enate President Ahmad Lawan might not have entirely escaped the aftershocks of the red chamber’s appointment of chairmen of committees.

The phenomenon, fused with a potent ability to rock the tenures of Senate presidents, has bothered occupants of the legislative position from 1999 till date.

Unless the Yobe-born lawmaker manages the aftermath with deftness, he could have a hard time coming. Indeed, the survival of any Senate president hangs on his ability to manipulate the headship of committees.

Usually, the process is handled by a special body known as the Selection Committee, which consists of the Senate president, his deputy, the majority leader, minority leader and all other principal officers. If down the road anything goes wrong however, aggrieved lawmakers naturally go for the jugular of the Senate president.

Beyond the façade of legislative service to fatherland, the appointment of chairmen is ruled by two phrases: juicy committees and non-juicy committees.

A juicy committee is a legislative organ with supervisory powers over government agencies that control huge finances. Just as ministries are tagged Grade A, B, and C, committees likewise are labeled juicy, dry land or Siberia.

Juicy ministries have big budgets and agencies that generate a lot of revenue. Ministers in charge are often prefixed as ‘super’ and are the envy of their peers. Similarly, legislative committees overseeing such are regarded as highly favoured for obvious reasons.

For instance, the Senate committee on petroleum (upstream or downstream) might not be compared with its counterpart on culture and tourism. Again, the Senate committee on appropriation is considered more inviting than women affairs.

Saraki, the immediate past Senate president, passed the acid test when, within the first legislative year, he reconciled with all aggrieved lawmakers by reshuffling the leadership of the committees.

Senator Kabiru Marafa for instance was taken to the juicy petroleum resources (downstream) committee, while Senator Oluremi Tinubu was lifted from dry women affairs committee to environment.

The number of committees began with as little as 30 in 1999. Currently, it is 69! Thanks to the unending pressure to pacify unending chairmanship agitations.

The Senate in the United States, a world superpower, has 21 standing committees.

But aware that he must contain the simmering tension, Lawan has already begun promising upset senators that a review is in the horizon. How well he succeeds at this will be seen in the days to come.

There was an attempt to carry ranking senators along in the current placements announced by Lawan. Many in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), however, were left unhappy.

Forty-nine positions were allocated to APC senators. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got the remainder. Also, the northwest geopolitical zone had 16; southwest, 13; northeast, 11; north central, 10; south-south, 10; and southeast, 9.

The chairmanship of 16 out of the 23 standing committees considered juicy went to APC senators while their PDP counterparts got the remaining seven.

Already, some faceless senators under the aegis of ‘Ninth Senate Group For Good Governance’ have accused the leadership of the chamber of reneging on its campaign promises.

They regretted that despite their moral and financial support to ensure Lawan emerged as Senate president, the committees assigned to them fell short of their expectations.

A statement they issued reads in part: “We are some of the senators who contributed our quota in the build-up to your emergence as president of the Ninth Senate.

“You know very well that those who know you closely did everything possible to dissuade many of us. Many of your opponents raised a lot of questions, trying to convince us. We kept away all doubts and vigorously stood by you through thick and thin.

“You promised many of us good committees, knowing how hard we tried. Many of us tried to pin you down to specifics but you kept shifting the date of the announcement until the date of our departure for recess. When we come back from recess, this issue shall be raised and must be addressed.”

Some lawmakers actually confirmed that the development was tearing apart the camp of Lawan’s loyalists. According to one, “The issue is generating a serious crisis as some loyalists of the Senate president are accusing the leadership of favouring people from the north at the detriment of their southern counterparts.”

But Senate spokesman, Adedayo Adeyeye, dismissed insinuations about juicy committees. He told reporters : “You journalists talk about juicy and non-juicy committees. In any case, juicy or non-juicy, I believe that it is a call to duty for senators to serve their fatherland and serve the nation meritoriously. So, in whatever capacity anybody has been placed, he has been called upon to merely render service.”

“If you have 69 committees, there is no way about seven people who want to be chairman of a particular committee could get it. Only one person would be appointed. The Senate president has done everything possible to keep the Senate together and as such, there should not be any form of rancour on the issue either now or when we resume.”

The representatives of some civil society organisations meanwhile have criticised the lawmakers’ alleged desperation to head committees.

“The cause is essentially the greed with which they go to the National Assembly. Most of them are not there to serve the country. They are essentially there for their personal interest,” said Jude Ohanele, Programme Director of Development Dynamics.

Similarly, National Coordinator, Think Tank on Parliamentary Procedures and Enhancement, Baale Angus, noted: “The problem is multi-dimensional. It is unfortunate that most of the time, when the National Assembly tries to elect its leaders, there has been serious interference by the executive arm of government.

“This is one thing that has been causing trouble. It is why whoever eventually emerges tries to do everything to patronise his colleagues with committees, to prevent the executive from hijacking and using them against him. And that is why the list of committees keeps growing too. The executive should stop interfering in senators’ affairs.”

https://www.akelicious.net/crisis-looms-in-senate-over-juicy-committees/

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has accused President Muhammadu Buhari-led government of increasingly becoming intolerant of criticisms and contrary opinions, and undemocratic in its actions.

PANDEF National Secretary, Dr. Alfred Mulade, said the arrest of Mr. Omoyele Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) was unacceptable.

In the same vein, the General Overseer, Evangelical Outreach Ministry International, Prophet Isa El-Buba, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to show some level of tolerance to criticisms and imbibe democratic tenets, which promote freedom of speech and expression.


El-Buba, who spoke while addressing newsmen in Jos, Plateau State, yesterday, over the state of the nation, especially the arrest of Sowore, said the arrest simply depicted that the administration was intolerant of criticisms by the oppositions based on the realities of situations in the country.

According to him, “we cannot continue to pretend that all is well when security and economic situation in the country is bad. We cannot continue to build our nation on falsehood. If the government had responded to the issues of banditry and kidnapping the way it responded to the protest and arrest of Sowore, I think the country would have reduced these criminalities to the barest minimum.”

The group, which equally condemned the actions of the police for describing the planned protests as treasonable felony and acts of terrorism, wondered how protests against insecurity, suffering and hardship in the country occasioned by misrule, amount to treasonable felony.

“Meanwhile, those who are actually threatening the unity and stability of the country by killing and maiming innocent Nigerians daily are freely moving around in the country,” it said.

