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Politics / Adamawa LG Election: 14 Women Emerge Candidates In APC Primaries by Mrakeli: 4:26pm On Sep 23, 2019
No fewer than 14 women emerged as candidates in the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries to contest in forthcoming Council polls in Adamawa, slated for November.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi made this known Monday in Yola while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the primaries, held on Sunday.

Abdullahi said Mrs Sophia Elisha emerged unopposed and was affirmed by 289 delegates as the only female candidate for Chairmanship ticket in Numan LG, while 13 other women emerged as Councillorship candidates in various wards across the state.

Abdullahi said out of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, only the chairmanship results of Madagali, Yola South and Toungo,were still being awaited.

Abdullahi said the chairmanship candidates of APC for Numan, Hong, and Guyuk LGAs emerged unopposed, while those of Michika, Song, Shelleng, Girei, Lamurde and Fufore LGAs emerged through consensus, reached by the aspirants.

He said candidates that emerged through election were those of Mubi North, Maiha, Ganye, Mubi South, Gombi, Yola North, Demsa and Mayo-Belwa LGAs.

“We received 35 complaints from the councillorship primaries held in 226 wards, which had been treated.



“As for now,we are yet to receive any complaints regarding chairmanship primaries,” Abdullahi said.

On the party’s preparations for the November election, Abdullahi said that with the transparent and rancour free primaries, the party was fully prepared.

He warned that any group or persons trying to manipulate the election would face the full wrath of the law.

“We are more than ready to face the election;we are going into this election to win.

“Anybody that attempt to change what people have chosen through the ballot by any form of manipulation, is a criminal and the place reserved for criminals is prison,” Abdullahi said.

https://www.akelicious.net/adamawa-lg-election-14-women-emerge-candidates-in-apc-primaries/

Politics / Nigerians In Big Trouble, As Buhari’s Supporters Campaign For 3rd Term by Mrakeli: 12:56pm On Sep 23, 2019
Some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari have started campaigning for a ‘Third Term’ in Office, beyond 2023, when his second term expires.

According to a post on a Facebook Page called, ‘The Buharist Reporters’, Some supporters of the President were photographed with a caption “Movement for the Approval of Buhari Third Term. We demand Constitutional Amendment to enable Baba continue beyond 2023…”

The development has elicited several reactions from Nigerians, with many calling it “an impossibility”.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/nigerians-in-big-trouble-as-buharis-supporters-campaign-for-3rd-term/

Religion / Embrace Agric To Stem Unemployment, Oyedepo Tells Nigerians by Mrakeli: 3:20am On Sep 21, 2019
General Overseer of the Living Faith Church International, Bishop David Oyedepo, has canvassed a paradigm shift from the pursuit of elusive white collar jobs to embracing of agriculture, if Nigeria’s quest of boosting employment opportunities for its citizenry would not be a mirage. Oyedepo, who spoke at the 20th International Conference and 40th Annual General Meeting of Nigerian Institution of Agricultural Engineers, (NIAE) held at Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, said, aside agriculture, no vocation or institution could accommodate millions of Nigerian job seekers. He said: “Landmark University has a vision to restore agrarian revolution in Africa and to restore the dignity of African man.

We are endowed with fertile land but sadly we have over 400 million hungry graduates across the globe seeking for job opportunities that do not exist. “The cheapest way to be gainfully engaged is via agriculture. It can’t go into extinction because man must eat to live. There is no day that food will be irrelevant. It is, therefore, wise and safe now to tackle the impending day of poverty and hunger through mechanised farming.”

The event, with the theme: ‘Innovations and Technologies For Sustainable Agricultural Mechanisation and Livestock Transformation For Economic Growth’, drew participants from within and outside the nation. Keynote Speaker, Prof. Michael Ngadi, an international expert in Food Quality and Safety, noted that agric engineers, particularly of the modern century, have been playing key roles in bringing food to the table of man. While decrying the high rate of human population the world over put at about 7.7 billion, with a tendency to grow into 10 billion in few years’ time. Ngadi said unless the food capacity is boosted via agricultural mechanisation, man would suffer from famine and quality health conditions. Nigeria, he said, should take a cue from China which has one of the finest Gross Domestic Product (GDP), due to its innovations in the field of agricultural mechanisation, notwithstanding its humongous population.

https://www.akelicious.net/embrace-agric-to-stem-unemployment-oyedepo-tells-nigerians/

Politics / Re: Ekwunife,saraki, David Mark, Peter Obi,others At Dr Okey Emodi Burial (photos) by Mrakeli: 2:09pm On Sep 20, 2019
Mrakeli:
Sen Uche Ekwunife, Bukola saraki, David Mark, Sen. Eyinaya Abaribe, Dr chris Ngige, HE Peter OBI and host of other dignatories graced the burial ceremony of Dr Okey Emodi, husband to Sen.Joy Emodi at St Mary's catholic church Onitsha Anambra state.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/ekwunifesaraki-david-mark-peter-obiothers-at-dr-okey-emodi-burial-photos/

Politics / Ekwunife,saraki, David Mark, Peter Obi,others At Dr Okey Emodi Burial (photos) by Mrakeli: 2:08pm On Sep 20, 2019
Sen Uche Ekwunife, Bukola saraki, David Mark, Sen. Eyinaya Abaribe, Dr chris Ngige, HE Peter OBI and host of other dignatories graced the burial ceremony of Dr Okey Emodi, husband to Sen.Joy Emodi at St Mary's catholic church Onitsha Anambra state.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/ekwunifesaraki-david-mark-peter-obiothers-at-dr-okey-emodi-burial-photos/

Politics / $20,00 Bribe: EFCC Arraigns Former Petroleum Ministry Director by Mrakeli: 1:22pm On Sep 20, 2019
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Grace Taiga, a former director, legal services at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, on an eight-count count charge bothering on bribery.

The anti-corruption agency accused Taiga of receiving $20,000 bribe among other charges.

The former director was arraigned before an FCT high court, Abuja.

Taiga, during her trial on Friday, was escorted into the courtroom limping.



The case was initially filed against her and Muhammad Kuchazi, the commercial director of P&ID British Virgin Island.

However, the prosecutor informed the court that the charges had been amended and the case was now only against Taiga.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2000-bribe-efcc-arraigns-former-petroleum-ministry-director/

Crime / Police Intercepts Van Carrying Cannabis In Lagos by Mrakeli: 8:26am On Sep 20, 2019
Operatives of the Nigerian Police have intercepted a van carrying large quantity of cannabis also known as Indian hemp

The Police Officers from Area J Command, intercepted the van which was loaded with twenty bags of Cannabis along Itafaji street, Lagos Island

According to the statement released and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, the driver of the Van, Usman Adeyemi , who is 2- years-old was arrested.

The statement confirmed that the vehicle has been impounded for discreet investigation while investigation on the crime continues.


https://www.akelicious.net/police-intercepts-van-carrying-cannabis-in-lagos/

Politics / FG, States, Lgs Share N740, 880bn FAAC Allocation For August by Mrakeli: 4:37am On Sep 20, 2019
The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) Thursday in Abuja shared a total of N740.880 billion to the three tiers of government as federal allocation for the month of August .

