₦airaland Forum

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it mandatory for all the Bureau de Change (BDCs) operating in Nigeria to access Foreign Exchange from it thrice a week.

A statement from the CBN acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, on Sunday indicated that the new directive would allow eligible travellers more access to foreign exchange and allow more liquidity to the market.

“All BDCs shall henceforth access forex from the CBN on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.”It is compulsory that all BDCs access forex at least three times weekly.”Any BDC that fails to access the forex window at least three times weekly shall have its licence reviewed by the CBN,” Okorafor said.

According to Okorafor, the CBN has also authorised all commercial banks to buy and sell foreign exchange to travellers whether they operate an account in the said bank or not.

He said that the banks were mandated to do this once a customer or non-customer presents relevant, valid travel documents such as visa and travel ticket.“All travellers shall be attended to immediately at the banks’ counters. Any contravention shall be sanctioned by the CBN,” he said.
This new directive is coming after the CBN announced on Wednesday that some banks were turning back customers that come to purchase Foreign Exchange for Personal and Business Travel as well as for pilgrimage.
According to the CBN, it has supplied enough dollars to the banks to meet needs in the invisible segment.
Customers were enjoined to report any bank that refuses to attend to their legitimate demands within 24 hours.
Reacting to the new directive on BDCs, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureau de Change Operators in Nigeria (ABCON) said it would further increase the existing rate multiplicity in the market.
“Our immediate response is to call for an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council to put up our demand for clarifications. It is totally unfair to the BDC sub sector.“Our recommendation is that the thrice market days for BDCs per week should be reviewed to twice with only the amount being reviewed up from 20,000 dollars to 30,000 dollars per market day.
“Also, both the banks and BDCs transaction rates should be merged to be the same. We also demand that BDCs should be allowed to return their unsold position to the CBN as is the practice by banks,” he said.
Gwadabe said that the association would schedule a meeting with the CBN to get more details about the new directive.Top on the list, he said would be the trading rates under the new directive and also if the same compulsion of thrice bidding per week by BDCs also apply to the banks.
Meanwhile, the Naira had begun to depreciate against the dollar in the BDC segment.It went from N363 to a dollar last Monday to N367 dollars as of close of market on Friday.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/cbn-mandates-bdcs-to-access-foreign.html

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has vowed never to castigate President Muhammadu Buhari to prove that he was still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).Umahi made the declaration on Saturday night in Abakaliki during a media chat and dinner he organised for journalists as part of the 2018 Democracy Day celebrations.

The governor noted that his decision was a matter of principles, stressing that Buhari remained his only boss.“I have left all those issues to political parties not because the president is doing everything right but because he is not God.

“He might not be doing everything 100 per cent but it is not my duty to castigate my boss and will only face my duties.“It is also not my duty to write petitions about the past administration in the state and I am focused towards my duties as child of God who has a calling and is committed,” he said.

The governor noted that corruption was not a party affair but an issue that has to do with the individual engaging in it.“The Bible says that with the fear of God, men depart from evil and without effective tackling of corruption, Nigeria will never develop.
“It is not an issue concerned with the PDP and if those who decamped from the party to the country’s ruling party says it is corrupt, then they have infected their new party with corruption,” he said.He declared that his constant mention of opposition members in the state during solidarity rallies in his honour does not mean that he was threatened by their activities and antics.
“No member of the opposition can stand for election with me because they have no base in the state and are only deceiving the people.“They are not working for the president as they deceitfully claim but are big minuses for the opposition party because most of them don’t own houses in the state.
“They boast of using the federal might to rig the 2019 elections but the youths have warned anyone planning to execute such act to write two things: the fake results and his will,” the governor said.Umahi listed his administration’s development strides in education, health, human empowerment, infrastructure and security, among others, noting that Ebonyi would be Nigeria’s Dubai after his eight years tenure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that journalists and individuals across the state and beyond asked questions on state and national issues.Top government officials including the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, legislators and some cabinet members, among others, were however locked out because of lateness.But they were admitted into the venue after the interactive session.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/umahi-vows-never-to-castigate-buhari.html

As part of efforts to support the educational sector in Kaduna state, an organisation, OCP Africa has awarded scholarship to twenty (20) students of agric department of Kaduna State University (KASU) with other library equipments amounting to five million naira through its scholarship scheme. At the presentation of the cheques to the 20 beneficiaries, the Country Manager/ Deputy Managing Director OCP, Mr. Caleb Usoh said that the aim of the scholarship is to build the knowledge based and capacity of the students. ” OPC is an agricultural based company that has continuously working in partnership with the Kaduna State Government on how to boost the agricultural sector of the state”, Caleb said. According to him, no fewer than five thousand farmers have benefited from OCP intervention called agric booster in the state. “What we are doing here today is part of the programmes structured by OCP to build capacity of the younger generation. “Unlike what is common in our society,but I can tell you that all the beneficiaries of this scholarship award were selected on merit”, the Country Director emphasized. He assure that the beneficiaries shall be supported throughout thier academic pursuit. One of the beneficiaries, a 500 level student of agric department, Igboba Queenth lauded the gesture of the company for coming to thier aid at a period like this. ” The One hundred thousand naira cheque that I have received today has boosted my morale and the money will go for my project”, she said. Earlier the Vice Chancellor of KASU, Prof. Muhammad Tanko commended the OCP and called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity given them to secure a better future through their academics.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/20-kasu-students-get-ocp-africa.html

Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai says All Progressives Congress (APC) will challenge the victory of PDP in four local government areas in the recently concluded council polls in Kaduna State at the tribunal.