The cleric further stated that if the government had obeyed the earlier court judgment that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife should be granted bail, the protest that rocked Abuja where a senior police officer died would have not occurred.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Government to release Sowore and those arrested in Lagos and Abuja in the course of the protests and tackle insecurity and other issues.

https://www.akelicious.net/pandef-cleric-urge-fg-to-uphold-tenets-of-democracy-show-tolerance-to-criticisms/

Zamfara First Lady donates motorcycle to 8-year- old girl who trekked 2 klm to school

Zamfara State First Lady Hajiya A’isha Bello has donated a brand new motorcycle, writing materials, wrappers and cash gifts to a primary school pupil who trekked two kilometers to school.

Fatima Isma’il Lawwali of Unguwar Tofa in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state is a primary two pupil who’s father chose for her to school at Model Primary School in Tsafe town, 2 kilometers away from her home because of his zeal for his daughter to be highly educated and become a medical doctor.

Lawwali said that the closest school to their home was practically in a shambles, explaining that his daughter might not be able to cope academically in such environment which makes him feel it is necessary to choose an enabling enrolment for her to study.

A’isha Matawalle while presenting the gifts disclosed that she saw the picture of the girl on Facebook trekking to school and decided that something positive should be done to assist the family in their quest to educate their child.

“It is heartbreaking when I saw the picture of the girl on social media and this donation is in line with my pet project’s mission to ensure the educational development of the girl child in Zamfara State,” A’isha said

The First Lady stressed that she’ll empower about three thousand female students with uniforms and other educational materials with a view to provide an enabling environment of learning for the girl child under her pet project.

She further revealed that a committee will be set up for a door to door campaign to enlighten parents on the need for enrolment of the girl child in schools to discouraged street hawking and any other thing that thwarts the development of the girl child adding that she’ll participate personally in this campaign.

According to her, another 8000 women will also be empowered in the next three months under her office aim at eradicating poverty and dependence on their spouses which she said is the only way to dismal constant divorce among married couples.

More photos at
https://www.akelicious.net/zamfara-first-lady-donates-motorcycle-to-8-year-old-girl-who-trekked-2-klm-to-school/

A university teacher with the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Dr. Ahmad Jibrin Suleiman, has urged Northern states government to transform the Almajiri system in order to avoid the looming danger it poses to society.
In a lecture titled: “Transforming Almajiri System: Is The North Ready? Suleiman, who teaches at the Department of Public Law, however, said abolishing the Almajiri system in Northern Nigeria completely would do more harm than good in the region.

“Terminating the system is not the answer to the problem, because today in Northern Nigeria, there are more idle youths that have no future than before.

“If you meet 10 youths in any street in Northern Nigeria, you will discover that five of them have no future. So the Almajiri system needs to be reformed, but the reformation should not just be based on merely restructuring the methodology. “Northern Nigeria needs to look inwards; a lot of things are happening because the system is a symptom of a larger disease growing in society.”

He argued that religion was now taking an outward appearance, but losing its inward dominance that supported the people in the past, adding that 50 years ago, Northerners were better Muslims taking care of their neighbours compared to today.

Suleiman, who explained that he came from an Almajiri background, said in the past, families used to take pride of the number of Almajiri they take care of, lamenting that today that system has collapsed, asking, “how many families take care of other children in the North apart from their own?

“These are the things that have made the society to collapse, no matter how you think you are reforming the Almajiri system, how do you intend to do it and some people are calling for its termination, but if government terminates it, what are the available options?

“Today we have many parents who do not want their children to acquire western education. But we are saying it is good to reform the Almajiri system and introduce western education to them along the line just like the late Aminu Kano did, which later produced several doctors and professors.”

He advised government to use the Almajiri system to draw stakeholders closer since all things were available within the system insisting that government could introduce by-laws and taxation system like India, Sudan, Turkey, Pakistan did to support education in their country.

https://www.akelicious.net/don-seeks-transformation-of-almajiri-system-to-avoid-dangers-ahead/

The Governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, on Saturday in New York disclosed that no fewer than 81 herdsmen had been convicted and 3,000 cows arrested under the state’s anti-open grazing law.

Ortom, who gave the update in a keynote address at the 2019 annual convention of the Idoma Association, USA, said implementation of the law had brought relative peace to the state.

“We are implementing our law, and there is relative peace. As at today, we have convicted 81 herdsmen. Some have paid fines; others are still in prison as I talk to you.

“We have gone a step further. Anywhere we see cattle doing open grazing, we go after them. So far, we have arrested over 3,000 cattle.

“The law stipulates that within seven days, owners of such cattle should pay fines and reclaim them. We have been collecting fines from them,’’ he said.

While insisting that ranching remained the best solution to the farmers/herders conflict, the governor challenged anyone with a better alternative to bring it forward.



Ortom spoke on the topic, “Security and Economic Challenges in Benue State’’, which was a modification of the theme of the conference that centred on Idoma land.

He said all parts of the state were facing similar development challenges, including insecurity, infrastructural deficit, unemployment, health and sanitation issues, among others, hence his decision to broaden the scope.

The governor said only four of the 23 local government areas in the state, namely Otukpo, Konshisha, Ushongo and Vandeikya, were spared of conflict between locals and herdsmen in the last six years.

“As at today, herdsmen have attacked 19 of the 23 local governments in Benue, claiming over 5,000 lives between 2013 and 2018.

“Over 195,000 homes and 30 churches worth billions of Naira were destroyed in the attacks,’’ Ortom said.

He thanked Idoma people in the U.S for their support to victims of the Agatu attack in 2016; award of scholarships to Benue students, among others.

The governor also lauded them for being of good conduct, noting that to the best of his knowledge no criminal case or report had been brought against them.

Ortom used the opportunity to brief his hosts on the policies, programmes and projects being executed by the state government under his leadership, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.


https://www.akelicious.net/grazing-law-81-herdsmen-convicted-in-benue-gov-ortom/

The disbursement of over N2.45bn paid to Bonny kingdom by Shell for its operations of its Bonny crude oil and gas terminal has torn the Amanyanabo, Edward Asimini Dappa Pepple and some aboriginal families, Duawaris, apart.

The Duawaris, in a petition to Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his deputy and Shell, claimed that the disbursement of the money was shrouded in secrecy and warned of looming security crisis, if the king failed to make public details of the funds.

The petition, endorsed by registered trustees of Duawaris, Reginald Cross Green and Elliott Dublin Green, said the money in question is traceable to the June 9, 2014, Supreme Court, Ruling in Suit No: SC.251/2011, between The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Vs. Dagogo William Brown and Ors.

