The suspended Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Babayo Gamawa and a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, Kaulaha Aliyu, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Two defecting top members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were received at the presidential villa by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defection of the PDP bigwigs from Bauchi State came barely 24 hours after the president received various members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Support Groups from the North East, who defected to the ruling APC.

NAN reports that the defectors who were accompanied by Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi state, met behind closed doors with President Buhari for about 35 minutes.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting with the president, the governor expressed delight over the new political development, saying the defectors were in the presidential villa to pay political homage and pledge their support to the president.

Abubakar, who expressed delight over the decision of Gamawa and Kaulaha Aliyu to decamp to the APC, said: “You can see I’m very delighted because with these gentlemen I can go to sleep with my two eyes closed, so to speak.’’

On his part, Gamawa told the correspondents that his decision to defect to the ruling APC had nothing to do with his suspension from the PDP but his love for the country.

He, however, stated that the PDP would regret its action for suspending him from office.

“As a Nigerian, I want what is good for the country; I want good image for my country and I want to see development and progress of the country.

“And I have been saying it, as a politician, I play my politics not blindly. Whenever thing goes right or wrong I will say it the way it is. As Journalists, you are aware of what PDP did today – just because of an allegation they said they have suspended me.

“I want to call on them to check their secretariat. If they are in politics they should know what is happening on daily basis at the secretariat – what comes in and what goes out. They should check their mails and they will know the position of Sen. Babayo Gamawa before their action of today.

“I have no regret for defecting from the PDP and they (PDP) would regret their action, by God grace,’’ he said

He, therefore, described his suspension from the PDP as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

In his contribution, Kaulaha Aliyu, said he joined the APC to ensure electoral victory for President Buhari in the forthcoming general elections.

He said: “It’s a matter of principles – I believe among all the candidates no body can come near the integrity and honesty of President Buhari and with what he has done to the North East in particular, I feel I should support him and do the best I can for him to emerge victorious come Feb. 16, 2019.”

President Buhari had on Monday received delegation of the North East political stakeholders including the defectors led by Umar Bukar Bolori, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The defectors included the former governor of old Borno state, Alhaji Mohammed Goni and a onetime deputy governor of Adamawa, Alhaji saad Tahir.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/pdp-loses-top-notch-members-to-apc.html

Before a huge crowd, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday urged residents to embrace a “government of continuity”.

Presenting All Progressives Congress (APC) flag to its governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor said: “By this handing over, we believe we will all join hands to make him the next governor of Lagos State.”

The governor and other speakers at the rally, including party Chairman Tunde Balogun, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, Senator Tony Adefuye and Chief Lanre Rasak, urged party members and supporters to prepare for the poll.

But the well-attended rally was disrupted as party chieftains were concluding their remarks. Some hoodlums invaded the Skypower Grounds, venue of the campaign kick-off at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ikeja. They were said to belong to rival drivers’ unions. They shot guns and wielded other dangerous weapons.

Two people, whose identities were not disclosed as at the time of filing this report, were feared killed. Three reporters were injured.

Balogun condemned the disruption of the rally, which he described as “very successful”. He wondered why some groups who had scores to settle would use the occasion as their battle field.

“We had a very successful outing but some people decided to use the venue of our rally to settle scores. We know nothing about the disruption,” the party chair said in a chat with this newspaper last night.

He apologised to the media organisations whose reporters were injured.

Party spokesman Joe Igbokwe, described the gathering as “unprecedented” in the history of Lagos politics.

“We only have our teeming supporters and the leadership of the party in the state to thank for displaying absolute trust, loyalty, commitment and affection for the party they have cherished for years and still continue to cherish till date.

“His Excellency and our own Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was on ground to boost the morale of the party and its candidates. We all witnessed an electrifying moment as the governor and the candidates drove in together to the venue.

“Some 63 chairmen of other political parties in the state added beauty and glamour to the great event by coming out en masse to endorse the candidates of APC, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat.

“However, we regret that towards the end of the rally two factions of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) engaged themselves in a brawl that led to some people sustaining various injuries. We deeply regret this ugly and unacceptable rude behaviour with a firm promise that such an incident will not repeat itself again in the cause of the campaigns.”


The party leaders took turns to address the crowd of supporters at the venue where no fewer than 63 political parties under the aegis of the Coalition of Progressive Parties in Lagos endorsed the Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat ticket.

The crowd was massive. Brooms filled the air. On the band stand was ace musician Wasiu Ayinde, who thrilled the crowd with partisan songs. The party’s candidates were accompanied by their supporters.

Conspicuous in their banners were the photographs of the various parliamentary flag bearers, including Senator Oluremi Tibubu, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Alhaji Bayo Osinnowo (Lagos East), Yemi Alli (Mushin), Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun), Abiodun Ganiyu (Osodi Isolo), Mosunmola Sangodare (Surulere), Sola Giwa (Island), Jide Jimoh (Mainland), Bisi Yusuf (Alimoso), Lukman Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun II) and Lanre Okunlola (Surulere II).

There were excited party elders and leaders, including Deputy Governor Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, members of the Governorship Advisory Council (GAC) – Third Republic House of Representatives member Prince Tajudeen Olusi, Chief M.A Taiwo, and Cardinal James Odunmbaku – party Secretary Dr. Wale Ahmed, Woman leader Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and Ekiti Central Senator Mrs. Raji Rasaki.

Also there were: Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, former Deputy Governor Sarah Sosan, Ambode’s wife, Bolanke, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Oyinlomo Danmole, Wahab Alawiye-King, Mrs. Fausat Gbadebo, Mrs. Kemi otitolaye, Bayo Osiyemi, Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe and his deputy, Abiodun Salami, who was the master of ceremony.

The highlights of the rally, which started with an opening prayer by Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, included the presentation of party flags by Balogun to Senator Tinubu (Lagos Central), Senator Adeola (Lagos West), James Faleke, House of Representatives candidate for Ikeja Constituency and the two House of Assembly candidates, Folajimi Mohammed (Ikeja I) and Adedamola Kasumu (Ikeja II).

The leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Col. Folorunso Ibrahim (retd) and former Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy chairman, Ola Apena defected to the APC.

Receiving the party flag from Balogun, Apena, who described himself as a foundation member of the PDP and deputy chairman for six years, lamented that he was in a wrong party. He said he defected to the ruling party to contribute his quota to the APC’s victory at the polls.

The Accord leader, Otunba Fatukasi, who led the 63 opposition parties to the rally, said the opposition leaders resolved to work for Sanwo-Olu in the interest of Lagos.

He said: “We members of the opposition are behind Sanwo-Olu. We will support him. We will use the powers given to us by God to work for Sanwo-Olu across the 57 councils. On November 8, last year, 45 political parties endorsed Sanwo-Olu. But, today, from 45, we have risen to 63.”

Hailing the defectors for taking the right decision, Balogun said it was unprecedented.

Ambode, who wished the party supporters a happy New Year, acknowledged the endorsement as a sign of good things to come during the election.

Reflecting on the challenges ahead, the governor said: “The APC campaign is a united campaign in this state and we are going to do it together.”

In his view, Lagos deserves a government of continuity that will build on the achievements of former Governors Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and the current administration.

Ambode stressed: “Lagos State has witnessed progressive growth in the last 20 years, since 1999. Why have we been experiencing progressive growth? The answer is very simple: I have had predecessors who have actually delivered on their promises.

“I have followed in the footsteps of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola under one party. We need a government of continuity. APC is a party to trust and rely on. The next government will be a government of continuity.”

Adefuye urged party members, particularly from Lagos West, to learn from the 2015 experience when the opposition defeated the APC during the parliamentary polls.

He said: “In the last elections, we lost in in the House of Representatives. That should not happen again. By this time in March, we will gather to rejoice over our victory.”

Basorun called for unity and cohesion, urging aggrieved members to bury their grievances and differences. He enjoined them to return home and work for the success of the candidates at the polls.

Rasak, Balogun of Epe, advised Lagosians to vote wisely, stressing that the return of the PDP to power will be a disaster.

He said: “For 16 years, Atiku’s party, the PDP did nothing for Nigerians. Don’t vote for thieves.”

Balogun added: “The progressives have turned Lagos around. Through solid financial engineering initiated by Asiwaju Tinubu, Lagos from a partly N600 million has moved to N36 billion monthly. Lagos has become a mega city. Asiwaju Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola have done well to Lagos.

“On May 29, Sanwo-Olu will continue to deliver dividends of democracy. Sanwo-Olu is qualified. He has experience. There are many parties. Vote for APC after sighting the broom on the ballot paper, using the index finger. Vote for Osinnowo in the West, Oluremi Tinubu in the Central and Olamilekan Adeola in the West.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/lagos-deserves-continuity-says-gov.html

Without Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP will next week in Washington, DC, advertise its programmes and share insights on the future of US-Nigeria relations.