El-Rufai spoke at APC State Congress in Kaduna on Saturday.

“We gave them what they don’t know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.


“We are going to challenge the chairmanship they said they won at the tribunal. We already have 14; for the remaining five we want to have 14 plus five.
“We can do that if we stay together, unite and work hard. We must be firm. Remember we are dealing with PDP people who are not honest.
“They don’t know the meaning of honesty, integrity, fairness, it has been taken from their vocabulary for the last 16 years.
“So, we must be prepared. We want to play fair but they don’t know the meaning of fairness,” he said.
The governor said he was confident that under the new APC executive, led by retired Air Commodore Emmanuel Jekada, the party would grow from strength to strength.
“I also want to thank other party members that wished to contest for their positions but in the spirit of unity and consensus stepped down so that we can have a smooth consensus-based congress.
“I want to assure them and to say that the party and the government will not forget them, this I promise.
“I want to thank the party leaders for the smooth congress that we have had, at the ward and the local government and now the state without any problem. This is because of your maturity and commitment to the party.
” I also want to commend the party members for their performance during the local government elections.
“When we started planning for these local government elections, we made it clear that we are a party of justice.

“That we are not going to cheat in the elections. And we believe that people should be given the opportunity to choose which party they want to govern them at the local government level.
“We went the extra-ordinary length to purchase the EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) so that the elections will be free and fair. We did what the PDP has never done to any other party.
“We gave them what they don’t know, we gave them justice. Unfortunately, even with that justice they tried to cheat.’’
The governor urged the party members to be prepared.
“We want to play fair, but they don’t know the meaning of fairness.
“We must not sleep but be prepared, mobilise to the remaining local government (areas) and make sure we are not cheated.
“But we will not cheat anybody, we want the votes of the people to count.’’
APC won 14 chairmanship seats in the council polls and PDP won four seats, while elections were rescheduled in five local government areas.
PDP on Sunday rejected the results of the elections and said it would challenge the outcome in court.
Meanwhile, at the state congress held on Saturday, APC members elected Jekada as Chairman and Malam Muhammad Shuaibu as Secretary.
Mr Frank Ikpe of the APC National Congress Committee conducted the congress elections.

http://akelicious..com.ng/2018/05/apc-will-challenge-pdps-lg-election.html

A former BigBrother Naija housemate, Alex Asogwa, on Sunday reacted to a picture of herself now going viral with the caption “sleepy head, I am in love with you’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the picture showed Asogwa, popularly known as “Alex’’ and a male in a position suggesting sexual action.

She has however taken to her official instagram account, @alex_unusual, to express her disatisfaction with the assumed photoshopped post.

Asogwa said she had no picture of such in her phone’s photo gallery and claimed her snapchat account where the picture was posted had been hacked.


“I really do not understand what people will gain by making this kind of picture,” she said.

Asogwa went further to plead with those who are not her fans and were probably behind the picture.

“Whatever fight you guys are putting up hasn’t gotten to this extent,” she said.

However, some Nigerians have also gone on to react to her denial statement, saying the man in the picture had on his neck the same necklace her supposed bestfriend Tobi wears.

@sommysunshine said: “I know Tolex fans will say it was photoshoped. Is Tobi’s head and necklace also photoshopped?”.

@susansmilez said: “This is Alex and Tobi. Only a blind person will believe this hackers story”.


@trina_joness said: “Snapchat keeps time and date. It was snapped from her Snapchat camera minutes ago”.

Alex and Tobi (Tolex) had repeatedly denied having an affair while in the BigBrother house and even after the reality show, and they have described themselves as “bestfriends’’.

NAN reports that this may however not be the end to the whole saga, as the duo’s fans will now await Tobi’s reaction to the supposed photoshopped picture.

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/bbnaija-2018-alex-says-intimate-picture.html

Mr Godwin Nwachukwu, Bayelsa Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said on Sunday that the command arrested 30 suspects of various offences between January and April.

Nwachukwu told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa that the suspects were arrested for pipeline vandalism, oil theft and diversion of refined products.

The commandant said that investigations into the alleged offences were at various stages and that the suspects would be prosecuted afterwards.

He said that the command had also clamped down on the distribution chain of illegally refined petroleum products leading to the seizure of six trucks laden with the products.


Nwachukwu said the command had however ensured reduction of pipeline vandalism and sabotage on oil infrastructure in its area of operation.

He said that the command had increased its surveillance activities on the pipeline network in the state.

According to him, some oil firms operating in the state had confirmed the reduction of the incidents at their oil fields.

“We have had oil companies confirm that our operation had stabilised their activities, leading to uninterrupted oil production.

“Agip at a time suspended operations in Bayelsa due to high levels of oil theft. But only last week, the management of the company commended the improvement in security.

“We are however not leaving anything to chance. Our strategy is to keep our operatives actively engaged in constant patrols to deter vandals.


“There is also cordial relationship with sister security services; we often collaborate with each other in fighting crime,’’ he said.

Nwachukwu appealed to community leaders in the oil bearing areas of Bayelsa to support the efforts of the NSCDC in fighting crimes.

The commandant noted that the activities of oil thieves had adversely affected the environment and economy of the state. (NAN)

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/nscdc-arrests-30-suspects-in-bayelsa.html

“The fact is I don’t drive just to get from A to B. I enjoy feeling the car’s reactions, becoming part of it.”
– Enzo Ferrari

For true car buffs, the car is more than just a vehicle. It is a work of art that demands intricate attention and uttermost care. These cars listed below are the most expensive cars in the world and need double the attention and care.

Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita (N1, 732,800,000)

The Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita is a variation of the Koenigsegg CCXR. The car possesses a 4.8-litre, dual-supercharged V8 engine, with a total output of 1,004 hp and a torque of 797 lb-ft. It is one of the fastest cars in the world today. Yet, what makes this car truly special is the diamond weave carbon fibre finish used on the bodywork. The Swedish name Trevita translates as ‘three whites’. Although the company planned to create three of these cars, because of the complexity of the diamond finish, they only made two.


Lamborghini Veneno (N1, 624,500,000)

This stunning convertible is a marvel to behold because of its unique design and architecture. This 6.5-litre V12 engine, with a total output of 750hp and a torque of 507 lb-ft. was built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lamborghini. It is a race car prototype, designed with aerodynamic efficiency in mind to optimise its performance when it hits fast curves or narrow roads. Yet, the car was designed for conventional use and retains the resilience needed for everyday commute.

W Motors Lykan Hypersport (N1, 227,400,000)

The Lykan Hypersport car is a limited edition car made by W Motors. Although the car is relatively new, some might remember the car from the Furious 7 film when it crashed through three skyscrapers in Dubai. The car has 3.7-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, with a total output of 780hp and a torque of 708 lb-ft. It is also the first car to have its headlights made out of embedded jewels. The regular model has titanium LED blades with 420 diamonds. The manufacturers give the buyer a selection of rubies, diamonds and sapphires to choose from based on the colour of the car.

Mansory Vivere Bugatti Veyron (N1, 227,400,000)

It’s difficult to make a list of expensive luxury cars without mentioning the Bugatti Veyron. Its 8-litre W16 cylinder engine, with a total output of 1,200-hp and a torque of 922 lb-ft are features that make this car special. Other features of this beautiful work of art include: a carbon fibre body, upgraded LED lights, an accumulation spoiler package and ten radiators which all perform specialised functions—heat exchange, engine, air conditioning, engine oil, differential oil and transmission oil.

Ferrari F60 America (N902, 500,000)

This car holds a special place in the Ferrari line of cars as it was built to celebrate 60 years of Ferrari in North America. The car has a 6.3-litre V12 engine, with a total output of 730 horsepower and a torque of 509 lb-ft as part of its features. For this model, only ten of the cars were produced, making it one of the most wanted Ferrari models in decades. As a result, all the ten models were already sold before the car was announced.

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/fastest-and-most-expensive-cars-in-world.html

As in its mandate and mission to affect the lives of individuals in voluntary service, the Rotary Club of Nigeria District 9110 recently held a vocational training and empowerment programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The workshop sessions, which held at the Rotary Center, Ikeja hosted 70 persons both male and female to four different skills ranging from confectionaries, soap making, cosmetics and local manufacturing.

According to the President of the club, Dr. Adewale Ogunbadejo: “In Nigeria today, we have more than 2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and we thought of how we could empower as many women as possible and give them skills to start up businesses, so that they can leave the camps.


The longer they stay in camps, their dependency increases, that is not a way for any human being to exist.

“However, since the security situation is not getting any better and those who should help us with funding and logistics are busy as politics is on, we decided to do it here in Lagos.

We contacted the National Committee for Immigrants and Internally Displaced Persons and they were able to get us about 70 of them living in Lagos since we don’t know where they stay.”

Ogunbadejo noted that as a rotary society their aim this year is to empower as many less privileged as possible. “We have had trainings for youths and widows and then unemployed graduates. We want to ensure that we empower as much people as possible to be self-sufficient.”

Coordinator IDP committee, Bukola Bakare, noted that the IDPs have been trained in four areas; Confectioneries (chinchin, doughnuts, pancakes, egg rolls), soap making (liquid detergents for cleaning purposes), fashion slippers, perfumes and jellies.

“Earlier, we carried out a need analyses to find out which areas we can assist with and that is how we came about these, they also came prepared on what they want to participate in, else it would have been a wasted venture.

For us, it is more like a multiplying effect. We hope that after training these 70 people, they would go out and train other people.

That way, the society will be better for all. We have made sure that these 70 are provided with all the materials they need for startup so that they don’t just go back home and sit, a lot of people have laboured for this and we will follow up.

Head of IDPs unit, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, South West zone, Ola Erifolami said that Rotary club has been supportive just as they have trained these IDPs today, they have also given out startup kits to make them self reliant.

“Since there are no camps in the South-West zone, they live within the community and where there is need to reach out to them, we do so through their leaders; we will visit then unannounced to see how they are faring.

Head of the facilitators, Dr. Comfort Amire, added that they are committed to ensuring that the right information is passed to these IDPS and ensure they earn a living from the workshop. “All our facilitators are experts in their various fields, we want to ensure that these people become less dependent.

One of the beneficiaries, Mustapha Adamu from Kastina State was a drycleaner before the insecurity situation forced him into the IDP camps.

“I like to engage in business and this is exactly what I like to do. After today, I will go home and practice more then move out and start up my business.

For the club to have us in mind and given us a lifetime source of livelihood, it means so much to me and that shows how much they care. I am indeed grateful.”

http://akelicious..com.ng/2018/05/rotary-club-empowers-70-idps.html

ALAT by Wema, Nigeria’s only fully digital bank has launched Tech Chicks, a platform dedicated to the promotion of young women blazing a trail in Nigerian technology.

Selected from nominations crowd-sourced on social media, the founding class of Tech Chicks includes software developers, tech founders, a cyber-security expert and a dentist. This year’s selection process was led by a panel of women achievers, the nominations were screened based on impact of work and mentoring potential.


