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The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said that he is not afraid of any impeachment threats.

He said this on Sunday when he visited Minna, the Niger State capital.

He also stated that those agitating for the resumption of the Senate are only doing it for their selfish political interest, adding that the postponement in the resumption of the National Assembly had nothing to do with him but was a matter of constitutional provisions.

Speaking further, the Senate President criticised those parading themselves as political leaders in Kwara State as seasonal politicians who have no stability in their political pursuit.

His comments come after several calls have been made by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), for him to resign his position as Senate President or face impeachment.

The calls follow his defection from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Full details athttp://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/im-not-afraid-of-impeachment-threat.html

senator, Eme Ekaette, representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District and former state deputy governor, Valerie Ebe on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Others that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC are retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Udom Ekpoudom and former Chairman of Eka Local Government, Mr Francis Ikpon.

The state Chairman of APC, Ini Okpobodi, received the defectors at a solidarity district rally and reception held for Obong Nsima Ekere at Eket.

Mr Okpobodi said at the occasion that the PDP had virtually collapsed in the state.

“On behalf of Akwa Ibom APC, I stand as Chairman to receive the latest members of our party in their hundreds in the state.

“They are here ably led by former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Valerie Ebe and Distinguished Sen. Eme Ekaette.

Okpobodi handed over the defectors to the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, represented by the National Vice-Chairman of APC South-South, Mr Hillary Eta.

Mr Eta expressed delight at the defection of the former PDP chieftains into APC fold, describing the defectors as `wonderful Nigerians’.

“I am the luckiest National Vice Chairman in APC because I am superintending over the fast growing people in the party,’’ he said.


He explained that APC started with one senator in the South-south but today the party has eight senators of Federal Republic of Nigeria in the South-south.

“Not too long from now, I promise you, we are going to have a majority of senators of South-south from the APC in the National Assembly,’’ Eta said.

He said that when President Buhari-led government took over power in 2015, things were difficult but today things are getting better.

“It is not yet completely good but it is getting better,’’ he added.

He urged Akwa Ibom people to vote massively for President Buhari during the 2019 general elections in the state, saying that the present administration was not corrupt.

“I receive to this party, Her Excellency, Valerie Ebe and Sen. Eme Ekaette and others to APC in the state.

Mr Bee said, “I saw that without changing to APC, we will be doing serious mistakes.’’

The former deputy governor said that the government of PDP in the state had not performed well.

“We turn around and say if we are not members of the ruling party we will lose out at the national level.

“We have been suffering in the PDP-led government in the state. So we say so long as we have APC government led by President Buhari we are fine,’’ she said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-ex-deputy-governor-former-dig_13.html

Nigeria and a Chinese firm have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on first-ever cotton value chain industry, worth two billion US dollars.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, unveiled the deal in Abuja where he said the agreement was signed with Shandong Ruyi International Fashion Industry.

The minister explained that the agreement would involve cotton growing to ginning, spinning, textile manufacture and garment in Katsina, Kano, Abia and Lagos States.

“Their investments will comprise aggregation and off take of cotton from farmers for ginning, spinning and weaving and manufacturing at least 300 million metres of African print, which will meet 20 per cent of West Africa’s demand.

“Others are producing cotton and denim garments for export and local consumption by Ruyi Group in Abia, Lagos and Kano states,” Enelamah said.

He added that in China, President Xi Jinping promised to open China’s market for agricultural products from Nigeria, based on trade negotiating engagements by Nigeria’s Trade Negotiators.

Enelamah said for industrialisation, the government was aggressively implementing the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) by establishing the Nigeria Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council.

He said the focus would be on five high priority areas: policy and regulation, trade and markets, critical infrastructure , skills , capacity building and lastly financing.

Enelamah said that the government had begun the establishment and upgrading of some existing industrial parks to world-class special economic zones (SEZs), across the six geo-political zones in the country.

According to him, for the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a serious ongoing technical work to strengthen Nigeria’s Trade Policy Infrastructure.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-china-in-2b-cotton-deal.html

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Maimala Buni, on Tuesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari is the sole candidate of the party for 2019 Presidential election.

However, the APC scribe also said that party members interested in contesting for the presidency, were free to pick the nomination form, but that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party had already endorsed the President.

Buni stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents, after a group under the auspices of National Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), presented Expression of Interest, Nomination Form for the 2019 election to the President at the New Banquet Hall Presidential Villa Abuja.


The APC National Secretary flanked by the Director-General of Buhari’s Campaign Committee and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Chairman Buhari’s Campaign Media Committee, Festus Keyamo, SAN, said the NEC of the party had since endorsed the President and by extension, all members of the party have done so.
He said: “Once the National executive Committee NEC of the party passes a vote of confidence on the President, that President stands accepted because the NEC is the highest organ of the party and it met to take the decision, where every interest was represented so the National Executive Committee of the APC has passed a vote of confidence on our President and that means every APC member has endorsed him.”
Buni added that Nigeria’s case was not exceptional because the same scenario obtains in advanced democracies.

“In advance democracy, once the NEC of a party passes vote of confidence on the President, nobody contests against the President. The President has been accepted,” he stated.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-apc-adopts-buhari-as-sole.html

N-Power, the federal government’s National Social Investment Programme has announced that applicants yet to be shortlisted will be considered for recruitment in two other categories.



Hide quoted text

The scheme gave the information via its Twitter handle, @npower_ng.

“If you applied for any of the N-Power Graduate programmes and you were not shortlisted, you are likely to receive a message that you have been shortlisted for either the N-Power Tech or Creative programmes”, it read.



The Buhari administration recently stated that it had engaged 300,000 new beneficiaries in the second batch of its N-Power Volunteers Corp effective from 1st August, 2018.
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that in conjunction with all State N-Power partners, the new beneficiaries will be promptly deployed to their assigned Primary Places of Assignment (PPA) on or before the said date.
He said all successfully deployed N-Power beneficiaries in the second batch would be engaged till July 31, 2020.

Akande added: “Through the N-Power scheme, hundreds of thousands of young, unemployed Nigerian graduates have been empowered through training and skills acquisition in different areas of public services, including education (N-Teach), health (N-Health), agriculture (N-Agro), and building/construction (N-Build).
“Each N-Power beneficiary learns entrepreneurial skills to enable them become business persons and become professionals on their own, while beneficiaries are given electronic devices to enhance their work and paid a N30,000 monthly stipend.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/n-power-announces-alternative.html

A few weeks after the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) visited and commended LADOL for recording giant strides in the Egina Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) unit, which was built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), in conjunction with LADOL, LADOL has terminated its agreements with the foreign partner, SHI, due to alleged untoward activities, including contractual and ethical breaches.

The foremost logistics company and operator of the Free Zone within the Apapa Port terminated its partnership with SHI, on the Egina FPSO project, the largest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, accusing the Korean company of derailing it through its activities, over a number of years.

LADOL accused SHI of consistently engaging in unacceptable violations of Nigerian laws and regulations, in what can be described as connivance with Nigerian officials.
LADOL also accused SHI of undercutting it by withholding crucial information on their joint operations, in addition to flagrant disregard for the Nigerian workers and industry regulators.


LADOL, according to its Managing Director, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, had refrained from taking action against SHI until now, as it weighed the national interest and avoided any action that could have disrupted the multi-billion dollar Egina FSPO project, which has now been concluded.

In order to seek redress and protect its investment, LADOL has instituted legal proceedings against SHI, by recently filling a suit with number: FHC/L/CS/1459/2018, at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
When Contacted, SHI denied the allegations. A top Nigerian official of the company insisted that, “SHI did not violate the Nigerian content law.” The SHI official also claimed that the company had also filed a lawsuit to challenge LADOL’’s refusal to renew its operating licence.

A catalogue of the illegal activities and practices of the SHI in the country, as raised in the LADOL suit, include violations of the procedures of the Nigerian Customs Service, and those of the Nigerian Immigration; breaches of regulations of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and refusal to remit statutory tariffs to the federal government – despite several demands from the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority.

However, in a four-page termination letter issued to the Korean firm by Global Resource Management Limited, a subsidiary of LADOL and dated September 4, which was sighted by Akelicious, the Nigerian company accused SHI of bypassing it to work directly with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); NCDMB and other government regulatory agencies.
It was based on these grounds that LADOL said it has terminated the partnership, alleging that SHI’s actions violate the agreement both companies signed in 2014.