Taking the centre-stage instead is Atiku’s running mate, Peter Gregory Obi, according to an online report.

Mr. Obi will be a guest at the Center For Strategic & International Studies, CSIS to discuss the PDP’s economic and security objectives, as well as his views on the future of U.S.-Nigeria relations.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Established in Washington, D.C., over 50 years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organisation dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world.

Atiku’s avoidance of the event further confirmed suspicion that he has a case to answer in the United States.

Recently, the spokesman of the Buhari campaign, senior lawyer Festus Keyamo said Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has a sealed indictment waiting for him in the US. “The day he visits the US, not as a candidate in an election, he will face charges.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/pdp-takes-campaign-to-america-without.html

Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna Central, has accused Governor Nasir El-Rufai of promoting hate speech against him through comments by his wife.

He asked the governor to caution his wife over her comments on his hair.

In a statement, he said Hadiza, the governor’s wife, always talks about his hair whenever she is out campaigning.

He noted that she has been actively involved in the re-election campaign of her husband ahead of the March governorship election.

“I appeal to Mr. Governor to caution his wife to stop talking about my hair everywhere she goes on campaigns. Everywhere she goes it’s all about my hair. It’s not my fault if her man is not blessed with hair. I consider it as hate speech.

“I will report her to Sheik Gummi or Council of Imams, if she doesn’t stop. Haba Jammaa,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/shehu-sani-accuses-el-rufai-of.html

Senator Ben Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East in the National Assembly has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to fight Boko Haram and leave the press alone.

The common sense advocate was reacting to invasion of Daily Trust office in Abuja by the Nigerian Army. He asked why heavily armed soldiers are sent to invade Daily Trust, Abuja when soldiers are complaining of lack of reinforcements and weapons in fight against Boko Haram.

The 62-year old said the Boko Haram are the enemies who need to be invaded not the press who he described as friends.

He tweeter: How come we have so many heavily armed soldiers invading @daily_trust in Abuja, yet soldiers in the frontlines of the war on terror are complaining of lack of reinforcements and weapons? President @MBuhari, fight Boko Haram, they are our enemies. Leave the press. They are friends

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/buhari-fight-boko-haram-leave-press.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council and asked Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the co-chairman of the council to fully take charge of the campaign.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Council at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the president, who is the Chairman of the Council, said the leadership that formulated the campaign policy would supervise its execution.

According to him, the Director-General of the council will have overall responsibility for all aspects of the campaign, including field operations while the Secretary will be responsible for all administrative and treasury-related activities of the council

“Even though we have only 40 days, this campaign is going to tax us all, because we intend to touch all corners of our great and vast country.

“But I must also add that, though we will all be deeply involved, I would like to assure the nation that I will do my part without making governance or my work suffer.

“Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, my co-chairman, will be fully in charge, and is going to be on 24-hour vigil.’’

The president implored the leadership of the party to resist being provoked, remain focused and civil in their campaigns.

“Let us engage our citizens on issues and ask for reflection on the comparative difference between 2015 and 2019 on security, economy and corruption and abuse by those entrusted with leadership in Nigeria.

“As we embark on the campaign to secure mandate for the next level, I want to acknowledge the sacrifices and contributions of all stakeholders who have endeavoured to keep our party united, and our governance successful,’’ he added.

While appealing to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of the party, the president urged them to always “keep their eyes on the ball, which is the success of our party at the polls’’.

“I wish to appeal to all members to be guided by the enduring vision behind the formation and sustenance of our party, which is anchored, on sacrifice and imperative to salvage and stabilise our great and promising nation.

“I appeal to all our members, and especially those who are in the campaign council, to unite and cooperate and ensure a smooth operation.

“Needless to add, Directorates could co-opt on full or part-time basic persons who could add value to our campaign and help us to attain success,’’ he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Council, Mr Rotimi Ameachi narrated the tremendous achievements of the Buhari administration in the past three and half years.

Ameachi, who is the Minister of Transportation, assured that members of the council would do all they could legally to ensure electoral victory for the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/buhari-asks-tinubu-to-take-charge-of.html

Oil prices rose by more than 1.5 per cent on Monday on hopes that talks in Beijing can resolve a trade war between the United States and China, while supply cuts by major producers also supported crude.

Brent crude futures LCOc1 were at $58.04 per barrel at 0751 GMT, up 98 cents, or 1.7 per cent, from their last close.U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures CLc1 were at $48.85 per barrel, up 89 cents, or 1.9 per cent.

Financial markets were riding a relief rally on Monday on expectations that face-to-face trade negotiations between delegates from Washington and Beijing, starting on Monday, would lead to an easing in tensions between the two biggest economies in the world.


The United States and Beijing have been locked in an escalating trade spat since early 2018, raising import tariffs on each other’s goods.

The dispute has weighed on economic growth.

Goldman Sachs said in a note on Monday that it had downgraded its average Brent crude oil forecast for 2019 to $62.50 a barrel from $70 due to “the strongest macro headwinds since 2015”.

French bank Societe Generale also lowered its oil price forecasts, cutting its 2019 average price expectation for Brent by $9 to $64 a barrel and reducing its WTI forecast to $57 a barrel, also a reduction of $9.

The bank said it had revised its global oil demand growth forecast to 1.27 million barrels per day (bpd), down from 1.43 million bpd previously.

In the latest signs of widespread economic slowdown that could also hit fuel demand, British new car sales in 2018 fell at their fastest rate since the global financial crisis a decade ago, preliminary industry data showed on Monday.

Meanwhile, German industrial orders dropped in November, official data showed on Monday, as Germany’s exporters suffer from the trade dispute between China and the United States.

U.S. bank J.P. Morgan said in a note late last week that “bond and commodity markets appear to be pricing in on average close to a 60 per cent chance of a U.S. recession over the coming year compared to a 40 per cent chance by our economists and 27 per cent chance by the consensus”.

Despite the likelihood of a slowdown, crude future prices were being supported by supply cuts started late last year by a group of producers around the Middle East-dominated Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as well as non-OPEC Russia.

Goldman said the cuts would result in a gradual increase in spot crude prices in 2019 as high inventories revert to their 5-year averages.

OPEC oil supply fell in December by 460,000 barrels per day (bpd), to 32.68 million bpd, a Reuters survey found last week, led by cuts from top exporter Saudi Arabia.

The cuts are aimed at reining in swelling supply, especially in the United States.

Because of record U.S. crude oil production C-OUT-T-EIA of 11.7 million bpd, American fuel stockpiles are rising, according to weekly data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released on Friday.

Crude oil inventories C-STK-T-EIA rose by 7,000 barrels in the week that ended on Dec. 28, to 441.42 million barrels, more than 5 million barrels above their 5-year average.

Distillate and gasoline stocks, however, rose by a whopping 9.5 million and 6.9 million barrels, to 119.9 million and 240 million barrels respectively, the EIA data showed.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/oil-prices-jump-on-us-china-trade-hopes.html

A bomb scare yesterday hit Ungwar Boro community in Kaduna metropolis, causing many people running for their lives as others flew their homes.

Both children, men, women, old and young were seen scampering to safety in Ungwan-boro area of Chikun local government area of Kaduna when a three phase unit transformer blew up, which many mistook for a bomb blast.

The incident threw up residents in the area into shock due to the hail of dust that accompanied the blast, in the area less than two kilometers from Kasuwan Magani.

The vibration from the blast forced many out of their shelters.


An eyewitness said it was a traumatizing experience. The eyewitness account also said no casualty was recorded but people, especially passersby and motorists were running over fear of another explosion as they abandoned their vehicles. They later discovered that the blast was caused by flying birds and doves that jumped on the wires.

Despite the explosion, power supply remained intact in some part of the area connected to the transformer, to many people’s amazement.

When contacted on phone, the spokesman of the Kaduna Electric, Idris Mohammed could not respond at the time of filing this report.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/bomb-scare-causes-panic-in-kaduna.html

The immediate past Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose on Saturday alleged that Mrs. Amina Zakari was forced on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the Head of Presidential Election Collation Centre at a secret meeting, held at first lady’s chambers, Aso Villa in Abuja.


Fayose who is the the Southwest Coordinator of Atiku/Obi 2019 Presidential campaign committee made the revelation while speaking with journalists during an interview at the Atiku/Obi Southwest Campaign summit held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

He said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties in Nigeria lacked confidence in the electoral umpire to conduct free, fair and credible elections.


Fayose while describing the appointment of Zakari as ‘moral burden’, said it was worrisome that the ruling party is forcing the cousin of the president on the electoral umpire to upturn the wish of Nigerians.

