Fourteen persons have been reported dead in Okoroutip community in Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State from water-borne diseases which broke out in the village between last December and April this year. Investigation by Akelicious reveals that apart from persistent flood that threatens the community, it has no access to potable water. Narrating the pathetic situation in the community to our correspondent in Okoroutip, the youth president, Mr. Henry Ekpe Nkan, said that the only sources of water for the people are ponds and streams that flow from the creeks. Nkan said: “As a riverine area where there is no bush to dispose off our wastes, the community drops faeces and other organic substances in the same streams and ponds that they drink from and other household chores.” He said these unhealthy living conditions had caused water-related epidemic where 14 lives have been lost from December last year till date. According to him, “From December last year we have buried 14 people who died from water-borne sicknesses and more could still die this year because nothing has been done to help us by the state government.” Nkan said that the only borehole drilled by ExxonMobil many years ago had collapsed and the well contaminated while the entire plumbing system had decayed leaving the people to help themselves with any available water despite the unsanitary conditions. The supervisor for Education in Ibeno council who hails from the community, Mr. Isaac Williams, said that the people abandoned the borehole when it was discovered that the water contained particles suspected to be crude. Williams recalled that the water from the borehole turned dark within an hour confirming that it was not fit for drinking. He said: “The problem of water in Okoroutip community is a consequence of the terrain of the area as a result of heavy presence of oil. We are still pleading with multinational oil companies to come to our rescue by giving us drinkable water. We believe that someday succour would come our way.” When our correspondent visited the abandoned borehole, it was a tale of neglect and abandonment as it was overgrown by weeds and other mangrove shrubs where the women dry their clothes on the rusted water tank stand. The youth leader said the situation had been worsened by the absence of medical facility for the treatment for victims of water-related sicknesses in the area. Nkan said that the only health centre in the area which was constructed by the former council chairman, Mrs, Regina Egbe, was not equipped and there were no personnel to attend to patients. “Some health workers only come here to give immunisation vaccines to our children and leave, There is nobody to attend to patients during emergencies,” he said, adding that the lack of medical facility had increased adult and infant mortality rate in the oil-rich community.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/water-borne-diseases-kill-14-in-aibom.html

The Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme (BHIS) has so far enrolled 108,156 persons in less than two years of its commencement.

Dr Zuoboemi Agadah, Executive Secretary of BHIS made this known on Monday in Yenagoa in his opening remarks at the BHIS Enrollee’s Forum.

Agadah said that having covered the public servants, plans had reached advanced stage to commence enrolment of private and informal sectors in the scheme.

He noted that about 5,000 retirees were already enjoying services under the scheme.

According to Agadah, civil servants in the state started receiving quality medical care at no extra cost apart from the two per cent of their consolidated salaries deducted at source from September 2017.

He said that the scheme had contributed significantly to safer childbirth among civil servants and reduced infant mortality rates as the rate of hospital patronages by expectant mothers had also improved.

The executive secretary said that the BHIS organised the interactive session with enrollees to get feedback from the beneficiaries with a view to improving their overall experience.

He noted that the management of BHIS had earlier met with healthcare providers for the same purpose.

Agadah said that the state government established the governance structure where the BHIS appointed a third party administrator – United Healthcare International – to run the scheme through accredited healthcare providers in Bayelsa.

He said that the BHIS had accredited 80 healthcare providers before take-off, saying that efforts were underway to commence re-accreditation of facilities of healthcare providers in the state.

Prof Onyaye Kunle-Olowu, Chairperson of BHIS, noted that BHIS had intervened in the healthcare situation in the state by ensuring that the contributions paid by enrollees were managed to provide services to those in need.

She said that in 2018, more than 900 surgeries were carried out on enrollees by accredited healthcare providers while the scheme picked the bills.

Kunle-Olowu urged the enrollees to feel free to share their experiences to enable the scheme play its regulatory role and improve on the scheme.

“We have had encouraging testimonies from beneficiaries who have had surgeries and caesarean section without paying an extra kobo apart from the premium paid by the enrollee, which covers spouse and four biological children.

“Like everything human, we are not yet perfect, there are bound to be issues and we appeal to enrollees to bring their experiences to us.

“We have acquired toll-free telephone lines to ensure that we get instant complaints whenever there is an issue.

“We have set up the necessary framework to provide quality healthcare to our enrollees that take ill.

“From available data, about 14 per cent of our enrollees have attended hospitals to access services without making any kind of out-of-pocket payment at the hospitals.

“The contributions deducted from enrollees’ salaries are used to take care of the cost of treatment of any enrollee or his dependant that falls sick, ‘’ Kunle -Olowu said.

Dr Kazeem Mustapha, Executive Director of United Healthcare, coordinated the interactive session with enrollees and expressed delight that the scheme had reduced the financial burden of healthcare.

Mr Obene Zuowefa, who shared her experiences, said that she had a successful surgery at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital recently.

Zuowefa said that soon after recovery, she was diagnosed of acute apendisitis which required another surgery.

“I want to express gratitude to this Bayelsa Health Insurance Scheme. I did not pay a kobo for the two surgeries.

“If not for this, only God knows what the situation would have been because my salary cannot cope,’’ Zuowefa said.

Mrs Blessing Emera, another Civil Servant, said that she also benefited from the scheme when she underwent surgery in September 2018 in one of the accredited hospitals and had her bills settled by BHIS.

However, Mr Daniel Orukari, who works with Bayelsa Government Treasury, complained that the accredited hospitals often claimed that most of the recommended drugs were either not available or not covered by the scheme.

Responding, Agadah explained that the scheme, modelled after the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) approved a list of generic drugs to be dispensed to enrollees.

He said that part of the requirements for accreditation of healthcare providers was the maintenance of a pharmacy stocked with essential drugs on the BHIS list.

Agadah threatened to delist any accredited facility found wanting as the BHIS paid a monthly capitation fee of N43 million to the accredited hospitals; even if no enrollee turns up; in addition to the medical bills of beneficiaries that fall sick.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/bayelsa-over-108000-civil-servants.html

The senator representing Kaduna Central District in the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, has alleged plot to attack and malign the person of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Kaduna State.


According to him, the plan involves dragging the highly-regarded politician’s name in the mud in Hausa language and on Hausa Radio in Kaduna environs.

Sani, a Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) senator, said on Monday that the plot could not have been hatched by members of the opposition as the names being used to execute it were known names in the ruling party.


The senator, who is known for writing cryptic messages on social media, made the claim in a post published via his verified Twitter handle.

Sani wrote, “Some people are strategically being sponsored to attack and maligned the Asiwaju in Hausa language in Hausa Radio in Kaduna and environs.

“This certainly couldn’t have come from the opposition knowing the background of the kind of people being used.

“Some wars begins with a sniper.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/shehu-sani-alleges-plot-to-attack.html

The Federal Government has developed an operational guideline for effective implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) self-testing in Nigeria.

The guideline outlines the principles for delivery approach, package, quality assurance and coordination for HIVST in the country.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, who stated this during dissemination of the guideline and report of the Laboratory-based evaluation of Alere HIV Combo rapid test kit, said preliminary results from the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed that the country has made significant progress in the control of HIV and is on course to attaining the UNAIDS global 90-90-90 targets, to ensure that 90 percent of people, who are infected with HIV know their status, 90 percent of those who know their status receive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and 90 percent of those on ART are virally suppressed.

