₦airaland Forum

Farmers in Enugu decry bad roads, lack of storage facilities for perishable produce


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Moses Umekwe, an environment expert, has urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of planting trees to protect the environment and prevent flooding in the country.

Umekwe gave this advice in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the planting of trees reduces flood risk and erosion, especially in flood-prone areas.

Umekwe urged government at all levels, institutions, private sectors, groups and individuals to support the tree planting awareness campaign.

He noted that the campaign would help to educate residents on the importance and the impact of trees in any environment.

The environmentalist said that the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency had raised alarm that Nigerians should expect more flooding this year, especially in September.

According to him, floods have led to loss of lives and property in Nigeria.

“The reason for the alarm by the agency is to ensure preparedness among stakeholders and residents of flood-prone communities.

“When trees are being planted, it will help to protect the environment from flooding.

“Those residents living along the coastal regions and other danger zones should as a matter of urgency, cultivate the habit of planting and replacing of trees when they are cut down in their environment.

“The effort will go a long way to protect such flood-prone areas,’’ he said.

Umekwe said that tree planting also saves lives, adding that people needed to be committed to environmental sustainability.

“Planting of trees in the environment is very important. It provides shade for us and prevents the direct impact of sun rays on the human body. It also prevents flooding and erosion”.

He, however, advised Nigerians to increase the level of awareness on tree planting to ensure compliance.

https://www.akelicious.net/flooding-expert-urges-nigerians-to-plant-trees-for-protection/

The Federal Government is targeting revenue benchmark of 85 per cent in 2023 compared to 55 per cent realised last year, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, has said.

The minister made this declaration at her maiden meeting with the minister of state budget and national planning, heads of parastatals and management staff of the ministry in Abuja, yesterday.

Ahmed stated that the Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP) developed by the ministry, ushered the country out of recession and launched the country on the path of economic recovery.

She praised the implementation of the ERGP, describing it as “exemplary” and an amalgamation of the Vision 2020, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sectoral plans.

Ahmed said: “We have to start a new long term plan as both the ERGP and Vision 2020 would soon end in 2020. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) is expected to be forwarded to the National Assembly in the next two weeks and the budget by the end of September.”

Speaking earlier, the Minister of State, Clem Agba, reiterated the need for team work and pledged the commitment and support of the staff in delivering the mandate of the ministry.

Agba underscored the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation, stating that the ministry would soon commence the process of developing a long term strategic plan for the country.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Ernest Umakhihe lauded the contributions of the minister on the success of the ERGP and commended Mr. President for merging the two ministries, describing it as a welcome development.

https://www.akelicious.net/fg-targets-85-revenue-by-2023/

The Federal High Court, Abuja, will, on Wednesday, hear the motion filed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), asking the court to vacate the ex parte order it made on July 26 proscribing its activities in the country.

Justice Nkeonye Maha of Court 11 is expected to hear the case.

The court had, in an ex-parte motion filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), also declared the group a terrorist organisation.

The IMN, in a notice of motion filed, on Aug. 2, by its lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, particularly sought the court to vacate the ”ex-parte order made on July 26, Coram: N.E. Maha, J, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019 between AGF vs IMN proscribing the existence and activities of the group in Nigeria under whatever form, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called or referred to.”

The group also asked the court to set aside the order ”restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the IMN, under any other name or platform howsoever called or described in any part of Nigeria.”

The IMN stated that the reasons for its requests include that “the ex-parte order made on July 26, was made without jurisdiction, as the order was made against a non-juristic body.

”This honourable court on July 26, pursuant to an ex parte application brought by the IMN made an order, inter alia, proscribing the existence and activities of the group in any part of Nigeria under whatever form, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called or referred to without affording the Respondent/Applicant the right of fair hearing.

”The said order of the honorable court breached the fundamental right of all members of the IMN in Nigeria to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

”The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has violated the fundamental right of members of the Respondent to freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

”The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has breached the fundamental right of the members of the respondent to freedom of assembly and association guaranteed by Section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

”The honourable court did not grant the declaration ‘that the activities of the IMN in any part of Nigeria amounts(sic) to acts of terrorism and illegality,”’ the group said.

According to IMN, there was no urgency warranting the grant of the order ex parte.

”No motion-on-notice was filed together with the motion ex-parte.

”The ex-parte order made by the honorable court has determined the fundamental right of the respondent/applicant without affording it fair hearing.

”No undertaking was made as to damages.

“The order ex-parte was anchored on misrepresentation of material facts and based on suppression of material facts.

”The order ex parte constitutes a gross abuse of the process of this honorable court,” the group stated.

The Federal Government had, July 29, published the order in its official gazette as directed by the court.

It was described in the gazette as ”Government Notice No. 79,” titled: ”Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice, 2019.”

Particularly, pages B597 to 602 of the document spelt out details of the enrolled order of the Federal High Court and the Federal Government’s warning against participating in any of the activities of IMN.

https://www.akelicious.net/proscription-order-court-to-hear-imns-motion-on-wednesday/

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has denied allegations that he stole N7.2 billion while at the helm of affairs of the state between 1999 and 2007 as the state has no such funds then.

The former Governor made this known in the continuation of his testimony before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria to prove his innocence of the allegation of N7.2 billion level against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The former Governor, while responding to a question from his lawyer, Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN) over the allegation, disclosed that there was no way he could steal what was not in existence.

“Abia State doesn’t have such money; even the day I was leaving the office, the state borrowed money to pay salaries. Abia State doesn’t have even a billion naira in any account at the time I was governor”, he said.



To back up his denial of the allegations, the former governor, who is currently the Chief Whip of the Senate also spoke about the difficulties he encountered in running the State with allocations from Federal government.

“The monthly allocation of Abia State when I took over in June 1999 was N168 million. It was averaging between N168 million and N172 million monthly. The first month that I came in, there was even no money to buy diesel. I spent my own money to run the state for six months.

“In the year 2000, monthly allocation was between N170 million and N189 million. In 2001, it came to about N302 million to about N380 million. I can recollect in 2002, it was almost the same and in 2003 when the revenue allocation was changed, we were having about N400 million.

“The highest money I got as Governor came from 2004 when we have about N1 billion and from that time up till May 2007 before I left, what we had was N1.6 billion.

“Throughout my stay in office, I never owed workers and pensioners. When I took over as Governor and before I left, we moved it up to N500 million. It was from this that we were able to do a lot of things”.



Kalu had earlier in his evidence told the court that he had been a successful businessman before venturing into politics.

Speaking on his line of businesses before he began his political journey, he narrated: “I was running a group of companies under Slok Nigeria Ltd and I have a big furniture factory in Maiduguri. I was also trading in cows. The cows were coming from Chad to Umuahia. I also had a veritable oil factory in Aba supplying to people in Kano and Maiduguri.

“I was also into shipping activities with major oil companies. We also have a very big corn farm in the East and Bauchi.

“We were major shareholder before another shareholder bought off First Bank. In 1994, the then Hallmark Bank had a problem and I later bought majority stake in the bank. We also had major interests in Banks in DR Congo, Gambia, Sierra-Leone, Liberia and the then Sudan before crisis sets in.”

