₦airaland Forum

The crisis rocking the Adamawa State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could soon record its first casualty. Chieftains of the party have declared that those that boycotted yesterday’s re-election campaign for President Muhammadu Buhari are against the party.

Adamawa State governor, Mohammed Jibrilla Bindow, was conspicuously absent at the event. Also absent were his political appointees and the outgoing state executives of the APC, all whose tenures expire tomorrow.

The governor’s absence was viewed as a direct political attack on the 2019 ambition of Buhari and an attempt to work against the party’s bid to retain power at the forthcoming general elections.

Speaking at the ceremony, attended by political bigwigs in the state, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), David Babachir Lawal, said those seeking to manipulate the forthcoming APC congress should shelve the idea in their personal interest, as such move would be counter productive.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/adamawa-former-sgf-leads-buharis-re.html

The news of the demise of Satguru Maharaj Ji, that went viral on social media on Friday is not true but mischievous.

Mr Ojo Peter, the spokesman of Maharaj Ji, announced this on Saturday in Ibadan .

Peter alleged that the rumor was concocted by some people who, he said, have found it difficult to silence Maharaj Ji from telling the truth about happenings in Nigeria and the world at large.

”The news of the death of Maharaj Ji is not only false but one that was mischievously concocted by some disgruntled elements.

”They want to use the false news to cause disaffection among numerous members of the One Love Family, Nigerians and the world at large but Maharaj Ji has already exposed them for who they are.
”Such news will never stop Maharaj Ji from saying the truth he is known for.
”We use this medium to tell the whole world that Maharaj Ji is hale and hearty and people of the world should disregard such false information.” Peter stated.
Maharajah Ji, on April 25, organised a news conference at Maharajah Ji village, where he warned Nigerian leaders working against the nation’s unity to desist ”or get consumed by the colossal problems they have created across the country”.
Maharajah Ji also assured Nigerians that there would not be war in the country.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/guru-maharaj-ji-is-alive-not-dead-says.html

The federal High court Katsina is expected to hear the application for bail by detained Former governor of Katsina state, Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

The Nation recalled that the embattled ex-governor had been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on the order of Justice Babagana Ashigar of the federal high court, Katsina till Friday, 27th April, 2018, pending the application of his bail.

Shema who was earlier arraigned on Tuesday over N5.7 billion frauds and money laundry being leveled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), however, pleaded not guilty to the 26 count charges leveled against him

Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, his lead Counsel, had told the court that Shema came to the court when he heard that the case would be heard and out of respect for the judiciary and pleaded that the court should adjourn the case, insisting that Shema was not served with a court summon hence he couldn’t take his pleas.


However, the prosecution Counsel, Ologun Orissa objected to the request from Schema’s counsel, and urged the court to proceed with the case.

He said, “The offense committed by Shema is entitled to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine. I am asking the court to remand the defender pending when proper application is made available to the court by the defender’s counsel”.

After listening to both parties, Justice Babagana Shigar, the chief judge had ruled that the defender (Shema) should be remanded in EFCC’s custody till 27th April, 2018 pending the application of his bail.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/efcc-case-court-hears-shemas-bail.html

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says no fewer than 10,290 arrests were made for drug-related offences at various ports and border posts across the country in 2017.

The NBS stated this in Drug Seizure and Arrest Statistics for 2017 posted on its website.

The bureau stated that 9,626 of the suspects arrested were male while 664 were female.

The report stated that 1,605 or 15.6 per cent were convicted in 2017 while 1,167 or 11.3 per cent were on counselling.

It stated that 92,687 kilogramme (kg) of exhibits were destroyed while 317 hectares of farmland were also destroyed.
In addition, the report stated that 309,713kg of drugs were seized in 2017 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
It stated that a total of 191,353 kg of Cannabis, also known as marijuana was seized in the year under review.
According to the report, this represents 61.8 per cent of the total drug seized within the period.
It further stated that Tramadol followed closely with 96,136kg seized, representing 31 per cent of the total drug seized.
It noted that Edo State recorded the highest kg (45,338) of drug seizure while Zamfara State recorded the least with 87.21kg of drug seized.
According to the report, data is provided by the NDLEA, verified and validated by the NBS.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/10290-suspects-arrested-on-drug-charges.html

The Social Democratic Party, (SDP), has declared that Nigerian youths are very creative and hardworking.

This is contrary to the statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari.

SDP said tagging Nigerian youths as lazy as done by the president: “is the worst form of blackmail and character assassination that can ever be visited on the ever promising Nigerian youths”.

National Publicity Secretary of the party Alfa Mohammed said in a statement on Sunday and made available to The Nation that: ” instead of marketing the resilience, creativity and productivity of Nigerian youths before investors abroad, Mr President chose to de -market them.


“The president’s claim exposes his ignorance of the great achievements and the breakthroughs in the film, music, sports industries and entrepreneurship for which our youths are being applauded internationally

“Despite the prevailing economic hostilities created by poor government policies millions of Nigerian youths still troop out daily to the s factories, farms and offices to struggle to make ends meet”.

Alfa Mohammed said it was therefore slanderous and libelous to tag such generation of youths as lazy.

Mohammed said: “By all standards, Nigerian youths are the most hardworking and productive youths on earth.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/ngerian-youths-are-creative-hardworking.html

The Tiv socio-cultural association in Nasarawa State, “Mdzough U Tiv,” on Sunday advised Tiv people to refrain from any form of reprisal attack, following the recent killing of their kinsmen by suspected herdsmen in the state.

The Interim President of the association, Mr Thomas Gar, who gave the charge in a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia, said that two wrongs could not make a right, hence the need to “leave vengeance to God”.

“Even though the casualties from the pogrom is sadly high, I urge the Tiv people not to resort to any reprisal attacks since we believe the government and the security forces have the capacity to bring the perpetrators to book,” Gar said.

He commended Gov. Umaru Al-Makura and security agencies in the state for the efforts made to restore normalcy in the affected communities.
He, however, urged the government to ensure the quick return of persons displaced by the crisis.
“I commend Gov. Al-Makura for swiftly responding to our distress situation by providing more relief materials to the IDPs in the various camps.
“May I also appeal for more of such efforts so that our people can go back to their respective places of abodes, especially now that the raining season has set in,” he added.
More than 78 people were killed in recent attacks on Undera, Kenje, Ketyo, Apurugh, Akumun and Anyam communities as well as well as Imon, Wuriji, Shirka, Ukpo villages’
The communities are found in four Local Government Areas of Obi, Keana, Awe and Doma.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/nasarawa-killings-tiv-association-warns.html

Instagram Fans React To Sen Dino Melaye Photo Call Him Lazy Senator

more screenshot at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/instagram-fans-react-to-sen-dino-melaye.html

The President of the youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, David Daniel Karza, has spoken about the moral standard of the Big Brother Naija television reality show.

Karza said the contents of the TV programme and videos that people especially the youths “watch on television must be very significant in moulding their moral and spiritual lives.

Karza said not participating in the reality show may not be the best for both Muslim and Christian youth as it would help them share their belief and values with others.