Adewole noted that current data reveals that Nigeria has 1.9 million persons infected with HIV with about 1.1 million on ART, adding that in order to meet the target for the first 90, Nigeria must have 1.71 million people, who know their status by testing and identifying up to 600,000 HIV positive persons by December 2020.

Earlier, Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr. Evelyn Ngige said to ensure accurate and reliable diagnosis of HIV infection in Nigeria, the National AIDS/STIs Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Development Partners has been conducting evaluations of HIV raid test kits (RTKs) to determine their suitability for placement in the national HIV testing algorithm.

https://guardian.ng/news/fg-develops-operational-guideline-for-hiv-self-testing/amp

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate for the 2019 polls, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed the petition by the All Progressives Congress (APC) contesting his citizenship as “idiotic”.


Atiku, who spoke through his media aide, Paul Ibe, told Saturday Sun, yesterday, that it is an insult to Nigerians and the office of Vice President, which he occupied for eight years, for the APC to allege that he is not a Nigerian.


He said everything must not be about politics. Ac- cording to him, “ that is idiotic. It is idiotic. And it is ridiculous. Atiku Abubakar is a former Vice President of Nigeria. Are they telling us that a former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a Nigerian? That is disrespectful to Nigerians and for the office he has held, which other people will hold and will continue to hold. Everything must not be on the alter of politics. “


Efforts to get the reaction of the PDP leadership to the development, as at the time of filing this report, was unsuccessful as the op- position party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, did not respond to repeated calls to his mobile line.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/apcs-claim-on-my-citizenship-idiotic-atiku/amp/

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu on Thursday revealed what will soon happen to those against his bid for the actualisation of Biafra.


Kanu warned that those that seek to suppress the actualisation of Biafra will soon be consumed like the Biblical Pharaoh.

The IPOB leader issued the warning while sharing photographs of President Muhammadu Buhari and the British Prime Minister, Theresa May.


In a tweet, the IPOB leader stated that just like the Israelite triumphed over Pharaoh of Egypt in a non-violent way, same will soon be recorded of Biafra.

“The triumph of Israelite over Pharaoh is the first recorded and successful NON-VIOLENT agitation for self-determination.

“There has been many after that, and Biafra will follow shortly. Like that of the Pharaoh, those that seek to suppress Biafra will be consumed by it,” he tweeted.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nnamdi-kanu-reveals-whatll-soon-happen.html

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Enugu on Monday struck out the petition filed by Action Peoples Party (APP) challenging the victory of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice I. M. Sambo, struck out the petition after entertaining a motion on notice for the withdrawal of the petition.

Counsel to the petitioner/applicant, Mr Obed Agu, told the tribunal that the petitioner had resolved to discontinue with the process as filed.

He prayed the tribunal to strike out the petition, pursuant to Rule 29, Rules of Procedure of Election Petitions.


“The petitioner filed a notice of withdrawal of the petition before the tribunal.

“We, therefore, seek the order of the tribunal granting leave to the petitioner/applicant to withdraw the petition in its entirety, and consequential order striking out the petition,” Agu said.

In her submission, Mrs A.J. Offiah (SAN), counsel to the governor and first respondent, said that they had entered appearance after being served with the petition.

“We concede that we were served with an application for the withdrawal and dismissal of the petition,” she said.

Offiah said that they had filed and served the petitioner/applicant, an affidavit against illegal terms of withdrawal, adding that they were not opposed to the application.

The tribunal consequently dismissed and struck out the petition and awarded no cost to the respondents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other counsels present during the sitting are counsels to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chief A. I. Ani and Mr Humphrey Okoli respectively.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/tribunal-strikes-out-petition.html

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has advocated strong electoral processes, adding that it is only on that basis that Africa’s democracy could become stronger.

Jonathan said this at the Third Oronto Douglas Memorial Dialogue in Abuja, yesterday, where he eulogised his former aide for sacrificing his meagre resources to set up libraries across the Niger Delta; to boost education.

Douglas died of cancer on April 9, 2015.

Represented by his Personal Envoy, Nze Akachukwu Nwakpo, Jonathan said: “Douglas showed extra ordinary commitment in documenting the entire work of his excellency as President; and spent his meagre resources setting up libraries across the Niger Delta to promote learning.

“His Excellency is very appreciative of the friends of Oronto who have continued to maintain his legacy and to promote his legacy. All of us know that his excellency has continued to believe in the future of democracy in Africa; and stands out as one person who sacrificed his personal ambition and everything that maybe important to people who think that holding on to power was critical.

“He believes in the future of Africa which can only be built on solid electoral processes. He has continued his foundation; to pursue ; work on democracy, peace and development.”

Meanwhile, former Senate President and Chairman, Electoral Reform Committee, Ken Nnamani, added that the country’s electoral processes should be fee, fair and credible.

Represented by the Executive Secretary, Federal Character Commission, Mohammed Bello, he said: “I believe that critical to strengthening democracy is ensuring that the electoral process is free, fair and credible. Now, note that I refer to electoral process and not elections. Many Nigerians, including respectable civil society leaders consider fair, free and credible election as if it starts and ends on the election day. This is wrong. We should focus on the entire process, starting with how political parties elect or select their candidates up to declaration of results. This process involves different political and non-political authorities.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/africas-democracy-can-only-be-built-on.html

Two of the three pillars of the Buhari administration, the fight against corruption and insecurity, got a major boost last week with the disclosure by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) that the assets of all
public officials and senior political office holders will soon be open for public knowledge and scrutiny.

Coming on the heels of the ongoing trial of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, over false asset declaration that culminated in his suspension and subsequent resignation from office, the move
is, no doubt, timely.

The Director of NAFIU, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur, who made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja at a budget defence session with the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes led by Kayode Oladele (APCOgun), said it was part of the conditions for lifting the suspension on Nigeria by the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.

The director told the committee that the suspension, which was lifted in September 2018, was based on certain conditions that needed to be met by the country. He said the Egmont Group would want the NFIU to work closely
with other agencies of government in fighting terrorism, financial crimes and other related offences.

“With the lifting of the suspension, it is likely that all assets of all leaders, public officials and political office holders will be displayed. They want to see us work with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and
the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

“They want us to work closely with the presidency, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). They want to see the assets of all public officials displayed publicly,” he said.

According to him, the National Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are doing a good job. “But it will be good that the beneficiary owner database will be domiciled with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and we will subscribe because CCB has assets declarations of all public officers.”

He said after the suspension was lifted, they faced the task of the European Union (EU) listing, which was targeted at blacklisting Nigeria and stopping all her transactions overseas involving European countries. He added that they
were able to block the blacklisting but the EU listing subjected Nigeria to enhanced due diligence in all transactions concerning all EU countries on suspicious transactions.

The transactions, he said, would be through their own agencies within their jurisdiction. Hamman-Tukur disclosed that the concerns raised by the EU include terrorism, kidnapping and corruption On the 2018 budget, he said the NFIU had a total budget of N1.185 billion in 2018 made up of N385.310 million as personnel cost, N600 million as
overhead while N200 million was for capital cost.

According to him, the capital release to date stands at N174.946 million out of the budgeted amount of N200.1 million. He added that utilisation percentage stood at about 12 per cent while the balance stood at N154.936
million.

