Photos of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo arriving South Africa for the inauguration of Cyril Ramaphosa as President of South Africa.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/photos-osinbajo-arrives-south-africa.html

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners, South West Zone has vowed to sue state governors in the country over nonpayment of gratuities.
NUP said the gratuity was for their members across the country from 2008 till date.
Ayo Kumapayi and Olusegun Abatan, Zonal Chairman and Spokesman for the zone respectively, made disclosure at the end of the zonal meeting held on Thursday in Akure, Ondo State.
According to them, the union has discovered that nonpayment of gratuity to pensioners is not only in the South West but throughout the federation.
They said: “It has become a tradition of Nigerian governors to the extent that pensioners are not paid from 2008 to 2019.
“It has become a very serious affair and many of our pensioners have been dying prematurely as a result of this non-payment of gratuity.
“So, the South West Zone of NUP has decided to test certain parts of Nigeria constitution in a competent court of law.
“We want to determine whether it is constitutional that state governors should not pay gratuities and pension as at when due.
“Or if it is constitutional for them not to pay us, we want to determine it and if it is unconstitutional, then we will go further to determine the next level to take.”
They said the union supported the local government autonomy, explaining that governors had dabbled into funds of LGAs, which made them to shortchange pensioners and workers in their various states.
The statement added: “The NUP, therefore, calls for reduction of governors and lawmakers salaries packages and government should stop paying them life pension.
“It is distasteful and wicked that civil servants who work for 35 years and entitled to gratuity and pension but not paid as at when due.
“Section 124 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, states that those at the categories of collecting pension and gratuity, are definitely not lawmakers.
“Because you served for four or eight years and you want to take pension for life, what of those who served for 35 years.”
The Union, therefore, called for a review of law setting up the Revenue Mobilisations, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to empower it to place all political office holders, including the president, governors, ministers, federal and state lawmakers, on the same salary scale with civil servants from Grade Level 18 to Grade Level 25 in the country.
They said this would save the country’s economy from collapsing and enable government to have more money to take care of the needs of the less-privilege.
Also speaking, the National Deputy General Secretary of NUP, Chief Joseph Okunade, said the national leadership of the pensioners was in full support of the legal action against the state governors.
Okunade said: “We call for inclusion of retirees in the new N30,000 minimum wage to be known as the National Minimum Pension.
“We advise governors who are grumbling over payment of the new wage to shun frivolous spending to enable them meet workers and pensioners’ needs.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/south-west-pensioners-to-sue-governors.html

A 43-year-old petrol attendant, Musbau Hamisu, on Thursday appeared in a Magistrates’ Court in Badagry, Lagos State for allegedly stealing 1,000 litres of diesel valued at N215,000

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Hamisu, who works with God’s Decision Petroleum Company, Joseph Dosu Way, Badagry, Lagos is charged with theft.

The Prosecutor, ASP Clement Okoimose, told the court that the accused committed the offence between 10 p.m on May 12 and 6 a.m on May 13.

Okoimose said the accused stole 1,000 litres of diesel valued at N215,000 at the filling station in Badagry .

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The Magistrate, Mr Lazarus Hotepo, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case until June 11 for mention.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/petrol-attendant-docked-for-allegedly.html

Two officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, identified simply as Abioye and Bayegunni, who were abducted on Sunday by gunmen along the Ilesha/Akure Expressway, have regained their freedom.

Sources said their families paid about N1.8m in ransom.


The two men were abducted near Iwaraja in the Oriade Local Government Area of Osun State while travelling back to their workplace in Akure, Ondo State.

Security sources told our correspondent that five persons were released on Tuesday by their abductors, who were said to have been dressed in military camouflage.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Folasade Odoro, confirmed to one of our correspondents on Wednesday that the two FRSC officers had been released and reunited with their families.

Shedding light on how the victims regained their freedom, a top security source said the police team deployed in the area found the corpse of a man believed to have been abducted alongside the FRSC officers.

The source said, “The corpse of the victim has been deposited in the morgue of the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha. The police team deployed in the area, where the victims were abducted, found the abandoned vehicle and a corpse.

“The abductors must have shot the deceased. Also, three other people were released alongside the two FRSC men. Their identities are not known yet.

“The victims’ families kept their negotiations with the kidnappers from the police. The abductors collected a sum of N1.8m before they were released.”

In Ekiti, the abductors of the General Secretary of Christ’s School Ado Ekiti Alumni Association, Mr Rufus Oladele, set him free on Tuesday after four days in their den and the payment of N5m ransom.


Sources said N5m was paid to the kidnappers, who had earlier demanded N10m from Oladele’s family before he would be set free.

According to the sources, the ransom for the Erinjiyan Ekiti indigene, who was abducted on Friday along the Aramoko-Efon Road, was contributed by some members of the alumni association, relations and well-meaning members of his community in order to secure his release.

The traditional ruler of the community, Oba Adegoroye Omoseebi, who expressed joy that his subject had regained his freedom, said well-meaning members of the community sprang into action through networking immediately information got to them that Oladele had been abducted.


“I and the entire Erinjiyan community are happy that he is released. I thank all those who rose to secure his release. The security agencies and the state government have to do something urgently to curb the incessant cases of kidnapping in the state,” the monarch stated.

The spokesman for the Ekiti State Police Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, who confirmed the release of the victim, said, “Through the intensive effort of the command’s operatives, Rufus Oladele has been released by the kidnappers.”

He added that the police were still working to secure the release of one Kehinde Oseni, who was abducted on the same road on Saturday.

The kidnappers are demanding N6m for the release of the twin.

“The command has put in place watertight security in all strategic areas in order to arrest criminals and kidnappers within the state. All the Divisional Police Officers have been warned to beef up security in their areas of responsibility,” Ikechukwu added.

He implored members of the public to cooperate with the police, be security conscious, vigilant and report any untoward incident and go about their lawful business.

Similarly, 72 hours after three travellers were abducted in Auga Akoko in the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, the victims have been rescued by the men of the Ondo State Police Command and members of vigilante groups in the area.

The victims were identified as Gbalaja Mayowa, a staff member of the Federal College of Education, Okene, Kogi State; Mr Arifayan Ayolekan; and Ibrahim Lawal, who was said to be a worker of the Dangote Group of Companies.

Mayowa and Ayolekan were said to be going for a wedding in Ikare Akoko, while Lawal was reportedly travelling to Kogi State when they were abducted.

A source said the abductors demanded N30m ransom for Lawal’s release, and N2m each for the two other victims.

The source stated, “It was the prompt efforts of policemen at Ikare Akoko and the local vigilante groups in the local government that ensured the release of the victims.”

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Femi Joseph, said the men of the command were combing the bush for the bandits, while investigation had commenced into the incident.

“We will soon get the hoodlums; our men are already on their trail in the bush,” Joseph stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/kidnapping-frsc-officers-others-regain.html

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has urged Muslim faithful to pray to God to grant the nation’s leaders wisdom to handle the many challenges facing the country, especially that of insecurity.

Dogara’s call is contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Hassan Turaki, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement was based on a Special Ramadan session on Tuesday night, where the speaker hosted Muslim brethren of the house in the breaking of fast, and joined in offering prayers for Nigeria.

Speaking at the prayer session, Dogara said that prayers should be offered for the leadership in the three arms of government during the fasting period.

“We use the opportunity to pray for our dear country and for everyone in authority, more so at this period that our nation is being faced with so many challenges, beginning from the insecurity of lives and property, as well as the challenges pertaining to the economy which has given rise to the insurgency that we are witnessing.

“It has always been a tradition; we usually use this opportunity during the course of this holy month and its activities to commit our dear nation into the hands of God.

“Without the guarantee of lives and property, we will as a government be reneging on our responsibilities, for truly that is our first duty; to protect lives and properties, and that seems to be a very big challenge,” he said.

Dogara called for prayers for the leadership of the nation in all spheres, for the solutions to the issues that have affected the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/insecurity-dogara-urges-muslims-to-pray.html

Barely three weeks to the inauguration of the ninth National Assembly, lawmakers loyal to the incumbent Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Mohammed Ali Ndume, are flexing muscles and spoiling for war following a disagreement over the voting pattern to be adopted in the election of presiding officers.