The former governor also disclosed that he dealt in buying and selling of property.

He further disclosed that he made all his statements to the EFCC under bad treatment from some police officers.

“When I learnt they were looking for me, I called Ibrahim Lamorde that I was in the United States and that I will show up upon my return to the country.

“However, when I returned to Nigeria, they were waiting for me at the airport and whisked me away to their office, after I was beating up thoroughly by police officers, I asked them what was my offence and they told me I have been insulting President Obasanjo. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Ibrahim Lamorde later came to apologize to me.”

The presiding Judge, Idris Mohammed has adjourned till tomorrow for continuation of hearing.

https://www.akelicious.net/count-me-out-of-n7-2bn-fraud-allegation-orji-kalu/

Worried by the rising insecurity in the country the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has concluded plans to embark on a nationwide rally.

The rally according to the union is to sensitise governments and citizens on the need to urgently arrest the increased case of insecurity ranging from kidnapping, banditry, among others.


This decision, which was disclosed in a communique on Monday, was part of the resolutions reached by the national executive committee of the NLC, during its recently concluded meeting in Kano State.

Labour leaders during the meeting highlighted the negative effects of the current security situation on the nation’s economy.

Also contained in the communique issued at the end of the meeting is the issue of the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

Nasiru Idris who represented the labour congress chairman at the conference called on the Federal Government to immediately begin implementation of the new minimum wage for civil servants and address the issue of security bedevilling the country.

The union also insisted that the Federal and State governments must commence the payment of the new wage immediately, beginning from when the bill was signed into law by the president.

https://www.akelicious.net/nlc-set-to-hold-national-rally-over-insecurity/

Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State has denied allegation that the March 2019 governorship election, which brought him to office, was sponsored by Chika Odionyenma, one of the 77 suspected Nigerian fraudsters recently listed by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).



The Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Izuchukwu Akwarandu, on Monday said Chika Odionyenma did not sponsor the election of his principal in Imo State.

Akwarandu, in a statement in Owerri, accused those who were linking Odionyenma’s alleged fraud dealings to the governor as being “mischievous.”

He said the suspect had no case hanging on his neck as at the time the governor appointed him into the committee to oversee his inauguration, adding that Odionyenma’s alleged fraud case was a personal issue and has nothing to do with Governor Ihedioha or the Imo State Government.

He said Ihedioha attended some programmes organised by Odionyenma because the latter was an indigene, and that the programmes were meant to empower the people of Imo State.

https://www.akelicious.net/ihedioha-says-fbi-wanted-suspect-didnt-sponsor-his-election/

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected robbers in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, Bala Elkana, explained that the suspects were arrested by a team of policemen on patrol on Thursday.

“On 22/08/2019 at about 0730hrs, Anti-Crime patrol team from Mushin Police Station led by Inspector Atipi Agasa while on patrol along Olorunsogo Bus Stop, Mushin intercepted one Omisogun Mathew ‘m’ 25 years old and Yetunde Lawson ‘F’ 28 years on a motorcycle.

“On sighting the police team, the hoodlums attempted to escape but were given a hot chase,” he said.


Elkana added that one locally-made double barrel pistol with two live cartridges was recovered from them.

According to him, the suspects belong to a five-man armed robbery syndicate operating in Mushin, Ikotun and Igando areas of Lagos.

The Police Public Relations Officer said the duo have been transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) for discreet investigation.

He added that they would soon be charged to court.

https://www.akelicious.net/2-suspected-robbery-suspects-arrest-in-lagos/

The amount of electricity generated by the nation’s 27 power stations fell below 3,000 megawatts on Sunday as low load demand by distribution companies continued to limit generation.

Akelicious reported earlier this month that 17 of the stations had been forced to shut down some of their units on the back of low demand by the Discos, worsening the blackout being experienced by millions of customers across the country.

Total power generation in the country dropped to 2,970MW as of 6am on Sunday from 3,182.2MW on Saturday, data obtained by our correspondent from the Nigeria Electricity System Operator showed.

The output of the power stations dropped to 3,074.6MW on Friday from 3,290.9MW on Thursday.

A report from the system operator showed that a total of 2,159.7MW generation capacity was idle on Thursday as a result of low load demand by Discos while 112.5MW was unutilised because of line constraints.

Eight power plants, including four built under the National Integrated Power Project, did not generate any megawatt of electricity as of 6am on Thursday.

The affected plants are Afam IV & V, Omotosho I, Alaoji NIPP, Olorunsogo NIPP, Omotosho NIPP, Gbarain NIPP, AES IPP and ASCO IPP.

The nation generates most of its electricity from gas-fired power plants, while output from hydropower plants makes up about 30 per cent of the total.

The system operator put the nation’s installed generation capacity at 12,910.40MW; available capacity at 7,652.60MW; transmission wheeling capacity at 8,100MW; and the peak generation ever attained at 5,375MW.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on August 15, lamented the inability of the Discos to distribute available grid power to consumers, describing the distribution capacity in the 11 Discos as significantly low.

“Despite the availability of about 8,000MW of generation and about 7,000MW of transmission capacity, lack of Disco infrastructure to absorb and deliver grid power to end users has largely restricted generation to an average of about 4,000MW,” he said.

https://punchng.com/power-generation-falls-to-2970mw-on-discos-demand/amp/

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has decried “the growing tendency of some detractors of Enugu State Government,” who he said “are out to destabilise the peace and tranquility in Enugu State that earned it the sobriquet of the most peaceful state in the country”.

Chief Nwodo was reacting to the unfortunate death of Mrs. Regina Mba, who was found dead in a farmland in Nchatancha Nike, in Enugu East Local Government Area.

In a statement, weekend, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Emeka Attamah, Nwodo” “enjoined the state government not to be distracted by enemies of progress, but to continue to carry out measures it has put in place to secure lives and property in the state”.

The President General called on security agencies to unravel the conspiracy and tendency of hoodlums who are attempting to make the state insecure through incessant kidnappings and killings which hitherto were absent.

He therefore called for thorough investigation into the death of the woman in Nchatancha Nike, stating that though the Executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu State had visited the home of the victim, it was still necessary for him to add his voice to the condemnation of the dastardly and inhuman act.

Chief Nwodo commiserated with the family of the deceased and urged them to bear the loss with fortitude.

He called for general vigilance and precautions among the people to nip these acts in the bud.

https://www.akelicious.net/detractors-are-out-to-destabilise-peace-tranquility-in-enugu-nwodo/

Mixed reactions greeted the news that some old-time artistes such as Eedris Abdulkareem and Friday Igwe, aka Baba Fryo, had, some weeks ago, gone on a protest to the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, headed by the revered cleric, Pastor Adeboye. The protesters called on Pastor Adeboye to comment on the state of insecurity in the country.

