₦airaland Forum

The recent consecutive execution of two aid workers belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of the Boko Haram terrorists, has expectedly sparked off condemnation from all.

In September, one of the three abducted aid workers, Saifura Khorsa was killed in cold blood. Her death was followed by that of her colleague, 25-year-old Hauwa Liman just this month. This was after the expiration of the October 15 deadline given to the Nigerian government by the group to pay ransom for the release of the lone Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, and the two aid workers. Failure to meet the October deadline saw the death of Liman, while Sharibu and Loksha are still in captivity.


Sharibu on the other hand is the lone Dapchi girl who is still in captivity after she was abducted from her school in February this year. Although 110 were abducted, the government succeeded in gaining the release of 104. While five died, one was left behind because she refused to renounce her Christian faith against despite demand by the terrorists, an act they perceived as an affront to their command leading to her continuous detention in their captivity.

The Rann Attack
The trio of Hauwa Mohammed Liman, Alice Loksha and Saifura Ahmed Khorsa, all women, were abducted by the terrorists on March 1, this year. While Liman and Khorsa worked in a hospital supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Loksha, was a nurse who worked in a centre supported by UNICEF.

On the said day, no fewer than four aid workers were killed on that Thursday night attack by insurgents in Rann community in Kala Balge Local Government of Borno. According to Samantha Newport, Head of Communications, UNICEF Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who confirmed the incident to the on Friday in Maiduguri, two of the deceased were personnel of UN client organisation, International Organisation of Migration (IOM), deployed to Rann as camp managers. She added that others killed were a medical doctor working as a consultant with UNICEF and an aid worker with the ICRC affiliate organisation.

The insurgents had attacked the town at about 7 p.m. using in their trucks and motorcycles. They first infiltrated the town before attacking a military base and an internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camp, where over 55,000 persons sought shelter, alongside humanitarian workers. At end of the attack, Liman, Loksha and Khorsa were missing.

The Rally
Worried by this reign of terror and the wanton shedding of the blood of innocent citizens by these insurgents, members of the Coalition for global Peace and Justice (CPJ), a faith-based, non-denominational civil society organisation, mobilised all their members in Lagos for a rally to protest against the injustice meted out to Nigerians under the purview of the government.

The rally which took place last Sunday at the headquarters of the Realm of Glory International in Okota, Lagos and around the neighbourhood, had the protesters dressed in black and red attires, displaying placards bearing varied inscriptions with photos of the victims.

Some of the inscriptions read: ‘RIP Saifura Khorsa’, ‘RIP Hauwa Liman’, ‘Nigeria mourns’, ‘Blood on the flag’, ‘Blood of the innocent crying for justice’, and ‘Who will save Alice Loksha’, amongst several others.
As the marched around the vicinity, they called on the government to rise and address the ugly situation in the country. According to them, the government has failed the people. They wondered why there would be a government in the country and a set of people will be slaughtering their fellow citizens for nothing without any strong resistance from the government.

The National Coordinator of the coalition and General Overseer of the Realm of Glory International, Pastor Abraham Sam Aiyedogbon, who spoke to THISDAY on the sidelines of the rally, said they have given the federal government an ultimatum to see to the immediate release of Sharibu, Alice Loksha, and all other people being held captive by the insurgents.

Aiyedogbon said: “We feel that what is happening is unprecedented, it has never happened like this before. There is an infringement on the sovereignty of Nigeria as a nation state. It looks like there is even no government because we now have a terrorist organisation, whether they are Boko Haram or Islamic State of West Africa Province, who are responsible for the execution of Hauwa Liman.

“We have them running either within our territory or in and out of our territory, taking citizens hostage, slaughtering our citizens, and our government seems to be powerless and helpless about it. So we feel ashamed, we feel insecure, we are pained because it is just unprecedented and it is unbearable.

“The president is not telling us anything specific; we voted him into power for security of lives and property; we voted him into power to bring change, we voted him into power to fulfill his promises; he didn’t do that, rather he is looking for second term, to do what? He has to prove to us why he failed the first term before he can tell us to vote for him for second term.

“People are hungry, we are feeding people in church, people are losing their jobs, there are widows everywhere, there are orphans all over the place; none of the politicians are addressing these issues – the issue of Leah Sharibu, the issue of Hauwa Liman, the issue of all these deaths. They are not addressing any of them, they are just changing political parties and it’s about their interest. So we are saying “Our Mumu E Don Do.”
According to him, “if Hauwa Liman was the daughter of a governor or a president, or a connected billionaire would her story have been different?”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/a-rallying-force-against-acts-of-terror.html

Four years after Nigeria survived an outbreak of Ebola, Director General of the West African Health Organisation, WAHO, Prof. Stanley Okolo, has said the sub-region lost $7 billion in terms of loss aid, income and productivity during the 2014 Ebola epidemic.

Okolo, in his presentation during the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement, REDISSE, 3rd Steering Committee Meeting in Lagos last week, urged countries to prepare for emergency response to prevent economic, human and other losses. He also noted that the region learnt lessons in areas such as poor surveillance infrastructure, poor information sharing and collaboration, poor emergency response and inadequate financing. “We were involved in the 2014 Ebola epidemic and had nearly $7 billion in terms of lost productivity, lost income, lost tourism and aid that came. This is probably only in cost; we are not talking of the nearly 12,000 brothers, sisters, children and women that died, we must not have that again. “So, a lot of work is going on but what I am really charging us to do is get ahead and challenge each other; and also to our leaders, that they imbibe and acquire the models and tools so as to be prepared and fight diseases,” he stated. At the week-long meeting to ratify recommendations made by the sub-committee in Lagos, Okolo said REDISSE project is a regional project funded by the World Bank, covering all the 15 ECOWAS countries and Mauritania in five-year phases from 2016 to 2023. He disclosed that 11 of the expected 16 countries have so far subscribed to the REDISSE project, stating that REDISSE has five components including surveillance and health information, laboratory capacity building, preparedness and emergency response. “I am challenging the 15 countries in West Africa to be ahead of the curve because those involved in epidemic and emergencies know it has huge economic problems. It is important to say that the first 48 hours in an outbreak of any epidemic is critical and what is done then is dependent on how prepared you are within that 48 hours. “Epidemic responsibility is dependent on the easiness of preparedness and the system in each country; in other words, the preparedness in response depends on the preparedness of each and every country. “So, we are looking at how our countries, individually, are setting up their system, their people in terms of surveillance in getting information from all the districts, all the public health communities and how they are analysing the information. Okolo who stressed the need to improve on the lessons learnt from the 2014 Ebola epidemic said “In the region, we have set up super regional laboratories; 12 of them in West Africa for human reference analysis and another two for veterinary. We are also looking at how to train people, epidemiologists, to support the countries; we have 3,000 to support across West Africa.” The World Bank Representative, Mr John Paul Clark said the meeting gave opportunity to discuss the challenges they all face, adding that the meeting would help them map out strategies to utilise the resources that would help WAHO.

“We also seek to provide the technical support and assistance in a more timely manner that will help the bank overcome some of the bureaucratic obstacles presently being encountered as well as streamline the procedures,” he added.” REDISSE project coordinator for Nigeria and Director, disease surveillance, Nigeria CDC, Dr Olubunmi Ojo said: “There is need to restructure, in terms of distribution of the fund. Disease surveillance is at the grassroots and we are trying to improve surveillance, laboratory and create more awareness.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/how-west-africa-lost-7bn-during-2014.html

The Supreme Court on Monday set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, which vacated a stay order made by a Rivers High Court, against the conduct of All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses in the state.

Delivering the ruling on the interlocutory appeal, Justice Centus Nweze, held that the decision of the Court of Appeal was in error.

Nweze said the lower court was compelled to be guided by the judgments of the apex court, adding that the panel had to follow the law before arriving on its decision.

“This court is the highest and final court of decision in Nigeria. All other courts must abide by decisions from here. Failure to do this amounts to gross misconduct by judges.

“I hereby make an order setting aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt which vacated the stay order made by a State High Court in this matter,’’ he said.

The judge held that the respondent (APC) was in contempt when some of its members invaded the court and disrupted the peace of the court during proceedings.

According to him, it is against known procedure of court for such a party to approach an appellate court to be granted any prayers in a matter for which it is in contempt.

“The action and attitudes displayed by members and agents of the respondent are complete affront on the judiciary and would not be condoned,’’ he said.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ibrahim Umar and 12 other members of the APC had approached the apex court challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt.

The appellants had initially instituted a case in the Rivers State High Court challenging their exclusion from the party congresses.

They prayed the court for a stay in the conduct of the congresses pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Aggrieved by the action, a faction of the APC approached the appellate court where the stay order was set aside, thereby giving the party the freeway to conduct the congresses.

Meanwhile, Justice Chinwendu Nworgu, on Oct.11 had delivered judgment on the substantive suit, where the court voided the list of candidates and sacked the state APC executive.

Nworgu said actions taken by the APC during the pendency of the suit had been set aside because they were illegal and unconstitutional.

The judge held that all those who purchased nomination forms for the ward congresses were entitled to contest the ward congresses of May 19, but were unjustly excluded by the party.

Nworgu also set aside all the primaries of the Rivers APC, including the indirect election that produced Mr Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate.

NAN recalls that the suit allegedly stemmed from crisis between, Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation and Sen. Magnus Abe, an acclaimed governorship candidate of the party over the leadership of the party.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/supreme-court-reinstates-injunction.html

Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge ended in ugly scenes as the Portuguese reacted angrily to the celebrations of one of Chelsea's coaching staff after Ross Barkley's last-gasp equaliser.