He said, “Big Brother Naija reality show has done so well in showcasing some of our cultural heritage in Nigeria and has brought together youths across different ethnic/religious groups in Nigeria.
[It] “will definitely promote unity and open an opportunity to share good common values that can build a better understanding on how we can collectively coexist peacefully for the progress of our country and beyond.
He noted that there are some aspects of the show that are immoral, therefore, calling on the youths to “use Colossians 3:5-7 to guide their activities in the Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show. This will promote Godliness and dignify the show which in turn will appeal to the conscience of all to keep watching and probably encourage their children to also register and participate.”
He said “Muslims should as well participate to share with their counterparts their belief and practices in Islam and how it can necessitate modifications.
“After all, while some of these programmes cover the aforementioned as conceived by these talented Nigerians with great ideas.
“Government and stakeholders should compliment in harmonizing its intellectual development rather than retard it.
“We also need to give consideration to the notion of ‘watching Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show’, which is perhaps aimed at streaming her content qualitatively different for different targeted audience.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/bbnaija-2018-why-core-northern-muslim.html

Immediate past governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, has reiterated his commitment to prove his innocence in any court of law, stressing that all what he demands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is a transparent, fair and just trial, based on the rule of law.

The former governor said this, while responding to a publication attributed to the Kano Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency, signed by its spokesperson, Idris Nadabo, purporting that the commission was about to institute another suit against him.

The Kano zonal office of EFCC had, in the statement, disclosed that the commission plans to drag Shema before Justice Babagana Ahmed of Katsina Federal High Court for allegedly laundering the sum of N5.7b meant for the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

But the Head, Media Team of Shema, Oluwabusola Olawale, said in a statement that the former governor stands by his position that he “is ready to defend himself in a fair and just trial and, therefore, urges the international community to read between the lines to decipher Governor Aminu Bello Masari’s motive and desperation to orchestrate multiple trials.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/efcc-shema-restates-readiness-to-face.html

To help eliminate the malaria scourge in Nigeria, the Federal Government will be securing $300 million in new financing from the World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank.

The country also committed to efforts to elevate malaria on the national priority list, and pledged an additional $18.7 million to leverage $37million from the Global Fund to distribute 15 million mosquito nets and to support the local manufacture of essential malaria commodities.


This is coming ahead of the World Malaria Day, which is commemorated every year on April 25 and recognises global efforts to control malaria, with Nigeria having approximately 51 million cases, while the disease reportedly causes about 207,000 deaths annually.

Various commitments were also made by Nigeria and other Commonwealth leaders to halve malaria across the Commonwealth within the next five years; according to a statement from the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2018 held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania weekend.0

The commitment, according to ALMA, followed the recent Malaria Summit, where leaders from malaria-affected countries, businesses, donors and the international community made new commitments and urged Commonwealth leaders to get ‘Ready to Beat Malaria’.
According to the statement, , the commitment from the Commonwealth has the potential to prevent 350 million malaria cases and save 650,000 lives. 90 per cent of global malaria cases and deaths occur on the African continent and the impact of this renewed focus to eliminate malaria will be felt across the continent, it noted.

African leaders had earlier affirmed their determination to eliminate malaria, with 12 African countries in the Commonwealth including Nigeria announcing new commitments.

In addition, the African Leaders Malaria Alliance, in line with the African Union’s (AU) Catalytic Framework to end AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria by 2030, committed to supporting member countries to introduce and strengthen the use of national and sub-national malaria scorecards and action trackers, with robust community engagement; to support increased domestic funding from both the public and private sector; and to continue its work with Heads of State and Government in Africa to monitor progress towards this goal.

The past week also saw additional commitments from the international community including the UK Government, which reaffirmed its commitment to spend £500 million a year through 2020-2021 and an extra £100 million commitment to the Global Fund.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also announced an additional US$1 billion through 2023 to fund research and development to reduce the burden of malaria. In addition, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation pledged £50 million in matching funds against the UK Government’s additional £100 commitment to the Global Fund.

On commitments by the African Commonwealth countries, the Kingdom of eSwatini (formerly Swaziland) pledged to rid the country of malaria by 2020 and to double domestic financing for indoor residual spraying, driving more effective prevention to help achieve the goal of elimination. It also committed to mobilise more domestic resources from the private sector for the fight to eliminate malaria and to continue their leadership and support for ALMA.

Ghana, according to the statement, committed to drive innovation in the fight to beat malaria, including being one of three countries to pilot the new malaria vaccine and one of the first to introduce next generation resistance beating insecticides for indoor residual spraying.

Kenya committed to achieving universal health care as part of Kenya’s four pillar agenda and to prioritising efforts to eliminate malaria across the country by 2030. Malawi also committed to reduce malaria incidence and deaths by at least 50 per cent by 2022, and to eliminate malaria entirely from the country by 2028.

On the other hand, Mozambique committed to convene a national multi-sector malaria forum including private sector, community and partners to work together to achieve a malaria free Mozambique.

Namibia highlighted historic success in cutting malaria rates by more than 90 per cent and reiterated their commitment to eliminate malaria across the country in the next few years. They emphasised the importance of cross border collaboration and the regional elimination efforts of the E8 partners in supporting this ambition. In addition to current government investment levels of $2 million per year they are also aligning their national resource strategy to help meet future funding gaps.

United Republic of Tanzania committed to reduce Malaria prevalence from 10 per cent in 2012 to less than 1 per cent in 2020. Including a commitment to continue the provision and distribution of mosquito nets to achieve universal access by 2020, and scale up larviciding and Indoor Residual Spraying to prevent malaria. They further committed to strengthening capacity building for health care providers at regional and council levels.

The Gambia committed to accelerate efforts to eliminate malaria across the country by 2022. This includes new cross-border collaboration with Senegal to support sub-regional elimination efforts.

Uganda committed to establish a Presidential Malaria Fund Uganda (PMFU) to help mobilise increased dedicated resources from government, partners and private enterprises to fight malaria. They further committed to support government parish chiefs to supervise and ensure appropriate use of all malaria interventions; and to ensure that 15,000 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWS) are recruited and facilitated to promote equitable access to early treatment and prevention services in all households.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to health as a national priority, including investing 20 per cent of their national budget in the health sector. They also highlighted the roll out of free treatment for malaria and committed to reduce malaria by 50 per cent in the country by 2023 and to achieve elimination by 2030.

Zambia aims to achieve 100 per cent malaria-free status by 2021. In support of this ambition they will place new dedicated Malaria Elimination Officers in each district and launch an end malaria commission that will support resource mobilisation efforts, including through the private sector.

According to the ALMA statement, “Today (Friday)’s announcement and earlier commitments made this week will be vital for re-energising the global community’s fight to end malaria.

“The 2017 World Malaria Report revealed that progress towards eliminating malaria globally and across the African continent was fragile and uneven. While several African countries including Madagascar, Senegal, the Gambia and Zimbabwe led the world in reducing malaria cases in 2016, nine out of the 10 countries which saw the greatest increase in cases were on the African continent.