The duo explained that whereas N2455, 374, 015. 74bn was paid to Buoye-Omuso (Brown) Major House of Finima and Jumbo Major House of Grand Bonny Kingdom, with respect to SPDC’s operations at its Bonny Crude Oil and Gas Terminal, Grand Bonny, a larger part of the said sum was slated for the rest of the kingdom.

“It is this portion of money meant for the rest of the kingdom that has been intentionally denied us. Please find attached the said Ruling of the Supreme Court and evidence of transfer of the said sum from First Bank Plc.,” they said.
The Duawaries said they were surprised that monies derived from multinational oil companies operating in ancient Bonny kingdom, founded and exclusively inhabited by their ancestors for over seven centuries were being shared to houses, groups and individuals without informing their traditional rulers.

They said the king had so far not furnished the Duawaris with details of the said payment received from SPDC. Yet, under his leadership and watch, N20m was shared to individual houses and groups.

An aide to the Amanyanabo, Ellys Greene, told The Guardian that the king was aware of the petition. He explained that the king had travelled abroad and that the disbursement case is in court.

https://www.akelicious.net/disbursement-of-shells-n2-45bn-stirs-crisis-in-bonny/

The management of NISA Premiere Hospital, Abuja, has carried out its first kidney transplantation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, the Chairman of the hospital, Dr Ibrahim Wade said the transplantation was carried out on a woman by the hospital in collaboration with a Nigerian American Doctor and its team.

“We are here to confirm a major medical feat at NISA whereby yesterday for the first time on the soil of Abuja, bringing together a home and a diaspora team, we were able to achieved a seemless kidney transplantation.

“kidney diseases are on the rising in this country, there is a lot of diseases springing up, and the end solution for kidney diseases is a kidney transplantation.

“Yes, this is an area nobody can do for us as Nigerians unless we create the environment to allow experts do the job they can do,

“I am very please to announce that NISA has recorded the very first case of kidney transplantation, in collaboration with a team led by a Nigerian American, ” he said.

Wada said the doctors were Dr Obi Ekwenna, a Transplant and Urologist Surgeon and a Nigerian American, a Master Public Health Specialist and Registered Nurse Mary Brown from the United States of America and Dr Lemah Mabasu Urologist Surgeon from NISA hospital.

He described the word NISA as women, stating that the hospital had been pursuing women’s health related issues for a long time.

He noted that the hospital was also concentrating on developing an environment that allows the hospital to tap into the wealth of experience and abilities of Nigerians living outside the country.

Wada, however, called on the Federal Government including all stakeholders to create an enabling environment for foreign partnership and collaboration, so that Nigerians would not have to travel overseas for medical care.

He stressed that partnering with other healthcare sectors overseas would reduce the cost of medicalcare for Nigerians and also boost the nation’s economy.

Also speaking, the urologist/transplant surgeon Dr Obi, said there was need for all hands to be on the deck to be able to manage a very costly disease in a poor environment.

He emphasised the need for awareness creation among the populace, saying: “A lot of patients and physicians are not educated about kidney disease, hoping that the media will help in this regard.

Obi disclosed that the transplant was carried out on Friday, August 2, and it was a success.

“We did a formal kidney transplant of a gentleman who donated to his sister-in-law. And I can confirm that both the donor and the recipient are doing very well.

”The donor today is leaving the hospital, we had the surgery yesterday and he is walking out of the hospital already . So we are very pleased.

“The transplant is a very high healthcare that requires lots of planning, preparation and I am very proud of NISA for the enabling environment towards this achievement,” he said.

In his remarks, Mabasu the head of Urological Surgeon of NISA described the feat as a milestone as a level of expertise was needed to be able to carry out the kidney transplantation.

He said that NISA aimed to raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem of kidney failure as well as its causes and management and how these could be prevented.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) recalls that the first reported renal transplantation in Nigeria was carried out at the College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, on June 26, 2002.

https://www.akelicious.net/nisa-premier-hospital-performs-first-kidney-transplant-in-abuja/

Gov. Nyesom Wike on Friday in Port Harcourt signed into law three bills passed by the State House of Assembly.

The Bills are Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets & Motor (Prohibition) Bill No. 8 of 2019, Rivers State Healthcare Facilities Registration Bill No. 6 of 2019 and Rivers State Environmental Protection and Management Bill No. 7 of 2019.

The governor said that his administration was committed to entrenching good governance and the rule of law.

He said that the government would diligently implement the Rivers State Street Trading, Illegal Markets & Motor Park (Prohibition) Law to clean up Port Harcourt and its environs.

“We have vowed to bring Port Harcourt back to its Garden City status. This law will help us stop illegal street trading, illegal motor parks and illegal markets within the city centre.

“We are not going to allow the littering of the state capital. In the next few weeks, people will see improvements in Port Harcourt,’’ he said.

He also directed the Attorney General to officially approach the Chief Judge of Rivers on the appointment of magistrates for the mobile courts.

“We have six mobile courts, so as they arrest offenders, they will be tried and sentenced by the courts. We did not start implementation because there was no law,” Wike said.

The governor also said that the state government had employed workers to fully implement the law.

According to him, 400 workers will work in shifts until 8pm daily to ensure that street trading and operation of illegal markets and motor parks are curbed.

On the environmental law, Wike said that government will work toward improving sanitation in the state.

“We are spending N6 billion to evacuate waste annually. Even at that, people carelessly dump refuse on the road.

“This time, if you generate refuse, you will pay government to clear it. The Honourable Attorney General is to prepare a bill to be sent to the House of Assembly over these environmental issues,” he said.

The Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Mr Ikuinyi Ibani, said that the legislature was pleased with Wike’s achievements and would continue to support his administration.

He said that the three laws were focused on enhancing the living standard of the people.

Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Mr Martins Amaewhule, had presented the three bills to the governor for assent.

https://www.akelicious.net/gov-wike-signs-3-bills-into-law-to-strengthen-governance/

Sometimes when you launch an attack against Fulani herdsmen in retaliation, do you know that they become invisible?

On 17th Sept 2018, a community in Ukwa East LGA Abia State called Akwete was raided by Fulani herdsmen, many were killed, scores injured and four girls were raped..
When we the villagers rose up against them, before my very eyes, I mean before my korokoro eyes, a Fulani herdsman turned to a cow and jumped over the fence..imagine a cow jumping a fence.

We had no option than to throw our weapons away and run...

It didn't stop at that; Report from other group said that they surrounded the herdsmen, and before their very eyes, these Fulani herdsmen disappeared, only their bags, knives and daggers were visible.