Barkley fired home on 96 minutes to salvage a point for Maurizio Sarri's side in a pulsating 2-2 draw, prompting a member of the Italian's backroom team to celebrate animatedly in front of the United bench.

A furious Mourinho then had to be restrained by stewards before Sarri managed to reconcile the Manchester United manager.

Anthony Martial's two goals had put United ahead following Antonio Rudiger's first-half header had given the hosts the lead.

After the final whistle, Mourinho gestured towards the Chelsea fans with three fingers, presumably in reference to the three Premier League titles he won at Stamford Bridge.
When asked about the incident, Mourinho said: "I can tell you that the 97 minutes game was so good that you have to focus on that."

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/jose-mourinho-involved-in-touchline.html

Jose Mourinho has vowed not to rub Chelsea’s nose in it if Manchester United can pull off a shock win at Stamford Bridge today.

The Portuguese manager takes United to his old club desperate for a victory that will relieve some pressure after recent troubles in the Premier League.

And even though Mourinho is bound to get a hostile reception from supporters who like to tell him ‘you’re not special anymore’, he said: “For me this is another game.


“Would I celebrate like crazy my team’s goal at Stamford Bridge or my team’s victory at Stamford Bridge?
“I don’t think so, I think I would try to control myself and to respect the stadium and the supporters that were my supporters and stadium for many years.
“I would think which stadium I am in, which public is in the stands but apart from that it is another match for me.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/i-wont-celebrate-if-man-united-beat.html

The controversy surrounding the whereabouts of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has finally been laid to rest as he was reportedly sighted yesterday praying in a Jewish synagogue in Israel. This much has been confirmed by both his family and the leadership of IPOB.

His reappearance has however elicited concern by the apex Igbo group, Ohanaeze, which called on the pro-Biafra agitators to shun any confrontation with the military, which is organizing another operation python dance in the Southeast. Nnamdi Kanu’s breakaway group from the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), was formed in 2009 and since then, has remained the flagship of the Biafra struggle in the Southeast.Kanu who was based in London, UK, was arrested on October 14, 2015 in Lagos while in Nigeria to strategize on his dream project of actualizing the state of Biafra. He was detained for nearly two years without trial despite several court rulings, granting him bail.

However, in a surprise move, Justice Binta Nyako, handling Kanu’s case, on May 5, 2017, granted him bail on health grounds and adjourned the matter to November of the same year. Before the adjourned date, soldiers on September 21, 2017, invaded the palace of the traditional ruler of Afara Ukwu, HRM (Eze) Isaac Kanu which also doubles as the IPOB leader’s home.


Since after the invasion, Kanu and his parents had not been seen or their whereabouts known until yesterday when the IPOB leader was sighted praying in Israel.


Months before the invasion of his home, the leader of (IPOB) had told this newspaper in an exclusive interview that he feared for his life as the Nigerian Army was planning to kill him over his resolve not to abandon the agitation for the actualization of a state of Biafra.

Speaking on the latest development, the spokesman of the Kanu family, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, confirmed that his elder brother and leader of IPOB, Nnamdi actually prayed in Israel yesterday.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that my elder brother and leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu prayed at a Jewish synagogue in Israel today, Friday and it is the first since he got missing over a year ago when the military invaded our home.”


He said despite the fact that his parents were yet to be seen, the family members are happy that their son, Nnamdi is alive. He refused to make further comments saying the family would issue a statement later.

Reacting to the reappearance of Nnamdi Kanu in Israel, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Uche Achi-Okpaga, said it is something to give glory to God, and called on IPOB members not to engage in any activity that will give room for soldiers to kill them.

He said: “If he is alive, and enjoying his freedom, we give God the glory and pray that the Lord will continue to sustain him in spite of the shenanigans of the Federal Government. I will continue to appeal to our Igbo youths to remain steadfast and peaceful. What it shows is that, their leader, Nnamdi Kanu going to pray is a peaceful man. In spite of what happened, he just left and connected to his God. He was seen praying, which means that he has realised that the battle is not carnal, but spiritual.


“I implore his members to emulate him and follow his footsteps. Let them remain calm, while they pray unto their God, who eventually will do something at the appropriate time. The Bible we read says there is time for everything. If they believe, the Lord will actually make it for them in His own way. I don’t want them to take to violent act, of course, they have never been violent; I don’t want them to take measures that the python dancers will see reasons to pounce on them; they should not take measures that will warrant the python dancers to come and dance on them.

“What they do is to leave Boko Haram ravaged North East and areas where herdsmen are sacking communities in North Central states and come to the Southeast that is the peaceful zone to kill unarmed youths. We warn again, our youths should not do something that will make the python soldiers to come and start dancing.”

President General of Afaraukwu, Nnamdi Kanu’s community, Ikechukwu Nwabueze said they are happy their son has been sighted praying, an indication that he is still alive. “You know, you cannot leave your goods in the market simply because you did not sell them. Whatever they say he has done, he is still our son and we cannot abandon him”.


He urged the federal government to drop the charge against Kanu and allow him to return to Nigeria a free man since he did not do anything against his fatherland. Also confirming that their leader prayed in Israel yesterday, IPOB in a terse statement by its media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful said, “Fellow Biafrans, friends of Biafra, enemies of Biafra, men and women of goodwill and of good conscience across the world, we wish to reliably inform you that the supreme leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu prayed today (yesterday) at the Wailing Wall in the Holy City of David in Jerusalem.

“Biafrans, be resolute this is the beginning of struggle for Biafra independence. We thank Almighty God (Chukwu Okike Abiama) for his protection and safety.”


Meanwhile, the people of Afaraukwu community who are in joyous mood over the reported sighting of their son in Israel, have urged Abia state government to expedite action on the return of Kanu’s father.

According to Nwabueze, “The governor made the promise that our monarch will be back, the question then is, when will he be back?

“If there is anywhere they put him, he should let us know and thank God that he has accepted he will come back, that is to say that he knows where he is. So, since the governor has accepted that he knows where he is and that he will soon come back, then he should bring them back. With what the governor said, it is now very clear that our traditional ruler is in their custody and they should expedite action to bring him back

More report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/igbo-leaders-worried-as-nnamdi-kanu.html

A former governor of Ondo State Olusegun Mimiko said the devaluation of life in Nigeria is one of the reasons he is contesting for the presidency.

Mimiko governed Ondo State between 2009 and 2016 on the platform of the Labour Party and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), respectively.

After returning to Labour party in June, he dumped the party in September to join the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) where he unanimously emerged as ZLP presidential candidate.


The presidential candidate said the devaluation of life and the high rate of maternal mortality are the major reasons he wants to unseat President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

“This country is in a state of anomy, things have not been this bad, especially in terms of unity and the devaluation of life,” Mimiko said in an interview with Inspiration FM.

“The chances that woman will die in pregnancy is high in Nigeria” he added.

Mimiko was lauded during his tenure as the Ondo State governor for his role in the reduction of the maternal deaths in the state. His tenure recorded a 75% reduction in maternal mortality rate with the Abiye Safe Motherhood programme.

During the interview, Mimiko affirmed that “the body language of the government” does not reflect that the ruling All Progressives Congress Buhari-led administration value the lives of Nigerians citing the recent killings by the herdsman and the recent abduction and killing of some Red cross staff by terrorist group.

The terrorist group has killed at least 20,000 in the country’s remote north-east and displaced millions of people.

The two-term governor confirmed that one of those things he achieved while in government was the minimization of the maternal mortality in the state.

He
stated that the high rate of poverty in the country is also one of those things driving him to contest in 2019.

The presidential hopeful also promised restructuring which the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate, Abubakar Akiku, is also an advocate of.

“All our challenges, not one will go until we restructure, we have to restructure, we have to devolve power to sub-national groups,” Mimiko said.

He argued that the more states and sub-national groups are granted autonomy, the more productive they will be. They will be able to leverage on their God-given endowment.

“The more you decentralize, the lower the propensity to be corrupt. The more concentrated power at the center the more propensity for corruption,” he affirmed.

Mimiko, therefore, stated that his experience and all the opportunity he has achieved will influence his governance when he is elected

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/why-i-want-to-be-president-mimiko.html

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) yesterday said about 60.2 million barrels of crude oil were stolen from the country between 2011 and 2014.

Speaking at the 40th anniversary of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Falana noted that the stolen product passed through the Philadelphia Port in the United States of America (U.S.A.).

Also, National President of PENGASSAN, Olabode Jonshon, said the union would engage the Federal Government and legislature on how to evolve a new beginning for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

“We supported the new Joint Venture (JV) cash call framework and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reforms. Currently, we are engaging the executive and legislature on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB),” Johnson said.

On the revenue losses to crude oil theft, Falana said: “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) commissioned a study about seven years ago concerning millions of barrels of crude oil that leave Nigeria unaccounted for.
“The study found that between January 2011 and December 2014, 60.2 million barrels of crude oil left Nigeria that were not recorded, but were recorded to have been discharged at the Philadelphian Port in the U.S.
“It revealed that the value of the stolen oil amounted to $12.7 billion. That was oil discharged in just one port. We have identified the oil majors that were involved and we have also identified the shipping company.
“But since 2014, we have been begging the Federal Government to recover the money and nothing has been done. The money lost in U.S, India, China and other ports where our oil is discharged exceeds $100 billion.
“We wrote a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that while they are busy recovering small money from politicians, this is the real money available to Nigeria, but unfortunately, no action has been taken,” he stated.
While urging the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the labour movement to lead the battle for recovering outstanding crude oil proceeds, Falana said Nigeria is also losing huge revenues due to the non-implementation of Offshore and Inland Sharing Formula Act enacted in 1999 but was backdated to 1993.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/60m-barrels-of-crude-oil-stolen-from.html

Hearts saddened by the shocking execution of Hauwa Liman received a fresh stab yesterday as her traumatised parents rejected news of their daughter’s death.

