired and unregistered products in Aba and Umuahia.

Okeke said that some unscrupulous business men were bringing into the state unregistered and expired products to making quick money during the impending Christmas period and warned residents to be watchful.

“We have noticed that activities are heightening this Christmas season and NAFDAC has started feeling the heat.

“You know that during this period, unscrupulous businessmen like to bring into the state all kinds of goods and products including unregistered, substandard and spurious products and those whose expiry dates had been altered.

“This might be on the increase so we are alerting our citizens, especially those in Abia , to be watchful to ensure they are not taken unawares.


“On our part, we have increased our surveillance to check the incidence of infiltration of harmful products into the state.

“Residents, however, owe the agency a duty to volunteer information that could help investigation and bursting of perpetrators of these evils to save lives,” he said.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nafdac-confiscates-over-n5m-products-in.html

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Contrary to the rumour making the rounds that Barclays Africa has pulled out as the financial adviser to 9mobile investment process that will lead to the sale of the telecoms company to a willing and credible investor, the Board of Directors of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services, trading as 9Mobile, has allayed the rumour, describing it as false information.

Although neither the banks nor the Barclays Africa was ready to speak on the issue when it broke out penultimate week, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, however told journalists in Abuja after the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting that he was yet to receive any official letter to the purported pullout.


When asked to comment on the situation, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, only referred journalists to the CBN for such comments, a situation that made it difficult to ascertain the true position of things as at that time.

But in a bold move to clarify the issue, the 9mobile, through its Board of Directors, released a statement on its website, informing the public that Barclays Africa is still in charge as the financial adviser to the 9mobile investment process.

Part of the statement read: “Following recent press reports relating to Barclays Africa’s role as financial advisor on the sale of 9mobile, the Board of Directors of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services, trading as 9mobile wishes to clearly state that these reports are inaccurate. This is not surprising, having come from so-called “sources” without authoritative knowledge of the process.

The board has full faith and confidence in the fairness and transparency of the process. Contrary to media speculation, Barclays Africa has also not resigned its mandate in the transaction and remains committed to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion of the process, for the avoidance of doubt.”

During the rumour period, an industry source said the withdrawal was not unconnected with the joint letter written against Barclays Africa, by the CBN and the NCC, over its alleged involvement in circumventing the due process laid down for the sale of 9mobile.

In a joint letter to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which is the facility agent for the 9mobile syndicated loan, Danbatta and Emefiele expressed displeasure with the “unwillingness of Barclays Africa” to follow due process in the bid.

According to the source the letter was a dent to the integrity of Barclays, being a multinational financial institution, hence their decision to withdraw quietly.

But the recent statement from 9mobile has finally put the matter to rest, as Barclays still remain the financial adviser in the investment process of 9mobile, that will lead to the sale of the telecoms company and the eventual handing over of the telecoms company to its new owners before December 31.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/9mobile-denies-speculations-of-barclays.html

Enugu State governor, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, at the weekend praised the member representing Awgu, Aninri and Oji River federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, for paying the WAEC registration fees of 1,019 secondary students in his constituency.
Okechukwu who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Works, had gathered stakeholders from the constituency at the Awgu Local Government headquarter, where a lucky-dip was used to select the beneficiaries.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ugwuanyi said: “No society in the world can develop or progress without education,” while commending the lawmaker for taking a right decision.
He, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to judiciously utilize the rare opportunity given to them by making a success of the WAEC examination.
Also speaking, Ekweremadu encouraged the act of giving when he emphasized that givers never lack.
He, therefore, advised the Awgu natives not to wait until they become like Okechukwu before they could help others, urging them to always help in any little way they could.
He called on the beneficiaries of the free WAEC registration to shun cultism when they gain admission into higher institutions, saying that it makes graduation difficult and kills one’s future.
He told them that passing the examination was the only way they could pay back their benefactor, Okechukwu.
Ekweremadu also advised the students to utilize the opportunity wisely and define their future, pointing out that many Nigerians are currently dying in Libya because of ignorance.
Also in his address, the lawmaker said that the fact he is the son of a teacher motivated him to contribute to the educational welfare of his people
He enjoined the beneficiaries to look at the success of the deputy senate president and himself to be inspired to hit success.
He promised to do more in his apacity to encourage the human development of his people

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/ugwuanyi-ekweremadu-commend-lawmaker.html

Argentine-based Nigerian attacking midfielder Felix Orode has commented on Friday's World Cup draw that pitted Nigeria, Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in the so-called Group of Death.