That wasn't the end..

When Fulani herdsmen invaded Obohia Ndoki(A village in same Ukwa East LGA close to Akwete), and destroyed our farmlands, the villagers rose at night and head straight to their base; when we broke into their house, every of their properties were there, but the herdsmen disappeared...
Some of you might say that the ran away before we came...But that's not true; we monitored them till they went inside their house before our people were alerted...

Now what I'm I trying to say?
The Fulani herdsmen operate with traditional powers which make them invisible whenever they are in danger...

Now, come to Akwete and Obohia Ndoki, Fulani herdsmen now operate freely, destroying our farmlands and properties..

Our people must understand that going into war with these herdsmen is not enough, but we must also know what to do to neutralize these their traditional powers they use in becoming invisible.



Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/a-must-read-for-all-biafran/

MTN Nigeria has received N2.6bn part-payment of interconnect debt from Globacom, sources familiar with the issue confirmed on Thursday.

It was gathered that the industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission, had intervened in the debt issue, which led to partial disconnection of calls from Glo to MTN subscribers.



The source also said discussions were ongoing to devise a means of recovering the rest of the interconnect debt from Globacom.

This is coming after stakeholders weighed into a dispute on the interconnect debt estimated at N4.4bn to avert further breakdown in mobile communication between Globacom subscribers and MTN network users, which had lasted for more than five days.

As of December last year, the interconnect debt in the industry stood at N165bn.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued by the NCC on Thursday, the commission called on debtor operators in the industry to promptly settle interconnect debts owed their creditor networks to prevent possible revenue loss and customer flight from their networks to competitors.

The commission assured the 174 million telecoms consumers of their protection against any service disruption.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the regulatory body was committed to ensuring customers enjoy uninterrupted service while efforts were being made to address the issue of indebtedness in the industry.

Danbatta stated that the issue of interconnection was a matter that the commission was handling delicately within the purview of the regulatory provisions to protect consumers by ensuring that their quality of experience was not acutely affected.

The EVC recalled that the regulatory approval on permission for disconnection was granted to creditor networks late last year, as a last resort towards resolving the huge interconnection debts threatening the health and sustainability of the industry.



“Though the commission granted approval to the MTN’s request to disconnect debtor networks from its network in line with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012 and other regulatory instruments, what is happening now is that the creditor networks are restricting certain services to their debtor networks in form of one-way disconnection.

“It is one-way disconnection because, as a regulator, we prevented total disconnection; not doing that would be frustrating for the consumers. So, we have ensured that subscribers on the affected debtor networks are able to receive calls and text messages from creditor networks. This means they might not be able to make seamless calls or send text messages to the creditor’s network at all times because of restriction of access to debtor networks, pending when satisfactory payment plans are reached with respect to the Interconnect indebtedness. This is to prevent further accumulation of interconnect debt by the debtor networks,” he said.

Danbatta expressed displeasure at the slow pace of the settlement of undisputed interconnect bills among the affected operators, adding that with over 90 per cent of prepaid customers on mobile networks, “operators have no reason not to be settling their interconnection bills as and when due.”

He urged consumers experiencing difficulty in reaching certain networks to use alternative lines.

Danbatta said, “You will recall that in the pre-disconnection notice issued last year on December 18, 2018, we gave another period of between 10 days and 21 days for the debtors (depending on whether they are service networks or exchange operators) to pay, so as not to lose their interconnection rights.

“We had expected that as responsible business entities, the debtor companies will either pay up or agree satisfactory payment plans with their creditors. But it appears no agreeable settlements plans have been reached after the expiration of the deadline, leading to the creditor’s decision to go ahead with the execution of the one-way disconnection, as permitted by the NCA Act 2003, which is what some subscribers are currently experiencing,” he said.

https://punchng.com/glo-pays-n2-6bn-interconnect-debt-to-mtn/amp/

The Shi’ite Muslims in Nigeria also referred to as the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN have debunked earlier report that they have suspended all protests for the release of their Leader, El-ZakZaky.

In a video released by a member of the El-ZakZaky family, Suhaila Ibraheem Zakzaky, she debunked the statement made by the supposed Spokesperson of the movement Ibrahim Musa, suggesting that all protests are suspended.

She said that there was a protest in Abuja today and the protest will continue until the Federal Government obeys court directive.

Suhaila maintained that there is nothing like a “spokesperson” in the movement rather what they have is “Chairman of the media forum” which is the office, the fellow that gave the statement occupies

https://www.akelicious.net/watch-video-shiites-denies-suspending-their-protest/





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_C_5Gv8S3c

Islamic State says killed or wounded more than 40 Nigerian soldiers - Amaq

CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State said via its Amaq news agency that it killed or wounded more than 40 soldiers in the northeast Nigerian state of Borno in two separate attacks on Tuesday.

The group said militants attacked a military post in Baga and killed at least 15 soldiers before carrying out a second attack on an army barracks in the town of Benisheik, where they killed around 25 more.

Locals and military sources told Reuters there were clashes between insurgents and soldiers in the state on Monday and Tuesday. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the number of people killed or injured in those clashes.

An army spokesman did not immediately respond to phone calls requesting comment.

More than 30,000 people have been killed in northeast Nigeria since 2009 in an Islamist insurgency.

At the weekend at least 65 people were killed in Borno, the birthplace of the insurgency, when militants targeted civilians travelling from a funeral.

Reporting by Samar Ahmed in Cairo

Source: https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFKCN1UQ1AJ-OZATP

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hinted on possible changes in the nation’s security architecture with a view to reinvigorate and reenergise it in the ongoing fight against terrorism and violent crimes in the country.

The president gave the hint when he received traditional rulers from the South West zone of the country, led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Buhari told the rulers that already he had recently directed a reshuffle in the army where Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun was promoted and deployed as the army’s Chief of Policy and Plans.

According to him, the government will continue to effect more changes in the army, where necessary, so as to boost the morale of the nation’s troops engaged in various security assignments across the country.

“I believe you are aware that there is a reshuffle in the Army, including the promotion and deployment of Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun as the Nigerian Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans.

“This is done in order to reinvigorate and reenergise our troops to do more.

“There will be further reviews where necessary for maximum performance,’’ he said.

The president said, as the traditional authorities in their communities, government and the security agencies would be relying on them to monitor the several different communities and people coming in and out of their areas.

“Let me be very clear about our firm resolve to change the security architecture of Nigeria.

“It is one of the top priorities for this government but we won’t be able to achieve this goal without the support and input of you, our royal fathers.