“As we continue to make progress, we are starting to see new challenges impacting our fight including climate change and increased resistance to interventions. This announcement will help support countries to scale up the interventions which work while helping to tackle the new challenges around drug and insecticide resistance and climate change.

“With 90 per cent of its population at risk, the Commonwealth is dis-proportionately exposed to malaria. While malaria is estimated to cost African economies $12 billion a year in direct losses, it is also estimated to cost the UK over £700,000 in lost trade.
“This commitment from the Commonwealth, African governments, donors and the international community, highlights that the world is ‘Ready to Beat Malaria’.

“We have made significant gains against malaria on the African continent. This progress has been the result of the sustained commitment from African leaders and the international community.

“But the gains made are fragile and there is no room for complacency. Failure to sustain and indeed strengthen our efforts will have humanitarian effects as well as cost implications for our respective countries.

“Today the Commonwealth has made a strong statement that it is ready to beat malaria. Let’s recommit to work together as governments, development partners, the private sector and communities to eliminate malaria for good. Zero malaria starts with me and with you”, the statement added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/nigeria-to-secure-300m-loan-to-finance.html

Queen Elizabeth II marked her 92nd birthday on Saturday with traditional gun salutes and a Commonwealth-themed charity concert featuring Tom Jones, Kylie and Shaggy.Horse-drawn guns fired 41 times in Hyde Park and 62 times at the Tower of London, while at Windsor Castle, the band played “Happy Birthday” during the changing of the guard.

In the evening, the monarch and her family were due to attend a concert with performers from around the Commonwealth, the 53-nation grouping which held its summit in London this week.

Australia’s Kylie, Canadian pop chart-topper Shawn Mendes, South African all-male choir Ladysmith Black Mambazo and US-Jamaican reggae star Shaggy were to join British stars including Jones, Craig David and Sting.


The queen usually celebrates her birthday in private, saving the pomp for her official birthday in June.
The concert at the Royal Albert Hall will raise money for a new youth charity, The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.
The monarch’s grandson Prince Harry, who will marry US actress Meghan Markle at Windsor on May 19, is the trust’s new president and was due to give a speech at the concert.
The queen has been the symbolic head of the Commonwealth since her father king George VI’s death in 1952, but its leaders agreed on Friday that her son and heir Prince Charles should succeed her.
The summit was overshadowed by a row over Britain’s treatment of Caribbean immigrants, while Charles himself also came under scrutiny.
A non-white writer, Anita Sethi, claimed he joked about whether she was really from the British city of Manchester when they met at a Commonwealth meeting this week.
Sethi whose mother was born in Guyana — said Charles asked her where she was from and when she replied, said: “Well, you don’t look like it!” and laughed.
She wrote in The Guardian that she felt humiliated and angry, adding that “some people, including the prince, urgently need a history lesson about immigration”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/queen-elizabeth-ii-marks-92nd-birthday.html

The Supreme Court on Friday reinstated over 860 Nigerians sacked by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited employed before the year 2000, as security officers.

The sacked staff worked under a unit of the company named Supernumerary Police officers (SPY).

In a unanimous decision of five justices, the Supreme Court held that it was illogical and without legal backing for Mobil to have employed the Nigerians and sought to offload them to the Nigeria Police through the back door.

The judgement was on an appeal marked: SC/33/2010 filed by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited against the 2009 Court of Appeal judgment, which upheld the Nigerian workers’ claim to being employees of the oil giant.
The Supreme Court, in the lead judgment by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, upheld the earlier Court of Appeal’s decision in the case, which agreed that the Nigerians, led by Okon Johnson, were and are still Mobil’s staff and should be accorded all benefits.
The earlier judgement by the Court of Appeal had ordered Mobil to pay the Nigerian staff all outstanding allowances and salaries from when they were purportedly variously disengaged.

While summarising the lead judgment, Justice Okoro said: “The summary of the facts is that the 1st to 15 respondents were employed by the appellants as Supernumerary Police officers (SPY) and issued with appointment letters.
“Thereafter, it (appellants) tried to off-load them (the 1st to 15 respondents) to the Nigeria Police, a decision the Nigerian employees rejected.
“The court upheld their argument that they are not police officers, but staff of Mobil Nigeria Unlimited “So Mobil appealed to this court. And after we have painstakingly looked at all the exhibits before us, including the appointment letters. And we have also looked at the Police Act as it relates to the mode of appointment of SPYs.
“We agree with the lower court that the respondents were employed by Mobil Nigeria Unlimited as their security staff.
“There is nothing in the Police Act, which gives Mobil the authority to appoint security officers and then, off-load them to the Nigeria Police.

“If the Police Council wanted to appoint SPYs it would have done in accordance with the Police Act, which it failed to do.
“The law is very clear. Whoever wants the services of policemen in its establishment, should apply to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The IGP would then request for and receive clearance from the President of the country.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/supreme-court-voids-sack-of-860.html

MTN Group Ltd. has appointed more banks for the sale of shares in its Nigerian unit on the stock exchange in Lagos as it looks to start an initial public offering in June or July, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Johannesburg-based wireless operator, Africa’s largest by sales, has picked several banks and brokers including Renaissance Capital, FirstRand Ltd.’s Rand Merchant Bank and Nigerian firm Chapel Hill Denham to work with global co-ordinators Citigroup Inc. and Standard Bank Group Ltd., said the people, who asked not to be named as the matter is private. The company met its bankers on Wednesday and held a presentation for foreign and local analysts on Friday in Lagos to give them more details about the deal and MTN Nigeria’s finances, they said.



MTN is yet to decide what portion of the subsidiary to sell, they said. It may aim to raise about $400 million, or roughly 10 percent of the stock, two of the people said.

An MTN spokesman declined to comment.

The company agreed to the listing in June 2016 as part of a $1 billion fine for missing a deadline to disconnect unregistered subscribers amid a security crackdown by Nigerian authorities. The penalty, originally set at $5.2 billion, led to the resignation of MTN’s then chief executive officer, a first ever full-year loss and a slump in the share price that’s yet to be clawed back.
MTN Nigeria has 52 million subscribers and generated 36 billion rand ($3 billion) of revenue in 2017, according to MTN’s financial statements. It made earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of 14 billion rand.
Rob Shuter, MTN’s current CEO, said in an interview this month that he expected the IPO to be finalized by the end of the year.
MTN is also selling shares of its Ghana unit, which has 19 million subscribers, in the capital, Accra. It may list a 35 percent stake there for almost $800 million, people familiar with the matter said in March.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/mtn-to-pick-more-banks-to-work-on.html

Application for International Passports dropped by 80.43 percent in 2017, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has revealed.

According to the report, the Immigration Statistics for 2017 reflected that a total of 720,958 passport applications were received in 2017 as against 3,684,288 received in 2016.

“This represents about 80.43% negative growth. 127,882 of the 2017 figure are minor, 544,473 are adults and the remaining 48,603 are senior citizen,” it disclosed.

The NBS reports had it that a total of 152,163 passports were issued at the foreign missions in 2017 as against 172,824 issued in 2016 while the number of visa issuance at the foreign missions was put at 115,150 .

