₦airaland Forum

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the massive achievements of the Buhari Administration have rattled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Reacting to the statement from Abubakar’s media aide, over the widely-circulated testimony series of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to showcase the Administration’s achievements, the Minister said the action of the PDP candidate amounts to an acknowledgement of the Administration’s impressive achievements.

He dismissed as ‘acute paranoia’ the allegation by the former Vice President that the APC-led federal government is using state resources for electioneering campaign.

Alhaji Mohammed however said, in a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday, that it is up to those who made the accusation on the use of
state resources for electioneering campaign to prove it, in line with the maxim that he who alleges must prove.

”In publicising the activities and achievements of the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is only
carrying out its statutory role. Long before the elections, the Ministry has used various platforms, including Town Hall Meetings, to
showcase the activities and achievements of the Administration.

”We understand that the PDP and the Atiku Campaign Organization have been rattled by the achievements as well as the effectiveness of the campaign to showcase them. We are sorry we can’t help them,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He however expressed surprise that the PDP that said the Buhari Administration has not achieved anything has now turned around to
admit that the media is awash with video testimonies from Nigerians on the Administration’s achievements.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/buharis-achievements-have-rattled-atiku-pdp-minister/amp/

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe has told the Court of Appeal in Abuja that his standing surety for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, is illegal.


Abaribe, in an amended seven grounds notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), urged the appellate court to relieve him of the role of surety for Kanu.

In the document made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday, Abaribe also asked the Appeal Court to set aside the November 14, 2018 order of the Federal High Court in Abuja which gave him and two others a two-month ultimatum to, each pay N100m bond for their inability to produce the Biafran activist.


Recall that Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, had in her November 14, 2018 ruling, held that Abaribe and the two other sureties owed the court the duty of producing Kanu, whose absence since 2017 has halted his trial on charges of treasonable felony.

But the senator had also filed a brief of argument to challenge the Federal High Court’s decisions.

Relying on sections 55, 165(3), 167(3) and 488 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, and other provisions of the constitution, Ume argued that a public officer such as a senator was legally exempted from standing surety for a suspect.


The Senator’s lawyer blamed the Federal High Court for making a senator to be part of the sureties Kanu must present in April 2017.

Ume said, “The honourable trial court failed and or refused to take judicial notice” of the relevant provisions of the ACJA and the Nigerian constitution.

“Thus the honourable trial court had not done the needful under the law, otherwise it would have found that by law, the appellant (a senator) is legally exempted, ab initio from giving security for the good conduct or behaviour of a suspect.

“It is trite law that where a valid Act or law clearly states something, it is not within the powers of the court to go contrary to it.

“We, therefore, can see that the involvement of Senator Abaribe in the whole bail and surety quagmire was invalid, ab initio.”

Abaribe and two others had stood as sureties for Kanu before he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on April 25, 2017.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/why-i-can-no-longer-be-nnamdi-kanus.html

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Co-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other members at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He spoke of his confidence that his party will win the February 16 presidential election and advised the team not to slow down its pace.

The meeting was convened to consider and approve the structure and operation modalities of the Campaign Council.

Buhari said: “It is my pleasure to welcome all of you members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council to this inaugural meeting. Our main objective is to serve as the forum for collective decision-making to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign effort.

“I would like to appeal to you to dedicate and commit yourself once again to the task at hand. There is no doubt that victory is with us; it is ours, but that shouldn’t mean we should rest even for a moment.

“Even though we are confident of winning, I urge you to work as hard as you can so that we can maximise the scale and extent of our victory. I urge you to rise to the challenge of the great expectations this party and Nigerians have for you and the confidence that I personally have in the ability of all of you to deliver.

“You are the cream of the party and I assure you that with unity of purpose and effective harmony and communication, there is no political opponent you cannot overcome. Our agenda for this meeting is to consider and approve the structure and operational modalities of the Presidential Campaign Council – the terms of reference of your various directorates and organogram that will determine how you will relate with each other and how you will eventually discharge your responsibilities in the campaign.”

But before the meeting went into closed session, APC governors were absent at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Campaign Council.

The APC governors are expected to serve as coordinators in their states. Governorship candidates in non- APC states are to serve as state coordinators.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, said that the governors were absent because they stayed back to govern their states.

He said: “Because they are governors, they are governing their states.

“Don’t forget that elections are not defined in Abuja; it will take place in the 36 states and I am sure there are APC members who are campaigning for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate constituencies, governorship constituencies.

“So, it will not be helpful to bring them to Abuja. Here, it is about policies, it will be consummated and translated to practice across the 36 states, 774 local government areas and awards.”


Oshiomhole also stated that President Buhari will visit the 36 states because the entire country is his constituency.

Oshiomhole said: “The whole country is Mr. President’s constituency. So, he will have to visit each of the 36 states with appropriate message, reminding people always. You know in the country today , given the challenges of survival, people tend to forget where we are coming from they just look at where we are.

“There is a saying that except you know and remember where you are coming from, you cannot appreciate where you are. Even in the life of a man those who look at those in their front will never thank God enough but when you look at your back and see those behind then you will appreciate that you have made a lot of progress.

“So, you need to constantly remind Nigerians of what happened in the last 16 years and what has changed over the past three and half years, and what will change even more over the next four years, if given the mandate to continue and consolidate. You know that the business of construction is even much more challenging than when you are building a complete new house,” Oshiomhole said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/2019-presidency-ive-confidence-you-can.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has distanced itself from the Federal Government’s Advisory Committee saying it has no relevance to the new National Minimum Wage agreement.

Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said the committee has no bearing with the agreement reached on the minimum wage.

NAN recalled that President Muhamamdu Buhari had on Wednesday inaugurated a Technical Advisory Committee on the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and reiterated his commitment to its payment.

He said the committee would recommend “modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage in such a manner as to minimise its inflationary impact, as well as ensure that its introduction does not lead to job losses’’.

“The work of this technical committee will be the basis of a Finance Bill which will be submitted to the National Assembly, alongside the Minimum Wage Bill,’’ he added.

According to Wabba, the Advisory Committee on minimum wage has no bearing with the agreement reached on the minimum wage.

“The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige had told us that the committee is an internal process of the Federal Government.

”I think it is their own way of facilitating and mobilising their own resources for the implementation and also making sure that nothing is left undone and we do not have any problem with that.

“So, it is normal, I think, because initially we were thinking it is a committee that will renegotiate the new national minimum wage, but they said no, it is an internal process of government.

“So, it is not our problem, but essentially their own and it does not in any way affect our interest, government has the right to set up any committee and we are not even members of that committee, “he said.

He, however, said that he was informed that the committee was strictly on their own to guide government on how to implement the minimum wage, adding, “so clearly if it is how to implement, we do not have problem with that.

Wabba also said that the advisory committee would not in any way affect the timeline of Jan. 23 agreement reached between organised labour and the Federal Government on the transmission of Minimum Wage Bill to the National Assembly.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/minimum-wage-nlc-distances-self-from.html

Nigeria and India are set to sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) before the end of January that would enable direct flights between the two countries, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Abhay Thakur has said.

Thakur said this to newsmen at an event to commemorate the World Hindi Day and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Abuja on Wednesday night.

The high commissioner said that the BASA was part of pending agreements to be signed between both countries.

According to him, the agreement will be signed when Nigeria’s Aviation Minister of State Mr Hadi Sirika visits India.

“We look forward to signing an air services agreement between India and Nigeria next week, during the visit of Honourable Minister of State for Aviation to India.

“A look at the air transportation services indicates that there are about four indirect flights between India and Nigeria daily, via Dubai, Ethiopia. So, there is a huge opportunity herein and it is something that needs to be addressed urgently.

“We hope that with the growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector, we would be able to find (Nigerian) partners immediately after the signing of the aviation services agreement.

“Either on their own, or on a co-shared basis to operationalise the agreement and commence direct flights.”

He also said that both countries would conclude negotiations on the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement by the end of January and the agreements would boost trade and investment cooperation between them.

Thakur, who is newly appointed, presented copies of his credentials to the Acting Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Mohammed Maidugu on Jan. 4, when he assumed office in Abuja.