On the 2019 budget, the director revealed that a total of N8.244 billion had been proposed, made up of N1.154 billion for overhead cost, N4.124 billion as capital cost while N2.865 billion for personnel cost.

He explained that in spite of the fact that the government had financial constraints due to dwindling revenue, the NFIU needed to carry out its role of monitoring financial institutions.

This, he said, was for compliance as empowered by the NFIU Act of 2018. In his welcome remarks, Mr Oladele reiterated the committee’s support for the sustenance of the war against corruption by the Muhammadu Buhari
administration and transformation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into world-class anti-graft institution. He observed that the issue of paucity of funds had become a thing of the past.

The Egmont Group is a global body of 155 financial intelligence units across the world which facilitates the exchange of financial intelligence, expertise and capability. The intelligence units combat money laundering, terrorism financing and serious financial crimes.

The group had suspended NFIU, an arm of the EFCC, after its plenary in Macao, China, on July 2, 2017 over its lack of a legal framework and autonomy. The suspension was, however, lifted during the group’s 25th plenary in Sidney,
Australia in September 2018.

It is instructive that the public declaration of assets by public officials has been a thorny issue in Nigeria, which is riddled with high profile corruption cases. Significantly, the Nigerian constitution seeks to prevent corruption and abuse of office through its provisions on the declaration of assets by public officers. However, the lacuna in this constitutional provision is that Section 140 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not make public declaration of assets compulsory.

Consequently, public officers are left with the discretion to publicly declare their assets or restrict it to the Code of Code Bureau. This has resulted in many public officers with integrity deficit to short-change the system undetected for many years.

It is, therefore, our view that the new policy is not only pro-active but also necessary to curb ugly incidents like the Onnoghengate.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nafius-move-on-public-assets-declaration.html

The Nigerian Telecommunications Commission (NCC) has said that the challenge it is presently grappling with is the rising cases of cybercrime and e-fraud using telecommunications platforms.

The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this in an address at the NCC special day at the 40th edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair.


Danbatta said cybercrime consists of illegal activity conducted on a computer or mobile device connected to the internet.

Represented at the occasion by Mr. Okechukwu Aninweke, Head of Internal Policy Review Unit, Danbatta advised consumers of telecoms services not to open email that is unfamiliar and also note that banks will not request personal information over the internet.

He said as a regulator, the NCC will continue to protect consumers, stressing that where the service provider continues to fail to improve services to the detriment of the consumers, the commission will apply appropriate regulatory sanctions against such service provider.

He said: “Another challenge that is on the commission’s front burner is the rising documented cases of cybercrime and e-fraud using telecommunications platforms.

“Cybercrime consists of illegal activity conducted on a computer or mobile device connected to the internet. The Commission advices all our consumers not to open email that is unfamiliar and also note that banks will not request personal information over the internet.

“In the event that this unfortunate circumstance should take place, call your bank immediately to freeze the affected accounts.

”Secondly, report to your service provider for further actions to be taken in retrieving your number.

“As your regulator, please rest assured that where the service provider continues to fail to improve services to the detriment of the consumers, the commission will apply appropriate regulatory actions and sanctions against such service provider.”

He said in the course of regulating the industry, the NCC had always recognised the importance of the consumer in the telecoms sector and believes in the popular saying that “consumer is king”.

Danbatta said the Commission also identifies the consumer’s role in the development of the telecoms sector, adding that they deserve to have value for their investment.

“This is because providing quality services to consumers promotes competition amongst service providers,” he said.

According to him, the NCC Special Day at the trade fair provided a platform for direct interface to look at issues confronting stakeholders in the telecoms sector.

”We believe that telecommunications services are very critical to the overall socio-economic development of the Nigerian citizenry.

”In addition, as the independent telecoms regulator in Nigeria, we recognise that the consumers of telecommunications services deserve to get value for their money, and be treated as a very important stakeholder in the scheme of things as far as service delivery is concerned,” he said.

The NCC chief said the issue of empowerment and protection of the consumers occupies a prominent position in the eight-point agenda of his administration at the commission.

”This trade fair offers us an opportunity to interact with you for the purpose of informing, educating and protecting you as consumers of telecommunications services.

“It is our responsibility at the Commission to identify key challenges and quickly to deal with them.

“One of these challenges is unsolicited text messages. We have evolved a solution called Do-Not-Disturb (DND) in which consumers are being advised to send ‘STOP’ to a code 2442′ to stop all unsolicited text messages.

”There are also options that will enable you to stop particular types of messages when you send ‘HELP to 2442’.

“We are again urging you to take advantage of this code. In addition to this, we also continue to drum to the ears of the consumers about the availability of the toll free telephone number 622 with which consumers can lodge complaints to the commission if their service providers refuse, or are unable to resolve such complaints when it is reported to them,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ncc-vows-to-tackle-cybercrime-e-fraud.html

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the importance of education in ensuring peace, security and rule of law in any society.

Saraki, stated this while contributing to the General Debate on the theme: “Parliaments as Platforms to Enhance Education for Peace, Security and the Rule of Law” at the ongoing 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Doha, Qatar.

He noted that “education is a fundamental human right – central to the development of citizens as well as what contributions they make to society,” according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu.

He added that the National Assembly holds strongly that with the right education, Nigerian youths would be less susceptible to the radicalising influence of terrorist groups and other societal ills, thereby “helping to birth a more peaceful, secure and just society.”


He however regretted that the security challenges confronting the country today are traceable to – or exacerbated by – challenges in the nation’s education sector.

He however stated that even though Nigeria has about 13.2 million Out-of-School-Children – the highest in the world – according to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the 8th National Assembly has and would continue to work with the Federal Government to address the shortfall with combined strategies to enhance peace, security and the rule of law in the country.

Saraki said: “De-radicalisation programmes for former militants or insurgents have a strong education component, and these have proven very effective for peace-building and security.

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme for ex-Niger Delta militants involved free local and international tertiary education for former combatants. This is in recognition of the fact that education reduces youth restiveness, which in turn promotes peace.

“As part of parliament’s effort to ensure that education is built on solid foundation, we passed The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Amendment Act which guarantees free and compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school level; while also increasing from 2% to 3% the budgetary allocation to universal basic education.

“The law also makes it easier for states to access UBEC intervention funds, as the benchmark for counterpart funding has been reduced from 50% to 10%. This and other legislative interventions will make all the difference, we believe, in basic education in Nigeria.

“The 8th Senate is looking to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act 2011 to include Colleges of Agriculture as beneficiaries of the fund, to improve the quality of education in those institutions. We amended the Federal Polytechnics Act to enhance the quality of learning as well as prospects of graduates in the job market.

“The Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institution Bill, which we have also passed, aims to protect female students from gender-based violations.



“We have acted decisively in the terrorism situation in the north with the passage of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Act, which is all about bringing people back from internally displaced camps back to normal life in the region. Children will go back into the school system and peace will return to those areas.

“We do affirm that the rule of law is crucial to viable democracy, and for a successful and peaceful society. Education is necessary in order for people to appreciate where a society is, and where it should be headed.

“No society develops without sustained democracy and the rule of law, which leads to economic development. Even those who are going to invest in a country will only do so when we have sustainable democracy that guarantees stability; that also requires the rule of law.

“Parliament’s actions must therefore be guided by these considerations when we tackle the education needs of our societies. It is only then that we can truly say that we have been able to use education for the enhancement of peace, security and the rule of law,” he stated.