“We hope that, for instance, traditional rulers will be able to observe new entrants into the community by requesting leaders of such ethnic groups to notify the traditional authorities of new intakes, thereby creating the opportunities for the gathering of actionable intelligence which tracks such movements in and out of communities thereby offering early warning signals,’’ he said.

The president also assured the traditional rulers and the entire nation that his administration would enforce the law, prosecute law breakers and secure an atmosphere of tranquility for all Nigerians where ever they choose to live and also protect communities from all forms of crimes.

“This is both in our interests as an administration and the interests of the people who voted us into office,’’ he said.

Buhari maintained that the government needed security to deliver on its many programmes to the people, saying “there can be no prosperity if there is no security.

“This is not only a message of hope but a call to action to all of us as we seek ways to secure our country’’.

He warned that the federal government, on its part, would deal decisively with anyone caught fomenting acts of criminal activities by every means necessary.

“We intend to deal severely with those evil Nigerians inciting violence for political ends,’’ he said.

The president also outlined some of his administration’s interventions to check the activities of terrorist groups, banditry and kidnappings in the country.

He said these interventions include an “expedited commencement of community policing, a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in our local communities.

“This in specific terms will include recruiting a lot more police officers and doing so right from their local government areas, where they will train and station them in the best practice of community policing”.

According to him, the government will equally continue to bring in the military when needed to complement the work of the police including possible deployment of troops on certain highways on a temporary basis.

He stated that the government would also encourage the use of the Air Force assets to bomb hideouts where criminals are located.

While admitting that these measures were inter-related and have to be well coordinated, he stressed that “the speedy implementation of community policing will facilitate a more effective collection of intelligence.

“This is especially in the area of a more useful and effective intelligence gathering process that traditional rulers will play some of the most critical roles,” he said.

Earlier, the Ooni of Ife, as well as other traditional rulers with him, had individually appraised the president with security challenges they were facing in their domains and called on him to support their efforts in addressing the issues.

https://www.akelicious.net/insecurity-buhari-hints-on-possible-changes-in-military-to-reenergise-troops/

Big Brother Naija, a reality show in which contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize at the end of the show by avoiding being evicted has definitely become one of the most-watched and followed in Africa.

However, it’s amazing that many viewers hardly miss a thing despite that the TV show runs for 24 hours for at least 3 months.

Millions of Naira are splashed from committed viewers and voters on their favourite housemate or housemates – including sponsors from different quarters, but despite the high recognition of the show in Africa, there are things the public has decried about the show.

Here are some of the things people hate about BB Naija:

1: Criteria for selection: Thousands of people churn out for auditioning into the Big Brother Naija house and only 24 are selected without clear criteria.

Cee C, One of the housemates in the Double Wahala edition, claimed she met Ebuka before auditions but didn’t give details of their conversation whether he helped her or not.



Ebuka, the host of the show and Biggie (The voice that represents, the show organizers) are been criticised yearly based on criteria for selection. Allegations have been raised that some of the housemates are selected based on their relationship with the organizers – although no proof but the organizers need to watch their back, someone might be planning an alternative to this show.

2: Vote: The integrity of the voting collation for housemates has been questioned both by the public and some of the ex-housemates.

Ebuka had explained that the organization responsible for collation, Deloitte, are experienced and known for “Integrity” but that doesn’t look convincing to former housemate Anto who complained bitterly about the Voting collation and some of the public are still skeptical about the “Integrity” of the vote revealed per week.

3: Questionable Twist: Suspense and Intriguing decision by Biggie is definitely one of the highlights of the show but it sometimes becomes questionable.

The season 3, Pepper Dem edition recently witnessed a Twist in which two new housemates were introduced after 7 evictions.

The housemates clearly look unhappy with the move and it has raised eyebrows from some quarters.

Were this two introduced to spice up the show or some big men suddenly wake up and decided to throw in their favourites at a time they feel its best?

Is there an external interest for some housemates or influenced decision to intentionally favour a housemate?

Some have raised the allegation that Tacha is the favoured candidate for this season.

4: The show is Big Brother Naija, however, the Nigeria tag has made a lot of people to expect something peculiar to the Nigerian culture to be displayed 24 hours in the house.

It’s a show that should depict what Nigerians love to do and is all about, but the show of nudity, foreign accents, smoking, uncultured attitudes definitely takes some people off.

5. Sex: This is one, if not the most controversial aspect of the show.

Religious leaders come out yearly to call for the ban of the show because of its illicit visuals.



6: 60 million for the winner of the show with loads of sponsorship ahead while Educational program, ICT, Water resources Projects and loads of things are poorly funded in the country, is also one of the reasons some of the public condemn Big Brother Naija.

Some believe such money and publicity should be showered on intellectual programs that will shapen the future of younger generation.

7: Big brother Naija is hosted in South Africa.

Is this a move to make it an African program or an indication that Nigeria is not a much suitable place for entertainment business ?.

Some have criticized this action.

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/07/31/7-things-people-hate-about-big-brother-naija/

The Jigawa Government, in collaboration with Malaria Consortium, on Monday says it has commenced administration of 76,750 doses of antimalarial drugs to 75,083 children in Kafin-Hausa Local Government Area.

The Manager, Primary Healthcare Development Agency in the area, Alhaji Abdullahi Uba, said this in Kafin-Hausa, that the drugs were provided under the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention programme.

He said the children aged three months to 59 months would be administered with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine, free of charge.

Uba said the agency had trained 516 ad-hoc staff and 85 supervisors in the area for the successful conduct of the treatment which began on Friday, July 26 and would end on Tuesday, July 30.

The manager advised parents to avail their children for the treatment and ensure that they always slept inside treated mosquito nets.

https://akelicious.net/jigawa-govt-provides-free-anti-malarial-drugs-to-75083-children/

This is contained in a statement issued by the school Registrar, Mr Oladejo Azeez, in Lagos, on Saturday.

The Registrar said only candidates who made the institution their first choice in the 2019 UTME and scored 200 and above are eligible for the screening upon payment of screening fee of N2, 000.

“Candidates who will not be 16 years of age by Oct. 31 are not eligible and need not apply.

“In the same vein, candidates who do not participate in the UTME screening will not be considered for placement’’ he said.

Specifically, Azeez said that the post- UTME aptitude test would hold from Monday, Aug. 26 to Friday, Aug. 30.

He said that candidates must possess five credits passes at one sitting in relevant O’ Level subjects including English Language and Mathematics.