In the suit filed by LADOL, it also accused SHI of habitually breaching Nigerian contract laws by persistently refusing to comply with rules and regulations of the LADOL Free Zone area.
SHI was accused of blatantly repudiating major contractual terms in the agreements signed with the logistics company, and concealed funds provided for in the Head Contract from its local content partner, LADOL.

Moreover, SHI was said to have excluded LADOL from the operations, as a way of refusing to transfer technology, one of the crucial agreements in its contract, whilst demanding huge unconscionable variations from their client (the Total/NNPC Joint Venture), and hence deviations from its obligations to the Nigerian people. All these, SHI carried out, while sponsoring media attacks on notable government agencies and giving the false impression of the country as operating in an environment not conducive to doing business.
A number of civil society groups, such as Nigerian Young Professionals Forum and Connected Development, had alleged that there was contrived process in the award of the Egina FPSO project contract to SHI.

These groups have observed that the award process was not only highly fraudulent but the project itself had involved massive disregard for local content laws, whilst indicating that the project and its variation costs were highly bloated. They therefore called that SHI be sanctioned in view of the local laws that have been violated, alongside the economic sabotage involved in the manner that the Egina FPSO project had been deliberately frustrated.

A letter to President Muhammadu Buhari signed by the two groups reads in part, “As events have unfolded over the years…it is clear that the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI’s) engineering, procurement and construction of the Egina FPSO has been a sham calculated to massively defraud the Nigerian commonwealth, undermine the extant laws and signal corporate corruption of monumental proportions in the highest corridors.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ladol-terminates-agreement-with-foreign.html

Former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba, has opened up on what transpired between him, former President Goodluck Jonathan; Muhammadu Buhari and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.

The former IGP said there were many allegations against him on the role he played during the 2015 general elections but that they were false and baseless.

He said he wished his accusers “could give me examples or instances that such things happened. Some of them alleged that I quickly switched loyalty after Jonathan lost the election.”

Speaking with Sun, the former police boss said it was Jonathan that ordered him to withdraw the security detail of Tambuwal.
He continued, “That was totally untrue. I will love them to tell me how and when I did that. They should also substantiate claims of hobnobbing with the then President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. I am a gentleman to the core, a trained policeman who has given his best to the service of Nigeria.
“It is unfair for someone to make such allegation against me. They alleged that I went to the airport to welcome Buhari who was President-elect then.

“Remember that a sitting IGP doesn’t travel alone. He must go with orderlies, escorts and some close senior police officers. So, they should provide videos to justify their allegations.
“Besides I can’t be stupid or careless enough to go to the airport to welcome a President-elect when there is a sitting President. I have worked in the Presidential Villa for years and I have mastered presidential protocols and I also know and appreciate the powers in the office of the president.
“So, it will be unfair to say that someone like me that knows the truth and protocols will violate it. I was in charge of Mobile escort in the Presidential Villa for one year between 1994 and 1995. I was later appointed Aide de Camp (Police) to the then First Lady.
“I held that post for four years. That gave me good exposure and knowledge of the Presidency. So, anyone that accused me of going to welcome the President-elect when there was a sitting president was being economical with the truth.
“However, I must confess that I was at the International Conference Center, Abuja, when the then President-elect was being presented with the Certificate of Return. I attended that event because it was the peak/climax of the 2015 electoral exercise. I was duly invited to that occasion.
“As a matter of fact, a seat was kept for me right from the point of collation of votes because Electoral Act only recognized the police as regards security.
“I was there to take charge in case of any kind of “Orubebe” incident. I didn’t have to wait for INEC Chairman to call me about any security breach. So, I took precaution and made myself and some of my senior officers available at the event because, at that point, I had lost trust in people around me.
“I must also confess that I visited the then President-elect to congratulate him on his victory at the polls. That was the first time I met him face to face. But I must tell you that it was a common agreement between me and other Service Chiefs. For some reasons, they went without me, so I had no option but to go on my own to congratulate him. I did no wrong in my own interpretation of the scenario.”
On him being attacked by the former administration for refusing to do their bidding, he added, “The truth about the entire thing was that a certain political party won an election and another political party lost an election. We (the Service Chiefs and the IGP) had privileged information few hours after the election was concluded that the then President Jonathan had lost that election. Even Jonathan himself knew that he had lost the election. His Principal Secretary was in a meeting where the entire electoral process was being reviewed bit by bit. Immediately it was clear that Jonathan had lost the election, his loyalists began to plot how to disrupt the process. That was when I cautioned them to be careful so they don’t put Nigeria into flames. I suggested that they should allow the process to conclude to avoid crisis that would lead to the death of people. That was when they calmed down and began to accept defeat.
“Remember that whenever things have gone wrong, the people in power choose who to see. Besides, they never believed in me. They were never satisfied with my approach to the elections. Shortly before the elections, I was queried by the Presidency for asking the State Commissioners of Police to be civil, impartial and non-partisan in their handling of the elections.
“I also received a communications from some senior government officials seeking to know why I asked the CPs to be impartial and non-partisan, instead of asking them to help their party win the elections.
“I was made the chairman of the election security committee and I knew the importance we attached to the election. However, I gave the directive at the regular meeting of police senior officers. But the government officials queried why I should give such directives.
“They suggested that I do it individually instead of collectively. Meeting and interaction of police officers are regular exercise in the police service whether during elections or not. It is always an opportunity to constantly remind the officers of the need to be professional in their conduct.”
On Tambuwal, he said, “I didn’t act alone in that saga. The then president gave us the assignment to withdraw the security details of the then Speaker. The assignment was not given to me alone. Myself and the Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) were given that assignment.
“I tried as much as I could to convince the president to, at least, allow me retain the ADC of the ex-Speaker, but I couldn’t succeed. Nigerians didn’t really understood what happened at that time and that was because the information available to the public was limited. My happiness was that I never allowed myself to be used by people in the corridors of power.”

Full report at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/what-happened-between-me-jonathan.html

Shehu Sani, Senator representing Kaduna Central on Saturday met with Niger Delta leader, Edwin Clark.

He told NAN he was at Clark’s residence in Abuja to express concern and seek forgiveness over the recent raid on his house by the police.

“I am pleased that the Police have taken action.

“I will call on you as a father to accept the apology of the police and also to do everything possible to work and express your opinion so that advantage should not be taken on this issue.
“You are not an elder statesman for a section of the country. You have fought for the peace and unity of this country.
“You are a repository of history of this country; you know what happened yesterday you know what is happening today and we will still need you for the future of this country,” Sani said.

The lawmaker also cautioned security agents, who in as much as they needed whistle blowers and informants, to be careful with the information they worked with.
He further warned that false information and whistle blowing could be sources of instability and crisis in the country.
“Intelligence agencies and security agencies must do a background check on people who provide information to them so as not to rubbish their image and that of the government.
“I am of the firm believe that as a father, you will take this as simply an act that was done without the full intention of the person in the position of power in Nigeria.
“But I know very well that the need for probe is important so that we do not simply make scapegoats of very few people while those behind it are somewhere in the dark.
“Your case should be the beginning of an end on the use of false whistle blowers and false informants to intimidate, harass and rubbish the reputation of innocent Nigerians.
“You have paid the price for the peace and unity of this country and that should be appreciated.
“I have no doubt that it was an intention to rubbish the name of Buhari’s government by this act and to set him against the people who respect him,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/why-i-met-edwin-clark-shehu-sani.html

A group known as the Gombe Central APC Support Group has obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms for Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje to recontest for the seat.

Supporters of the senator who thronged the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat to purchase the forms for the senator said they did that out of their genuine concern and love for the lawmaker, whom they said has been representing his people diligently.

Led by Adamu Mohammed Manga, the Goje supporters‎ said the people of Gombe Central Senatorial district are feeling the impact of the senator in the National Assembly.

A statement from the campaig office of the group quoted Manga as saying Goje has brought dividends of democracy to the grassroots people in Gombe Central through distributions of health care facilities to all local governments in the Senatorial district

He said the senator also embarked on series of empowerment programmes for the artisans and bursary awards for the students in the area.

The group also commended Goje for human capital development in the district, adding that the Senatorial district enjoyed quality representation under him in the National Assembly.

“We decided to purcahse the form for Senator Danjuma Goje because he has represented the Senatorial district very well in the Senate. He has impacted the lives of Gombe Central people positively through series of his empowerment programmes.