He insisted that it is important for the General Assembly of the IPU to work for sustainable democracy through Parliaments and for better oversight by parliamentarians to ensure that set targets are met.

“Education is not a choice but a compulsory act that must be taken seriously by all citizens, as I am sure you all agree,” he stated.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/education-crucial-for-peace-security.html

A Pan African Financial Technology company that provides innovative solutions for commerce and payment acceptance, Itex Integrated Services Ltd, has emerged winner of the “Most Efficient Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP)” at the 2019 edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards.

A statement by the company Monday, quoted the Managing Director and CEO, Itex Integrated Services Ltd, Mr. Ernest Uduje, while commenting on the award, which was held at the Eko Hotels, Lagos recently, as saying: “Itex is honoured to receive this coveted award. It highlights that our innovativeness, hard work, dedication and zeal has not gone unnoticed.

“Since inception, we have focused on ensuring that we provide the best payment solutions for our clients, responding to their needs in line with agreed turnaround time.


“We are also known for providing tailor made services to our range of clients, making us stand out in the Fintech space.

“We are inspired by this recognition and will continue to expand the frontiers of payment technology.

“We aim to be the foremost and most preferred payment solutions provider in Nigeria and remain committed to consistently providing solutions that will enable our clients enjoy smooth and secure transactions. We are indeed thrilled to be recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

The award, according to the statement, is in recognition of Itex’s outstanding and innovative approach to Point of Sales (POS) solutions both in the use of software deployment as well as terminal activity.

It said the company is one of the first organisations to successfully deploy and manage point of sale terminals in Nigeria.

Its customary POS applications ease the electronic payment and revenue collection of bills, tariffs and airtime while making the transactional experience enjoyable for clients by offering them the ability to monitor and control their transaction processes, it said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/itex-emerges-cbn-most-efficient-payment.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has on Monday, while speaking at the Annual Investment Meeting 2019, in Dubai, praised Nigerian youths for their giant strides in the digital sector.

Below is the full statement of the president

“It is with great pleasure that I address you today on this occasion of the 2019 Annual Investment Meeting here in Dubai.

“I wish to thank His Royal Highness, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, for inviting me to speak at this event.

“This is the 9th edition of such a gathering. At this point, I want to congratulate HH, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his vision to support such a platform where world leaders in both the public & private sectors exchange ideas on how to make this world a better place.

“This morning, my brief remarks will be on digital globalisation, which we all agree is transforming the world as we know it. Almost every day, innovations and transformative ideas are rolled out. This trend is here to stay.

“Today, we have a cyber world that is intangible but real. This borderless world is powerful, and it impacts the lives of billions of people, no matter how remote their physical locations are.

“People work in it. People socialise in it. And people invest in it. This presents enormous opportunities. But it also remains a constant threat if left unregulated.

“On the one hand, it has made the human race more productive and more efficient. Today, we have digital banking, virtual currencies and many social platforms that connect people and cultures.

“On the other hand, we have seen platforms hijacked and manipulated as evidenced by the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes.

“More recently, we are also witnessing the use of the cyber space to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights of citizens as well as propagate violence.

“In effect, the digital world has become the new frontier for both good and evil. Therefore, the challenge for world leaders must be to ensure that this space is inclusive, accessible and safe.

“In Nigeria, our mobile phone entry exceeds eighty per cent. This means majority of Nigeria’s one hundred and ninety million citizens are fully connected to this new digital world; especially our youth.

“Sixty five percent or one hundred and seventeen million Nigerians are under the age of 25 years. These bright minds are the drivers of this emerging digital sector.

“Today, Nigeria has close to ninety technology hubs and every day, new ones are coming up and they are all developing solutions for Nigerian, and indeed global problems.

“Already, these young entrepreneurs have attracted investments of over one hundred million dollars. A sizeable amount from overseas including Silicon Valley.

“As many of you from this region are aware, Nigerian start-ups always have a very impressive outing at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX). Many have won prizes.

“As leaders, it is therefore our responsibility to create the enabling environment for these minds to flourish and reach their full potential.

“When we came in 2015, we immediately agreed that any future economic growth must be inclusive.

“As the Nigerian youth population are fully digitalised, it is clear that the idea of having an inclusive economy cannot be achieved without digital inclusion.

“We therefore leveraged and supported digital platforms in our numerous socio-economic programs: from training extension workers in agriculture, health and education sectors; to enabling micro-credits to increase financial inclusion.

“However, whilst this digital globalisation has occurred rapidly in the private sector, many governments and regulators have not kept pace.

“New waves of cybercrime and terrorism continue to threaten the positive strides being made.

“On cyber security, Nigeria has taken the lead in cyber policing in West Africa. In this, we are working with our regional and global partners.

“Furthermore, our public sector reform programs focus on digitising key operations. From procurement to payroll to revenue collections, we are using digital platforms to reinforce our objectives of improving efficiency, accountability and transparency in governance.

“We are also working on creating the largest digital database in Africa. Already, our digital identity system has captured over thirty million Nigerians and legal residents.

“As earlier observed, the digital world is borderless. In many instances, the criminals in this world are faceless and without physical addresses. This is why we must all come together to protect the good while eliminating the bad.

“Emerging threats are difficult to prevent or manage unilaterally. It has to be a collective effort, led by both public and private sector leaders – many of whom are here today. A certain level of regulation is needed to preserve the integrity of the digital economy.

“I therefore would ask all of us here present, over the coming days, to put our heads together and come up with proposals on how we create a digital world that is accessible, inclusive and safe.

“I thank you for listening and wish you very successful deliberations. Thank you very much.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/buhari-makes-strong-statement-about.html

The Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in Delta State is an eloquent testimony to the unwavering commitment of the Buhari’s administration to changing the development narrative of the Niger Delta, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said at the first matriculation of the university at the weekend.

Osinbajo who was represented at the event at the university’s campus in Kurutie, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, Office of the Vice-President, Mr. Edobor Iyamu, described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a man of his words and he has made that clear over and over again with regards to the Niger Delta, in the last four years.”


Acting Governor of Delta State, Mr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, also said that the Maritime University was a fulfilment of a new dream for the Niger Delta, saying the state government would not relent in its support for the institution, including the establishment of the university Dockyard in Gbaramatu Kingdom.

While congratulating the students, management and staff of the institution, the vice-president said, “We have a vision that the Maritime University will come to be known around the world as a Centre of Excellence in Maritime matters, and a repository of expertise and knowledge on the Niger Delta.

“The seriousness with which we view the Niger Delta informed the series of unprecedented engagements that resulted in the comprehensive development Plan known as the New Vision for the Niger Delta; with the goal of ensuring that the huge resources of the Delta are put to work for the good of the people of the region.

“That New Vision has guided us every step of the way, and is what has helped propel the Ogoni Clean Up to fruition, and helped birth this University in which we are gathered today.

“These and more are examples of how we are walking the talk in the Niger Delta region, which we view not in terms of its past, but in terms of its potential. And this is a potential that is not limited to oil and gas, but is actually focused more on the development of human capital.

‘’We are confident that the Niger Delta will sooner than later come to be defined, not by crude oil, but by the quality of its human resource, the abundance of its agriculture, its rich cultural potential, and so on.