On November 14, Nigeria came from behind to thrash the two-time world champions, who were without the services of the current best player on the planet Lionel Messi, and Orode feels the Barcelona striker can make all the difference when both teams clash again at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018 at the World Cup.

''The friendlies serve to have football minutes. In the World Cup it will be different, Argentina will have Messi . We respect and we are afraid of Lionel,'' said Felix Orode to Jogo Bonito (FM 93.1).

The Defensores de Pronunciamiento (Entre Ríos) star hopes to represent the Super Eagles at the World Cup, stating : ''When I was in (Sportivo) Barracas (between 2016 and 2017), people from Nigeria were watching me, it would be a dream to play a World Cup.

''My wife is Argentine. I always want them to win. Now when I play with Nigeria, it will be difficult.''

Messi scored twice as Argentina claimed a 3-2 win over Nigeria when both countries faced off at the Estádio José Pinheiro Borda in the 2014 World Cup.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/nigerians-are-afraid-of-messi-says.html

The Conference of Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly on Saturday in Enugu pledged their readiness to expedite action on the 15 items contained in the draft copies of the 2017 Constitution Amendment bills.

The Conference, while acknowledging receipt of the draft copies from the National Assembly, said they would tidy up their own end before long so as to help give legislative seal to the proposed new laws.


The resolution to expedite action on the draft copies was contained in a communiqué issued at end of the meeting of the Speakers in Enugu.

Chairman of the conference and Speaker of Kebbi state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abulmumin Kamba‎, who asked the Speaker of Kwara state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad to read the conference communiqué, said the State Houses of Assembly will immediately commence ‎further legislative actions on the 15 items for amendment.

Ahmad said, “The conference is not unaware of the state legislature’s constitutional role of ratifying the resolution‎. However, the conference shall ensure due diligence and thorough legislative functions of state assemblies are carried out with a view to ensuring the yearnings and aspirations of the people are captured in the proposed amendments process.”

The speakers pledged to act expeditiously on the constitution review.

Meanwhile, mild drama played out at the conference when a group, Friends of Democracy, led by a former member of the House of Representatives, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe was called to address the conference.

While Ugokwe addressed the conference on the need to adopt the entire 15 ‎items for amendment since they were not contentious except for local government autonomy, the speaker of Rivers state House of Assembly, raised objection that the visitors came to engender bias in their minds.

National coordinator of the group, John Mutu, frowned on the resentment by the Rivers Speaker and felt embarrassed for asking the group to leave the conference. The group was however called back and given more time to address the conference after an apology by the conference chairman, Hon. Kamba.

The 36 speakers of the state Houses of Assembly were in attendance.

Enugu state speaker, Rt. Hon. Edward Uboshi commended the speakers for choosing the state for the conference and announced that the next meeting of the conference will hold in Zamfara state in February 2018.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/36-states-assembly-speakers-vow-to.html

Governor Willie Obiano has bagged an award as the 2017 Governor of the year, from the Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ.

The award was presented to him at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, by a three-man delegation led by its Chairman, Comrade Paul Abechi.

While presenting the award which was conferred on the Governor during this year's Press week celebration of the Council, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Abechi said the award which was approved by the National Secretariat of the Union, was conceived in keeping with their tradition of celebrating achievements in leadership as a way of promoting good governance.

He revealed that the decision to honour the Governor was as a result of a thorough survey which they conducted which showed that the Obiano administration had performed creditably especially in the areas of security, agriculture, worker's welfare, education and infrastructure, congratulating him on a well deserved victory at the just concluded governorship election in the State.
Responding, Governor Obiano thanked the Council for the recognition which according to him goes to show that the developmental efforts of his government is being acknowledged nationwide.
He noted that the honour will spur him to continue to pursue programmes and policies that will improve the living standards of the people.
Highpoint of the event was presentation of a plaque and certificate of the award to the Governor

more photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/photosobiano-receives-nuj-2017-man-of.html

The new Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, is to receive the official staff of office on Dec. 7 at the Gateway International Stadium in Sagamu, Ogun.

The dignitaries, who are expected to grace the coronation include: the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and other well meaning Nigerians.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’adu Abubakar, the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, are also expected to be in attendance.


Asiwaju Kayode Onafowokan, the Chairman, Akarigbo Coronation Organising Committee, made this disclosure at a press conference on Friday in Sagamu.

Onafowokan said the week-long ceremony would feature various events, which would precede the coronation proper, organised by the youth wing of the committee.