He said that he would focus on strengthening the development partnership between both countries by identifying projects that could access funds made available by the Indian Government for Africa.

“We are looking forward to greater development assistance through some very useful and successful India development cooperation models.

“Particularly, soft line credit, which enables Nigeria to access India loan facility at a concessional rate of 1.75 per cent.

“We need to work harder, identify projects within ICT, naval requirements, in railways, and pharmaceutical among others.

“We need to work and operationalise through a high level of cost arrangement between the two governments to enable this development funding to be utilised.”

He further expressed optimism in the contributions of Indian companies to the development of both economies.

“Indian companies are the highest foreign employers of labour in Nigeria. We hope to expand in that direction as much as possible,” he said.

The event which marked Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is a day celebrated to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.

According to him, about 50,000 Indians are currently living in Nigeria.

The event also celebrated the contributions of Indians in diaspora to India’s development and to their host nations’ economy.

The high commissioner commended is citizens globally for remitting about 70 billion dollars annually to India, adding that the country represented the second largest number of Diasporas globally, totaling 20 million people.

He said the day represented the return of freedom movement leader, Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa, whom he described as the first Indian in Diaspora.

Highlights of the event included presentation of awards to some Hindi-speaking Nigerians for their performance of the late Gandhi’s favourite bhajan (Hindu devotional) song, Vaish Nau Jan To.

Awards were also presented to several Indians for their exemplary promotion of Hindi language in Nigeria.

Also, former President of India Cultural Association, and long-time resident in Nigeria, Mr Ray Chaudhary commended Indians in Diaspora for their contributions and charged them to uphold the principles and ideology of their nation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/nigeria-india-set-to-sign-bilateral-air.html

Banking sector credit to the private sector dropped slightly year-on-year by N55.7 billion to N23.083 trillion as of November 2018, from the N23.138 trillion it was at the end of October, 2018.

Also, net credit to government fell to N2.980 trillion as at the end of November, lower than the N3.756 trillion it was at the end of October 2018.


This was gathered from the latest Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) money and credit statistics for November 2018.

Also, narrow money supply (M1), which includes all physical monies such as coins and currency along with demand deposits and other assets held by the central bank dropped to N10.689 trillion at the end of the month under review, as against the N11.241 trillion recorded the previous month.

But currency-in-circulation increased in the review period to N2.100 trillion, compared with the N1.956 trillion it was the previous month.

The data showed that currency outside banks increased to N1.712 trillion as of the review month, up from the N1.602 trillion it was the previous month.

However, while Banks Reserves dropped to N4.306 trillion from the N5.028 trillion it was at the end of October 2018, Quasi Money, which are highly liquid assets other than cash, that can be quickly converted, stood at N14.775 trillion as at the review month, from N14.800 trillion.

In addition, demand deposits, which are funds held in an account from which deposited funds can be withdrawn at any time without any advance notice to the depository institution fell marginally from N9.640 trillion the previous month, to N8.978 trillion in the review month.

The credit statistics also revealed that CBN bills held by money holding sectors improved to N6.333 trillion, from N5.984 trillion the previous month. As part of efforts to encourage lending to the private sector, the CBN had introduced the real sector support facility (RSSF). The facility was expected to boost investment and provide low cost funding for businesses.

The activities covered under the scheme are Greenfield (new) and expansion (Brownfield) projects in manufacturing, agriculture and other related sectors approved by the CBN.

In his outlook for 2019, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had predicted that monetary policy stance would remain judicious, research driven, adequate and supportive of the real economy subject to underlying fundamentals.

He pointed out that the current tight monetary policy stance was expected to continue in the near-term, especially in view of rising inflation expectations and exchange market pressures.

“Though we will act to appropriately adjust the policy rate in line with unfolding conditions and outlooks, the CBN will continue to ensure that the policy interest rate is delicately set to balance the objectives of price stability with output stabilisation.

“Though the CBN has so far managed to maintain exchange rate stability, the current capital flow reversals from emerging markets are expected to continue to exert considerable pressure on market rates.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/credit-to-private-sector-falls.html

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was yesterday unsparing on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the February 16 presidential election Atiku Abubakar.

The PDP, according to the former Lagos State governor, is seeking power to return the country to the dark days when the economy crumbled and Nigerians groaned under its reign between 1999 and 2015.

To him, it amounts to standing logic on its head to compare the PDP standard bearer to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the APC.

Tinubu issued a statement titled: “We accept President Buhari’s assignment” on his appointment to lead President Buhari’s re-election campaign as the Co-Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. He said the two candidates – Buhari and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar – are miles apart when it comes to vision, mission and character.

His words: “The character of the two candidates cannot be more distinct. President Buhari is a straight and honest man. Leave a naira on the table with Buhari in the room. You will find the naira on the table when you return.

“When Buhari says ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ you know where he stands. He means what he says, no more, no less. With Atiku, things are more nuanced. When Atiku speaks, he may mean ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ ‘maybe,’ ‘I don’t know,’ ‘come back tomorrow,’ ‘all the above,’ or ‘none of the above.’

“His compass has four needles pointing in different directions at the same time. He knows of no direction to take. President Buhari’s word is his bond. When Atiku speaks, it is to give you the slip.

“We cannot afford a President whose ways and mind is a maze of contradicting urges and colliding desires. This shows he has no vision for the nation and no guiding principles, except the naked pursuit of power for the naked use of that power.”

Tinubu spoke of Atiku’s role in the Obasanjo administration. He said: “Atiku had his chance to shine as VP when he controlled the privatisation programme of the Obasanjo government. He abused this assignment. He helped squander billions of dollars on power generation that did nothing but generated darkness.

“That government had so much money at its disposal and that is exactly what it did. It disposed of the money, yet, failed to treat the poor or build for the future.

“Atiku laid waste to the national treasury for eight long years. That is enough for one lifetime. We should not reward him by giving him another eight years because the more he feeds, the stronger his hunger grows.

“His is a thirst that can’t be quenched and a hand that cannot be restrained from taking whatever is on the table.

“As the PDP candidate, he is now the leader of an avaricious horde that seeks to reattach its mandible once again to the public wealth and forever lay siege to our nation’s future. Nigerians would do well not to pay them any attention.”


The APC stalwart also made scathing remarks on the PDP.

Drawing a comparison between the ruling and the main opposition parties, Tinubu said: “This election concerns more than two competing personalities and political parties. It is a contest between two different visions for the country and the futures these visions portend.

“The APC seeks a better Nigeria by reforming our institutions of governance that these institutions may better implement policies engendering dynamic economic development.

“We seek not only growth but also a fair and just allocation to all segments of the society of the harvest of our national endeavours. Let no Nigerian be forever trapped in poverty and despair. Let all Nigerians be given the genuine opportunity to realise their full potential and contribute to this nation and their own lives as much as their talents and willpower permits of them.

“We build a Nigeria where government leads the nation but does not rule over the people.”

“On the other hand, the PDP pushes toward a future that takes the nation back to the malpractices of the past. Blind to the possibilities of a better day and afraid of the equality that true reform will bring, the PDP remains vested in the ways of corrupt governance and arrogant disregard for the public. For them, the unjust past is not just the object of their dreams; it is their sole destination.

“Thus, this election is about two different policy visions and two different models of leadership. This election is about substantive issues and about character.

“The APC will continue to build a political economy that will well serve Nigeria long after oil revenues are no longer sufficient to sustain the nation and its ever-growing population.

“We are diversifying the economy, giving basic food, health and educational assistance to the most-needy among us, improving agricultural productivity so that our farmers grow more to feed for increasing urban populations and also earn more to sustain their families, and about building needed infrastructure, including electricity and water, because we realise a national economy cannot grow beyond the capacity of the infrastructure that serves that economy.

“Meanwhile, the PDP clan wants to return to the days where they rule the nation like overlords. They want to own every industry and control everything that has anything to do with the creation of wealth.

“They seek to reverse the democratic maxim that government is the servant of the people. The PDP wants a situation where those in government are the masters and the people bow their heads to the interests of the mighty and the rich.

“We have seen this before. Those who really care about Nigeria care not to see such malign governance again.”