Lawan and Ndume are the frontline contenders for the office of the senate president. While Ndume’s camp is rooting for a secret ballot which is currently the position of the Senate’s Standing Rules, Lawan’s loyalists are pushing for an open ballot system.

A ranking lawmaker, who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, revealed that senators-elect who are loyal to the candidate favoured by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lawan, are mounting pressure on the presidency to ensure that the National Assembly management adopt the open ballot system.

Lawan’s camp has, however, denied the claim. Its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, told journalists in Abuja yesterday, said the camp was too busy to focus on such trivial issues.

But supporters of Ndume are insisting that the 2015 Senate Rule Book which had already been distributed to all senators-elect, be used for the election of presiding officers on the day of inauguration.

The 2015 Rule Book made provisions for secret ballot, while the 2011 version provided for open ballot as an option.

Making further revelations, the senator who does not want his name mentioned, told some journalists that there may be a violent clash on the day of inauguration if the issue of voting pattern is not resolved.

He said his colleagues have confided in him that the inauguration may be disrupted by hired thugs.

Similarly, an APC senator loyal to Lawan, who is gunning for a key position in the Senate, said the inauguration might be disrupted if the management decides to adopt the secret ballot method.

“We are going to adopt the open ballot system because that is the standard practice all over the World. The 2015 Rule Book which made provisions for the secret ballot was forged, we must use the 2011 version.

“I cannot guarantee that the event would be peaceful if the management succumbed to the pressures of the current presiding officers of the eight National Assembly by conducting the election through a secret ballot arrangement.”

Countering Lawan’s supporter, Ndume’s loyalist warned that management must adopt the secret voting method to avoid any violent clash on inauguration day.

The senator-elect, who also spoke on condition of anonymity said: “The Lawan group are jittery that their candidate would not win if the management adopts the current Rule Book to conduct the election.

“It is clear to the pro-Lawan senators-elect that some leadership of the APC are trying to force Senate Leader on all of us and we would reject such an imposition.

“We have also learnt that they have planned to use thugs to stop some anti-Lawan senators-elect from entering the National Assembly premises on the day of inauguration.

“We have also established it from good authorities that names of some anti-Lawan senators have been forwarded to the EFCC to be arrested and kept behind bars until after the inauguration.

“We are fully prepared and ready for them. The thugs should stay out of the National Assembly affairs on the inauguration day.”

The Ndume supporter alleged that there was a grand plan to arrest some of his colleagues ahead of the inauguration.

“A ranking PDP senator was invited by the EFCC recently and would have been kept behind the bars until after the inauguration but for the timely intervention of a strong member of the APC who signed his bail conditions.

“The PDP ranking senator was actually invited over the same case that he had earlier defended before the EFCC. A principal officer of the Senate was said to have even approached him that he should openly declare for Lawan so that the EFCC would discontinue with the case.”

Abdullahi who doubles as spokesman of the Senate and Lawan’s campaign organisation, said they were confident that their candidate will emerge victorious.

He said they have no reason to scuttle the inauguration or resort to use of force or coercion to compel members to vote for Lawan.

He retorted: “This is news to me. I am just hearing that officials of the National Assembly were invited by the EFCC. But what I can tell is that we are not aware and we have no hand in what you are alleging; that we are using EFCC to harass them to change the rules for us or to harass our colleagues.

“We have been working and our contact and mobilisation committee has reached out to our colleagues. We are taking our campaign serious; we are not taking our chances likely.

“We have no reason to harass anyone or do anything to scuttle the inauguration. We are solidly on ground and working round the clock to deliver our candidate on the day of inauguration. This is our preoccupation and whatever you have been told is not true.

“We are selling Lawan’s strong areas to our colleagues which are integrity, intelligence and capability. We are also selling our agenda to our colleagues to buy into what we intend to do for for the ninth Senate.

“I know that I am part of the outgoing Senate. To be frank, there were so many things we didn’t do right. So, our plan is to ensure that Lawan’s presidency improves on that. These are the issues.

“With what we have done, on the day of inauguration, by the grace of God, we shall carry the day and Lawan will emerge as president of the ninth Senate. No cause for alarm my brother. We are marching forward.”

The senate has a poplulation of 109 members. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 44 senators-elect, while it is hopeful that three others would soon join from Zamfara State if the Supreme Court rules in its favour and another one from Imo State, to take the tally to 48. APC has 63 senators-elect while the Young Democratic Party (YDP) has one.

Meanwhile, Umar Bago, who has been re-elected for the third time to represent Chanchanga Federal Constituency of Niger State, has said his decision to contest for the speakership of the House of Representatives was not to spite the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but to provide a credible alternative to the choice of the party.

Bago, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, disclosed this in Iseyin area of Oyo State at the weekend during the official opening of head office of Shina Ayo Empowerment Programme (SAEP) and second Ramadan Lecture delivered by Fadhilat Sheikh Sulaimon Farooq Onikijipa, organised by a member-elect of the green chambers, Mr Shina Peller. He represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in the ninth National Assembly.

The national leadership of the party has settled for Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State to succeed the outgoing speaker, Yakubu Dogara, in the ninth national assembly. But some ranking lawmakers said they would still vie for the speaker’s seat so that members would elect who they prefer.

“As you are aware, I am one of the contestants for the office of the speakership of House of Representatives, by the grace of God. If I win and I am sworn in, by the grace of God, we will give special consideration to Shina Peller.

“We will ensure the legislature as an arm of government works independently and also interdependently to give support to the executives in the promulgation of laws that will enable their policies to thrive,” he told journalists.

Asked if his aspiration for the speaker’s seat was not tantamount to anti-party activity since the APC has settled for Gbajabiamila, Bago responded: “No, we are only providing an alternative to the choice of the party and that is what we are doing.

“We are very loyal to the party, we are loyal to the president but we are providing an alternative to the choice of the party because we are sure that when their books get to the shelves and other things will get to the fruition and it will come to the public and we will be given opportunity to represent the party.”

Bago, a graduate of political science from the North Central geo-political zone, who reportedly donated 100 vehicles for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, said: “We want to commend Shina Peller for the community service he is doing for his people. That was why we felt it necessary for us to be here to celebrate with him and encourage his people to keep supporting him.

The programme was attended by more than 40 members-elect of the House of Representatives from Oyo, Lagos, Borno, Benue, Yobe States and so on; governor-elect of Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, who is the outgoing National Secretary of APC; Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle, among other top traditional rulers from the region, a former federal lawmaker from the constituency, Dr. Wale Okediran.

Peller promised to work with investors and developmental partners to implement several programmes, which would stimulate economic development of his constituency, adding that he has plans to support the elderly from age 70 and above with stipends and healthcare monitoring and management.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/senate-leadership-tussle-gets-messy/

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar is not in the same democratic league with the late Moshood Abiola or Dr Alex Ekwueme.

The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says it is evil for anyone to make such comparison.

The group, in a statement in Abuja, said the comparison that Atiku media handlers are trying to sell to Nigerians is totally off the mark because facts on the ground do not support this position they made in response to Federal Government’s allusion to Atiku as a threat to the nation’s democracy.


In the statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Casiddy Madueke, BMO said this is just another attempt to rewrite history in order to paint Atiku in good light.

“It is laughable that Atiku media handlers could attempt to configure a not-too-recent history by passing off Atiku Abubakar, not only as a democrat, but to also compare him with more distinguished Nigerians like Moshood Abiola and Alex Ekwueme both of blessed memory.

“We know they have a job to do and we don’t envy them at all. Anyone that is saddled with the task of painting a good picture of a serially tainted politician would throw words around and hope that no one would notice the fallacies.

“Atiku’s political antecedents cannot be associated with that of a democrat. Here is a man that is willing to move and has actually moved three times between two different ruling parties and the opposition after failing to have his way.

“None of the people his media men have name-checked in their recent statement has had to change parties to satisfy a selfish desire. Both men were known to have suffered perceived injustices in their political journey, but like true democrats, they stayed back to help build their respective political parties.