On why they singled out Pastor Adeboye for the protest, Baba Fryo said to Sunday Scoop, “Papa Adeboye can always talk to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo because they are close. He can always be our voice, and that is why we went there. He is an elderly man and a cleric, so he needs to come out to speak to the people and the government about certain issues such as the case of Leah Sharibu who is still being held hostage by Boko Haram. I don’t believe in worshipping any human being but God because I believe religion is man-made. My religion is love.”



Reacting to the claims in some quarters that it was only when artistes were no longer relevant that they got involved in such protests, Baby Fryo said, “That is not true. I have always been a socially conscious artiste. If you can remember one of my songs titled, Kain Dey; it was a message to the government. I don’t need to consider people who think I have an ulterior motive for participating in the protest because they are nothing but a distraction. They are supporters of the same government that is not doing well. I only have to focus on what I can do as my own contribution to the betterment of the country. You know, we have so many mad people in the country, so you don’t have to listen to everybody. So far you know that what you are doing is right, go ahead and do it. Some people will support you, while some will criticise you. I know that what I did was right and I still want to do more. I will soon be releasing a song titled, Still on the same Matter, to talk about the parlous situation of the country.”

The singer also maintained that the aim of the protest had been achieved because Pastor Adeboye eventually spoke up. “At the end of the day, Pastor Adeboye actually spoke about it. He said he wasn’t being silent, but that he was quiet because of some certain factors. When we went there, we did not fight anybody. Many pastors (there) came out and after that, they sat us down, they spoke with us and prayed for us. They also told us that we would hear from them, and I believe that is why Pastor Adeboye made those pronouncements, so I believe it was a success.”

https://www.akelicious.net/i-didnt-protest-against-pastor-adeboye-to-seek-relevance-baba-fryo/

The immediate past governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has tackled the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a petition against him by the party to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), accusing him of making inciting comments against Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s administration.

The petition, which was signed by the state secretary of the party, Nze Ray Emeana, and made available to journalists yesterday, urged the IGP to look into Okorocha’s comments while addressing his supporters during his return to the state last Tuesday and call him to order.

But in his reaction, Okorocha described the letter as “deceitful and an afterthought”, urging the IGP to disregard the petition.

A statement signed by Okorocha’s Special Adviser, Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led PDP government in Imo State has sent a letter to the IGP to call the beloved former governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to order, because according to them, he was inciting his supporters to cause trouble.

“Governor Ihedioha was also quoted to have said that his predecessor, Owelle Okorocha “stole” not N200 billion again but N1 trillion from the state.

“We want to appeal to the IGP to disregard the letter because it was by all standard, very deceitful and an afterthought. The fact is that Ihedioha and his party have gotten maggot-infected firewoods and by so doing, have invited Agama Lizard to breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

“This is a government that swore openly to step on the toes of his predecessor, Owelle Okorocha, throwing caution to the wind. The PDP government in the state led by Ihedioha also declared war against Imo people perhaps for rejecting them at the poll in 2011, 2015 and even 2019 because in 2019, INEC declared them winner with more than half of Ihedioha’s votes coming from only three Local Governments of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise where he comes from, out of the 27 LGAs.

“They have set up, as we write, 21 Panels and Committees all aimed at creating undue tension and preparing the ground to dispose of people of their legitimate possessions; and to also blackmail. There is also an uncountable number of task forces, beating our people especially motorists on a daily basis and forcing them to pay all kinds of levies and loyalties. What we have in Imo at the moment is an Emperor who loves power and money. “

Okorocha alleged that crimes and criminality had resurfaced in the state since the assumption of the present administration, which should have been given attention.

“They failed to tell the IGP in their letter that today, kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery, raping, cultism, etc have become the orders of the day and totally opposite of what was obtainable for the eight years Okorocha governed the state. No Imo man or woman was harassed or beaten under Okorocha, but today the reverse is entirely the case. With all these, Imo people, not Okorocha, are angry. Okorocha only advised the government to exercise caution and appealed to the people to remain calm. And their worry or concern is the mammoth crowd that received Okorocha on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, when he returned to the state with the atmosphere being clement and he was able to address them for hours,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/okorocha-blasts-imo-pdp-over-petition-to-igp-against-him/

The federal government has appointed nine new permanent secretaries and two Directors to supervise the 11 newly created and restructured ministries by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A circular signed Friday by the Head of Service of the Federation,(HoS) Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo- Ita, said the arrangement which takes immediate effect, will remain in force until further notice.



A statement signed by Director Communications, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs Olawunmi Ogunmosunle, listed the new permanent secretaries and Directors and their portfolios.

They are Daudu F.Y. Narai, Ministry of Special Duties; Mr Louis Edozien, Ministry of Power; Mr Mbaeri Maurice Nnamdi, Minstry of Police Affairs; Dr Mahmoud Isa-Dutse, Ministry of Finance; Mr Ernest Afolabi Umakhire, Finance (Budget and National Planning) and Dr Mohammed Dikwa Finance (Special Duties).

Other appointees include Mrs Nkiruka Anagbogu, Ministry of Women Affairs; Alhaji Sabiu Zakari, Ministry of Transportation and Dr Mohammed B. Bukar, Ministry of Works and Housing.

Also a Director Air Transport Management at the Ministry of Aviation, Hassan Musa, is to supervise the Office of the Permanent Secretary while Mrs Anetu-Anne O Aliu, a Director Social Welfare, is deployed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to oversee the Office of the Permanent Secretary.

All the appointments were ratified by Oyo- Ita, two days after she returned to work after initial reports claimed she had handed over resignation letter to the Presidency, in the wake of her encounter with anti- corruption agency, EFFC, over an alleged N3 billion contract scam.

https://www.akelicious.net/fg-appoints-perm-secretaries-for-newly-created-ministries/

Organised labour and the Federal Government will on Friday (today) resume negotiation over the implementation of the new minimum wage of N30,000.

Labour, through the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, has been negotiating with the Federal Government since June 6, 2019.

The Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Alade Lawal, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said labour was optimistic that the meeting would spell a new direction towards ending the controversy surrounding negotiation.

He said, “We are hoping that we can see the end of the problems surrounding negotiation. We also call on workers to be patient.”

https://punchng.com/labour-fg-meet-today-on-minimum-wage/amp/

The indigenes of Opolo community of Bayelsa are demanding the payment of outstanding N6,938,899,900 from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) being amount of unpaid rentals, expired leases and re-acquisition fees.



The indigenes, who staged a protest in Abuja on Thursday, were demanding payment of the amount, saying they were being cheated by the multinational company.



Mr Hezekiah Odede, Chief of Opolo Community, Bayelsa, who spoke on behalf of the community, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene to avoid crisis in the region.

CUE IN AUDIO – Odede

According to him, shell is paying Port Harcourt and other region N600,000 per hectares of land used but refused to pay Bayelsa, rather they are paying us N200,000 per hectares of our land used by them.

“We produce oil in manifold surplus and they are still paying us N200,000 per hectares.

“So, we are saying enough is enough, if the SPDC can help us to sack the MD of Shell, Mr Osagie Okunbor and the head of lands because they take our money to do other things.