“And, while the remediation is ongoing, there are also a lot of efforts aimed at ensuring that affected communities enjoy basic amenities like clean water, and that jobs and training opportunities are extended to them.

“Our Modular Refinery Programme is another important cornerstone of the New Vision for the Niger Delta. There are currently four modular refineries at different levels of completion, across the region,” he said.

“The Amnesty Programme has continued to receive funding and support from the Buhari Administration, because we understand just how important it is for the young people of the region. We will continue to ensure that it delivers on its mandate and responds fully to the needs and yearnings of the beneficiaries.

Delta State Acting Governor, Otuaro said that Otuaro said the state government was concerned about the university Dockyard to be situated in Gbaramatu Kingdom, adding that a committee headed by him has been constituted to interface with the Federal Government and NIMASA towards government programmes that would ‘’be in the best interest of all critical stakeholders of the maritime university.’’

Earlier in her address, the Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian Maritime University, Prof. Ongoebi Maureen Etebu, said that the university was ‘’a ship set to sail as the institution now boasts of three vibrant faculties’’, commending Buhari administration for providing the fertile environment for the actualisation of Nigeria’s first maritime university especially following the visit in 2017 by Osinbajo.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/fg-pledges-more-devt-projects-for-ndelta.html

Ten months after the Federal Government re-awarded contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, the job has been going on at snail’s pace.Despite the presence of the contractor- Julius Berger Plc. on site, the motion without movement scenario playing out there has simply made the road to go from bad to worse with motorists being the worst hit.

It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing on May 14, 2018 officially inaugurated the rehabilitation of the road, which is valued at N22. 387b. The Director, Federal Highways, South West, Olalekan Busari, while briefing journalists during the flag-off said the total rehabilitation starts from Ile Zik Bus Stop at kilometre zero, up to kilometre 80 in Ogun State, where a brewery is located.

“The project was divided into two sections, the first section, which starts from Ile Zik in Lagos State spans about 20 km, while the second section, which falls in Ogun State is 60km.“It is a complete total rehabilitation of the entire road this time around and it is awarded at N22.387b, and for a contract period of two and half years, which we hope the contractor will actually deliver,” he said.

Prior to this period, the project, which started in 1999 suffered several setbacks after the first contract was awarded in 2000.The first section was for the rehabilitation of the Ota-Abeokuta section, which was awarded to the same contractor in 2009.The Guardian observed that for sometime now, Julius Berger has practically remained on the spot at Owode-Iyana/Ilogbo axis, while scant attention is paid to other parts, which are fast becoming dead-traps to motorists. Even the palliatives applied last year on the road have been washed away by rain.

Currently, the gridlock on different sections of the road seems to have defied solutions, and so put a heavy toll on road users. Now, the journey from Sango to Ifo, which should be about 20 minutes takes between two or three hours. Whether in the morning or at night, road users are always subjected to painful and frustrating experiences, and this has forced many to seek alternative routes.

Currently, the most terrible spots along the road are Joju Junction; Conoil Junction, Ijako-Tipper, Owode, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ilepa, Techno Bus Stop, Iyana-Shebik, Itori Bridge, and Obada-Oko, among others. Vehicular traffic is always at a standstill in these areas, and this always leaves policemen and traffic control officials helpless. Recent heavy downpours have worsened the state of the road as areas like Joju Junction, Ijako and the site of the ongoing construction work at Owode were waterlogged.

Consequently, passengers are often stranded in those areas for hours as traffic is usually at a standstill. Recently for instance, vehicular traffic stretched from Sango Motor Park, over the bridge up to Joju, forcing impatient motorists to drive against traffic, a decision that worsened the situation.At Owode, floodwater from the side under construction, which has been cordoned-off by the contractors, took over the entire axis worsening the traffic situation.

A commercial driver, Olumide Kasali, who lamented the predicament of road users on the axis, accused the Federal Government of failure to monitor the project after the media hype that greeted the contract award.“It is disappointing to see that Julius Berger has stayed on a spot since it started work on the road. Even though proper construction of the drainage is essential in the Owode area because of the nature of the place, many people are of the view that the company should make haste and move to other locations in order to finish the job on schedule.

“The present state of the road is actually affecting our business, and that is why a good number of commercial drivers that hitherto plied this route have abandoned it. The few of us that are still here are taking serious risks because our vehicles are taking a hit.”Mr. Ayinde Onibudo, a civil servant, who resides in Pakoto in Ogun State, but works in Lagos, described the state of the road as dilapidated. He said: “Julius Berger should get serious with what it has to do before the rain starts. We that live around this flank and ply this road daily have suffered enough on it. Most times we get to work late and get queried. So, we are appealing to Julius Berger to get serious.

“This journey I’m embarking on, ordinarily should not take more than 30 minutes, but because of the poor state of the road, it now takes an average of three hours, and I fail to understand why the contractor has failed to move away from the spot it has been all this while. The funny aspect of it is that during public holidays when the road is reasonably free, the contractor will also be on holiday; they work like civil servants.”

While several posers raised regarding the slow pace of work have remained unanswered about a year after the contract review, The Guardian reliably gathered that the said N3.5b “released” by government was a ruse, as what has actually been released so far falls far below the said amount.

The Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing in Ogun State, Olukayode Popoola, in an earlier interview with The Guardian claimed that all the bad portions, which contributed to incessant gridlock on the road have been patched by the contractor.“As per the Owode axis, what they are doing there is a permanent work that cannot be finished in one or two days. That is why they have remained there. The slow pace of the job is due to the Nigerian factor. The challenge right now is the budget, which has not been passed. By the time the budget is passed, money would not be problem for the contractors.” He, however, confirmed that the contractor did not get the entire N3.5b allegedly released to it as mobilisation fee, saying, “what was released to the contractor wasn’t up to N3.5b, but government is still working to complete the payment.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/tell-julius-berger-to-get-serious-on.html

The Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Center in Ebonyi, says it resolved 516 various disputes while 127 cases were still pending in 2018.

The Acting Director of the group, Mr George Etamesor made the disclosure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Saturday.

Etamesor said that the center received 1,304 cases in 2018 including marital and family disputes, child custody, domestic violence, property and land disputes, landlords and tenant dispute among others.

He told NAN that the centre was able to resolve cases from Women and Children, Peace building and Conflict Resolution and Access to Justice Departments of the organisation.

“The centre recorded 1,304 cases from January to December, 2018 and was able to resolve 516 while 127 cases are still ongoing and also receiving adequate attention.

“We refer criminal and rape cases reported to our office to the police for prosecution while random access to prisons were made to ensure inmates regain their freedom.

“We handle and treat all kinds of cases that involve family matters, community, separation, child abuse, and land and property disputes among other cases,” he said.

Etamesor however, said that paucity of funds was the major problem impeding the activities of the centre.

He said that the organisation was present in all local government areas of the state.

“We are limited because of funding and it is affecting all other aspects of our activities,” the director said.

Etamesor expressed satisfaction over resounding success and good relationship existing between the center and the state police command in performing its activities.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/human-rights-group-resolves-516.html

The Gombe State University (GSU) has administered matriculation oath to 4,362 undergraduate and post-graduate students for the 2018/2019 academic season.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ibrahim Musa Umar, who spoke on Saturday at the 14th matriculation ceremony of the university, said 600 of the matriculating students were from the School of Post-Graduate Studies.

He said about 11, 900 candidates applied for admission for undergraduate studies into the university, but only 4, 180 were admitted.