“He also made provision for healthcare facilities in all local governments in the senatorial district. We believe if we re-elect him back to the Senate he will do more for the people of Gombe Central,” Manga was quoted as saying.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/breaking-group-obtains-senatorial-form.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has pleaded with its aspirants not to defect to other parties if they lose in the coming primaries scheduled to hold between September 20th to 6th October 2018 as directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.


The plea was made by the Bauchi state chairman of the party, Alhaji Hamza Koshe Akuyam.

Akuyam said that losing out at the primaries does not mean anything negative, stressing that in every game, there must be a winner and a loser.


He urged aspirants to develop team spirit, adding that it is the only thing needed to enable the party to win at the general elections.

Hamza Akuyam while speaking on Friday when an aspirant for the Federal House of Representatives from Toro Federal constituency of the state, Engineer Joshua Titus Sanga submitted his expression of interest form at the party Secretariat in Bauchi appealed to all genuine party members to rally round the party no matter the results of the primaries.

The PDP chairman who was represented by the state youth leader, Murtala Abubakar, however, promised that there would be no imposition of candidates.


”We assure all aspirants contesting for different positions in the PDP that our primary elections will be free and fair. We will do justice to all aspirants.

” Therefore, it will be unfair for aspirants who lose the elections to defect from the party. Let all party members unite and support our candidates so that we can triumph in the next 2019 general elections,” he pleaded.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-do-not-defect-after-primaries-pdp.html

The Kaduna State Government said on Friday it would spend N3 billion on girl-child education and schools’ improvement before the end of 2018.

Malam Dahuru Anchau, Director of Public Schools in the state Ministry for Education, Science and Technology made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Anchau said that the money would largely offer scholarship to girls in primary schools and also go into the training of female teachers in public schools.

According to him, the money is part of the World Bank 21.5 million dollar grant to the state, out of the 100 million dollar grant under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project.

Anchau, who is the coordinator of the project in the state, said that the grant was disbursed by the World bank to Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Sokoto states where girl-child education index was very low.

He explained that the aim was to support the states in strengthening the quality of basic education and increase access to education by the girl-child and those in Almajiri schools.

The coordinator explained that the four-year project, which commenced in 2016, had so far disbursed N1.9 billion, adding that about N3.0 billion would be disburse by the end of 2018.

“The target was to provide N45, 000 as scholarship to 15, 000 primary one to three girls from poor and backward communities in the state.

“We are close to reaching this target and hoping to reach out to 25, 000 girls before the end of the programme in 2019,” he said.

The director said 1,117 female teachers have also benefited from the N45, 000 scholarship grant as at 2017, adding, however, that the number might be few in 2018.

“This is because most female teachers in the state’s public primary schools have at least Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE).

“This development came after the disengagement of about 22, 000 public primary school teachers by the state government and the subsequent recruitment of qualified teachers.

“Therefore, we may transfer the scholarship fund for the female teachers to support the girl-child,” Anchau added.

He equally said that the scheme also provided grant for schools improvement to cover the over 4000 primary schools in the state.

According to him, 3,300 primary schools have benefited as at 2017, adding that the remaining primary schools would be covered this year.

He described the project in the state as a huge success, stressing that it has significantly increased the enrolment and retention of the girl-child in primary school.

Mrs. Halima Gambo, a mother of one of the beneficiaries, Asma’u, 7, thanked World Bank for the support, saying the gesture is encouraging parents to send their girl-child to school.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Zulai Ahmed, a teacher with U.B.E Hayin Na’iya, Igabi Local Government Area, also commended the World Bank for making effort to improve the efficiency of teachers.

She described the scholarship as an encouragement for teachers to update their knowledge, skills and capacity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/kaduna-to-spend-n3bn-on-girl-child.html

The Nigerian Communication Commission, says it will impose appropriate sanctions on any telecom operator that allows the illegal masking of international calls.

Call masking refers to termination of international calls with local telephone numbers displayed on a receiver’s phone screen.

Alhaji Ismail Adedigba, Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC told News Agency of Nigeria in Yenagoa on Friday that the trend was illegal and fraudulent.

“NCC is focused on the protection of consumers in the telecommunications space in Nigeria and the development of the sector over the years has thrown up contemporary challenges in the industry like call masking.

“We have outlawed it and we encourage subscribers who receive international calls with local numbers showing on their phone screens to report to us in NCC by calling our toll free number 622.

“Calls to 622, are at no cost, we expect them to give us the number displayed so that we can trace the erring operator for appropriate regulatory sanctions.

“Our regulatory mandate includes consumer protection and to shield them from market exploitation and fraud,” Adedigba said.


He said that the NCC was working to acquire appropriate technologies to nip call masking in the bud rather than rely on subscribers reports.

On the limited telephone coverage of telephone services in remote areas, Adedigba said NCC was developing “local roaming” among operators to make telephone service available to subscribers across the networks.

Adedigba who spoke to NAN shortly after NCC’s 98th Consumer Engagement Programme in Yenagoa, noted that following feedback from the session, the commission has urged operators to improve quality of service in Bayelsa.

“Our Consumer Engagement on Thursday in Yenagoa was very fruitful and we felt the pulse of telecommunications subscribers and the challenges facing operators in view of the difficult terrain of the state.

“We got useful suggestions from the subscribers and advised the service providers to take the feedback seriously.

“On our part, we also engage in data collection from all the participants and we shall analyse the data to guide our policy formulation,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ncc-to-sanction-telecom-operators-for.html

Omololu Ogunmade, Onyebuchi Ezigbo, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos

Civil society groups and opposition parties were united thursday in asking President Muhammadu Buhari to reject the N45.5million All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination forms bought for him by a shadowy group, Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network (NCAN), on Wednesday.

The groups, including Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Afenifere as well as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the NCAN gesture was a violation of S91(9) of Electoral Act 2010 as amended and asked the president to reject it.


The presidency, however, refused to take issues with the critics yesterday, asking Akelicious to approach the president’s campaign for comments.

“The president’s campaign organisation is the most appropriate body to react to this type of matter,” Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, told Akelicious last night.

The Director of Strategic Communication of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), could not be reached as his personal assistant told Akelicious last night that he had travelled out of the country.
The National Coordinator of NCAN, Mr. Sanusi Musa, had on Wednesday presented a cheque of N45.5million at the APC national secretariat for the purchase of expression of interest (N5million) and nomination (N40million) forms on behalf of Buhari.

He said they did it to assist the president, who had earlier complained that the forms were too exorbitant for him to buy as they were way above his salary.
But the gesture has been widely criticised as unlawful with many critics asking the president to turn down the offer.

The PDP, for instance, said if Buhari proceeds to accept the offer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should apply the sanction stipulated in S91 (10) (a) of the electoral law.

“The PDP urges the INEC to note that the purchase of the N45 million form by the group directly violates section 91 (9) of the Electoral Act, which provides that “no individual or other entity shall donate more than One million naira (N1,000,000) to any candidate,” the party said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to it, “Since President Buhari has not publicly disowned the purchase of the form by the group, the PDP charges INEC to, within the next 24 hours, hold him culpable and make him to face the appropriate sanctions for the violation of electoral laws.”

Saying there is a world of difference between an aspirant and a candidate, the APC thursday disagreed that there had been any constitutional or legal infraction by the action of NCAN.

In its reply to the barrage of criticisms that trailed the purchase of forms for the president by the shadowy group, the ruling party said as far as it was concerned, there has been no contravention of the electoral law.

In a statement by its acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabene, made available to Akelicious last night, APC said that it would amount to rushing to quick conclusion based on erroneous legal grounds for anyone to fault the group.

APC said, “Aside from the fact that there is a world of difference between an aspirant and a candidate in the eyes of the law, there has been no contravention of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended)”.

It explained, “The Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors Network was responsible for the purchase of the presidential forms for President Buhari and has indicated that it acted as a collection medium to aggregate micro contributions from thousands of Nigerians keen to ensure his re-election.

“While we restate that as a political party, the APC acted in compliance with the dictates of the law, we also acknowledge that this singular act by thousands of Nigerians severely jolted the ranks of opposition politicians and their paid agents in the media hence their desperate attempt to tar such a noble gesture with the brush of illegality.

“This is especially the case considering the loud silence of the Akelicious when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar enjoyed the same gesture for his supporters to purchase the PDP Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms for the 2019 presidential election.”

APC, however, extolled the laudable contributions of Akelicious group to the media industry, adding that the Newspaper should be fair and balanced in its reportage.