He warned, that any student expelled from the university would not be offered fresh admission.

The Registrar urged eligible candidates to log on to the University’s website, “www.unilag.edu.ng’’, click on admission and follow the registration procedure.

“Candidates are to log in with their post UTME number as user name and the surname in lower cases as password and then continue with the procedure to generate their post UTME Examination Pass,’’ he said.

Azeez urged candidates to adhere strictly to the guidelines and obtain necessary clarifications.

https://akelicious.net/unilag-sets-aug-1-to-aug-21-for-2019-post-utme-screening/

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has urged the Federal Government to sustain negotiations with the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, over the case of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The commission, in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, expressed concern over the incessant clashes between the Islamic sect and the security agencies, which have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property.

According to the statement, death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command, DCP Usman Umar; a Channels Television journalist, Precious Owolabi; some protesters and others who sustained various degrees of injury in the recent incident, called for serious and urgent action to address the situation.

The statement signed by Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages at NHRC, Mr. Lambert Oparah, read: “The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has viewed with great concern the incessant clashes between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN , and security agencies, which have resulted in the loss of lives and wanton destruction of property.

“Executive Secretary of the commission, Tony Ojukwu, condoled with the families of those who lost their loved ones on Monday in another clash between the protesting IMN members and the Police in Abuja.

“The death of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, FCT Command; DCP Usman Umar, a Channels Television journalist, Precious Owolabi; some protesters and others who sustained various degrees of injury in that incident calls for serious and urgent action to address the situation.

“The Executive Secretary reiterated the commission’s call on government and the leaders of the Islamic Movement to consider dialogue as the best option in this conflict.

“In a crisis of this nature, human right is usually the casualty and as a national institution for the promotion and protection of human rights, we are very concerned that this conflict if not handled peacefully may result in monumental human rights and humanitarian crises.

“He said the commission called for speedy trail of the Shi’ite leader, El-Zakzaky, and government to ensure he receives adequate treatment against the consistent claim by his supporters of his state of health.

“The NHRC has been at the forefront of finding solution to the protracted conflict between the IMN and the government over the conflict that has lasted for more than four years.”

Members of the IMN, otherwise known as Shi’ite sect, have continued to protest the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

The Shi’ite leader has been in detention since December 14, 2015.

He was arrested after a bloody clash between members of the sect and the Nigerian Army, on December 12, 2015.

The clash occurred after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Yusuf Buratai, who was on his way from Dutse to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau before proceeding to Depot NA Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruit Intake, was denied passage by members of sect.

https://akelicious.net/shiites-what-nhrc-told-buhari-govt-about-el-zakzakys-case/

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Monday continued its 2019 verification and enrolment exercise for employees of Federal Government Treasury-Funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) due to retire between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

Spokesman of the Commission Peter Aghahowa in a chat with journalists at the Women Development Center, Abuja, venue of the event, said that the exercise remains vital as it enables the government to determine its pension liabilities each year and make adequate budgetary provisions for it.

According to him, the potential retirees have been adequately sensitised on the necessary documents to bring for the verification exercise, after which they are captured electronically in PenCom’s database.

He said the National Identity Number (NIM) remains very vital for any prospective retiree to complete the enrollment process.



Aghahowa said that representatives of various MDAs were present at the verification site to make the process seamless, since they are to identify their staff and verify the documents with them.

“This is an exercise for workers of treasury-funded MDAs that will retire in 2020. What we do is verification and enrollment. You come with relevant documents that will be verified. Agency representatives are also here to identify their staff.

“We will compute what their benefits are so that government can [set aside] adequate budgetary provisions for it. Records of service will help in this regard. Our work ends there and it’s up to the Federal Government to make the funding available. Their pension will be incorporated into the 2020 budget. Ours is to determine what the liabilities are and government provides the fund,” he explained.

On the existing backlog of unpaid pensions, Aghahowa said “it is being cleared. As the government releases funds, we clear the backlog.

“Our last payment was for August 2018, so we have about a year outstanding.

“That is why this verification is an annual exercise for those that will retire the coming year. We determine the pension liabilities well ahead of time,” he added.

For those not captured in the ongoing exercise, Aghahowa says the verification and enrollment will continue in its offices nationwide.

“If you’re medically unfit, or you are not around for one reason or the other to be part of this two-day exercise, there’s a process in place to verify and enrol you. Anyone not captured can come to our office for it.

“Once this process is done, they have to go to their PFA on the mode of retirement benefits they want…

“Let them get their NIM because by law it’s mandatory and now integrated into the system. It’s one of the requirements at the PFA level,” he explained.

Just recently, PenCom launched the Enhanced Contributor Registration system (ECRS) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to capture Nigerians living overseas who want to be part of Contributory Pensions Scheme (CPS).

According to PenCom, the ECRS has been integrated with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for authentication of the uniqueness of individuals seeking to register under the CPS.

It said: “The ECRS is an electronic platform for the submission of requests by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for the registration of contributors and issuance of Personal Identification Numbers (PINs). Consequently the Commission has transited from the use of the existing Contributor Registration System (CRS) to the ECRS.

“The ECRS provides a more dynamic and friendly user Interface and fully addresses the issues identified with the CRS. The deployment of the ECRS will greatly enhance the integrity of contributors’ data and also provide a platform for the following:

“Registration of Micro Pension Plan Participants and Cross Border individuals (i.e. participants living abroad and foreigners living in Nigeria wishing to participate in the CPS).

“Electronic submission of employer code requests by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) on employers and the full automation of the process of issuing employer codes.

“Updates and edits of contributors’ information on the National Databank maintained by the National Pension Commission by the PFAs. The deployment of the ECRS is a major step towards the introduction of the transfer window, which will enable contributors change to the PFAs of their choice, in line with Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014,” PenCom explained.

https://akelicious.net/pencom-holds-verification-enrollment-exercise-for-federal-workers-retiring-2020/

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has said that documenting immigrants will ensure proper planning and assist in the security of lives and property in the country.

The governor stated this on Tuesday when the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Mohammad Babandede, visited him in Asaba.

He said that documenting the aliens was part of appropriate reforms to be taken for the benefit of Nigerians and the country.

“It is very important both for security purposes and for our population plan, for foreigners to be documented.

“Without appropriate documentation, it can impact negatively on the planning for the nation when it comes to taking care of our people.

“So, without the right account of our people, our resources will become depleted and planning will be affected drastically,” he said.
The governor added, “We must congratulate you on the immigrant reform.