Tinubu assured the President that members of the Campaign Council would work hard to stop those who will halt the nation’s progress from coming back to power.

He said the council would not let the President down “because doing so would also let down the nation”.

Tinubu said: “The 2019 APC Presidential Campaign Council has been inaugurated by President Buhari. In his speech at the inaugural meeting, he did more than offer us guidance on the campaign. In his straightforward manner, he outlined the achievements of his administration, reminding the nation of the pillars of progressive governance and of our party.

“I think I can speak for all members of the Campaign Council that we accept the assignments given by the President with devotion and a firm commitment to perform to our utmost the individual and collective tasks given.

“It is a great honour and responsibility he has given us. We dare not let him down because doing so would also let down the nation.

“Consequently, the members of the APC presidential campaign council accept our respective assignments as both high honor and heavy responsibility.

“We will work diligently to re-elect President Buhari. We do this not for personal accolades. We do this not merely to re-elect a party member. We do this because it is the best thing for Nigeria. The campaign has begun!”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/tinubu-blasts-pdp-atiku.html

The Nigerian Union of Journalist’s NUJ, Borno chapter has called for the immediate release of the regional editor of Daily Trust, Uthman Abubakar who was arrested on Sunday by military personale in Maiduguri.

The Union has also condemned the continued detention of Mr. Uthman with the military while calling on the understanding of the authorities to ensure Mr. Uthman regains his freedom without delay due to his bad health.

The Army had on Sunday stormed the regional office of Daily Trust, and whisked away, the Regional Editor Uthman Abubakar and Ibrahim Sawab(later released) on allegation of a report claiming a breach of secret information that detailed their operations.

In a statement, signed by the Secretary of the council, Ibrahim Mohammed strongly condemned the protracted detention of the journalists.

The statement said, “NUJ is deeply saddened by the military’s arrest of two of her members and staff of Daily Trust Newspaper, Uthman Abubakar and Ibrahim Sawab (released Monday 7/1/19) in Maiduguri on Sunday 6th January 2019 following a publication on military operation.

“The Union strongly believes that the country’s Armed forces is far greater in capacity, equipment and experience than the Boko Haram insurgents hence all of us have no fear that the forces can defeat the insurgents on any front and that has been the guiding reason for reporting military operations.

“NUJ believes the report of Daily Trust of Sunday 6/1/19 was misinterpreted by our gallant military which was only promoting a show of force and not contrary.

“We implore the concerned authority to see good in polishing justice with understanding and release the Bureau Chief, Uthman Abubakar still in custody.

“He is not well to undergo such detention and the Presidency through SSA to The President on Media Garba Shehu has ordered his release which has not been effected.

“The pen profession and Armed forces have enjoyed a long cordial relationship before and during the Boko Haram insurgency which has lasted almost ten years now.

“Let us all not give in to the antiques of the insurgents who will be happy with this negative trend and remain united to fully overcome the elements of terror”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/borno-nuj-calls-for-release-of-daily.html

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar on Tuesday said the death of the five crew members of the Nigerian Air Force Mi-35M Helicopter that crashed in combat in Borno should spur all Nigerians to resolve to fight all agents of destabilization and extremism in the country.

Air Marshal Abubakar also said time has come for the nation to throw all it has into the on-going war in the northeast and ensure the war comes to an end as soon as possible.

He asserted that the death of the five crew members and others fallen heroes in the on-going war against Boko Haram Terrorists should no be in vain.

The Air Chief made the remarks at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, at the burial of Flt. Lt. P Jacob and 4 other crew members of Mi-35M Helicopter that crashed on the 2nd of January at Damasak, Borno state.

The Air Chief’s comforting voice came as tears rolled down the cheeks of family members, friends colleaques, and relations of the five air force personnel. Some of their relations wept uncontrollable, while some senior officers also fought back tears as they bade the fallen heroes farewell.

The departed military personnel were buried with full military honours accompanied by the traditional 21 gun salute.

Air Marshal Abubakar said: ” With gratitude to Almighty God, I welcome all of you here today to the burial ceremony of our fallen colleagues Flt Lt P Jacob, Late Flt Lt KP Kilyofas, Late Sgt Ibrahim A, Late LCpl Nura A and Late ACM Ishmael M.

“These 5 heroes met their untimely death on 2 Jan 19 at Damasak in active Service of our fatherland. These gallant heroes lost their lives in the pursuit of the peace which we all enjoy and often take for granted. We salute the courage of these young men, whose lot it became to give their lives for this purpose.

“The loss of these courageous and professional gentlemen must spur the rest of us not only to rededicate ourselves in the service of our Nation, but also to resolve that we expose and fight all agents of destabilization and extremism in our society.

“We must throw in everything we have to this fight to ensure that our departed colleagues did not die in vain. We must do everything possible to bring the ongoing insurgency in the North East to a speedy end that is favourable to our nation.

“I am indeed deeply touched and saddened by the price which our patriots had to pay in this needless fight against insurgency. Our departed heroes fought that we live in a safe and secure Nigeria where the freedom of worship and association of one and all are guaranteed under one indivisible nation.

“Therefore, as we resolve to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of defending the nation, let me at this juncture restate our profound commitment and unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR in his efforts at tackling the challenges bedeviling our national security.

“This is not a speech making occasion, but a time for sober reflections as we pray for the eternal repose of the gentle souls of our departed heroes, all of whom will be greatly missed but are fondly remembered for their invaluable services to the nation and humanity.


“Jacob, Kilyofas, Ibrahim, Nura and Ishmael, today, as you go to your final resting place, may the Lord be with you forever and be assured that the Nigerian Air Force and indeed the Nation will remain ever grateful to you for your service and sacrifice.

“To the families of the deceased, I know Nigerians everywhere join me in praying for you as you shoulder this heavy burden of grief. May time ease the soaring pain of today and please note that the entire nation shares this grief with you.

“There can be no better consolation than the knowledge that the nation grieves with you on the loss of these amiable and patriotic Nigerians, who paid the supreme price in the course of their duty to the fatherland.

“As we conclude the interment of Jacob, Kilyofas, Ibrahim, Nura and Ishmael, we fervently pray for all our departed colleagues who have paid the supreme price in the course of ensuring the integrity of our dear nation. As Nigerians, we will persevere, taking strength from the legacy of service of these 5 gentlemen and those before them.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/we-must-fight-and-finish-boko-haram-now.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defended Atiku Abubakar’s absence at a reception held for his running mate, Peter Obi in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

This followed insinuations that Atiku deliberately shunned the inter-denominational Church service/reception held for Obi at the weekend.

Director-General of the Atiku/Peter Campaign Council, Dr. Harry Oranezi, explained that Atiku was not factored into the programme.

He said it was meant for PDP chieftains, as well as its members and supporters from the state.

Oranezi, a former member of the House of Representatives, further disclosed that the event was necessitated by the need to welcome Obi home after his appointment as Atiku’s running mate.

He added that it was also an opportunity to show appreciation to the PDP presidential candidate for the choice of Obi, while seeking God’s guidance to achieve victory in the forthcoming election.

He said: “The event was an Anambra State affair, meant for some sons and daughters, including well-wishers from outside the state to celebrate with us.”

Also, Chairman of Atiku/Obi Presidential Council, Okoli Akarika, said the grand reception was purely to welcome and honour Obi as the vice presidential candidate of PDP.

Akirika, a former Commissioner for Lands, added that the organisers deemed it fit to also use the occasion to showcase other candidates from the state who are vying for various positions, from state to federal levels.

He stressed that the reception was to further show the Igbo people that it is only the PDP that has their interest at heart, unlike the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which is working against Igbo interest.

In a related development, Atiku’s wife, Jennifer yesterday charged the party and its supporters in Edo to dissociate from poverty by rejecting the ruling All Progressive Party (APC) in the February 16 election.

Mrs. Atiku, who spoke at the PDP campaign in Edo Central Senatorial District, said she came with a message of hope for Esan people and Nigerians.

Chairman of the PDP in the state, Dan Orbih, said next month’s general elections was not about the party, but securing a better future for Nigerians and the country’s hard-earned democracy.