He therefore, urged the newly admitted students to study hard and take good care of the facilities provided for teaching and learning.

Professor Umar disclosed that the university had graduated its first set of students from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, “thereby becoming the first university in northern Nigeria to graduate students from the field.”

The vice chancellor also urged the students to shun all social vices, obey the rules and regulation governing the university and keep the environment clean.

Umar promised that the university will continue to provide good facilities and conducive learning environment for learning.

Our correspondent reports that the matriculated students were from the faculties of Arts/Social science, Science, Education, Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical science and School of Post-Graduate Studies.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/gombe-university-matriculates-over-4000.html

Marvel’s “Captain Marvel” has become the first movie to cross the $1 billion mark in worldwide ticket sales in 2019.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it is the seventh movie based on Marvel Comics’ intellectual property to hit that milestone.

According to Variety Magazine, the movie has grossed $358million in North America and $645million in overseas ticket sales.

Other movies by Marvel that had grossed over $1billion worldwide are: “Avengers: Infinity War,” “The Avengers,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Black Panther.

Others are “Captain America: Civil War,” and “Iron Man 3.”

Also, 21 other films by Marvel had fetched him $18.5billion at the box office so far, according to Variety Magazine.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/captain-marvel-becomes-first-movie-to.html

Dangote Refinery, currently under construction has been described as a project that would assist Nigeria’s dream of attaining 1.095 million barrels per day self-sufficiency in the refining of petroleum products.

Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Bello Rabiu, disclosed this yesterday at the on-going Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Speaking on ‘Upstream Opportunity in the Oil and Gas Sector’, Rabiu commended the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote for his commitment to Nigeria’s downstream sector.

According to him, the coming on stream of the Dangote 650,000 barrels-per-day Refinery and efforts by NNPC to revamp the country’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri, would help Nigeria to achieve zero importation of refined petroleum products in the near future.

Speaking during a technical session on “Infrastructure as a Key Enabler for Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sector”, Executive Director, Dangote Group, Ahmed Mansur, said private sector investment and execution capacity in the Nigeria gas sector need to complement government’s efforts in the industry.

Mansur said the Dangote Group catalyzes private investment to supplement the Federal Government’s onshore gas development agenda.

He added that the company is building pipeline infrastructure that would augment the natural domestic gas supply and add an estimated 12,000 Mega Watts (MW) to Nigeria’s power generation capacity.

Mansur noted that the first phase of the project is expected to deliver gas for the use of Dangote Industries, including the proposed fertilizer plant in the refinery complex, and other identified industrial and power plant users. “The pipeline infrastructure will create a corridor for evacuation of trapped gas from offshore platforms in Nigeria to allow their monetisation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/dangote-refineryll-boost-nigerias-1095m.html

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi has lauded the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for the establishment of an Ultra-Modern Marine and Harbour Simulation Centre at Dockyard Apapa.

Addressing stakeholders at the commissioning of the centre, the minister said the feat would save the federal government foreign exchange that would have been used in training personnel abroad just like it is a statement that government is desirous of encouraging local content in other to grow the economy.

According to the minister, it is a testament that we are attaining the status of the desired Maritime destination of choice. This facility would attract professionals from within and outside the country” he added. He commended the inter agency collaboration within the sector and urged its continuity for greater dividend.

Earlier in her address, managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman stated that the commissioning of the Centre Signals the Federal Government’s preparedness and firm resolve at competing most favorably in the Global Maritime space.

She informed stakeholders that the Marine and Harbours Ultra-Modern Simulation Centre is expected to engender greater operational efficiency in the activities of the organisation with the expectant patronage from within Africa and indeed globally.

In addition, the MD affirmed, that today’s event, would build the capacity of our operations personnel, the pilots, marine officers, tug masters, radio signal operators and prepare them to respond appropriately to the challenges of their various schedules.

Hadiza reaffirmed that with the centre fully in place, our ports would benefit immensely through the increase in numbers and receipt of bigger vessels at our ports. Management she stated would be glad at seeing that the facility is put into good use by all at all times.

“The Authority pays high premium on the capacity of its personnel to be the best at their schedules and various duties in other to respond to greater operational challenges”.

Furthermore, Usman told stakeholders that the commissioning of the centre is “part of the Authority’s strategic positioning and intent at becoming the leading powers in port services in Africa and beyond.


The NPA boss, stated that the commissioning of the centre is a reminder to all and sundry and a critical pointer at the fact that matters concerning occupational health and safety standards 18001 and ISO 9002 compliance drive are expedient issues requiring all hands to be on deck in other that they are accomplished assiduously soonest.

Describing the facility as a national pride, she implored administrators of the facility and stakeholders to always observe required Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) adding that Management of the NPA would prioritize maintenance of the Centre “we must all commit ourselves to the sustenance and continuous improvement of the facility”. She appreciated the commitment of staff of the NPA and the encouragement from the ministry especially the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Ameachi at the timely completion of the project.

On his part, Chairman, board of directors of the NPA,Emmanuel Olajide Adesoye commended the synergy harnessed by the management of the authority resulting in the commissioned facility stressing that it would help in advancing the industry forward much as it would result in boosting the nation’s economy.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/fg-committed-to-development-of-local.html

The Imo State governor-elect Emeka Ihedioha on Wednesday in Owerri inaugurated a 139-member Transition Technical Committee, urging them to draw a policy framework on how to raise and manage the requisite resources available in the state after a critical look at what the outgoing administration would hand over to the new regime.

Addressing the committee members, Ihedioha stated that the job of the said committee has been made simple following his decision to subdivide the committee into 12 sub-committees and would want the committee’s job concluded in six weeks.

“To make the job of this Transition Technical Committee more effective, it has been subdivided into sub-committees with clear terms of reference which shall be handed over to the chairmen of the respective sub-committees. This division into, and composition of the sub-committees has already been published.


“The sub-committees will be given four weeks to complete their work and forward to the main committee which will now have a further two weeks to consolidate their report making a total of six weeks. Kindly note that all through the assignment, the main committee will generally oversight the activities of the sub-committees”.

He said the principal task of the committee is to bring life to his already articulated manifesto with a view to deliver to the people on promise.

“When we started this journey, we had a carefully articulated manifesto put together by respective professionals from this state. Our people keyed into it and with their votes and the grace of God, we are here today. Your principal task therefore is to bring life to the manifesto so that we can hit the ground running with deliverables and timelines”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ihedioha-urges-transition-committee-to.html

Leading airline, Air Peace, yesterday placed a record order for 10 brand new Embraer 195-E2 planes, first of such in Africa.The order comprises purchase rights for another 20 E195-E2 jets. The request has 124-seater jet in dual class and 146-seater jet in single class configurations.

The deal, which was unveiled during Embraer Business Meeting with the aviation world in Port Louis, Mauritius, makes the Nigerian firm the first to order the brand of jets on the continent and also the official launch customer of the brand in this part of the globe.With all purchase rights exercised, the contract has a value of N640.5 billion ($2.12 billion) based on current price list.

The carrier also set a regional record in September 2018 when it requested 10 brand new aircraft from Boeing to increase its fleet to about 37. The new order further boosts its planes to 67.Shortly before the Boeing feat, Air Peace set a domestic feat as the first Nigerian airline to acquire and register the Boeing 777 aircraft in the country. Three of the four wide-body aircraft it acquired for its long-haul operations to Dubai, Sharjah, Johannesburg, London, Houston, Guangzhou and Mumbai have so far been delivered.