“I think it is important for us as a nation because you find out that people from other countries just come into our country and settle in any part of the nation.

“They are not documented in any manner and that is not good for a nation because if they commit crimes, they cannot be traced.

“It is important that even without people committing crime, we should have documentation of foreigners in our country”.

He commended NIS for initiating other landmark reforms, particularly the e-passport which would be tied down to national identity.

“It is something that is very innovative, something that I believe can really help us in national security.

“This is because, people bearing all manner of names and people with more than one passport will surely become a thing of the past.

“So, we want to thank you for thinking about this thoroughly and bringing up this reform,” he said.

The governor assured the Service of his administration’s support in rendering vital services to Deltans and Nigerians in general.

Earlier, Babandede had said that he was in Delta to commission some projects.

He commended the governor for his administration’s numerous support for NIS.

Photos at http://akelicious.net/documenting-immigrants-key-to-security-in-nigeria-okowa/

Iranians protesting in front of Nigerian Embassy in London



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8FcaSlqUDY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjYX1whkD0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_OS1wAsFBI

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State, on Friday said his administration has no problem with implementation of the new national minimum wage for workers.

Masari gave the assurance on Friday, when he received the new leadership of the state chapter of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

He said that the government would look into the guidelines when released and work with the state allocation to ensure implementation.

The governor, however, called for upward review of states’ revenue from the Federation Account to accommodate the new N30, 000 minimum wage.

“When the guidelines are ready, the NLC leadership in the state will be invited to ascertain the new salary structure for the workforce.

“Sincerely, I do not have problem with the new minimum wage, you know how much is being given to the states and local government councils,” he said.


Also unveiling further plans aimed at citizens’ welfare, the governor said the administration would revamp the state Water Board to tackle water scarcity confronting residents.

“The government had upgraded Ajiwa Dam, we are now working on the treatment plant and we have changed two new pumps.

“We are building another treatment plant so that we can have adequate water supply for residents.’’

Earlier, the NLC Chairman, Mr Hussaini Hamisu, told Masari that they were in Government House to introduce themselves as the newly elected officials of the union.

Hamisu spoke on the need for urgent implementation of the new national minimum wage by the state government.

He urged the government to centralise payment of salary of Katsina State Water Board employees.

He also urged the governor to consider appointing one of the union members as Special Adviser on Labor Matters.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/im-ready-to-pay-n30000-new-minimum-wage.html

At least two persons were on Wednesday feared dead in a communal clash between Araromi Obu community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State and Ikale in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that tension is already mounting in the two neighbouring communities over the ownership of a parcel of land located between the two towns.

Also, no fewer than ten persons were said to have sustained serious injuries in the clash involving members of the two communities.

It was gathered that a state High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, had ruled on the land case in favour of Ikale community.



It was also gathered that people from Ikale community invaded Araromi Obu, preventing the people of the area who are mainly farmers from going to their farms.

According to a source, no fewer than ten people were seriously injured while two persons were feared dead during the clash.

Also, some houses were razed in the two towns while the clash lasted.

The source explained that the Ikale people have been threatening to forcefully take back the land after the court ruling which favoured them, despite an appeal filed by the Araromi Obu community.

He said those injured during the attack had been transferred to an undisclosed hospital, adding that the Comprehensive Health Centre in the community could not handle the situation.

He said the Ikale people also invaded Ago Alaye village, destroying houses and vehicles belonging to Araromi Obu indigenes living in the village.

Also, the source said indigenes of the community have fled their homes over attacks by the invaders for fear of being attacked.

The people of Araromi Obu had earlier raised the alarm over the invasion of the disputed land by the Ikale, despite filing an appeal to challenge the ruling of the lower court.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of Araromi Obu Development Committee, Mr. Bisoye Monebi, condemned the invasion by the Ikale, saying the people carted away farm produce and drove away people from their farms.

He said the development nearly led to a communal clash, “but for the maturity of the community heads, necessitating the intervention of the state police command.”

The State Police Public Relations Officers (PPRO) Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the development said mobile policemen had been drafted to the communities to restore peace in the area.

He said: “I am aware that they are fighting and we have drafted our men to the area to restore normalcy. Some people have been arrested by our men in connection with the crisis.

“We have been able to restore peace to the communities, while the command has begun investigation,” the PPRO added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/2-fear-dead-in-ondo-communal-clash.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIUrkWvhXY

The reaction of the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu at during his condolence visit to one of the leaders of Afenifere over his daughters' death is still generating ripples.

Africa Lion who's the leader of Unity Among Nigerians Movement , UANM, in his voice broadcast called the APC National leader a "coward" and "thinks for nobody."

Africa Lion said Tinubu's dispositions during the build up to 2015 election exposed him for who he really is thus "nobody should regard whatever he says as a topic"

He went ahead to describe Tinubu as "a greedy fellow who has no pedigree to stand on anything."

Africa Lion who described himself as "African Lion" maintained that he's not afraid to say these hard truths before Asiwaju.

"Tinubu is playing down on the atrocities of Fulani Herdsmen because he want to be the president of Nigeria" which he assured him "will never come to fruition."

"If you go to Lagos State, Tinubu sold Lagos State bus stops to louts for as much as 5 Million Naira according to number of electric poles in other to raise funds to finance President Buhari's election in 2015.

African Lion wondered why a man that is regarded as leader will utter the ignoble statement that "Igbos started kidnapping in Nigeria." He maintained that "if Tinubu can say this kind of word, he will be worse than Buhari if by any chance, he becomes Nigeria President.

"If Tinubu can behave like this mad dog even when he hasn't emerged as the president, you can imagine what he will do if he emerges; but that will never happen, Nigerians will resist such Character.

"The 2023 fight will not be based on party line but a fight between good and evil because despite the fact that Tinubu is a Yoruba man, he doesn't mean well for them rather a coward who lived in London working in a supermarket and accidentally found his way into Nigeria politics."

He assured Tinubu that his case will be like that of other southerners that has been used and dumped by the Fulanis.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/tinubu-is-coward-group-leader-mr-sunday.html

A hit-and-run driver on Sunday killed Mr Christian Okoro, the Head of Technical Services of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Okoro, 50, was killed around `sharp corner’ area of Mararaba, along the Keffi-Abuja Road, while trying to cross the road to pick his car.

An eye witness account indicated that Okoro had gone to watch the Nigeria/Algeria AFCON Semi-Final encounter at a football viewing centre and was on his way home after the match when the speeding vehicle knocked him down and zoomed off.