From this amount, the federal government received N301.804 billion, representing 52.68 per cent; the States got N188.925 billion or 26.72 per cent while local government councils got N142.654 billion, representing 20.60 per cent.



Oil producing states received N43.513 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue.

However, cost of collection/transfers/ FIRS, refund was N43.984 billion.

A communiqué issued by the FAAC indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for August 2019 was N88.082 billion as against the N94.159 billion distributed in the previous month of July, 2019, resulting in a decrease of N6.077 billion.

The distributed Statutory Revenue of N631.796 billion received for the month of August was lower than the N674.365 billion received in the previous month by N42.569 billion.

The communiqué further disclosed that, revenues from Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT) increased considerably, while Value Added Tax (VAT), Royalties, Import and Excise duties recorded decreases.

However, additional N20 billion from the Forex Equalisation Account shall be shared accordingly among the three tiers of government, which brings the total distributable revenue to N740.880 billion.

Furthermore, the committee stated that as at August 19th, 2019, the Excess Crude Account (ECA) is $328.122m.

https://www.akelicious.net/fg-states-lgs-share-n740-880bn-faac-allocation-for-august/

Politics / Nigerians In Trouble, As Fulani Herdsmen Threaten To Go On Strike by Mrakeli: 5:28am On Sep 15, 2019
Hajiya Baheejah Mahmood, the National Woman Leader of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has threatened that the Fulani Herdsmen may soon embarked on a strike.
She stated this on Saturday, in a statement made available to Journalists, in Bauchi State.

The statement reads:
A Fulani is a courageous, self-reliant, fearless and shy person who can be considered an introvert. The Fulani man does not interact and mingle so much with people of other languages and cultures. He prefers to be alone or with his animals or among his kith and kin. He feels intimidated with the presence of other people who he does not know, around him. Despite these though, the Fulani man is a sociable person who likes a lot of fashion and fashionable dressing in multi-colored attire. I consider the Fulani man a very enterprising and thorough person, tending to his herd every hour of the day and going in search of grazing lands to wherever the search might take him. The typical Fulani man is very straight forward and honest but will not stop at anything to defend himself, his family and herd against any predators; human or wild animals.
A Fulani woman on the other hand is a very respectful, obedient, shy and submissive woman to her husband and family. She does all the house chores from taking care of the children, cooking, and preparing and selling the cow milk and cheese. Traditionally, the Fulani woman is a full-time housewife who is fully in charge of the home front. When the family is moving around in search of pasture for the cattle, she is responsible for the children throughout the journey.​
The Fulani are mostly known to engage in cattle rearing or transhumance endeavours. Most of them are without a permanent settlement because they move from place to place in search of greener pastures and water for their cattle. In Nigeria, the Fulani move from the North towards the South during the dry season months between February to March and back towards the North at the start of the rains. They depend on the cattle for their means of livelihood.
The Fulani contribute a lot to the economy of the country and its people. They provide the country with over 90 percent of its meat requirement. The cattle provide beef; they rear chickens, guinea fowls, goat and sheep too. They contribute to the dairy (milk) production and supply of hides and skin of the country, which contributes to the GDP of the economy. The affordable meat and eggs consumed in Nigeria are largely as a result of the activities of the Fulani. During festivities of Muslims and Christians, and almost anything in-between, cattle, sheep and goats are used which are readily available as a result of the transhumance activities of the Fulani. All the products of the activities of the Fulani contribute to the nutritional enhancement of the country with provision of protein in form of meat, eggs and dairy.​

The Fulanis as a people gain next to nothing from the government of the country. Because they are mostly on the move, the Fulani’s do not benefit from the provision of basic amenities such as schools, hospitals and roads. They hardly know the importance of infrastructural items such as electricity, tap or borehole water and bridges. In fact, the Fulani only “buy into” infrastructural and economic development programs that are targeted at some other population, but not those targeted specifically at them. Before a program is designed specifically targeting the Fulani, thousands may have been developed for the “regular” population. No one thinks about them and their welfare and those of their cattle, despite the huge direct and in-direct contributions they make to the employment creation drive of the government. Groups such as butchers, traders in cattle and other animals, traders in hides and skin, makers of leather shoes and bags; and yoghurt-producing companies all depend on the animal product of the Fulani. What the Fulani need is a kind of public/private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the government to boost the production of the animals and their products. For example, if the Fulani should decide not to bring their livestock to the market for one week, all Nigerians will then know and appreciate their contribution to the economy and the well-being of Nigerians.


The Fulani face a lot of challenges. Moving across the length and breadth of this country and even beyond, with their cattle, in search of greener pasture is not an easy feat as their health, safety and general well-being and that of their children and animals can all be compromised during such trips, especially with the current insecurity reigning in the country. The Fulani women and children are more vulnerable in every situation when their husbands and fathers embark on such trips in search of greener pastures, in places thousands of kilometres away. They are equally vulnerable when the whole family moves on such trips as the women have to back the infants while the older children are made to trek through treacherous terrains on foot, open to the elements. If the Fulani herdsmen decide to go on strike for one week, Nigerians will suffer.

https://www.akelicious.net/a-must-read-nigerians-in-trouble-as-fulani-herdsmen-threaten-to-go-on-strike/

Celebrities / Ken Erics: Rachael Okonkwo Not Responsible For My Crashed Marriage by Mrakeli: 4:09am On Sep 14, 2019
Keeping up with relationship as a celebrity seems to be the toughest thing to do, as marriages of celebrities keep crashing like a pack of cards.

During the week, Oni Adaba, the wife of popular actor, Ken Erics revealed that their marriage of two years had hit the rocks. She broke the sad news on social media to the amazement of her fans.

According to her, Erics abandoned their matrimonial home 10 months ago, leaving her in excruciating trauma and pain. Adaba also alleged that Erics never touched her for once in their marriage. Even though, she was advised to seduce him to get him in the mood, rather than get the desired result, she got the beating of her life in return.

When Inside Nollywood reached out to Ken Erics regarding the reports of his broken marriage, he maintained that the truth would come out soon.

Hear him: “I don’t want to talk about this at all. People should believe what they want to believe. Lies don’t last. The truth will come out pretty soon.



Roping me with Rachel Okonkwo is another stupid thing to do. It doesn’t make sense at all. That’s the height of naivety. I’ll clear my name from all these rubbish but not now. I’d do that at my convenient time. I know the Internet never forgets; that’s why I would clear the air at my convenience. Let me give this some time to die down. It won’t take more than one week. The dust it raised will settle.”

Meanwhile, Rachael Okonkwo has opened up on her relationship with Ken Erics, as fingers keep pointing at her for causing his marriage so much harm.

According to the actress, she never had any affair with Erics and therefore could not be responsible for his crashed marriage.

Okonkwo said she and Erics had been friends for years, adding that she felt bad about his marital issues and prayed God to give him wisdom to handle the situation.

“For all the people cursing and abusing me for crashing his (Erics) home, may your curses be my portion if I had anything to do with him sexually in this life,” she said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/rachel-okonkwo-not-responsible-for-my-crashed-marriage-ken-erics/amp/

Politics / Street Protest Can’t Change Our Leaders – Charlyboy by Mrakeli: 4:08pm On Sep 13, 2019
Charles Oputa, a.k.a “Charlyboy”, convener of ‘OurMumuDonDo Movement’, on Friday said street protest by Nigerians over national issues cannot change political leaders at all levels.