He said the country was presently drifting towards dictatorship and condemned the appointment of Amina Zakari as head of INEC’s collation centre.

The party’s candidate in the 2016 gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu admonished the people to reject APC at the polls, or else the drowning party would kill Nigeria.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/pdp-defends-atikus-absence-at-obis.html

The Federal Inland Revenue Service has recorded an all-time high tax revenue collection of N5.23 trillion in 2018, with Value Added Tax (VAT) at N1.11 trillion for the first time.


Prior to 2018, the highest revenue figure ever attained by FIRS was N5.07 trillion, in 2012, when oil price hovered around $100-$120 per barrel, but now remarkable, given that it was achieved at a period when oil prices averaged $70 per barrel.

Besides, the Service will be expanding its dragnet and tightening noose against tax evaders, as there are indications that it would be given an N8trillion target this year.


The Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Babatunde Fowler, who made the disclosure during the 2019 Management and Stakeholders Retreat, in Lagos, yesterday, said the N8 trillion target is being finalised, but assured of the readiness of the agency to take it as a challenge.

Fowler, who reiterated the need for increased compliance to tax laws, said there would not be any serious discussion on diversification of the economy without reviewing the country’s tax regime for optimal performance.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Finance, Babangida Ibrahim, while commending the Service on the feat achieved, pledged the lawmakers’ support for every initiative that would lead to efficient tax system in the country.

“The taxation of any economy and growth of policies of government depends largely on the revenue generated by the tax authorities. We agree that to achieve effective taxation, the support of the parliament cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

Meanwhile, he affirmed that the Stamp Duty Account domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria is still accumulating revenue, but said he is not sure whether the accumulation is in trillions as claimed by people.

The taxation strategist noted that the revenue had remained untouched because of the legal dispute over who is the rightful owner, between the Federal Government and other stakeholders involved.

He said that FIRS worked hard in ensuring that taxes are collected and remitted for the benefits of the nation by targeting non oil revenue, despite the dwindling oil prices and economic restrain in 2018.

At the retreat with the theme: “Parliamentary Support for Effective Taxation of the Digital Economy,” Fowler said FIRS has adopted initiatives that ensure a robust tax administration that is agile and beneficial to all stakeholders.

According to him, with the deployment of various digital innovations, cost of collections in non-oil sector has improved from four per cent per N85.99 billion and N100.3 billion in 2016 and 2017 respectively, to N114.1 billion in 2018.


“While we have been steadily increasing revenue collection over the years, our cost of collection has actually been going down. In 2016, we collected N3, 307 trillion; in 2017, we collected N4, 027 trillion and in 2018, we collected N5, 320 trillion. Meanwhile, the cost of collection as a percentage of actual taxes collected has been reducing. In 2016, it was 2.6 per cent. In 2017, it was 2.49 per cent, while in 2018 it was 2.14 per cent,” he said.

Of the total tax collected, oil-related taxes amounted to N2.47 trillion, while the non-oil-related taxes totaled N2.85 trillion, against N1.52 trillion and N2.51 trillion respectively in 2017.

In the period under review, the automation of VAT collection in key sectors facilitates reduction in compliance cost in the long term; created system to system integration between banks and FIRS; and resulted to 31 per cent increase year on year in VAT collection in the banks, as well as N25 billion so far in 2019.

The FIRS also collected N212,792 billion exclusively from audit, a figure that arose from 2,278 cases, and with a huge reduction in audit circle.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/firs-hits-n52-trillion-tax-revenue-gets.html

Troops have killed over 100 Boko Haram terrorists in recent various clearance operations in Yobe and Borno, the army said in a statement on Monday.

Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the spokesman of the army said the terrorists were killed at Goniri in Yobe, Damasak, Kross Kauwa and Monguno, among other locations in Borno.

According to him, various caliber of arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

Usman said the Nigerian Air Force Air Task Force component of Operation Lafiya Dole had been giving close air support to ground troops and also facilitates the pursuit of fleeing terrorists.

“Significantly, the air task force have destroyed several Boko Haram terrorists gun trucks and facilities.

“The gallant troops have also been repelling attempted efforts by the terrorists to infiltrate their locations.”

He said buoyed by the presence of Chief of Army Staff and motivation, the troops were renewed in fighting spirit and had stopped terrorists’ incursions.

“The battle has now further shifted to the fringes of Lake Chad and other suspected Boko Haram terrorists enclave along the borders,” Usman said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/100-boko-haram-killed-in-fight-with.html

Kogi West Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the security agencies to release Senator Dino Melaye, who is representing the senatorial zone, without further delay.

The call came after an emergency meeting held at the Iyah-Gbede residence of General David Jemibewon (rtd.) to review the “unabated intimidation” of the senator.

In a statement signed by Taiwo Kola-Ojo, the chairman, Kogi West PDP vowed to return Melaye to the senate, whether he is allowed to campaign or not, just the same way his recall exercise was killed by the people, his incapacitation during the period notwithstanding.


It asked the people of the district to resist the wickedness of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vote massively for Melaye.

The party described the ordeal of their senator since he left APC as “one of the dubious tactics against the PDP across the country,” adding that “it is medicine after death.”

It observed that the senator’s incarceration was a deliberate strategy to cripple his re-election campaign.

The statement read in part: “The occupation of the residence, inhuman evacuation and the ultimate incarceration of Senator Dino Melaye by the Nigerian police in cahoots with the APC governments at the national level and Kogi State is cowardly, retrogressive, repressive and persecuted.”

It noted that any breach of the law should not be condoned when such had been proved, stressing the need to accord appropriate respect to Senator Melaye against whom no offence had been proved.

Calling for the immediate release of Melaye and the unconditional withdrawal of all frivolous charges for which he is being tried in about seven courts in Abuja and Lokoja, the party said that Melaye’s tenure brought more democracy dividends to Kogi West than Kogi State and councils in the area.

It expressed satisfaction with the representation of Melaye.

Worried by the various manipulative activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as shown by the controversial role assigned to Amina Zakari, President Buhari’s sister, the controversy surrounding incident forms and card readers, as well as the sudden alarm raised by the governors of Katsina, Borno and Zamfara states, the party enjoined the people to put on their full consciousness to check the rigging plans of APC.

The meeting called on the people of Kogi to turn out massively to receive Atiku Abubakar, who would be on a campaign visit to the state soon.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/kogi-west-pdp-rallies-behind-melaye.html

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has begun a six-day medical outreach for 4,000 patients in Agatu Local Government Area in Benue.

NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, announced this in a statement in Abuja.

Daramola said the outreach was part of the efforts of the Service to enhance civil-military relations with the host communities of NAF Bases across the country.

AVM Oladayo Amao, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Tactical Air Command (TAC), NAF Makurdi, said the exercise was in fulfillment of a promise by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, when he activated and formally inaugurated the NAF 21 Quick Response Wing (21 QRW) Agatu on Oct. 19, 2018.

According to him, Abubakar then promised to direct the Chief of Medical Services Headquarters NAF, Abuja, to organise a medical outreach for medical needs of the community.

He told the beneficiaries that medical consultation, drugs, laboratory investigations, visual acuity checks and eye surgeries, treated mosquitoes nets as well as medicated eye glasses, would be provided free of charge for them.

Amao, who was represented by the Command Operations Officer, Air Commodore Usman Abdullahi, also hinted that critical cases would be referred to the 161 NAF Hospital Makurdi.

The programme was witnessed by a large turnout of residents, including the representative of the Chairperson of Agatu Local Government Area , Mrs Comfort Echida, as well as the traditional ruler of Agatu, Chief Godwin Onah.

Grp. Capt. Azubuike Chukwuka, the Director of Public Health and Humanitarian Services Headquarters NAF Abuja, was also at the event.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/naf-begins-medical-outreach-in-benue.html

The lingering stand-off between Senator Dino Melaye and the police is laughable. Importantly, it ridicules the institutions that both parties represent, writes Olaseni Durojaiye

When the nation thought it had seen the worst of brazen, unprofessional conduct on the part of the Nigeria Police Force under the current leadership of Ibrahim Idris, the latest standoff between the police and the senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, certainly compels a rethink.