He was said to have earlier gone for his community meeting and was heading home when he decided to join some friends to watch the crucial match.

“The car was speeding, so when it hit Okoro, the impact was very heavy on him. He died instantly,” the witness told NAN.

Meanwhile, Okoro’s corpse has been deposited at the National Hospital, Abuja mortuary, while a condolence register has been opened at the NAN headquarters in Abuja.


A senior Police officer, who confirmed the incident, described it as “saddening and unfortunate”.

“The matter has been reported to us and is being investigated,” the officer told NAN, craving anonymity.

Born on June 20, 1969 in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo Eze North Local Government in Enugu State, Okoro attended St. Theresa College, Nsukka, Enugu State before heading to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, where he bagged a Bsc in Electrical/Electronics.

He was a member of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

He joined the services of NAN on January 8, 2004 and steadily rose to become an Assistant Director, Technical Services.

He is survived by his widow, Cordelia, and four children.

The Acting Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ibrahim Mammaga, who led the management and staff of NAN to pay a condolence visit to his family, described Okoro’s death as “a huge loss” to the NAN family.

“The death of Okoro has robbed NAN of a dedicated staff. Okoro was a huge asset to the agency. He has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill,” he said.

He prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Alhaji Abdulhadi Khaliel, Head, Administration and Human Resources Management (A/HRM), who also reacted to Okoro’s death described it as “devastating and painful”.

“Okoro was a peace-loving officer, who was committed to duty and always ready to learn,” he said.

Mr Julius Enehikhuere, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief, described Okoro as “a jolly good fellow and a committed staff who was always there for the editorial department”.

“We shall miss his team spirit and deep commitment to duty. His sudden exit is shocking to all of us. We pray God to comfort the family,” he said.


The agency’s Assistant Director A/HRM), Mr Moses Uzoagba, also described Okoro’s death as “a personal loss to me”.

“Okoro, apart from being a colleague, was my personal friend. We have been together for years and I will greatly miss him,” he said.

Another staff, Mr Livinus Ugochukwu, said that Okoro was a personal friend whose death had hit him like a thunderbolt.

“The news shocked me to my marrows; I am particularly sad because his children are still very young,” he said.

Mrs. Kemi Olumorin, who worked with Okoro in the office, described him as “a transparent boss that was always ready to listen to his subordinates”.

“He was approachable; he had a listening ear and was a good boss. He was a very considerate leader and could feel your pains,” she said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/reckless-driver-kills-nans-technical.html

A Nigerian suspected to be a member of an international drug cartel has been arrested by India’s Anti-Narcotics Cell in Mumbai.

The 35 year-old Nigerian identified as Bonaventure Nzubechukwu Nwude was arrested on Monday night, after he received the cocaine parcel from a Mozambican in Delhi.

The seized cocaine worth $171,000 is ’96 per cent pure”, said police DCP Shivdeep Lande.

“This drug cartel is being run from African countries whose members used to visit India to deliver the contrabands. They hide the drug capsules in their abdomen by swallowing them”, Lande said.

Nwude who had visited India in 2002 and 2004, was scheduled to leave for Taiwan from Mumbai.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/india-arrests-nigerian-nwude-with-171k.html

The Plateau State Emergency Management (SEMA) said seven people had died and one other was critically injured during Monday’s building collapse in Jos. The News Agency f Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-storey building located at Butcher Lane in Jos North Local Government Area of the state belonging to one Alhaji Rufai Kabiru collapsed on Monday evening.

Mrs Junni Bala, SEMA Director of Search and Rescue, who confirmed the casualty figure to NAN on Tuesday in Jos said the figure may increase.

“That was the figure as at last night.

“The figure may increase today because we are continuing with the search and rescue operation this morning,” she said. However, DSP Terna Tyopev, Plateau Police Command Spokesperson, told NAN that the command had so far recorded three deaths and three injured persons. Tyopev said that the injured persons were rescued with various degrees of injury and had been rushed to the Plateau Specialist Hospital and Bingham University Teaching Hospitals, Jos, for treatment. He, however, said that the casualty may increase as some people may still be trapped in the rubbles. “The rescue operation is ongoing and there is likelihood that the casualty figure will increase,” he said

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/sema-confirms-7-dead-1-injured-in-jos.html

The Nigerian Army, 8 Division, Sokoto has said it launched a manhunt for five soldiers, who escaped with undisclosed amount of money on transit to Abuja.

The affected soldiers were said to be members of Operation Harbin Kunama III in Sokoto. They were identified as Gabriel Oluwaniyi, a Corporal; Mohammed Aminu, a Corporal; Commander Haruna, a Lance Corporal; Oluji Joshua, a Lance Corporal; and Hayatudeen Abubakar, a Lance Corporal.

Spokesman for the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Lieutenant Audu Arigu, gave the update to journalists in Sokoto, yesterday while responding to an enquiry.

He confirmed that the soldiers fled while on escort duty. He said: “The wanted soldiers were detailed for legitimate escort duty for a VIP. However, they chose to rob the VIP.

“Investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and whereabouts of the soldiers.”

The spokesman declined to give further information on the identity of the VIP involved.

Sources within the Division revealed that the Division’s General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Hakeem Otiki, was not unconnected to the incident, as the affected soldiers were his known trusted foot soldiers.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/army-launches-manhunt-for-thieving.html

A witness to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Abana Koku and the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday told the tribunal that voters were not accredited before they were allowed to vote at Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State during the February 23, 2019 poll.

Koku, who is the 38th witness called by the petitioners was the collation agent for the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Chibok Local Government Area, during the election.

While in the witness box, he alleged widespread incidents of over-voting, lack of accreditation of voters with smart card reader machines, inaccurate ballot paper accounting, and unlawful cancellation of votes in PDP’s strongholds.

Koku told the five-man tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Garba under cross-examination by counsel for the respondents’ that voters during the election were not accredited.

Asked if he was identified through any means before he was allowed to vote, Koku said: “Nobody identified anybody, people were just handed ballot papers and allowed to vote.”

He said the 95 polling units in the 11 wards in Chibok Local Government Area, were located in the Chibok Central Primary School, Chibok, because of the security situation in the area.

Koku further said he saw 80 per cent of the polling unit result sheets before coming to the conclusion that there were widespread instances of over-voting in the area.

But he said he could not recall the total number of registered voters in the LGA.

He also said he could not remember the exact number of accredited voters and the total number of votes cast.

He also said he did not sign the Form EC8C, the result sheet for the local government.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/presidential-tribunal-no-accreditation.html