₦airaland Forum

Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has declared support for his players who campaigned at the Russia 2018 World Cup for putting up what he called “a very encouraging performance.”

Speaking at the Ogunlana Drive offices of the Nigeria Football Federation in Lagos yesterday, the German tactician said, “I am proud of my players who went to the World Cup. They only lacked experience. We had a very young team that was very good and did very well. They were the least ranked team but put up a good fighting spirit. “It is disheartening that we did not get past the group stage. The future is bright.” Rohr had some reservations for the Video Assistant Referee(VAR), which he said had different interpretations for different teams. “VAR recognised handball for France but refused to award us handball in a similar situation,” he said, adding quickly, “but I do not like talking about referees.” Another factor Rohr counted worked against the Super Eagles in Russia was lack of support. “Nigerian supporters were outnumbered and the general atmosphere was not good enough for concentration. It was an experience worthwhile.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/im-proud-of-my-players-gernot-rohr.html

A three-term Senator, Abubakar Sodangi, on Friday advocated the zoning of Nasarawa State governorship position to Nasarawa North senatorial district come 2019 general elections.

Sodangi represented Nasarawa West in the Senate; 1999 to 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said in an interview with newsmen in Nasarawa, Nasarawa Local Government Area of the state that such zoning would ensure justice and fairness.

Sodangi, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the northern zone of the state had never produced a governor since Nasarawa State was created in October 1996.

He said, “I have said this without number, I am an advocate of fairness and justice, let’s zone the governorship position to Nasarawa North come 2019.

“We have done it in Nasarawa West senatorial district in which Sen. Abdullahi Adamu that succeeded me in the state spent eight years was elected as the governor.


“It went to Nasarawa South which produced Alhaji Akwe Doma of the blessed memory as the governor and Gov. Tanko Al-Makura that is completing his eight years.

“Nasarawa North had never produced any governor in the state, let us be fair and let the governorship position be zoned to them in the interest of justice and fairness.

Sodangi also advised the stakeholders of northern zone to put their house in order in order to produce the next governor of the state come 2019.

“There are some people that are saying that let the governorship seat be left open to all aspirants.

“I do not subscribe to that because I am an advocate of fairness and justice and the state is all created for all.”

Sodangi also disclosed that he would not contest for any political position in the state come 2019.

He urged politicians to focus on issued-based campaign in the interest of peace and national development.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/2019-senator-sodangi-wants-governorship.html

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has again raised the alarm that Fulani herdsmen were planning to kidnap, torture and kill him.

The claimed that the herdsmen’s plan is billed to be hatched along Makurdi-Lafia-Abuyja highway.

Ortom disclosed this, on Friday, at an interactive session between the church, traditional institution and other stakeholders towards peace building, organised by the Makurdi Catholic Diocese held at the Pastoral Center in Makurdi, in the state capital.

The governor, who spoke in Tiv language, said he got an intelligence report that the Fulani herdsmen, who are currently occupying part of Guma Local Government Area of the state, were planning to attack him along Makurdi-Abuja-Lafia Road.

The governor said the armed herdsmen, according to the intelligence report, would ensure that all his security aides were killed after which they would kidnap him, torture him before killing him, adding that already, he had reported the matter to the police and other security agencies.

Accrording to Governor Ortom, “Therefore, anytime l sleep and wake up and my spirit doesn’t allow me to travel by road, I would call flight operators but just a few days ago, the Federal Government has issued a secular that no flight should land in Makurdi airport again.”

The governor, who also alleged that some Benue indigenes were conniving with other forces, in Abuja, to kill him, stressed the need for the Federal Government to urgently address the killings across Nigeria by herdsmen militia to pave way for peaceful election in 2019.

He maintained that most of the polling units in the crisis-affected areas have been destroyed and taken over by the Fulani herdsmen as their grazing fields.

“The killings across Nigeria is a deliberate attempt by some people either Boko Haram, armed bandits or herdsmen working for the same purpose to disenfranchise large proportion of Nigerians from voting for the leaders of their choice.

“Amnesty international had come out to disclose that over 19,000 people have lost their lives in Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau states to herdsmen attacks and this does not speak well of Nigeria nation especially as we are heading towards 2019.”

While lamenting that Benue indigenes have become destitute and refugees in their fathers’ lands, Governor Ortom further disclosed that pockets of killings were still going on in Makurdi, Guma, Logo and Katsina Ala local government areas of the state.


He explained further that most of the farmlands along the borderlines of Taraba and Nasarawa states have been taken over by herdsmen militia who currently occupy the areas to the detriment of the indigenes.

“Even though, a goat doesn’t bite, but when you continue to provoke the goat, the goat will turn back and bite you”.

He attributed the success of his administration’s amnesty programme and the support given to him by leadership of the Catholic Church in the state.

While calling on international community to beam their searchlights on states affected by herdsmen crisis in the country, the governor enjoined traditional rulers to go back and enlighten their subjects on the need to register with INEC and obtain their PVCs which is the only sure way vote out leaders with questionable characters in next year’s general elections.

But reacting to Governor Ortom’s claim, National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattlr Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Galolo, said the governor’s claim was not only false, but mischievous.

Galolo, who said that Miyetti Allah are not in conflict with anyone in the country, maintained that Governor Ortom was far from the truth and should explain to his people why has has not met their socio-economic aspirations rather that shift blame of his failure on herdsmen.

In a chat with newsmen, Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, disclosed that over 306 traditional rulers, youths, members of both Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) and Catholic Men Organisation and other stakeholders were invited for the meeting to educate them on a violence-free election ahead of 2019.

While noting that Nigeria had been ravaged by violent crisis in the last few years, Anagbe maintained that it was pertinent on the church to meet and discuss with the traditional rulers who are instruments of peace in their domains to enlighten their subjects that no politician should intimidate, coerce or induce them to vote against their conscience.

According to Anagbe, “Tiv land, Benue land and Nigeria as a whole has been traumatised by series of violent crisis in the past few years and now that elections are around the corner, people are taking advantage of this.

“We are trying to let them get into the picture of having to be instruments of peace in their locality because these are the people in the grassroots.

“We have had enough of bloodshed. Let us now do politics that is devoid of violence. If anyone comes to deceive them with whatever inducement, they must be able to resist it,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/herdsmen-planning-to-kill-me-governor.html

Creating decent employment opportunities for youth in Africa’s agriculture sector can significantly reduce youth migration from the continent, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Director-General José Graziano da Silva, has said.

According to him, the FAO firmly believes that if youths are provided these opportunities, they will not leave the continent to look for opportunities elsewhere.

The latest Africa Agriculture Status Report (AASR), had indicated that agriculture will be Africa’s quiet revolution.According to the report commissioned by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), smart investments in the food system can aid the revolution if planned correctly.