Hauwa, an aid worker with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was executed on Monday after the expiration of a deadline by Boko Haram.

But her distraught father in a television interview yesterday said: “I am not sure whether they have done it or not, up till now. I want her corpse, if really she was killed. Let them bring her corpse, so that I can bury her in an Islamic way, so that our hearts would be at peace. Otherwise, we would never forget this incident.”


The ICRC however confirmed the killing. “A second health worker held hostage in Nigeria has been murdered. It’s utterly devastating that we have to write that sentence. The ICRC received information indicating that Hauwa Mohammed Liman has been killed by her captors in a despicable act of cruelty. Hauwa is the second abducted health worker in Nigeria to be murdered in the last month,” the organisation wrote on its website yesterday.

Reacting, President Muhammadu Buhari tweeted: “Today (yesterday), I spoke with Mohammed Liman, father of Hauwa, the ICRC midwife killed by Boko Haram. It is not the kind of telephone call anyone prays to make. The Federal Government did everything possible to save Hauwa’s life; it is tragic & regrettable that all our efforts were unsuccessful.”

He expressed hope that the incident would not “discourage the ICRC from working in Nigeria,” promising that the Federal Government would do all in its power to protect humanitarian workers.

Condemning the execution, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres said: “Those responsible must be brought to justice.” In a statement by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, he expressed his deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Hauwa, and solidarity with the president and staff of the ICRC.

The Senate and the House of Representatives also renewed calls for the freedom of the abductees, Leah Sharibu and another ICRC worker, Alice Loksha. They urged the presidency to expedite action on the matter. The Senate further mandated its committee on security and national intelligence to meet with security chiefs to find a lasting solution to crises in the country.

On its part, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) called on the Federal Government to review its negotiation strategies with Boko Haram. In a statement by Spokesman Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF advised: “Any actions by the Federal Government and its allies should be quick to assuage the fears of Nigerians on what may happen to those still in captivity.” The group also commiserated with the affected families.

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, issued a statement where it regretted the helplessness of the nation’s security agencies in the face of Boko Haram attacks. “As long as the headship of the nation’s security agencies are determined by tribal origin and analogue security chiefs who have their tenures illegally extended, the forage by the insurgents would be hardly contained,” the group said.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) commiserated with the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the families of the aid workers. In a statement, CAN president, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle, called on persons behind wanton killings in the country to repent and reconcile with the entire populace.

Also, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, commiserated with the family of Hauwa, describing the murder as callous and unfortunate. Health workers should not be targeted in any conflict zone, as they are recognised as humanitarian service providers, he said.


The official organisation for the Obiageli Ezekwesili’s #Hope2019 movement for the Nigerian presidency suspended its pre-campaign activities in honour of Hauwa. Ezekwesili tweeted: “Help us, Lord. Help us. Help our government to rise up in all its might, no matter how weakened. Help our leader to decisively and permanently confront all those that kill off our young, our old, our men, our women. Our people can’t keep being killed.”

In yet another reaction, Tom Lever, in charge of the Africa regional office of Global Amnesty Watch (GAW), noted: “The gruesome killing of the aid worker has confirmed that Boko Haram is a group driven by mindless wickedness and one that must be collectively dealt with by the entire world.

“We urge the Nigerian authorities to continue to tighten the noose around the terrorists until the last of those being held captive by Boko Haram is released. The desperate action on the part of the terrorists must not be allowed to slow down the operations meant to restore normalcy to the region.”

See more photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/photos-shock-anger-trail-boko-haram.html

The Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN has said that Nigeria is the best-performing economy in Africa. Keymo made this known while speaking on Channels TV on Monday, he said “I need to remind Nigerians about the GDP growth. Of the 11 countries that went into recession around the world, Nigeria has exceeded all of them in terms of GDP growth”.

“None of them has crossed 1.4 to 1.5 percent, Nigeria is doing close to two percent GDP growth right now. Let us get that one clear,” he said. “Forbes Africa has rated Nigeria as the best-performing economy in Africa. The results came out two-three weeks ago, we are the best-performing economy in Africa.” He also said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led government is not paying subsidy like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did but acknowledged that the Buhari admin is only paying “premium”. “What happened under the PDP government was that they were paying for products that did not land at all. That was the scam that was happening, It was fraud, the greatest stealing in the history of this country happened under them. “All the PDP bigwigs were all involved in this subsidy scam, then you saw that many of them refunded money. Like I said, they were paying for products that did not land at all, they will tell you they have brought product and you have to pay subsidy on those products. “The NNPC officials knew, everybody knew that the products did not come at all. What did Buhari do when he came? He said he wanted to cleanse that industry, he said NNPC should take complete charge of importation. “The government wanted to eliminate subsidy at that time, but as the price of crude went up, the price of production went up, the price of the bye-products also went up, its normal.” He said at the point when oil was $28 to $30, government was not paying subsidy, but “the difference occured when oil prices went beyond $43 per barrel, because that was the benchmark, as it rose beyond $43, the delta started, not subsidy. We started to pull away from N145”. “So the landing cost came to N203/N205, and we are still selling for N145 and the president said you cannot suffer the masses. Now how do they cover it? Not subsidy. “The NNPC Act allows the NNPC to make refunds to the federation account, in other words, they can spend money and return the balance to the federation account, by law.” When asked why the government was not appropriating this “premium”, Keyamo said, “It is now in the 2019 budget; despite the fact that it is backed by law, that premium has been put in the 2019 budget proposal”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/pdp-bigwigs-were-all-involved-in-this.html

An organisation, Women 4 Woman, on Monday offered free medical services to 500 destitute people in Kaduna to mark the World Hand Washing Day.

The event which targeted Almajiris, street urchins, hawkers and other destitute, also focused on educating the beneficiaries on the importance of hand washing in reducing risks of contracting common infections.

Founder of the organisation, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar said the group decided to mobilise medical doctors, nurses and volunteers to sensitise the beneficiaries, `because no one cares about sensitizing these children on topics related to health matters.”

She said that the 2-day event would focus on educating children and other residents on the simplest and most effective measure of preventing diseases through hand washing.

According to her, the hands are the commonest highways to the transmission and spread of bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that cause diseases, food-borne illness and infections.

“We chose to celebrate the day through educating the Almajiris and other destitute children simply because we feel they are always left behind in terms of educating them on health matters.


“And we feel they need to be educated like every other child about preventives ways to avert spread of diseases.

“We must teach them how to wash their hands before and after eating to reduce spread of various diseases associated with lack of washing hands.

“These children eat food without cleaning their hands, and we feel that there is need to educate them, that is why we are here with them,” Abubakar said.

The official urged other NGOs and CSOs, state and federal ministries of health to double efforts in raising awareness among rural and urban children on the importance of hand washing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was supported by another organization, Foundation for the Protection of Women and Children.

Head of the foundation, Ramatu Tijjani, used the opportunity to appeal to religious leaders to take up the campaign and spread the message of hand washing across all communities to enhance public health.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ngo-offers-free-medical-care-to-500.html

Over 22 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine were seized in two separate raids over the weekend in Northern Thailand, Police said on Monday.

Following tip-offs, police on Saturday arrested three Thai men transporting more than 12 million methamphetamine pills and 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine out of the northern province Chiang Rai, deputy national police chief Chalermkiat Srivorakan told reporters.

On Sunday, another 10 million methamphetamine pills were seized in Chiang Rai after smugglers left them behind while fleeing police, Chalermkiat said.


The busts were among Thailand’s biggest drug confiscations this year.

In April 29, million dollars worth of drugs including 1.7 million methamphetamine pills were seized in a week-long series of raids across the country.

Methamphetamine pills are popular in Thailand and across South-East Asia.

Most methamphetamine smuggled into Thailand comes from Myanmar through the “Golden Triangle,’’ a shared border area between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, which is notorious for drug smuggling.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/thai-police-seize-22-million.html

“We have a lot of headroom to borrow, but we are not rushing to borrow more because we have to consider the foreign debt service obligations that we carry now” – Zainab Ahmed

Despite its excruciating debt service burden that has already drawn the red flag of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral finance institutions, the Federal Government, yesterday, confirmed it would soon be heading to the international financial market to raise about $2.8 billion in Eurobond to fund capital projects in the budget.

Disclosing this yesterday in Bali, Indonesia, while headlining the country’s ‘takeaways’ from the 2018 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed, said the country still has significant legroom for more borrowings with its total debt profile at just three per cent of GDP.

“The upcoming bonds that we are trying to raise would be within the 2018 budget framework and within approved targets. So we are not going beyond what was approved in the budget. The budget has approval for us to borrow both locally and internationally and we have a bond issuance within the range of $2.8 billion that we need to raise before this year closes out. That will be used to finance capital projects in the 2018 budget,” Ahmed said.

Apparently refusing to accept the IMF’s rating about the country’s huge debt stock and service obligations, the Minister stated that Nigeria still has much legroom for further borrowings since its total debt of over N72 trillion represents only 3 percent of the nation’s GDP.

She said Nigeria’s challenge at the moment was not about the size of its debt, but about its lean revenue streams that are making serving obligations an Herculean tax for the government.

“What we have is a revenue problem and that means we need to work harder to increase our revenue to ease our debt service obligations. So we have to enhance our domestic revenue mobilisation so that we can ease the debt service burden that we now carry. We have a lot of headroom to borrow, but we are not rushing to borrow more because we have to consider the foreign debt service obligations that we carry now,” she said.