“Atiku is a dangerously desperate politician that is known to have threatened violence at a forum in Abuja, shortly after he lost the PDP Presidential ticket in a bitter contest to the then President Goodluck Jonathan before the 2011 election.

“Before then, there was an unprecedented intra-party acrimony that was so characterised by mudslinging that the then opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had to issue a statement calling for peace in the ranks of the ruling PDP.

“These facts are very much in the public domain, so it is preposterous that the Atiku camp is seeking to feed Nigerians with a red herring,” the group said.



BMO also wondered why the former Vice president and his media handlers would seek to rubbish history with false narratives on the actual role he played in the dying days of military rule.

“His media aides want Nigerians to believe that he joined forces with MKO Abiola and Ekwueme to fight the then Abacha dictatorship, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

“Nigerians would recall that Atiku Abubakar was a ranking member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on whose platform Abiola ran for the Presidency on June 12 1993, but since he lost out in his bid to be the running mate to Abiola, he clearly went off the political radar and was not even known to play a major role in the electioneering campaigns.

“There was also no record of his participation in efforts spearheaded by activists to force the military government to respect the wish of the people, neither was he one of those who publicly took on Abacha when he usurped power.

“And even when Ekwueme took up the gauntlet to lead the political opposition against the late General Abacha, Atiku was never part of the politicians in the forefront of an initiative that began as G9 but later metamorphosed into G18 and G34 respectively.

“The best he did was his less than inspiring membership of the 1994 Constitutional Conference which had Ekwueme as the leading light, but which was largely boycotted by members of his own party who were insisting on the June 12 mandate.”

The group maintained that the only time Atiku and Ekwueme could be mentioned in the same sentence is when a list of the country’s former Vice Presidents is drawn.

“Yes both of them were Vice Presidents at different times but Nigerians know that while one is the epitome of loyalty and had been acknowledged by his principal, the other had on several occasions been described in uncomplimentary terms by his own.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/buhari-stop-comparing-atiku-to-mko.html

After admitting owing civil servants in Kogi State 38 months salary arrears, Governor Yahaya Bello has made a U-turn, saying he is not owing any worker a dime in his four-year tenure.

Governor Bello was however quick to add that salaries being owed workers were from the previous administrations, adding that arrangements have been concluded to clear the backlog of salaries.

Addressing journalists in Kaduna shortly after the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting on Friday, Governor Bello disclosed that his administration never owed workers.

According to him, only five months arrears is the issue, pointing out that the five months outstanding salaries was incurred by the former administration which was passed to his own administration.

He said, “What was owed by the previous administration is exactly what is being owed now. Under my watch, I m not owing a single dime but inherited liability which Mr. President has approved. As soon as we draw that we shall clear all the arrears.

“I am promising that before December, the issue of salary arrears would be a thing of the past. And even without accessing the N30.8 billion I will raise money and clear the remaining arrears”.

The governor, who expressed his commitment to removing ghost workers from the state’s civil service, hinted that the outstanding arrears were backlog from past administrations in the state.

He also hinted that the previous administration applied for N80.5 billion from the Federal Government and that President Muhammadu Buhari approved N50. 8 billion out of the money.

He said due to his prudent nature, he decided to withdraw only N20 billion which utilisation was published in national dailies including how it was shared with the local governments.


The governor said he is expecting the remaining N30,8 billion to clear the salary arrears before December.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/salary-arrears-gov-bello-makes-u-turn.html

Following the outcome of the Appeal Court ruling on Osun election in Abuja on 9th May, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke has hired seven senior advocates of Nigeria, and 17 other senior counsels to challenge the judgement at the Supreme Court.


It should be recalled that four of the five Appeal Court judges sitting on the appeal filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, to challenge the verdict of election tribunal on the September 22 gubernatorial election in the state had ruled in his favour, declaring him winner of the contest.

The election petition tribunal had earlier declared Adeleke winner by the majority judgement delivered on March 22, which made Oyetola, the APC, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to challenge the verdict at the appellate court.


Dr Onyeachi Ikpeazu,SAN , leading six other Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 17 other senior counsels had however this week filed four appeals against each of the four majority judgements of the appeal court.

The appeals specifically challenge majority judgement in favour of Oyetola, APC, and INEC, including the striking out of the cross appeals of Senator Adeleke.

It also prayed the apex court to set aside the ruling of the appeal court and uphold the decision of the Osun election petition tribunal.


The first Appeal was against the majority lead judgement delivered by Justice J.H.Sankey, which premised on 13 grounds. Adeleke is seeking the following reliefs from the Supreme court:

*To allow the appeal

* To set aside the judgement of the appeal Court delivered in favour of Oyetola


*To dismiss Oyetola’s appeal against the decision of the Tribunal.

The second appeal is against the judgement delivered in favour of the APC, which premised on 31 grounds of appeal. Adeleke listed alleged “errors” committed by the appeal court and sought the following reliefs from the Supreme court:

* To allow this appeal


* To set aside the decision of the appeal court

*To dismiss the appeal of the respondent against the judgement of the tribunal.

The third judgement appealed against was the ruling in favour of INEC, which based on 17 grounds. Adeleke listed alleged “errors” committed by the judges of Appeal Court and sought the following:


* An order of the supreme Court allowing his appeal, and an order of Supreme Court setting aside judgement of Court of Appeal and restoring the judgement of tribunal delivered on the 22nd of March.

The fourth judgement appealed against was that of the cross appeal based on 13 grounds .While listing alleged “errors” committed by the Appeal Court, Adeleke seeks the following reliefs from the Supreme Court namely:

* An order allowing his appeal and setting aside decision of lower court which dismissed the appeal.


*An order granting reliefs sought in appellate case in the cross Appeal

*An order restoring the paragraphs struck out from appellate replies to the 2 and 3 respondents replies.

* A declaration that the appellant won the election by a wider margin than what was found by the lower tribunal in view of the substantial non compliance with the electoral act 2010 as amended.

*A declaration that the rerun of 27th September was null and void and of no effect as the appellant had already won the election in issue upon conclusion of the 22nd September election .

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/osun-guber-adeleke-hires-7-sans-17.html

Ethiopia has started to ration electricity for domestic and industrial customers after a drop in water levels in hydroelectric dams led to a production deficit.

Ethiopia’s minister for water and electricity Seleshi Bekele said that the drop in water levels at the country’s Gibe 3 dam led to a deficit of 476 megawatts (MW), more than a third of the country’s electricity generation of 1,400 MW.

Ethiopia also suspended electricity exports to neighbouring Djibouti and Sudan, which earns the country 18 million dollars a year, the minister said.

Under the rationing programme, which runs until July, domestic consumers will face blackouts for several hours each day, while cement and steel firms will have to operate fewer shifts due to the cuts, Seleshi said.

Ethiopia’s 4 billion dollars dam project on the Nile river, which has been beset by construction delays and criticism from Egypt, is expected to start initial operations in December 2020.

The project has caused problems with Egypt, which fears the dam will restrict Nile river waters coming down from Ethiopia’s highlands through the deserts of Sudan to the Egyptian fields and reservoirs.

The planned 6,000-megawatt Grand Renaissance Dam is the centrepiece of Ethiopia’s bid to become Africa’s biggest power exporter.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ethiopia-begins-rationing-electricity.html

The Federal University of Technology (FUTA) has emerged best institution at the second edition of National Statistics Competition held in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the competition, organised by Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) had 42 final year students from 21 tertiary institutions in attendance.

The competition, which started on May 12 ended on Friday with the announcement of FUTA as the best institution with Usman Idowu and Mikail Olajide from FUTA wining a gold medal as best students.

Meanwhile, Merua Ozomela from Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, emerged the overall best student, placing the three students on gold award category.

Six students emerged second best in the silver award category, while nine students emerged third best in the bronze award category.

For institution performance, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, emerged second best institution while Usman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, emerged third best institution.

In his remarks, the President of NSA, Prof. Sidney Onyeagu congratulated the winners for their outstanding performances in the competition, which focused on inferential statistics.

“The competition came as a result of the collaboration between NSA and National Mathematical Centre on the promotion and training of undergraduates statisticians across various tertiary institutions in the country.