Despite 37 percent of the population now living in urban centres, the report showed that most jobs have been created in lower paid, less productive services rather than in industry, with this service sector accounting for more than half of the continent’s GDP.“We have the means to provide those opportunities right here where you can see and participate in the future of your countries and the continent”, Graziano da Silva said.


FAO requested for the establishment of a youth facility, which would assist young people in addressing some of the challenges they face when setting up and expanding agricultural businesses. The facility would be piloted in Rwanda and later rolled out to the rest of Africa.
Approximately 65 to 75 percent of the people migrating from Africa are youth, many in search of employment opportunities. Tens of millions of jobs will have to be created each year in the Africa as the continent’s population continues to grow steadily. The agricultural sector including the related food systems and value chains can offer substantial entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth.
In his remarks at this week’s international youth conference held in Rwanda, the FAO Director-General stressed the need to continue working closely with a wide range of actors to support the youth.
“We have started with the first step and I hope that we will be together throughout the journey. When you are in a hurry, you go alone, but if you want to go further, you need to go together. We want to go further and we want to go with you,” Graziano da Silva said.
Among several challenges, conference participants highlighted factors of production such as land as one of the most significant barriers for young people wanting to start or expand agricultural enterprises. This was further compounded by limited access to credit facilities for young people across the continent.
Through an 8-point communiqué, the youth outlined their recommended actions for immediate focus; youth-led policy action, institutionalizing the youth conference (biennial), capacity development, reinforcing enabling and institutional environments, equipping rural areas with critical services essential for modern agriculture, agribusiness and value chain support, changing negative image of agriculture and supporting national youth platforms to share knowledge and best practices.
Urging the youth to reverse the often-negative perceptions associated with agriculture and take pride in being farmers requires the need to change the image and conversation around agriculture and shift the focus to the opportunities and profits to be made across the agri-food chain.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/agribusiness-can-stem-tide-of-migration.html

A pilgrim from Niger State, Musa Edotsu, has reportedly returned a cash sum in foreign currency equivalence of N400,000, which he found in a toilet in Saudi Arabia while performing the Hajj in Mecca.

Northern City News gathered that the money belonged to the Chairman of the Enugu State Pilgrims Board, Zukalraini Saeed.



A journalist from Niger State, Abdul Isa, reported from the holy land via WhatsApp that the Nigerian pilgrim returned the money to the Niger State pilgrims board officials who in turn gave it to the owner.

Ameerul Hajj of the Niger State Pilgrims, Abubakar Magaji, said the amount was handed over to the owner after identifying the other items found in a handbag which included a passport and some keys.

Magaji was said to have appreciated Edotsu for his honesty at a time most pilgrims had run out of cash, saying the pilgrim would be rewarded with $200 by the pilgrims board.

Saeed lauded Edotsu’s gesture and the officials of the pilgrims board for exhibiting such “a high level of honesty by returning the money.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/niger-pilgrim-returns-n400000-found-in.html

There are indications that Nigeria’s crude oil export will increase to 1.73 million barrels per day (bpd) in October 2018, up by 22.6 per cent over the 1.41 million bpd scheduled for September. The development may have occurred as a result of the lifting of force majeure on Bonny Light export by Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. According to a Reuters report, the total exports will rise to 1. 73 million barrels per day (b/d) in October from 1.41 million bpd scheduled for September. The report stated that October’s loading will be the largest programme since June this year, but is smaller than last year’s 1.768 million bpd. The report stated: “The export plan comprised 57 cargoes, compared with 48 cargoes in September’s loading schedule. Both the Qua- Iboe and the Forcados streams will load fewer cargoes, while Bonny Light contains the same number of cargoes and Escravos will load one extra.” However, the report noted that exports of these three major streams will drop by 14 percent in October to about 540,000 bpd from September’s record of 630,000 bpd rate. The export plans showed several smaller streams will add, at least, one cargo in October, including Pennington, Okwori and Antan. Nigerian oil export plans are prone to revisions and delays, with cargoes frequently pushed from one month to the next. Recall that crude oil export to the global market in July had increased by 1.9 per cent. SPDC had declared the force majeure on May 17, 2018, following the shutdown of the Nembe Creek Trunkline (NCTL) by the operator, Aiteo Eastern E&P Company Limited.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigerian-oil-exports-set-to-hit-173m.html

The Spiritual Director, Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Ebubemonso, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.


Akelicious reports that the cleric based his call on Buhari’s alleged inability to take charge of happenings in the country.

Ebubemonso, who spoke as part of activities marking his 7th year Priestly ordination at his Umudioka residence, also demanded unreserved apology from the Federal Government to Ndigbo, particularly members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.


He accused Buhari’s government of proscribing the group and branding them terrorists, “whereas terror groups like the Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram killing people are handled with kid gloves.”

His speech read: “As you can see, there is crisis in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari is not in control of this country. People are dying on daily basis and I am not happy with it at all.

“There is indeed crisis in the country. I pray that our good Lord will salvage this country, Nigeria. There is crisis, even though those in authority are denying that there is political unrest in the country. I thank God, that God is answering our prayers. I believe that very soon, all these frictions, fracas and crisis will come to an end, because there is God.


“Well, my message for Muhammadu Buhari is let him resign since he cannot control the country. I said let him resign honourably because as you can see, he is not in control of the country, not only that, he is a sectional leader, a tribalistic leader.

“So, my stand is let him resign, as you can see his strength could no longer carry him. I am envisaging a situation where he will not be alive to complete the second term, if he comes out to campaign again. Let him resign honourably and find people who have the strength and capacity of managing the nation to carry on the baton. Nigeria is a big country and needs experts who have perfected in the political field to take control of the affairs of the nation. President Buhari is not that man.

On the controversies over the INEC’s 2019 election budget, he said: “the issue of INEC, the Senate and the Presidency, there are so many interests; they are saying so many things that we don’t know what to believe. I can’t say for sure but what I have to say is that you can see the inclination of political interests in the entire episode.

“Mark my words, APC groups are warming up to rig the election, as you can see the evidences are there. If by vote counting, APC can never win any election. If it is by counting of votes, there is no way this government will return because it is a government that is built on selfishness, nepotism, injustice. Government that is killing people, people are not happy with this government, so they knew that they under performed. What of those promises that Muhammadu Buhari made to the Nation before the election, none was accomplished, that, for me is a government of deception, running a government with deceit, it is very very bad.”

He added that “after the promises Buhari gave Nigerians before he was elected, nothing has changed. As you can see, many of our youths are unemployed, many a times when I pass or walk around the universities on mission, I see our young men, you know undergraduates, battalions of them, I ask myself what plans has the federal government have but as you can see, they don’t have any plan for them, that is why you will see somebody after being a graduate, the person will engage in one business or the other for him to survive.