On the need for the Federal Government to build up stronger financial and fiscal buffers to guard against sudden global financial shocks, the minister disagreed with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, when she argued that the country has really reached a level where it needs to consider increasing its fiscal buffers, noting that the global economy still looked vulnerable and fragile despite some marginal growth in some indicators, warning that Nigeria and many other countries, may be hurt in the next wave of recession if they fail to quickly build sufficient buffers.

“So as a country, both at the federal and state levels, we have to look at how to save more and how to invest more in critical infrastructure that will yield revenue. And that was what came across throughout the meetings with the World Bank and the IMF, that all countries, not just Africa but globally need to build more fiscal buffers,” she said.

She also said that her ministry has so far in the 2018 budget released about N460 billion for capital budget.

For his part, CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, argued this was not the best time for Nigeria to build more fiscal buffers as current policy options have helped to stabilise exchange rate and made planning by the business community more predictable.

Emefiele said “ As a policy option, we can’t build reserve buffers at this time, but we would continue to pursue exchange rate stability which has over these months helped businesses to plan. We also do not want to tamper with interest rate to avoid a spike in non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking industry.”

Meanwhile, Emefiele, also hinted that more state-owned enterprises would be privatised.
He made this known to journalists, at a press conference to mark the end of the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, in Bali, Indonesia.

His words: “As you all know, CBN is the majority shareholder in mint and it was thought fit that being the majority shareholder and given that mint is an important national asset, that Bureau of Public enterprises should divest from mint and that is why that happened,” Emefiele said on Sunday.

“On this issue of whether more and more of this will be coming, I am aware as a member of the national council on privatisation that more are coming and I believe in due course the BPE will make this available for us.

“I’m also aware that ASCON is also in the cart for a total review of the process of privatization so that our aluminium sector can eventually come to live.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/fg-to-borrow-28bn-with-eurobond.html

Ahead of the decision of the Presidency on his fate, Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has filed an action at the Federal High Court, Abuja against the All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC) on the row over his non-participation in the National Youth Service Scheme( NYSC).

He said it was wrong for APC to disqualify him from the governorship primary election in Oyo State for not presenting NYSC discharge certificate.

He asked the court to declare that the submission/presentation of NYSC Discharge Certificate to APC is not part of the requirements for him to participate in the primary election for Nomination of Governorship candidate of the party in Oyo State for the 2019 General Election.

He insisted that he went through the screening and security checks and was certified fit and qualified to be appointed as a minister.

He said participation in NYSC Scheme is not a condition precedent to be satisfied before he was appointed a minister.

He faulted the NYSC for not mobilising him for the scheme.

The Presidency iss said to be weighing options on Shittu’s fate.

The options are directing him to step down as a minister, a soft-landing of resignation and allowing his court case to run its full course.

Shittu has opted to fight his legal battle till the end.

In the writ by his counsel, Mr. A.U. Mustapha( SAN), the embattled minister asked the court to determine five issues. They are:

*”whether by the provision of Section 2(1) of the National Youth Service Corps Decree No. 24 of 1973 and/or any other provision of the Decree being the law in force as at 1978 when the Plaintiff graduated at the University of Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) he was under any legal obligation to have warranted the plaintiff’s participation in the National Youth Service Corps in the absence of a call-up instrument duly served on the Plaintiff by the National Youth Service Corps.

*”whether, by the combined reading of Sections 176-183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [as Amended] and Article 20(iii) & (iv) of the Constitution of the All Progressive Congress; it is a condition that the gubernatorial aspirant of the 1st Defendant (APC) and/or any political party for that matter in Nigeria must present the National Youth Service Corps Discharge/Exemption Certificate;

*”Whether it is ultra vires the powers of the 1st defendant to have disqualified the plaintiff from participating in its primary election for nomination of the governorship candidate of the 1st defendant in Oyo State for the 2019 General Election on the ground that the plaintiff does not possess National Youth Service Corps Discharge/Exemption Certificate;

*”Whether it does not amount to denial of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of as amended for the 1st defendant to have purportedly disqualified the Plaintiff from contesting for governorship election in Oyo State under the platform of the 1st defendant without availing the Plaintiff an opportunity to be heard on the allegations that the plaintiff avoided the National Youth Service Scheme; and

*”whether by the combined reading of the provisions of Sections 147(5), 65(1)(b) & (2), 66 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 12 of the National Youth Service Corps Act, Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the plaintiff was qualified to have been appointed as a Minister capable of holding the office, and/or any other governmental office at any level notwithstanding the fact that he did not participate in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.”

In an affidavit which he personally sworn to, the 65-year old minister said: “I was liable but not obligated to have participated in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme both at the time I graduated from the said University and as at the time I was called to the Nigerian Bar.

“ I know as a fact that no “call-up instrument” was served on me as at 1978 when I graduated from the said University by the National Youth Service Corps to have warranted my participation in the scheme.

“I know as a fact that I was also not served any Notice or notified in any manner to proceed to participate in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme.

“I know as a fact that participation in the National Youth Service Corps programme is not one of the requirements to be satisfied under the 1st Defendant’s constitution to enable me participate in the primary election for Nominating the party flag bearer for the office of Governor of Oyo State in the 2019 General Election. A copy of the Constitution of the 1st Defendant is hereby attached and marked as “Exhibit SHITTU 8”.

“I also know as a fact that under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) it is not a requirement for me to have participated in National Youth Service Corps Scheme to be eligible for participation in the 1st Defendant’s primary election for Nomination of its flag bearer in Oyo State for the 2019 General election.

“ I know also as a fact that the Electoral Act 2010 [as Amended] did not make participation in the National Youth Service Corps Scheme a condition precedent for contesting any elective office whatsoever.

“I know also that participation in NYSC Scheme is not one of the requirements to enable me take part in primary election for Nomination of the 1st Defendant’s flag bearer for the office of Governor of Oyo State in the 2019 General election.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/nysc-presidency-considers-shittus-fate.html

The Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday condemned the restriction of 50 unnamed Nigerians and seizure of their assets without due judicial pronouncement.

President Muhammadu Buhari announced in a statement on Saturday that some 50 persons have been barred from travelling out of the country, saying the move was to deprive them the benefits of depleting their alleged loot.

Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson who circulated the statement Saturday afternoon, did not say whether or not the administration procured a court approval before taking the measure considered unconstitutional by many Nigerians.

Mr Shehu said the government took the action against the backdrop of a court ruling upholding the president’s Executive Order 6 signed in July. But while the presiding judge, Ijeoma Ojukwu, validated the core principles of the executive order — preventing suspicious assets from being eroded — she warned the administration against implementing it without a court order.

Mr Buhari signed the order granting Attorney-General Abubakar Malami sweeping powers to seize assets of persons whom the administration deemed corrupt and placed under investigation.

The order did not emphasise that court orders must be procured before such actions could be taken against citizen, a provision Mrs Ojukwu essentially struck down in her ruling earlier this week, insisting instead that no Nigerian should be denied access to their possessions without a valid court order.

The controversial banning of 50 unidentified Nigerians had been fiercely criticised by rights and constitutional lawyers, who said it had no place in Nigerian laws and could be largely targeted at stifling opposition ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party was amongst the first set of entities to condemn Mr Buhari’s travel ban on Saturday night, describing it as the tactics of a fascist government that is becoming increasingly panicky about its re-election prospects.

The non-partisan Social and Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) also scolded the president for going down such a perilous road in a democratic nation, adding that the approach was inefficient and counterproductive towards assets recovery and general anti-corruption measures.

Mr Abubakar, who recently emerged the major challenger to Mr Buhari for 2019, joined the fray on Sunday afternoon, saying the order, which he described as a vestige of Mr Buhari’s brutal dictatorship from the 1980s, was capable of devastating the Nigerian economy, and could at worse plunge the most-populous black nation into anarchy.

“We must be unequivocal in saying that we abhor any act of criminality, financially or otherwise, but the rule of law must be our guide at all times or society will descend to anarchy,” Mr Abubakar said in a statement from his campaign office. “Thus, we find it most undemocratic that in a nation governed by the rule of law, a President who swore an oath to abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, does this.”

“It is a throwback to Buhari’s evil Decree Number Two of 1984 which criminalised truth telling if it did not please Buhari, proving that dictators can grow old, but they can’t grow into democrats.

“Under the Buhari administration, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented capital flight out of the nation to the extent that we are not even listed amongst the top ten recipients of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa in the latest ranking by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. It is salient to note that we were number one under the last Peoples Democratic Party administration,” Mr Abubakar added.

Mr Buhari has strongly denied all allegations of impunity or selective targeting of opposition figures in his anti-corruption campaign, urging Nigerians to dismiss the antics of his detractors and instead support him in the fight to rescue Nigeria from the jaws of greedy politicians who have plundered the country for decades.

The president said it was necessary for drastic measures to be deployed in the fight against corruption, else criminal elements would continue to use their vast questionable wealth to frustrate and pervert the nation’s judicial system.

Read the full statement from Mr Abubakar’s office below:

PRESS RELEASE

Buhari’s Draconian Executive Order Would Lead to Capital Flight and Another Recession

Abuja, Nigeria, 14 October, 2018: Our attention has been drawn to the statement by the Presidency banning 50 unnamed Nigerians from travelling out of the country, purportedly on the strength of Executive Order 6. Their crime being that they are suspected of having property overseas and are involved in tax dodging or other alleged financial infractions.