Charlyboy made this known in an interview with Nigeria News Agency in Abuja.

He said that successive Nigerian political leaders had remained insensitive to the plights of ordinary Nigerians over the years and were not moved by such protests to hold them accountable.

Charlyboy also known as ‘Areafada’, lamented that for almost six decades of Nigeria’s independence, its citizens were yet to experience ‘freedom from bad leadership’.

He said he was therefore boycotting street protests over national issues, and urged advocates of good governance and patriotic Nigerians to resort to engaging the leaders through other non-violence avenues.

The 68-years-old activist, self acclaimed “President of frustrated Nigerians’, recounted how he spent most part of his years fighting for the rights of ordinary Nigerians.

He said that in some cases, he went to the streets to champion the fights for the rights of those he never knew.

“I have spent over 40 years of my life leading protest for a better society, and I can tell you that street protest will not change our leaders.

“My father always told me back then that whenever I see injustice, I should fight it because it may come to affect me someday too, and that is my motivation for fighting injustice over these years.

“On several occasions, I have been tortured by the Nigerian police and the military for standing up to authorities to ask questions.

“However, on some occasions, I have been regarded as their friends, depending on the sensibility of those in power.

“I am not a professional protester, so now I have decided to use other means to hold leaders accountable,’’ he said.



The former president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) said that he decided to use music as a tool to inspire ordinary Nigerians, especially youths toward holding leaders accountable.

He explained that he was leading an advocacy and enlightenment campaign ‘Na We Be Government” and decided to go back to music, his age-long passion to call citizens to participate in nation building. Forum advises youths to vote out selfish politicians

“All over the word, the Arts, especially music have been used to inspire people and change narratives towards a better society.

“I did not go into music for money, but for the passion of it, and this time I am using it to awake the consciousness of all Nigerians toward building the country they desire.

“A lot of Nigerians have given up on their country because of bad leadership over the years, and do not believe they have a say in the affairs of their country.

“It is time they are reminded that power truly belongs to them and there is a social contract between them and elected political leaders.

“Citizens will do their part and political leaders should also fulfill their obligations as promised in their manifesto, and as required by the constitution,” he said.

reports that Charlyboy is the second son of former Supreme Court justice Chukwudifu Oputa, who had set out to become a Catholic Priest, but left seminary school after a year.

An avid supporter of Okada riders in Nigeria, he is known to have championed many protests, especially when it affects the down-trodden in the society.

In the mid-nineties Charlyboy fought for the rights of military pensioners during the Abacha-led military administration by marching to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja to demand payment of their pension arrears.

He had also spearheaded campaigns for Nigerian widows, and was founder of the “Save Nigeria from Nigeria’’ campaign, and he was arrested alongside other activists for civil disobedience during the fuel subsidy protest in 2012.

https://www.akelicious.net/street-protest-cant-change-our-leaders-charlyboy/

Politics / Row, Electricity Challenges Account For 70% Of Operators’ Costs by Mrakeli: 6:06am On Sep 13, 2019
Challenges posed by hike in Right of Way (RoW) remain unabated as 70 per cent of telecommunications operators’ expenditure currently consumes a bulk of their revenue.

The issue was raised on Wednesday in Lagos, at the on-going NigeriaCom 2019 telecoms forum.According to investors, business managers, and stakeholders, who gathered at the event, government’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ was yet to be felt in the telecommunications industry.

Speaking during a panel session on ‘Public and Private Collaboration for a Robust Broadband Plan in Nigeria’, the Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, regretted that network operators are faced by multifaceted challenges ranging from multiple taxes, insecurity, and harsh business environment.He lamented that the operators are usually harassed, mostly at the state and local government levels during infrastructure deployment.


According to him, lack of understanding among state government officials contribute to the challenges as exorbitant charges during the process of obtaining RoW for broadband infrastructure deployment now accounts for about 70 per cent of the costs.Adebayo, an engineer, noted that while the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has done very well by educating government officials, the environment is not yet conducive for the industry operators as there are still cases of high-handedness by the state officials.

Referring to the National Broadband Plan (2013-2018), the ALTON Chairman said although the 30 per cent target was achieved and surpassed, however, the operators would have helped the country to perform better had those bottleneck been removed.He also expressed concern that government was not doing enough to protect smaller companies in the industry, stressing that if operators with deep pockets continue to have access to bouquets of services through licensing, they would continue to threaten smaller operators.

“It is expensive to buy broadband in Kano State, for instance, than other areas like Lagos, because of the cost of doing business”, Adebayo said.
He however, said that all hope is not lost as the operators are prepared for the future, saying, “Investors looking to come here should know we understand this is the new frontier for businesses.

“All we have to do as a country is have a critical look at the policy and regulatory environment. Protection of telecom infrastructure and designating same as national critical infrastructure is important”, he added.On his part, the Chief Operating Officer at Rack Centre, Ezekiel Egboye, said that infrastructure remains critical to promoting digital services on the Continent.

Egboye called for improved handshake between the public and private sectors to support innovation.It was also revealed at the forum that due to the gaps in power generation in the country, operators currently buy an average of 40 million litres of diesel per month to drive telecom sites.

The Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Adedoyin Adeola, noted that power supply was being sabotaged by different people who were benefiting from alternative forms of energy.According to him, network operators in Nigerian and few other African countries are the only ones who introduce two power generating sets into their business case.


Adeola noted that in other climes, operators relied solely on electricity from the national grid.“In Nigerian telecoms, we consume almost 40 million litres per month to power telecoms towers. In the telecoms industry today, it is only in Nigeria and a few other countries that will factor in two power generators in their business case.

“One will work for 12 hours and the other for another 12 hours. The reverse is the case in other countries where the cost of generator is zero while public electricity supply is fixed at 100 per cent,” he stated.

From his perspective, Managing Counsel at Greenfields Law, Osondu Nwokoro, said that there should be consistency with regards government policies in order to entrench business stability.He also said that policies to support smaller businesses cannot be overlooked, adding they add dynamics and changes in every economy through innovative products and services.

https://m.guardian.ng/business-services/row-electricity-challenges-account-for-70-of-operators-costs/

Crime / Teenager Gets 80 Strokes Of The Cane For Smoking Marijuana by Mrakeli: 3:00pm On Sep 12, 2019
A Shari’a Court l sitting in Magajin Gari, Kaduna on Thursday sentenced a 19-year-old girl, Zainab Abdullahi, to 80 strokes of the cane for smoking marijuana in public.

Delivering judgment, the Judge, Malam Muhammad Shehu-Adamu, sentenced Abdullahi after she pleaded guilty to the offence.

Shehu-Adamu held that the 80 strokes of cane was a punishment stipulated for people who engaged in taking intoxicants (Hadd) and cannot be reversed.

He urged the Muslim Council of Nigeria to continue with their good work and try to reform the convict in the possible way they can.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Ibrahim Shuaibu, told the court that the police arrested Abdullahi on the road smoking marijuana.

Shuaibu told the court that the convict had been convicted was serving a jail term due to her inability to pay a fine of N7,000, until a religious organisation named Muslim Council of Nigeria paid the fine.