“The sole aim is to continue to rekindle the dwindling interest of students in statistics.

“Also, to build in them the idea of considering statistics as a future career prospect and improve their communication and knowledge in certain difficulty areas of statistics,’’ he said.

Onyeagu, represented by Dr Godday Ebuh, First National Vice President of NSA said the three best institutions and best students in individual category would receive prizes at 2019 NSA conference in Lokoja, Kogi.

The maiden edition of the competition in 2018 had 40 final year students from 20 tertiary institutions across the country.

20 institutions–eight polytechnics and 12 universities participated in the competition, each with three members with the focus on probability distribution.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/futa-emerges-best-institution-at.html

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, again on Tuesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for taking steps toward fully recognising June 12 as Democracy Day.

Tinubu gave the commendation the in a statement released by his Media Adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.

He also urged the National Assembly to cooperate with the presidency to complete the constitutional process of making June 12 Democracy Day.

“To complete this process, that the president has started via Executive Order, we hope that the National Assembly act with reasonable dispatch in cooperation with the presidency to assure that the requisite constitutional amendments are enacted to fully establish June 12 as Democracy Day,” Tinubu said.

The Federal Government had announced that President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration for a second term on May 29 will be low-key and that a number of events slated for the inauguration will be held on June 12.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the announcement when he spoke to State House correspondents on the activities slated to mark the May 29 inauguration.

Buhari had in June last year, directed that from this year, Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked every May 29 for the past 18 years, be shifted to June 12, to honour the Late Chief Moshood Abiola.

Abiola was the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the results of which were annulled by former military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida on June 23, 1993.

The minister said the decision to have a low-key inauguration for the president was taken at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council on May 8.

He said, however, that invitations had been sent to world leaders to attend the ceremonies, marking the observance of Democracy Day on June 12.

“Since the first observance of June 12 as Democracy Day falls into an election year and as a measure to sustain June 12 as Democracy Day, the celebration of the inauguration and the advancement of democracy in the country will now take place on June 12,’’ the minister had said.

Tinubu said President Buhari and the Federal Government deserved to be appreciated for the wise and visionary decision.

“By this wise yet visionary decision, the president has scored double: first he has accorded respect to the Constitution, which recognises May 29 as the date to inaugurate new terms of office.

“While at the same time, he is ensuring the country moves on the rightful path to formalising June 12 as new Democracy Day.

“This decision soundly balances current legal requirements with the quest for political justice.

“For this feat in moving the country in the right direction, President Buhari and the Federal Government deserve commendation, “he said.

Tinubu said that June 12 represented an important milestone in the annals of the country’s democratic journey.

According to him, it was the day Nigerians shunned ethnicity and religion to vote for that leader of their choice in an election adjudged clearly free and fair.

The National Leader also urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to democracy, peaceful co-existence, togetherness and the hope for a greater future, saying that is what June 12 represents.

Recall that on June 12, 2018, President Buhari awarded the late Bahorun MKO Abiola the highest honour in the land, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

His running mate in the election, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, was also bestowed with the Grand Commander Of the Niger (GCON) award.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/tinubu-commends-buhari-urges-nass-to.html

Mr Olusesan Sotonwa, the State Coordinator of the Federal Morgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Oyo State, on Tuesday, said no fewer than 400 workers had benefited from the bank’s home renovation loan scheme from 2015 to 2019.

Sotonwa, who made this disclosure on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, said the beneficiaries were drawn from the federal, state and private establishments.

“The beneficiaries were drawn from workers, who keyed into the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme,” he said.

Sotonwa said many other applications were being treated and more workers would soon benefit from the scheme.

He said four housing estate projects were being funded by the bank in the state for interested or would-be subscribers.

The coordinator said 100 and 48 units of one bedroom and two bedroom flats had been completed in Ogbomosho and Ibadan respectively for interested buyers or subscribers.

”Also, 100 units of one bedroom and two bedroom flats located off the new Ile-Ife road in Ibadan are being completed while another set of 100 units of one bedroom and two bedroom flats in Ogbomosho will soon be completed.

”NHF is a scheme that is working to address the huge housing deficit across the country.

”I urge workers to key into the scheme to enable them enjoy the scheme that would facilitate the acquisition of cheap, decent and affordable houses,” Sotonwa said.

Meanwhile, Dr Stephen Owoshagba-Oni, the FMBN Southwest Zonal Coordinator, urged federal workers to use the opportunity of being enrolled in the NHF programme to tap into any of the bank’s loan windows.

Owoshagba-Oni told NAN that the process of benefiting from any of the FMBN loan windows was not cumbersome as some workers believed.

”For instance, under the Home Renovation Loan Scheme, the loan can be made available to beneficiaries under 30 days if the employees and employers do their documentation right.

”Other NHF products can take up to 60 days before the loan can be accessed,” he said.

Owoshagba-Oni explained that workers could access loan above the amount contributed and that their contributions were safe and refundable after 35 years in service or 60 years of age.

He said that the interests on loans were among the least in the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/400-workers-benefit-from-fmbns-home.html

Clash between youths of Ogwu-Aniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government Area and Umudara community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State over alleged land trespass has left one person dead and two others critically injured.

It was gathered that crisis erupted following alleged holding-hostage of three persons of Umudara extraction by some youths of Ogwu-Aniocha over claims that they trespassed into Ogwu-Aniocha land.

Umudara community in protest, blocked the only access road leading to Ogwu-Aniocha.

A source said five Ogwu-Aniocha youths, who were part of the mediation effort had gone up to Umudara to negotiate the reopening of the access road, but were ambushed on their way and shot by suspected Umudara youths.

One person was allegedly killed, while two others were captured and inflicted with gun shot wounds and severe machete cuts.

The source said other two persons were said to have managed to escape, stressing that youths of Ogwu-Aniocha have since been sprawling for revenge.

Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Arinzechukwu Awogu, who received the information immediately met with his Ihiala Local Government Area counterpart, Ifeanyi Odumegwu over the rising tension between the two neighbouring communities to douse the situation.

The Ogbaru Council boss was accompanied on the peace meeting by the Divisional Police Officers ( DPOs) of Atani and Ihiala respectively with the Area Commander of Ihiala.

Meanwhile, there is palpable tension in Neni community in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State following reports that President of the state Council of Traditional Prime Ministers, Chief Anthony Enukeme was building a mosque in the town.


Enukeme was alleged to have connived with some people outside the state to attract the mosque to Neni as part of the grand design to entrench Islam in the state.

But, Enukeme, who is the chairman and managing director of TONIMAS Nigeria Limited, has dismissed the allegation as the figment of the imagination of some social media professionals.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/1-dies-2-injured-as-youths-clash-over.html

The organised labour yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the involvement of Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, in the affairs of the Nigeria Social Investment Trust Fund (NSITF).The demand came as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) begins a protest in Abuja against the minister today.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba, however, told The Guardian last night that the protest would not be against the inauguration of the NSITF board, but the manner in which Ngige superintended the affairs of the labour sector in the past three years and the recent attacks on protesters at the minister’s residence.

Labour members protesting against alleged refusal by Ngige to inaugurate the board of the NSITF had picketed the minister’s premises last week. The action ended in a violent clash between Ngige’s supporters and the demonstrators.
While the inauguration of the new board takes place in Aso Rock, labour and its allies vow they would be on the streets venting their displeasure against the minister.


Wabba said the labour movement was not particular about inaugurating Frank Kokori, a former general secretary of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), as the chair of the board but that a board should be in place to halt the alleged reign of Ngige as sole administrator of NSITF.

“We expect President Buhari to establish a commission of enquiry to look into the award of contracts and employment of 300 persons by the minister, if this administration is serious about fighting corruption. Our members will be at the inauguration tomorrow (today) because it is statutory.”Wabba maintained that whether Kokori is eventually made the board chair of NSITF or not, labour would ensure that the representatives of both the NLC and NECA resist the running of the Fund by proxy.

The presidency meanwhile clarified its position on the non-inauguration of Kokori as chairman of the board yesterday, saying Buhari approved the action.A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that all the decisions taken by Ngige, in relation to the NSITF, were part of the plans by Buhari to reposition the agency.
Kokori, who was first named board chairman, was later redeployed to the Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour Studies Ilorin (MINILS). He has not officially reacted to the latest development.