“The hope of every average young man in other countries, their efforts in entering the university, studying very very hard and struggling to survive, trying to get degrees is for them to get a good job, but in our country Nigeria nothing is sure. You are a graduate, you have a wonderful certificate and that certificate is barren, certificate without satisfaction and government has no plan. It’s a pity.

“You know it has been my greatest worry. Go over there at the university and you will see people, you will see men and women, you will see our young undergraduates, sons and daughters, you know they are studying, but I am telling you that government has no plans for them, especially this government of President Buhari. Nigeria has never experience such a government, let Buhari stand up and tell us his achievements so far, let him say what he has achieved so far.

“This government has really under performed, really they came with the ideology of change but they didn’t change anything, so we are praying for another change, this one is real change that will upturn Buhari’s change that choked us. He came to power on false change promises which many believed; even a prophet of God prayed for him because everybody wanted change that will lead to a prosperous nation but here we are from frying pan to fire. Buhari is a huge disappointment to Nigeria.”

The Priest did not spare the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who he said were not speaking out.

He said, “well, for me, Ohanaeze Ndigbo should know that Igbos are being marginalized and their voices are not felt, the voices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not felt. You know they are representing Igbos, let them come out and stand for Igbos and let the world and Igbos know they are standing for them, they can’t be answering Ohanaeze Ndigbo for nothing.

“I am not trying to say that they have not been making efforts but their efforts are not enough. Now IPOB came up as a result of poor governance and they are agitating that the federal government is marginalizing them. Igbos have been undergoing marginalization, that was the crusade of Nnamdi Kanu and Nnamdi Kanu was suppressed and intimidated, but I want to tell the Federal Republic of Nigeria that you can never kill an ideology.

“Let there be a strong dialogue between Ohaneze Ndigbo and IPOB to have one voice for Ndigbo. I advise the IPOB to go for peace even in their agitations, let there be love. I stand here to tell the country that their agitations are right. The agitations about the sovereign state of Biafra, about intimidation and suppression, they are right, so let the federal government look into it.

“If really Igbos are being marginalized, let them do something, we can’t be answering one Nigeria for mouth, just mere camouflage, one Nigeria on a table of sabotage. When you stifle what is meant for general consumption, that is economic sabotage, when you strangle what you supposed to give to brothers, that is wickedness.

“Let the federal government look into these agitations; it won’t end by shooting them, killing them on daily basis. Buhari should register an apology to Ndigbo for that kind of thing, how can innocent people who are agitating be proscribed? They are freedom fighters and Buhari proscribed them, branded them as terrorists whereas Boko Haram are killing people and nobody has ever proscribed them or branded them as terrorists. Fulani herdsmen are killing people on daily basis and nobody has ever proscribed and branded them terrorists. But agitating youths in the South East, my dear brothers were branded terrorists by their country Nigeria. Is this not outright intimidation?”

[url]http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/resign-now-your-govt-disappointment-fr.html

The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has mocked President Muhammadu Buhari over his 800 metres walk from Daura Mosque to his private home on Tuesday.


Akelicious reported that Buhari had after prayers and slaughtering his ram on Tuesday, decided to walk home from the mosque.

It was a journey of about 800 metres according to his aides who shared the news to reasure Nigerians that the President was strong enough for the challenges ahead.


The report has since generated a lot of controversies and comments from Nigerian politicians, mostly from those in the opposition.

In his reaction, Fayose suggested that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria should be involved in selection of Nigeria’s next president.

He tweeted, “May be the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) should be the one to choose president for Nigeria since being fit to be president is only determined by 800m walk.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/800-metres-walk-fayose-mocks-buhari.html

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that it is “very dangerous” for social media companies like Twitter Inc and Facebook Inc to silence voices on their services. Donald Trump’s comments in an interview with Reuters come as the social media industry faces mounting scrutiny from Congress to police foreign propaganda.

Trump has made his Twitter account – with more than 53 million followers – an integral and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda, announce policy and attack critics. Trump previously criticized the social media industry on Aug. 18, claiming without evidence in a series of tweets that unnamed companies were “totally discriminating against Republican/Conservative voices.” In the same post, Trump said “too many voices are being destroyed, some good & some bad.”

Those tweets followed actions taken by Apple Inc, Alphabet Inc’s YouTube and Facebook to remove some content posted by Infowars, a website run by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Jones’ own Twitter account was temporarily suspended on Aug. 15. “I won’t mention names but when they take certain people off of Twitter or Facebook and they’re making that decision, that is really a dangerous thing because that could be you tomorrow,” said Trump.

Trump appeared on a show produced by Infowars, hosted by Jones, in December 2015 while campaigning for the White House. In removing Jones’ content, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook each pointed to specific user agreement violations. For example, Facebook removed several pages associated with Infowars after determining they violated policies concerning hate speech and bullying.

Twitter and Facebook declined to comment on Trump’s statement. Apple and Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In July, during a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing, executives from Facebook, Google and Twitter testified they did not remove content based on political reasons. “Our purpose is to serve the conversation, not to make value judgments on personal beliefs,” Nick Pickles, Twitter’s senior strategist, said at the time.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/dangerous-for-twitter-facebook-to-ban.html

A former Vice President of World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has described the plan by the federal government to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, using public funds as a waste of resources.

Ezekwesili, who spoke on an African Independent Television (AIT) programme Monday, said government’s plan to fund the establishment of the airline and later bring in investors to buy into the company, would be “putting the cart before the horse.”


Ezekwesili, also a former Minister of Education and co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls, argued that if the government sincerely wanted to have a private sector-driven national carrier, it would have designed it differently.

Recalling her experience when she was Vice President of the World Bank, Ezekwesili insisted that if the federal government wanted Nigeria Air to be private sector-driven as it claimed, the design of the project would have been made in a way that investors would have provided start-up fund for the airline.

She noted that money spent on the national airline in terms of opportunity cost would deny government the funds for other priority programmes in education, healthcare and other essential sectors of the economy.

The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, explained that the federal government would commit $300 million and $8.8 million to the project, and it is expected that when the airline is established its shares would be sold to investors.

Sirika had also stated that the $8.8 million represents startup capital for offices, etc required for takeoff.

But $300million is the entire airline cash flow funding requirements (aircrafts, operations and working capital) for three years (2018, 2019 and 2020).

“This funding can be in the form of equity or debt. The financial model estimates cash flow requirements as follows 2018 ($55m – $8 million is included here), 2019 ($100m) and 2020 ($145m).

“In order to ensure take-off of the airline in 2018, government will provide $55 million upfront grant/viability gap funding to finance startup capital and pay commitment fees for aircraft to be leased for initial operations and deposit for new aircraft whose delivery will begin in 2021,” he said.