Lawyers Akelicious spoke with yesterday countered APC’s defence of the shadowy group’s gesture, arguing that candidacy starts with aspiration. “Election is a process that starts with the selection of aspirants. So, the nomination process is part of the election because there can’t be a candidate by law without a selection process,” a lawyer said, asking, “Are they saying that an aspirant can gather illicit funds and use it later when he becomes a candidate?”

Another lawyer said APC’s argument was hairsplitting. “The point is that in 2015 when Buhari had more than enough friends to pick up the forms for him, he chose the option of a loan. Has the situation changed now?” he asked.

In its reaction, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, said the president should shun the forms, arguing that his claim that he could not afford them was hypocritical, adding that it was a rehash of similar attitude before the 2015 election.

The group’s spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, warned that Buhari might be sued by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for violating the Electoral Act.

Although Odumakin did not say which NGO would sue the president, he stressed that it is typical of the Buhari’s administration to take Nigerians for granted.

Odumakin recalled that Buhari said he took loan to buy his 2015 nomination form, but he is yet to inform the nation if he has indeed finished paying the loan.

He said that the action of the president is contrary to the provision of Electoral Act 2010 as amended, which pegs individual and group contributions to election expenses of a candidate to N1million.

“You say you are fighting corruption but this is corruption. This is a clear contravention of the Electoral Act. It is all hypocrisy,” Odumakin insisted.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the organisation is a pressure group that does not dabble into partisan politics except that which has to do with issues relating to restructuring the country, fiscal federalism and the Niger Delta.

Sara-Igbe, however, said that if the president has violated the laws, those who feel aggrieved have the right to seek redress in the court of law.

“They should approach the court for interpretation of the Electoral Act, if they feel aggrieved; but they are also free to advise the president to do the needful. Everybody is free to advise the president,” he said.

The ADC was similarly inclined yesterday, calling on the president to reject the forms, challenging him to question the source of the money used in buying the forms.

It said Buhari would make a mockery of his anti- corruption war and his ‘Mr. Integrity’ posture if he failed to investigate the source of the fund.

In an interview with Akelicious thursday in Abuja, ADC National Coordinator on Electoral Matters and INEC Liaison, Chief Anayo Arinze, said for the president to accept the forms bought for him would be an indication that he would not respect the rule of law.

He claimed that it was an arrangement, saying, “The youths don’t have money, so it could be arranged with the presidency and they give money and say let the youths go and buy in their name, it is politics.”

Anayo added, “That is an evidence that the president does not believe in the rule of law. He doesn’t belief in constitutional provision and they have said that every rule of law must be subject to national interest.”

On her part, the Director of Contact and Mobilisation, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Ms. Faith Nwadishi, said that her organisation frowned at the gesture, stressing that it means that political parties and individuals indiscriminately flout electoral laws, and besides it also contributes to the high cost of elections in the country.

She said the rejection of the gesture by the president would go a long way to show that the assurance the president gave the British Prime Minister Theresa May that the 2019 elections would be free and fair is more than a lip service.

Nwadishi stated, “Initially the president said the presidential nomination form of his party was way too high and we also know that the income of the president for the last three years will not have been able to buy that form. We have the electoral act that prohibits group or individual contribution to any political party.

“If this kind of attitude is allowed to continue, what it means is that before election people already have vested interest.

“The gesture is against the Electoral Act, what we expect is that the president should take the bull by the horn and reject that gesture.”

She advised the president to order the prosecution of those who bought the forms, saying, “This has sent a very wrong message to the populace, and as an election observer we are very concerned especially going towards 2019.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/afenifere-others-ask-buhari-to-reject.html

The faction of the Enugu State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister of foreign affairs, Mr Geoffrey to Onyeama has opted for direct primary in choosing candidates for the 2019 election.

The faction is being led by Deacon Okey Ogbodo.

It was gathered that the party took the stand during their expanded meeting in Enugu on Thursday.


An official letter to that effect was written to the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
The letter obtained by Akelicious was titled, “APC ENUGU STATE: ADOPTION OF DIRECT PRIMARIES”.
It was signed by Deacon Okey Ogbodo and Mr. Ikechukwu Oloto, in their position as chairman and secretary, respectively.

Part of the letter reads, “This meeting held in Enugu on 6th September 2018 unanimously resolved to adopt, and in accordance to Article 20 of APC Constitution for the ‘Nomination of Candidates’ for state house of assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governor, to be through direct primary election to be conducted at the appropriate level.
“We note particularly that our decision is also in line with the decision of the National Executive Committee(NEC) of our party to also conduct the nomination of Candidate for the President by direct primary election.”
The party further expressed optimism that the procedure of going through direct primaries would let all hands to be on deck, particularly in Enugu state, where only one political party had held sway since the advent of the present political dispensation.
“We state that having achieved this level of consensus desired on the matter, we are in a better stead to produce credible, popular candidates capable and with the strength of will to represent APC and win in the 2019 General Elections in Enugu state,” they added.
Both Minister of foreign affairs, Onyeama and Barr. Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagu, the Special adviser on Justice Reforms to President Buhari, were represented at the meeting.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/2019-enugu-apc-faction-adopts-direct.html

The Concessionaire for the construction of new Lagos Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Park, Bridgeways Global Projects Limited, has revealed that the project would cost about N43 billion and be ready in two and half years from now.

Otherwise known as Kantagowa ICT Business Park, which is to be situated along the Lagos-Abeokuta Express-way, the project is expected to be the permanent location of the current Ikeja Computer Village Market.Speaking with The Guardian after a consultation meeting with association leadership of the Computer Village Market in Lagos at the weekend, the Chief Executive Officer of Bridgeways Global Projects Limited, Jimmy Onyemenam, said: “what we are developing in Katangowa will elevate the status of Lagos as a global technology location. It is far beyond providing real estate for the development of another Computer Village.”

Onyemenam, who said the prices are quite fluid, informed that by completion, the project is expected to half gulped about N43 billion. The firm is expected to manage the planned park for the next 36 years, after which transfer goes to the state government. He explained that the finances would come through a mixture of funding arrangements, which is already in place. According to him, these include debt finance, equity participation and “of course, there is a very strong pool of foreign funding, which we shall also be working with. As it stands, the debt financing is being negotiated by our financial consultants and we are quite hopeful that within few weeks that should be completed.”


On the possible cost for would be customers, the Bridgeways boss disclosed that there is a highly competitive price regime of N5.1 million promotional price that is available to the first 100 people, who come up but then, “the standard selling price is N6 million for 10sqm for the 36 years. The advantage this project address is that the off takers would be granted titles by the state government for period over which the sale is being done. Today’s price stands at N5.1 million for the first 100 people and N6 million thereafter for 10sqm for 36 years.”

The Bridgeway boss informed that the Katangowa ICT Business Park is proposed to be developed on a 15.7 hectares parcel of land, adding: “when completed, the ICT Business Park will comprise of over 3000 retail outlets of assorted sizes, a 4000-capacity k-klamps mall, 5,000 sitter exhibition hall and ICT incubator complex, assemblage/warehouses, and office accommodation.

“The park will also include facilities like; a budget hotel, banking facilities, restaurants, helipad, OPD clinic, Police Station, Security and fire Service, electric power, portable water and sustainable waste management plants, among other facilities,” he stated.

On the status of the proposed location, Onyemenam revealed that project is at the verge of the state government commencing the road expansion work, clearing of the place and “handing over the sites to us, we expect that to commence anytime now. Last Monday, we had a meeting with squatters on the site and they are actually ready to move. Fortunately, the government is putting a human face to the project and efforts are been made to make their relocation painless as possible, of course there would be some hitches, but certainly not the gruesome experiences of the past. They are happy to move to the temporary site.”

On the meeting with the Computer Village association leaderships, who numbered about 23, Onyemenam, who revealed that the relocation project has been dragging for the past 10 years, thanked the current Lagos State government, under the leadership of Akinwumi Ambode, for what he described as massive support for the project.

According to him, the meeting was to establish an all inclusive vehicle that would serve as the coordinating or rallying forum through which the market leaders can relate with the concessionaire and the state government, “Already, there is an assurance from them to work with us to get this done on time.”

One of the leaders, Public Relations Officer for Computer Village, Ademola Olaifa, expressed delight in the project, describing it as a viable one and a life saving project, which is attracted to everybody.


Olaifa revealed that the people in the village have been struggling to achieve it for the past few years, “we are thanking God for sparing our lives for the take off of the project now. The project will benefit Computer Village, the people and Lagos state as a whole.”Olaifa, who said the project will be one of the leading ICT Parks in Nigeria, disclosed that the meeting they had with the concessionaire brought hope to the market, as people would be on the same page and work for its success.“We have gone beyond the issue of tribe. We are working together to achieve more and we are sure of getting that done,” he stated.