According to Adesina, “All actions taken by Ngige towards the resuscitation and repositioning of this ailing agency, including the administrative panel of inquiry into the affairs of NSITF and the suspension of the inauguration of the board in 2018 were part of the special work plan approved for the minister by Mr. President.”

The presidency said efforts were on to reconcile Ngige and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) whose president, Ayuba Wabba, has vowed to call out workers for a massive protest beginning from today. The statement reads in part: “Following the disagreement between the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the leadership of the NLC over the appointment of the chairman of the board of the NSITF, the presidency wishes to clarify as follows:

“ • That the NSITF is a hundred percent, Federal Government of Nigeria-owned insurance parastatal, under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, designed for the role of insuring workers (employees) in the public and private sectors. The organisation is empowered by law to implement the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010 with mandate to insure workers and pay them compensation for accidents, deaths and injuries in the course of work;

“ • That the NSITF was bedevilled and riddled with corruption between 2012 and 2015, which resulted in a colossal loss and mismanagement of about N48 billion out of the total N62 billion contributions during the said period. These were contributions by the employers – viz government and the private sector for payment of compensation to workers and even to employers for loss of man-hours by their workers. The fraud has been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the last chairman and some members of the former board and some officials of the NSITF are presently being prosecuted by the EFCC;

“• That all actions taken by the minister towards the resuscitation and repositioning of the agency, including the suspension of the inauguration of the board in 2018 were part of the special work plan approved for Ngige by Buhari; and


“ • That the appointment of the chairman of this board, which is in consonance with Section 4(a) of the NSITF Act CAP N88 of 2004, was also approved by Mr. President since 23rd July, 2018 on the recommendation of the minister. Mr. Austin Enejamo-Isire, a Chartered Accountant, Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and renowned insurance expert, was approved by Mr. President for this position. Also approved by Mr. President were the managing director and three executive directors who had assumed duties since 18 April 2017.

“Others also approved as non-executive directors are two members to represent the NLC, two members to represent the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and one member each to represent the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.” Adesina said members of the board would be formally inaugurated at 9:00 a.m. today, May 13, 2019 by the minister at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.

“Kokori , our respected veteran labour leader, has Mr. President’s immense respect and has also been appointed on the recommendation of the minister to chair the board of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), a diploma awarding labour institution,” the statement said.The presidency expressed concern and regret over the events that culminated in a skirmish at the private residence of Ngige and condemned it.

https://guardian.ng/news/probe-ngige-now-labour-tells-buhari-begins-protest-today/amp

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has reiterated that everything possible must be done within the ambit of the law by all to ensure peace and unity of the nation.

In a statement issued by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mark expressed worries that Nigeria should have been making more progress but for the challenges of instability, insecurity and unity in parts of the country.

Senator Mark was speaking to his constituents, politicians and paramount rulers in his Otukpo, Benue State, country home Saturday.

Experience, he said has taught him that nobody can live a life of isolation, “therefore, we need each other to make life meaningful and worth living”.

He acknowledged that in the course of human existence, there must be some disagreements but such can be remedied through agreeable and acceptable standards of behaviour or a resort to acceptable reconciliation methods.

He however canvassed for justice in all its ramifications to ensure that people do not resort to self help to address infractions.

Senator Mark thanked his people for the opportunity to serve in the Senate for 20 years, saying “with your votes, prayers and support, I am quitting the Senate as the longest serving Senator and till date, the longest serving president of the Senate.

“From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely thank you. In or out of public office, I will continue to promote the course of peace and unity in the land and the nation at large”.

He listed projects attracted to his constituency to include but not limited to the multi-Billion naira Loko/Oweto bridge and road nearing completion, the Otobi water Dam, the university of Health Sciences, Otukpo, the campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Otukpo study centre as well as key government appointments.

Senator Mark admitted that he may not have actualize all the programmes and policies, he envisaged but “I did my best. I am sure history will be kind to me”.

Also speaking, the Deputy governor of Benue State, Benson Abonu, said the state is most fortunate to have a leader like Senator Mark, pointing out that the history of this country cannot be complete without reference to him as one of the stabilizing hands in the country.

The Deputy governor praised Mark for his integrity and courage which he exhibited in his 20 years sojourn of meritorious service in the senate.

His successor Comrade Abba Moro paid glowing tribute to Mark for his exploits in the Senate, chief of which was his stable leadership of the Senate for eight uninterrupted years.

The state chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Sir, John Ngbede described Senator Mark as one of the brightest and fertile minds that have presided over the upper legislative house.

All the traditional rulers led by the Och’ Idoma HRH Agabaidu Elias Ikoyi Obekpa IV, showered encomiums on Senator Mark for being a good and worthy ambassador of the Benue people.

His exploits in the National Assembly, the paramount ruler added should be reference point for future leaders.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/we-must-restore-peace-unity-by-all.html

The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State may have taken a new dimension as the two factions within the party have renewed their hostility.

The faction loyal to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu claimed that Akeredolu remained the leader of the party in the state, while the other faction led by Senator Ajayi Boroffice claimed that Akeredolu could no longer lead the party having being allegedly suspended by the National Working Committee (NWC) for alleged anti-party activities.

This is even as some factional leaders of the party have continued to trade words over the suspension of the governor from the party.

A factional leader of APC and former commissioner for Regional Integration in Osun State, Mr. Bola Ilori accused Governor Akeredolu of being the brain behind the crisis in the party.

Ilori said the suspension of Akeredolu was occasioned by pride, adding that he was the architect of his own misfortune, having allegedly contributed to the abysmal performance of the party in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

Akelicious gathered that the Akeredolu faction of the party led by Mr. Ade Adetimehin meets at the state secretariat of the party along Oyemekun road, while the Boroffice faction meets at the residence of a former Deputy Governor Of the state, Alhaji Alli Olanusi.

It was gathered that the two factions meet regularly at their various meeting centres and the meetings were not unconnected with the 2020 governorship election.

But the party’s Director of Media and Strategy, Mr. Steve Otaloro said the Adetimehin led faction of the party was the only recognized faction, saying the Supreme Court has finally ruled over the matter.


Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale said the crisis in the party was occasioned by the ambition of some members to succeed Akeredolu.

He blamed those planning to contest the 2020 governorship election on the platform of the party for being responsible for the crisis.

Also, Governor Akeredolu, it was gathered, has been lobbying the powers that be within the party for the lifting of his suspension.

The governor who recently claimed not to be formally aware of his suspension from the party, Sunday Sun learnt, had visited some key stakeholders at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja over his suspension.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ondo-apc-crisis-deepens-as-akeredolu.html

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology, says the achievements recorded in Presiden Muhammadu Buhari’s first tenure were a fulfilment of a social contract with Nigerians.

Onu stated this on Sunday in Uburu when he played host to the Conference of 2019 South-East All Progressives Congress (APC), House of Assembly candidates at his Uburu country home.

The Minister said that the government had done so much in repositioning the economy through the diversification policy.

He said that agricultural sector development, fight against insurgency, anti-graft war and infrastructure development received boost in the first tenure.

He assured that the ‘Next Level’ administration would consolidate the gains and achievements of the first tenure as well as expand the national frontier for more economic growth and development.

He noted that the administration has delivered on the three key promises it made during the campaign for the 2015 general election, adding that the re-election of Mr President was predicated on his fulfilment of the 2015 campaign promises.

”This government has achieved a lot; the President made three promises and those promises he has worked real hard to keep.

”The country was in a very bad state when we came in and the economy of our nation rested just on one single commodity – crude oil and natural gas.

”As soon as we came in, the price of crude oil dropped sharply in the international market and that was why we entered into a recession.

”That notwithstanding, the President has been able to manage our economy efficiently and ‘Next Level’ will consolidate Nigeria’s rebuilding process.

”We must as a people continue to support our President in his very strong desire to build better, stronger and economically prosperous nation hinged on equity, justice and equality,” Onu said.

The Minister said though the APC in the zone did not perform well in the 2019 elections, it outing surpassed the 2015 performance.