“In Niger Delta, particularly in Opolo community, we didn’t stop any work any day but we just want the government to know that the rig is in Opolo community land where they are drilling.



“We went there to stop their operations, except they refuse to pay us our balance, if not we will go there to stop them with our youth.



“We just want Nigerians and the government to know that we are not violent but Shell always make us to be violent.



“When we leave here without any resolution, we will go there and stop the operation.



“In 2017, we went to the National Assembly, they even pass a verdict that they should pay.



“They don’t respect any Nigerian man because we don’t know what we are doing. The National Assembly passed a resolution for them to pay this money, till now they refused,” he said.

CUE OUT AUDIO

Also, Mr Shedrack Ayiba, an indigene of Azagbene community, Bayelsa, said that the Shell Company had never respected the laws by the Nigerian government.



Ayiba said on their part, the leaders of the communities had visited Shell, adding that they had refused to obey despite all pleas.



He, therefore, appealed to President Buhari to look at their demand to prevent the people of Niger Delta region from taking actions to stop the oil company from working.



Nigeria News Agency reports that the National Assembly in March passed a resolution for SDPC to pay a uniform rate of N600,000 per hectare of land as rent per annum for all loss of used surface rights from 2014.



Some of the inscriptions on the placards during the protest reads: SPDC obey court judgement; Shell stop operations in the Niger Delta Now; Shell stop cheating land owners in Niger Delta, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/niger-delta-community-demands-payment-of-outstanding-n6-9bn-from-spdc/

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Abubakar Sadiq confirmed this to Nigeria News Agency in Sokoto on Thursday.

Sadiq said that the state command received the information from the Divisional Police Officer of the area.

He said that the gunmen in the early hour of Thursday went to the resident of the lawmaker and abducted him.

The spokesman said that on receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Kaoje, directed a re-enforcement to the division to track the abductors.

He said that policemen were currently carrying out full surveillance of the forest surrounding the village of Bodai and neighboring communities.

Sadiq assured that the police are working closely with other security agencies to maintain a peaceful and secured environment in the state.

He called on the public to continue to support the security agencies by providing useful information about strange activities in their areas of residence.

https://www.akelicious.net/police-confirm-abduction-of-sokoto-lawmaker/

The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the takeover an Ikoyi, Lagos property owned by former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, over an alleged debt of N537,334,360.77.



The court made the takeover order in an August 8, 2019 ruling by Justice Chuka Obiozor, ordering the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON and the United Bank for Africa, UBA to take possession.

The order was pursuant to an ex parte application, marked, FHC/L/CS/1373/2019, taken before the judge by AMCON and UBA.

Listed as first to third defendants were Stonehedge Investment Limited, Mr Donald Duke and Mrs Owanari Bob-Manuel Duke, respectively.

The applicants had prayed the court for “an order of interim attachment, possession, and custody of the property being No. 3, Temple Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.”



According to them, the property was mortgaged by Duke “as collateral in securing the 1st respondent’s indebtedness to the applicants.”

The applicants also urged the court to grant them possession of the property “pending the institution and disposal of proceedings for recovery of debt against the respondent, pursuant to Section 49 of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria Act 2010 (as amended).”

They prayed the court for an interim Mareva injunction to take possession of funds in the accounts of Duke and others in any bank “pending the institutional and disposal of proceedings for the recovery of a debt of N537,334,360.77 made up of the principal debt and interest against the respondents pursuant to Section 50 of AMCON Act 2010.”

The judge granted the prayers, in addition to an order restraining the respondents from “transacting, transferring, changing or howsoever dealing in any manner or interfering with the applicants’ possession” of the Ikoyi property.

The judge ordered AMCON and UBA to ensure service of substantive originating processes on the respondents within 20 days of the making of the order.



He adjourned the case until September 2, 2019, PUNCH reports.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/08/21/n537-3m-debt-court-orders-takeover-of-donald-dukes-ikoyi-property/amp/

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Tuesday administered Oath of Office on 35 Commissioners and Special Advisers and assigned them portfolios in the State Executive Council.

The newly sworn-in commissioners and their portfolios are: Mr Tunji Bello (Water Resources and Environment), Mr Gbolahan Lawal (Agriculture), Dr Wale Ahmed (Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations) and Mrs Lola Akande (Commerce and Industry).

Other commissioners are: Prof. Akin Abayomi (Health), Mrs Folasade Adefisayo (Education), Mrs Aramide Adeyoye (Works and Infrastructure), Mr Moruf Akinderu-Fatia (Housing), Mrs Yetunde Arobieke (Local Government), and Mrs Shulamite Adebolu (Tourism, Arts and Culture).

Others on the list are: Mrs Bolaji Dada (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Mr Segun Dawodu (Youths and Social Development), Mr Samuel Egube (Economic Planning and Budget) and Mr Hakeem Fahm (Science and Technology).

Also on the list are: Mr Olalere Odusote (Energy and Mineral Resources), Dr Frederic Oladeinde (Transportation), Dr Rabiu Olowo (Finance), Mr Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy), Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice).

The remaining commissioners are: Dr Idris Salako (Physical Planning and Urban Develeopment), Mrs Uzamat Akingbile-Yusuf (Home Affairs) and Mrs Ajibola Ponnle (Establishment, Training and Pensions).

The newly sworn-in Special Advisers (SA) to the Governor and their portfolios are: Mr Joe Igbokwe (Drainage and Water Resources), Mrs Aderemi Adebowale-Owoeye (Office of Civic Engagement) and Mr Oladele Ajayi (Commerce and Industry).

Others are: Mrs Adetoke Benson-Awoyinka (Housing), Mr Olatunbosun Alaka (Innovation and Technology), Mr Kabiru Abdullahi (Urban Development), Mr Afolabi Ayantayo (Political and Legislative Affairs), and Prince Anofi Elegushi (Central Business District).

The rest are: Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka (Transportation), Mrs Solape Hammond (Sustainable Development Goals), Ms Ruth Olusanya (Agriculture), Mr Solomon Bonu (Arts and Culture) and Mr Tokunbo Wahab (Education).

In his address, Sanwo-Olu urged the newly sworn-in members of the state Executive Council to fervently and ultimately assist him in serving the people of Lagos state.

“The Blueprint for a new Lagos and the Development Plan (2012 to 2025) are still relevant as strategic reference materials for a systematic implementation of medium and long-term policies, in line with the overall vision for our state.

“However, in this administration, our task must be to accelerate the trajectory of growth and development of Lagos State, embarked upon by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and built upon by successive administrations.

“Today, providence has entrusted us with the great responsibility of ensuring that the vision of the blueprint and the Development Plan comes to pass wholly and completely,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor, who noted that the cabinet could not afford to disappoint the people of Lagos State, urged members to brace up for challenges and embrace transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money.

“Let me remind you that your appointment is a unique privilege and a call to service. It must not be seen as opportunity for self-service.

“While discharging the responsibility that will be assigned to you, you must imbibe our culture of transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money.

“I therefore implore you to earnestly commit yourselves to the agenda and vision of this administration.