The whole saga is both laughable and shameful. And this is applicable to both parties. Their conduct has indeed brought shame and disrepute to the nation as well as assaulted the psyche of its people, who are being force-fed what could best be described as obscene clips from a theatre of the absurd.


The two parties have been familiar foes for the better part of last year just as their encounters have also muddied the reputations of the institutions of state that they both represent. In saner climes, where public figures jealously guard their integrity as a miser does of his wealth, the two would have resigned their offices and retired to quiet private and ignoble lives.

Though both parties are to blame, the force deserves a bigger share for its open display of lack of tact and strategic approach to dealing with what has become the simple Melaye malady.
Matter-of-factly, the Police under Idris had demonstrated a never-seen-before open partisanship and brazen disdain for the opponents of the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. And Melaye, a drama king, has exploited same to covet public sympathy, hug needless headlines and enjoy being a discussion item even when in doing so he often behaves so incredibly childish.

The police invasion of his residence on Friday, 28 of last December was not the first. On 11th of last October, the police sent a detachment of its men to his country home in Aiyetoro-Gbede to arrest him in connection with the July 19 attack on one of its operatives, Sgt. Danjuma Salihu by thugs suspected to be loyal to the senator, who allegedly shot him. The cat and mouse relationship between both parties predate that incident though, the senator’s current ordeal is however linked to that incident.

Melaye has since (as of filing this report) remained holed up at his Abuja residence. The police have also continued to keep vigil at his residence and vowed to arrest him and bring him to trial. Even with police insistence to arrest him, Melaye has vowed not to give himself up. And so the stand-off continues.
This was coming barely a week after Melaye made a pubic claim that police planned to arrest him and while in their custody inject him as a way to silence him. Given his penchant for headlines hugging theatrics, it is easy to dismiss the claim with a wave of the hand. But the reality is that the force under IGP Idris has over time demonstrated that nothing is beyond it when it comes to unprofessional conduct least expected of a vital state institution like the Nigerian Police Force. And instances of this submission abounds.

The force’s inability to curb incessant killings by suspected herdsmen, wanton kidnap and killing of defenceless people especially in Zamfara State, and inability to check highway banditry and armed robbery are some.
But perhaps the most telling of the force partisanship and unethical conduct remains the handling of the infamous Offa banks heist and the killing of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Bardeh.

The force was quick to link high profile opposition politicians to the heist but over six months after, it is still to put the suspects to trial. That the culprits are yet to be put on trial is a demonstration of incompetence and a huge indictment of the force’s leadership.
As if that was not bad enough, the death of the kingpin of the Offa robbery, Michael Adikwu’s death in police custody and the off-hand way the force explained the death leaves much to be desired of the force under the leadership of IGP Idris.

The handling of the murder of Bardeh is another case – a shoddy handling of criminal investigation. In one breathe the force had announced the motif as robbery gone wrong and scheduled to parade the suspect before the media, and then it called off the briefing. Reactions to the U-turn were yet to simmer when the force released confessional videos of the suspects.

Bardeh’s family has since punched holes in the force’s claim and with plausible explanation too. The family said an analysis of the crime scene revealed their benefactor was killed by expert marksmen. This position aligns with an exclusive report in THISDAY, last Sunday, which indicated that the former Bardeh’s killing was a cover up assassination.

If indeed friendship is built on confidence and trust, there is no gainsaying the fact that the police as they presently stand cannot be a friend to anyone. The police as the first line of defence in internal security cannot be said to be the friend of the people, when the people have lost confidence in its ability to safeguard their lives and properties. But the same force flexes muscle against the underdogs of the society.
The force as it stands today has eroded the public relations gains the campaign slogan, ‘police is your friend’ fetched it years back. As a matter-of-factly, the Police under Idris have become synonymous with distrust and while the competence of officers and men of the force is not in doubt, Idris has failed to offer professional leadership and patriotic direction to the force.

This explains why the force has been jumping from one poor and unpopular outing to the other, the latest being its running battle with Melaye. While laying siege on Melaye’s house in the bit to arrest him is condemnable, it is unbelievable that the force couldn’t devise a better strategy to arrest and bring him to justice especially knowing that this is election period and everyone is busy campaigning.

However, the force’s comedy of errors does not reduce the gravity of Melaye’ culpability in the whole episode – far from it. If at all, rather Melaye’s conduct has ridiculed the National Assembly and often portrays him as a misfit for the Red Chamber.

Melaye has jumped from one shameful scandal to the other with relish. From certificate and paternity controversies to jumping off police truck to evade being put to trial, appearing in court on a stretcher to avoid possible remand in prison while undergoing trial, Melaye has hopped from one crisis to the other since he attained political limelight.

One noteworthy question remains: for how long will he run or hide from the law? It is unthinkable that in any civilised society, a lawmaker will refuse to honour police invitation much more attempt to evade arrest. It becomes even more worrisome considering that the police claimed to have a warrant for his arrest.

On a superficial evaluation of the situation, it is reasonable to argue that Melaye was evading arrest, because the police’s invasion of his residence had put him in a state of fear – a good hypothesis that is. But then, was running from the law or hiding inside his residence the solution? Good enough, he tried the court to prevent his forceful arrest and the court insisted he must give himself up before eventually giving in.

Indeed, the court remains one of the most viable options available to a professionally guided force. The conduct of Senator Melaye to say the least was not befitting of a lawmaker, who should ordinarily be a champion of obeying the laws of the land and not flagrantly flouting it.

There is therefore no gainsaying the fact that initially hiding at his residence was not the solution. The solution was in the court and obeying the laws of the land, which is why the judiciary must be strengthened, if need be, through acts of parliament, so that it could perform its constitutional functions independently. Melaye’s eventual resolve to embrace a rational option at the end of the day is to say the least commendable.

But, in the final analysis, both parties clearly poorly handled the situation and as such, deserve knocks for insulting the sensibilities of Nigerians as well as assaulting the nation’s psyche with their drama of the absurd.
Above all, Idris gets to be blamed more for leading the police to this lowest of the low. Never has any IGP led the force to such unprofessional lows since the return of democracy about 20 years ago.

Importantly, however, the police must make sure nothing happens to Melaye. He had served a note of warning that there was an attempt to kill him and that is very instructive. And since this is coming at a time suspects die mysteriously in police detention under Idris and without any sensible explanations, this is certainly a sensitive case in the hands of the police and nothing, under whatever guise, must go wrong.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/melaye-relax-police-is-still-your-friend.html

The Kano State House of Assembly on Wednesday received the N205.2 billion 2019 budget for the 44 Local Governments in the state for deliberation.

The Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, who announced this at the plenary, said the document was signed by Alhaji Abba Ladan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Rurum explained that 52 per cent of the Appropriation bill was for capital projects while 48 per cent was for the recurrent expenditure.

He said that the submission of the appropriation bill for the local governments was in line with the Kano State Local Government Law of 2016.

“Adequate provision for the development of the 44 Local Government Areas has been made in the proposed 2019 budget.

“The budget, if approved, will ensure the provision of more rural feeder roads across the 44 local government areas of the state and also other developmental projects,” he said.

Shortly after the announcement, the house’s Majority Leader, Alhaji Baffa Danagundi,instantly called for the rejection of the document.

According to him, the document should not be accepted until it is duly signed by the Commissioner in the ministry.

He recalled that the house had earlier resolved that any document from any establishment in the state to the assembly should be duly signed by the political head of the establishment.

But, Alhaji Abubakar Zakari, representing Tarauni Constituency, in his contribution,informed the house that the permanent secretary signed it because the commissioner accompanied Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje on an official assignment abroad.

He, therefore, urged his colleagues to accept the document which they later did unanimously, after others had contributed to the hot debate.

The speaker further referred the bill to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, giving three weeks’ deadline for the submission of its report to the house for further consideration.

Rurum urged the Chairmen of the 44 local governments to get ready to defend the proposed budget for their respective council areas.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/kano-assembly-receive-n2052-billing-lgs.html

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has assured the general public that none of the over 160million telecoms subscribers in Nigeria will be disconnected or suffer service disruptions as a result of its recent order to permit the disconnection of indebted operators from other operators’ networks.