“The pre-coronation ceremonies will start with a 4-day programme of activities, which include a football competition among the various Remo constituencies.

“There is also the Akarigbo marathon race, a youth rally across Remoland and a youth party, following the coronation event proper on Thursday,’’ he said.

Onafowokan explained that the official conferment of the staff of office on the monarch would be performed by Amosun, adding that maximum security arrangements would be provided at the venue of the ceremony.


He urged the sons and daughters of Remoland to troop out in large numbers and participate in all the activities.

“The day is going to be a symbolic one; we want the people of Sagamu and our people from other parts of the country to attend the ceremony.

“The Ooni of Ife will be in attendance in company with other traditional rulers from different parts of the world.

“It is going to be a day of celebration,’’ he said.

According to Onafowokan, the selection process of the new traditional ruler was done in a transparent manner devoid of any rancour.

The new traditional ruler hails from the Oluyomade lineage of the Torungbuwa Ruling House and defeated 18 other nominees, who contested for the same position.

The Akarigbo is a successful legal practitioner and a chartered accountant of repute.The new

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/yuletide-frsc-cautions-drivers-against.html

Nigeria’s domestic carrier, Air Peace will on Dec. 7, begin daily flights on the Abuja-Uyo-Abuja route, Mr Chris Iwarah, its communications Manager, has said.

Iwarah pledged the carrier’s `seamless and exciting’ air travel experience on the route.

He said the new flights would complement its Lagos-Uyo-Lagos service and afford members of the flying public more options to choose from in making their businesses and leisure trips.

According to him, the new service is in response to the yearnings of air travelers for on-time, consistent and reliable flights on the Abuja-Uyo-Abuja route.

Iwarah added that air Peace new flights schedule was to cater for the huge demand for air travel on the route in the run-up to Christmas and to give flyers confidence in planning their schedules.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/air-peace-begins-flights-on-abuja-uyo.html

As Nigerians joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2017 World AIDS Day, on Saturday, the Benue State Government has said that the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic should not be left with government alone.

Speaking at the IBB Square venue of the event in Makurdi, Governor Samuel Ortom urged individuals, families and corporate organisations to join hands and efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Benue State for an aids-free society and generation.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, the governor noted that that from the time HIV/AIDS became an epidemic in Benue in the late 1990s, remarkable achievements had been recorded against the set targets of behavior change and prevention of new infections.

This, he explained, was in addition to increased demand FIRHIV counselling and testing as a result of state’s Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA)’s intensified sensitization and demand creation activities both at Urban and rural levels.

“From 2010 to 2017, the number if service delivery points for HIV/AIDS management has remarkably increased for HIV testing services, prevention if mother to child transmission and treatment centers. Similarly, HIV/AIDS related stigman and discrimination have been greatly reduced.”

Harping on this year’s global team for the commemoration of the World AIDS Day, “Right to Health” which had been modified for national relevance in Nigeria as, “Right to Health – Making it Happen”, Ortom maintained that everyone has the right to realize the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination or stigma.

“Healthcare should be accessible, acceptable, available and if good quality for everyone leaving no one behind. Health is no longer a charity or privilege for few but is demanded as a right for all.”

In a chat with newsmen, acting Country Programme Manager of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Greg Abiaziem who disclosed that about one million deaths with two million new infections of HIV/AIDS were recorded in the year 2016 said of this number, Benue recorded about 300,000 new cases in 2016 with 15.4 prevalence rate at the moment.

He said it was for this reason that AHF had been working assiduously at the grassroots in collaboration with the Benue State government in ten Local government areas of the state with s view to bringing down the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the state.


Highlights of the event was the launch of two documents: Benue State Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS, 2017 – 2021and Fastracking HIV Treatment and PMTCT programmes in Nigeria, – An Emergency Plan if Action Towards Achieving the 90-90-90 Target by 2020.

more details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/govt-cant-fight-hivaids-alone-says-ortom.html

The Court of Appeal in Calabar, Cross River State, has upheld the December 14 party primaries election that produced Senator Bassey Albert of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).



In a unanimous decision that lasted for over two hours yesterday, the judges overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court, Uyo that declared Bassey Etim as winner.

The Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, had in February sacked Albert, who represents Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District.


However, Etim, who claimed to be the winner of the party’s primary election, and was wrongly substituted with Albert, had taken the senator to the high court.

But Albert had challenged the decision of the lower court in the Appeal Court, Calabar.Delivering judgment, Justice S. J. Adah, with justices Iheme Nwosu and J. O. K. Oyewole, declared that Albert won the primary, as Etim lacked evidence to prove his case.