“I charge you to show commitment, diligence and exemplary leadership, as the necessary virtues needed to achieve the greatness we desire for our state and to deliver the prosperity our people deserve, ” he added.

One of the newly sworn-in commissioners, Mr Tunji Bello, who delivered a vote of assurance on behalf of others, promised that the new cabinet members would serve the state and support the governor’s campaign promises.

Earlier in her welcome address, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Folasahde Jaji, said that the inauguration was significant because it underlined the will and determination of the governor, to improve governance and well being of residents.

“Today’s inauguration is an important fulfillment of the constitutional requirements, as enshrined in Section 192 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as members, “Jaji said.

The event was witnessed by government functionaries, members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, stalwarts of APC, and traditional rulers among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/sanwo-olu-swears-in-35-commissioners-special-advisers-assigns-portfolios/

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), yesterday, announced the listing of the Greenwich Alpha ETF (Greenwich Alpha) by Greenwich Asset Management Limited, on its Daily Official List. This is even as the Greenwich Alpha ETF units were listed at N100 each following an Initial Public Offer (IPO) on Monday.

Greenwich Alpha is an open-ended ETF which tracks the NSE 30 Index; an index which constitutes 30 of the most liquid and capitalised stocks trading on the Exchange. It is designed for investors to access the constituent companies of the NSE 30 index, thereby getting the performance of the index.

Speaking at the listing in Lagos, the Managing Director, Greenwich Asset Management Limited, Dayo Obisan, said that the Greenwich Alpha ETF Fund is designed for and offered to investors seeking exposure to the Nigerian equities market, particularly to the constituents of the NSE-30 index.

He said, “It offers the full benefits of diversification through a single transaction thereby reducing associated transaction cost and helping investors spread their risk. We will continue to encourage retail and institutional investment in this Fund based on its potentials.”

Head, Trading Business Division, NSE, Jude Chiemeka, welcomed Greenwich Asset Management Limited to the Exchange’s growing list of ETF providers.

https://www.akelicious.net/nse-lists-greenwich-alpha-etf/

A youth group, Yoruba Youth Socio-cultural Association (YYSA), has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to curtail all forms of cultism in the South West and the entire country.

The group stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday by its National President, Olalekan Hammed.

Speaking against the clash at Abule-Egba area of Lagos, it said: “We are perturbed, as the evils perpetrated by cultists have been causing tension in South West, especially in Lagos and Ondo states.

“Governors of the South West region should take the issue seriously as it is getting outrageous. The havoc caused by cultists yesterday is condemnable.”

“We implore our government to curtail all forms of cultism in our region before it worsens.”

https://www.akelicious.net/youths-urge-fg-to-curtail-cultism-in-south-west/

Daily, an estimated seven million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), better known as petrol, valued at N1, 085t is smuggled from Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries.
With daily consumption of about 52 million litres of petrol per day according to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), The Guardian understands that only about 45 million litres are eventually circulated within the country while approximately seven million litres are smuggled to countries where the product is sold for higher turnover.

Neighbouring Chad sells the cheapest petrol at the equivalent of N322, and industry sources told The Guardian that using N300 per litre as the average figure, Nigeria loses N155 per litre, which translates to the N1, 085t day for seven million litres.


This comes as the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Abdulkadir Saidu, said plans were underway by the agency to begin infrastructure audit in the downstream sector in this second half of 2019. The audit exercise, he said will attract investment into the sector.

Indications have also emerged that the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), may begin auditing how the country spends proceeds of its earnings from the sale of crude oil.

WHILE Nigeria sells a litre of petrol for N145 (40 cents), the product sells for N347 (96 cents) in both Togo and Benin Republic. It is N322 (89 cents) in Chad; N351 (97 cents) in Niger; N391 ($1.08 cents) in Cameroon; N286 (79 Cents) in Liberia/Sierra Leone; N405 ($1.12 cents) in Burkina Faso; N376 ($1.04) in Guinea, and N376 ($1.94) in Cote d’Ivoire.

Curiously, the product also goes for N360 ($1) in Ghana, N481 ($1.33) in Cape Verde and N441 ($1.22) in Mali.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an industry expert said: “We can see that figures do not lie. How can Nigeria survive when it pays for the petroleum consumption of more than five countries? If the prevailing price of crude oil remains below $70 by the end of this year, Nigeria will slip back into recession by the end of the first quarter of 2020.”

Findings by NEITI also indicated that Nigeria spent a whopping N4t on fuel subsidy between 2006 and 2012.

The breakdown showed that the country spent N219.72b in 2006, N236b in 2007, N360.18b in 2008, N198.11b in 2009, N416.45b in 2009, N1.9t in 2011 and N690b in 2012.

NEITI is yet to release any report on recent payments for the subsidy, especially between 2015 and 2018.

The Guardian gathered in Abuja that NEITI would release a new report between the end of September and October this year, which is expected to provide fresh facts on domestic crude oil revenue utilisation and management. Even though it is not certain whether the NEITI report would include audit commodity trading, it is expected that fresh spendings on subsidy in the last five years will be revealed.

Indeed, at the last conference of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), attention shifted to commodity trading (downstream sector) all in a bid to establish how resource-rich countries sell their oil, gas and mineral resources, and what they use the money for, which is where issues like domestic crude allocation and management would be revealed.

At the conference, which took place in Paris between June 18 and 19, participants applauded the EITI for shifting its focus on commodity trading.

At the event, which focused on open data and building trust, participants expressed believe that the new focus can indeed reverse the ‘resource curse’ trajectory of crude oil endowed countries that are poorer after the discovery of crude oil such as Nigeria.

To underpin the growing status of NEITI amongst the EITI compliance nations, NEITI was selected among other nations as pilot states for the commodity trading audit exercise.

Attempts to get comments from NEITI were unsuccessful, but the Convener, Women In Extractives (WIE), Faith Nwadishi stressed that fuel import would likely lead the country into another round of economic recession by the end of the first quarter of next year.

She said that the present scenario where government spends almost all of what it earned from crude oil sale on importing refined petroleum products does not bode well for the country, saying, “I think a state of emergency should be declared in the petroleum sector considering that it is the sector that is sustaining the economy.”

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that in 2017, Nigeria spent 60 per cent (representing about N1.9t) of its total earnings on importing refined products. In 2018, the country also spent about N2.8t on the importation of petroleum products.

Nwadishi urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to re-appoint himself as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, but should rather appoint a substantive minister to man the office. “The President should relinquish his position as Minister of Petroleum Resources because as President of the country, he is a super minister in charge of all the ministries. The brief of the minister should be to look at the lessons we have learnt over the years and see how the sector can benefit from it.”

She also said industry experts expect the Presidency to forward the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) back to the National Assembly for further work and eventual passage, adding that there was no need to start the whole process all over again.

Nwadishi equally expects the incoming petroleum minister to repackage the PIGB into an executive bill saying that would hasten its passage, which has been delayed for more than a decade.

While calling on the Federal Government to exit the downstream sector fully, she said the government must approach all issues at stake transparently as it navigates its way out of a regulated downstream sector.