We must be unequivocal in saying that we abhor any act of criminality, financially or otherwise, but the rule of law must be our guide at all times or society will descend to anarchy. Thus, we find it most undemocratic that in a nation governed by the rule of law, a President who swore an oath to abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, does this.

If past events are to be the judge, these 50 individuals will conveniently be critics and opponents of the Buhari administration. This is nothing short of intimidation ahead of the 2019 elections. This is what the Buhari administration did in Osun where they froze the accounts of the Adeleke family and then illegally and clandestinely paid ₦16.7 billion to the Osun state government to facilitate daylight electoral robbery.

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen freedom of movement and freedom of association. This Constitutional right cannot be taken away except by a court order.

If the Buhari administration wants to curtail the rights of Nigerians, then they must go to court and obtain a court order. Anything short of this is unconstitutional and extrajudicial.

This sudden dictatorial act brings to mind President Buhari’s comments for which he was condemned by the international community and by the generality of Nigerians.

While delivering an address at the annual general conference of the Nigerian Bar Association on August 26, 2018, President Buhari has said “where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society.”

That was not only a faulty interpretation of the constitution, the statement also betrays the dictatorial and authoritarian mindset of President Buhari because only he gets to decide who and what threatens national security.

It is a throwback to Buhari’s evil Decree Number Two of 1984 which criminalised truth telling if it did not please Buhari, proving that dictators can grow old, but they can’t grow into democrats.

Under the Buhari administration, Nigeria has witnessed an unprecedented capital flight out of the nation to the extent that we are not even listed amongst the top ten recipients of Foreign Direct Investment in Africa in the latest ranking by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. It is salient to note that we were number one under the last Peoples Democratic Party administration.

Funny enough, the Buhari administration were unable to stop Abdulrasheed Maina, their financier, from leaving the country after he was illegally brought back by them and reinstated to the federal service with double promotion.

It is precisely this type of draconian orders that have chased investors away from Nigeria and it is precisely why Nigerians will chase this recession friendly government away from power on February 16, 2019, so we can begin the job of Getting Nigeria Working Again.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/travel-ban-buhari-repeating-evil-decree.html

Mercedes-Benz sold 202,819 vehicles worldwide in September (-8.2%) and was at the high prior-year level in the first nine months of the year with sales of 1,715,087 units
(-0.1%). In the third quarter of 2018, 526,255 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered to customers (-8.2%). With more than 200,000 units sold last month, sales in September were for Mercedes-Benz as a car manufacturer in the premium segment on a high level. In addition, Mercedes-Benz certified its entire fleet for Europe according to the WLTP standard with effect as of September 1. Certified vehicles are already on their way to the retailers, but despite the on-going strong demand, it was not possible to fulfil all customers’ wishes already in September. Compared with the best September for unit sales achieved last year, sales were also impacted by delays in certification in some international markets and by model changes. In a highly competitive environment, the brand with the three-pointed star maintained its market leadership as the premium brand with the highest number of new registrations in September in the markets UK, Italy, France, Russia, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Turkey, Japan, Australia, the USA and Mexico, among others.

“I am delighted that Mercedes-Benz has maintained the high level of prior-year sales in the first nine months of the year despite the challenges we faced in the third quarter. It is our goal to ensure that our customers can enjoy receiving their new vehicles as soon as possible – and this is exactly what our teams are currently working on intensively,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “With the GLE, we presented the latest model of our most successful SUV ever to the public at the Paris Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz SUVs have been in the fast lane with our customers since the beginning of the year, with over 610,000 units sold worldwide.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market


In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold 91,609 vehicles in September (-9.4%) and a total of 688,956 units in the first nine months of the year (-4.7%). In Germany, the domestic market, Mercedes-Benz delivered 22,780 cars with the star last month (-16.7%) and 217,943 in the period of January to September (-5.6%). In Spain, Sweden, Poland, Denmark and Hungary, more cars with the star were sold than ever before in the first nine months of a year.

In the Asia-Pacific region, sales reached a new record of 714,598 units in the first nine months (+8.1%). In September, 75,414 customers were delighted to receive their new car with the three-pointed star (-4.4%). In China, the biggest market, a new record was set for a September with sales of 54,632 cars (+6.9%). A total of 500,707 vehicles were delivered to customers there in the first nine months of the year – more than ever before in that period (+13.1%). Mercedes-Benz achieved sales records for the first nine months also in Thailand and Malaysia.

In the NAFTA region, 31,273 vehicles were delivered to customers last month (-9.9%). From January to September, unit sales there totalled 271,944 Mercedes-Benz passenger cars
(-6.0%). In the United States, 26,169 vehicles were handed over to customers in September (-9.8%) and 225,384 in the first nine months of the year (-7.0%). Thanks to ongoing strong growth rates, Mercedes-Benz set new sales records in Mexico in September as well as in the first nine months.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

With the SUVs, a new record was set for January to September: Worldwide, a total of 612,186 SUVs with the star were delivered, equivalent to an increase of 3.4% in unit sales of the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class. Thanks to strong growth rates, sales of the midsize SUV GLC set a new record in September (+9.1%) and in the first nine months of this year (+24.5%). Over the past 10 years, Mercedes-Benz sold more than 1.6 million midsize SUVs to customers worldwide.

From January to September, more than 58,000 units of the S-Class Saloon were sold – an increase of about 24%. The popularity of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Saloon also continues: A new sales record was set in September and in the first nine month of the year. In China, around 500 units have been delivered each month since the beginning of the year.

In the first nine months of this year, 442,660 cars of the A-Class, B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA were sold worldwide (-4.6%). In May 2018, the new A-Class was launched as the forerunner of the next generation of compact cars: Last month, worldwide sales of the A-Class reached a new record for September (+1.7%). At the Paris Motor Show, three more highlights of the compact-car family with the star were shown: the A-Class Saloon, the new B-Class and the AMG A35 (fuel consumption combined 7.4-7.3 l/100 km; CO2 emissions combined 169-167 g/ km)*.

Smart

In the first nine months of the year, more than 96,000 cars of the smart brand were sold
(-4.2%). A total of 10,850 customers took delivery of their new two-door or four-door urban microcar in September (-15.0%). The transition of smart into a purely electric brand continues successfully: Never before so many units of the electric smart models were sold in a September and in the first nine months of a year as in 2018. The brand celebrated its 20th anniversary with the world premiere of the smart forease at the Paris Motor Show. The show car interprets and embodies driving fun in the city in a new and refreshing way, and is also homage to the earlier studies crossblade in 2002 and forspeed in 2011. The latter in particular was a model for the smart forease as an open electric convertible.


https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/mercedes-benz-sells-over-200000.html

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ojo Constituency, have marched against what they described as the "manipulation" of the Federal House of Representatives primaries result held in Lagos State.

At the protest, which held in Lagos on Friday, the residents of the area rejected the announcement of Lanre Ogunyemi, who came third at the poll, as winner of the primary election.

Earlier on Thursday, youth and students of Ojo Constituency had also rejected the announcement of Ogunyemi as winner of the primary election.

The members claimed that the primaries held on October 4, 2018, produced Yinka Durosimi as the winner, but some members of the party "doctored" the election result and presented Lanre Ogunyemi, who came third in the election, as winner.

One of the protesters said: "We voted and when results were counted, Honourable Yinka got 3,798 votes, Honourable Taiwo Saheed had 2,587 votes, while Honorable Lanre Ogunyemi came third with 1,753 votes. We were surprised to see in a newspaper that a list presented by the party state chairman presented Ogunyemi who came third, as the winner."

They alleged that the state chairman connived with Ogunyemi to change the result.

The residents carried placards with different inscriptions, demanding that the party allows the person of their choice represent them.

Some inscriptions on the placards read: 'Our Votes Must Count'; 'Lanre Ogunyemi is a Cheat', 'How Can A Distance Third Emerge', among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ojo-apc-members-protest-ogunyemis.html

Following the emergence of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku as Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of the runners-up during the primaries, Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, has congratulated and pledged his support to him.

Dankwambo declared his support for the party’s presidential candidate in 2019 elections on Friday in his congratulatory message, made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to the governor who has been offered Gombe North Senatorial District ticket, God-willing, victory will be delivered to PDP in 2019 presidential election.

“I assure you of my personal commitment and that of my supporters all over the country in the next presidential race.

“I have no doubt, that with God on your side, coupled with your wealth of experience and exposure, our party will be victorious in the next election,” he said.

Dankwambo, a former Accountant-General of the federation, commended Atiku’s doggedness.

“With gratitude to almighty Allah and profound sense of fraternity, I formally congratulate you on your nomination as our party’s Presidential candidate.

“As a co-aspirant in the contest, I understand the emotional, physical and financial stress associated with such race.

“Accept my hearty congratulations on this very important victory,” Dankwambo concluded.

Prior to the Oct. 6, primary election, Dankwambo pledged to abide with outcome of the process.

The governor, who hails from same geo-political zone (Northeast) with Atiku, polled 111 votes to come fifth in the keenly contested party primaries in Porthacourt.

Atiku polled 1,532 votes among 12 aspirants to lead while Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state polled 693 votes to come second.

Former Vice-President Atiku would contest for the number one office with current President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alhaji Muhammad Ribadu, the former Senatorial candidate, Gombe North Senatorial District under the PDP relinquished his candidacy to Dankwambo on Thursday.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/2019-gov-dankwambo-pledges-support-for.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused the federal government of being ignorant of the meaning of terrorists.

The group said such could only account for why the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari could treat both the Fulani herdsmen and the Boko Haram terrorists with kid gloves, despite the number of killings, but chases after the IPOB.