On divesting the shares to investors and other shareholders, Sirika said after one year of operations, government would through an IPO divest her equity for purchase by Nigerians subject to approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Government will then retain only five per cent equity. The rest of 95 per cent equity of Nigeria Air Limited will then be owned by the strategic equity investor and the general public. Majority ownership must however remain with Nigerians so that the national carrier can benefit from BASA (Bilateral Air Service Agreement) and other bilateral agreements which require local beneficial ownership as a condition precedent.

“Management of the national carrier will be concessioned to the strategic equity investor with no step in rights and management control by government. Signed up acceptance and approval of the management concession agreement will be a condition precedent for the IPO,” the Minister said.

But Ezekwesili faulted this strategy, saying it is a waste of government resources.

She added that if it was designed in a way that significant part of the ownership would be ceded to the private sector, investors would have been made to commit funds in the establishment of the airline, so that government would not have to spend even a penny on the project.

Reacting to the federal government’s strategy, a member of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) who wished to remain anonymous, told Akelicious that government planned the national carrier in a way that suggested that it has already identified the investors that would buy into the airline.

He expressed doubt that the project would attract foreign investors government expected.

“The truth is that it will be difficult for Nigeria to have a strong core investor for the airline because Nigeria is not known to respect its agreements. Nigeria made an agreement with Richard Branson of Virgin Atlantic Airways and it defaulted on that agreement. Anyone you asked to come and invest in Nigeria refers you to that Branson experience,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigeria-air-waste-of-resources-says.html

Chief Executive Officer of Most Influential 100, Kamil Olufowobi, has assured that activities lined up for this year’s the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) would generate over $70 billion in trade deals for the continent.

Olufowobi said the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF), scheduled to take place in Egypt by October, would guarantee a boost in trade investments across Africa. The fair targets over 1,000 exhibitors from across Africa and beyond as well as 70,000 visitors, which would be generating in excess of $70 billion in trade deals, hence a rise for the economy.

The initiative is in support of the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation’s General Assembly resolution 68/237 and to be observed from 2015 to 2024. MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, its people on the continent and across the Diaspora.

This year’s Recognition Ceremony will showcase contributions and impact across five key sectors namely: Politics and Governance, Business and Entrepreneurship, Media and Culture, Religious and Humanitarian, and Global Announcement.

Speaking about the forthcoming ceremony, Olufowobi said that Nigerians who have earned a place in the much coveted Most Influential Global 100 list, would be officially honoured by MIPAD at the Nigerian Stock Exchange this August.

He said: “This year, MIPAD, in conjunction with the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) will host Nigerians in the list of Africans (both in Africa and Diaspora), who are transforming the narrative of Global business, media, humanities and government at an exclusive reception in the Nigerian Stock Exchange and closing gong ceremony tagged ‘Celebration of Excellence’.

“There will also be the African Recognition week taking place in New York, USA to celebrate the MIPAD global finalists.”The CEO hinted that the programme is aimed at paving the way for Africans to embrace creativity and sustainable success within her peoples

“Over the years, the contributions and impact of young and highly influential Africans have been neglected, leaving a huge gap in the quest to inspire the next generation towards greater exploits”

“The Most Influential People of African Descent was founded in 2015 and since then has recognised several individuals who are outstanding in their various sectors and societies. In 2017 the Initiative honoured a total of 200 Africans working in Africa and in diaspora in a stately dinner held in New York, USA”, he said

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/mipad-targets-70b-trade-investment.html

A guard attached to a private school in Lagos has been arrested for allegedly stealing N1.9 million from the school’s account. The 42-year-old suspect, Oyekunle Abolarin, who resides at 4 Shoyebo street, Alapere, Ketu, ,allegedly withdrew the money on four different occasions, without the knowledge of the school authority. Spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Chike Oti who confirmed the arrest, said that the suspect during interrogation, mentioned one Jerry Bankole, as an accomplice in the fraud, whom he said was subsequently arrested. Explaining how the arrest was made, Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police CSP said “ Proprietress of a notable private school in the state reported that attempts were made on four different occasions, between April and July 2018, to steal money from the school’s account. “ She further alleged that within that period, she received four debit transaction alerts of various sums of money ranging from N900,000, N800, 000, N150,000 and N600,000 respectively. She therefore requested the police to unravel the person/s behind the crime. “ On the strength of the complaint , the Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal, mobilised a crack team of detectives from the State Intelligence Bureau led by CSP Vera Ameh, to fish out the brains behind the attempt to commit the felonious act to wit stealing. “Through diligent investigation, one Oyekunle Abolarin, a guard at the college was arrested. During interrogation, he confessed to the stealing of four different cheque leaves belonging to the school. He thereafter called in his brother-in-law, one Are Jerry Bankole, a native of Iffe Ikoyi town of Ijumu LGA, Kogi state, who provided the Diamond bank account used in the attempt to withdraw the various amounts. The suspect, Kunle Abolarin, told the Police that he regrets his actions against his boss whom he claimed awarded scholarships to his four children. Both suspects are currently in police custody and are helping in further investigation of the case. The Commissioner of Police, advises employers of labour to do a thorough profiling of their employees to avoid incidences of this nature and also , to keep their cheque books and ATM cards away from unauthorised persons”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/guard-arrested-for-allegedly.html

A report by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has disclosed that no fewer than 925 trades are hard to fill in Nigeria’s labour market.

The ITF Director General, Joseph Ari, disclosed this yesterday at a World Press Conference in Abuja.

He cited the six areas to include agro-allied businesses, metal and solid minerals, as well as oil and gas-related industry.


Others are construction, light manufacturing and services industry.
He said the situation has persisted, despite the spiraling unemployment that the country is currently facing.
Ari disclosed that the findings followed a research conducted by the ITF, in conjunction with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in April 2018.
He said the research focused on national skills gap assessment in six priority sectors of the economy.
He explained: “The breakdown showed that 19.7 per cent vacancies were in the housing sector, 13.9 per cent in petro-chemical sector, and 14 .7 per cent in other goods.
“Also, 11.4 per cent was found in the auto-industry, 10.3 per cent in textiles, 10.1 per cent in steel, 8.9 percent in the services sector, and 3.3 per cent in the leather industry.”

The DG further revealed that 15.7 per cent of all the hard-to-fill vacancies were due to the lack of technical skills.
He said 11.8 per cent are due to lack of basic IT skills, 9.2 per cent due to lack of advanced IT skills, while between 9.2 per cent and 7.5 per cent of the vacancies, due to the lack of requisite soft skills.
Ari stressed that in addressing this paradox, the ITF management has unveiled a list of implementable programmes for year 2018.
These include the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP), Women Skills Empowerment Programme (WOSEP), Air-conditioning and Refrigeration (training on wheels), as well as the Skills Training and Empowerment programme for the Physically Challenged (STEPP-C).
“In all, these programmes are expected to train about 13,000 Nigerians in a five-month period.
The breakdown of Nigerians to be trained includes 11,100 youths under the NISDP, 360 women, under the WOSEP, 75 youths in air-conditioning and refrigeration, and 50 youths in designing and garment making.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/925-trades-are-hard-to-fill-in-nigerias.html

Hon,Bede Chukwuekezie is a Governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. He will be contesting with Governor Lawrence Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and other Aspirants candidates in the 2019 election.