According to the PPPRA, the comprehensive audit and survey of downstream oil and gas logistic facilities are meant to assess their state, adequacy and identify the infrastructure gap in the sector.

“The PPPRA recognises that the state of infrastructure in the downstream requires a constant assessment to ensure uninterrupted supply of products in addition to providing up to date data for operation in the sector,” the executive secretary said.

“Oil and gas processing, storage and distribution facilities, jetties downstream and pipelines, retail outlets for oil and gas (LPG) etc., will be the focus of the survey, which is equally aimed at assessing the impact of government policy and regulation on the sector’s operating environment and viability, with a view to addressing identified loopholes.”

He explained that the exercise, which will commence in the second half of 2019, is a long-awaited exercise by operators and other stakeholders and the outcome is expected to contribute to policy formulation and impact investment decision-making by investors.

The Saidu-led management of the PPPRA is championing this exercise, which is in furtherance of the reform programme of the present administration in the oil sector.

The executive secretary added that all oil and gas depot owners, marketers, retail outlets and LPG plant owners remain key stakeholders in the exercise, which has as its ultimate objective, enhancing the commercial viability of the sector and improving its level of attractiveness as investment capital destination of choice for would-be investors.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigeria-losing-n1085t-daily-to-fuel-smuggling/

The Borno Government says it will offer scholarship to 2, 700 indigent students to study science courses in its newly established state university.



Mr Pindar Sawa, the Director of Press, Government House, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Maiduguri on Friday.



Sawa said that Gov. Babagana Zulum, made the disclosure while inspecting ongoing projects at the Borno State University.



He quoted the governor as saying that 100 students would be selected from each of the 27 local government areas of the state, to benefit from the gesture.



Sawa said that between 300 and 600 students would be admitted into the faculties of humanities in the university, which is expected to commence academic activities in November.



He said the governor has also directed the university to liaise with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Chief of Staff, Government House administration to fashion out modalities of providing scholarship to the students to read mathematics, physics and other science subjects



“Gov. Zulum directed the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umar Kyari, to warn contractors to ensure completion of all projects or face revocation.



“The governor also directed the vice-chancellor to look into the issue of bringing in private developers to support the government in the provision of accommodation as it is being practiced in other universities,” Sawa said.



The governor thanked the university’s management over its commitment and dedication towards ensuring that the university project becomes reality.



Earlier, Kyari had lauded the governor over his support and provisions of fund for the execution of the projects.



Kyari disclosed that the Nigeria Information and Technology Development Agency ( NITDA), had provided over N250 million to the university, for procurement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment and internet facilities.



The governor also inspected ongoing Mega School projects at Abuja Sheraton; Sajeri, and Moramti areas of Maiduguri.

https://www.akelicious.net/borno-govt-to-offer-scholarship-to-2-700-indigent-students/

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged more young men and women in Nigeria to pursue sporting careers, which can bring rewarding incomes, promote healthy local and global relationships, and ensure unity.

The President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,Malam Garba Shehu, in Daura, Katsina State, on Friday, believed that the health benefits in sports should make it more attractive to both young and old.

Shehu stated that President Buhari was speaking when he received organizers of the Muhammadu Buhari Cup Competition in Katsina and some soccer teams at his country home.

The Muhammadu Buhari Cup Competition is held annually in Daura Emirate to encourage youths to develop interest in sporting careers and enhance their skills.

The president said: “I want the younger generation of our population to take part in sports so as to keep away from mischief and lawlessness.”

President Buhari commended organizers of the competition for maintaining unity among the youths in the Emirate, adding that by keeping the young people positively engaged, sporting activities also protect them from negative influences.

In addition to physical and mental fitness, he said sports also provides employment and ensures wellbeing.

“Sports provide jobs opportunities. It is also a business from which you can earn respectable incomes.

”Those who compete and excel at state and zones will eventually rise into national reckoning with focus and determination,” he further maintained.

The Secretary of the Local Organising Committee of the competition, Malam Aliyu Bello told the President that before introduction of various cup competitions, young people in the Emirate were contending with idleness, lawlessness and in some cases, drugs abuse.

He said revival of sporting events in the state by Alhaji Sani Abu had brought a decline in negative activities.

The Director of Sports in Katsina State, Nalado Iro Kankia, assured the President that the state government would continue to provide facilities and opportunities for promotion of sports.

https://www.akelicious.net/president-buhari-urges-youths-to-take-up-sports-as-career/

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria( NAHCON) says it is set to transport all Nigerian pilgrims back home, beginning from Aug. 17.

The Commissioner in charge of operations, Alhaji Saleh Modibbo, gave assurance during the Post-Arafat meeting attended by stakeholders in hajj operations on Friday in Makkah.

According to him, the first return flight is scheduled for Aug.17 with MaxAir and Flynas airlines.

He said committees have been set up to ensure smooth return flights back home.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Muhammed Bukachuwa, commended NAHCON for the excellent arrangement for the accommodation and feeding of pilgrims in the holy land.

He expressed the commitment of the Senate toward making laws that would improve hajj operations.

Acquainting the meeting with the activities of the medical personnel during this year hajj, the Chairman, medical team, Dr Ibrahim Kana said the medical personnel worked hard to ensure the health of the pilgrims.

He, however, advocated the introduction of a consultation fee of one Saudi riyal to discourage pilgrims from trooping to the clinic just for the sake of collecting drugs.

Kana described the attitude of such pilgrims as one of the challenges confronting the committee in its assignment.

He urged the pilgrims with such behaviour to desist, stressing that drugs could also be poisonous.

Contributing, Alhaji Muhammad Kudu, a stakeholder on hajj, expressed disappointment over the untidy and crowded nature of Nigerian pilgrims’ camp in Muna.

“A situation where we have between 25 and 30 pilgrims put under one tent is not the best.

“Some of our pilgrims left Muna with diseases they did not bargain for,’’ Kudu said.

Responding, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, attributed the untidy nature of the Nigerian camp at Muna to overpopulation and lackadaisical attitude by some pilgrims toward the environment.

He called for more education of the pilgrims, on the need to keep their tents clean always.

According to him, Muna, which was initially meant for 950 people, has to accommodate two million pilgrims during Arafat day and other religious activities.

In his contribution, Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Kalejaiye, the Executive Secretary, Ogun Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, urged the pilgrims to allow the unity of purpose that characterised their Hajj in Saudi Arabia, to permeate their life.

The Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, retired Justice Muhammadu Dodo and top officers of NAHCON, tour operators, and the clerics among others attended the meeting.

https://www.akelicious.net/we-are-set-to-return-nigerian-pilgrims-home-nahcon/

Forensic experts yesterday alleged growing cases of fraud, cybercrime and corruption in the country despite government’s effort to address these problems.

At a press conference in Abuja, the Pro tem President of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors of Nigeria, Ayishetu Enape, said that the country’s loss to corruption “currently is in the region of trillions of naira.”