He urged government to create more awareness of the plan, by among other things calling the stakeholders, especially the Landlords in that place to know that they have limited time, “the marketers too should be told that no stone would be left untouch. So everybody should be prepared.”

Another stakeholder, at the market, Barr. Osy Ijomah, said the people are ready to ensure that the project succeed, stressing that the project will sell.“We are ready to work with the Concessionaire to ensure that this project is completed within time and for the interest of the Computer Village. What we have seen a world standard ICT Park. It will be the first in Nigeria. Lagos is doing something laudable. We support the relocation because those things we are lacking at Ikeja will be available at the new place. We have seen the endorsement of the Lagos State government and that has given us assurance,” he stated

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/lagos-new-ict-park-to-take-n43-billion.html

Positive investors’ sentiment on the stock market on Tuesday lifted the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE All Share Index higher, ASI by 0.28 percent to close at 34,933.68 points, compared, with the depreciation of 0.03 percent recorded on Monday. The appreciation recorded in the share prices of companies such as FBN Holdings, Dangote Cement, GTBank, Dangote Cement, and Zenith Bank were mainly responsible for the gain recorded in the Index. Similarly, the market capitalisation appreciated by 0.28 percent to close at N12.75trillion, compared with the depreciation of 0.03 percent recorded on Monday which closed at N12.718 trillion. The Exchange recorded 23 gainers against 18 losers, with shares of GTBank , Oando Plc lifting up the NSE Banking and NSE Oil/Gas Indices by 1.41 percent and 0.27 percent respectively. The top five gainers include AIICO Insurance which surged by 9 kobo or 10 percent to close at N0.99 per share, followed by JAIZ Bank appreciating by 4 kobo to close at N0.49 per share. C & I Leasing up by 22 kobo or 8.89 percent to close at N2.50 per share, followed by Diamond Bank which surged by 10 kobo or 8.7 percent to close at N1.25 per share, while Japaul gained 2 kobo per share to close at N0.26 per share. Conversely, Fidson Healthcare led the laggards chart, dropping by 60 kobo per share or 10 percent to close at N5.40 per share. Trailing Fidson was PZ Industries recording N1.50 loss or 10 percent to close at N13.50 per share. Universal Insurance shed 4 kobo or10 percent to close at N0.36 per share, followed by Tripple Gee which lost 8 kobo or 9.41 percent to close at N0.77 per share, while Guinea Insurance declined by 3 kobo or 7.8 percent to close at N0.32 per share. Also, market turnover increased by 35 billion to close at N12.75 billion as the three most actively traded stocks were UBA (54.44million), Access Bank (38.45millionn), and Stanbic IBTC (35.22million)

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/positive-investors-sentiment-lifts.html

All 23 members of the 24-member House of Assembly in Kwara, including the Speaker, have denied financial inducement for their recent defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmakers are alleged to have each collected N15 million to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP on Aug.1.

But the 23 members, at plenary on Tuesday, denied being induced with money for their decision to quit the APC.

Each of the defected lawmakers, in their defence, described the allegation as unfounded and a calculated attempt to tarnish their names.

They said that no individual or group gave them N15 million as bribe prior to their Aug. 1 defection to the PDP.

They accused the only APC lawmaker in the house, Saheed Popoola, as being responsible for the alleged rumour on social media.

The lawmakers claimed that their defection to PDP was purely on personal conviction devoid of any financial inducement.

However, Popoola (APC – Olomu-Balogun) in his reaction, said he did not speak with any media on the alleged N15 million bribe.

Popoola refuted the claim by his colleagues of being the author of the alleged rumour, and challenged them to produce evidence or testimonies against him.

Concluding debate on the matter, the Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, urged his fellow Speakers in states Houses of Assembly to resist the temptation of declaring vacant, seats of defectors in their states.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/23-kwara-lawmakers-deny-taking-n15.html

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed at the weekend said Nigeria under president Muhammadu Buhari was getting global attention from investors since he took over power.

The Minister who spoke as guest on a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) programme, “Stepping Up” said the country has been attractive to investors due to Buhari’s “incorruptible leadership”.

“What we have witnessed recently have shown beyond doubt that Nigeria is today an investors’ destination,” Lai Mohammed said.

“Last week we received British Prime Minister, Theresa May. During the visit, several bilateral agreements were signed. Friday of same week, we received German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. Several bilateral agreements were also signed,”

Mohammed claimed “global leaders are coming to Nigeria because this government is providing good leadership in the areas of security and infrastructure,”
“The perception globally about the government is that it is providing an incorruptible leadership, a government that you can do business with, without fear,”
He said Nigeria’s 24 steps ascension in the ladder of ease of doing business is also another reason it is attracting investors to partner and invest in the country.
The minister said the three cardinal goals driving the administration’s success were focus, discipline and integrity.
“We did not invent the Treasury Single Account (TSA), but we are the administration that is disciplined enough to ensure that all proceeds of government go into the TSA,”
“This has helped a lot. Before now, funds belonging to the government were in thousands of bank accounts and the result was that we were paying a lot of bank charges on the accounts,”
“Under the old system, the government could not have a holistic idea of how much fund it had, which hampered planning. Today, every penny of government is being paid into TSA. This has helped a lot,” Mohammed said.
On fake news phenomenon, the minister said it is a global epidemic that “is not abating at all”. He said the Nigerian government has, however, decided to tackle the problem headlong.
He reiterated the government resolve not to coerce or censor but to continue with advocacy and depend on the conscience of media practitioners.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/nigeria-under-buhari-has-become.html

Concern Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State, have called for the sanction of top members of the party in Kanam who castigated Governor Simon Lalong for refusing to endorsed an illegal candidate, Mohammed Barau, for the forth coming local government elections in the state.

Spokesman of the group, Comrade Musa Isa Musawa, while addressing journalists, in Jos, on Monday, said Mohammed Barau was not screen and did not participated in the party primaries which Hon. Abbas Adamu Wokdung emerged as APC flag bearer in November, 2017.

Meanwhile, the pro-Mohammed Barau group, in a separate press conference addressed by Alhaji Sule Shuaibu, Deputy Chairman, Kanam Local Government Area APC Elder’s Forum and Mr. Kalamu Idris, Chairman Lalong APC Project 2019, threatened to withdraw support for the Governor ahead of 2019 governorship election if Mohammed Barau is not made APC candidate for the local government election.

Musawa explained that the party had refused to issue a certificate of return to Hon. Wokdung which he proceeded to court to seek redress and judgement was ruled in his favour in May 2018.

“The uncivilised, uncultured and unsavory language used on the governor, the candidate and all the loyalists of the Party is embarrassing. APC is well known to be people oriented, disciplined and all inclusive party.

“It is, therefore, strange that whether youth wing, stakeholders or any form of nomenclature could go to the press and unleash insults on elders and constituted authority.

“We are not surprised that the said group is threatening to leave the party or engage in anti-party activities particularly against the person of the Governor and APC Local Government Chairmanship candidate in the future elections. It is a known fact that most of them have dual loyalties and only joined the APC when elections had already been won.”

Comrade Musawa noted that six aspirants indicated interest to contest the election and only five aspirants were screen and satisfied for the election but the state Chairman of the Party, Hon. Latep Dabang had gave an order for Mohammed Barau to be admitted into the contest without screening.

“From the foregoing and in conformity with the Electoral Guidelines of the APC, Mohammed Barau was not qualified to stand for primary election in the first place.

“When voting was to commence, a new aspirant, Mohammed Barau who was not in the contest at Dengi was strangely brought in as a substitute to Idris Musa Suleiman who had disappeared from the scene of the election.

“There was serious contention that nearly marred the election but which the committee admitted that the party chairman at the state level gave order that the strange substitute be admitted into the exercise that held on the 18 November, 2017.”

Mr. Idris who read the text for the pro-Mohammed Barau said ” We view the utterances of the Governor as not only unfortunate but an insult to our individual and collective sensibilities.

“How else can one justify that a person who is genuinely aggrieved is being threatened and not pacified.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor must note that by appointing the people of Kanam to occupy positions of responsibilities little or no favour has been done to the APC family in Kanam.

“We make bold to say that the Governor’s action and inactions in conducting the affairs of APC in Plates state is not helping the party in any way as enumerated.