Source: http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/meet-one-of-governorship-aspirants-to.html

Two lawmakers, Senator Rafiu Adebayo and Senator Isa Misau, have sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, the police, the Department of State Services, the Senate and seven others in order to stop the attempts to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki.



Senators Adebayo and Misau, who are supporters of Saraki, instituted the fresh court action marked FHC/ABJ/CS/872/2018 before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday.





Other defendants in the suit are: the majority and deputy majority leaders of the Senate, the Clerk of the Senate, the Deputy Clerk of the Senate, the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Minority Leader.



In the originating summons filed on their behalf by Mahmud Magaji (SAN), the plaintiffs want the Federal High Court to determine whether in view of the provisions of Section 50(1) (a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution, Saraki, who defected to another political party as a result of the division in his former party, can be made to vacate his office other than in accordance with Section 50 of the constitution.



Adebayo and Misau, who represent Kwara-South and Bauchi-Central senatorial districts respectively, also want the court to determine whether Saraki can be compelled to vacate his office on the grounds that he is not a member of the political party with a majority of senators in the Senate in view of the combined reading of Section 50 of the constitution and Order 3 Rule 8 of the Senate Standing Orders.



The court was also urged to determine whether the Senate President could be said to have vacated his office by virtue of Section 50(2) of the constitution when he had not ceased to be a member of the Senate or the Senate dissolved.



In a motion on notice filed along with the originating summons, the plaintiffs prayed the court for an order of interlocutory injunction restraining all the defendants (except the Senate, Senate President and Deputy Senate President) jointly and severally either by themselves, their agents, servants and privies from unlawfully removing the Senate President pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.



They also prayed the court for another order of interlocutory injunction restraining the AGF and the Inspector-General of Police from unlawfully interfering with the lawful legislative duties of the Senate President pending the hearing and determination of their originating summons.



Besides, the plaintiffs asked for an order of interlocutory injunction stopping the IG and the DSS from harassing, intimidating, arresting or detaining the President of the Senate in respect of the lawful exercise of his duties pursuant to Section 50(1) of the constitution and another order directing parties in the case to maintain status quo pending the determination of the substantive matter.



The motion was predicated on seven grounds amongst which were that the agents of the IG and DSS had taken steps to flagrantly breach the provisions of Section 50 by employing their agents to disrupt the plenary of the Senate without recourse to the said provisions.





Another grounds were that the constitutional provision of removal of the Senate President does not empower the AGF, police and DSS to unlawfully interfere with the legislative duties of the Senate by causing a blockade at the premises of the National Assembly complex or using their agents to disrupt the lawful duties of the Senate.

In a 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion on notice and deposed to by Senator Isah Misau, he averred that the Senate was a body recognised and established by the 1999 Constitution vested with powers of making laws for the good governance and well-being of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The deponent averred that the Senate held a plenary sitting between July 24 and 27 and that it was presided over by its President and that at the end of the sitting members adjourned till September 25.

Misau claimed that the All Progressives Congress as a platform for the Senate President had been bedevilled by crises resulting in divisions and factionalisation at the federal, state and local government levels.


http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/senators-sue-agf-dss-police-for-alleged.html

The management of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) has explained that its charges are essential to enable it maintain the zones. Addressing journalists to refute media reports for imposing one percent Free on Board (FOB) charges in Lagos, Managing Director, LADOL, Amy Jadesinmi, said: “All charges are mandated by the federal government policy which is within a transparent frame work. No company operating in the LADOL free zone have been charged with charges not mandated by the government. “It is wrong to calculate the value of the one percent management fee in the contract when the project had not yet left the free zone. This is not a unilateral action by us, and to say otherwise is completely false and highly mischievous since we have been transparent at all times. “The enterprises operating within the LADOL free zone and the related parties are aware of the charges and the rules and regulations in detail. The charges are known and required to maintain the zones and the free zone scheme. “There is nothing that was not known at the start of the project. Within the approved tariff, you have what is called the one percent management fee as the statutory charge. The one per cent management fee is one per cent of the cost of the product when it leaves the free zone. Obviously you can’t calculate that till the end of the project so what is known is that there will be that calculation and that management fee is clearly stated on the tariff schedule and it’s not unique to this project and is not unique to Samsung.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/we-use-our-charges-to-maintain-zone.html

See reason for this question at[b]https://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/will-you-allow-your-grandma-to.html[/b]

The State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Adamawa, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said on Monday that no fewer than eight 2018 Batch “B” corps members posted to the state had been honoured in camp during their orientation.

Mohammed said at the closing ceremony of the Batch B orientation course in Damare Camp, near Yola, that the corps members were honoured for for exemplary conduct during the exercise.

He said that the honoured corps members displayed high sense of patriotism, honesty and integrity.

The coordinator commended corps members who found and returned to the owners items such as cash, handset, kits and other valuables.

“To this end, we issued them with letters of commendation for exemplary conduct of patriotism, honesty and integrity,” Mohammed said.

He said that the NYSC programme had moulded the corps members to be good Nigerians who are optimistic about the future of the country.

“I am pleased to, on behalf of the Director General NYSC, Brig.-Gen. S. Z. Kazaure, boldly present to the government and people of Adamawa state a new breed of change agents, who are ready to partner with the government in making life better for our people in all nooks and crannies of the state,” Mohammed said.

The coordinator thanked the Adamawa Government for its support to the scheme, and appealed for the state for the construction of a perimeter fence around the camp for security reasons.

He also called for assistance in the provision of additional fans in hostels to make them more comfortable for corps members and officials.

In his remarks, Gov. Muhammadu Bindow, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Martins Babale, lauded the corps members for their good conduct and commitment to participate in achieving the purpose of the scheme.

He assured them of government commitment to ensure their safety and security in the state.

“We have put in place adequate measures to ensure your security and safety anywhere you may find yourselves in all nooks and crannies of this state.

“Similarly, I want to assure you of the warm reception and acceptance in all communities. You will also be accorded maximum cooperation, which will assure you of a hitch-free and memorable service year,” Bindow said

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/8-corps-members-honoured-for-exemplary.html

The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has announced the payment of US$417.46 million to the Nigeria Bulk Energy Trading Company Plc (NBET), being interest and earnings from US$350 million which it had managed on behalf of the bulk trader since 2014.