This assurance was given in Abuja recently by NCC’s Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr. Sunday Dare. Dare clarified that the approval given by the NCC was not for any network to disconnect subscribers as being wrongly presented in some media, but for some creditor networks to restrict services to debtor networks. He stated that “the NCC is a consumer-centric regulator; the protection of our consumers and the sustainability of the industry are the primary drivers of our activities. So in this case, even before we granted the permission for disconnection, we had put some very stringent safety valves in place to protect consumers and ensure that they continue to enjoy uninterrupted service while we address the very serious issue of indebtedness in the industry.” ‘Aquaman’ stays afloat atop N.American box office Giving a background to the issue of disconnection of networks, Dare stated that “over the years, the industry has been plagued with the very serious problem of interconnect and facility indebtedness. Some operators have racked up huge debts to others and have simply refused to pay. Now, we understand that there are ecosystem issues affecting all operators and we are working with all stakeholders to resolve these issues, but the level of indebtedness in the industry is at an embarrassingly high level, and the whole telecoms industry is at risk of failure if we do not act.” He regretted that: “This kind of problem should ideally not occur in an industry where over 90 per cent of consumers are pre-paid. We had held several meetings with the parties and given several deadlines for the debtors to pay, to no avail.

The Nigerian Communications Act of 2003 contains very strict consumer protection measures which we have continued to uphold, such as the requirement that no operator can disconnect another operator without the written approval of the NCC. But it appears that some operators were taking undue advantage of this provision by racking up millions, sometimes billions of naira in debts to other operators, denying their creditors of funds to expand their networks and putting the industry in peril.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/interconnect-debt-ncc-assures-no.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is hunting for Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as part of its desperate efforts to avoid defeat in the 2019 polls.


This allegation is coming a week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised the alarm that politicians were making desperate efforts to buy PVCs from officials of the commission.

But the APC’s Presidential Campaign Council has debunked PDP’s allegations and challenged the main opposition party to provide proof to support its claims.

PDP’s spokesperson, Prince Kassim Afegbua, told Akelicious that the 2019 elections would be a referendum against hunger, poverty, insecurity, killings, deprivations, malnutrition and other forms of inhuman conditions which this government has subjected Nigerians to.

He said, “If there is any political party that is buying PVC, APC is it because they are scared stiff about the resolve of Nigerians to vote them out in 2019.

“They know the people are angry as a result of their failure to deliver on electoral promises and by 2019, there will be a referendum against hunger, poverty, insecurity, killings, deprivations, malnutrition and other forms of inhuman conditions which this government has subjected us.”

“APC can do any ritual to retain the seat of power, but they would be disappointed by the clear resolve of Nigerians to reject them at the polls. INEC must remain resolute and forward looking in the interest of greater majority of Nigerians”

“It must not bow to the whims and caprices of the ruling party who have been using Tradermoni to purchase voters cards and outright vote buying.”

Afegbua added that APC is utterly confused and panicky about the 2019 elections, stressing that the ruling party’s actions thus far have exposed its notorious intention to apply crude methods to undo the electoral process.

According to him, “INEC must resist every possible temptation that will render the 2019 elections to be another circus show by the desperation of the APC-led federal government.”

Reacting to a media report that INEC is under pressure to expunge the display of results at polling units from its electoral guidelines in 2019, Afegbua insisted that the electoral body must work by applying the necessary rules and regulations that would give birth to free, fair and credible elections.

He noted that INEC’s reputation is at stake and it must live above board to ensure that the process meets the conditionality of credible election.

Afegbua noted that whether the federal government wants to systematically force a postponement or not, Nigerians have become wiser and would not succumb to the pranks and manipulations of such an unpopular government .

He said, “while we do not subscribe to the claim that ASUU strike can affect the use of personnel for elections, the mere fact that ASUU has been on strike for months is a sore thumb for this aimless administration of Baba Go Slow.”

Meanwhile, the APC presidential campaign council has debunked the allegation that it has been buying PVCs in order to use same to rig this year’s general elections.

In a swift response yesterday, the Director, Strategic Communications of the APC campaign council, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Festus Keyamo, asked PDP to stop making unsubstantiated allegations.

He said: “We simply need proof of this, like names, place, date.”.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/apc-hunting-for-pvcs-pdp-alleges.html

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has urged Nigerians in the new year, not to tread backward, but forward as they make voting choices in February.

Tinubu in his New Year message on Monday in Lagos, said that the choices Nigerians make would demonstrate the type of nation they want and urged them to perform their civic duties by voting with utmost faith, responsibility and the best interest of the country at heart.

”We must enter the New Year and see it as a new day for Nigeria. Thus, I ask you to perform your civic duty to vote with utmost faith, responsibility and the best interest of the country at heart.

“We have a choice to make. The choice we make will demonstrate the type of nation we want.

”I select the path of forward progress for I have never recommended to myself or to the nation the awkward practice of walking backward.

”We must exercise courage and vision. We must continue forward for the sake of this nation and our posterity, we dare not retreat or regress.

“Elections will be free and fair. You must add your voice and vote.

”You must participate in this important exercise of our democratic rights and institutions. We seek to build a better nation. We ask you to join us.

“In so doing, we give effect to the best of our hopes and aspirations for 2019, ” he said.

Tinubu also urged Nigerians to select the path of progress in 2019, as opposed to going backwards to the past that had not helped the nation.

”As time ushers in the New Year, we must look back on 2018 with gratitude. We thank God for Nigeria and all that He has done for us.

”The nation is on the verge of an election to determine our collective fate, we can either chose to continue forward or return to the old ways that held us back for so long.

”Just as 2018 must turn into 2019, we must also continue to move forward. As time cannot proceed backward. Nor should we, ” he said.
Tinubu said that President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration had made progress in moving the country forward.


The nation is on the verge of an election to determine our collective fate, we can either chose to continue forward or return to the old ways that held us back for so long. Just as 2018 must turn into 2019, we must also continue to move forward. As time cannot proceed backward. Nor should we, ” he said. Tinubu said that President Muhammadu Buhari led-administration had made progress in moving the country forward.

”We realise that we still have much to do and far to travel to become the nation we are destined to be. Yet, we must also acknowledge that we have come a long way.

”We have made progress and it has at times been difficult, yet we stand with great hope and belief that we shall advance and move this nation forward.

“Let us recognise that which has been done this past year. President Buhari has built a foundation for sustainable growth and development, a path for a better future.

”President Buhari has brought transparency and accountability in the government’s businesses.

”The Buhari administration has shown the compassionate side of our traditions and our very nature by constructing a social safety net to assure the poorest among us are not neglected but are cared for as is the right of every human being. It has fed children that they may go to school.

“It has trained people that they may acquire a livelihood. It has empowered those who wish to start businesses and employ others.

It has helped farmers become more productive so that they may earn more money while better feeding the nation.

“For instance, we have recorded significant breakthrough in agriculture with increased local rice production and the attendant reduction in rice importation.

”These things have been done not to win accolades but because they are the right things for a decent and caring government to do for a decent and good people.

“As we move into the New Year, let us be committed to doing our best for Nigeria. I wish you all a wonderful New Year, ” Tinubu said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/01/forward-ever-backward-never-tinubu-to.html

Following the failure of the federal government to find a lasting solution to the lingering strike by public university lecturers, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decided to hold a consultative meeting with the lecturers’ union, the Academic Staff Union if Nigerian Universities (ASUU) on January 4, ahead of the 2019 polls, THISDAY has learnt.

The meeting, according to the electoral body, will be limited to the involvement of their members in the 2019 general elections.

ASUU had last month embarked on industrial action to protest the poor funding of Nigerian universities and alleged plan by the federal government to increase students’ fees and introduce an education bank.

But INEC had raised the alarm that the lingering ASUU strike would no doubt have serious impact on the preparations for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

“They are one critical resource and their absence will have adverse effects on the ad hoc staff requirement of INEC,” the commission had said.

Speaking on the issue, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, told THISDAY that the commission is hopeful and positive that its scheduled meeting with the leadership of ASUU and the leadership of other unions in federal tertiary institutions would yield the desired result.