“This represents 11.95% negative growth. The number of lost and stolen passports re-issued in 2017 was put at 13,450,” it added.
However, the report revealed that the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, generated N35,724,482,338.26 in 2017 as against N36,175,778,205.77 local revenue generated in 2016.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/application-for-international-passports.html

A member of House of Representatives, Rep. Joseph Akinlaja (Ondo-PDP), said Deputy President of the Senate, Mr Ike Ekweremadu’s wisdom saved Nigeria a greater embarrassment on Wednesday.

Some hoodlums had on Wednesday broken into the Senate chamber while plenary was on, attacked some persons and made away with the mace.

But rather than panicking and scampering at different directions, Ekweremadu, who was presiding, ordered that a back-up mace be brought and continued with the session.

Akinlaja told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that Ekweremadu used common sense to avert further consequences over the incident.

According to him, the decision of the Senate to continue plenary is commendable.
He explained that the common sense displayed by the deputy president of the senate by not forcefully ejecting Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege from the chamber was unprecedented.
Omo-Agege, who is suspected to be instrumental to the invasion of the senate, also defied his suspension by the chamber on April 9 for 90 legislative days, by coming to sit at plenary after the incident.
“If Ekweremadu had asked him to go out yesterday or forcefully pulled him out, the senate chamber would have been divided and there would have been more chaos.
“By sitting inside the Senate chamber throughout the executive session and the rest of plenary showed that Omo Agege was out to disobey and confront the decision of the Senate, but the presiding officer was very wise.
“He allowed it in order not to create a scene or division on the floor. You know there will be some senators who are sympathetic to Omo-Agege and some, against him.
“What he did by sitting inside the senate chamber was the height of impunity,’’ Akinlaja said.
“When we had such a case in the House, the legislator served his term; then, he came back and was re-absorbed.
“Since then, we have been working together as if nothing happened.
“The action of Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege was reprehensible. If your own class takes a decision against you, you have a right to obey and you also have a right to go to court.
“But, in most cases, you obey, but now, he has complicated the whole matter.
“Even, those who have sympathy for him cannot come out to defend him with this type of action.

“He cannot say he brought thugs to the place, but when the thugs are caught, they will tell who brought them.
“He has denied bringing the thugs, and that is why the police released him pending investigation, but I am not ready to speak about that now,” he added.
The lawmaker also said that a big lesson learnt from the invasion of the senate was to tighten security in the National Assembly.
“It was the height of negligence for people who were not members to enter the chambers.
“Even if the President of Nigeria is to enter any of the chambers, there must be a motion seeking the leave of the House for his entrance.
“The distance from the entrance of the chamber to the table where the mace was and the distance back was enough for counter reaction.
“Does it mean that our Sergeant-at-Arms do not have walkie-talkie? A single communication from the chambers to the gate would have saved the day.
“Even the three gates that they beat before getting away are unimaginable. They even had the guts to abduct a senator that was lucky to be dropped along the way.
“I recommend a beefing up of the security apparatus in the National Assembly.
“A legislator comes here to make law and he does not bear arms and the people meant to protect him do not bear arms either.
“On my part, I have removed arms from the name, Sergeant at Arms,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/mace-saga-ekweremadus-wisdom-saved-day.html

The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Ibrahim Magu yesterday explained why his outfit recommended the suspension of six directors of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) over allegations of financial impropriety.

Testifying before the Mr. Ali Isa led House ad hoc committee probing into allegations of violations of public trust and non -compliance of the public procurement Act by NEMA, he said the EFCC had to recommend the suspension of the directors in order not to jeopardise the outcome of an on-going investigation on financial impropriety in the agency.

Stating that the action was in the interest of the nation, he claimed that the continuous stay in office by the directors could jeopardise EFCC’s investigation. Among the suspended officials were the Director of Finance and Accounts, Akinbola Gbolahan; Ag. Director, Special Duties, Mr. Umesi Emenike; and
the Director, Risk Reduction, Mallam Alhassan Nuhu.


Others are pilot in charge of Air Ambulance and Aviation Unit, Mr. Mamman Ali Ibrahim; the Chief Maintenance Officer, Mr. Ganiyu Yunusa Deji; and the Director of Welfare, Mr. Kanar Mohammed.NEMA’s Director General, Mustapha Maihaja in his testimony confirmed that the NEMA council had to act accordingly since it was satisfied with the EFCC position on the issue.

A permanent secretary in the office of the Head of Service of the federation (HoSF), Mr. Mustapha Sulaiman, who briefed the lawmakers on disciplinary rules of the civil service said the Act that established NEMA confers on the council powers to discipline its personnel.

Maihaja ‘s position did not go down well with some committee members, who insist that the suspension of the directors was against the principle of fair hearing as enshrined in section 36 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Gabriel Onyewinfe (APGA: Anambra) said the sudden suspension of the directors who should have served as witnesses to the committee was probing into allegation of wrongdoings was of serious concern adding that the action was an illegal act since they have not been found wanting by the court of law.

A member of the NEMA governing council, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle who spoke in the same vein explained that a criminal investigation should not be misconstrued with an administrative process. The committee also summoned officials of four shipping and clearing firms to explain how the sum of N417 million was expended as demurrage in respect of 6000 metric tonnes of rice.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/why-efcc-recommended-suspension-of-nema.html

The President of the World Bank Group, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, has said policy makers in Nigeria and other African countries are ill-prepared to compete in the digital technology space, expressing concern over the continent’s low level of investment in human capital.

Kim, who made the statement at the 2018 IMF/World Bank spring meetings opening press conference in Washington D.C., pointed out that investment in human capital would assist Nigeria and others in the region to drive growth.


The World Bank chief also lamented the rising level of public debt in the region.

“We are extremely concerned that many African countries are not prepared to compete in what is increasingly becoming a digitalised economy.

“We also see evidence that many of the low-skilled jobs will be taken over by technology and there is also tremendous hope for technology in many African countries.

“We just have to find new ways of driving economic growth. There is no getting away from the need to invest much more effectively in health and education,” he said.

Kim said there was need to adequately prepare youths on the continent to be able to compete favourably with their peers from other continents in the future.

According to him, “Human capital is a huge issue. If we look at all the difficulties in terms of increasing resources for targeted infrastructure like roads and energy, we also need to look at increasing investments in human capital.

“I think every African country has to look more seriously at how to increase its own domestic resources. In other words, they should be better at collecting taxes.

“To provide basic resources, every country should collect at least 15 per cent of tax-to-GDP. Many countries have not reached that level. Also, if African countries were to remove fossil fuel subsidy that are regressive, helping the rich more than the poor.

“Even some agricultural subsidies are regressive, they don’t help the small holding farmers.”
In his opening remarks, Kim noted that the global economy was showing solid momentum.

He said the World Bank had projected global growth to edge up to 3.1 per cent in 2018 – its strongest performance since 2011 – as the recovery in investment, manufacturing, and trade continues, and as commodity-exporting developing economies benefit from firming commodity prices.