“We fear that what is happening to APC in other states of the country may also affect us in Plateau state, hence the need for all concern APC stakeholders to call the Governor to order to avert looming crisis in APC family in the state.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/plateau-council-polls-apc-elders-seek.html

Foreign and domestic airlines have remitted about N16bn as ticket sale charge (TSC) in the last eight months, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has disclosed.

This comprises over $16.98million from international airlines and over N9.16billion from local carriers collected between January to August 2018 through the automation system introduced by the authority.

Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muktar Usman told newsmen in Lagos that air travel demand as projected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will continue to grow with more connectivity, adding that the second position of Africa in the region in the July 2018 passenger traffic of 6.8% increase can be surpassed with direct link in the continent.

Usman said: “There has always been that projection that aviation in Africa is growing and the rate of growth is one of the highest in the world. We lack that internal connectivity within the Africa region and once those sectors are developed you would see much more increase in the movements because for example, if you want to go to Niger as of today, you hardly have any direct link even though airlines have been designated.

“One of the ways of going there, is to go to Lome and then go to Niamey when from Abuja it shouldn’t be more than one hour, you spend a whole day…”

More at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/ncaa-makes-n16bn-from-tsc-in-8-months.html

Bauchi State Government said on Monday no fewer than 60 boreholes equipped with hand pumps had been constructed in Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the 12 local government areas of the state.
‎
‎Garba Magaji, the Permanent Secretary of the state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), gave the figure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi.

Magaji said the boreholes were constructed by the government, in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

He said the projects were part of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) project.
According to him, the SHAWN project is being implemented in 60 PHCs across 12 local government areas in Dass, Gamawa, Warji, Toro, Shira, Bogoro, Jama’are, Zaki, Bauchi, Katagum, Itas Gadaun and Ganjuwa.
‎
He said the ongoing projects were almost completed and would soon be ready for commissioning.
Magaji said that the water facilities in the health centres would provide access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene.
‎
According to him, Bauchi State, being one of the beneficiaries of the UNICEF’s funded SHAWN project, has done a lot in accelerating access to sanitation and water supply in rural areas.
He said that such intervention had reduced water-related diseases in the affected areas.
‎
He said the state had also demonstrated its commitment by paying counterpart funding for water supply and other projects to donor agencies.
Magaji assured stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to all water and sanitation projects in the state.
‎
He urged the people of Bauchi State to embrace hygiene in their respective localities to avoid the transmission of diseases, especially during the dry season.
‎
He commended the Bauchi State Government and development partners like the UNICEF and Department For International Development for their support in providing needed assistance to various agencies in the state.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/bauchi-govt-unicef-construct-60.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) saturday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being in an unholy alliance with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) to rig the 2019 elections.

In a swift reaction, however, the INEC faulted the PDP’s claim, noting that there was nothing like unholy alliance between the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu and the APC and any other political party whatsoever.


The PDP made the allegation in a statement its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan saturday, linking the APC plan to rig the 2019 elections to the recent decision of the party to adopt direct primaries.

As shown in its statement, the opposition party said it was aware that the Presidency forced the direct primaries on party members “to eliminate delegates’ participation and pave way for the allocation of millions of conjured votes, which they intend to use as basis to authenticate the fictitious votes they intend to declare for President Buhari at the general elections.”

The statement said it had also uncovers plots by the Buhari Presidency and the APC “to use direct primary to validate their plot to rig the 2019 general elections, particularly for President Muhammadu Buhari, who has become grossly unpopular ahead of the elections.

“Having eliminated contest within the APC, the presidency is now apprehensive of apathy against Buhari due to his increasing unpopularity. It plots to import non-members of the party to satiate the venue of the presidential primaries to create an impression of overwhelming popularity for Mr. President and use that to validate the fictitious votes they are conjuring for the presidential election.

“The PDP is reliably informed that this rigging plot is the reason APC aspirants to other positions, especially, APC state governors, are demanding for direct primaries instead of the indirect primaries earlier approved for them by their party. PDP cautions the Chairman of INEC, Prof Yakubu, to end the unholy alliance between his commission and the APC.”

He added that the PDP was already privy to how very senior officials of the Prof. Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC, including a blood relation of the President, who controls the commission’s data center, masterminded and pushed the plot for which they held several meetings with presidency officials and APC leaders.

He stated: “This rigging plot is the major reason behind the secret creation of 30,000 illegal polling units by INEC, in compromised areas, which we earlier alerted the nation about.

“This is in addition to plots by INEC to frustrate genuine voters from accessing their Permanent Voters Cards, so as to allow the cards in the hands of compromised INEC officials, who will attempt to use such to allocate fake figures for APC.”

The opposition party said that the Buhari Presidency and APC leaders must know that Nigerians are tired of them and are ready to stop all enemies of our democracy on their trails in this election.

Ologbondiyan stressed that President Buhari and the APC leadership should note that not all the APC members are happy with their anti-democratic proclivities and that such persons are indeed ashamed and embarrassed by the pedestrian nature of this rigging plan.

He said: “Consequently the PDP restates the demand that Prof. Yakubu immediately withdraws the illegal 30,000 polling centers and declare the location, status and voter population of all already existing polling units for review by political parties and the media.

“INEC must also publish on their website, the number of accredited voters in all polling centers before the commencement of voting in all elections, particularly the Presidential election.

“INEC, by now, should know that Nigerians are united in the desire for a new President and that any attempt to illegally allocate figures or detract from a free, fair and credible elections, come 2019, will be absolutely rejected by the people.

“Anybody, therefore, who yields to be used to test the will of the people, in the 2019 election, should be prepared to incur the wrath of Nigerians.”

In a telephone conversation yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary of INEC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi said that there is nothing like unholy alliance between the INEC chairman and the APCand any other political party whatsoever.

He challenged the opposition party to produce evidence to back its allegation if it had any to present.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/09/apc-inec-in-alliance-to-rig-2019.html

The shares of the MTN Group dropped as much as 23 per cent to a nine-year low, yesterday, a day after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered the telecoms firm to repatriate $8.1 billion alleged to have been sent abroad illegally.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at trading on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, MTN shares were down 21.4 per cent at 84.35 rand, after touching 83 rand, a level last seen in 2009.

The CBN’s demand is the latest setback for MTN Nigeria, the South African group’s most lucrative but increasingly also its most problematic market.


It comes two years after MTN, Africa’s biggest telecoms company, agreed to pay a fine of more than $1 billion for allowing the use of millions of improperly unregistered SIM cards on its network.
But in a statement, MTN Nigeria refuted the CBN’s claim in strong terms.
Signed by its public relations manager, Funso Aina, MTN said it received a letter on August 29 from the CBN alleging that the Certificate of Capital Importation (CCI) issued in respect of the conversion of shareholders’ loans in MTN Nigeria to preference shares in 2007 had been improperly issued, and that consequently, the historic dividends repatriated by the telecommunications firm between 2007 and 2015 amounting to $8.1 billion needed to be refunded to the apex bank.
It claimed no dividends have been declared or paid by the Nigerian arm other than pursuant to CCIs issued by its bankers with the approval of the CBN as required by law.
He explained that the issue surrounding the CCIs has already been the subject of a thorough enquiry by the Senate of Nigeria.
According to him, “in September 2016, the Senate mandated the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to carry out a holistic investigation on compliance with the foreign exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous) act by MTN Nigeria and others.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/mtns-shares-drop-23-after-cbns-81bn.html

Telecommunication firm MTN, yesterday, refuted claims by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that it illegally repatriated $8.1billion from its Nigerian operations to offshore investors, in collusion with four Nigerian banks. CBN said two days ago that MTN repatriation violated its rule that required such transaction be done with regular Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) issued by the apex bank. The apex bank further claimed MTN did the repatriation after illegally converting shareholders’ loan of $399, 594,146 to preference shares. But in a statement by Mr Funso Aina, MTN’s Corporate Affairs Manager, the firm stated: “MTN Nigeria strongly refutes these allegations and claims. No dividends have been declared or paid by MTN Nigeria other than pursuant to CCIs issued by our bankers and with the approval of CBN as required by law.” He added that the issue surrounding the CCIs was already subject of a thorough enquiry by the Nigerian Senate. Aina noted that in September 2016, the Senate mandated the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to carry out a holistic investigation on compliance with the Foreign Exchange (monitoring and miscellaneous) Act by MTN Nigeria and others. He claimed that in its report issued last November, the Senate’s findings evidenced that MTN Nigeria did not collude to contravene the foreign exchange laws and there were no negative recommendations made against MTN Nigeria. “The re-emergence of these issues is regrettable as it damages investor confidence and, by extension, inhibits the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. We will engage with the relevant authorities and vigorously defend our position on this matter and provide further information when available,” he further said. Following the accusation of illegal repatriation of funds, shares of MTN Nigeria fell by 18 percent as the market opened yesterday. The share price was down 14 percent as at the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, in its reaction, Standard Chartered Bank stated: “As previously disclosed, we are committed to fully co-operating with the regulators on this matter. Whilst we cannot provide additional information due to ongoing engagement with the regulators, we look forward to a rapid resolution and satisfactory outcome of this matter.” On its part, Diamond Bank, in a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), said it was co-operating with the apex regulator to ensure the matter was resolved. The bank also stated that the development would not impact on customers’ ability to do business, adding that “any updates on any new development will be made available to all stakeholders.” It reiterated that it had complied with all regulatory policies issued. As at the time of this report, the bank’s share was trading at N1.27 on the NSE, down 8.63 percent.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/81bn-senate-clears-usmtn.html

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai ,says the Army University is expected to commence academic activities before the end of the year.