According to him, “ASUU leadership and the leadership of the commission led by the Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, will hold a consultative meeting with the leadership of ASUU on the 4th day of January 2019.

“The scheduling of the meeting is a clear indication that both parties are concerned and determined to find a middle ground that will enable the members of ASUU to continue their additional services to the country.

“The commission wants to emphasise that the meeting with the various unions will be limited to the involvement of their members in the 2019 general elections and how to manage the current industrial action for it not to affect the patriotic contributions of staff and students in the electoral process.

“The desire and wish of the commission is that the staff and students of federal tertiary institutions should be in school at least a month before the 2019 general election.

“Based on this, the commission has appealed and is still appealing to all the parties involved in the negotiations to consider the overall interest of the nation and negotiate in good faith.”

Asked if the electoral umpire was seeking alternatives should the federal government and ASUU failed to reach a compromise, Okoye noted that the commission was confident that all the parties involved in the dispute and negotiations would negotiate and resolve the issues expeditiously and in good faith.

He said it was also incumbent on the various stakeholders in the electoral process to nudge the parties towards a negotiated settlement of the issues that led to the industrial action in the various tertiary institutions.

The national commissioner added that the conduct of election is a multi-stakeholder venture and the success of the election would be in the best interest of all Nigerians.

Okoye said, “However, in the unlikely event of the strike action lingering beyond the projected time line.

Source: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/12/31/inec-meets-ASUU-on-friday-considers-recalling-ex-corps-members-for-election-duty/

Ahead of the 2019 general election, the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are at different stages of negotiation to try to get the support of the Igbo residing in the state, Akelicious can report.

While Sanwo-Olu has allegedly agreed to reward the Igbo with a position in the State Executive Council (SEC) and release N300 million for the purpose of mobilisation, Akelicious investigation revealed that Agbaje was still in talks with different Igbo groups and leaders in the state.


Multiple sources confirmed the quest of the two governorship candidates to Akelicious at the weekend, noting that Sanwo-Olu appointed the Publicity Secretary of Lagos APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe “to coordinate Igbo leaders and residents to support him and other APC candidates in the state.”

An APC leader, who spoke with Akelicious in confidence, disclosed that the Igbo leaders had allegedly accepted the offer “to cede a cabinet position to an Igbo resident and N300 million as conditions to canvass support for the APC and its candidate in the March 2, 2019 governorship election.”

Following the sealing of the deal, the source revealed that Sanwo-Olu “had already agreed to release N100 million before Christmas with a promise to settle the remaining part before the end of January 2019.”

However, according to the source, some Igbo leaders, mainly the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leaders, are dissatisfied with the offer because they were initially demanding N1 billion, among other conditions, to support the APC candidate in Lagos State.

Consequently, the source noted that Igbokwe “has lost ground as long as Igbo people in the state are concerned. For some Igbo leaders, they believe Igbokwe cheapened the Igbo with N300 million deal.”

Another competent source, who also craved anonymity, claimed that Agbaje had initiated talks with different Igbo groups and leaders in the state ahead of the March 2, 2019 governorship election. The source disclosed that majority of Igbo leaders were negotiating with the PDP candidate for a better deal, noting that the Igbo meetings with Agbaje, started since the last four weeks, are gaining momentum.

According to the source, most Igbo leaders are more comfortable with Agbaje for different reasons. First, they have strong affinity with the PDP. Second, they want a government that protects their interest better. Third, they did not like the way Lagos APC maltreated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

However, the source noted that some influential Igbo leaders, like the former military governor of Imo and Lagos states, Rear Admiral Ndubisi Kalu, were not part of the meetings with the PDP candidate.

In telephone discussion with Akelicious yesterday, Igbokwe admitted that he was the one coordinating Igbo residents for APC and its governorship candidate in the state. He said he had been able “to secure Igbo support for Sanwo-Olu without any condition attached to it.”

Igbokwe, however, denied the claims that Sanwo-Olu had agreed to cede a cabinet position to an Igbo resident and release N300 million for the purpose of mobilising Igbo voters in support of the APC and all its candidates.

The APC state publicity secretary said, “It is not true that there is an agreement to give Igbo a commissionership slot if Sanwo-Olu wins the governorship election. Also, our decision is not based on any pecuniary gain or political patronage.

“However, all we are asking from the government and people of Lagos State is a deal to protect the interest of Igbo people and residents in the state. We are business people. Igbo people have huge investment in Lagos State, cutting across different sectors of the economy.

“We are grateful that the government and people have accommodated us over the years without rancour. Our support for Sanwo-Olu is a way to show appreciation to the government and people of the state.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/2019-agbaje-sanwo-olu-scramble-for-igbo.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared support for the Imo All Progressives Congress (APC), governorship candidate, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.

The APC, National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole made this known at a rally to flag-off Uzodimma’s campaign in Owerri on Friday.

He urged Imo people to disregard people from unknown parties, who were juxtaposing Buhari’s picture with theirs, saying Uzodinma was the only candidate endorsed by Buhari.

“Those who are putting Buhari with their faces because they are unknown are fake. Buhari has APC as his party.

“Buhari has adopted Uzodinma as his governorship candidate.

“We brought you a message of hope not a message of lamentation and family business.

“We have come to deliver the message of hope that although things have gone wrong in the recent past, we have come to say how we will return the governance of the state to the people.

“The government that is coming will bring development for every son and daughter of Imo. Today is not a concert but a day to pass the message of hope.

“You have a reason for demanding change,” he said.

Oshiomole assured civil servants in the state that they would not be neglected in Uzodinma’s government.

He noted that civil servants in the state were being treated with levity in spite of their relevance to the development of the state.

He added that other people including traditional rulers and pensioners would be given their right of place and treated with dignity.

“You want a governorship candidate whose purpose is to bring development to all Imo people including civil servants who no longer know what a pay day is like.

“I want to assure workers that have been lamenting and families whose breadwinners cannot fend for them that the days are over.

“Never again will your governor look at you and say your salary depends on when you work not when it is due.

“You will now have a person that will lead by example and do not be deceived. Anybody who believes in APC must support Uzodinma.

“Pensioners too will smile. Traditional rulers will have dominion over their areas without intimidation.

“We will make sure the bailout money is returned.

“The days are gone when a governor will look at the people and say there is money for other things but not for paying salaries.

“In Uzodinma’s government, appointments will be based on merit and not family connection. We will not domesticate happiness in the hands of a few people because all Imo people will be happy,” he said.

The national chairman stressed that “roads and other contracts will not be awarded to in-laws but to genuine men and women of Imo State”.

“Democracy is about the people and as such we will run an inclusive government, the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

“Never again shall we govern on the basis of family connection. Knowing somebody or not, or marrying from a family or not will no longer matter. Your money will be used to develop Imo,” oshiomhole said.

He said Nigeria needed to produce leaders that would be accepted by the people.

He expressed disappointment over the state government’s refusal to release the stadium booked for the rally.

According to him, it is absurd for a governor who is in the same party with the governorship candidate to deny access to the stadium.

He stressed that it was worrisome that a place built with tax payers’ money was put under lock and key.

“If out of the people’s innocence they elected a man that denied them use of a place that belongs to them, it can only translate to electoral victory.”

While promising that the party would be in the state for another rally, Oshiomole urged the people to come out en mass to vote for Buhari and Uzodinma in the 2019 general elections

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/buhari-backs-uzodinma-for-imo.html

Bauchi state governor, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar, alongside the Emirs of Ningi and Misau were among the dignitaries who graced the premiere of ‘Up North’, a movie produced by Anakle Films and Inkblot Productions.

The movie, which was screened to an array of northern royalties, celebrities, media personalities, and other dignitaries on Thursday in Lagos, showcases the rich Northern Nigeria culture and amplifies the tourism potentials of the region.

With the plot set in Bauchi, the movie sees an overbearing billionaire father (Kanayo O. Kanayo) get fed up with his rebellious son, Bassey (Banky W), and sends him off to NYSC in the northern Nigeria city.