He urged the candidates who lost in the election not to be overwhelmed by the loss but to focus on building a stronger APC in the zone.

”Do not allow the issues of the 2019 general elections to overwhelm you, rather focus on strengthening the party at your various constituencies because you are our foot soldiers,” he added.

He reiterated the commitment of APC in the zone to take over the five states in the zone in 2023.

Earlier, Mr Confidence Chukwuedozie, APC candidate, Udi South State constituency who spoke on behalf of the group, extolled the virtues and leadership quality of Onu whom he described as a ‘rare breed’ politician.

He said that the group came to appreciate the support he gave to all the candidates that vied for various positions during the just concluded general elections in the South-East zone.

He added that the group came to pledge support and loyalty to the party and to assure the minister that they would work hard to ensure that the party was reinvented in South-East after the 2019 election defeat.

He called on the minister to use his good office as the leader of APC caucus in the zone to ensure that former House of Assembly candidates were carried along in the party.

”It is no longer news that the outcome of the election was very, very disheartening and we wish to make an appeal to you sir, as the leader of the South East caucus.

”Our appeal is on the premise that, as a group, we want to have recognition in the South East zone.

”We are not out for any reason to fight any leader or to be used as a tool to bring down anybody.

”We are asking for a right hand of fellowship from the leaders of our zone and by extension the leaders of our party at the national level.

”Some of us were part of the meeting of the South East caucus that took place in Enugu last weekend where a committee was set up to lobby other leaders in the nation regarding the zoning of the principal officers in the National Assembly.

”We are very much in support of that and we are throwing our weight solidly behind the leadership of the South East.

”Of course, we are here also to pledge our 100 per cent allegiance to your leadership and to the entire leadership of the South East of the APC.

”We appeal that should the new government come in place, we have highly skilled professionals here.

”This group should be carried along especially as it concerns jobs so that we can further strengthen the structure of the party in the South-East knowing full well that we are closer to the grassroots than any other person,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/next-level-will-deepen-buharis-first.html

The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar ýyesterday declared today as the first day of Ramadan, 1440 AH.

The announcement marks the commencement of the 29 or 30 days fast by the Muslims across the country.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar in which Muslims will observe one month fasting.

Making the announcement in his Sokoto palace, Abubakar said the commencement of the fast followed reports of sighting of the moon in some states which marked the end of the month of Shaaban 1440 AH.


The Nation learnt that the states include Sokoto, Yobe and Kebbi.

Sultan Abubakar said: “Upon due verification and authentication by the states and national moon sighting committees and states confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan signifies the end of Sha’aban 1440 AH.

“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslim Ummah are to commence fasting on Monday accordingly.”

The NSCIA leader enjoined all Muslims to devote themselves fully to the worship of Allah throughout the holy month, and use the period to pray for leaders, peace and stability prosperity of the nation.

“We further called on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal difference,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ramadan-begins-today-says-sultan.html

Exactly nine years ago, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua breathed his last. The Katsina-born died after suffering from Pericarditis.

Despite the many intrigues that trailed his sickness and eventual death, Yar’Adua is still well respected and acknowledged for many changes in the nation’s polity. This is despite the fact that he was in office for just three years.

Below are some of the changes he made for which he remains beloved:
1. Reduction of fuel pump price. Yar-Adua is the first Nigerian leader to carry out downward reverse of hike in fuel pump price. As soon as he was inaugurated on May 29, 2007, one of his first actions was to reduce fuel price from N75 to N65. This act was widely praised by Nigerians.

2. Niger Delta Amnesty Programme. The former Katsina State Governor initiated the Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme which saw hundreds of youths in the oil-rich Niger Delta empowered. This was contrary to the popular notion that he would clamp down on the restive youths who were blowing oil installations for their grievances. The programme was well-received and doused tensions in the region, thereby shoring up oil production with many of the ex-agitators rehabilitated.

3. Abuja-Kaduna rail route. Though he never lived to see its completion, Yar’Adua initiated the Abuja-Kaduna rail route. Thankfully, President Muhammadu Buhari went on to commission the project in July 2016.

4. New Minimum wage. Workers would remember the late President for initiating the move that led to the N18,000 wage on February 22, 2011 when the Senate approve the new wage. It was Yar’Adua who inaugurated the Presidential Committee on National Minimum Wage headed by Chief Justice Alfa Moddibo through the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed. The new wage was approved by his successor President Goodluck Jonathan following recommendations of the committee.

5. Dredging of River Niger. After 40 years, Yar’Adua recommended the dredging of the River Niger, which he couldn’t sadly see through until his demise.

6. Declaration of Assets. He had the honour of being the first Nigerian leader to declare his assets. He declared he had ₦856,452,892 (US$5.8 million) in assets, ₦19 million ($0.1 million) of which belonged to his wife. He also had ₦88,793,269.77 ($0.5 million) in liabilities. His plan, clearly, was to set a good example for public office holders and discourage corruption.

7. Release of Lagos councils’ funds. For almost four years, former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to release federal allocations to Lagos state, claiming the creation of 37 Local Council Development Authority(LCDAs) by former Governor Bola Tinubu was a misnomer. But Yar’Adua, within months of assumption of power, reversed the widely criticized presidential order and released all the withheld allocations, running into billions, to Lagos.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/7-notable-legacies-of-late-president.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 14 other banks out of the 17 ordered by an FCT High Court to show cause why plea for garnishee of alleged accounts operated by Imo Government should not be made absolute, had denied overseeing the state’s accounts.

The denials were contained in the respondents briefs filed by the concerns banks and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, by Mr Anthony Agbonlahor, Counsel for the Judgment Creditors.

A garnishee order is a common form of enforcing a judgment debt against a debtor to recover money.

The court enforces the payment of such debt through a third party who holds funds belonging to the judgment debtor.

The judgment creditors, E.F. Network Nig Ltd and Mr Gideon Egbuchulam on April 17 approached the court with an exparte motion praying it to compel 17 banks allegedly overseeing Imo government accounts to effect the payment.

Justice Bello Kawu, went ahead to grant the prayer by directing the listed banks to show cause why the order should not made absolute.

The banks were: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Access Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Jaiz Bank, Union Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank Plc, Ecobank Plc, Keystone Bank Plc, and Diamond Bank Plc.

The rest were: Fidelity Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Plc, GTBank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Plc, and FCMB Bank Plc.

The Supreme Court had on March affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal Owerri which ordered the state defendants to pay the N1 billion contract debt owed the judgment creditors.

The apex court held that the appeal filed by the Imo state government and Gov. Rochas Okorocha challenging the judgment of the lower court was not meritorious.

However, going by the respondents brief filed by the 17 banks, 14 of them denied overseeing any Imo government accounts.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it was not in the position to effect the order of the court since it only had only administrative supervisory powers over banks.

Mr Ahmed Abdullahi, Counsel for the CBN in this respondent brief said that the apex bank did not maintain accounts in the name of the judgment debtor.

He further said the bank had such powers to track funds due to the state government in the consolidated revenue fund of Imo state. Abdullahi also argued that the bank did not part take in the actual sharing of funds to state from the Federation Account.

He further said the CBN as a public officer required the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation to act on legal matters, adding that processes served on the bank did indicate consent was sought.

Abdullahi therefore, prayed the court to vacate the order and discharge the bank in the interest of justice.

However, the respondent’s brief filed by the Zenith Bank Plc indicated the state government maintained an account with it, but that the account was used to obtain N10 billion loan from the bank 2016 and spread across 240 months.

Similarly, Access Bank Nig, Plc in its response, agreed to oversee a number of the judgment debtor’s account but that the balances in those account abysmally negligible, adding that they were no recent transactions on the accounts.

Agbonlahor, while speaking on the responses filed by the Access bank, said the bank’s testimony was incorrect.

“Access Bank today filed a return denying the existence of the account numbers we had tracked belonged to the judgment debtors.

“This denial goes contrary to the letter of the prayers that contained specific account numbers maintained by the judgment debtors with the bank.

“The act of concealing of existing accounts on the part of the bank is a despicable action capable of making it incur liabilities of the judgment debtors.