The former Governor said, “Now they realized they cannot trust the INEC chairman again, they now told him the only option left for us to believe you are with us, go and announce Aminat Zakari as the collation officer.

“The meeting took place at the first lady’s chambers in the Villa. Don’t ask me how I got to know about it, that is not your business. That was how the INEC chairman agreed to make sure he announced that lady’s name as head of collation centre. I will give you other revelations later. I won’t say everything today. So I am not surprised about what the Oyo state REC said that people are approaching them for purchase of PVCs.


“We have no confidence in INEC. This government of APC truly is an inconclusive government I have ever seen. You cannot see anything good in INEC overseeing by the current leadership of our country. What we saw in the last few days by the appointment of Aminat Zakari is a moral burden.”

While citing many inconclusive elections in recent time as example for the failure of INEC, Fayose said, “We started in Kogi state, to Ondo, Edo, Ekiti and Osun. I want you to recall that we started with inconclusiveness.

“That was the pattern, and when the outcry was becoming embarrassing to them and for them, they took another style in Edo.

“It came like that to other states in the west, on and on like that. On thing I want to say to you, is that it is now a moral burden for a party and a president that came out of a consensus for a man, who was in position to make it impossible at the time”.

South West Chairman of the party, Dr. Eddy Olafeso earlier in his remarks, said the summit was conveyed for the candidates of the party in the region to brainstorm on how to prevent the ruling party from carrying out their plans to rig the elections.

Olafeso while speaking accused the ruling APC of having no plan for campaign but rigging the elections.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/fayose-reveal-how-presidency-allegedly.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is worried over the defection of its former Niger State Chairman, Abdulrahman Enagi barely a month to the general elections.

Enagi defected along two former governorship aspirants, Ahmed Baka and Engr. Hanafi Sudan; and others to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

PDP asked the party’s supporters to remain focussed “and refuse to be distracted by the action of a few people”.

It described those who defected as moles in the party.

PDP’s State Chairman, Mr. Tanko Beji said that the party was not moved by the series of defections in the last week.

“The defectors are good riddance to bad rubbish.”

Enagi, Baka, Sudan and the PDP State Treasurer, Ibrahim Ibeto, and one time President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, dumped the party recently.

Beji said: “Those that left the party are lone rangers who cannot command 10 supporters in their various wards. The former chairman, the governorship aspirants, treasurer are unpopular Abuja politicians.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/defections-worry-pdp.html

The Plateau State Coordinator of the Atiku Nationwide Project, Dr. Solomon Gushibet, has dismissed the sleaze allegations being made in some quarters against the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, saying no case has been established against him. Gushibet queried why Atiku was going about his legitimate engagements freely around the country without being picked up and prosecuted if he had any case to answer.

Gushibet spoke yesterday at a meeting of the Atiku campaign organisation in Jos. He said Atiku and his running mate, Peter Obi, had what it takes to move Nigeria to greater heights, and urged PDP supporters not to be deterred but remain courageous. He added that Atiku was the engine room of Nigeria as Vice President during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, who gave the administration resounding credibility by bringing about economic transformation.


He said further that by the time the duo came to office, the Nigerian economy was already nose-diving into recession and depression, adding that when they came in, they did not blame the recession on the military but went head-on to revive the ailing economy.

“So, Atiku is not a thief. If Atiku were a thief, he wouldn’t have been moving around freely without being arrested because of the nature of this government. Atiku started investing at the age of 15 and here he is today. We must not leave any stone unturned to deliver him to the people of Nigeria,” Gushibet said.

The national secretary of the campaign organisation, Abdullahi Narabi, in his contribution, said they had thought the present federal government was coming with respite, when they came on board in 2015. But things became worse economically, he said, as prices of staple food skyrocketed. Narabi said the government was anti-people and its claims about fighting corruption were a ruse.

“Since they did not find anything against Atiku, that means he is not corrupt. They would have prosecuted him, but there is nothing fraudulent and incriminating in him,” Narabi said.

Speaking also, Coordinator of the North Central Zone of the organisation, Hon. George Daika, said Atiku was a man of integrity and an employer of labour. Daika said most of Atiku’s investments were located in Nigeria, adding that the government of Atiku, if he wins, is going to be a government for the people.

Daika said Obasanjo brought in Atiku to help revive the ailing economy and urged the electorate to be dogged fighters who should not despair.

“Don’t be discouraged. Don’t be despaired, and don’t be deterred. It is our project. He is doing it for our interest and for our sake. We are confident that Atiku will win in February presidential poll,” the North Central coordinator said.

In their own remarks, an elder statesman, Alhaji Abdullahi Wase, Mr. Joseph Tonkan, and other stakeholders said Nigerians should make deliberate efforts to ensure Atiku’s victory at the polls next month.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/coordinator-no-corruption-claim-against.html

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (PYES).

He said the scheme would help create multiple layers of employments, especially for the unemployed.

Achebe made the commendation in Onitsha on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of 69 youths of Onitsha origin, who were trained in various vocations under his Ime-Obi Entrepreneurship Development programme and sponsored by Ford Foundation.

He urged youths to key into the lofty programme for self-reliance and personal development.

The monarch also challenged the youths in the area who were yet to register with the Onitsha Youth Council to do so in their interest and for their development.

He however blamed the security challenges facing the country on youth unemployment, saying the situation might deteriorate if drastic measures were not taken.

He said,” Unemployment is fundamental to many of the social ills in the country which made youths to join cultism, kidnapping and robbery.

The programme is aimed at making youths useful to themselves and society by becoming employers of labour.

According to him, one of the graduating students was already employing seven graduates in his outfit; saying “it is one way to build the economy and the country and to discourage youths from committing crime.”

The monarch disclosed that the first set of 70 youths, who were trained and assisted with loans worth N500, 000 each, totaling N35 million have repaid back over N33 million.

He commended Ford Foundation for supporting the community outreach and entrepreneurship in Onitsha.

According to him, the financial support was also used to organize long vacation programme for secondary school students as well as special remedial programme for Onitsha indigenes seeking admission into universities.

“We equally have drug addiction programme to prevent and rehabilitate our youths who are into drugs,” he added.


In a remark, the Transition Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Mr Patrick Mba commended Ford Foundation and the Obi of Onitsha for being sensitive to the development and education of youths in Onitsha.

Mba promised that the local government council will continue to key into the progranmmes of the monarch, especially in providing synergy for youth development.

One of the trainees, Mr Michael Ibekwe, who runs a block industry, said the one month training which commenced in November 2018, had changed how he managed finance.

“I learnt a lot especially how to check the financial loopholes in my business,” he said, while expressing hope for loan to expand the business.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to the trainees by the Obi of Onitsha.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/obi-of-onitsha-urges-youths-to-embrace.html

The new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Usman Belel says his mandate is to among other responsibilities, rid the State of illegal fire arms.


Belel, in his maiden media briefing, held at the Police Officer’s Mess in Port Harcourt, said intelligence reports has it that there is infiltration of small arms in Rivers.

He said the responsibility of mopping up arms in every corner of the State could be achieved with the help of members of the community, adding that the presence of large cache of arms was responsible for the heightened crime in the State.


He also pledged to be apolitical in carrying out his duties, just as he warned officers of the Command not to engage in corrupt practices.

Belel was transferred from Zamfara to serve as the thirty-ninth Commissioner of Police in Rivers State after taking over from CP Zaki Ahmed.

According to him, “It has been brought to my knowledge that the major problem across the state has been an orgy of violence unleashed on the populace by non state actors who have access to illegal firearms. These lethal weapons have been used used to kill, maim and rob victims; this situation is most unfortunate.


“We shall be very unrelenting in our efforts to clampdown on cult group, organised criminal gangs and unlicensed firearm holders, to recover such unlawful weapons.

“Clearly, violent crimes such as Armed Robbery, kidnapping and murder are all associated with cultism. To this end, therefore, the command under my watch shall fight these crimes to a conclusive end.

”Rivers State shall not be conducive anymore for criminals. We shall be proactive in our policing. We shall embark on regular raids of criminal hideouts, the ban on the road blocks is still in force but I shall put in place decent stop and search mechanism which shall aid us in tracking kidnappers and armed robbers with the sole aim of recovering stolen properties.

“I am going to ensure that innocent persons are not detained unlawfully and denied their liberty. Every complaint of corrupt practice shall be investigated and persons found culpable shall be sanctioned.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/new-rivers-cp-belel-to-concentrate-on.html

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the telecoms industry recorded steady growth in subscriber number and teledensity in 2018.

NCC, in its November monthly report posted on its website, noted that there was a steady growth in subscriber number, which reached its peak of 169.1 million at the end of 2018, up from 165.2 million as at October same year.