Speaking on the latest development, the airline’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Allen Onyema, stated that Embraer’s new E195-E2 presents “a marvel of economic performance.” He added: “It is also great that we will be the first E2 operator on the African continent. We already have the ERJ145s in our fleet, so we understand the high standards of Embraer products.”

The E195-E2 aircraft, the chief executive observed, would strengthen Air Peace’s drive to deploy the right kinds of planes to under-served and unserved domestic and regional routes under its no-city-left-behind project. `

Onyema thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for creating an enabling environment for the growth of the aviation sector through duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) waivers for commercial aircraft, engines and spares. Also, the Vice President, Sales Africa, Embraer Commercial Aviation, Raul Villaron, noted that the Nigerian carrier embodied the kind of pioneering spirit his company loves.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/air-peace-orders-30-embraer-jets-worth.html

Chisco Transport Nigeria Limited has dragged the administrators of the estate of Chief Joseph Akanbi Oyelowo, Mr Oladuuni Oyelowo and Mr Olatunji Oyelowo before a Lagos High court, Igbosere over the property situated at no 6 Ikorodu road, Jibowu Yaba.


The claimant in the suit no LD/5324GCMW/18 asked the court to declare that Lagos State Government is the lawful owner of the property situated at no 6 Ikorodu road, Jibowu Yaba, which it has been a tenant for years.


Chisco stated that by the virtue of the revocation of Certificate of Occupancy in respect of the property, the proprietary rights is vested in the state government.


It therefore averred that defendant has no right in law to demand rent or exercise any legal right over the property.


Chisco wants the court to declare that claimant cannot forcibly eject or remove it from the said property, without following the due process of the law. 


In their statement of defence, defendants denied every allegation in statement of claim. They said that the defendants are not the administrators of real estate of the late Chief J.A Oyelowo the owner of the property comprising five bedroom detached and service quarters the subject matter of the suit.


Defendants averred that claimant has been paying its rent severally and consequently since 1995 not 1996. They noted that Lagos government has never raised any adverse claim of interest of the ownership as against the interest of defendant in the property. 



Justice O. Harrison while ruling on the preliminary objection held that the suit is competent. She said, “the court has read the claims and the writ of summons as well as the preliminary objection filed by the defendants. The defendants contend that court has no jurisdiction to entertain the suit. The court finds that there is no relationship between the Lagos state government and the defendants.
“The suit is competent, the preliminary objection is hereby dismissed.”

She subsequently adjourned to May 20, 2019 for case management conference.


https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/chisco-drags-oyelowo-estate.html

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday warned pilots and airline operators to be wary of weather changes and their adverse effects on flight operations.The regulator, in an Advisory Circular issued to pilots and airlines, alerted the operators of imminent thunderstorms during the rainy season.

General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said the circular was sequel to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)’s Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) for 2019. NIMET has predicted that rainy season would begin in earnest in March/April and May/June 2019 in the Southern and Northern parts of the country, which is usually accompanied by turbulence.

This, according to experts, is in addition to microburst, low-level wind share and sometimes events that could affect safety of flight operations.Experts further explained that thunderstorm is caused by cumulonimbus cloud, which could form as low as 6,500ft and as high as 45,000ft. But once the cloud is noticed, pilots should navigate around it and not fly higher or lower.

Hazards of thunderstorm include hail, moderate to severe turbulence and lightning that could cut off communication or set an aircraft ablaze mid-air. Adurogboye said with this information, “It is expected that Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) may temporarily close the airspace during adverse weather conditions.

“Consequently, Flight Crews/Operators and ATCs shall adhere strictly to aerodrome operating minima in line with standard and recommended practices.“All pilots are, therefore, advised to exercise maximum restraint whenever they observe severe weather condition as forecast by NIMET,” he said.

For safe flight operations, pilots and flight crewmembers were urged to obtain adequate departure, en route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological Offices in all airports prior to flight operations.Operators are, therefore, required to play a key role in ensuring that adequate measures are put in place to lessen the effects of the attendant flight delays and cancellations on their passengers as occasioned by severe weather conditions in accordance with Part 19 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR) 2015.

While NCAA urged all passengers to exercise patience and understanding during this period as their safety is of utmost importance, “stakeholders should ensure strict compliance to safety regulations as violations would be taken seriously.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has apologised to the travellers over difficulties in accessing the international airport terminal at Lagos Airport, due to ongoing road construction along the corridor. FAAN advised passengers to leave their homes early so as to get to the airport on time and formalise their check-in processes with ease.

General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, said the advice became necessary due to the traffic gridlock experienced by road users along the axis.“We apologise for the inconveniences being encountered by passengers due to the situation, FAAN has already mobilised security agencies to ensure that the situation is effectively managed,” she said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/ncaa-cautions-pilots-airlines-over.html

The Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade, has assured political appointees, especially his 8000 aides that none of them would lose their jobs as he looks toward to assuming office for a second term.

Ayade who made the declaration on Friday shortly after he, and 25 people elected to the state House of Assembly were presented with a Certificate of Return, said the period of politicking was over, hence all should work together in the overall interest of the state.


The governor thus extended a hand of fellowship to members of the opposition parties to join him in ensuring that the state succeeds.

At the Mike Igini Conference Hall, INEC state secretariat, Calabar where the event held, Ayade declared: “Politics has come to an end. We must quickly call our brothers from the other end, and sit on a round table and form of government of equity that will focus on the people. In my first tenure I was inexperienced, yet I expanded government more than the carrying capacity of the state.

“I was not driven by emotion, I was driven by the sentiments that we needed to put food on every family’s table that is why Cross River has over 8000 appointees, first in the history of Nigeria from a state with the lowest allocation. Every single family under my administration had food on their table, I did not do so because I had enough, I did so because I cared enough.

“In my second term I am even going to expand government much more, nobody is going to lose his job .It is time to put an end to all form of bitterness ,malice and grudge ,politics has ended it is time to face governance .

“We need to build hope by coming together as a people. I want all the candidates who participated to come together so that we can inculcate their ideas into governance and move Cross River State to the next level.”

While presenting the certificates of return to Ayade, and 25 House of Assembly members-elect, INEC Commissioner supervising Edo, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, Dr. Mustapha Lekky, said it was not enough for one to be declared winner, but the Certificate of Return has to be given to confirm that the individual has been duly elected.

Lekky also appealed to those who had been elected to place the interest of the state and that of the nation above their personal interest.

“The Certificate or Return according to Section (75) sub section (1) confirms that an individual has been duly elected because declaring the person winner is not enough without presentation of the certificate and this is what we have done today in fulfillment of the law.

“There is need to place the Nations interest and that of the state as well as the Constituencies above personal interest even in victory in a bid to move the nation forward in the process. Let me also congratulate Cross River because the elections were relatively free, fair, and peaceful as no lives were lost during the election,” Lekky said.

In his remarks, the State Resident Commissioner, Dr. Frankland Briyai lauded the Chairman of the Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for providing adequate resources for the conduct of the conduct of the General elections.

“I thank the Chairman of the Commission for providing adequate resources for the successful conduct of the elections in Cross River. I also appreciate Cross Riverians for their patience because the success of the elections was not only because of INEC but because all hands were on deck even though it was very difficult,” Briyai said.