Speaking on the launch of Tech Chicks, a representative of ALAT by Wema highlighted the bank’s commitment to supporting women in technology and technology-driven businesses. “The field of technology does not have a reputation for accommodating women, and it is the responsibility of organisations like ours to celebrate the brave Nigerian women who have chosen to work in tech against all odds and to make sure they inspire many more young women contemplating similar careers,” she said.

ALAT by Wema intends to launch a mentorship program for women in tech later this year. To learn more about Tech Chicks, go to alat.ng/techchicks.

http://akelicious..com.ng/2018/05/alat-celebrates-young-women-in.html

There was commotion along Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Thursday morning as soldiers sacked the Rumukpakani Police Station, allegedly over the killing of their colleague by a policeman.

The murdered soldier, who was in mufti, was said to have been shot near the Police station by one of the policemen on duty.

It was gathered that the development forced a group of angry soldiers to storm the Police station and arrested the Divisional Police Officer and the murder suspect.

Details later…

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/just-in-soldiers-sack-police-station.html

The Federal High Court Abuja has barred the Nigerian Police, the EFCC and the Department of State Security Service, (DSS) from searching houses belonging to Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

Wike had in 2017, approached the court seeking an order of injunction restraining the IGP, the Police, the EFCC and the DSS from obtaining a search warrant to search any of his houses.

Delivering judgement on the matter on Wednesday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed noted that the defendants were in agreement that the plaintiff, Wike, could not be investigated based on the provision of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Mohammed said that from the combined reading of Section 308 of the constitution, and sections 149 and 150 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015, three situations had been prohibited.
The first, he said, was the provision that no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the plaintiff.
He further said that a person covered by the provisions shall not be arrested, and thirdly, any process of court requiring appearance of a person protected under the provisions shall not be applied.
Justice Mohammed maintained that parties in their submissions, lost the purport and intendment of section 308(1)(c) of the constitution.
According to him, a careful reading of section 308(1)(c) shows that the constitution has prohibited court process requiring the appearance of a serving governor before any investigative panel.
He held that the argument of the police and the EFCC that Wike’s residence could be searched without his presence was untenable.
The judge said it was wrong for the defendants to import meaning or interpretation not included in Section 308 of the constitution by the person who drafted the constitution.
He held that the essence of the section was to accord immunity to a serving governor so as not to cause distractions to the governor in the act of governance.
The judge dismissed the objections of the defendants and held that Wike’s suit had succeeded because it had merit.
Wike had asked for six reliefs but the judge granted three and said while one was not grantable, the others were embedded in the ones granted.
“The defendants cannot whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers, privies or in any manner howsoever apply for, obtain, issue or in any way or manner howsoever execute any court process requiring; the appearance of the plaintiff who is currently the governor of Rivers.
“A declaration that by virtue of the combined effect of section 308 of the Constitution and sections 149 and 150 of ACJA, the defendants cannot in any manner apply for, obtain, issue or execute any search warrant at the residence of the plaintiff in Abuja or in any of the plaintiff’s residence in any other place or locations in Nigeria.
“An order that the defendants cannot by the combined effect of section 308 of the Constitution and sections 149 and 150 of ACJA, apply for, obtain, issue or execute any search warrant at the residence of the plaintiff in Abuja or in any of the plaintiff’s residence in any other place or locations in Nigeria.”
The suit was filed in June 2017 by Mr Sylva Ogwemoh, (SAN), on behalf of Wike.
Ogwemoh had argued that Section 308 which had to do with the immunity clause was put in place to allow serving governors concentrate on the act of governance.
But the defendants had in opposition, argued that they had the right to search Wike’s residence even in his absence.

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/police-efcc-dss-barred-from-searching.html

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Wednesday lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari for claiming that he was removed as the then Head of State for attempting to fight corruption.


Buhari had made the claim while commissioning the new office block of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja, yesterday.

But reacting , the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain insisted that Buhari was equally corrupt.


Fani-Kayode, who took to his Twitter handle, wondered what could be more corrupt than the alleged coup staged by Buhari in 1983 against a “democratically-elected government.”

He wrote, “Yesterday @MBuhari lamented about how he was detained for 3 years in 1985 for “fighting corruption”. He forgot that he staged a coup d’etat in 1983, toppled a democratically-elected govt. and stole the Presidency and entire treasury. What could be more corrupt than that?

“If his coup had failed, he would have been court-martialled, tied to the stake and shot for military insurrection, mutiny and treason and not just put under house arrest for 3 years.

“He should count himself lucky and not talk about history because he has much to answer for.”

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/fani-kayode-reacts-to-buharis-removal.html

A policeman in Kenya shot himself in the mouth in a town called Garissa on Tuesday because he was not transferred to a better place after serving in the town for three years.

The Standard reports that his colleagues said the officer was under stress after serving in the region for three years and instead of being transferred to a better place he was transferred to Ijara AP camp.


They said, “He was moved to near a post that was attacked by Al-shabaab late last year. He was stressed and left a note to show he was not happy.”


North Eastern regional coordinator, Mohamud Saleh, said investigations had begun on the matter.

According to the police, this is the latest incident involving them in a series that have been reported of late.

Police said such cases were on the rise due to stress in the service. Police officers’ relationships with their families, their colleagues, and seniors among other issues have been identified as some of the causes of such incidents.

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/policeman-shoots-himself-dead-over.html

Today, the 8th Senate made history with the passage of the repeal and re-enactment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which is the biggest business reform bill in Nigeria in over 28 years.