According to NCC’s statistics, the steady growth in subscriber base from January 2018 to November 2018, also reflected on the growth of subscribers’ teledensity, which also reached a peak of 120.79 per cent in November 2018, up from 118.03 per cent in October same year.

While teledensity is the number of active telephone connections per one hundred inhabitants living within an area and is expressed as a percentage figure, subscriber number is the number of active subscribers for telephony services on each of the licensed service providers utilising different technologies including GSM, CDMA, Fixed Wireless and Fixed Wired like Landline service.

A breakdown of the statistics showed that in January 2018, subscriber number was 147.3 million with a teledensity of 105.21 per cent. It, however, grew to 148.4 million subscribers and a teledensity of 106 per cent in February same year.

In March 2018, there was another rise in subscriber number to reach 149.3 million with a teledensity of 106.64 per cent, while subscriber number also rose to 160.5 million in April 2018 with a teledensity of 114.60 per cent of the same year.

In the months of May and June 2018, the subscriber base also increased to 161.5 million and 162.8 million respectively, with a growth in teledensity of 116.09 per cent and 116.26 per cent respectively.

However, in July and August 2018, Nigeria witnessed a slight drop in both subscriber number and teledensity. While subscriber number slightly dropped from 162.8 million in June to 161.8 million in July, and 160.9 million in August, teledensity also dropped slightly from 116.26 per cent in June to 115.57 per cent in July and 114.92 per cent in August of same year.

Nonetheless, in September 2018, subscriber number recorded another growth to reach 162.1 million and 165.2 million in October, with a teledensity growth of 115.76 per cent in September 2018 and 118.03 per cent October same year. In November, 2018, subscriber number also recorded another steady growth to reach its highest peak of 169.1 million, with a teledensity of 120.79 per cent in the same November 2018.

According to the NCC, MTN maintained the highest market share with 66.9 million subscribers, which was about 40 per cent of the market share. This was closely followed by Globacom, with subscriber number of 43.3 million, which is about 26 per cent market share.

Airtel was next to Globacom with subscriber number of 43.1 million, which is about 25 per cent market share. The least among them was 9mobile with subscriber number of 15.4 million, which was about seven per cent market share.
No statistics was recorded for ntel, the telecoms operator that bought over NITEL and MTel through unbundled liquidation exercise since 2015, with focus on data subscription.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/telecoms-records-steady-growth-in.html

The Cross River State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator John Owan-Enoh, has accused Governor Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of lying about everything as far the programmes and policies of government are concerned.

In a press conference in Calabar, Owan-Enoh also said the present administration in the state could not withstand position and was doing everything it could to stifle them.

Owan-Enoh, who presently represents Cross River Central in the Senate, in the state needed to be change, and he was in the race to restore hope and confidence in the people.

He said, “This is an administration that lies on everything. It is not the kind of thing that we are looking forward to. The government needs to be changed. This administration doesn’t know Cross River. It is not interested in Cross River and its future and we need to change it. This administration cannot stand competition because of how woefully they have done. And they try to stamp out opposition. This administration tries to posture in Abuja as being friendly to President Muhammadu Buhari, but back at home, it is fighting opposition and doing things that are unspeakable.

“People ask me where my billboards are. My billboards are not here in Calabar particularly because this administration cannot stand seeing my billboards. They were pulling them down.

“Officials of the campaign organization are getting intimidating calls everyday. We are in a civil society and it is important this administration understands so. It needs to know that the election is going to be competitive. It is going to be keenly contested. We have candidates for every state constituency, every federal constituency, and the senatorial district and the governorship candidate.

“I would like to appeal to the generality of Cross Riverians, those at home and those in diaspora that the 2019 governorship election is going to be a very consequential election. Let everyone get involved.

Better days are possible again. None of the two previously civilian administration got elected on the altar of ethnicity. They got elected on the basis of their credentials and what they were expected to do and they delivered in Cross River.

“Cross River is in an unusual situation and requires an unusual response. 2019 is not about the north, central or south districts of the state. It is about Cross River and about who has the blueprint to deliver, who can be trusted, who can take us to the next level, and who can change the narrative of the state.

“We are in an era where government needs to create the enabling environment for industrialists, for the private sector to come and invest. The public government has no business going about building industries. That is the best way to go about stealing the resources of the state. Government has no business building industries in the year 2019. Any government that does so wants to encourage corruption. It wants to put hands in the public till. That is what it is.

“The greatest achievement of this administration which it talks about every day is the garment factory. I challenge this administration to come clean first on the true ownership of the garment factory, secondly, with how much was spent to build and thirdly, three and a half years later, how much has that garment factory generated for the state.

“This administration spends time on window dressing. It cannot get anything right. I would run an administration that would be sincere. I believe in what I am doing. When Liyel Imoke handed over to Ayade in 2915 Cross River became the 11th largest economy in Nigeria. The latest statistics indicate we are at 36. We are at rock bottom as a state. As a state, how bad can it get before people take action to change the course of their lives. The 2019 governorship election is about the future of Cross River.”

Owan-Enoh called on disgruntled party men and women to work together to oust the present government in the state.


“The APC is one big family. I would like to call for cooperation, for reconciliation. I appeal that we all get back together. The matters that seek to divide us are not as important as the matter that confronts us as a state. We should get back together in one party and win this election. Cross Riverians expect us and are praying for us to win, even those who are appointed in his government. People are yearning for redemption and today I take up the challenge,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/ayade-lies-about-everything-cannot.html

The Northern Traditional Rulers Council Assembly (NTRCA) has warned that kidnappings, banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and other forms of crimes might hamper the conduct of the general elections.

It also urged politicians to honour the signed peace accord, saying this would reciprocate President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to ensure free and fair polls.

In a communiqué signed in Sokoto yesterday by the coordinating committee chairman and Emir of Gummi, Justice Lawal Hassan, they described the election year as crucial, noting that people all over the world are watching Nigeria.


The rulers, who had just concluded their fifth general assembly, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its preparations, resolving they would assist the agency to achieve its goals.

The council appealed to the executive and legislative arms of government to provide adequate funding and other relevant needs for a successful conduct of the exercise.

It decried the rising level of hate speeches, bickering and vote buying. It also regretted the use of youths as political thugs and appealed to parents to monitor their wards.

The event featured a lecture on ‘Pervasive Insecurity in an Election Year’ and discussion by different personalities.

In attendance were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and representatives from the traditional councils of the 19 northern states.

Others included INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, who led five other commissioners of the electoral agency.

The Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, also cautioned politicians to steer clear of hate speeches and acts that may jeopardise the exercise.

In an interview with The Guardian in Abuja yesterday, Okoh warned that no pressure group or individual should derail the process.

“We should not put ourselves in a situation where foreigners would come and sell arms to us or be donating food to us. Politicians should know that without Nigeria, there will be no election or office for them to occupy,” he said.

The election is critical and everything must be done to ensure it is peaceful, credible, free and fair, the cleric stated.

He urged people not to succumb to intimidation but come out en masse to vote for their preferred candidates peacefully. He further called on INEC and security agencies to stay neutral.

Similarly, the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Samuel Nwanosike, yesterday charged Buhari to conduct a credible election.

“What Nigerians should do this year is rise and take back their country. This nation does not belong to just one million people who are out there, churning out programmes and policies that have not helped the citizens. This country belongs to all of us,” Nwanosike said, after he presented his 2019 budget of N4.2 billion at the council’s headquarters in Isiokpo.

He added: “We expect to see and witness a free and fair election. Even if the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has failed in its electioneering promises, Buhari should not fail to give us a credible poll, because he benefited from a credible election under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“If Jonathan did not conduct a free, fair and credible election in 2015, I don’t think he (Buhari) would have become president today. So, what millions of Nigerians need from him this year is to emulate his predecessor and conduct a credible exercise.”

Meanwhile, in pursuit of national unity and inter-religious harmony, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) yesterday attended a New Year service at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Samaru, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The leader of the delegation, Prof. Isa Mshelgaru of Building Department, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, said the visit was to strengthen relationship between the two faiths.

He stressed that the tenets of the two major religions in Nigeria were against violence, noting that Christians are the closest people to Islam. He also denounced the activities of divisive and selfish politicians who hide under religion to achieve personal desires.

“Killing one another is an imaginary life. In the actual sense, it does not exist. One God created us all. We must therefore endeavour to live together in peace with one another. We should share joy, happiness and sorrow together. Our leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zazzaky, said we should learn to live together in peace.

“When we are united, as Nigerians, nothing will break us apart and nothing will go against the peace of the nation, not even Boko Haram or militants or any other thing else,” Mshelgaru said.