“We have evidence that one of the account numbers we mentioned had been used to pay salaries of workers in Imo state last month through the intervention of the EFCC.

“It is therefore an embarrassment to the bank for it to deny the existence of any accounts belonging to Imo state government.

“Whether this will be the beginning of charges bordering on perjury against the deponent, only time will tell,’’ Agbonlahor said.

However, Chief M.O Nlemedim (SAN), Imo State, Attorney-General filed a Motion on Notice seeking the termination of the garnishee proceedings for want of competence.

He is asking the court for an order restraining the judgment creditors, agents, representatives or the garnishee banks from relying on the said garnishee order pending the determination of the motion.

The state is also seeking the setting aside of the garnishee order made April 17 in a motion mark: FCT/HC/5309/2019, for allegedly being an abuse of court process.

The other judgment debtors include the Environmental Transformation Committee (Imo Entraco) and The Ministry of Environment.

Justice Bello Kawu has fixed June 25 for continuation of hearing on the matter.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/n1bn-imo-contract-debt-cbn-14-banks.html

A few days after the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) announced the appointment of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as its “Ambassador-at-Large”, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a fresh investigation, which seeks to probe all salaries, allowances, estacodes, and payments he received as governor from 2003 to 20011. The probe coming eight years after Saraki left office as governor of Kwara State, was contained in a letter to the state government, through the Permanent Secretary, Government House, dated April 26, and titled, “Investigation Activities: Dr. Bukola Saraki.”

EFCC claimed in the letter that it was investigating an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering involving Saraki.


According to the letter signed by its Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, EFCC stated, “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.”

However, because this is coming only a few days after Saraki landed an international appointment, many in the state believe the move is a mere smear campaign intended to rubbish the senate president before the international community. This is more so as he is the one singled out for such a probe among those that held office as governor in that period.

Besides, many see the latest investigation as curious because Saraki had been through a tedious prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal and was subsequently cleared by the tribunal and the Supreme Court.

“To think he is the only one who has been singled out for this kind of investigation, more so that we have probed further to check if that kind of letter was sent to anyone else and our checks revealed that he was the only one sent the letter except, of course, they just issued another one today. This, obviously, is a needless persecution and must be condemned by all,” said a stakeholder, who believed the anti-graft body had derailed.

The stakeholder, who preferred anonymity, said further, “Isn’t it curious that the EFCC wants to look at legitimate earnings like salaries, including condescending to the level of probing the esacodes and other emoluments as governor? Is the anti-graft body not a political tool already?”

The Supreme Court had in June 2018 cleared Saraki of all allegations of false asset declaration, after the federal government filed 18 counts of false and anticipatory asset declaration charges against him in 2015. Although all the counts collapsed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2017, the government appealed the ruling, culminating in a judgement by the Supreme Court.

But the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld all but three of the charges and returned them to the tribunal for retrial. Saraki’s legal team contested the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting he had no case to answer.
In its verdict, the Supreme Court said the Court of Appeal panel engaged in “forensic somersault” when it held that Saraki should answer three of the charges.

But while all the allegations of false asset declaration had been cleared at the highest court in the land, the EFCC has taken a different route, a move that has exacerbated suspicion that it is more of a political persecution than a prosecution.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/05/again-efcc-moves-against-bukola-saraki/?amp

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with government and people of South Africa over the loss of lives resulting from torrential downpours and mudslides.

Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja on Saturday, said he was “profoundly touched by the unfortunate incident.

“I am saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by the natural disaster. Such disasters destroy within hours everything the people have laboured for, forcing many to start from the scratch.

”This is particularly difficult for developing countries battling with poverty,’’ he said.

The president expressed sympathy to families affected by the disaster, praying that God would comfort and strengthen them in their hour of need.

“Our prayers and sympathies are with the people of South Africa as they struggle to overcome the devastating impact of these floods,’’ the president added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/flood-president-buhari-condoles-with.html

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has approved funds to begin the process for the upgrade and accreditation of Armed Forces Electrical and Mechanic (AEME) Mechatronics School.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin announced this in Abuja at the graduation of participants of Course 3 of the school.

He said upgrade and accreditation would enable the school to pursue a programme on “National Innovative Diploma’’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 15 personnel drawn from the Army, Air Force and Navy participated in the course.

Olonisakin, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Defence Logistics, said that the objective of setting up the school had largely been achieved.

He said this was exemplified by the quality of graduands it had so far turned out.

Olonisakin also said the school was established to produce technicians capable of tackling complex challenges of maintaining automobiles in the inventory of the armed forces.

“The training of competent technicians is key to maintainability. This will enhance the serviceability of military equipment to meet all operational logistics and administrative requirements.’’

He said the school had been expanded to increase admission, including civilians, for subsequent courses.

The school, which was set up in 2015 following a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and German Ministries of Defence in 2011, had so far turned out 30 graduands.

“The school enrolls the technicians of the armed forces of Nigeria, who are expected to undergo an intensive two years training in line with the National Board of Technical Education –NABTE curricular and the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry regulations,’’ Olonisakin said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/dhq-approves-fund-for-upgrade-of.html

The Centre for the Right to Health (CRH), an NGO, has called on the Federal Government to make better efforts towards the implementation of the Patients’ Bill of Rights launched in 2018.

Mrs Stella Iwuagwu, the CRH Executive Director, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja.

Iwuagwu said that launching the bill showed sincerity of purpose to ensure protection of patients rights, but that much more needed to be done to see to its implementation.

The executive director said that implementation of the bill has been lack-lustre with limited resources allocated to enforce the act.

“It is one thing to pass a law, but it is yet another to implement, monitor and enforce them. Implementation has been lackluster.

“Resource allocation to implement and enforce the Act has been limited.

“On the part of the government, one can say sincerity of purpose and commitment to ensure patients’ rights are respected pushed the federal government to launch the bill.

“Also this purpose pushed it to promulgate and sign into law the National Health Act which provides for, guarantees and protects patients’ rights; though it took many years of consistent advocacy by Civil Society Organisations including CRH before the government could sign the National Health Act into law.

“The Patient’s Bill of Rights was launched in 2018 but till today, a lot of people including health service providers are not even aware of its existence.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/ngo-tasks-federal-govt-on-patients-bill.html

Kogi State workers have been thrown into mourning over the death of Fatimah Noah, a staff of Magistrate Court 11. She was said to have slumped and died over non-payment of salaries.

Kogi State government currently owes the judiciary workers who just suspended five months old strike, nine months salary arrears.

It was gathered that Mrs. Noah, a widow, popularly known as Mama Danlandi slumped and died around 8pm. on Thursday in her residence in Lokoja, from yet-to-be disclosed illness.

An account said she resumed work on Monday with her colleagues, as JUSUN called off the five-month old strike, after National Judicial Council (NJC) resolved the trade disputes between the judiciary and Kogi State government, and has been coming to office without any complaint of any form of medical complication.

According to her colleague, the late judiciary worker was seen on duty on Thursday without betraying any sign of sickness or any form of discomfort until she closed and left for home.

A family source said since her husband died years ago, the burden of family upkeep has been placed on her, but that the situation became compounded when her salary was not paid for almost a year.

“Mama Danladi who had not taken salaries for the past one year, and a widow with children in tertiary institutions, was said to have scouted for N20, 000 three days ago to address pressing need of one of her sons in the school but without success”, the source stressed.

While speaking to journalists, most of her colleagues at her workplace extolled her virtues of humour, noting that they have lost a rare gem whose dedication to work endeared her to the high and the low at her place of work.

The remains of the woman who was born on November 18, 1973 has been taken to Idah, her country home on Friday, and buried according to Islamic rites.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/kogi-judiciary-worker-slumps-dies-over.html

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, Buba Marwa, has said of Nigeria’s estimated population, there are 15 million drug users.

Marwa, a former military governor of Lagos State, referred to the development as alarming adding that the global average rating of drug use, abuse is five per cent while in Nigeria, it is about 15 percent.

Marwa who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja, in the company of members of his committee, when paid a courtesy call by the FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, said the committee is working assiduously to bring forth recommendations on how to resolve the crisis of drug abuse in the country.