Etim’s counsel, Mba Okweni (SAN), however, said they will challenge the decision of the Appeal court at the Supreme Court. “Sincerely, I feel that the judgment should be tested further until the Supreme Court makes a pronouncement on the issue and some of the points that have been raised, which we feel are not properly placed. Then, we can have a final statement on it.

“We believe strongly that if things continue the way they are going, impunity in our political parties would continue,” he said.
Counsel to Albert, Oba Folaho Ojibara, said they had overwhelming evidence that his client was the legitimate winner of the primary election that eventually led to the 2015 general elections, which he won.

He said: “The issues before the justices of the Court of Appeal were very clearly narrowed down. The kind of evidence that the appellant presented before the lower court was so overwhelming and the Justices of the Court of Appeal latched on to the evidences.

“Recall that Etim was the plaintiff at the lower court and the law requires that he who has asked must prove and he was the one coming to court, saying that he won the primaries but unfortunately for him, he had nothing to support his claims.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/12/appeal-court-upholds-akwa-ibom-senators.html

The managing director/CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, has stated the rural electrification policy of the agency is targeted at achieving 60 per cent rural electrification by 2020 which is to connect 1.1 million rural households annually from 2015 to 2020.

The REA boss stated this at the Rural Electrification Fund (REF) Stakeholders’ Workshop in Abuja yesterday which aimed to educate Nigerians on energy efficiency.

Speaking on the topic ‘The Off-Grid Electrification Strategy’, Ogunbiyi said it involves increase electricity access to rural and undeserved clusters across the country. She added that the strategy is also to fast-track development initiatives to achieve the overall objective of the Federal Government’s Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP). She also stated that “the off-grid electrification strategy is to complement the national grid supply by developing a decentralized approach for power generation, distribution and metering to underserved and unserved areas.”

According to her, the Federal Government developed the PSRP in collaboration with the World Bank Group which objectives are to restore the power’s sector financial viability, to improve power supply reliability to meet growing demand and strengthen the sector’s institutional framework and increase transparency.

“The PSRP is a series of policy actions, operational, governance and financial interventions to be implemented by the Federal Government over the next five years to restore the financial viability of Nigeria’s power sector, improve transparency and service delivery. It is also to resolve consumer complaints, reduce losses and energy theft and to reset the Nigerian electricity supply industry for future growth,” she said.

She added that primary objective of the agency is to make adequate access to electricity across all the regions in the country.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/11/rea-to-connect-11-million-households-by.html

Gov Obiano of Anambra State inaugurates the State Burial Committee for late Dr Alex Ekwueme.

Noting that the State Committee is a subcommittee under the Federal Government's Committee being chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Gov Obiano emphasized that the State Committee will provide the necessary guide on how to give a befitting funeral to Dr Alex Ekwueme.


Members of the State Committee are:

1. Prof Solo Chukwulobelu - Chairman
2. HE Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, Osodieme
3. Sen Dr Joy Emordi
4. HE Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu
5. HRH Prof Laz Ekwueme
6. Sen Stella Oduah
7. HRH Peter Aniukwu
8. HRH Rowland Odegbo
9. Chief Maja Umeh
10. Chief Ben Ezine
11. Ogochukwu Ekwueme
12. Hon Harford Oseke
13. Hon Romanus Obi
14. Hon Beverly Nkemdichi Ikpeazu
15. Hon Nikky Ugochukwu
16. Hon Vivian Okadigbo
17. Dr Dan Ezeawu
18. Mr Amaechi Akorah - Secretary
19. Mr Nwabufo Nwankwo
20. Representatives from South East States of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo which include, Dr GC Aja the SSG from Enugu State and Hon Clems Nweke, the Principal Secretary to the Governor of Ebonyi State.

More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/11/full-listgov-obiano-inaugurates-state.html

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Edo says it has intercepted a shipment of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa at Ehor in the state.

Mr Buba Wakawa, State Commander of the agency in the state, disclosed this in Benin on Thursday.

According to Wakawa, the suspected substance was packed in 20 bags weighing about 200 kilogrammes and concealed in a false compartment.

He said the stuff was lined on the inner wall of a dark blue Volkswagen Bus with Anambra registration number: ACA 711 XT.


He said the driver of the bus had been arrested in connection with the suspected substance.

The commander also said that preliminary investigation revealed that the illicit drugs were being conveyed from Iruekpen in Edo to Uko-Orji in Imo.

He said that the driver of the bus was presently assisting the command in its investigation.