Responding, the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Michael Ibrahim-Bazai, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as first of its kind.

“We are happy to receive our brothers and sisters from the Islamic faith here in our church to celebrate with us today. It is true that sometimes we are scared of each other. This is because some of us are ignorant of the religion. But we are all one,” the priest said.

Ibrahim-Bazai stressed the need for followers of the two religions to uphold their tenets, to foster harmonious relationship. He encouraged them to respect and tolerate each other with a view to building a stronger nation.

The priest also lauded efforts by IMN at rescuing and providing medical treatment to some Christians during religious crises in Zaria, urging the group to sustain the tempo.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/insecurity-may-mar-polls.html

Nigeria’s crude oil daily production is up by 9 per cent to about 2.09 million barrels.

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Baru said this maintained a line of consistent year-on-year improvement.

Dr. Baru, in a comprehensive end-of-year-message to the NNPC staff, listed Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Duke Oil, NIDAS and Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) among the re-engineered companies.

In the statement signed by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, Baru singled out NPDC, the corporation’s Upstream flagship company, as the major contributor to the industry’s success in 2018.

Baru said the average production from NPDC’s operated assets alone grew from an average of 108,000 of oil per day (bod) in 2017 to 165,000bod in 2018, describing the feat as the strongest production growth within the oil industry in recent times, even as he noted that it was worth being celebrated.

The GMD said NPDC’s equity production share, which stands at 172,000bod, representing about 8 per cent of national daily production, was no less impressive, adding that the desired results are outcomes of initiatives his Management team emplaced, among which, he noted, are the Asset Management Tea (AMT) structure, Strategic Financing, Units Autonomy and security architecture framework.

Of the Industry milestones in the outgone year, Baru described the 200,000bop addition which the Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), completed and sailed away to location in August, last year, added to nation’s daily production, even as he disclosed that the project achieved First Oil at 11.20pm on 29th December, 2018.

The NNPC GMD said $1.7billion was saved with corporation’s Joint Venture (JV) partners over a five-year tenor repayment plan, saying already the corporation has defrayed $1.5billion of the arrears.

Baru promised that NNPC would stick to the Repayment Agreement with the JV Partners while transiting to self-funding IJV modes with the corporation’s partners. He said tiding up Cash Call issues had led to increased commitment and enthusiasm to invest in the industry even as it has also boosted NNPC’s credit profile internationally.

Baru concluded the achievements of NNPC in the Upstream sector by listing other milestones achieved by his team to include: reduction in contracting cycle for Upstream Operations to nine months from an average of 24, even as the corporation targets a six months cycle; lowering of production cost from $27/barrel to $22/barrel; and improving on the security situation in the Niger Delta through constructive engagement and dialogue with stakeholders.

In the frontier basins, NNPC has intensified exploration in the Benue Trough, with the expected spudding of Kolmani River Well 2 on 19thJanuary.

Activities will resume in the Chad Basin as soon as there is a greenlight on the security situation in the enclave.

In the Midstream, the NNPC GMD stated, Nigeria achieved an average national daily gas production of 7.90bscf, translating to 3 per cent above the 2017 average daily gas production of 7.67bscf.


He said of the 7.90bscf produced in 2018, an average of 3.32bscfd (42%) was supplied to the export market, 2.5bscfd (32%) for Reinjection/Fuel Gas, 1.3bscfd (16%) was supplied to the domestic market and about 783mmscfd (10%) was flared.

The GMD stated that out of the 1.3bscfd supplied to the domestic market, an average of 71mmscfd went to the Power Sector; 470mmscfd was supplied to the Industries and the balance of 69mmscf delivered to the West African Market through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP).

Baru said NNPC would bridge the medium-term domestic gas supply deficit by 2020 through the corporation’s Seven Critical Gas Development Projects (&CGDPS), adding that a reputable Project Management consulting firm is collaborating with an NNPC team to achieve accelerated implementation of the projects.

He lauded the contribution of the corporation’s Downstream outfit, NNPC retail, saying it played a significant role in ensuring continuous supply of petroleum products to Nigerians through its Mega, Affiliates and Leased stations.

Baru flaunted the company’s sale of 1.2 billion litres of petroleum products in 2018 as against 1.1 billion litres in 2017, representing a seven per cent increase.

He said the feat was achieved through an addition of 40 new Affiliate and Leased stations, which he said, brought the company’s network to 618 stations nationwide.

“We are currently planning for a better performance and achievement in 2019, especially with the continuous innovations and creativity in the downstream sector and the performance bond signed by all the relevant heads of our operating units.

“Continuous improvement as one of the principles of world class organisations is going to remain our key word in 2019. Last year was empirically better than 2017, we believe, plan and strive to achieve a better performance this year, by God’s grace,” Baru concluded in his end-of-year statement.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/oil-output-hits-209m-barrels.html

Gov Samuel Ortom has said that he chose to pursue his governorship ambition on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party because it was a more credible alternative for him to achieve his policies.

Ortom stated this on Monday in Makurdi, during the flag-off of his governorship campaign.

The governor, who won his election on the platform of the APC where he defected , after losing the PDP governorship ticket in 2014, returned to the PDP some months ago.

“We had to abandon that platform in search of one that offers more accommodation and support for our policies, especially the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017,” he said.

He regretted that highly paced officials in the APC-led Federal Government made various attempts to frustrate an imperative legislation aimed at finding lasting peace between farmers and herders in the state.

“Such frustrating efforts by highly placed members of the federal government necessitated my exit from the party to one that will not compromise our stance on a matter so key to the Benue people.

“This is the platform on which we seek the renewal of our mandate. No one will bend us as far as the Ranching Law is concerned because we draw consent and sustained support from the Benue people,” he said.

Ortom, while reacting to critics’ allegation that he had not performed, declared that he had done well “given the circumstances of our economy and unwarranted aggression and attacks on Benue”.

“I may not be a genius, but I perfectly know what I wanted as a governor. I cannot lie to the people that trust me. Take this truth from me; my government has done well, and statistics don’t lie.”

Commenting on non-payment of salaries, the governor said that funds were being sourced to pay outstanding arrears of salaries, gratuities, and pensions.

The former Senate President, David Mark, appealed to the Benue electorate to vote massively for all candidates seeking elections on the party’s platform to secure a better future for the state.

A former governor of the state and a senatorial candidate of the party, Mr Gabriel Suswam, accused the APC of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

He, therefore, urged the people to vote for the PDP and reject the APC.

Earlier, in his remarks, former Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, also a senatorial candidate, assured Ortom that the people from Benue South Senatorial zone would vote for the PDP.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that dignitaries at the event included the National Deputy Secretary of the party, Mr Emmanuel Agbo, an ex senate president, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, PDP board member, Mrs. Margaret Icheen, and Ortom’s appointees.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/ortom-why-i-left-apc-to-join-pdp.html

Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has called for the examination of President Muhammadu Buhari’s mental health status over the allegation by his wife, Aisha, that a cabal was controlling Aso Villa.

The coalition made the call in a statement yesterday signed by the first national vice spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere. The president’s consistent action of not fielding questions extempore from journalists intensified the group’s suspicion that two or three people had actually hijacked the presidency.

“A country of about 200 million people cannot be thriving under the situation of being in doubt of the mental stability of the man who holds their mandate to lead and who is seeking an extension of that mandate. The international community is also expressing similar doubt, hence the reactions in the economy through the withdrawal of their businesses from the country.

At no other particular time in the history of Nigeria has it witnessed the closure of the number of businesses as it happened in the almost four years of the Buhari presidency,” it said.CUPP demanded that a team of experts should handle the president’s health issue.

“It is on this premise that we demand an independent team of experts in mental health issues to examine President Muhammadu Buhari and indeed all other presidential candidates, to ascertain their mental stability before polling day, so that any person who does not pass the examination would not be allowed to participate in the election.

“We have also secured the assurance of the opposition coalition consensus candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to subject himself to any such medical exercise for the general interest of Nigeria.

“CUPP also calls on President Buhari to face the Nigerian media and stop holding them in disdain, as they are renowned professionals the world over for their expertise.

“How could a president not speak to any Nigerian media or journalist for over three years? How could a president hold his entire country’s media and citizens in such disdain that he speaks to them only through a crowd of spokespersons, many of who have questionable characters and mostly dish out fake news to citizens? Is it not to hide the mental status of the president that the yet-to-be-identified two or three people who have hijacked the presidency, according to the wife of the president, that the president has been directed not to speak outside written speeches?”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/cupp-wants-buharis-mental-health.html

Seven notorious robbers believed to be disturbing the peace of Enugu in the last one month have been arrested in different locations by the police.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, the suspects were arrested in Lagos, Anambra, , Ebonyi and Enugu states.