“The challenge now is to ensure that strong growth will translate into inclusive growth, so that the benefits of global economic integration are enjoyed by all members of society.

“This period of robust growth is a great opportunity to invest in human and physical capital. Filling infrastructure gaps, improving education and health outcomes, and increasing female labour force participation could continue to drive growth.

“If policy makers around the world focus on these key initiatives, they can increase their countries’ productivity, boost workforce participation, and move closer to the goals of ending extreme poverty and increasing shared prosperity,” he added.
In a related development, the Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Thursday pointed out that without the development of critical infrastructure on the continent, it would be difficult to achieve a successful digital economy.

Elumelu, who spoke during a session on Digital Technology, which was moderated by the World Bank president, said: “The truth is that the population of Africa presents opportunities. We have 60 per cent of our working population at the age of 30 and we have 65 per cent of our economy in the informal sector.

“But this presents quite interesting opportunities for a digital economy. In my interactions with young Africans, I have seen people who are determined, energetic, hungry to succeed and make a difference and are extremely intelligent, but the environment makes it difficult for them to succeed.

“You can’t talk about a digital economy in Africa without fixing critical infrastructure. Digital connectivity is a major issue in Africa and you can’t fix it if you don’t have reliable access to electricity.

“So, if we want to truly address the issue of a digital economy in Africa, these challenges have to be fixed.

“Secondly is the issue of governance. Governments need to understand that if we prioritise the young ones and make the operating environment conducive, they would be able to optimise the required intellect, they would do well, and we would be able to solve some of the problems on the continent.”

Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of the United Bank for Africa Group, also highlighted regulation, intellectual property and the need to incentivise investors, as other factors that would help drive the digital economy on the continent.
“For the entrepreneurs in Africa, I will say let’s not look at the challenges, but the opportunities. There are lots of opportunities in the continent and we need to look at these opportunities.

“Let’s fix policy issues and all these issues I have identified and investors will come to Africa,” Elumelu added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/world-bank-nigeria-others-not-prepared.html

The Federal Government has reacted to the ongoing strike embarked on by members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, while reacting to the development, on Wednesday, said government was shocked by the decision of the union to embark on another round of nationwide strike, despite its commitment to the implementation of an agreement reached with them in September 2017.



He, however, threatened that government will not fail to wield the big stick by invoking the ‘no work, no pay,’ if they fail to return to their duty posts.

A statement from the Press Directorate of the ministry said “at a period the federal government is faithfully managing lean resources to ensure industrial harmony in all sectors, a measure of patriotism is expected of all labour unions to enable government have an equable social and very good labour milieu in which workers could be assured of security of employment.
“It is on record that government has met almost all the demands of these unions on issues such as the payment of promotion arrears, salary shortfalls, among others, as per the agreement reached on September 30, 2017.
“The federal government therefore wishes to appeal to JOHESU to reconsider its position in view of the immeasurable consequences of its action on sick patients in hospitals across the nation.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/johesu-strike-nigerian-government.html

Primate E. O. Akeju of New Holy Messiah Church in Ilasamaja, Lagos state on Wednesday announced a set of 32 prophecies wherein he stated that God revealed to him that former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will emerge as Nigeria’s next president.

He also called on APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to be wary of supporting the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari if the former Lagos governor does not want an end of his political career. The prophet maintained that Buhari will be disgraced like former president Goodluck Jonathan if he goes ahead to contest the 2019 elections.


Not yet done with Tinubu, the cleric called on him to be mindful of his health and be more prayerful for his children so as to avert “another tragic occurrence on any of them”.

The prophecies also affected former presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, both of whom Akeju called enemies of this country, insisting that nobody should take them seriously. He went on to state that the days of both leaders are numbered.

These were made known in a statement sent by Primate Akeju to DAILY POST on Thursday which reads in full…

1. God revealed to me that SEN. AHMED TINUBU should be more careful and prayerful with his health, Also any attempt to support President Mohammed Buhari, for second term will mar his political career.


2. TINUBU should be more prayerful on all his children, in order not to witness another tragic occurrence on any of them.

3. GOV. AMBODE will retain the Lagos Gubernatorial seat without any opposition.

4. God reveal to me GOV. AMBODE should be more careful with his policies and take steps in reshuffling his cabinet because of some traitors.

5. God said PRE. BUHARI will be disgrace just like his predecessor if he re-contest.


6. God revealed to me that all theatre art practitioners should pray against untimely death that might ravage in the industry before the end of this

year.

7. PST. T.B JOSHUA should not relocate out of the country because Nigeria is his land of milk & honey

8. ARE. GANI ADAMS; should not be involved in partisan politics so that he will not be disgraced. He should be more closer to God this time around.

9. KWANKWANSO; should be more careful about close political associates and colleagues for there are betrayer among them.

10. SENATOR MUSILIU OBANIKORO; should be watchful and careful against evil plan to assassinate him, it he can pray he will still be a force in Lagos politics.

11. I foresee ATIKU ABUBAKAR becoming next president of his country but there are strong forces behind his plan.

12. God revealed to me ATIKU regime will bring peace and harmony to the nation unlike what we are presently experiencing.

13. INEC should be careful in 2019 election in order not to be used by powerful forces.

14. BIAFRA; God said the unity of the country is paramount, so there is no way for Biafra agitation.

15. All forces behind Biafra will be disgraced if they refused to hearken to the voice of the Lord.

16. God reveal ONI OF IFE will reign beyond the days of his predecessors and will be bless with a son very soon because for his kindness to humanity.

17. OBASANJO AND BABAGIDA; God said they are enemies of this country

and nobody should take them serious.

18. CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO; Days on earth are numbered so he should start rounding up.

19. God revealed BABAGIDA should be prayerful about his health, I see a sudden death.

20. FAYOSE with his PDP will retain EKITI STATE.

21. OYO STATE; if care is not taking by the APC there will be a liberal force in the next election.

22. SENATOR YAYI; God revealed he will leave the Federal Capital Abuja to assume the state governor office in 2019 gubernatorial election. He should also be prayerful for his dream to come true.

23. OTUNBA SUBOMI; He should pray fervently about his health, not to lead to sudden death.

24. BURUJI KASHAMU; God revealed he will retain his seat as Senator in 2019.

25. FUNKE AKINDELE; She should be more prayerful for a generational problem that is beyond her control but the Lord said she will celebrate new baby very soon.

26. National Assembly should pray fervently for death occurrence of some prominent members through accident.

27. The oil sector under the administration of President Mohammed Buhari will suffer collapse next year.

28. President ZUMA will likely end in prison and this will lead to his death

29. SENATOR REMI TINUBU should be prayerful, I see a sudden sickness.

30. PASTOR ADEBOYE; God revealed to me he should prepare his ways because he will soon be call above.

31. Sudden exposure of prominent preachers in the country who had soiled their hand except the repent.

32. There will be catastrophical rain throughout the nation except will pray fervently.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/2019-new-32-prophesies-emerge-on-atiku.html

Manchester United have this evening taken to Twitter to ship their congratulations to rivals Manchester City on their Premier League title win.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/man-united-congratulate-man-city-on.html

Team Nigeria has ended its campaign at the Commonwealth Games with 24 medals after Aruna Quadri won silver in the men’s table-tennis singles.