Also speaking in court, Abdulrahman Sadiq, a member of the council commended the court for instilling value and promoting peace in the society praying the court to reduce the punishment for the convict.

https://www.akelicious.net/teenager-gets-80-strokes-of-the-cane-for-smoking-marijuana/

Politics / Insurgents Not In Control Of Any Nigerian Territory, Buratai Insists by Mrakeli: 6:17am On Sep 11, 2019
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, said yesterday that the Nigerian military had denied Boko Haram and Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) physical presence in any part of the Nigerian territory.

Buratai also said the deployment of troops during internal operations was in support of the police as the lead security agency.
Speaking in Abuja at a summit tagged: Terrorism, Insurgency and Incidence of Electoral Violence in Nigeria: Role of Security Agencies,” organised by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Buratai said the military had made significant progress in protecting lives and property, especially in the North-east where it denied terrorists physical presence.



The position of the army chief, however, contrasted with the recent position of the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zullum, and some communities in the state who had faulted the super camp war strategy of the Nigerian Army prompting the declaration of loss of confidence in the military.

The military has also countered the declaration, saying that it liberated 22 local government areas of the state since 2015.
“We have made significant progress in ensuring that lives and property of the citizens are secured, particularly in the North-east where the Boko Haram terrorists have been denied physical presence in any Nigeria territory.

“The Nigerian Army understands fully the fact that keeping the peace either at the national level and international level requires that we adhere to the extant rules of engagement. Where there are infractions or violations of human rights of the citizens, appropriate disciplinary measures are applied,” Buratai added.

He said the measure was aimed at upholding and maintaining the trust and confidence of the populace as well as the dignity of the Nigerian Army.
The army chief said many officers and soldiers had been killed and would continue to be killed in order to protect the country.

On deployment of troops during internal operations, Buratai said troop deployment was done in support of the police as the lead security agency.

“As you are all aware, security and development are like Siamese twins and they move in the same direction. We therefore continuing to dissipate our energy, some of us have paid the supreme price and would continue to do so if need be in upholding the sanctity and integrity of our nation.

“We rely on the oath of allegiance we all swore at different points of our lives while joining the service. Let me therefore use this platform to say that the personnel of the Nigerian Army are deployed in all the geopolitical zones of the country to assist the police and by extension the civil authority to keep the peace,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/insurgents-not-in-control-of-any-nigerian-territory-buratai-insists/

Politics / N5.5bn Cars: Senators Unjust To Nigerians – CACOL by Mrakeli: 11:49am On Sep 10, 2019
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL has described the action of the principal members of the Ninth Assembly and other prominent government officials, proposing N5.5bn for the purchase of luxury cars as part of the obligation in discharging their duties as unjust and unfair to Nigerians.


In a release issued by its Media and Publications Officer, Toyin Odofin on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Centre, Debo Adeniran said, “Spending a huge sum of N5.550 billion to buy luxury cars for principal members of the ninth Senate is unjust and unfair, it negates the constitutional oath of office made by members to perform their functions in the interest of the well-being and prosperity of Nigeria and its citizens, as contained in the Seventh Schedule of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).

“This is the 20th year of this civil rule and this is called the ninth Assembly but we have not recorded much progress in terms of legislative morality, conscience, ethics and responsibility.”

Adeniran said, in a country faced with various economic challenges, the oversight function of the lawmakers shouldn’t be based on purchasing luxury cars.

The statement also noted that “the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), BudgIT, Enough is Enough (EiE) and 6,721 concerned Nigerians have filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court to restrain the National Assembly (NASS) Service Commission from paying N5.550 billion budgeted for purchase of luxury cars for principal members of the ninth Senate, and to restrain the Senate from collecting the money until the downward review of the amount proposed by the Senate.

“The suit was filed on Friday at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, and Lagos by Kolawole Oluwadare and supported by an affidavit of urgency. However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.”



The CACOL Boss added that “we must continue to denounce that action, because once we keep quiet, they like it and then go away believing that they have overwhelmed us.

“It’s condemnable and totally unacceptable, Nigerian people must not surrender on this issue, Adeniran urged.

https://www.akelicious.net/n5-5bn-cars-senators-unjust-to-nigerians-cacol/

Crime / EFCC Remands Galaxy Boss For Diverting $2.8m, N6.5b Investors’ Funds by Mrakeli: 5:55am On Sep 10, 2019
Justice Muyiwa Idris of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Nyanya has ordered the detention of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy Transportation and Construction Services, Babagana Dalori, in Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody for diverting $2.8 million and N6.5 billion of investors’ funds.
The judge gave the order yesterday while ruling on a bail application brought before the court by Dalori’s counsel, Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), following the suspect’s arraignment by the EFCC for criminal charges. EFCC had on September 2, 2019 arraigned Dalori and his company before Justice Idris on three sets of charges – two counts on alleged N95.53 million fraud, two on obtaining N4 million by false pretence, and eight on N30.908 million fraud.

Dalori is also being prosecuted by the EFCC before Justice Venchak Gaba of the FCT High Court, Kwali, Abuja, for alleged N10 million fraud.Following his arraignment before Justice Idris, his counsel applied for his bail, arguing that the case against him was civil.He also urged the court to release him on health grounds.

The bail application was, however, vehemently opposed by counsel to EFCC, Maryam Ahmed, who urged the court to deny the application for bail in the interest of justice.In arguing against the application, the EFCC also attached 145 petitions in the counter-affidavit, stressing that it needed more time to investigate the allegations.

The court also noted that the EFCC was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Dalori used investors’ money to trade in foreign exchange, as indicated in the confessional statement by a representative of Forextime Limited (the company he allegedly used for the transaction), which was attached in the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.

Specifically, Dalori was alleged to be running a ponzi scheme, which he used to defraud unsuspecting investors to the tune of N6.5 billion. So far, the EFCC has received a total of 146 petitions, with 128 already tilting against him involving the fraud.Investigations into his dealings also revealed that he traded with investors’ $2.8 million in forex at a loss, and gave a N500 million tip in order to secure a contract, which, however, flopped.

Further probe into the petitions also exposed activities, which involved diversion of investors’ funds to acquire properties, including four filling stations, one hospital, supermarket, watermelon farm, fish and poultry farm, a water factory, estates, and three quarries in Kano, Ogun and Abuja.
EFCC also picked holes in Dalori’s claim of investing in transportation through Galaxy, as investigators could not trace any existing bus used for transport by his company.

https://www.akelicious.net/efcc-remands-galaxy-boss-for-diverting-2-8m-n6-5b-investors-funds/

Business / NSE Opens Trading With 0.21% by Mrakeli: 8:40pm On Sep 09, 2019
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) reopened for the week on Monday still on a bearish trend, amid persistent sell pressure.

Specifically, the All-Share Index dipped 56.73 points, representing a decline of 0.21 per cent to close at 27,089.84 against 27,146.57 posted on Friday.

In the same vein, the market capitalisation lost N28 billion or 0.21per cent to close at N13.179 trillion, compared to N13.206 trillion on Friday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nestle Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Dangote Sugar Refinery, Oando and Cutix.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited said that, “In line with the trend, we expect the bearish performance to continue in the absence of any positive driver.

They said they did not rule out the possibility of some bargain-hunting, driving positive performance in subsequent sessions, never the less.

However, market breadth closed slightly on the positive side with 15 gainers versus 14 losers.