The arrests, Amaraizu said was the result of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit’s painstaking intelligence operation.

He said that the highly specialized robbery gang had killed one Chinedu Nzegwu, a trader and a policeman at Obioma Street in Uwani, Enugu on Sept. 12.

The suspects are Obunike Ugbene, 27, alias Paparazi, who is the ringleader of the gang from Amaofiagu in Affa of Udi council area of the state but residing at Obinagu road Abakpa Nike near Enugu.

“Kenneth Uchenna, 27, alias Madubuagu, who is a highly skilled driver from Imezi Owa community in Ezeagu Local Government; Nkemdilim Mathew, 23, alias Alone from Nodu-Okpuno Awka of Anambra; and Chukwuma Mbam, 22, alias revolution from Ikwo in Ebonyi.

“Stanley Uchenna, 23, alias Posiga from Aguobuowa in Enugu State, who acts as informant for the gang; Chinedu Mbam,25, alias Nwaiboko from Izzi in Ebonyi and Patrick Okoli, 33, alias Chika Tokor from Obunofia-Ndiuno Ezeagu in Enugu State’’.

Amaraizu said that the gang leader, Ugbene, had regretted the killings and prayed God to forgive him as he never intended to kill anyone but circumstance led him and the gang to do that.

He noted that the gang leader had confessed and revealed to police operatives their numerous operations, the locations where they had operated in the state and number of people they had killed so far.

“Through intelligence information, the gang leader was nabbed in Lagos by the operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit where he had escaped to and his arrest facilitated the arrest of other members of his gang,’’ he said.

Amaraizu noted that the gang leader, Ugbene, while regretting his action, advised youths to desist from involvement in any criminal activities as “there is no peace for any criminal and no matter what, he must be caught’’.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, applauded the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and promised that the command would partner with sister security agencies to ensure that peace and security in the state was sustained.

Danmallam maintained that the command would keep on being proactive in line with the tenets of community oriented policing.

The commissioner said that any crime committed must be followed and suspect or suspects must be unmasked.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/police-arrest-7-robbers-in-enugu-state.html

A day to the end of 2018, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode is yet to present the 2019 Appropriation Bill of the fifth largest economy in Africa to the State House of Assembly. The 2019 budget, the last to be presented by Ambode, is the most delayed by any Lagos State governor in over a decade.

Ambode presented the 2018 budget on December 11, 2017, about 20 days to the end of the year. The 2018 budget, the biggest the state had ever presented, was the second largest state budget in Nigeria. The 2018 budget came far late to the 2017 budget, which he presented November 29, 2016, about 32 days to the end of the year, while 2016 budget was presented December 17, 2015 about 14 days to the end of the year 2015.

His predecessor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola prepared and presented eight budgets. He started with the 2008 budget estimate of N403bn, which he presented on December 17, 2007, while the 2009 budget of N405bn was presented on November 10, 2008 while 2010 budget estimate of N430bn was presented on November 17, 2009.


On December 13, 2010, Fashola presented the 2011 budget estimate of N445.2bn while the 2012 N485bn budget was presented on November 14, 2011. This was followed by the 2013 N497bn budget presented on October 31, 2012 while the 2014 N489.6bn budget was presented on October 30, 2013. The last budget Fashola presented was the N489.75bn 2015 budget, which he presented November 24, 2014.

With the 2018 budget hitting the N1tr mark, it is also expected that the 2019 budget would not go below the 2018 Appropriation Act. This means, it will require more scrutiny and verification in the State Assembly, yet the budget is not yet presented, a day to the end of the year.

It took just about 35 days for the Lagos State Assembly to put its authority behind the N812b 2017 budget, which to some analysts must have been done in a rush, with no due diligence and about 51 days to put its authority on the N1.046t 2018 budget.

With the budget expected to be, at least, at par with the 2018 budget or bigger, it is expected that the Assembly should take not less than 35 days to consider the budget including public holidays, which means that the budget could only be made ready in February, 2019 at most. It might even take a longer time compared to the 35 days it took to pass last year’s budget. This is because almost all the lawmakers would be campaigning to return to the Assembly, which might limit the time to look into the budget.

A few states have presented their 2019 budgets and have even signed them into law, but stakeholders feel Lagos should have been among the first to do so, being the biggest state economy in Nigeria. The state should be ahead of other states in planning for its robust civil service.

Ranked as the fifth largest economy in Africa, there are fears that a delayed budget may also slow down the execution of the projects carried out by the government, as funds may not be released early. This, it is argued, might rub off negatively on the economy of the state though largely driven by the private sector.

The Guardian, however, learnt politics is part of the reason the budget has not been ready, as the executive and the legislature are said not to be on the same page.

The source said the overbearing influence of the legislature on state activities has made the executive to buy time in presenting the budget, as presenting the budget after the APC primaries could further heat up the state policy, which was seen in some of the pronouncements made by the Assembly after the primaries.


According to the source, the Assembly seems to be enjoying some support from the party leaders in the state, who are using it to check the power and influence of the governor.

The source buttressed his claim with the letter written by the immediate past Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Wale Oluwo, who resigned from the party recently.

In his letter, he alluded to the use of an arm of government by a powerful block in the party to intimidate institutions of government.

Attempts to get the state government to explain the delay were not fruitful. The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, said it was only the governor that could give reasons the budget had not been presented. After not being able to communicate with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan on phone thrice, a text message was sent to him and he acknowledged receiving the text, promising to respond. Since Tuesday that he promised to respond, he had not.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/ambode-fails-10-year-budget.html

Union Bank Nigeria Plc has entered into a partnership with Connect Nigeria to reward 100 Nigerian small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the Top 100 Emerging SMEs awards ceremony held in Lagos, recently.

The award ceremony is an initiative of Connect Nigeria and was sponsored by Union Bank. It was organised to challenge, encourage and recognise Nigerian SME businesses.

A statement said the campaign for the awards kicked-off in February 2018 with a call for nominations of emerging SMEs that have distinguished themselves in providing excellent products and services for due recognition, honour and celebration.


Union Bank said it recognised the 100 emerging businesses as part of its yearlong celebration of 100 years of operation from a record total of 13,470 nominations in 25 broad categories.

The Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing, Union Bank, Ogochukwu Ekeide, commended the recipients for their hard work and dedication and expressed the bank’s willingness to partner, support and reward SMEs.

On his part, the Managing Director, Connect Nigeria, Emeka Okafor, said businesses in Nigeria were beginning to understand the dynamics of doing business in a global economy and putting systems and structures in place, to be able to compete globally.

Okafor, who was represented by the Head, Business Development, Connect Nigeria, Uzo Anekwe, said Connect Nigeria was committed to investing in SMEs because they would be the future of Nigeria.

He said, “100 free tables will be given to all the winners of this year’s event, to showcase and exhibit their products and services at Africa’s largest SME event in April 2019.

“All winners will enjoy free one-year membership on the Club-connect Platform with all the benefits that come with it.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/union-bank-partners-connect-nigeria-to.html

The Action Alliance (AA) has cautioned its governorship candidate in Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, against canvassing for President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection next year.

National Chairman of the party, Ken Udeze, told journalists in Owerri yesterday that the party would not hesitate to sanction him (Nwosu) if he fails to heed the party’s directives.He disclosed that the party has already adopted candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its preferred candidate for the 2019 election, adding that AA will deliver Nwosu with or without support from the presidency

“The party has made it clear that we have already adopted Atiku Abubakar at the level of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and we have also drawn his (Nwosu)’s attention to that.

“So, we have addressed the issue. We have stressed the need for him to focus on his governorship ambition, as long as he is using the AA platform. “But if he disobeys, the party will sanction him. The party will definitely disown him, that is, if he continues to identify with or support President Buhari’s reelection.”

“We have also assured him that our party will do everything humanly possible to make sure he wins election with or without any support or any interest from the presidency and that is the position of the party,” he said. Udeze also used the opportunity to canvass for support of Imo people for the party, saying: “They should look beyond Nwosu being a son in-law to the Governor Rochas Okorocha.

“They should rather focus on his vigour and zeal, and particularly the manifesto of Action Alliance. So, we are calling on Imo people to support our party en masse during the election.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/2019-aa-cautions-uche-nwosu-against.html

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the killings in Zamfara State as barbaric, unacceptable and called on the security agencies to swiftly devise a new strategy to put an end to the ugly situation.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, decried that the killings have gone on for too long.

He said that the situation had not been given the desired attention as well as the right strategy that will stop it

“There is need for certain and proper profiling of the situation so that we can know whether it is simple cattle rustling, vicious armed robbery on a large scale, religious cum ethnic crisis or invasion by foreign forces.