In a press statement by the Awka district leader, Mr Henry Anagbogu and made available to journalists in Awka, the group charged the federal government to immediately unproscribe her to let her conduct meetings of the members of the group, which have always been peaceful.

The group said, failure by the federal government to immediately lift the ban of her would see them defying the proscription by carrying on their activities.
The statement reads in part, “The latest and shocking as well as the labelling of the peaceful Indigenous People Of Biafra(IPOB), as terrorists, ignoring the real terrorists ranging from Boko Haram to the Fulani Herdsmen and the gruesome killings and attacks these hardened terrorists have conducted across the country.
“They call us terrorists when no life was lost in all of IPOBS’ peaceful processions and rallies. Rather this same government brought death on us, shooting at us on exactly September 14th 2017 and even up to date still kill and marginalize Ndi Igbo.

“We can’t be part of a country being governed by people who do not know the simple definition of terrorism.”
Onubogu challenged the Federal government to immediately release its abducted leader, Prince Nnamdi Kanu, saying that his continued detention will not deter the group or make their resolve to actualise Biafra wane.
“They even abducted our leader, Prince Nnamdi Kanu, in order to put IPOB in disarray. But we say they can’t because what we fight for is a just course which we know that the outside world is seeing. We are stronger and our flag is still flying and will continue to fly until we actualize our aim.
“The Nigerian government should fight the real terror that happen every day in the country, the Fulanis take our lands where we plant our crops to graze their cows and cattle. Meaning that in the so-called Nigeria, cows and cattle’s lives are valued more than the lives of its citizens.
“The Federal Government must produce our leader Prince Nnamdi Kanu and our freedom must be granted, enough is enough. We will continue to observe our procession peacefully.”

Read full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/you-dont-know-meaning-of-terrorists.html

The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, was thrown into mourning on Tuesday, following the death of Prof. Adegboyega Obadofin, who was allegedly killed by fire in his residence.

Prof. Sunday Oginduyile, the Vice-Chancellor of OSUSTECH, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa that the university authorities had reported the matter to the police to ascertain the cause of the fire.

Oginduyile said that the fire was said to have occurred about 1 a.m. on Tuesday at his residence in Ayeka area of Okitipupa.

He said that neighbours confirmed to him that there was no public power supply nor was his power generating set on when the incident occurred.
The vice-chancellor said Obadofin, 65, was the Acting Dean, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the university.
“I was in great shock when I visited the late don’s home.

“His death is a great loss not to his faculty but to the entire institution at large. The management, lecturers, students, workers and everyone will greatly miss him,” he said.
He described the deceased whose family resides in Lagos as a friendly person, a gentleman and a hardworking person, whose vacuum would be difficult to fill.
Obadofin’s body has been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital morgue in Okitipupa.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/mysterious-fire-kills-ondo-university.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, not to dump the party.

Fayose on Monday threatened to dump PDP, over what he described as attempt by some people to take over the structure of the party and sideline those who have been toiling to keep the party together.

Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose said: “We have no regret aligning with Governor Nyesom Wike to support Governor Tambuwal for the presidential ticket and no apologies either.


“We kept the party alive and strong when most men became ladies. We never compromised. If any group feels it can do it alone, we will see how far they can go. “I may renounce my membership of the party if the need arises.
“In the main time, I and others will continue with our consultations while watching the turn of events.
“We cannot but appreciate leaders that have intervened so far, but this release became necessary to avoid fresh crisis or misrepresentation.”

But the PDP has appealed to him not to take any decision in anger.
“We appeal to him not to leave the party, he has been an asset and he has benefited from the party. Even when he left, he still came back to the party, so he should consider all that and not abandon the party when we need him most. He should consider the fact that all those who left the PDP for other parties regretted that they left.
“He should not leave now that the likes of Atiku, Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal are back in the party. God will guide him aright, he should not take any decision in anger,” Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Diran Odeyemi said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/pdp-speaks-on-fayose-dumping-party.html

C and I Leasing Plc, at the weekend listed its ₦7.00 billion Series 1 Fixed Rate Bond under its ₦20.00 billion issuance Programme on the FMDQ platform.

The listing, according to the firm, would enable it to finance key activities that ultimately translate to the growth of the company, create liquidity for the instrument as well as improve the price discovery process for subsequent issues by the company.

The Managing Director/CEO of the company, Andrew Otike –Odibi, while speaking during the listing in Lagos at the weekend said: “We are grateful to everyone who contributed tremendously to the process of the issue from the beginning to this point.

“The expansion plans for which we raised the bond are already successfully on course with our complete acquisition of C & I Petrotech taking full ownership of six boats in the process, as well as the recent acquisition of some new vessels to take advantage of the increasing opportunities in the marine business.

“Also, we have invested in brand new vehicles to upgrade the travel experience for our car rental and fleet management clients. In addition to these, we are able to replace some expensive debts with the bond proceeds. Overall, the funds have already been put to use and we guarantee subscribers value and returns in due course.”

The Divisional Head, Marketing Communications, FMDQ, Ms. Bukola Oluyadi, during her welcome address, congratulated the issuer and sponsor of the issue on the success achieved in the DCM and expressed the OTC Exchange’s gratitude for the issuer’s decision to list the bond on FMDQ.

According to her, being listed on FMDQ will avail the bond a host of benefits including, unprecedented transparency, efficient price formation and improved global visibility, among others. She further reiterated the OTC Exchange’s commitment to continually align its strategies and innovation to serve and provide the much-needed support to the players in the DCM.

The Associate Executive Director, FMDQ, Ms. Tumi Sekoni applauded the issuer and the sponsor, Planet Capital Limited, for its concerted efforts towards ensuring the success of the issuance. She further reiterated that through consistent collaboration with its stakeholders, FMDQ will continue to deepen and effectively position the Nigerian DCM for growth, in support of the realisation of a globally competitive and vibrant economy.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/c-and-i-leasing-lists-7b-fixed-rate.html

Mr Frank Nneji, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ABC transport and 13 other governorship aspirants in Imo on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), have agreed to adopt a consensus candidate.

Other aspirants are: Dr Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of the state and Mr Uche Onyeagocha, former member, House of Representatives, Ike Ibe, Humphrey Anumudu and Steve Nwoga, Sam Amadi.

Charley Onyeagbako, Chike Nsofor, Ziggy Azike, Philip Ibekwe, Nick Opara-Ndudu, Bright Nwanne and Obi Njoku.


The aspirants made the agreement in a statement they issued in Owerri on Monday.

They, however, expressed concern that the party leadership in the state could not to meet the Oct. 7 deadline of INEC for submission of names of the candidates of the party for all elective positions.

They also condemned the failure of the party leadership to conduct a credible primary election.

The aspirants assured supporters of their unflinching determination to continue to resist imposition of a candidate on the party.

“The failure of the leadership of the party to guarantee credible primaries for Imo APGA is a terrible disappointment. The plot to impose a candidate on Imo APGA will continue to be resisted.

“We have resolved to present a consensus candidate from amongst the aspirants after due process and consultation between all APGA governorship aspirants and party leaders,” they read.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/14-imo-apga-governorship-aspirants-opt.html

The Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, will join other economic experts from around the world to discuss issues affecting the global economy.

Discussions would take place under the auspices of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The 2018 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank would bring together ministers of finance, central bank governors, parliamentarians, private sector executives as well as representatives from civil society organisations and the academia.

The experts would discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development and aid effectiveness.

The meeting would also feature seminars, regional briefings, press conferences and other events with focus on global economy, international development and the world’s financial system.

The meetings will hold between Oct. 8 and 14.

Nigeria attends the meeting each year because of the quantum of investments and technical assistance it receives from both the IMF and the World Bank.

Although Nigeria currently has zero loans with the IMF, it enjoys technical support from the organisation.

The World Bank Group on the other hand is helping to fight poverty and improve living standards in the country through 33 Core Knowledge Product Reports and 29 ongoing National and Regional projects.

This is in addition to about 60 Trust Funds.

The World Bank Group since 1958 supported Nigeria with loans and International Development Association (IDA) credits worth about 14.2 billion dollars.

The group in 2017 fiscal year alone committed 1.51 billion dollars to the country and has so far committed 2.58 billion dollars on different development projects across the country in 2018.

Some of the projects include accelerating nutrition results, polio eradication, Nigeria electrification projects and promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in states.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/ahmed-emefiele-join-economic-experts-at.html

The battle line between the main contenders in next year’s general elections was finally drawn yesterday as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the standard bearer of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Atiku, who is making his fifth run for president, will face the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, whose candidacy was affirmed yesterday at the convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

Atiku polled 1532 votes, followed by Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who scored 693 votes. Senate President Bukola Saraki came third with 317 votes.

Prior to the commencement of the convention, held in Port Harcourt, efforts were made to prevail on some of the 11 aspirants to step down for Atiku, Tambuwal or Saraki to no avail.


Sources told The Guardian that some governors of the south south and eastern states swung the votes in favour of Atiku, whom they felt stood a better chance of defeating the APC in 2019.

Tambuwal had been tipped to win the primaries, as a result of backing from River State Governor Nyesom Wike and others. But a decision by Atiku’s team to book hotels in advance for delegates was a clincher that also gave the aspirant easy access to voters.

The Guardian learnt that the aspirants financially induced some of the delegates. Those from Rivers State were specially barred from receiving tips from Atiku’s camp. They were reportedly directed to vote for Tambuwal who polled 100 per cent vote from the state.

Wike was said to have informed his colleagues that the reason behind his support for his Sokoto State counterpart was that the caliphate would make crucial inputs in the process of weaving other emirs for a groundswell of support in the north for Tambuwal to defeat the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s poll.