Here are 7 things that you need to know about this Bill…

1: It will make Nigeria’s business environment as competitive as its counterparts around the world.

2: It will allow individuals to be able to open up companies all by themselves

3: It promotes the use of technology in the registration of businesses.

4: It removes all unnecessary regulatory provisions.

5: It reduces the minimum share capital for companies and start-up in Nigeria.

6: It creates a new form of legal identity for Nigerian businesses.

7: It ensures that Nigerians can now register their businesses from anywhere in the country through the e-registration system.

http://akelicious..com/2018/05/7-benefits-of-senates-new-bill-cama.html

No fewer than 1,131 pregnant women have been tested positive to the dreaded and incurable HIV disease in Lagos State, Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris disclosed at the weekend.

The commissioner, at a ministerial news conference in Alausa, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, disclosed that 38,791 pregnant women were tested for HIV, out of which 1,131 of them tested positive in the last one year.

He said the test was carried out from the money received from Global Fund to tackle HIV issues in the state in a bid to stem the spread.

He said the agreement between the Global Fund and the Lagos State Government was signed in February 2017 with the Lagos State Ministry of Health expected to receive and manage the Global Fund grants, to oversee grant implementation and procurement, and to report on grant programmatic and financial performance to the Global Fund Secretariat.
“This first phase of the grant was described as the pilot phase and it was agreed that the success of Lagos State in this phase would be a benchmark for which the Global Fund would be in a position to implement in other states in the country for implementation and indeed other sub-national entities world-wide for program implementation.
“During the pilot phase of the grant (January – December, 2017), a total sum ofUSD9,623,390.08 was made available to the Principal Recipient to cover Procurement of Health products for PLHIV, conduct of the Lagos State AIDS Indicator Survey, Implementation and Technical Support to Health facilities in the 3 LGAs by the Sub-Recipient (APIN) and funds to the LSMOH for Grant Management.
“The Lagos State Government approved State Counterpart Funds to the tune of 10% of the total grant sum to support programme implementation. By the end of 2017, the support provided through Global Fund was able to avail a minimum of 226,768 persons (+15yrs) with free HIV counselling and testing as well as knowledge of their HIV status, with the cumulative total of 10,623 PLHIV in the 3 LGAs placed on the lifesaving Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART).
“Also, at least 38,791 pregnant women know their HIV status out of which about 2,131 (HIV positive pregnant women) were enrolled for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programme,” he stated.
Idris said the key objectives of the grant were to reduce new HIV infections, and improve the quality of life for the infected, affected, and to place 10,337 number of PLHIVs on treatment of which 3876 are children; provide people living in Epe, Ikorodu and OshodIIsolo LGAs with universal access to high-quality, patient-centered prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services for TB/HIV by 2017 and contribute towards achieving HIV epidemic control in Epe, Ikorodu and Oshodi/Isolo LGAs by year 2020 with Epidemic control defined as ART coverage of at least 80%.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/2131-pregnant-women-tested-positive-to.html

The Pop star has now declared interest in running in the 2019 Presidential Elections.

He shared on Instagram and wrote:

Please vote Davido Adeleke for president

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/davido-declares-presidential-interest.html

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has been declared the winner of this year’s Babacar Ndiaye’s African award on transport and road infrastructure.

In a ceremony in Dakar, Senegal on Friday the Africa Road Builders said Kenyatta won the 2018 award for Jubilee’s projects in railway, road, air as well as a nationwide street lighting.

Kenyatta will be presented with award on 23 May in Busan, South Korea, during the African Development Bank annual meeting.
Babacar Ndiaye was an economist and a former president of the African Development Bank. He died last year at the age of 82.
The President of Media for Infrastructure and Finance in Africa Adama Wade cited the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway as major project that has had immense impact.
“The SGR has reduced costs of travelling between the two cities by half and at the same time taking half of the time for the trip,” he said.
“We thank and congratulate the AfDB and its President Dr Akinwumi Adesina for putting the issue of roads and transport high on its agenda through its ‘High 5 to Transform Africa’ programme,” said Mr Wade.
The General Commissioner of Africa Road Builders Barthélemy Kouame noted that transport networks, like blood vessels, must not be clogged.
He congratulated Kenya for the efforts to improve transport and to foster regional growth through such projects as the Lamu Port.
“We note the crucial role Kenya is playing as a commercial hub of East and Central Africa and the investment in big infrastructure projects to live up to the status,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/kenyatta-wins-african-award-for.html

Abidjan, (NAN) The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it has approved a grant of 1.5 million dollars (about N540 million) to support power project in Jigawa State.

Mr Amadou Hott, Vice President, Power, Energy, Climate and Growth complex of the bank disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abidjan, on Saturday.

“In Nigeria, there are some projects we are doing.

“Presently, we have approved in Jigawa state, a grant of more than 1.5 million dollars to develop a project to build two times 100 megawatts.