“Our security agencies must immediately come out with a proper understanding of the situation, the right strategy and deployment of the necessary troops to tackle the menace.

“We must within the next few days send the right signals to the criminals in that area that the Nigerian State will no longer tolerate the on-going blood-letting.

“We must immediately change our strategy. Also, the President has to take full, direct control. May be the President must widen the consultation within the armed forces on the search for solution to this problem.

He must go beyond the first line military top brass. We need to get ideas from more sources than we presently do,” he said.

Saraki berated the media for the giving the situation in Zamfara as much attention as it deserved, adding that non-governmental organisations were also not doing enough.

He said that the Senate on its part had sent an investigative team into the area a few months ago after Senator Kabiru Marafa raised a motion on the floor and as at then, we called on other security agencies to help the police in dealing with the matter.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately give a marching order to the various security agencies and tell them to give him progress report on a regular basis.

“There is need for us to use the Zamfara case to demonstrate to all criminal elements that the government will not tolerate those who hide under whatever guise to shed human blood in our country.

“We should look at the Zamfara killings as a major threat to our democracy, particularly as we move towards election period in the next 50 days. We should not allow criminal elements to take over parts of the country.

“The situation in that state is an example of why we need to overhaul our security architecture in order to bring them to a state where they can tackle emerging challenges”, the Senate President stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/zamfara-killing-saraki-calls-for-new.html

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday, signed the 2019 Appropriation Bill of N390.3 billion into law.

Okowa signed the document in the presence of the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, Mrs Lyna Ochulor, and Clerk of the House, other principal officers and members of the state executive council.

The occasion took place at the Government House, Asaba.

The governor said that early signing of the bill into law would give his administration room to utilise the dry season to engage in construction works.

He commended the Assembly for the early passage of the budget, while describing members of the Assembly as great partners in the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Okowa said: “This is very important for governance because, it will give us room to utilise the dry season to construct roads and provide other infrastructure before the commencement of the rainy season.

“The 2019 budget is made up of a capital expenditure of N233. 2 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N157. 1 billion.

“With the signing of the bill into law today, it means power has been given to the executive to start implementing the budget.

“We now have enough room to perform; with the cooperation and partnership of the Delta State House of Assembly.

“In the course of 2018, we have worked in harmony; putting Delta State first.

“Together in the last three years plus, we have been able to impact positively on infrastructure development.

“We have constructed roads, built a lot of schools, improved on the health facilities and provided a lot of jobs for Deltans.

“Due to our achievements, there is peace in Delta; we thank Deltans for the partnership which has yielded great results.

“We are confident that as we are leaving office in 2023; we would have left a lot in the state that we would be proud of and Deltans will be happier.”

The Speaker, while presenting the bill to the governor for his assent, said that the bill as presented by the governor passed through rigorous process before it was approved.

“The bill passed through all the processes as it was designed to consolidate on the achievements of the governor,” Oborevwori said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had on Oct. 17, presented a budget of N367 billion to the state House of Assembly.

The speaker had earlier told newsmen that the Assembly increased the budget from N367 billion to N390.3 billion to enable the state government embark on more infrastructure projects for the people.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/gov-okowa-signs-2019-budget-into-law.html

The police in Edo, Bayelsa and Delta states have been directed to focus attention on all link roads, recreation centres, worship centres, critical infrastructure and other vulnerable and flash points to ensure safety of lives and property.

They are also to ensure high visibility policing along the major Highways, City centres and other flash points.

The police officers have also been directed to identify all the strategic and vulnerable points and ensure massive deployment of personnel to the areas for adequate security.

The zone 5 command is taking proactive measures to prevent crime during the yuletide as well as enhance security of lives and property of political parties and their candidates during the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, AIG Alkali Usman, gave the directives to the commissioners of police in the zone.

A statement issued by Mr. Emeka Iheanacho, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO) in Benin, quoted Usman appealed to politicians and other stakeholders on election matters to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to ensure hitch-free polls.

While commending the Officers and men of the zone for their resilience in fighting crime and criminality, he urged them to sustain the tempo throughout the yuletide celebrations and beyond
.
He said his directive was also to prevent crime and criminality, especially during the yuletide.

On the recent ban on road block by the Inspector – General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, Iheanacho said that the AIG had directed the Commissioners to ensure full enforcement of the order.

Usman warned officers and men of the zone to be professional while discharging their duties and avoid any act capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/security-police-to-monitor-link-roads.html

The full speech of President Muhammadu Buhari at the opening of the 54th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and government in Abuja on Saturday 22 December

It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Government and People of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to warmly welcome you to Abuja, on the occasion of the 54th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

2. Let me again restate my sincere appreciation to you, Excellencies, for the confidence reposed in me, to steer the ship of our sub-regional organisation, as Chair of the Authority.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

3. The fact that we have gathered here today is a clear testimony of our continued collective resolve and commitment to the effective integration of the West African sub-region. We applaud the significant progress made by our Community in the recent past, particularly in the areas of political governance, peace and security as well as economic and social fields. These achievements have positioned ECOWAS as an example of a regional economic community on our continent.

4. In this regard, I would like to salute your individual efforts not only for striving to promote peace, stability and development in your respective countries but also for your unwavering commitment to regional issues of interest and concern.

5. I wish at this juncture, to pay special tribute to His Excellency, Nana Akuffo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and His Excellency, Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea, the ECOWAS facilitators in the resolution of the Togolese political crisis, for their tireless endeavours towards a peaceful settlement.

6. I am also glad for the significant progress made through our collective efforts towards the resolution of the political and institutional crisis in Guinea Bissau. Within the framework of our regional solidarity, we have assisted the Governments of Togo and Mali in tackling political and security problems while also addressing food challenges in parts of the sub-region.

7. We have also extended electoral support and assistance to several countries and acted pro-actively to neutralise some potential conflicts through preventive diplomacy before they exploded. In this connection, we welcome the successful elections held in Sierra Leone and Mali in 2018.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

8. Despite these successes, ECOWAS is still confronted by several challenges. The sub-region continues to face difficulties in the economic, governance, peace, security and humanitarian fields.

9. As we all know, the primary objective of ECOWAS as set out in its Treaty, is to “promote cooperation and integration, leading to the establishment of an Economic and Monetary Union in West Africa, in order to raise the living standards of our people and contribute to the progress and development of the African continent”.

10. Indeed as a Community, our aspiration is to “create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region, based on good governance and where our people have the capacity to access and harness its resources through the creation of opportunities for sustainable development, job creation and environmental preservation”.

11. These lofty ideals are however not attainable without peace and security. That is why I have decided to make the issue of peace and security the major focus of my Chairmanship. I am happy to inform this august assembly that our efforts have started yielding dividends as we have been able to douse tension and restore confidence in some potentially disruptive political situations, particularly in Guinea Bissau, Togo and Mali.

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,

12. It is a matter of concern that terrorism and violent extremism have continued to threaten the peace and security in our sub-region. This threat calls for collective action on our part, if we are to effectively and definitively eliminate it. As we work on new strategies to combat and eradicate this menace, we require the support of our partners to ensure the achievement of our objectives.

13. Still on sub-regional peace, as you are all aware, Nigeria and Senegal will hold general elections in February 2019. On my part, I have already made a pledge to conduct free, fair and credible elections. In the same vein, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other political stakeholders, have expressed their unwavering commitment to the conduct of peaceful elections devoid of violence, rancour and acrimony, in the higher interest of the nation.

Your Excellencies,

14. Our determination to create a safe and stable sub-region must be predicated on a strong and capable organization. You will all agree with me that no institution can function effectively without adequate funding.

15. This would require that all hands are on deck and that all Member States ensure the payment of the Statutory Community Levy as and as when due. By so doing, we will empower and enable the Commission to implement the Integration Agenda, as we march towards the year 2020, and actualize our vision of building an ECOWAS of Peoples and not of States.

Excellencies,

16. In light of the continuing fragility of our economies linked closely to commodity prices, our nascent democracies, the negative effects of climate change on our farming systems, the globalisation of crime and terrorism, we are required on a daily basis, to join forces to eliminate these factors that militate against a secure, conducive and prosperous environment for the benefit of our people. These realities remind us of the need for even stronger intra-ECOWAS solidarity in order to address emerging challenges.

17. This is indeed the very sense of our Union. To that end, important decisions are taken in the course of our meetings, with the goal of impacting transforming positively on the lives of our citizens.