He also said that the suspect was married with four children and hailed from Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta.

Wakawa said the suspect in his statement, disclosed that he had been driving for fifteen years but recently began to smuggle cannabis because of lack of a stable job.

“I have been driving for the past fifteen years. However, in the past two years, I have been out of a stable employment.


“It was in the process of looking for food for my family that l accepted to smuggle cannabis.

“Shortly after l took off, my bus was stopped at Ehor by NDLEA officers on patrol; the drug was well hidden but l was surprised when the officers detected it in a false compartment,” the suspect said.


http://www.akelicious.com/2017/11/ndlea-intercepts-200kg-of-suspected.html

The Sokoto Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), comprising Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States, has intercepted 506 bags of foreign rice concealed in bags of beans with duty paid value of N12.1 million.

Speaking with journalists in Sokoto yesterday, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Mr. Nasir Ahmad, said his men intercepted one truck with 506 bags of rice along Illela-Sokoto road.


He disclosed that the contraband items were intercepted on Friday as a result of the vigilance of officers on border patrol along the axis.

Ahmad said the contraband goods were concealed in 100 kg bags of beans with duty paid value of N12.127,808 million.
“The smugglers devised a trick by concealing two (50kg)bags of rice in a 100 kg bag covered with beans in order to evade our men. But we got intelligence reports from Kebbi state and succeeded in intercepting the contraband,”he explained.

The controller stated that foreign rice was among the prohibited items barred from entry through the land borders.
He called on the smugglers to desist forthwith and embrace the policies of the federal government by engaging actively in farming.
“The federal government is trying to encourage local production of rice so that we can have self-sufficiency and conserve foreign exchange. We have WACOT and Labana rice mills in Kebbi State and the seaports are open for anybody who wants to import rice.

“So, there is no hiding place for rice smugglers through Kebbi. Smugglers should go back to farm and engage in commercial farming. Whatever tricks they use, we will combat them because we have zero tolerance for smuggling in this zone,” he stated.

The controller appealed to the traditional and community leaders especially in border communities to assist government in its efforts to curb smuggling in the zone.

“I am appealing to the citizens, especially residents of border communities to assist us to curb the menace of smuggling in this zone because they are beneficiaries of government policies on rice production,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2017/11/photocustoms-intercepts-506-bags-of.html

A Nigerian returnee from Libya has spoken of how 20 Nigerian girls were sold off as slaves in Libya.
He also gave a chilling account of how he and others were fleeced and transported to Libya with a promise of better life in Europe, only to land in penury and end up in jail in the north African country.
Many of the returnees, who are camped in Benin-City, the Edo State capital, look skinny and exhausted. Some of the women are carrying babies, whose fathers are not known.
Alex Otoide is one of the 168 Nigerians evacuated from the north African country, and are currently being rehabilitated by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The governor has promised to train them in skills required to reintegrate them back into the society.
Otoide said he witnessed the sale of 20 Nigeria girls in the prison where they were all kept.
“They sold about 20 girls in the night. I saw it. It was God that saved me.”
Recounting his ordeal, he said: “I left Nigeria with N500,000. I spent six months in Libya jail after the man that took my money ran away.
“We were 55 that travelled from here to Libya, 25 people died in the desert.
“More than seven people died from hunger and thirst inside the prison.
”Can’t you see how I look lean and hungry? I need to go for treatment.”
He said a fellow whose name he gave as Charles also a Nigerian, collected the N500,000 from him.
Apart from persuading them to travel, he also collected money in addition to running a transit camp in Libya for those travelling illegally across the Mediterranean to Europe.
Some of the deportees said Charles collected money for the purpose of taking them to Europe only to abandon them in Libya.
They claimed that Charles had several bank accounts with different names through which he collected money from victims.
He is also accused of running the Libyan camp where Nigerians are kept for days without food.
Another returnee Osas Blessing said Charles is among those nicknamed “burgers” or “connection man” on the Libya route.
He said: “I gave Charles N450,000 but when I got to Libya he increased it to N600,000. He is very wicked. He does not care for human life. He is a Benin man. He will say if you die you die. He pushed us into the sea at the wrong time.
“I heard he just left Nigeria with new passengers to Libya. He has frustrated many Nigerians.”
Another returnee who refused to give his name said another Nigerian known simply as “Biafra” was responsible for many atrocities committed against Nigerian migrants in Libya.

More details at http://www.akelicious.com/2017/11/20-nigerian-girls-sold-as-slaves-in.html?m=1