“The grant has just been approved by the board two days ago.
“The idea there is to really use the money to establish everything required to develop the project, to make sure everything is available and then organise a bidding process to attract investors,’’ he said .
According to him, there are other projects the bank has invested in Nigeria, like the Gas to power project, targeting 500 megawatts.
“We are hoping to get on board on that by next year, and also the 14 solar power mix being prepared in Nigeria with sovereign investors,’’ he added
He noted that some investor had approached the bank to finance their work, adding that the bank would be involved in five or six of the 14 projects.
The Vice President further said that the bank had programme already put in place, to guarantee some of the projects.
“We call them the Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG). So when the budgets are ready, the guarantees will be utilised to minimise risk so that investors can be attracted to these kinds of projects,’’ he said
On electricity generation, he said the bank had been doing a lot in the country in the past five years.
“The bank is doing a lot; if you look at our electricity generation over the past five years, our share of renewable energy has increased.
“Before 2016 we were at 74 per cent of our generation mix of renewable energy. Last year, 100 per cent of our power generation was on renewable energy,’’ he said
He said the AfDB financed 1,400 megawatts of power and 100 per cent of them were on renewable energy, such as solar and hydro.
He said that going forward, the bank would increase a lot of its shares in renewable energy portfolio.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/afdb-approves-15m-for-jigawa-power.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqlH2-XI56A

Mr Bola Agboola, the Managing Director, Ximalog Global Solution, an ICT company says massive investment in telecom infrastructure by government and other stakeholders will boost broadband penetration.

Agboola made this call on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN reports that broadband is a high-capacity transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies, which enables a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously.

According to the National Broadband Plan of 2013 to 2018, the country is expected to attain 30 per cent broadband penetration by end of 2018.
Agboola said there was need to invest in the telecom sector to boost broadband penetration as Nigeria has the largest telecom market in Africa.
He said currently broadband penetration in the country stood at about 21 per cent, adding that increase in the broadband through investment would ensure growth in the sector.
“This will make internet services to be more efficient, reliable, affordable and available.
“ We are in the era where practically everything about humanity revolves around technology, especially the internet and its infrastructure.
“With the boom in mobile telecommunication platforms, it seems that the growth experienced in the country as it relates to broadband technology may not be limited to but surely will be in the mobile broadband infrastructure sector, ‘’ he said.
According to him, the telecom sector must work and grow so as to aid the massive transfer of data as in other sectors.
“Government at all level should make provision for incentives to operators that can lay fibre optic cables of broadband in the country so that they can expand their services and increase investment in the sector.
“There is also the need to overcome infrastructure and policy challenges that inhibit growth in the telecom sector or overcome the infrastructure challenge by using satellites networks, cables, digital subscriber lines etc, ‘’ Agboola said.
Agboola added that government should also promote the kind of services that would give room for more usage of broadband.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/massive-investment-in-telecom.html

The Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has been denied bail in the case of an alleged conspiracy and aiding of jailbreak.

full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/court-denies-senator-dino-melaye-bail.html

The Ekiti state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) on Wednesday night reacted to claims by Governor Ayo Fayose that some of its aspirants planned to monetise Saturday’s governorship primary, describing it as figment of his imagination.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the party, through its State Publicity Secretary, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun said what the governor had just displayed by raising “false alarm” was a sign that he was afraid of an impending loss by his party of the July gubernatorial election.

” Fayose is frustrated and jittery, let him mind his business. He is not a member of our party so I don’t know where he is picking his information from.

” APC is not like his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party that has stolen our commonwealth and plunged the nation into a state of coma
“Yes, we will mobilise our members for the primary but the allegation that we are sharing that kind of money by the governor is laughable
” We will do everything that is right and within the constitution to send him out of the Government House, so let him start packing.
“No amount of blackmail will stop or derail us. The Ekiti people are set for the APC and we will make sure we produce a candidate that is acceptable to the people.”he said.
At a press conference earlier on Wednesday, Fayose raised the alarm over alleged movement of heavy cash into the state by some unidentified aspirants of the APC.
He said such monies were meant to compromise the delegates.
He claimed that the governorship election slated for July 14 in the state might also be compromised by the use of cash, going by the alleged desperation of the aspirants who are jostling for the ticket of the APC.
According to him, the way the exercise was being compromised in the build up to ordinary primary, showed that the APC was merely paying lip service to the war against corruption.
The Governor wondered where the money being spent by the alleged and unidentified aspirants was coming from.
Fayose claimed that one particular aspirant gave each delegate N250,000, and another gave N500,000, with a promise to offer them N1million each onSaturday, the day of the party primary.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to beam their searchlight into the alleged monetisation of the electoral processes in the state and avoid a repeat of same scenario when it comes to the gubernatorial election proper.

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/mind-your-business-ekiti-apc-tells.html

The absence of the third defendant, Yusuf Danjuma, on Wednesday stalled the trial of two former ministers charged with N4.6 billion money laundering at a Federal High Court, Lagos.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Danjuma, who is charged alongside with the ministers, is said to be hospitalised in Kaduna.

Danjuma, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the two ex-ministers, Femi Fani-Kayode (Aviation) and Nenadi Usman (Finance) and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd, are facing a 17-count charge bordering on money laundering.

All the defendants, who are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had pleaded not guilty.
The case which was scheduled for continuation of cross-examination of a prosecution witness could not go on because of the absence of the third accused.
When the case was called on Wednesday, Mr Nnemeka Omewa, announced appearance for the EFCC, while Messrs Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Norrisson Quakers (SAN) and K.C Nwofo, appeared for the first, second and third accused respectively.

The third defence counsel informed the court of the absence of the third accused.
Nwofo told the court that he received a call in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday) from the wife of the third accused, who informed him that the accused slumped in the bathroom while having a shower.
He said the wife had called out neighbours who joined in taking the accused to the hospital.
According to defence counsel, the incident occurred in Jere in Kaduna.