18. During this 54th Ordinary Session, the task before us is to appraise our Community. In this regard, we are expected to take several decisions on a number of issues I have already mentioned. As is our custom, our Session would consider these matters from the reports on today’s agenda as follows:

a. The 2018 Annual Report of ECOWAS,

b. The Report of the 81st Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers,

c. The Report of the 41st Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council,

d. The Reports on the Political and Security Situation of the Region, and

e. The Report on the Process for the Establishment of the ECOWAS Single Currency,

19. I wish to commend the Council of Ministers and ECOWAS Commission for the very useful documents which have been circulated.

Excellencies Ladies and Gentlemen,

20. I will conclude my remarks by wishing us fruitful deliberations. I hereby declare open, the 54th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

I thank you for your kind attention

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/buharis-speech-to-ecowas-heads-of-state.html

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, on Friday presented a budget of N129.9billion for 2019 to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the budget, christened, “Budget of Restoration”, is made up of N57.8billion capital expenditure and N72.7billion recurrent expenditure.

The capital expenditure represents 44 per cent, while the recurrent expenditure is about 56 per cent of the budget.


Fayemi said the budget was tailored after the 4-pillars of his administration, which are Social Investment, Knowledge Economy,

Infrastructure and Industrial Development and Agriculture and Rural Development.

He listed the policy thrust and objectives of the budget to include establishment of an effective strategy to revamp the state’s economy as well as improving Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), among others.

According to him, the budget has been structured in a manner that will liberate the state from poverty and underdevelopment.

“I am not on a revenge mission, but rather, I am back as a healing balm on a painful wound. We as a responsible government are not interested in trials by media, political witch hunt or playing to the gallery merely to achieve cheap popularity.

“That is why this administration is not set out to abandon any of the ongoing projects embarked upon by my predecessor, especially considering the fact that such projects are being financed by the state tax payers.

“A bottom- line approach was adopted in preparing the budget to really meet the yearnings of the people and return the state to its rightful place among the comity of states.

“This was why I made sure government consulted widely and gathered the inputs of all stakeholders in achieving a budget that will reflect collective aspirations, needs and demands for sustainable growth of all the 16 Local Government Areas,” he said.

Responding, the Speaker, Mr Adeniran Alagbada commended the governor for the early presentation of the budget and promised to accord it accelerated consideration so that people of the state can begin to enjoy dividends of democracy under the new All progressive Congress led administration.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/fayemi-presents-n1299bn-budget-for-2019.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, reiterated that it is the duty of the police, supported by other security agencies to adequately secure the elections.

Buhari spoke at the convocation and passing out parade of the First Regular Cadet Course at the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano State.

”You must do everything possible to make the election violence free to avoid ballot box snatching, multiple voting, vote buying on sites, attack on electoral officers and other acts which might negatively impact on the elections and their outcome,” he said at the event attended by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and other senior police officers.


”The elections must be conducted in a violence free environment for it to be adjudged credible, free and fair in the eyes of both local and international observers,” he said.
The President pledged that his administration will continue to do all that is possible to make the Nigeria Police efficient and responsive to the security needs of the country by providing the necessary assistance to make its operations technology based.
While congratulating the graduands on successfully completing the five years training programme in the institution, President Buhari enjoined the new officers to be courageous, brave and determined in the fight against all forms of crime in the country.

The President noted that he was happy to be the first serving President to witness the passing out parade of the first batch of Nigeria Police Academy Cadet Officers.
”You should consider yourselves privileged, not only for being able to complete the course but for being adjudged worthy in character, fitness and in learning to pass out as Cadet Assistants Superintendents in the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a sword of honour to the best graduating Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police, Shuaibu Aminu by the President.
He also presented an award to the best female graduating Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police Evangeline Babuba.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/buhari-warns-police-ahead-of-2019.html

Ekiti State Government on Thursday received N3.9 billion from the Federal Government as the last tranche of its Paris Club refund.


As directed by the President, N3.3billion was also deducted and paid as outstanding 2016-2018 counterpart fund for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) being owed by the state.

Consequently, the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has directed that the N3.9billion refund be applied to pay one month of outstanding arrears to state and local government workers, teachers and pensioners, in line with his promise to Ekiti workers and people.


This will be done with an augmentation from internal savings.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the Paris Club refund was received following President Mohammadu Buhari’s intervention in the matter, after Governor Fayemi’s last week visit to the President.

Governor Fayemi expressed appreciation to the President for the timely intervention, having assured workers in the state that his administration would explore all avenues to clear the five to eight months salary arrears owed workers in the state by the immediate past administration, within a reasonable period.


Dr Fayemi, had while fielding questions during the monthly “Meet Your Governor” programme on television and radio last week re-assured workers that he was yet to receive the Paris Club refund, adding that he would make it public once the state received the payment.

The immediate past administration of Mr Ayodele Fayose had received a total N18.34 billion Paris Club refund in three tranches between December 2016 and December 2017, in addition to bailout funds, budget support funds and excess crude support, all totalling about N55 billion, but failed to utilise it on salary being owed workers and retirees.

The first tranche of the Paris Club refund totalling N8.87 billion was received in December 2016. The state also got N4.77 billion in July 2017 and another N4.7billion in December 2017.

Governor Fayemi has however assured workers in the state that his administration will not owe them salaries, adding that he would clear outstanding salaries for all categories of workers within one year.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/ekitis-n39billion-paris-club-refund-for.html

Globacom has unveiled a new voice and data combo offer, the Glo Super Value Pack. According to a statement, the new product is available to Glo customers within Nigeria and those who are roaming their lines abroad. They can enjoy the products in the two variants of ‘More Data’ with ‘Talk and More Talk with Data.’

Globacom said ‘More Data with Talk’ is designed for heavy data subscribers who require more data and less voice, while ‘More Talk with Data’ is packaged for customers who use more voice and less data.

For Glo subscribers who opt for “More Data with Talk”, a recharge of N2,000 gives them N4,000 for voice calls to all networks, in addition to 2.5GB total data volume, comprising 2GB data volume and 500MB data gift. It has 30 days validity.


A recharge of N1000 gives the subscriber N2, 000 for voice calls to all networks, 1GB data volume and 250MB gift data, making it 1.25GB total data volume, with a validity period of 14 days.

More details at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/glo-at-it-again-with-new-offering.html

Oil marketers yesterday confirmed receipt of N236 billion being first tranche payment of the outstanding N800 billion subsidy debt owed its members.

Executive Secretary of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) confirmed the development to Daily Sun in a telephone interview.

‘‘Yes, I can confirm to you that payment is ongoing. Some of our members have started receiving the promissory note for the payment of the subsidy arrears.”

The receipt of the N236 billion promissory note was equally corroborated by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Downstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Ikem Obih.

Obi said the Federal Government in paying the first tranche of the debt through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had directed banks to freeze interest on loans related to the subsidy scheme.

“Yes, I can confirm that the promissory note has been issued; in fact, they were ready on Wednesday. The marketers got emails inviting them to come and receive them on Monday.

“By the end of Tuesday, they were actually ready from the Debt Management Office (DMO). We had a meeting with the CBN Governor on Thursday and they were informed officially that they should pick up the promissory notes; the Director General of DMO was there.

“Most of them were waiting for that meeting with the CBN governor; it went very well. One of the things that CBN governor has taken the initiative to do is to ask the banks to freeze the interest on any loan related to that scheme; the outstanding payment from end of June 2017 to date. Those are some of the additional concessions that government has done,’’ he said.

According to him, all the promissory notes for this first tranche will mature by 2019.

“The CBN governor will give the Liquid assets status; so, it is as good as cash,’’ he added.

But, Isong in admitting that the money has been paid through promissory notes, said he hopes the Federal Government implements the clause in the agreement that banks freeze interest on loans.

Commenting on petrol scarcity, he said at the moment, the country had in stock 2.7 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that would last for 54 days and still importing.

He noted that in terms of supply, NNPC was very robust and had never been this good in the least 10 years, at this time of the year.

“We are very good with distribution in terms of how much products is on land because 2.8 billion litres is what is between Lagos waters and land.

“Most tank farm cannot receive PMS at the moment; our vessels have to queue for days to be able to discharge to the storage.’’ He added

Also, petroleum products marketers had also confirmed receiving payment of N236 billion from the Federal Government for the first tranche of the outstanding fuel subsidy claims.

However, the Executive Secretary of the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Mr Olufemi Adewole, said, that oil marketers still needed clarifications as regards the payments made by the Federal Government.

“Yes, we collected promissory notes, but we need clarification. DAPPMAN chief executive officers are reviewing the total scenario and would meet with the Senate Committee, which has been of so much help to iron out things.”

He further confirmed that the payment was made via promissory notes, adding that DAPPMAN was already reviewing the situation.

He confirmed that the petroleum marketers would be meeting with the Senate Committee on Downstream to address other pending issues.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/n800bn-subsidy-debt-oil-marketers-get.html