Buratai made this known during an interactive session with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that the university would run courses in the sciences and humanities and that admission would be in the ratio of 30 per cent military and 70 per cent civilian, with a civilian vice-chancellor.


He said that the army had been holding discussions with the National Universities Commission, Federal Ministry of Education, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Education Trust Fund.
“The Army University is taking shape. Before the end of the year, the university will take off ; courses have been identified in the sciences and humanities and we are waiting for the necessary guidelines to be released.
“The university will be civilian-driven in terms of admission and we expect Education Trust Fund to provide the necessary funding while the army make available the needed support, ’’ the army chief said.
Commenting on the shooting incident near Maiduguri International Airport by some soldiers recently, Buratai described the behaviour as “unimaginable’’ by soldiers who were supposed to be disciplined troops.
He said that the incident had been thoroughly investigated and that those involved would be dealt with in accordance with military laws.
“Troops had been moved around from different locations such as Bama; why should their own be different? This behaviour will not be tolerated,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the troops deployed at the Maiduguri Airport were redeployed to Marte, following Buratai’s directive, in a bid to reinvigorate the security architecture of the city.

The army explained after the shooting incident that the redeployment became expedient after a recent assessment of the security situation by the Theatre Command.
Regrettably, however, a few of the troops who had misunderstood the development and assumed it was going to negatively affect their rotation from the theatre of operation, became agitated and reacted by firing into the air.
On the challenge of fifth columnists acting as informants to Boko Haram insurgents, Buratai said that some of them had been identified and court martialled accordingly.
He, however, said that even with the stability so far recorded, the army was not resting on its oars.
“We are not resting on our oars; there are bad eggs in the army just like elsewhere.
“But we believe that everyone in the army should uphold the ethics and if soldiers decide to go against it, we will deal with them in accordance with military laws,” the chief of army staff said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/army-university-to-commence-admission.html

Nigeria’s central bank has ordered South African telecoms giant MTN to refund $8.13 billion (6.96 billion euros) that it allegedly illegally repatriated and fined four banks involved in the transfer.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said in a statement late Wednesday that MTN had not obtained approval before transfering the funds.

The banks had breached foreign exchange rules by failing to verify if the company had met all the requirements, it added.

The head-to-head dispute brings together the biggest telecoms group in Africa and the continent’s biggest market.
“The CBN has asked the managements of the banks and MTN Nigeria Communications Limited to immediately refund the sum of $8,134,312,397.63,illegally repatriated by the company to the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” CBN said.
Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank Nigeria Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Limited and Diamond Bank Plc were found to have helped MTN illegally repatriate $8.134 billion between 2007 and 2015, in breach of Nigeria’s foreign exchange and anti-money laundering laws, it said.
The CBN said Standard Chartered was fined 2.4 billion naira ($7.86 million); Stanbic IBTC 1.8 billion naira, Citibank 1.2 billion naira; and Diamond Bank PLC 250 million naira.The central bank said it took the action after a thorough inquiry.
“Upon the conclusion of the investigation, the Committee of Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria met with the management of… the banks as well as representatives of MTN Nigeria Communications Limited in Lagos on May 25, 2018,” it said.
“This was to give all the parties fair hearing, towards taking an informed decision on the matter.”
MTN management was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
The sanction was the latest to hit MTN since it began operations in Nigeria 17 years ago.
MTN was fined $5.2 billion in 2015 by Nigeria’s telecoms regulator NCC for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards on its network.
The fine was later reduced to $1.7 billion after a series of negotiations with the Nigerian government.

Full details at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigeria-orders-south-africas-mtn-to.html

Pro-Biafra agitators, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have declared general strike across the South-east and South-South geo political zones and other areas where Biafrans resides on September 14 to mourn those killed in the struggle for the restoration of Biafra Independence since 2015.

The group stated that inhabitants of the two geo-political zones and other conscientious Biafrans living in other parts of the country and the world over were required to stay indoors on that day and away from work or other daily business activities throughout the day.

They stated that it would be a protest to register their anger regarding men and women killed at Afaraukwu in Umuahia during Operation Python Dance II on September 14, last year, as well as those killed in Ngwa, Aba, Igweocha (Portharcourt) and buried in unmarked mass graves as a result of the military invasion of Biafraland by the Nigerian Army.

It stated that all businesses, offices, markets, schools and road transportation will be shut down for 24 hours from midnight of the 13th of September.

In a statement yesterday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB further gave reasons for the exercise: “As a result of ongoing campaign of ethnic and religious persecution, genocide and humiliation of the people of Biafra in general and Igbo people in particular by this Buhari regime, culminating in the abominable
incarceration of innocent mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers in Owerri prisons, we the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) do hereby declare 14 September 2018 a day of general strike, mourning and
resistance across Biafraland.”
“Inhabitants of South East/South South and all conscientious Biafrans living in other parts of Nigeria and the world are required to stay indoors away from work or daily business activities throughout the day of the 14th of September 2018 to register our anger and protest regarding the men and women killed at Afaraukwu in Umuahia during
Operation Python Dance II on September 14 last year, those killed in Ngwa, Aba, Igweocha (Port Harcourt) and buried in unmarked mass graves as a result of unprovoked military invasion of Biafraland by the Nigerian Army.
“We shall also remember all those killed in the struggle for the restoration of Biafra independence since August 2015 when the army shot dead Mr Okafor in Onitsha on a peaceful march from Nkpor to Onitsha main town. Their sacrifice will neither be forgotten nor will it be in vain, because come what may, this generation of IPOB must and
will restore Biafra.”
The statement continued: “The sacrilegious and disgraceful humiliation of Igbo women, some of them great grand-mothers, ranks as one of the most abominable act of desecration ever visited upon the land of Biafra in recorded history. It will mark the defining event that completed the shame and humiliation of the Igbo race.”
“The cowardice and impotency of Igbo socio-political and cultural leadership in the face of such humiliation by a single Fulani police officer in Owerri is confirmation, if one is needed, that South East and South South regions are conquered territories and vassal colonies of the Sokoto caliphate.

“Nationwide general strike observed as a sit-at-home across Biafraland on the 14th of September 2018, is the only way we Biafrans can honour our fallen brethren and legitimately remind our northern oppressors and their collaborators in our midst that enough is enough!
“We do not want another Operation Python Dance or another mass murder of Biafra agitators and humiliation of our mothers in our land. Biafraland we state categorically must emerge a free nation under God, whether our enemies like it or not.
“What happened at Afaraukwu; the desecration of house of a traditional ruler, the slaughter of innocent men and women: the wholesale massacre along the Ngwa segment of Enugu-Igweocha (Port Harcourt) Expresswa, countless number of mass graves across Biafraland, is repulsive, inhumane, barbaric and worthy of total condemnation by all right thinking people. We wait the day United Nations and other world bodies will give the issue of Biafra the same level of prominence it is giving Rhohingya”.

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/ipob-declares-general-strike-on.html

The Federal Government is putting the sum of N500 billion into wealth creation and poverty alleviation, Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has said.

Osinbajo featured at the question and answer session of the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

The theme of with the theme of the four-day conference is “Transition, Transformation and Sustainable Institutions”

He said that it was in recognition of the menace of poverty that the Federal Government rolled out the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) aimed at improving capacity and alleviating poverty.

“We started off in 2016 looking at a budget that was crafted differently; all along if you look at the way we have approached economic policies, it has always been the case of top-down approach.