Nwofo told the court that since he had yet to get a copy of the hospital diagnosis, he could not comment on the exact health condition of the accused.
He promised to get details of the diagnosis from the hospital and make same available to the court.
Other defence counsel acceded to the request for adjournment by the third defence counsel.
In his reaction, the prosecutor, (Omewa), confirmed to the court, the position as stated by defence counsel.
He said the case was slated for continuation of cross-examination, adding that since the request for adjournment was on health grounds, especially as put forward by the counsel, he would not push further.
Omewa also agreed with the request for adjournment.
In his remarks, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, noted that generally all the defendants had always been present in court for trial, adding that he will treat the excuse as exceptional.
Following agreement of all counsel in the case, the court adjourned the case until June 11 and June 12 for continuation of trial, while he vacated the prior dates of May 3 and May 4.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/absence-of-3rd-accused-stalls-fani.html

Yobe government says it has placed a price tag of N1,000 on every tree planted in the state in its effort to promote afforestation, combat desertification and reclaim soil fertility.

Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, the state Deputy Governor and Chairman, Environmental Protection Committee, announced this on Wednesday at the launching of special environmental protection programme in Gulani, Gulani Local Government Areas.

The deputy governor also performed similar function at Gujba Local Government Area of the state.

Aliyu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Jibrin Kortomi, said increased pressure on land for farming, indiscriminate felling of trees and illegal mining had impacted negatively on the environment.

“The sum of N1, 000 is earmarked as price per tree stand, planted and nurtured for one year.
“Desert encroachment, land degradation and siltation of rivers had retarded agricultural activities with negative effect and promoting poverty in the communities.
“We have embarked on massive planting and nurturing of trees to protect the environment against wind storms, improve soil fertility and provide shelter for human and animals,” he said.
Aliyu directed local governments, traditional leaders and the communities to step up action on tree planting and other measures that would save the environment.
Alhaji Bunu Zanna, member representing Gulani constituency in the state House of Assembly, who spoke on behalf of his people, assured that trees would be planted massively to safeguard the environment.
“We will plant many economic trees to facilitate environmental and economic recovery as we emerge out of the Boko Haram insurgency,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/yobe-govt-places-n1000-price-on-every.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the recruitment of 6,000 additional policemen as part of fresh measures to address the nation’s security challenges including the farmers/herdsmen clashes across the country.

The President made this known in a special interview session with Voice of America, Hausa service, in Washington, United States on Tuesday morning.

President Buhari, who is in the U.S. on the invitation of the American President Donald Trump, revealed that additional security measures were being put in place to check cases of insecurity in Nigeria.

“We will put in place more measures to check insecurity in the country including increasing the number of policemen and train them.

“I have approved the recruitment of 6,000 policemen by the police authorities and I directed that those recruited must come from all the 776 local government areas of the federation.

“Even if it means recruiting one person each from the 776 they should do that instead of going to motor parks, railway stations or market for the recruitment exercise.
“I gave (Police authorities) them this directive,’’ he said.
The president, who expressed reservation on the call for the establishment of state police as being advocated by state governors, said Nigerians must abide by constitutional provision in regard to the matter.
It would be recalled that the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari, had in February said creation of state police would help in addressing spate of insecurity in the country.
Yari, who is also the Zamfara State Governor, said this at the end of a two-day summit organised by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on Review of Current Security Infrastructure in Nigeria.
He said: “Today we have reiterated the position of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“And the position of the security summit we held in August, that there is a need for the state police; we can say it is the only answer.”
However, President Buhari maintained that the creation of state police would not augur well for the finances of the states, adding that some of them were finding it difficult to meet their financial obligations to workers and other state needs.
“We must carefully look at the position of the nation’s constitution on the issue of state police before we take final decision on the matter if the constitution allows state police so be it.
“But don’t forget that many times the Federal Government gave out what we referred to as bail out to state governments for payment of workers’ salaries. How many states can pay salary promptly? and you want to add more financial burden to the states.
“It is not proper to employ a person, train him on how to handle weapons and then refuse to pay him – you can imagine what would happen in such situation,’’ he said.
On his purported comment on youth while in London, President Buhari dismissed the report, saying that the media only preferred to interpret and report what they like instead of concentrating on developmental journalism.
He said: “You know Nigeria’s population is now between 180 and 190 million and 60 per cent of this population is youth that is 30 years down ward.
“You know in the North most youths are uneducated or school dropouts. If not because we had good harvests in the last two farming seasons the situation would have been deteriorated.
“These youths even if they travel out of the North for greener pasture they hardly make it economically because what they earn as income cannot afford them to meet their basic needs or return home.
“All these explanations I made, they refused to highlight them in their report and you know the media in Nigeria in most cases only do what they like.
“For instance the nation’s achievements in the agricultural sector where millions of Nigerians benefitted financially were left unreported by the media.
“Even when the Minister of Information and Culture wanted to reply that abusive letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, I had wanted Lai not to reply the letter but I said I should allow him to highlight the achievements of our administration.’’
President Buhari also used the opportunity to debunk the insinuation that Christians were being killed by herdsmen.
He said that clashes between farmers and herdsmen had been in existence for the past years, saying that Nigerian herdsmen were not in the habit of carrying dangerous weapons while moving their animals around the country.
On what he does during his leisure time, President Buhari said he hardly listened to music but rather always obeyed his doctors’ advice on the need to eat and have enough rest.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/buhari-orders-recruitment-of-6000.html

Big Brother Naija “Double Wahala” winner, Miracle Igbokwe, reveals how he will spend his N25 million win at a press briefing in Lagos.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jFUYkFaKzI

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/watch-video-ill-spend-my-n25m-on.html

“If I offended any of you here please forgive me. I didn’t do that deliberately,” Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has told party chieftains.

Bindow urged stakeholders and other members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to forgive him, if he wronged them.