The money was managed by NSIA on behalf of NBET since 2014 and was returned following the expiration of the four years investment term.
A statement issued by the NSIA said it
transferred the funds to the NBET in three tranches as follows: US$8 million (May 2016), US$5.5 million (August 2016) and lastly US$403.96 million (July 2018).
The returned fund consists of the principal sum of US$350 million allocated to the NSIA from the proceeds of the US$1 billion Eurobond issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria in July 2013 under a fund management agreement and the sum of US$67.46 million (net of fees) as interest and earnings over the investment period.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji stated, that the NSIA had accomplished its goals of “enhancing NBET’s liquidity position whilst enabling the company to focus on its principal function of developing the electricity market.


“NSIA’s role as fund manager helped to safeguard NBET’s capital against market volatility and also conferred the agreed financial benefits on the company,”
Commenting on the transfer, the NBET Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, said NBET was pleased with the management of the fund over the last four years, adding that the NSIA as a competent fund manager preserved the capital, thereby helping to promote NBET’s credit worthiness as an off-taker for grid injected electric energy in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nsia-transfers-417m-to-nbet.html

The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Prof. Charles Dokubo, has presented amnesty entrepreneur starter packs to 150 trained ex-militant youths in Bayelsa State, assuring that the Amnesty program will be reviewed to refocus on its mandate and programs in order to produce the desired results.

The Amnesty started pack, made up of power generating set, deep freezer and plastic tanks among others, is meant to establish beneficiaries as employer of labour and reduce cases of unemployment in their various areas.

The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Prof. Charles Dokubo, while presenting the starter packs in Olubiri community of the Opokuma Clan in Kolokuma/Opokuma area of Bayelsa, lamented that the initiative had not produced expected resultts in the past as many of the over 20, 000 ex-militants trained by the Amnesty office since inception eight years ago, still remained unemployed.

While calling for the judious use of the equipments provided by the Federal Government through the amnesty office, he said the gesture was a bold step in the concerted efforts by government to deepen peace, safety and security in the Niger Delta.

Prof. Dokubo also noted that the presentation of the entrepreneur starter pack is the last Phase in the process of Amnesty training,”this will show that the Niger Delta people are not lazy but only need opportunities. ”

Dokubo, who had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) at the State Government House Yenagoa said the people of the Niger Delta would not have been suffering if the scheme had lived up to expectations.

He said his regime studied the failures in implementations of the programme and took a decision to refocus the scheme.

He said: “The amnesty programme has taken a new turn. Amnesty has been here for a very long time, but those of us from this state have not gained it effectively. If we have most of our people will not be suffering”.


He told the deputy governor that he came to the state to officially launch a new dawn in the implementation of the scheme to enable people in communities benefit from it.

Dokubo said his administration was focusing on the reintegration phase of the programme adding that President Muhammadu Buhari was interested in the scheme reaching rural communities.

“The people of the Niger Delta for a long time have been marginalised, ostracized and oppressed. But now we have come to a position where we can focus.

“I believe that this system has changed. The objective of the government clearly states that they want to nurse back communities to health in such a way that they will be part of the bigger picture. Niger Deltans are not lazy. We work hard.

“Anybody who tells you that we are lazy is making a big mistake. How many persons can go into water early in the morning to catch fish? When the Federal Government decided to take this programme about training and reintegration, it was because it was necessary”.

He said the amnesty office would no longer allow beneficiaries of its empowerment programme to resell their starter packs.

He said henceforth the new thinking is to open workshops in the beneficiaries’ areas of trainings and monitor them for four months.

In his remarks, the deputy governor told the youths in the region to prepare for lives after amnesty.

“There must be an exit point. It can’t last forever. But there must be programmes to exit. The exit must be painless,” he said.

He said the amnesty was designed to create opportunities for the Niger Delta people to compete with their peers.

But Jonah said there were areas the region needed to be given preferences like the Federal character.

He said the government would support the new vision of the amnesty office and asked beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/150-trained-ex-militants-benefits-from.html

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has cancelled projects worth N200 billion in the nine Niger Delta states.

Commissioner representing Delta State on the NDDC board, Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo, made the disclosure at Enhwe in Isoko South Council, while monitoring rehabilitation of schools and roads in the area.

He said the commission was presently concerned about thousands of low-end projects that required huge sums to execute, saying the projects were enormous when compared with available funds to the NDDC.

His words: “The NDDC has cancelled projects worth over N200 billion in the Niger Delta. The trouble is that the board inherited huge challenges that require enormous focus and strength to tackle.
“The NDDC has over 10,000 projects across the Niger Delta, which is unmanageable by any standard and that means our contingent exposure of up to N1.8 trillion.
“How do you manage that and what size of bureaucracy do you use to mange all of that? The N200 billion worth of projects are at zero per cent completion, because nothing had been done on them.
“The next ones we will cancel are those at five and ten per cent until we get to a level where we can’t cancel anymore projects. The whole idea is to get rid of as many projects that are difficult to complete and it is an ongoing exercise.”
Read More: Niger Delta leaders reject PIGB, insist on PIB
Ifowodo disclosed that the commission discovered that many schools structures in the region were dilapidated and needed rehabilitation, without toilets and not conducive for learning, adding that the NDDC decided to embark on the projects as part of their social intervention services.
He pointed out that the NDDC was presently renovating blocks of classrooms for schools, especially the dilapidated ones no longer conducive for learning.
The commissioner added that most of the schools do not have good toilet facilities, so the children go behind the school when they are pressed.
At Oviota Primary School in Enhwe, Ifowodo urged the contractors to deliver solid jobs, saying there would be steady monitoring to ensure the jobs were completed on time and to specification.
He said the new NDDC board was firm in its determination to ensure the jobs are completed to specification, saying the commission was in the process of reviewing its standards upwards and establish a mechanism to enforce the standards so that contractors do not deliver shoddy jobs.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nddc-cancels-projects-worth-n200.html

A senator representing Kaduna central, Shehu Sani has said the fight against corruption should only focus on corrupt culprits, addding that no State Government bank accounts should be frozen.


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday froze the bank accounts of the Akwa Ibom state government.

Reacting, the lawmaker in a tweet said,"No state Government account should be frozen.The focus should Only be corrupt culprits, if at all there’s any.Collective punishment stalls Government and Governance.There’s no potent weapon to fight corruption than the rule of law".

No state Government account should be frozen.The focus should Only be corrupt culprits, if at all there’s any.Collective punishment stalls Government and Governance.There’s no potent weapon to fight corruption than the rule of law.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) August 8, 2018

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/shehu-sani-reacts-to-akwa-ibom-govt.html

The Federal Government and its security agencies have been urged to act fast to investigate Tuesday’s blockade of the National Assembly Complex by masked operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and expose those behind it.

The plea was made by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

Eze, in a statement issued on Thursday in the state capital, Port Harcourt, described the incident as a national shame and embarrassment.

“My plea becomes imperative in view of insinuations in some quarters that some people sponsored the shameful act just to embarrass the APC-led Federal Government,” Chief Eze said. He stressed the need to find out why it was only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers that were at the NASS Complex as at the time of the blockade “as if they were there as part of a script to embarrass and cast aspersions on the image of the Federal Government and whip up sentiments in favour of the opposition political parties.”