“So, we look at how to improve industry; how to improve manufacturing; we look at how to give loans to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“The approach we adopted in 2016 was first to create to create a safety net; so we, for the first time, we put in the budget a line for is called NSIP; that is N500 billion for NSIP and that is the largest of its kind in the history of the country.

“The N500 billion covers conditional cash transfer to the poorest; one million of the poorest; we work with the World Bank for special coverage to determine the beneficiaries.’’

He said that the Federal Government targeted 5 million poor people but was hindered by scarce resources.

The vice-president said that 500,000 graduates had been employed under the N-Power which was a part of NSIP for providing jobs to graduates.


He also listed TraderMoni scheme which was a micro-credit scheme aimed at the empowering 2 million petty traders.

According to Osinbajo, one way of checking poverty is to incrementally improve capacity and put money in the hands of the poorest which is what NSIP is doing.

Osinbajo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said that there was need for strong institutions in order to make justice system effective.

“The government is frequently criticised for not being able to secure convictions; there are those who say the prosecution is not prepared, there those who say the defence is engaging in dialectic tactics.

“There are those who say the judiciary is slow or the judiciary is compromised; but all of these have to do with our administration of justice system and we are very much a part of it.

“There is a sense in which we must accept responsibility for the discipline of lawyers; dialectics is part of our system; so, I think it is beyond government.

“Strong institutions such as the NBA needs to rise to the occasion and it really calls for self regulation; government is not going to make the laws to change that,’’ he said.

He said that the stakeholder should not allow a situation where the administration of justice system became ineffective because if it did, building a moral society would be undermined almost entirely.

Earlier in his remark, the Outgoing NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud, described Osinbajo as a pillar of support to the association.

He said that the vice-president had been exemplary, adding that the NBA was proud of him.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/fed-govt-commits-n500-billion-to.html

The Akran of Badagry, De Aholu Menu-Toyi I, on Tuesday said the Lagos Council of Obas would soon meet Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode over the deplorable state of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

Menu-Toyi I told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry that the deplorable state of the road had retarded the growth of the ancient city and movement of people.

The monarch said that the council had decided to pay a visit to the governor in order to hasten work on the ongoing road construction between Mile 2 and Okokomaiko.

“I am not happy with the state of the road. Lagos-Badagry Expressway is an international road, which is supposed to be the responsibility of Federal Government, but it has been abandoned.

“The road is deterring investors from coming to the town, while tourists are no longer visiting Badagry.


“Sons and daughters of the land now prefer to enjoy their holidays in Lagos instead of coming home.

“Motorists and passengers spend up to five hours in the gridlock before getting to the city, a journey that is supposed to take an hour.

“The road has now become a deathtrap to my citizens, this is sad,” the monarch said.

Also, Mr Oloyede Edun, the Vice-Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said that many lives had been lost to accidents due to deplorable condition of the road.

Meanwhile, Babatunde Hunpe, the Special Adviser to Ambode on Environment said the state government was awaiting Federal Government’s approval to reconstruct Okokomaiko/Seme Border Section of the expressway.

Hunpe said that work on the road would start immediately the state government secured the approval.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/lagos-obas-to-meet-governor-ambode-over.html

Denmark ambassador to Nigeria, Torben Gettermann, says Nigeria export to Denmark rose by 156.6 per cent within the first three months of 2018 in relation to the same period in 2017.

The outgoing ambassador told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that during the period the export from Nigeria to Denmark also rose from 173, 000 dollars to 1.1 million dollars.

Gettermann, who noted with concern that the trade volume was too small, said that he was in Nigeria to enhance the trade relations between his country and Nigeria.


“We have had a trade imbalance; we have imported so much from Nigeria than we have exported.

“At the height of it, it was basically twice as much or thrice as much from Nigeria than what we exported, because we were importing crude oil and this has gone down,” he said.

According to him, there was a significant drop in 2016 and even 2017, but it is going up again slightly in 2017 and it seems to be going up too in 2018.

“In the first three months of 2018, our import of goods from Nigeria worth Danish Krone (DKK) 1.1 million ($173,000).

“This represents a rise of 156.6 per cent in relation to the same time period in 2017 DKK 400,000 ($64,000),” the envoy said.

He explained that Denmark import from Nigeria totaled DKK 367 million ($57.2M) in 2017 which is a rise of 11.8 per cent relative to 2016.

“The commodity group with the highest import value to Denmark in 2017 was petroleum, petroleum products and related materials worth DKK 365.3 million ($57m).

“Our import of services from Nigeria totaled DKK 1.1 billion ($800 million) in 2016,” he said.

The envoy explained further that Nigeria was Denmark’s 74th largest export market (goods) in 2017.

He said that export of goods from Denmark to Nigeria worth DKK 573 million ($89.3M) in 2017, accounting for 0.09 per cent of total Danish goods exports.

He however said that goods exported to Nigeria fell by 4.3 per cent in 2017 in relation to 2016.

The envoy explained that in 2016 goods worth DKK 328 million ($45.2m) was exported to Nigeria while goods worth DKK 367 million ($58.9m) was exported to Nigeria in 2017.

“The commodity group with the highest export value in 2017 was dairy products and birds eggs worth DKK 151.1 million ($23.5m).

“Exports of services to Nigeria totaled DKK 684 million ($106.6m) in 2016.

“In the first three months of 2018, Danish exports of goods to Nigeria was worth DKK 167.6 million ($26.2m).

“This is a rise of 54.7 per cent relative to the same time period in 2017 of DKK 108.3 million ($16.9m),” he said.

Gettermann stressed that the trade volume was a bit low and has a lot to do with Danish companies not having much focus on Nigeria.

“We have to sell Nigeria to Denmark by telling the good stories; we have to tell them that it is possible to do it in Nigeria, to invest in Nigeria,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigeria-export-to-denmark-rises-by-157.html

British Prime minister, Theresa May will visit Nigeria and two other African Countries this week.

May will be visiting Nigeria on Wednesday where she will meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja to discuss the promotion of British trade and interest.

The prime minister said her visit is a “unique opportunity at a unique time for the UK,” stating that Africa’s “incredible potential will only be realised through a concerted partnership between governments, global institutions and business.”

She said this relationship would “deepen and strengthen its global partnerships” with Commonwealth countries as the United Kingdom is prepared to leave the EU in 2019.


May intends to discuss Security issues especially the threat of Boko Haram in Nigeria and also meet with victims of modern slavery in Lagos.

The other African countries the prime minister will be visiting are South Africa and Kenya. She intends to make a first stop at Cape Town, South Africa before flying to Nigeria and then Nairobi Kenya.

In South Africa, she plans to meet young people, before delivering a keynote speech on trade and how UK private sector investment can be brought into Africa.

While in Kenya May will be discussing the role of British troops based in Kenya who are helping countries fight al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/british-prime-ministertheresa-may-set.html

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has taken almost 1,000 members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja, to a capacity building programme in demonstration of its commitment to the empowerment of youths, particularly, in entrepreneurship.

The programme, tagged: “Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme,” was scripted, in partnership with Activate Success Foundation and provided a platform for the corps members to look inward, develop and deploy their business skills through practical trainings, facilitated by experts and successful business owners.

According to the bank, the programme will go a long way in empowering them with the requisite resources to start and grow successful businesses, during and after their service year, to become financially independent and contribute significantly to national development.The Executive Director, Retail Banking, FCMB, Olu Akanmu, said it is in line with the commitment of the bank to provide multiple opportunities that would inspire and enable youths to be actively engaged and eventually become successful business owners.

“FCMB Flexx account empowers Nigerian youths with the entrepreneurial and employability skills they need. Many youths set up their own businesses from their campuses.FCMB will be there with them to provide the necessary entrepreneurial and business skills they need to make great successes out of their businesses,” he said.

The Founder of Activate Success Foundation, Love Idoko, said: “I have a penchant for motivating people. There are business-minded youths out there that are just looking for mentorship or business ideas, as well as funds, to start their businesses.

The purpose is not just to give grants, it is to also empower and motivate as many youths as possible”.Among the facilitators at the programme were a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot; Chief Executive Officer, Vodi Tailors, Seyi Adekunle; and Executive Director, YIAGA Africa, Samson Itodo, of the #NotTooYoungToRun fame. At the end of the programme the sum of N2.7 million was given as grant to some of the youth corpers with excellent business ideas to enable them start-up.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/fcmb-takes-1000-corps-members-to.html