A breakdown of the price movement chart indicates that Livestock Feeds led the losers’ chart with 7.14 per cent to close at 39 kobo, per share.

Lasaco Assurance followed with a loss of 6.90 per cent to close at 27k, while Cutix lost 6.67 per cent to close at N1.40 per share.

NPF Micro Finance Bank depreciated by 6.45 per cent to close at N1.16, while Nestle Nigeria dipped by 5.73 per cent to close at N1,136, per share.

Conversely, UACN and UAC Property Development Company recorded the highest price gain of 9.09 per cent each, to close at N6.60 and N1.08 per share respectively.

John Holt followed, gaining 8.93 per cent to close at 61k per share.

Seplat rose by 7.12 per cent to close at N426, while FBN Holdings appreciated by 6.90 per cent to close at N4.65 per share.

Similarly, total volume traded depreciated by 6.7 per cent with an exchange of 290.49 million shares worth N4.29 billion traded in 2,900 deals.

This was in contrast with a total of 311.26 million shares, valued at N6.44 billion transacted in 3,192 deals on Friday.

Transactions in the shares of Guaranty Trust Bank topped the activity chart with a turnover of 128.49 million shares worth N3.38 billion.

FBN Holdings followed with 41.84 million shares valued at N183.53 million, while Transcorp traded 32.85 million shares worth N32.9 million.

Access Bank sold 23.88 million shares valued at N162.67 million, while UACN accounted for 10.61 million shares worth N69.74 million. (NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/nse-opens-trading-with-0-21/

Politics / World Literacy Day: 70 Million Nigerians Cannot Read Or Write –data by Mrakeli: 5:10pm On Sep 09, 2019
As the world celebrates World Literacy Day, latest data from the Ministry of Education has revealed that 70 million Nigerians, about 30 per cent of the country’s population, are still illiterate – unable to read and write.

This is despite claims by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration that the government had increased enrolment through the school feeding programme.

In the 2019 budget, Nigeria earmarked N462.2bn only for education, falling 15 per cent to the 20 per cent minimum recommendation for developing countries by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Compared with the 2017 budget for education, which was N398bn, the N620.5bn for education this year might be seen as a remarkable increase but some stakeholders said it was still meagre.



The statistics from the Ministry of Education also revealed that females account for nearly 60 per cent of Nigeria’s illiterate population.

Despite several initiatives by the government, Nigeria still battles with low literacy levels fuelled by poverty, traditional and religious barriers as well as lack of political will to resolve the problem.

https://www.akelicious.net/world-literacy-day-70-million-nigerians-cannot-read-or-write-data/

Religion / Re: Xenophobia : TB Joshua Weeps In Church As He Composes Song For Africa by Mrakeli: 7:41pm On Sep 08, 2019
Religion / Re: Xenophobia : TB Joshua Weeps In Church As He Composes Song For Africa by Mrakeli: 7:39pm On Sep 08, 2019
Oshoboy01:
Xenophobia : TB Joshua weeps in church as he compose song for africa

Prophet TB Joshua, the founder of Synagogue church of all nation (SCOAN) has shown to the world how emotional he can be for the sake of Africa.

In a video making rounds, he was seen weeping seriously for the unity of africa. He composed a song which was being sang in the video and he kept on weeping profusely.

It will be recalled that Xenophobic attack in South Africa has been the talk of the day over the past one week.

Video Below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2JWM-THzrO/?igshid=1v2vjeyf81lor


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr4RjnXAwoA


Politics / Why We Sacked Mohammed Abubakar As Bauchi Governor – PDP by Mrakeli: 7:26pm On Sep 08, 2019
The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) in Bauchi State has revealed why ex-Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress, APC, lost his reelection bid during the March 8, governorship election.

The party’s chairman in the state, Hamza Koshe Akuyam, spoke during a media chat organised by the state governor, Bala Mohammed, on Sunday in Bauchi.

Akuyam noted that former governor Mohammed Abubakar was the first governor to lose election after serving just a tenure in the history of Bauchi State. ‎

He said apart from the non performance of the immediate past governor, which led to his downfall, he was also not an indigene of the state.

The PDP chairman said further that the non imposition of a candidate allowed delegates to choose freely among the aspirants contesting for the party’s ticket in the state.

He stated that the free and fair primaries conducted by the party led to the emergence of governor Bala Mohammed as its flag bearer who later went on to defeat the incumbent governor Abubakar.

According to Akuyam, the ability of the PDP to select a credible candidate was also a factor that led to the defeat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration in the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.

“Now, the people of Bauchi know that there is a difference between a tenant and the landlord. A tenant does not repair the house he is renting.

“The former Governor was a tenant, so, he could not work for the progress of Bauchi because he was a tenant, so we brought in the son of the soil and drove him out so that the people of Bauchi will have relief,” he said.

Speaking on the emergence of Governor Mohammed as the party flag bearer, he said “The first thing we did was, we allowed delegates to freely choose among the contestants, the PDP did not impose any candidate on the people, so the people were able to ‎select Bala Mohammed to be the candidate of the party going by his charisma and vast experience in politics.”

Akuyam said further that, the determination of Bala Mohammed to winning the election,made it easy to vote out the former governor whom he described as been ‘clueless’.


https://www.akelicious.net/why-we-sacked-mohammed-abubakar-as-bauchi-governor-pdp/

Politics / Nnamdi Kanu: We Will Catch Governors Owing Salaries If They Come Abroad by Mrakeli: 5:25am On Sep 07, 2019
The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has said his group will continue to hold Nigerian politicians accountable for the services they were elected to render to the people. While Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State has approved the reinstatement of 556 teachers recruited by the immediate past administration, but left out on the state’s payroll. Kanu, who spoke yesterday during an interview with Rose Peter Graham, the anchor of ‘Rose On All Sides,’ on Ben TV, United Kingdom, said very soon, all governors in Nigeria who have refused to pay their workers’ salaries, but travelling aimlessly across the world would be stopped from doing so.

The IPOB leader who spoke to the UK based television station from his temporary base in Germany, also condemned the xenophobic attacks in South Africa, describing it as something that should not be happening in this current generation He said: “Very soon, any governor who has not paid salaries will not come abroad anymore. If you are owing salaries you’re not allowed to go abroad anymore. “You bank teachers’ salaries, you bank the salaries of pensioners, you cannot come abroad anymore.

So this is just the beginning. “We’ll not attack them. We’ll just ask them questions. It is called picketing. It’s allowed within the ambit of democratic rules. “So, if we see you, we’ll ask you what you’ve been doing with teachers’ salaries, nurses’ salaries and why you’ve not being paying people and what are you doing here? “Any governor owing workers once we catch you abroad you’ll tell us what you’ve being doing with the salaries you’re supposed to pay.

“It doesn’t matter the state you come from, but once we catch you, you must explain why you’ve not paid for six months, nine months, four months and where is the money?” On a change of strategy, to win more followers, Kanu said: “Everybody is in line with what we are doing except the criminals. Everyone is in line with what we are doing.

“There’s no time on this earth that any process of agitation will be palatable for everyone or easy for everyone to buy into. When Nnamdi Azikiwe was campaigning for Nigeria to be free from colonial rule, he was sent to prison. “Many people felt he was a radical and declined to associate themselves with him. But in the end he succeeded in freeing Nigeria not know ing that we are jumping from frying pan to fire.