The attempt to entangle traditional rulers in active partisan politics was said to have peeved some of the PDP governors to the extent that governors opposed to a Tambuwal presidency wondered why Wike should arrogate unto himself the power to negotiate collaborations for other state governors.

Despite the opposition of other PDP governors, it was also disclosed that the entry of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki into the presidential contest altered the equation by detracting from the youthful argument that was working in Tambuwal favour.

Those who argue that the entrance of the Senate President dimmed Tambuwal’s chances, claim that Saraki’s 317 votes would have naturally gone to the Sokoto State governor, adding that Tambuwal’s 693 and Saraki’s 317 would have put the ticket beyond Atiku.

Yet it was also said that Saraki’s 317 vote haul was due to his late entry to the race coupled with frequent distractions orchestrated by the Presidency and the ruling party that did not want a Saraki on the presidential ballot to compete with Buhari for the crucial Southwest votes in the general election.

Retired generals from the north threw their support behind Atiku, ostensibly to ensure that the caliphate did not become so powerful as Wike wanted. An added advantage was Atiku’s experience in the management of delegates and presidential elections, which his political groupings like Peoples Front of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Movement have been doing from the 1990s, which culminated in the trouncing of PSP group to seize the then Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In his acceptance speech, he described the primaries as the most credible and transparent since the country returned to democratic rule. He lauded all the aspirants for placing unity, purpose and commitment to the party and Nigerians above individual interests. He declared his readiness to work with them towards victory at the general elections.

“We cannot afford to fail Nigerians at this very historic moment because they are yearning for the return of the PDP to power. They know that under PDP they had years of prosperity, unity, security and development. They have seen the gross mismanagement of the APC government. Therefore, we have a wonderful opportunity to return the PDP to power in this country.”

In a peace overture, he also addressed his fierce critic, saying: “On a personal note, I wouldn’t have been standing where I am standing today if my former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, had not made me his vice president. Under his tutelage, I learnt quite a lot and I believe the experience I got is going to definitely impact on how we govern this country. I wish to pay my personal tribute to him.”


Obasanjo had said he would not back Atiku, swearing: “God will never forgive me, if I do.”

High-level consultation and political horse-trading seemed to have forced the PDP to defer the nomination of its vice presidential candidate.

INEC in an election time-table published earlier this year had made it compulsory for all political parties to submit the names of persons nominated for elective offices not later than October 7.

But checks by The Guardian showed that though the ticket for the office of president and vice president is supposed to be a joint affair, the opposition party is not yet ready to announce a nominee.

PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan confirmed in a telephone interview that the party would take advantage of provisions in the Electoral Act that allow the submission of only the president’s name and that of his vice president at a later date.

Atiku’s emergence, however, has elicited mixed reactions.

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, indicated its willingness to back Atiku, given the aspirant’s stance on restructuring. “He came to us and promised that he was going to restructure the country. And we have already said that anybody who wants to restructure with all seriousness, such will be our candidate,” said Secretary General Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa. He added: “Now that he is in, Afenifere will still decide. Whenever we make a statement, we don’t recant. We stand by whatever we do.”

But a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Dr. Amos Akingba, warned that nothing would change with an Atiku presidency unless the country embraces true federalism.

“The problem is not with the candidate but the current arrangement of the Nigerian constitution, which is like putting square pegs in round holes. It cannot work. A unitary constitution cannot favour anybody. Whether Buhari or Atiku, neither of them can really do much. Nine out of 10 of those that go into public office do so with good intentions. But when they get there, the constitution does not allow them to really do much,” Akingba said.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, on its part, congratulated Atiku. In a message, spokesmen of the forum, Mr. Yinka Odumakin (Southwest); Senator Bassey Henshaw (South South); Prof. Chigozie Ogbu (Southeast) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt) said Atiku’s candidacy is a breath of fresh air to Nigeria’s democratic project.

The forum stressed it is never too early to remind Atiku of his commitment to restructuring. “It is clear today that no amount of good governance programmes can get Nigeria out of the woods without a proper structure that can restore it to productivity under a true federalism,” it said, urging INEC to stand up for credible elections.

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, also congratulated Atiku. Its president general, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who spoke through his media adviser, Chief Emeka Attamah, wished the former vice president a “fair contest” in the forthcoming polls.

But the national chairman of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, said he foresees a keen contest, stressing that that it would not be an easy game for the PDP and APC.

Although he congratulated Atiku, he nevertheless regretted that the future of the Igbo has been placed in the hands of two people of northern extraction. “The two have track records of who they are. And like a leopard, they cannot change overnight. Now, the battle line is drawn. But it also means that the alignment of political forces will continue until the end of the election,” he said.

Sounding cautious, he noted: “The game has shifted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). And at the end of the day, they could be used to make or mar the election process. The attention of the entire world will now focus on Nigeria. We are watching with keen interest.”

The Arewa Youths For Development and Progress (AYFDAP) said Atiku’s emergence is a good omen, given what it described as his antecedent as a dogged politician who has contributed to the development of industry and education.

“Buhari should be ready to face an uphill task in the 2019 elections. That is why we are asking for free and fair polls. Nigeria has suffered poverty, crisis and violence. We, the northern youths, believe that with the coming of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the PDP, Nigeria will experience revival in all facets of the economy,” said AYFDAP president, Danjuma Sarki.

The South East Revival Group (SERG) in a statement by its national coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said: “For the first time in recent years, the PDP seems to have got it right by its choice of a presidential candidate, a man who believes in restructuring. SERG urges him to bring to the table his comprehensive plan for south east development in line with his restructuring agenda.”

A Kano-based public affairs analyst, Dr. Abati Bako, was restrained. According to him, Atiku’s chances of winning the presidency are “very” slim “because of the critical factor of power of incumbency. Of course, in democracy anything can happen. After all, we saw what happened in the U.S. during the election that brought in President Trump. But this is Africa with a peculiar system.”

The vice chairman (South South) of the APC, Prince Hilliard Eta, said Buhari would easily defeat Atiku at the polls. He argued: “With Atiku, we now know that Buhari will be the president after the 2019 poll. I am sure Nigerians would not want to go back to Egypt after crossing the Red Sea. Nigerians know the worth of Buhari. I am sure they won’t think twice before casting their votes for him.”

Meanwhile, wife of the president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, condemned the APC primaries held in parts of the country, citing irregularities, impunity and unfairness.


Her brother, Mahmood Halilu, who was defeated at the governorship primary in Adamawa State, has called for a cancellation, saying the exercise was fraught with irregularities.

“It is disheartening to note that some aspirants used their hard-earned money to purchase nomination forms, got screened, cleared and campaigned vigorously, yet found their names omitted on election day,” she said on her Twitter account.

In a veiled reference to Oshiomhole, she said: “All Progressives Congress is a party whose cardinal principle is change and is headed by a comrade/activist whose main concern is for the common man, yet, such impunity could take place under its watch. Given this development, one will not hesitate but dissociate from such unfairness, be neutral and speak for the voiceless. It is important for the populace to rise against impunity and for voters to demand that aspirants be committed to the provision of basic amenities.”

But in a statement yesterday, President Buhari, through his spokesman, Garba Shehu, urged losers in the primaries to demonstrate sportsmanship by accepting defeat without bitterness.

“We shouldn’t lose hope permanently because tomorrow could present another opportunity for us to contest again and win,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/why-delegates-dumped-tambuwal-for-atiku.html

After emerging victorious at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has thanked the party for choosing him to be its flag-bearer for the 2019 presidential election.

The national convention of the party, which began on Saturday,in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and continued well into Sunday, saw Atiku eventually emerge winner, polling a total of 1,532 votes.

He beat Aminu Tambuwal and Senate President Bukola Saraki, who scored 693 and 317 votes, respectively.

He thereafter thanked the party via a tweet that read: ".@OfficialPDPNig, thank you for choosing me. This is a victory for all of us. The task to get Nigeria working again starts now."

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/just-in-thank-you-for-choosing-me-atiku.html

Full text of the acceptance speech by President Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2019 presidential elections

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Chairman and members of the Convention Committee for planning and conducting this convention. The same appreciation goes to the chairmen of National and State Executive Committees of our party. Thank you very much for doing a difficult job well.

2.​ I would like to pay tribute to Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande the first chairman of our great Party and to Chief John Oyegun who led the party until this year and all the APC Governors.

3.​ The result of the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress this time is different because I am the only candidate. I thank all other eligible candidates who deferred to me in the interest of our party unity and over-all national stability.

4. Fellow party members, it is with a deep sense of humility that I stand before you today to accept the nomination of our party, the All Progressives Congress to be its candidate and flag-bearer in the 2019 presidential elections.

5.​ As I stand today before you, there is no honour greater than the confidence given to me by all of you when you affirmed my nomination. I thank you for your support. I thank you for your guidance. I thank you for staying committed to the CHANGE agenda.

6.​ I accept this honour as a tribute and mark of confidence to carry the responsibility as we all join hands to continue the good work of the APC government to 2023 and beyond.