The institute said: “It is more worrisome to know that despite the Federal Government’s renewed efforts in tackling fraud, corruption and cybercrime, very little result has been achieved, especially in the area of securing conviction against perpetrators of fraud in Nigeria.

“This is because many of the cases, especially the high-profile ones, are either thrown out for want of evidence or are unnecessarily delayed and stuck in court for years, due to one reason or the other,” Enape said.

According to the institute, whose bill awaits assent by President Muhammadu Buhari, forensic investigation remains one of the potent means by which the country can tame the growing cases of fraud, cybercrime and corruption.

Enape stated that fraudsters could only be prevented if those who commit crimes are prosecuted with forensic evidence, stressing that the application of forensic investigation would create no hiding place for corrupt citizens.

Citing data from the Nigerian InterBank Settlement System (NIBBS), which show that Nigerian banks lost N12.30 billions to fraud in the past four years, and other data, which show that fraud volume in the banks increased from N1.461 billion in 2014 to staggering N23.043 billion in 2017, Enape said: “the situation right now is worse than the above analysis because fraud volume in Nigeria has now moved to trillions, and no longer in billions.”

On the bill for an act to establish the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN), which is now before the president for assent, Enape said it was important “to clarify that CIFIPN is neither an accounting body nor coming as a duplicate to the functions of any existing accounting bodies in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it had sent an invitation letter to the suspended Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Okoi Obono-Obla.

The spokesperson of the commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa, told The Guardian yesterday in Abuja that the letter was sent through the office of the Solicitor General of the Federation.

On when Obono-Obla would report to the commission, she said: “He would have been given the letter stating the date and time to come because when we invite anybody, we don’t leave it open- ended, it is always within a particular time frame. When other developments occur, we will let you know, but he has been invited,” Okoduwa said.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday ordered the suspension of Obono-Obla as the chairman of the panel.

The presidency said the “suspension shall be in effect until the conclusion of ongoing Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigations into a number of cases relating to Mr. Obono-Obla.”

The suspension came after an extensive investigation conducted into Obono – Obla ‘s academic credentials by the anti-graft agency.

He is facing allegations of certificate forgery and other corruption-related charges. On Friday, his office located in Asokoro was sealed by some armed police officers.

Obono-Obla, however, in a statement said it was difficult to know why his office was sealed because of the Eid-el-Kabir holidays. He alleged that some highly placed Nigerians “wishing to protect some persons under investigation were arm-twisting the panel officials, thereby distracting the panel from carrying out its lawful mandate.”

According to him, the panel has examples of many high-profile cases in which misappropriated public funds were traced to the personal bank accounts of public servants, and rather than explain the sources of the funds, they resort to false petitions and unfairly attacking the officials of the panel.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigeria-is-losing-trillions-to-corruption-say-forensic-experts/

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to reconsider his directive stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from allocating foreign exchange for food importation.

PDP in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Thursday in Abuja, said the directive was ill-timed and completely against the well-being of Nigerians.

NAN recalls that Buhari had on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State, directed the CBN to stop providing foreign exchange for importation of food into the country with the steady improvement in agricultural production and attainment of full food security.

He said the foreign reserve would be conserved and utilised strictly for diversification of the economy, and not for encouraging more dependence on foreign food import bills.

The president noted that the country had achieved food security, and for physical security “we are not doing badly’’.

Ologbondiyan said that the directive would cause food scarcity in the country and worsen the already harsh living conditions of Nigerians.

“The PDP states strongly that Nigerians do not, in any way, deserve such suffering being foisted on them by such directive on food.

“Such situation will only breed further despondency among our citizens, heighten our security challenges and put more pressure on compatriots, many of who, in the face of current suffering, are resorting to suicide and slavery mission as options.’’

Ologbondiyan urged Buhari to recover the trillions of naira alleged to have been embezzled and channel the resources towards food security for Nigerians.

https://www.akelicious.net/food-import-pdp-advises-buhari-to-reconsider-forex-ban/

The Federal Government said that the political will demonstrated in the execution of the N-Power programme, insulated it from corruption and other forms of sharp practices that marred similar youth empowerment endeavours in the past.

Communications Manager, National Social Investment Office (NSIO) Justice Bibiye, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said the transparency in running the programme was also responsible for its huge impact on its beneficiaries and the economy.

He said that media reports highlighting minority views expressed by a few critics who made bogus allegations bordering on corrupt practices in the implementation of N-Power did not reflect the true picture on ground.

Bibiye said that N-power, one of the social intervention programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, remained the most successful government-driven youth empowerment schemes in history.

“It is either those critics have lost touch with existential realities as it concerns this government’s strict approach in implementing its policies and programmes, or that the resounding successes recorded, as evidenced in the outpouring of sincere and honest testimonies by the beneficiaries, is lost on them.

“We are aware that some persons have assumed the role of perpetual pessimists of the SIPs, following the institution of processes and procedures that frown at selfish tendencies and corrupt practices at the NSIO.

“We, however, owe it a duty to Nigerians to continue to set the records straight whenever naysayers come up with falsehoods to mislead the public.

“We wish to state categorically that there are no N-power ghost beneficiaries neither is the programme embroiled in corruption as alleged by those who have decided to see nothing good in the scheme.

“From application, selection, deployment and payment of volunteers, the process is transparent, being technology driven,’’ he said.

According to him, at inception, the BVN of successful candidates are sent to Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) for verification.

Bibiye, said that NIBSS, being the custodian of the BVN data, authenticated the identity of each and every name, number and account number submitted by the NSIO, and anyone not verified was dropped from the list of successful beneficiaries.

“For the first set of 200,000 beneficiaries submitted for verification, NIBSS verified 93 per cent of the total number, after which only those verified were submitted to the various States, which entities are saddled with the responsibility of physically verifying the beneficiaries and deploying them to their Primary Places of Assignment (PPA).

“Upon confirmation of the deployments to the PPAs, the NSIO then signs off to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, which makes payment directly to the accounts of beneficiaries through the NIBBS.

“This process also applies to other components of the social intervention programmes except for the National Conditional Cash Transfer programme, where due to logistics challenges, mobile money agents (MMA) are engaged to reach out to beneficiaries in the rural areas.

“The successful MMA’s are selected through an open process in compliance with the BPP Act, and even though they pay beneficiaries in remote locations where there is a dearth of banking infrastructure, they each have a backend technology that enables visibility and timely reconciliation of payments, as a pre-condition to engagement,’’ he said.

He said the Federal Government remained favourably disposed to constructive criticisms and the feedback that would aid ongoing efforts to strengthen the execution strategies of the SIPs for greater service delivery to Nigerians.

Bibiye however said that critics were also encouraged to follow up closely and interrogate the processes of the programme to avoid making remarks that were not evidence-based.

He said that Nigerians, particularly beneficiaries of the programme and their dependents, should be rest assured that the SIPs were not crumbling or coming to an end any time soon as predicted by naysayers.