“Awolowo was the same thing. He was a fire brand. Many people didn’t like his approach from the beginning, but on reflection and review of what he did and how he managed to accomplish them, people have come to understand that he meant well for his people. “So, now that these things are happening, most people would not appreciate it, but I’m sure that in many years to come, historians will look back to what’s happening today.” He described Senator Ike Ekweremmadu’s experience in Nuremberg as a family matter within the Igbo people that would be settled in a family way.

Meanwhile, Matawalle speaking through his Director General of Press Affairs, Yusuf Idris, in a statement made available to journalists in Gusau, yesterday, said the governor had directed the state Head of Service to immediately commence payment of their salaries effective from September. Matawalle commended the affected teaches for their patience over the situation and urged them to be of good conduct as they join the state civil service. He said their absorption was part of his administration’s policy of listening to and addressing reasonable and genuine complaints that affect the wellbeing of the people. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that last month the governor also approved the reinstatement of 1,040 out of the 1,400 workers employed by Yari’s administration but were not captured on the payroll for over 18 months.


https://www.newtelegraphng.com/2019/09/nnamdi-kanu-well-catch-govs-owing-salaries-if-they-come-abroad/

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Politics / Seyi Makinde: Former Governor, His Wife, Others Shared Contract Money In Oyo by Mrakeli: 3:11pm On Sep 06, 2019
Oyo State State Governor, Seyi Makinde has exposed how former Oyo State Governor shared money meant for contract with others, leaving only 10 percent for the execution of the project.

Makinde, in his 100 days chat on Twitter, did not mention the name of the governor, but in the manner he spoke, he was apparently referring to the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi.

According to Makinde, he declared his assets because he wanted to be held accountable, saying that what he met on ground was a situation where a project for which money was allocated, got only about 10% of the total funds for execution.

“I declared my assets because I want to be held accountable. What we met on ground is a situation where a project for which money is allocated, gets only about 10% of the total funds for execution. “Because as we were told, 50% goes back to the Governor, 30% to the appointee who allocated the project out of which 10% goes to the Governor’s wife. I have told them anyone who does that now will be brought to book,” he said.

Makinde also said that during electioneering, he said he would scrap CCTV cameras but that after getting into government, “we changed our minds as scrapping it will be a disservice to the people of Oyo State since the money has already been spent. Rather, we will enhance it so it can be useful to combat criminality.”



He also emphasised that good governance is beyond razzmatazz, saying that he rejected a proposal to paint the secretariat, as it might look good to outsiders “but internally, the furniture is bad, the toilets are bad and e-governance is an issue. I would rather do a proper job.

“We sat down with the contractor and he said he needed N350 million to complete it. We gave the N350 million to complete the project and he promised to finish in 4 months. I can tell you, he has resumed work. We will complete good projects commenced by any administration. It’s all for our people.”

He added that good governance transcended politics, saying that any contractor that had been paid for any project would have to finish the work, “so that we can have value for people of Oyo State. Like the silo project, despite spending N1 billion, I was not impressed with what I saw.”

https://www.akelicious.net/exposed-how-former-governor-others-shared-contract-money-seyi-makinde/

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Politics / DPR Seals 3 Stations, Places 30 Pumps On Out-of-use In Anambra by Mrakeli: 3:52pm On Sep 04, 2019
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Wednesday sealed three petrol stations and placed 30 pumps on out-of-use in Awka, Anambra over infractions of under-dispensing.

The clampdown on defaulting stations followed an ongoing surveillance in compliance with the standard operations guidelines by DPR in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Awka, after the surveillance visit, Mr Ignatius Anyanwu, Controller of Operations at Anambra office of DPR, said the compliance level in the state was impressive in spite the few infractions.

Anyanwu commended marketers in Anambra for adhering to the approved price range of N143 to N145, saying that they have shown high level of willingness to play by the rules.

“We have been on surveillance activities in Anambra, it is an ongoing process.

“I want to say that the compliance level in the state is generally high and it is not different here in Awka.

“There were few cases of infraction like under-dispensing, which was why we sealed three stations today and placed out-of-use order on 30 pumps in some of the filling stations visited.

“On the average, I must say it is cheering to say that over 85 per cent of filling stations we visited since our routine surveillance started are dispensing accurately.

“There was no case of over pricing, the range is consistently between N143 and N145 and that is quite encouraging,” he said.

Anyanwu expressed concern over the attitude of some marketers toward observing basic safety tips such as having functional fire extinguishers and sand buckets.

He urged customers in the state to feel free to buy products from any filling station of their choice, saying that DPR would sustain effort to ensure that there were no cheat in the system within the state.

“We observe that compliance in terms of sand buckets and fire extinguisher is not too encouraging, may be out of ignorance; so, we are also using this surveillance to create awareness in those areas.

“DPR has come to stay in Anambra to maintain sanity in the system, and I want to tell the marketers to keep up their willingness to comply.

Speaking to newsmen, Mr Anthony Ijomah, a Supervisor at Fesoil Filling Station, Awka, whose pumps passed the gauge tests, said marketers could still make legitimate profit without shortchanging unsuspecting customer.

Ijomah, who claimed he maintained his machines regularly, said the economy was harsh and that there was no need to place additional burden on the people.

Also, Mr Emeka Orjiakor, a Customer, said he appreciated DPR for establishing an office in Anambra, adding that it would further enhance best practices among marketers in the state.

Orjiakor said that punishment for under dispensing should be more stringent to discourage marketers from indulging in such sharp practices.




https://www.akelicious.net/dpr-seals-3-stations-places-30-pumps-on-out-of-use-in-anambra/

Politics / Guber Poll: Sen. Diri Wins Bayelsa PDP Primary by Mrakeli: 7:38am On Sep 04, 2019
Sen. Douye Diri has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Bayelsa governorship election fixed for Nov. 16.

Diri pulled 561 votes to beat his rival Mr. Timi Alaibe who got 365 votes in primary held on Tuesday at Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.

Declaring the result, Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba, Chairman, Party’s Electoral Committee for the state, said Mr Keniebi Okoko came third with 142 votes.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that 21 governorship aspirants contested to be the party flagbearer.

Diri was a member of the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, where he represented the people of Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma federal constituency of the state.

He was later elected as the Senator representing Bayelsa central senatorial district during the 2019 general election.

https://www.akelicious.net/guber-poll-sen-diri-wins-bayelsa-pdp-primary/

Business / NSE Closes Last Week Of August Bearish by Mrakeli: 4:36am On Sep 02, 2019
Activities on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the weekend finished the last trading week of August on the downswing as the NSE All-Share Index and Market Capitalization both depreciated by 0.99 per cent to close the week at 27,525.81 and N13.391 trillion respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished lower with the exception of NSE Insurance Index, NSE MERI Growth Index and NSE Industrial Goods Index which appreciated by 1.15 per cent, 0.04 per cent and 0.34 per cent while the NSE ASeM index closed flat.

A total turnover of 713.141 million shares worth N13.295 billion in 16,237 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange in contrast to a total of 2.337 billion shares valued at N19.712 billion that exchanged hands the previous week in 18,379 deals.