Nigeria finished the games in Gold Coast with nine golds, nine silvers and six bronze medals to place ninth on the log behind Australia, England, India, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Wales and Scotland.

The Para Athletes accounted for five of the top podium placements while wrestling had three and athletics one.

Nigeria placed eighth at the 2014 games with 36 medals.

Tobi Amusan had on Friday struck gold in the women’s 100m hurdles clocking 12.68 Seconds. This increased Nigeria’s medal haul to eight gold, five silver and five bronze medals.Gold medalist, Odunayo Adekuoroye clinched first gold for the country in the women’s wrestling freestyle 57kg after defeating India’s Pooja Dhanda with a 7-5 victory by points.
Blessing Oborududu also claimed the second gold medal after staging a terrific comeback from a 3-0 deficit to beat Canada’s Danielle Lappage 4-3 in the women’s freestyle 68kg.
Para-athlete Suwaibidu Galadima led from the start to finish to win gold in the men’s the men’s T47 100m final with a time of 11.04s.
Amas Daniel won bronze coming from 4-0 down to equal it at 4-4 against South Africa’s Terry Van Rensburg, winning bronze in men’s freestyle 65kg.
Aminat Adeniyi won gold in the women’s wrestling 62kg freestyle Nordic, while Melvin Bibo and Mercy Genesis both added silver and bronze to the wrestling medals pool.
Faith Obazuaye settled for silver in the women’s para-table tennis.
The quartet of Patience Okon-George, Glory Nathaniel, Praise Idamadudu and Yinka Ajayi won silver in the women’s 4x400m relay.
Sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare led Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m relay team to win bronze.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/nigeria-ends-commonwealth-games-with-24.html

President Muhammadu Buhari last Monday ended the many months of waiting by Nigerians by unveiling his second term bid at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Council (NEC) meeting as he declared his intention to seek re-election in the 2019 presidential election.

In this interview, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) and a chieftain of the APC, Mr Osita Okechukwu described the president’s move as a welcome development, saying Buhari will use his second term to consolidate his developmental programmes for the country.


He also faulted the argument that age is not on the president’s side, noting that he is best among all the aspirants jostling to lead the country now. Excerpts:

President Muhammadu Buhari has ended speculations surrounding his second term bid by declaring his intention to seek re-election in 2019. How would you react to the development?

It is a welcome development and a milestone. With his declaration, we are more than ever before assured of continuity of the transformation of the sub-structure. The transformation of the sub-structure, in other words, critical infrastructure is the solution to gross unemployment, hunger, insecurity and uncertainty in Nigeria. It took him a tour around the globe to assemble the huge boutique of soft loans to lay the foundation for critical infrastructure in the country. When he was going round, typical of Nigerians, it was blame game and abuses that instead of sitting down to do his job, he was gallivanting. As God will have it, his integrity quotient has earned large swaths of soft loans like SUKUK, Eurobond, China Eximbank, ADB, IDB, et al. It is good that he will use his second term to consolidate. In simplicita, let me join my people to re-echo that, “we of the Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), Enugu State Chapter, celebrate the open declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari for second term. It is a launching pad for the progress and prosperity of our dear fatherland; a country whose growth has been stunted by infrastructure deficit. Our celebration is not only because he has paged and reaffirmed the ardent appeal, which Nigerian compatriots had canvassed long time ago, but for the truism that his second term will consolidate the critical and massive infrastructural foundation he is laying.”

The president’s declaration of his intention at the APC NEC meeting reportedly got the immediate endorsement of the NEC members. Hasn’t that sealed the fate of other gladiators within the party?

The truth of the matter is that in the advanced democracies, it is very rare for members of political parties to contest against incumbents. It rarely happens and happens only when the incumbent who has one term left is a non-performer, which means that to front him will be suicidal and an embarrassment. Otherwise, everyone will join hands to support the incumbent. Did you see or hear when George Bush

Jnr or Barak Obama was ever subjected to primaries? It’s important to note as well the truism that electoral contest is like the Olympic Games, therefore, the issue of sealing the fate of any serious candidate doesn’t arise. In the Olympic Games, all that an athlete needs is the flag of a country. In Nigeria, we have 67 registered political parties and any serious candidate can fly the flag of any one of them. Don’t forget that some run as independent candidates in certain climes. Let nobody cry over spilt milk, as there is none. Our democratic space is wide. Presidential or governorship contests are like beauty pageants. The judges’ choice of the most beautiful girl in Nigeria is limited to only girls who filled papers for the contest, not more beautiful girls at home who didn’t enter the contest. Therefore, in our assessment, Buhari is the most qualified out of all in the contest. So, our choice is limited to those who at the end of the day will fly party flags, because we have no provision for independent candidates.

There is this notion that with the president’s declaration barely a year to the election, governance will be relegated to the background as he focuses his energy on the politics of 2019. Don’t you think the timing was wrong?

It then means you don’t know him. If you know him, as far he is concerned he has done his real politiking. We the foot soldiers will do the rest and voluntarily. After Zik and Aminu Kano, he is the only politician that runs pro bono. Pro bono in the sense that he didn’t use the public offices he held in the past to enrich himself and hence relies on supporters, friends, relatives and party members. Even this time, he will not exert unnecessary energy, which will distract from the implementation of the RRAP projects.


Age is not on the president’s side and there are many young Nigerians that have also declared their intentions to run. Will the president not have a difficult time this time to convince Nigerians to support him given the emerging global trend of electing younger people to the helm of affairs of many countries?

Age is a matter of the mind and more or less irrelevant in deciding political career. If it’s about age, I couldn’t have lost my son last month. All we do is to pray for the good health of Mr President. When people talk of his age, it reminds me of how a lot of people, even close allies of Mr President, had concluded that he would not return alive from London. It was alleged then that some had started lobbying to be vice president. It then follows that the Almighty God that returned him to good health will sustain him.


With the President’s declaration, he has drawn a battle line with former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida who had both openly berated his style of administration and advised him not to seek re-election in 2019. How do you think the battle will play out? What are the president’s chances with these two heavyweights stoutly opposed to his aspiration?

My little understanding is that the former presidents are not actually our headaches, as long as they are not running. Personally, I’m watching out and praying that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or Social Democratic Party (SDP) makes mistake in their nomination of their presidential candidates. It is only the candidate of the PDP or SDP that really matters to us, not our elder statesmen. Let them please enjoy their retirement. Alternatively, the floor is open especially to Dr Obasanjo to dip hand in his deep pocket and sponsor one of the youths. This will be more practical than pontificating on Eldorado, forgetting that the monies he lavished on his third term fiasco are part of the debts depleting President Buhari’s budget. For his less than transparent escapades, Buhari is borrowing $1.5 billion to standardise the old gauge of about 1, 400 kilometers Lagos-Kano rail line he awarded at $8.3 billion, when the Chinese within the same period awarded 1,142 kilometers Golmud-Lhasa standard gauge rail at $4.2 billion. Methinks that in this era when former Presidents Lula Da Silvia of

Brazil and Park Geun-Hye of South Korea are in jail; and Jacob Zuma of South Africa is on trial, there is need for the anti-graft broom in Nigeria to sweep every cupboard. There should be no sacred cow.