Marwa noted that the committee has been engaging various stakeholders who have a role to play in the Elimination of Drug Abuse in the country, adding they have interfaced with the NDLEA, customs, police, NAFDAC, Ministers of Health and education as well as regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical council and patent medicine dealers association of Nigeria.The FCT Minister called for more funding for the NDLEA to improve manpower and equipment to realize its core mandate.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/nigeria-has-15m-drug-users-says-marwa.html

A Presidential Photographer Mrs Novo Isioro, has renewed moves to re-unite all tribes, religions and ethnic groups in Nigerian using historical pictures.

Isioro, the Personal (official) photographer to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, uses picture to trace the history of the country and her fortunes when the people were united.

At an exhibition in Abuja, the photographer through her Aniza project, showcased pictures from 1930 to 2018.

Some of the pictures which depicted the unity of Nigerians were: an Hausa Mosque in Onitsha in 1930, opening of a mosque in 1946 with a Reverend in attendance as well as the homogenous crowd that were present for the opening of Festac 77.

Other pictures on display showed the performance of our united football teams, military exploits by our united gallant troops as well as discipline exhibited by our politicians despite their differences or ethnic background.

On a sad note, pictures of the civil war and the hunger and poverty that ravaged parts of Nigeria were also on display, stressing ‘why the nation could not afford to go through that path again’.

Speaking to newsmen at the Exhibition to celebrate Workers’ Day, Isoro said that the Aniza initiative was a means of ensuring that young Nigerians had the right orientation that we are ‘one Nigeria’.

“Aniza came about at a time when there was an increase of hate speeches and it was young people that were the instrument for the hate speeches and activities.

“We tot to ourselves, what ca we do to stop this since we are also young people, as a photographer I thought of how I could use pictures to tell young people that we had a country that there was no difference between our tribes and religion, we had one nation.

“Through the exhibition you could see that we achieved so much when we worked as one untied Nigeria after the independence and we believed that if young people knew this, it would help change their orientation to see every Nigerian as one with themselves,” she said.

She berated individuals who used young people as tools to divide Nigeria for their selfish purposes.

The presidential photographer added that the project was even more necessary at the time because History as a subject had been yanked out of the secondary education curriculum and created a void that needed to be filled desperately.

She said that history was treated in other countries as next to mathematics and English language and should not have been taken off. She thanked the authorities for restoring it.

Isioro went on to explain that the exhibition is also intended to be taken to schools to teach young people through pictures about the history of the country.

She said that at the inauguration of the Aniza project by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, 26 schools were brought in to be participate in the exhibition.

She urged Nigerians who participate in the exhibition to go on and preach the message of unity and oneness, stressing that Nigeria would develop better when she becomes united as a Nigeria of people.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/presidential-photographer-seeks-to.html

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has vowed to demystify politics and appointments in the state during his second tenure in office.

This, he said, was to check the desperation of individuals to occupy government positions.

Umahi said this on Thursday in Abakaliki while reacting to the recent killings of four people who included members of the peace committee set up in the wake of the boundary clashes between the Mgbo community of the state and the Agila of Benue.


Umahi said that he could not understand the recent trends in the state as every matter had “dove tailed’ into politics and appointments.

‘`Whenever there is nothing else to do, people are always struggling for appointments, and in Ohaukwu’s case they are already ahead of 2023.

“That is the cause of incessant killings in the area as nobody wants to do any other thing except cheap money from the government.

“This is why we are struggling to have control of Ohaukwu because it is people from the area who tell the Agila people that our people are coming there,” he said.

The governor admonished the people that anybody involved in the killing of another directly or indirectly, would have his or her generation doomed.

“Such a person will never succeed in life and when he or she appears too strong, God will use cancer, kidney and liver ailments to afflict the person.


“I therefore, direct the state Commissioner of Police to immediately arrest the 40 stakeholders of the council who signed the peace accord and ensure they are interrogated.

“They should report to the police and the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) and even when bailed, they should be interrogated daily until they produce the killers of the four committee members,” he said.

Umahi noted that the situation was an indictment on the council’s chairman, stressing that until God directed him on what to do, the chairman should join those that would be interrogated by the security agencies.

Dr Kelechi Igwe, Deputy Governor, noted that he was saddened that in spite of all government efforts which he spearheaded to bring lasting peace to the area, the alterations had continued.

“It is unfortunate that the council is in the spotlight again because I dissolved all committees existing in Ohaukwu and handed over the security of the LGA to the Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution.

“They should put their house in order to stop these killings and I suspect foul play because some members of the peace committee are among those killed,” he said.

Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, noted that the stakeholders from Ohaukwu should explain the circumstance behind the killings.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/umahi-vows-to-demystify-politics.html

The 2019 gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has described Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as a hypocrite who is bereft of milk of human kindness.

Otti spoke against the backdrop of reported announcement by the Abia State government during this year’s Workers’ Day celebration, that government was willing to pay the new N30,000 minimum wage recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“How are they going to do it? How are they going to pay N30,000 when they have not been able to pay N18,000?” Otti queried.

He added: “It is sheer hypocrisy for Abia State government, under Ikpeazu, to pay lip service to Abia workers that it was going to pay the new minimum wage, when it is currently owing workers between three months and 15 months salaries, in arrears.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/otti-slams-ikpeazu-for-owing-abia.html

A socio-economic group in Ekiti State, Opeyemi Falegan Foundation (OFF), has called for joint efforts in tackling the menace of crime and unemployment in the country.

The foundation noted that it would be wrong to assume that President Muhammadu Buhari has solution to all the ills confronting the nation.

Hon. Opeyemi Falegan, founder of the OFF, who was represented by the Director General of the group, Mr. Oluwadare Temidayo, made the remark at the second edition of distributing food items to aged persons, widows and youths over the weekend in Ado Ekiti.


He stressed the need for all well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the poor masses around them to promote peace and tranquility in the society.

“Abject poverty and unemployment in Nigeria are major factors being responsible for youth restiveness in some parts of the country, hence the need to fight the scourge without further delay,” he said.

He added, “The task of fighting poverty and other ills affecting our peaceful co-existence in Nigeria must not be left to government alone but rather must be seen as a joint task to achieve a meaningful outcome.

“Government can only do its little part but the onus is also on well-meaning individuals to complement government’s effort to make life worth living for the poor.

“Giving back to the society especially the poor is Godly and rewarding, hence the need for all to imbibe the spirit of assisting the less privileged around us to save them from penury and abject poverty that usually lead to their untimely death.

Falegan said the aim of the foundation was to give back to the society especially the less-privileged persons to make life more bearable for them.

He said there was the need for people especially well-meaning Individuals in and outside the country to look around in their immediate environment and come to the aid of the poor masses to alleviate their sufferings.

The U.K based Falegan expressed worries over the level of poverty across Nigeria and called for “a collective effort of all and sundry” to banish the menace for a peaceful society.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/buhari-alone-cant-fight-crime.html

Juventus star, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly purchased the world’s most expensive car costing over £9million- a Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

Reports suggest Ronaldo has spent €11million (£9.49million) on the unique Bugatti which was first presented to the world at the Geneva Motor Show 2019.

The French luxury company built only one of the prototype supercar and it is a tribute to the 110th anniversary of the founding of the company.

The car is a modern interpretation of the mythical and legendary Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, four of which were built between 1936 and 1938.
The car is powered by an 8.0-litre turbocharged W16 engine and can reach 260mph.

Bugatti have confirmed the one-off model now has an owner, but have refused to officially identify them.

Spanish sports paper Marca reports that the new owner is the legendary footballer, despite previous claims that it was bought by Ferdinand Piech, former chairman of the Volkswagen Group.

The owner will not be able to drive the car until 2021 as the company still needs to finalise some small details on the prototype, according to reports.
Ronaldo has a fleet of luxury cars which reportedly include a Mercedes C Class Sport Coupe, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Ujn Ferrari 599 GTO, a Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, an Aston Martin DB9, a McLaren MP4 12C and a Bentley Continental GTC Speed.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/05/juventus-star-cristiano-ronaldo-buys.html