The communications manager said that the Federal Government, through the NSIO, would continue to redouble efforts to ensure that the intended objectives of the Social Intervention Programmes were achieved in line with public expectations.

https://www.akelicious.net/n-power-insulated-from-corruption-fg/

Governor Nyesom Wike lied about the arrest of River’s most wanted criminal, Bobrisky. Contrary to the statement credited to the governor, Nigerian Army has denied reports that its soldiers arrested the notorious cult leader in Gokana local government area.

It means the governor’s N30million bounty is still available as the gang leader is on the loose.

Wike while addressing leaders of Rumuolumeni community at the Government House last Friday, announced that soldiers had arrested Bobrisky.

But in an interview with LEADERSHIP newspaper in Port Harcourt, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said soldiers did not arrest the suspected cult leader or any other cultist in Gokana local government area.

Iliyasu said: “We don’t know what they are talking about. If such thing has happened, I would have been the first to inform you.

“When we got Don Wanny, I sent you pictures and the statement as early as 4:00am in the morning, because I couldn’t get all of you to come and take pictures yourself”.



“When we got Mene, I sent the statement and pictures to you even before you started calling me. But, the issue of Bobrisky, we don’t know anything about it”.

“If the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army was involved, I wouldn’t have waited for you to call before passing the information to you.”

Last Thursday, Wike while handing over vehicles to security agencies placed a N30 million bounty on Bobrisky.

He later announced that the suspected cultist had been arrested by soldiers less than 24 hours after his promise to reward anyone with information that could lead to his arrest.

“The Army has captured Bobrisky of Gokana. I will pay the bounty that I promised to the Nigerian Army. Anyone who generates insecurity in Rivers State, I am ready to pay any amount to ensure the arrest of that person.”

Army’s denial raises pertinent question of the authenticity of Governor Wike’s claims, Leadership reported.

https://www.akelicious.net/wike-lied-on-bobrisky-nigerian-army/

Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri won the 2019 edition of the Nigeria Open Table Tennis Championship held in Lagos on Sunday.

Quadri, who won the competition back-to-back, said he overcame injury in the Round of 16 to emerge victorious.



He said this after defeating Austria’s Gardos Robert in a thrilling six contested sets, 15-13, 11-3, 8-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-1 (4-2).

Quadri is the second player to defend the title after Omar Assar of Egypt. He won the last edition of the tournament, which is in its sixth year.

By retaining the men’s Singles Nigeria Open title, Quadri won prize money of $7,000, while Gardos got $3,500.

Speaking on how he almost got eliminated, Quadri said, “I had an injury in the Round of 16, but I still had to keep playing. I really want to commend the medical team because they really did well. I kept playing because I am a fighter; it’s not over until it is over.”

He, however, commended his supporters, saying, “They have always supported me, they have always believed in me. I don’t know why. Only God can reward them more than I can.”

Meanwhile, Russia’s Mikhailova Polina claimed the women’s singles by defeating compatriot Noskova Yana 4-3 in the final.

https://punchng.com/quadri-retains-nigeria-open-title-claims-7000/amp/

Eighteen-year-old Terna Taga, who allegedly impregnated a 10-year-old internally displaced person, Masenengen Targba , has said he did not meet the girl a virgin.

On Sunday, Targba was said to have been abandoned at a hospital but later rushed to Foundation Memorial Hospital, Makurdi, where she gave birth to a baby girl.



Taga is a farmer who dropped out of school in Senior Secondary School 1.

Taga, who was paraded by the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Garuba, told our correspondent on Thursday that though he slept with the little girl twice, he didn’t meet her virgin.

He said he slept with her twice in December 2018 with her consent.

He said, “I actually slept with her twice in December last year and it was with her consent. I did not rape her and since then, every effort to get close to her proved abortive as she was always running away whenever I saw her.

“It was around May this year, l saw her with pregnancy and I tried to engage her in a talk but she ran away.”

Taga said after she was delivered of a baby, his cousin informed him that Masenengen mentioned his name as the father of her child, adding that he accepted responsibility as the baby’s father and went to the hospital to see her.

He stated, “It was while I was at the hospital that the police arrested me. The first time I met her, she only came to my house and told me that her uncle sent her away from the house and that she didn’t have a place to sleep and I offered to accommodate her in my house that night.

“I gave her food and allowed her to sleep without touching her. The next day, she returned saying the same story and it was then that I slept with her for the first time. Then I slept with her another time. In all, I slept with her twice.”

When asked if the girl was not too young for him to sleep with, Taga said, “I never thought she was too young when I was sleeping with her. But the truth is that I didn’t meet her a virgin. She wasn’t a virgin at all.”

https://www.akelicious.net/i-didnt-meet-10-year-old-benue-idp-a-virgin-suspected-rapist/

The Nigerian community in the U.S. has embarked on the registration of members for its proposed Nigerian Federal Credit United Union in that country.

A credit union is a financial cooperative owned, controlled and operated by its members on the principle of people helping people and provides its members with an array of financial services including loans at competitive interest rates.

Inaugurating the exercise at the Nigerian House in New York, the Consul General, Mr Benayaogha Okonye, said a credit union for the Nigerian community was long overdue.

Okonye wondered why Nigerians resident in the U.S. had no such important financial organisation in spite of their numerical strength.

He allayed the fears of Nigerians about the fidelity of the idea and the tedious process of securing the licence, saying there was no cause for alarm.

“Nobody should be afraid of this project. It is something we have looked at. I have asked all the questions that need to be asked.

“We should know that the purpose is to empower and develop ourselves. Nobody within this system can be defrauded,” Okoye said.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that U.S. regulations require a minimum of 3,000 members, among other conditions, for the licensing of federal credit unions.

NAN further reports that the initiative also received the endorsement of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations and the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA).

Mrs Catherine Udida, the Minister Plenipotentiary, Second Committee of the mission, lauded the initiative would help boost the profile of the Nigerian community.

She said the move was timely coming at a time the Federal Government was taking steps to harness the enormous financial resources of the Diaspora community for national economic development.

Udida, who represented the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, however, urged members of the steering committee to be above board.

“There must be transparency; you have to make sure you win the trust of Nigerians because this is a noble idea,’’ she said.

NIDOA’s representative, Mr Isaac Inyang, expressed the “full support of the organisation” for the proposed credit union.

Inyang, who is the Vice President of NIDOA, cautioned intending members against providing false information in the registration form.

“Authorities are closely monitoring the process; if you give even one piece of false information it will kill this dream,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Steering Committee, Mr Bello Kazeem, said that the cooperative would operate as a community bank that would provide a wide range of banking and financial services to members.

Kazeem outlined the services to include money deposits; provision of personal, mortgage and car loans at competitive rates; debit and credit card services, remittances, overdraft protection, among others.

“The credit union would provide Nigerians, young and old, men and women, businesses and organisations to have a community-based bank that will tend to our needs.

“Unlike the regular banks, this financial institution would be owned by all members – you and I – and not single individuals.’’

He said the cooperative would eliminate the pains many Nigerians in the U.S. were experiencing in the process of just opening a bank account or accessing credit.

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, inaugurated the steering committee at a conference hosted by the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C, in 2018.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigerians-in-u-s-begin-registration-for-federal-credit-union/