With the level of insecurity and hunger in the country, do you sincerely think that this administration deserves another term in office?

The hunger and insecurity in the land is worrisome and Mr President is not happy with the situation, which deteriorates on a daily basis. That’s why he embarked on the Buhari Roads, Rails, Agric and Power (RRAP) projects; the most massive infrastructural development in the annals of the history of Nigeria ever embarked upon by one regime. The Buhari RRAP projects of three to five years completion cycle, comprises 5,000 kilometers federal roads, 5,000 kilometers standard gauge rail lines, agrarian revolution and additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity. Its sole objective is to halt hunger and stem insecurity. To be frank, in addition to Buhari’s RRAP Projects, Ndigbo, if we put our thinking caps for Buhari, shall be the greatest beneficiary of President Buhari’s second term. To start with, going by the subsisting zoning or rotation of president convention, between northern and southern Nigeria, out of the three geopolitical zones in the South-South, South-west and South-east, we are the only zone which has not benefited from the patriotic fruit of zoning. South-west had His Excellency, Dr Olusegun Obasanjo for eight years and South-south, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Jonathan for five years plus. Therefore equity and natural justice is our shining armour.

You talked about the SDP making mistake in their choice of presidential candidate, are you giving them any chance in 2019?

Well, that was not to say that PDP or SDP has chances of winning the presidency. PDP, for instance, is now a regional party, consigned mostly to the South-south and South-east and SDP to Ondo State. My

assessment is that they are not truly national parties. They have been weather beaten. As we gravitate towards 2019 general elections, some of the issues raising their hopes like the herdsmen/farmers clash will definitely wane before the elections. Solutions like establishment of ranches and better security outfits and state-of-the-art equipment for the security agencies will be in place. Buhari is much worried as even the victims as the father of the nation.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/2019-buhari-still-best-for-nigeria-von.html

The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops killed seven Boko Haram insurgents in the ongoing clearance operation in separate ambushes in Borno.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu disclosed that the troops also arrested a suspected Boko Haram insurgents’ spy, Modu Chari, and recovered arms in multiple encounters with the fleeing terrorists on April 13.

He said that the troops killed two insurgents fleeing from military onslaught in Sambisa Forest at Kusheri-Ardodam along Magumeri in Borno, adding that the troops recovered two AK 47 rifles, three magazines and 18 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO type ammunition.Nwachukwu revealed that troops also neutralized two insurgents in an ambush along a remote track in Mafa, recovering one AK 47 rifle, two magazines and a bicycle.
In another ambush, he said, three fleeing insurgents were killed by troops at Multe-Lawanti, South of Furfur in Damboa, Borno, and recovered one AK 47 rifle, three motorcycles, two bicycles, spanners and dresses.
The army spokesman disclosed that the troops on Friday arrested a member of the Boko Haram terrorists group, Madu Chari, while transiting along Cross Kauwa in the northern region of Borno.
He explained that the suspect was on an espionage mission when he was nabbed by troops, adding that investigations indicated that Chari was an active member of the Al Barnawi faction of the terrorists group.
“The ferocity of the ongoing Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations to rid the northeast of Boko Haram hideouts and enclaves has further suffocated the terrorists group hence they resorted to suicide attacks on innocent civilians.
“It is crucial, therefore, to draw the attention of the general public to the terrorists’ callous resort to the use of diverse types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), to attack vulnerable civilians in their bid to instil fear amongst the populace in order to remain relevant.
“Members of the public are advised to be vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to security agencies”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/troops-ambush-kill-7-boko-haram.html

The on-going public service reforms by the present administration in Bayelsa has thrown up more staggering revelation with the discovery of over 8,000 inherited appointments.

State commissioner for information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who revealed this yesterday, said family members of deceased civil servants inherited their positions. He said this, coupled with irregular appointments, arbitrary promotions and impersonations, has led to the over bloated wage bill which the government is trying to reduce. He said the decision to redeploy personnel in the public service identified to be redundant by their supervisors to other agencies was in their best interest and that of the public and not meant to witch-hunt anyone.

Iworiso-Markson averred that as painful as the government’s action was, it was done to avoid a collapse of the state’s public service, which has been under rot for years. He said the state-owned Radio Station (Glory FM) had over 300 personnel, while its private counterparts operate effectively with less than 12 personnel. According to him, it was the decision of the government to screen, train and redeploy workers with specialization in education to schools since the state was in need of teachers. He added that the government has made arrangements to make financial provision for those found not qualified to be in the system and such people would be trained so that they are empowered to venture into private businesses. He also decried the sale of appointments for N250, 000 and other employment racketeering, which he said is rife in local councils and parastatals.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/bayelsa-uncovers-8000-inherited.html

Over 80 youths in Kebbi State have been empowered to boost their small scales entrepreneurship by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SIMEDAN).

Speaking to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, while presenting support to the beneficiaries at the agencies premises, yesterday, the agency’s Director Policy, Advocacy and Coordination, Mr. Monday Ewans, explained that the gesture was to enable the beneficiaries feel the impact of government.

Similarly, the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, in collaboration with the National Assembly, held a three-days training workshop on agro-business and empowerment for rice farmers, youths and women in rice value chain for states in the northern region.The workshop, which took place at Far Hotel Bardariya in Birnin Kebbi, was aimed at supporting youths and women farmers across the region.

According to Ewans, 40 youths across Gwandu emirate and another 40 from Argungu emirate are to benefits from the first phase of the programme, with the release of N40000 to either boost their small business or to start up.He said other programmes, especially in the area of agriculture, were also planned to give the youth a sense of belonging to enable them become useful to themselves and society.
Ewans explained that the agency was in collaboration with the state government to ensure complete success of the programme, adding that only Kebbi and Anambra states were so far been selected for the programme, while others would follow soon.
He called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds given to them, adding: “We expect you to utilise this funds so that in near future, you too can employ labour and become masters.” He warned that staff of the agency in respected states had been mandated to pay regular visits to the sites of the beneficiaries to access progress.
Ewans commended the state government for the cooperation the agency received during and after the exercise, assuring of the agency’s readiness to always partner with state governments for the success of all its programmes.
Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, speaking at the NCRI workshop, said the massive rice production was the only remedy in reducing youth unemployment in the country, adding that agriculture is a lucrative business that earns people a lot of money.
Bagudu, represented by Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Garba Dandiga, pledged his administration’s readiness to provide all the necessary tools and enabling environment for the sustainability of rice production in the country.
In his remark, the NCRI’s Head of Station, Dr. Philip Audu, said the training would give the participants more opportunities in their farm production, adding that agriculture would reduce unemployment and increase food production in the country.Participants were drawn from Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa and some parts of the north.


http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/smedan-ncri-empower-kebbi-youths-women.html

A Rivers state High Court on Friday granted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus leave to issue a writ of summons to Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the federal Government.