The REC charged all those who received their certificate of return to use their mandate in serving the people effectively and efficiently in a bid to bring growth and development which is the dividend of democracy and why the people voted for them.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/you-will-not-lose-your-jobs-ayade-tells.html

The State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Imo State, Daniel Nwafor has said that the party has no reason to challenge the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Emeka Ihedioha as governor elect of the state. He said the party did not participate in the guber election, having expelled its candidate, Hope Uzodinma on grounds of anti party activities.

Nwafor stated this to The Guardian at his Owerri office also rated the performance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the 2019 general elections in the state below average.

The Imo APC Chair also accused the State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Francis Ezeonu of compromising on his legitimate duty as an election umpire.

He expressed regret over the inability of the party to win a single seat in the State House of Assembly at the just concluded poll in the state stressing that the National Executive of the party led by Adams Oshiomhole should be blamed for it.

According to him, if the party hierarchy had listened to his cries of the visible illegality and leadership rascality in the party, the imminent collapse of the party in the state would have been averted.

He also said the party is still hopeful that INEC will be compelled by the court to issue the Certificate of Return to Governor Rochas Anayo Okorocha as Imo West senator elect having been declared as the winner by the Commission.

“Indeed, INEC performance was embarrassing. You see the problem is that in 2023, if we don’t check injustice, people will sit in their bedrooms and just fill out forms and announce themselves as winners. That is where our democracy is heading to if we don’t fight to bring back sanity in the electoral system.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/why-we-cant-challenge-ihediohas.html

Ciara is set to release a new album and has gone all out for it.

The mom of two, who will be releasing her 7thstudio album titled Beauty Marks, come May 10, took to IG to unveil the sensual black-and-white cover art which saw her posing naked.

In an interview with Refinery29 Ciara said;
“The feeling that I have now is parallel to when I first started,” the mother of two told Refinery29. “I was this young girl excited to be living my dreams and having the best time. I’m back to that phase again.”

“This journey has been amazing and I’ve had the time of my life releasing my music under my own label imprint,” she said. “No dream is truly too big! I’m excited for the journey ahead.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ciara-poses-completely-naked-on-her-new.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, assured that his government will give serious attention to the provision of critical infrastructure and stabilisation of the economy as well as the political environment in his second term. Buhari stated this when he received Special Envoy of the President of Republic of Congo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Congolese in Diaspora, Mr Jean Claude Gakosso, conveyed a special message on behalf of President Denis Sassou Nguesso to President Buhari.

The President said “Stability is critical, if a country would manage its resources effectively. I am aware of the problems of our own country. We are very large, deficient in infrastructure, and trying to improve on political and economic stability. In my last lap in office, I will give it my best.” According to him, without social, political and economic stability, it will be difficult for any country to effectively manage its resources. Delivering the message of the Congolese leader, the envoy described Buhari’s recent victory at the presidential polls as a “brilliant performance.” The special envoy, on behalf of his President, wished President Buhari wisdom and good health, so that he can continue to lead his people efficiently and effectively.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ill-prioritise-infrastructure-devt.html

A Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to prosecute the Senator-elect for Anambra South Senatorial District, Ifeanyi Ubah, and the Returning Officer, Prof M.N Umenweke over criminal allegations levelled against them in the February 23 election in the area.

The order came following an application of mandamus sought from the court by the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the district, Chris Uba in suit number: FHC/AWK/CS/29/2019.


Handing down the order, the presiding judge, Justice I.B Gafai asked INEC to within 14 days conduct investigation into the matter for the purpose of prosecuting the respondents.

The order read in part,” Upon the honourable court having delivered a considered judgement today, it hereby ordered as follows: The 1st Respondent (INEC) shall within 14 days from today conduct or cause investigation into the criminal allegations of the Applicant (Chris Uba).

“Prosecute, if the investigation result so warrants, the third Respondent ( Ifeanyi Uba)and any other person(s) implicated in its investigation.

“Where it considers it inexpedient to prosecute through its legal officers, consider at its liberty, the appointment of the Applicant’s solicitors in this suit for the purpose of such prosecution”.

Uba also asked for “A further order of mandamus compelling the 1st Respondent to prosecute the second ( Prof MN Umenweke) for announcing or publishing a false result to the effect that the 3rd Respondent had won the election held on the said 23/2/2019 even when they both knew that the said election was inconclusive and from which no genuine result had thereby been generated.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/anambra-poll-court-orders-inec-to.html

Nigeria ranked the top with the highest of students from Africa studying in the U.S, Rachel Canty, Deputy Director, Student and Exchange Visitor Programme, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has said.

Speaking at the Foreign Press Centre International Reporting Tour: U.S. Community Colleges and Workforce Development, programme in Washington D.C, Canty said Nigeria has 16,039 students in the U.S.

The tour was organised by the Foreign Press Centre, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S Department of State to provide foreign journalists with information on opportunity available to foreign students in community college in U.S.

`Nigeria has continued to retain its top ranking as the number one source of African students studying in the U. S. with over 16,000 students as at March pursuing their educational goals

“There are over 36,000 students from Sub Saharan Africa studying in the U.S.

“As of March 2019, there are 16,039 students from Nigeria studying in the United States with 54 per cent male and 46 per cent female students.

“This is an increase of 3,342 students over 12,693 students recorded in November 2018,” she stated.

She said that undergraduate students constituted 34 percent, Masters students was 36 per cent, as Doctorate formed 12 per cent, while Associate 12 per cent, non-degree and others formed 5 per cent

According to her, the top five states for Nigerian students in U.S include Texas with 2,713, California, 856 students, Maryland, 827 students, New York, 818 students and Florida 753 students.

Students from Nigeria attended about 800 institutions in each of America’s 50 states. The most popular state is Texas, with 2,713 students, while the most popular college/university is Houston Community College, with 220 students.

Mathew Washburn, Programme Officer, EducationUSA, U.S. Department of State explained that the number of international students in the U.S surpassed one million for the third consecutive year,

The number he said, increased by 1.5 per cent to reach a new high of 1,094,792 million, in 2018 adding that U.S remains the top host of international students globally.

“International students made a significant financial impact on the United States in 2017, contributing 42.4 billion dollars to the U.S. economy through tuition, room and board, and other expenses,” he said,

According to him, 450,000 U.S. jobs are supported by hosting international students on U.S. campuses.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigeria-has-highest-number-of-foreign.html

Electricity Generation Companies (GenCos) comprising gas-fired and hydro stations in Nigeria, on Tuesday released an average of 4,313 megawatts of electricity into the national grid, a daily energy report said on Wednesday.

The report, which was compiled by the Advisory Power Team, Office of the Vice President, was released in Abuja.

It said that the electricity sent out by the GenCos was up by 58.82 megawatts from the figure released on Monday.


It, however, said that 2,549.77 megawatts could not be generated due to unavailability of gas, while 23.8 megawatts was not generated due to unavailability of transmission infrastructure.

It further said 857.5 megawatts was not generated due to high frequency that resulted from unavailability of distribution infrastructure.


It said 150 megawatts was recorded as loss due to failure in water management procedures.

The report revealed that the power sector lost an estimated N1.7billion on Tuesday due to insufficient gas supply, distribution and transmission infrastructure.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/gencos-release-4313-mw-of-electricity.html