Bindow made the plea Monday at a stakeholders meeting in Yola to discuss the upcoming party congress.

The governor assured all the stakeholders that he has no candidate for the coming party congresses, and urged all those seeking positions to go and mobilize support.

“My administration is ready to work with all those elected in the congresses,” he stressed.

Bindow expressed satisfaction with the turnout of stakeholders from various interest groups in the state and urged for more unity in the party.

Speaking at the occasion, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustafa stressed the need to abide by the party guidelines for hitch free congresses.

“We are one family and must not allow internal political bickering to affects our party in the state.

“We won in 2015 general election and shall win in 2019, but we need to create a situation that would make it much easier for us to win again,” Mustafa said.

In his remarks, the APC National Vice Chairman North East, Alhaji Mustafa Salihu, lauded the stakeholders for putting aside their differences to attend the meeting and urged contestants to show sportsmanship.

“We must work to retain government at all levels; we need to put all our personal interests aside for our party,” Salihu said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that former SGF, Babacir Lawan. who also attended the meeting however criticized the meeting for not discussing the issue of zoning ahead of the congresses.

According to him, the APC constitution promotes zoning of positions particularly in diverse states like Adamawa and wonder why the issue was not discussed.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/apc-governor-apologises-to-party-members.html

FSDH Merchant Bank Limited has disclosed that its profit after tax (PAT) rose by 45.4 per cent to N4.74 billion in its 2017 full year results, compared with the N3.26 billion it recorded the previous year
It also revealed that it achieved a profit before tax (PBT) of N5.56 billion for the financial year ended December 31 2017, representing an increase of 44 per cent when compared with the profit of N3.86 billion it realised in the comparable period of 2016.
In the financial year under review, the FSDH Group recorded a total asset size of N151.7billion.The group’s shareholders’ funds stood at N34.62 billion as at December 31, 2017; a 24.26 per cent increase from the N27.86 billion it was as of 31 December, 2016.

The merchant bank will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday. The meeting will be the sixth AGM of FSDH since it became a merchant bank.
Furthermore, the results showed that earnings per share (EPS) for the group were 164 kobo, which is 55 kobo more than the 109 kobo earned in the previous financial year.
Speaking at a pre-AGM media briefing, the chief executive of FSDH, Hamda Ambah, disclosed that during the period under review, all the subsidiaries of the merchant bank posted profits.
She explained: “FSDH Asset Management (FSDH-AM) recorded a PAT of N327.7 million, while the PAT recorded by Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL) and FSDH Securities (FSDH-SEC) were N1.31billion and N96.16 million respectively.”
According to her, a dividend of N2.21 billion had been proposed for the financial year ended 31, December 2017, which translated to 79 kobo per share.
“In spite of the challenges in the financial markets and global economy, we remain focussed on ensuring that we continuously improve the performance of the group.
“It is clear to us that this can only be achieved if we focus on the delivery of enhanced products and services to our valued clients in order to address their growing and changing requirements.
“We will also continue to actively exploit business opportunities as they arise,” she added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/fsdh-merchant-bank-posts-454-pat-growth.html

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Mr Abubakar Malami, (SAN) told the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday that the suspension of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege was unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.

Malami, who is the 3rd defendant in the ongoing suit brought by Omo-Agege challenging his suspension from the Senate, made his position known through his counsel, Mr Dayo Apata.

Apata, who doubles as the Solicitor-General of the Federation, in his submission, said that the role of the AGF was to defend and protect the constitution, adding that he had to react to any issue that had to do with the constitution.

“According to Section 4(, 39, 40 of the Constitution and Articles of the African Charter on Human Rights, all the actions of the senate relating to the suspension of the plaintiff (Omo-Agege) are unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful.”
The solicitor-general urged the court to hold that the senate’s actions were unlawful.
Mr Mahmud Magaji (SAN), counsel to the Senate and the Senate President, in his submission, urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the senator had himself, participated in the suspension of other senators.
“The plaintiff is not an ordinary senator but a lawyer and a member of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
“He has participated in several committee meetings leading to the suspension of other senators such as Ndume, so he who lives by the sword, should die by the sword.
“He who has participated in the suspension of his colleagues cannot now run to the court for protection.
“He swore to an oath to be bound by the rules of the senate, including the standing orders,” Magaji said.
Mr Alex Iziyon (SAN), counsel to Omo-Agege in his submission, prayed the court to consider what had been done by the senate as an affront to the dignity of the court.
Iziyon argued that the court had the powers to pull down what has been done by the senate.

He said this was on the grounds that while the matter was still pending in court, the senate went ahead and slammed the 90 legislative days suspension on his client.
Having listened to submissions from all the counsel, the judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, adjourned the matter until May 10 to deliver judgment.
Earlier, the court refused an application by Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and Sen. Bala Ibn Na’allah, Chairman and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and other Petitions.
The senators had applied to be joined as parties in the suit but the court refused on the grounds that they were not necessary parties in the suit.
Mr Paul Erokoro (SAN), counsel to both senators, had urged the court to allow them to be joined as parties by virtue of the fact that they were chairman and vice chairman of the committee.
“They are necessary parties in this suit because it is the report their committee produced that the plaintiff seeks to impugned and set aside.
“Moreover, whatever decision the court takes will affect them and members of the committee because their personal conduct is being questioned,” Erokoro said.
Omo-Agege, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District, filed the suit to challenge his suspension from the senate.
He asked the court to among other reliefs, grant an order restraining the defendants, their servants, agents, privies or officers from interfering with his rights and privileges as a senator.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/agf-declares-omo-ageges-suspension.html