7.​ We are very proud of our record from 2015 to date:

a. We have arrested and checked the slide to anarchy on the security and economic fronts.

b. Boko Haram is reduced to dastardly attacks on soft targets. Normalcy has returned to much of North East and neighbouring North West states.

c. Our currency has stabilised. Our reserves are now $44 billion, a lot higher than we had in 2015.

d. Power generation capacity has reached 8,000 megawatts against less than 4,600 when we came into office. As we invest in new power generation infrastructure we are strenuously working to address the legacy deficiencies and challenges of transmission and distribution networks across the country.

e. We are executing Independent Power Projects in 9 Federal Universities to deliver uninterrupted power supply and we intend to expand to a total of 37 Universities

f. We have revived most of our capacity to produce fertilisers locally.

g. The Government through its Anchor Borrowers Programme and other incentives has empowered more than 2 million farmers to go back to the land. We now produce 80% of our rice requirements. Many farmers who nearly lost hope are now millionaires.

h. We have introduced primary school feeding programmes to encourage attendance and enrolment. We also have introduced the conditional cash transfer to help small and medium businesses, the men, the women and young people who drive our economy.

i. We have repaired and are repairing major arterial roads and starting major railway projects with the aim of linking the 36 states with efficient road and rail transportation systems.

j. We are attacking corruption head-on. With international support we are recovering Nigerian stolen assets and applying them to infrastructural developments.

k. Today the corrupt are facing the wrath of law and leakages have been generally blocked.

Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, Members of the APC.

8.​ We can be proud of our achievements. CHANGE has come. Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Nigerians, think how much PDP Governments earned between 1999 to 2015. Think what they did with it.
a. Infrastructure down!

b. Security down! 18 local governments of Nigeria under control of a hostile army of insurgents,

c. Reserves depleted!

d. Bankruptcy around the corner.

9.​What did they do with your money?

10.​ Internationally, Nigeria is now respected. My inter-action with foreign heads of state and government has been very encouraging. The international community is very supportive of our efforts to put our country in order.

11.​ Ladies and gentlemen, Members of APC. I thank you deeply for your support and confidence in me. I will not let you or the people of Nigeria down.

On to victory in 2019!
Long live APC!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Thank you and God bless you all.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/buhari-we-are-proud-of-our.html

An assembly of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bauchi south senatorial aspirants has protested against, and rejected any attempt by agents of the party to declare their preferred aspirant as the senatorial candidate ahead of the 2019 election.


The senatorial aspirants cautioned the party and its officials to stay away from declaring any aspirant as winner of an election for the senatorial district that did not hold.

Barrister Ibrahim Zailani, Dr Safiya Iliyasu, Hajia Fatima and Ahmed Shuaibu handed this warning respectively while addressing journalists on Friday in Bauchi.


The aspirants said their decision followed purported none conduct of election in all the seven LGAs of Bauchi state in line with electoral provisions.

They said, “We kick against any shoddy deal to impose one of us even when election did not hild in all the seven LGAs in Bauchi south, because we learn he is a preferred choice for his sponsors.”

“Honestly, there was no election in all primary election in Bauchi but candidates were imposed by power that be and we demand cancellation of the primary election,” the aspirants added.


They warned that failure of the APC national working committee, NWC, to address their complaints will surely spell doom for the party during the 2019 election.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/2019-bauchi-apc-senatorial-aspirants.html

Those who “spray” naira notes at parties risk going to jail, the Bankers Committee warned yesterday.

Mobile courts are to try those bastardising the national currency, it said.

Issuing the warning after its meeting in Lagos, the Bankers Committee said the mobile courts would be deployed nationwide to try those mishandling the currency.

Cantral Bank of Nigeria (CBN) spokesman Isaac Okorafor said the police and the Ministry of Justice would be involved in the operation, adding:

“If a celebrant is dancing and you spray him/her, you may go to jail from the party venue because the law enforcement agents will be there, waiting to arrest you.

“It is the duty of law enforcement agencies to catch offenders and take them to court. Our collaboration with the police will intensify as we move to implement the mobile court for offenders.”

Admonishing Nigerians on how to use cash as gift, Okorafor said: “If you want to give, put the money in an envelop, and give it the celebrant. Let’s know that anybody hawking and writing on the naira will face six months in jail or N50,000 or both.”

Managing Director of First Securities Discount House (FSDH) Merchant Bank Mrs. Handa Ambah said people selling naira notes would be punished.

She said: “We need to let them know that this is money. The fact that you cannot spray money at parties does not mean that you cannot put money in an envelope and pass it to the celebrants.”

Access Bank Managing Director Herbert Wigwe said the committee also agreed to channel a large part of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) to agriculture and manufacturing to promote agricultural value-chain and manufacturing.

Union Bank Managing Director Emeka Emuwa said the committee agreed to deepen access to financial services adding that there is a draft framework being designed to ensure that more people have access to banking services.

Emu said access to financial services remains a big incentive to the economy and empowerment tool for the citizenry.

CBN Director Banking Supervision Ahmad Abdullahi said there is still relative confidence in the economy, in view of the rise in the prices of crude oil and the level of external reserve.

He said all hands must be on the deck to sustain the momentum.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/spray-naira-and-go-to-jail-from-party.html

Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised the alarm over the whereabouts of the General Lawrence Onojah-led electoral committee overseeing Thursday's rescheduled governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State.

At a Press Conference in his campaign office, Usman Ibrahim, spokesman of the Ribadu group, said: "We don't know the whereabouts of the 25-member election committee headed by General Onojah.”

Similarly, Mahmood Halilu Ahmed, who is better known as Modi, denounced the “fake election currently going on in some wards across the state”.

Dr. Suleiman Bagirei, a director in Modi's campaign organisation, told reporters in Yola: “It has come to our attention that some people are conducting elections and allocating fictitious votes to the three aspirants.

“We wish to state categorically clear that such is an exercise in futility because the election committee is yet to arrive in the state.”

It was the same story at Governor Jibrilla Bindow’s campaign office, as one of them, Saleh Kinjir, addressed journalists and faulted the unavailability of the election committee.

Kinjir noted that the committee's absence was raising doubt and creating tension, as party supporters were lost on what was happening.

He said, the Bindow Campaign Organisation observed "that there were fake APC cards in circulation ahead of the rescheduled party primary".

SaharaReporters can report that the committee was nowhere in sight as of 7:00pm, while there was another twist to the drama with the drafting of AIG Kayode Aderanti to oversee the security situation instead of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Yerima Abdullahi.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/whereabouts-of-25-man-adamawa-apc.html

Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, on Thursday urged members of All Progressives Congress (APC) to unite ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Oluremi Tinubu made the call at the Eti-Osa Ward E, located at Oyinkan Abayomi drive in Ikoyi area of Lagos where she participated in the Senatorial and House of Representatives primaries in the state

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Sen. Oluremi Tinubu was declared unopposed in the list of aspirants released by the National Working Committee of the APC and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena.

Tinubu, who represented the district two times at the Senate, was being returned for a third term.

The Senator commended the people of her constituency for returning her unopposed.


She promised she would not disappoint her supporters and urged them to unite ahead of the 2019 elections.

”As we embark on the imminent elections, our politics should epitomise patriotic labour and selfless service to the community.

”Our vote is our right, hence, we must exercise this right within the ambit of law by refusing to be a party to vote buying or selling, and ensuring a peaceful election devoid of violence, chaos and upheavals.

”Together, we must ensure that our democratic process is sustained and that we embrace government efforts to transform our economy and make Nigeria a better place for all, ” she said.

NAN reports that as at 1:09 p.m., when Sen. Tinubu arrived, there were no electoral officers on ground for accreditation and to conduct the election by affirmation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/remi-tinubu-urges-nigerians-to-unite.html

More Nigerian retail banks and their customers are adopting a “digital-centric” approach to banking, the 2018 Consumer Digital Banking Satisfaction Index Report, has shown.

According to the report produced by Nigeria’s first credit rating and research Agency, Agusto & Co. Limited, the study demonstrated that digital tools create a positive experience for customers. The Index report, highlights customer’s preferences and attitude towards digital banking platforms provided by banks in Nigeria.

The output of the Index is based on information provided by respondents on the top ten banks in Nigeria by total assets as at 31 December 2017. Four banks were assigned a ‘5 Star’ rating for Consumer Digital Banking Satisfaction of which Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc scored the highest, emerging the ‘Best Digital Bank in Nigeria’.

The ‘5 Star’ rating assigned to StanbicIBTC Bank reflects ease of use, perceived security and very good troubleshooting & IT resolution on its different digital platforms. The Index revealed that StanbicIBTC Bank has the most ease in navigating through primary platforms used such as mobile app, USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) or web; customers felt the most secure using their preferred primary platforms, and the bank was quick to resolve conflicts encountered by customers on the various digital banking channels. Customers of the bank further disclosed that there were only very few instances of unsuccessful transactions, and the overall functionality of StanbicIBTC’s digital platforms is seamless.

However, findings from this Index indicated ample room for improvement on digital banking services in Nigeria as majority of respondents desire better user interface, enhanced security features, increased services particularly on mobile banking platform, speedy notifications on account activities, less cumbersome enrollment procedures, reduction in charges for frequently used services such as airtime top-up as well as general improvement in speed on services.

According to Agusto & Co, the objective of this Index is to create an independent appraisal of the ease of using digital banking platforms by the Nigerian populace considering that banks have invested significantly in digitalization. The Index will give banks in Nigeria insights and suggestions on ways to enhance customer experiences on digital banking platforms.

Commenting on the Digital Banking Satisfaction Index report, Yinka Adelekan, Executive Director, Agusto & Co. Limited said: “One of the major reasons we launched this Index was to get first hand insights on awareness, ease, issue resolution and perceived security from users of digital banking platforms in Nigeria.

“It is essential that banks increase awareness of the different products and services available on their digital platforms. In addition, customers who use these platforms must be supported by minimal system downtimes, user friendly navigation processes and improved turnaround time for IT resolution.

“We understand the need for convenience, speed and for customers to feel secure when they perform transactions. As a research and credit rating agency, we seek to provide banks with credible information on how best services can be improved for customers, which we believe can be achieved with findings from this Index.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/10/nigerian-banks-doing-well-says-report.html