The Financial Services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 401.887 million shares valued at N4.069 billion traded in 8,627 deals; thus contributing 56.35 per cent and 30.60 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

The Conglomerates industry followed with 123.330 million shares worth N197.298 million in 755 deals. The third place was ICT industry with a turnover of 53.887 million shares worth N5.296 billion in 852 deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc (measured by volume) accounted for 242.657 million shares worth N1.808 billion in 2,990 deals, contributing 34.03 per cent and 13.60 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.



25 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 40 equities in the previous week. 35 equities depreciated in price, higher than 25 equities in the previous week, while 106 equities remained unchanged, higher than 101 equities recorded in the preceding week.

A total of 4,865 units valued at N76,851.65 were traded last week in 15 deals compared with a total of 3,943 units valued at N1.684 million transacted the previous week in 16 deals.

A total of 4,336 units of Federal Government Bonds valued at N4.443 million were traded last week in 12 deals compared with a total of 1,673 units valued at N1.674 million transacted the previous week in 31 deals.

A total volume of 81,030 units of 10.301 per cent FGNSB AUG 2021 and 243,371 units of 11.301 per cent FGNSB AUG 2022 were admitted to trade at the Exchange on the 28th of August, 2019.

https://www.akelicious.net/nse-closes-last-week-of-august-bearish/

Politics / Banditry: Katsina Emir Go Spiritual by Mrakeli: 7:07am On Sep 01, 2019
As more communities in Katsina State come under attack by bandits, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir, has directed his subjects to embark on special prayers for God’s intervention.

Kabir gave the directive while addressing Islamic clerics on Friday in Katsina.

“As from today, all citizens of Katsina Emirate should embark on special prayers against the activities of bandits and cattle rustlers.

“As muslims, we should embark on aggressive prayers for Allah’s intervention to end this menace.

“The bandits have killed my people and kidnapped women and children.

“We have no option than to resort to prayers; Islam teaches that prayer is the only weapon against calamities.

“We all must pray. Our special prayers will surely assist the security agents in their operations against the bandits,” he stated.

Kabir commended the Katsina Government for giving logistic support to the security agents to tackle the bandits.

https://www.akelicious.net/banditry-katsina-emir-go-spiritual/

Politics / Border Closure: Sen. Uzodinma Hails Buhari For Making Nigeria Work Again by Mrakeli: 2:10pm On Aug 31, 2019
Sen. Hope Uzodinma, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the closure of Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries to check rice smuggling.

Uzodinma, who spoke in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency in Abuja, said it was evident of the president’s determination to get Nigeria working again.

He described the move as a right step in the right direction.

Uzodinna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate in the February 2019 election in Imo said “it can only take a man who has the interest of his country and the political will to work his talk’’.

Uzodinma, who was once Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, said that his committee in the course of its oversight functions then, discovered the humongous amount of money the country was losing to rice smuggling and other illicit activities.

“When I was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, I recommended the closure of the borders because of the quantum of illicit transactions taking place at the detriment of the country.

“The security implication of the activities at the borders was also a serious concern to us then, because they are very porous.

“Those areas are landlocked with so many track roads and so many things happening there that have not helped our economy.

“So, if the Federal Government in its wisdom decided to close the borders to check all those, I support it.

“This is because beyond checking smuggling of rice, it will check kidnappers and other criminal elements from thronging the country to commit all manner of atrocities.

“So for me, the land borders should be closed until we can find a lasting solution. For now imports can come in through our seaports,’’ he said.

On recent ministerial appointments, Uzodinma said the president in his wisdom chose those that would work with him, consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that from his assessment, the president appointed credible people as ministers, adding that they should be given the benefit of doubt.

Reacting to concerns by some Nigerians that some of the ministers may not perform optimally due to several reasons, Uzodinma said it was hasty for anyone to draw conclusion.

Speaking specifically on concerns of age raised about the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, the governorship candidate said “you do not condemn or disqualify what you have not seen.

“Let us allow him to work and if he is not performing up to expectations then we will know what to say.

“The minister is a Nigerian and there is nowhere in the Constitution that says that age is a barrier for the appointment of a minister.

“I do not think that is fair about the new Minister of Agriculture. He should be given the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the nation.

“There must be something Mr President saw in him before appointing him. So, let nobody condemn anybody. He is a Nigerian and he is entitled to also serve,’’ he said.

He expressed optimism that Nanono and the other ministers would perform optimally by working in line with the next level agenda of the president.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that the Federal Government had on Aug. 21, ordered a partial closure of the borders to check smuggling activities around Benin, Niger and Chad Republics.

Some of the smuggling routes around the country include Seme-Lagos in Lagos State, Jibiya in Katsina, Idiroko in Ogun, Illela-Koni in Sokoto State, Kabo, Saki, and Sikanda in Oyo State.

https://www.akelicious.net/border-closure-sen-uzodinma-hails-buhari-for-making-nigeria-work-again/

Travel / ‘U.S. Tourists Pay $270 For Nigerian Visa, Not $180’ by Mrakeli: 5:48am On Aug 31, 2019
There are indications that the row between Nigeria and the U.S. over visa fee charges might escalate despite the Federal Government’s directive to the Nigerian embassy in the U.S. to reduce the visa fee to $160.

Findings showed that the directive was yet to be implemented as of yesterday, as U.S. tourists still paid as much $270 as visa fee.

A Nigerian whose family just returned to Port Harcourt from the United States told The Guardian that contrary to the Nigerian embassy’s claim on its website that visa processing fee is $180, citizens of United States, including Nigerian citizens who naturalised but could not renew their passports due to scarcity of booklets were usually asked to pay as much as $270.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, explained that himself, his wife and children who were born in the U.S. but live in Port Harcourt, had travelled to the U.S. in June this year after waiting several months to no avail for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to issue them their renewed Nigerian passports.


He narrated that the NIS had promised to courier the booklets to him once they were ready. He stated that having waited till early this month to no avail, he decided to apply for a Nigerian visa for the children to enable them re-enter Nigeria where they currently school.

“On the website, the visa fee is $180. This is in addition to $31 for self-addressed envelop, which is normal because they must post your visa to you at your own cost. But after we went through the whole process, they saw our documents and then demanded for $90 extra. Beside us, another Nigerian who had naturalised carrying an American passport was also asked to pay the said $90. He too asked them why the $90 was not stated on the website. They claimed it was handling charges, whereas on website, $20 out of the official $180, was stated as transaction charge,” he said.

He noted that the reason given for the additional $90 hidden charge was not plausible, not cogent and something that was shockingly indefensible.

“When you are paying for an American visa in Nigeria, you pay to GTB. Afterwards, you don’t have another financial transaction with the embassy in Nigeria. I expected that the Nigerian embassy after charging the $180 they would not charge you another amount,” he added.

The source lamented that the officials at the consulate do not give Nigerians preference, as it is the norm in other countries’ embassies around the world.

He claimed that officials demanded that he and wife pay $4 for using the computer at the embassy to write two letters requesting that his children be issued a Nigerian visa.

https://m.guardian.ng/news/u-s-tourists-pay-270-for-nigerian-visa-not-180/

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Crime / Navy Detains 57 Sailors Over Crude Oil Smuggling, Refining by Mrakeli: 8:14pm On Aug 30, 2019
No fewer than 57 sailors have been arrested in Rivers by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly smuggling crude oil and illegally refining diesel.