Eze reasoned that if what happened at the National Assembly on 7th August was a plot to cause the international community to feel that President Muhammadu Buhari is a dictator, then those behind it should be fished out and punished accordingly. “Those in Government should do everything possible to safeguard the good image of President Buhari and prevent some desperate politicians from ruining all that this administration has achieved these past three years,” he advised.

The grassroots political mobiliser commended the swift action the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbanjo, took in sacking the former DSS Director General, Lawal Daura, “who acted beyond his powers as if conniving with some elements against this administration to expose it to international odium.”

Eze condemned the unpatriotic letter to the Government of United Kingdom by PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, aimed to paint President Buhari in bad light and cast aspersions on the image of Nigeria as a whole. “This is very unfortunate and unbecoming of a leader of Secondus’ stature,” he stated.

Eze pleaded with the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to save the country from further acts that would overheat the polity and sabotage the country’s nascent democracy. He lamented that Saraki’s presidency of the Senate has done more harm than good to the present administration and advised him to turn a new leaf.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/investigate-expose-those-behind-nass.html

The National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has disclosed that the commission was assured that the Senate could reconvene next week to consider its budget for the 2019 elections.

Yakubu said this while responding to questions from journalists after a meeting with the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in the Senate building in Abuja, on Wednesday.

He said “The most important thing to say is INEC was invited to meet with the National Assembly leadership on how the proposed budget for the 2019 elections can be speedily considered and appropriated by the National Assembly.

“We have been assured of speedy passage of the budget perhaps as early as next week, N242bn is the total amount proposed.
“We are now more energised, more reassured that our plans for the 2019 general elections are absolutely in progress. We have from today exactly 191 days to the opening of polling units by 8 am on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
“There are activities we have to undertake for a minimum of six months to the Election Day and six months to Election Day kick-start from the 15th of August. It means we have eight days to the commencement of these activities.

“We are confident that all the grey areas will be ironed out and as far as INEC is concerned, our own component of the cost of 2019 elections will be speedily appropriated by the National Assembly.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigerian-senate-to-reconvene-next-week.html

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday said its officers impounded a MAN diesel truck with registration number XB 286 BEN along Afromedia Estate by Egbeda Junction beside Alaba International, carrying 2,748 cartons of DSP Codeine Cough Syrup 100mg (100 per carton) and 95 cartons of Chaka pain Xtra worth N1,175,200,000.00.


Addressing journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Controller of the Unit, Mohammed Uba noted that this was the second time in a row the unit was intercepting such substance since the Federal Government banned the importation of cough syrup that contains codeine.

According to Mohammed Uba, “The driver of the truck on sighting our officers abandoned the truck and fled. Also, 49 cartons of tramadol capsules (100mg) were evacuated from the warehouse in Ajao Estate based on the information. The drugs will be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation.

“Similarly and more remarkably among the seizure was the evacuation, by the Warehouse Operations team led by AC Mutalib Sule, of 21 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,031kg and 4 pieces of elephant tusk weighing 29.35kg from a shop located in Tejuosho market in Victoria Island based on the information. ”
“The occupant of the shop fled and still is at large, but the investigation is already ongoing towards getting the culprit arrested and prosecuted.
“The seized endangered species have a DPV of N253,566,056.7. You will recall that the Minister of State for Environment, Mallam Usman Jibril accompanied by the CITES Delegates from UN visited the Unit, inspected the previous seizure of such endangered species this year and even commended us for a job well done.

“The trade on such endangered species is globally prohibited, hence the need for us all to fight against such illegality so that such endangered species do not go into extinction.
“Also within the weeks under review, the unit intercepted a Ford Transit Bus with engine no. XL32452L along Olorunda axis, Idiroko, Ogun State conveying 39 sacks and 1,220 parcels of Cannabis Sativa popularly known as Indian Hemp weighing 1, 610 kg concealed with baskets of Fresh Tomatoes, pepper and vegetables.
“In the spirit of interagency relationship, the seized substance will be handed over to NDLEA for further investigation. Other seized items include 17 units of exotic vehicles, 1,380 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 1, 126 pieces of used shoes, and 140 jerrycans of vegetable oil.
“Among the detained vehicles include 7 Toyota Land Cruiser Jeeps (2015-2018), 4 Toyota Hiace Bus (2017), 2 Toyota Coaster Bus (2017), and 4 Toyota Camry (2014).
“These 17 Exotic Vehicles have a duty paid value of N384,291,251.94 only. While 4 of the vehicles were intercepted along Ijebu Ode expressway, 13 were evacuated from House Plot 1, Akintailor Close, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, based on credible information. 8 Suspects were arrested in connection with these 25 seizures “As partners in progress, let me thank you, members, of the media for your continued support in your reportage of our anti-smuggling drives.
“I wish to also appreciate other security agencies that have been rendering necessary support especially the Nigerian Army and Police. Most importantly, we thank the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and his management for their logistics support that brought about all these feats during my tenure here as Controller FOU A and I prayed that this relationship is sustained even as I take a new mantle of leadership at Seme Area Command.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/customs-impounds-n11bn-truckload-of.html

Over 5,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have returned to their villages in Zamfara following clearance operation conducted by the military against bandits terrorising communities in the state.

The Army had launched Operation Sharan Daji to dislodge the bandits and secure communities that had come under attacks in recent months from bandits hitherto operating freely in the area.

The operation, which began on July 1, 2018, is being conducted across troubled spots in the Northwest and North Central parts of the country.