River state Chief Judge, Justice A. I . Iyayi- Lamikanra, who presided, also granted that the defendants be served by substituted means all the originating processes together with accompanying processes in Thisday newspaper.

The case was adjourned to Monday April 23, 2018.
The Minister had mentioned Secondus in the list of those he claimed looted the nation’s treasury, alleging that he collected N200m from the former National Security Adviser, NSA.
Secondus in the suit no/PHC/1013/2018 is claiming that Lai Mohammad’s publication is defammatory and is asking the court to direct him to retract the said publication and apologize in writing.
Secondus is also asking the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further publishing defammatory materials against him.

Joined in the suit are the federal Government of Nigeria, through the Attorney General of the federation.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/looters-list-court-grants-secondus.html

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has been named among 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017 by a London-based magazine, the `New African’.

A statement by Mr Idang Alibi, the Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, said Kachikwu was chosen in the category of Business and Finance.

The statement quoted Mr Omar Yedder, the Publisher and Managing Director of the magazine as saying “Kachikwu is adedicated to changing the African narrative and fighting for its interests.

“It is in accordance with that tradition that Dr Kachikwu was spotlighted as one of the greatest influencers of the continent in 2017.
“My organisation hope to continue on this journey alongside people engaged in transformational roles across the continent.
“The magazine is celebrating and reflecting on what shaped the African continent in 2017, and recognised men and women who were change-makers and influencers in a number of sectors and industries.’’

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/kachikwu-named-among-100-most.html

Mr Ibanga Etang, an aide to Gov. Mr Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

It would be recalled that few months ago, the governor’s Special Assistant on Electoral Matters, Mr Chris Okorie also dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for APC.

Etang, a former Chairman of Esit Eket Local Government, resigned on April 9, as Special Assistant to the Governor on Projects and formally registered with the APC at his Etebi Ward 7 along with over 300 followers on April 10.

Addressing his supporters at a post-defection meeting on Friday, Etang said with their entry into APC, the party stood 70 per cent chance of winning Esit Eket Local government Area.
Etang, who was also a former President of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, the umbrella youth organization in Eket Federal Constituency, said he left the PDP because of impunity.
“I blame the continuing exodus from the Esit Eket PDP on a situation where an individual takes Esit Eket as his personal property,” he stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Etang had also served as Special Assistant to former Gov. Godswill Akpabio.
According to him, he has refused overtures from PDP leaders in the state in the last few days not to defect to APC.
He said, “I vowed that my supporters and I have decided to move on and no going back.”
In his resignation letter to the Governor, he said he was leaving because it was “necessary to depart now in line with the dictates of my conscience and highest level of sincerity.”
Receiving the defectors, Mr Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr, a former member of the House of Representatives said the APC has been increasing in number, and expressed optimism that the party would take over the state in 2019.
He commended the defectors for their courage and boldness and assured them of Federal Government lofty programmes for the state.
NAN reports that seven chieftains of the PDP in the local government have so far defected o APC.
They include Sen. Etang Umoyo, a former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Bassey Dan-Abia, a former NDDC Commissioner, Mr Imaobong Inyang, a retired Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mike Eyo and two former House of Representatives members, Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr. and Eseme Eyiboh.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/gov-emmanuels-aide-etang-abandons-pdp.html

Instagram is building its own data portability tool which will allow users to download a copy of everything they’ve ever shared on the platform, similar to how Facebook’s download your information tool works.

The platform confirmed the news to TechCrunch.

The tool could help Instagram users monitor how much of their data is on the platform. It will also help Facebook, which owns Instagram, comply with the forthcoming European data privacy rule, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will require all data to be portable. The rule will also require companies to delete data upon user request. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed in testimony today to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in Congress that the company would comply with GDPR in Europe and in the US, where it’s not yet required.
Instagram said in a comment to The Verge: “We are building a new data portability tool. You’ll soon be able to download a copy of what you’ve shared on Instagram, including your photos, videos and messages.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/instagram-will-soon-let-users-download.html

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the establishment of the Nigerian Army University.

The university will be located in Biu, Borno State.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the cabinet meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, had earlier in March announced that the Nigerian Army will upgrade the Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies to a full fledged University of Technology and Environmental Studies.
“The university was conceived as a unique one that will be different from conventional universities in Nigeria.
“The concept is to make it a solution provider and a centre of excellence for a variety of technologically related ventures such as generation and armament production,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/fec-approves-nigerian-army-university.html

Kaduna State government has finally resolved to pay N10,000 allowances to about 17,000 ward heads cut across the state for their roles in complimenting government effort to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors.

Commissioner for local government, Professor Kabiro Mato, told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday that, “for their roles, the state government has decided to pay a monthly allowance to 17,000 Ward heads.”

According to him, “The allowance represents a token of appreciation for their roles in complementing formal government efforts to deliver public goods in the health and security sectors.
“This move also marks a major landmark in the restructuring of the traditional institution in the state to perform defined roles and deploy its relevance in modern governance.
“We believe that the traditional institution in the state would soon be a reference point to others by their roles and functions in addressing critical community issues that were either neglected or left unattended to.”
He added that, “The success of these health protection initiatives for our children at the grassroots depends on the active involvement of village and ward heads. These layers of traditional rulership know the residents of their communities, including the infants and other vulnerable persons.

“Their unique location makes village and ward heads such valuable partners in increasing immunisation coverage, and improving recordkeeping at the grassroots. They can mobilize communities to participate in immunisation, and to register births and deaths.
“In addition, they constitute a veritable frontline of security information that can assist efforts to provide early warning, thwart threats and enhance peace and harmony in our communities
“Under the leadership of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the government has been applying state resources and support from development partners to tackle infant and maternal mortality, and enhance the capacity of the primary health centres to improve health outcomes for citizens.
“Since 2015, considerable steps have been taken to expand immunization coverage across the state to give more children what they need to avoid vaccine-preventable diseases. As you are aware, repeated immunization campaigns have and continue to be conducted.

“In addition, the government, with the support of its partners, is steadily institutionalising Routine Immunisation as a widespread, accessible and primary framework for immunisation. This means that the necessary vaccines are available all year round.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/kaduna-govt-to-pay-n10000-monthly.html

Dozie Ikedife (jnr), the running mate to Dr. Tony Nwoye in the 2017 Anambra governorship election and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has received the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari to run for a second tenure with excitement.

Ikedife told newsmen yesterday that he was excited that Buhari finally agreed to seek re-election in 2019.

According to him, it was an opportunity for Igbo to re-align with government at the centre to achieve their expectations as far as Nigerian project was concerned.
He said, “South East would give President Buhari more support now than ever before, without sentiment considering what he has done for the Igbo and what he will still do to show he cares for them.”
He regretted that the Igbo gave 99 per cent support to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration “and had nothing to show for it” while President Buhari, who the Igbo had not supported en masse in the first instance, had done more for the Igbo nation.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/2019-why-south-east-will-support-buhari.html