The all-male sailors, including a Ukrainian, a Mexican and 55 Nigerians, were arrested between Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 onboard four vessels, two wooden boats and a barge.

Capt. Adegoke Ebo, Executive Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, spoke in Onne, Rivers, while handing over the suspects and items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday.

“The suspects were intercepted by the NNS Pathfinder patrol team around Onne Anchorage and Okochiri creek in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers.

“The four vessels, MV Western Orient, MV Temile, AHT Ajemisan and Jascon 23 as well as two large wooden boats and a barge, Ana Marine, all had 57 crew members onboard.

“They comprised of 55 Nigerians, one Mexican and one Ukraine nationals. The crews did not have clearance to transport petroleum products in the nation’s waters,” he said.

Ebo said the vessels and wooden boats were laden with unspecified quantity of petroleum products suspected to be crude oil and illegally refined diesel.

He said the barge, Ana Marine, was seized over suspicious movement around oil and gas pipelines in Okirika area of the state.

“Some of them were caught in the act of siphoning suspected illegally refined diesel from the wooden boats and carrying out illegal ship-to-ship transfer without any naval approval.

“Also, troops acting on intelligence report, intercepted the barge, Ana Marine, which was laden with unspecified crude oil.

“The vessels were later towed to NNS Pathfinder holding bay at Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne for safe custody as well as investigation,” he said.

The naval officer said the Navy after concluding its investigations, decided to hand over the suspects, vessels, wooden boats, barge and products to EFCC.

He said the Navy would not relent in its efforts to rid the nation’s waterways of illegalities, warning criminals to vacate the maritime environment.

Receiving the suspects and items, SP Samuel Umezuruike, Head, Task Force Station, EFCC, Port Harcourt, said the Navy in collaboration with the anti-corruption agency was winning the fight against oil smugglers and bunkers.

He promised speedy investigation and prosecution of the suspects if found culpable.

https://www.akelicious.net/navy-detains-57-sailors-over-crude-oil-smuggling-refining/

Politics / Farmers In Enugu Decry Bad Roads, Lack Of Storage Facilities For Perishable Prod by Mrakeli: 4:03pm On Aug 30, 2019
Farmers in Enugu decry bad roads, lack of storage facilities for perishable produce


Some farmers in Enugu State have decried poor roads and lack of storage facilities for perishable produce such as vegetables in the state.

Some of the vegetable farmers told the Nigeria News Agency in Enugu that majority of the vegetable farmers dread going to the market to sell their produce because of the bad roads.

According to them, lack of storage facilities also worsen the situation as farmers incur huge losses and are forced to sell at cheaper rates at roadsides.

One of the farmers, Miss Ijeoma Olisa, who sells spinach popularly known as ‘green’ said that most farmers prefer selling vegetables by the roadside at cheaper prices because of their perishable nature.

“The markets are far from us and the roads are bad, it is difficult to get our goods to the markets,’’ she said.

Mrs Kate Umeh, a waterleaf farmer said farmers of highly perishable produce such as vegetables were not encouraged by the poor road to have large farms.

“The condition of the roads has remained a serious challenge for vegetable farmers, who find it very difficult getting their produce to the market.

“This leads to serious financial losses and it is discouraging farmers from cultivating large farmlands for fear of how to sell after huge harvest.

“Farmers will be very happy if Enugu State government improve the conditions of the roads by reconstructing them,“ she said.

Umeh said that the government would also help perishable produce farmers by constructing new roads that could to enable farmers have easy access to the market from their farms.

Mrs Maria Nwakwo, a pumpkin leaf farmer popularly known as `ugu’ said over 45 per cent of what she planted perished before getting to the market.

“l incur these losses mostly during the vegetable harvest seasons.

“Vegetables spoil during the harvest seasons and this is because they need to be kept in refrigerated conditions soon after harvest, which l do not have or can afford,“ she said.

Mrs Uju Agu, an okra farmer said that the main challenge faced by vegetables farmers after harvest was how to store and preserve them.

“Vegetables need cool environment to remain fresh before they are taken to the market.

“Many of us farmers cannot afford to generate electricity on our own and not all of us can also afford refrigerated storage facilities.

“Refrigerated storage facilities for our vegetables will enable farmers to minimise losses after harvesting their produce as it will make them remain fresh, “ she said.

Agu said that the Enugu State government should help vegetable farmers by providing facilities for storage of harvested produce.

She said that if vegetable farmers have access to storage facilities, it would make them available all year round.

https://www.akelicious.net/farmers-in-enugu-decry-bad-roads-lack-of-storage-facilities-for-perishable-produce/

Politics / Nigeria, EU Enter N20b Pact To Develop North-east by Mrakeli: 6:06am On Aug 30, 2019
Nigeria and the European Union (EU) yesterday signed a €50 million (N19.65 billion) memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the development of the insurgency-ravaged North-East geo-political region.
The latest pact, signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Geoffrey Onyeama, and EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Mr. Neven Mimica, on the sidelines of the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7) in Yokohama, Japan, brings the bloc’s intervention in the country to €562 million for 2014-2020.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who thanked the European nations for the gesture, described as “pathetic the situation in internally displaced camps.”


He called for further assistance to improve youth education with a view to taming poverty in the region.

Mimica promised that Nigeria’s request for enhanced assistance would be given priority since it had come at the time the EU was preparing its seven-year budget.

Besides, the president has declared that “Nigeria has very attractive investment opportunities with some of the highest returns on investments.”

Presenting the country’s statement at plenary session three on “Public-Private Business Dialogue”, he welcomed prospective investors to priority sectors like power and renewable energy; petrochemical and gas; maritime (shipping and ports); automobiles; mining; agribusiness; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; ICT and railway.

Reaffirming good returns, the Nigerian leader stated: “I have also established a Presidential Committee on Enabling Business Environment, which is made up of key ministries and prominent businessmen to promote the Ease of Doing Business and make Nigeria more attractive and competitive for investments.”

He pledged that his administration was “committed to removing all impediments to private sector participation in these sectors by creating policies that ensure consistency, predictability and a level-playing field for all.”

Reviewing Nigeria-Japan relations, Buhari described the Asian country as “a strategic partner for our socio-economic development.”


He applauded the establishment of the Japan-Nigeria Business Facilitation Council to facilitate more ties.

Describing TICAD as important to Nigeria in many respects, the president said it “coincides with the period when the (our) country is faced with a number of challenges that affect (s) our economy.”

Besides, President Buhari yesterday averred that those Nigerians indulging in criminal activities abroad do not represent the country’s values.

A statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the president made the submission during a meeting with leaders of the Nigerian community in the Asian superpower.

He urged the over 17 million citizens overseas to be good ambassadors.

Also yesterday, President Buhari sought the assistance of the Japanese government in combating piracy and illegal fishing in the Gulf of Guinea.

He made the request during a bilateral meeting between the Nigerian delegation and Japanese officials, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the triennial occasion.

The host lauded Nigeria’s signing of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Commending the Buhari administration for taking “Nigeria to the Next Level”, Abe pledged a $300,000 support for the National Defence College as well as 12 million Yen for the public health sector.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigeria-eu-enter-n20b-pact-to-develop-north-east/

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