The outgoing Force Commander of the operation, Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Muhammad made the disclosure while speaking with journalists shortly after handing over the command to his successor, Major.-General Stevenson Olabanji in Gusau on Wednesday.
Muhammad said residents displaced by armed bandits especially around Galadi, Kwaddi and Katuru villages in Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas of the state were back home safely.
According to him, the operation has stabilized the affected area and neutralized several bandits while others on the run are being pursued by troops.
The outgoing commander also said that farming activities have gradually resumed in other villages affected by the bandits attacks in Maradun Local Government Area.
He expressed full confidence that the new commander would sustain the operation until all bandits are neutralised and the communities made safe for normal activities.
Earlier, Olabanji, the new commander of Operation Sharan Daji, pledged to pursue the operation with renewed vigour.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olabanji, recently reassigned from Monguno in Borno, will also serve as the Officer Commanding of the newly established 8 Division, Nigeria Army, Sokoto.
The division will oversee army formations in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina states.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/over-5000-zamfara-idps-now-back-home.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, disclosed that the global competitiveness of Nigerian engineers has reduced drastically due to the absence of an updated engineering curriculum, as well of the absence of critical engineering training infrastructure in institutions of learning nationwide. Speaking at the 27th Engineering Assembly of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, also stated that Nigeria was in dire need of new engineering technologies to improve the country’s infrastructure development. He noted that the absence of infrastructure in most engineering faculties up to our universities, that complement theoretical teaching with practical knowledge, had created a wide deficit in the quality of Nigeria’s engineering products. According to him, of similar concern was the fact that Nigerians are victims of poor quality of service delivery by poorly trained and unqualified engineers, adding that wherever there was a collapse of infrastructure anywhere in Nigeria, be it building or bridge, everyone is left to count the losses. “Similarly, the absence of up to date engineering curriculum to reflect the current global trends in engineering, has drastically reduced the competitiveness of our engineers. There is a deserving gap between engineers trained in Nigeria and those trained abroad. There is the need for our universities to turn out quality and world grade professionals,” he explained. The president further declared that no society would develop without engineering, noting that it was his desire to see the development of engineering training and practice in Nigeria and through it, a better living for all Nigerians. Buhari emphasized the need to upgrade the quality of engineering practice in Nigeria and concentrate on the application of modern engineering technology in road construction, power, manufacturing, and housing among others. He said, “New engineering technologies are also needed to improve services in agriculture, transportation and power sectors, particularly to revamp our power generation, transmission and distribution, as well as our metering system. “It is in the light of this that I wish to appreciate the effort of COREN in the review of the engineering curriculum for undergraduate training in Nigerian universities.” In his presentation, President of COREN, Mr. Kashim Ali, commended the Presidency for the promulgation of Executive Order Number 5, which gives preferences to indigenous firms in the award of contracts, stating that it was an indication that the Federal Government now believes in the ability of indigenous practitioners. According to him, with this Executive Order, the ball was now in the court of the Nigerians engineering practitioners to prove that they are competent and bale to execute projects that meet international standards. He, however, noted that over the years, it had been observed that certain lacuna exist in the Engineers (Registration) Act CAP E11 of 2004, which vests powers on COREN to regulate the practice of engineering in all aspects and ramifications. According to Ali, this lacuna in its Act had served to hinder the optimal performance of COREN, especially in the area of enforcement, prosecution of quacks and inadequate sanctions for offenders among others. He said, “To this end, there have been clamour for amendments to t he Act. This prayer has also been answered as stakeholders including the Minister of Power, Works and Housing have come together to work with the National assembly for the amendment of the subsisting Act, which has already been passed by the House of Representatives and is now awaiting the concurrence of the Senate.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/nigerian-engineers-no-longer.html

The Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje has reacted to the resignation of his deputy, Hafiz Abubakar.

He claimed that the former deputy governor spent over N150million on foreign and local trips.

The governor said this to counter Abubakar’s claims before his resignation yesterday that Ganduje had not been paying his allowances.


Mr Ganduje said his former deputy resigned over fears of imminent impeachment process by 30 out of the 40-member Kano state House of Assembly over “false, unfounded allegations and undermining the state government”.

Mr Abubakar tendered his resignation earlier on Sunday, citing irreconcilable differences with the governor.

The ex-deputy governor had in the past lamented the governor’s failure to pay allowances due to office for several months.


In a statement by the state commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mohammed Garba, the governor said the former deputy governor was also accused of making unguarded comments capable of causing disaffection particularly in the ruling All Progressive Congress , APC, and the state in general.

“The deputy governor, who doubled as commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, has publicly forsake the Ganduje Administration and swore allegiance to his political Godfather, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso,” it said.

The statement also debunked allegations over threat to his life and that of members of his immediate family which is regarded as unbecoming considering his position as no. two citizen with a provision for statutory security detail.

On non payment of allowances, the state government said in one year alone, the former deputy governor was paid over N120million.

“Based on available records, in 2017 alone, the sum of over N120, 000, 000.00 was paid to him as travelling allowance both within and outside the country, while in 2018, over N30, 000,000.00 million was paid to him for various travelling allowances.

“Of recent, in July, to be precise, the sum of N7,409,575.00 was released to the former deputy governor to travel to the United Kingdom to receive an Honourary Degree from the University of Reading; the sum of N7,800,000.00 was also paid as his travelling allowance to Khartoum, Sudan for the convocation ceremony of the University of Africa; for a trip to the United Kingdom for the World Education Forum, the sum of N8,509,000.00 was paid to him; while his trip to Saudi Arabia for his daughters’ graduation was also sponsored by the state government, among other privileges extended to him,” the statement added.

The governor therefore challenged the former deputy governor to show proof on allegations that the state government had committed resources to sponsor rally in support of his removal from office, adding that the gravity of the allegation may prompt the government to take appropriate action.

“The former deputy governor ought to have landed safely and quietly instead of making unsubstantiated allegations just to draw attention,” he added.

[b][url]http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/ganduje-spits-fire-reveals-why-his.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) rose from a meeting with Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), led by Professor Ben Nwabueze, seeking the de-proscription of the group as a ‘terrorist’ organisation.

The group said this was part of the conditions for peace with Southeast governors and the Federal Government.

IPOB also demanded the discontinuation of criminal prosecution of their members who were arrested in various parts of the country over their agitations for Biafra and recognition of individual rights as contained in the nation’s constitution.


During the meeting at the Atani, Ogbaru Council, Anambra State residence of Nwabueze, the group also demanded compensation for all IPOB members who were killed during Operation Python Dance in the southeast and prosecution of the security men that murdered them.

The organisation further demanded an end to constant harassment and arrest of its members in any part of the country by security operatives.

It noted during the meeting that in all the prosecutions, none of its members had been found guilty or convicted for crimes, adding: “Since the Ohanaeze and Southeast governors proscribed the group, they should also de-proscribe it.”

The IPOB team, led by their German-based General Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, had staged a mild walk out on the meeting following what they described as poor presentation and acceptance of their demands by the Ohanaeze leadership.

It was, however, agreed that another meeting with the five governors of the zone would be convened in Enugu on Wednesday, August 8, where the issues would further be deliberated upon.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Nwabueze noted that the de-proscription of the organisation as a ‘terrorist’ group was key among other demands.

He stated that the ILT and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have agreed in principle to do all within their powers to ensure that the organisation was de-proscribed, adding that it would guarantee peace in Igbo land and the country in general.

Nwabueze, who stated that Ndigbo desired peace, unity and development of the country, said such was not achievable with the level of disenchantment in the land by various groups.

He said this was part of the reasons why Igbo people were pushing for the restructuring of the country, adding that should the country be restructured, agitations for secession would be checkmated.

At the briefing, attended by President General of Ohanaeze, Nnia Nwodo, Reverend Maxwell Anikwenwa and leaders of Jewish worshippers, among others, they restated that Ndigbo were not interested in producing a Nigerian president in its present political structure.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/08/ipob-meets-igbo-leaders-lists.html