The movie follows Bassey’s journey to self-discovery as he navigates between life, love, friendship, and purpose in this thrilling drama.

The film also focuses on girl-child education and girl empowerment within the local northern community where the protagonist begins a new life.

Shot in Lagos and Bauchi states in 2018, the movie boasts of cameo appearances from Bauchi state governor, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar, and both Emirs of Ningi and Misau.

Directed by award-winning movie director, ‘Up North’ featured both Kannywood actors and actresses such as Rahama Sadau, Rekiya Attah, Ibrahim Suleiman, Ruth Waziri, Adzi Adamu, Nafeesa Butu, Sani Mu’azu and Saeed Mohammed.

It also featured star Nollywood casts including Adesua Etomi, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Banky Wellington, Hilda Dokubo, Tokunbor ‘T-Boss’ Idowu, Akin Lewis, and Michelle Dede , among others.

“My Family and I enjoyed our time in Lagos watching our beautiful Bauchi state in “Up North” film. We can’t wait for the film, which shows the best of our people, to be shown in Bauchi. I’m grateful to the producers and director who brought this historic film to our state,” Governor Abubakar said after watching the premiere, hosted by the British Council in Lagos.

Also commenting, the Emir of Misau, Bauchi state, HRH Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, said: “I enjoyed the film. It has many lessons, which will help our country to be more united. I hope all leaders and everyone can see it.”

The governor and Emirs however promised to host public screenings of the movie in their emirates and in Bauchi state in general.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/photos-bauchi-governor-emirs-laud-up.html

The Yenagoa Bayelsa State Field Office of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has began moves to checkmate panic buying, price hacking and other sharp practices by petrol retailers to avoid the yearly fuel queue witnessed during festive period.

Under the directives from the headquarters of the petroleum monitoring outfit, the Yenagoa field officers, yesterday, paid unscheduled visits to petrol stations in the metropolis to ensure full compliance.

Though no filling station was found wanting, some of the stations visited were seen dispensing fuel to costumers at the regulated price of between N141 and N145, with no queue noticed.

Most of the stations manager who spoke to newsmen assured of petroleum products availability during the season and beyond, as they have full stocks to take care of consumers.
Leader of the DPR field office, Ibinabo Jack, who represented the Head of Operation, said the measure was to ensure that petrol retail outlets comply with regulations to avoid panic paying, which most times leads to scarcity.

He said: “We ensure that these retail outlets comply with the regulations. That is why we are here. The few station visited were selling with the regulated pump price, there were no queue at the stations.“Generally, the state is peaceful and there is sufficiency. As you can see, some of the stations still have stock and they are still expecting more to come. “We are not envisaging any short supply, price increase above the regulated pump price or panic paying.”

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/yuletide-dpr-monitors-filling-stations.html

Omoyele Sowore, presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), says there isn't any progress in the country because our leaders are "sick" and they are using our future and destinies for rituals.

He therefore warned Nigerians that they cannot afford "another four years of hunger, poverty and suffering".

He called on the people to ensure active participation in the 2019 general election in order to bring an end to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country.

He stated this on Thursday, when he campaigned in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, as part of his party's activities in the build-up to the 2019 general election.

Speaking on the need to usher in a new administration, he said: “We have been oppressed for years; your resources have been looted for years. There has been hunger, poverty and suffering in this country for years. You have to stop voting for the heavy weight parties so that they won’t continue to give heavy weight punishment to our people.
"We want to put an end to the government of PDP, APC. We have to stop voting for PDP and APC because that are giving us heavy duty of hunger, starvation and poverty. We want you to have a country where you can send your children to school, not to be hired as political thugs. That is why our party AAC is here to encourage you to take your country back next year.
"We cannot wait for another four years of suffering in this country. We cannot wait for another four years of sickness for our people. Our leaders are sick; our leaders are using our future and destinies for rituals that is why there isn't any progress. But we can say with fresh ideas, we can make this country a fantastic country, to make Nigeria to start working like a country. Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa are not better than Nigeria. Nigeria should be compared with Brazil, South Korea, Malaysia and the rest, but the suffering is too much. In Nigeria, APC (Association of Poverty Congress) and PDP (Papa Deceiving Pikin). The suffering they are imposing on us is too much; the money that should be used to send our children to school and to build hospitals has been squandered.
"Vote for our party so that this will be state of progress and not poverty, problem or hardship state. We want a situation where you will be able to send your children to school. Our minimum wage is not N30,000, it is going to be N100,000. If your children did not go to school, we promise to give them free education. Anyone who does not have job, we are going to provide them jobs; not that you will be an oil-producing state and it will be a white man that will be exploring the oil. Any of your children who is a graduate will work in our company.
"Do not vote for N500 or N5,000 again, because if you divide N5,000 in four years, what will be your gain? The rest of it will be hunger and poverty. Our religion is not Islam or Christianity. It is hunger and poverty that is our religion. How can we survive if we are unable to change the government that destroyed us? Vote for me so that I can drive away the ‘Baba’ that is in Daura also Atiku, so that we can have a Nigerian who has fresh ideas."
He also spoke on his plans to ensure economic development, such that will affect people across all sectors and at all levels.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/our-leaders-are-sicktheyre-using-our.html

The Buhari/Osinbajo Continuity 2019 Organisation wants all campaign groups involved in the Presidential campaign to eschew bitterness and hate speech in the campaigns and preach peace through out the campaign, promising to deliver 16 million votes to the President in the 2019 election.

The group said it planned to embark on a door to door campaign to ensure the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

National Coordinator of the Group, Hon, Ayuba Birma who spoke at a news conference in Abuja also ask all candidates participating in the general elections to play by the rules, by avoiding campaigns that promote hatred or preach intolerance and disunity among fellow Nigerians.

While calling for total support for the President to take Nigeria to the next level, Birma said that his group will expose those involved in vote buying which he described as undemocratic, while asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain impartial and ignore all insinuations of the opposition and work assiduously towards a free, fair and credible election.

He said Security Agencies must be prepared to discharge their responsibilities with utmost professionalism, as they did in the last elections and asked other Buhari Support Groups to join hands with them to deliver on thir mandate to ensure the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi.

He said the Presidential Fertilizer initiative has resulted in revitalisation of 14 blending plants across the Country with total installed capacity in excess 2 million MT.

He said further that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the payment of pension of ex-Nigeria Airways staff, NITEL, ex Biafran soldiers which were ignored by previous administrations, while the government has been able to raise $177 million for Ogoni clean-up efforts.

Bilma stressed that the Oil and gas reforms in the NNPC has resulted in NNPC publishing it performance monthly as controversial offshore arrangement has been cancelled and replaced with direct sale and direct purchase scheme with reputable offshore refineries. These are in addition to so many other benefits the reform has brought about.

The President, he said was able to block leakages in the economy and raised revenue of government through the whistleblower policy in addition to the benefits derived from the introduction of the treasury single account.

Also speaking, a former Minister of Education Prof. Nora Obaji said they were working for the re-election of the President because of what he has achieved since assuming office.

She said “We are here because we believe in Mr. President and the work that he is doing. We are here out of our conviction that the President and Vice President needs a second term to lead this country completely out of economic, political, and security crisis.

“The government also needs patience, commitment, and support from the people at this critical time. One of the greatest challenges to development in Nigeria has always been that of patriotic leadership, and In recent times in the history of our country, we have hardly had leaders who are as selfless as President Buhari, a man whose patriotic zeal is incontrovertible.

“One who has demonstrated his capacity to provide focused and result-driven leadership, and one who has declared his passion to dream and work for a Nigeria that will be respected again in the comity of nations. If you take a glossary look at President Buhari’s profile, you will agree with my position.

“In the last three and a half years, we have watched as the president Buhari and Osinbajo administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to deliver the benefits of democratic governance to Nigerians through its achievements in security, the economy, war against corruption, and infrastructural development.

“The administration is also delivering on social investment initiatives like the N-Power, School Feeding Programme, Conditional Cash transfer, TraderMoni, MarketMoni and various programmes in the agricultural sector. These initiatives have positively impacted on millions of Nigerians, especially those in the lower social strata of society.

“Government critics have used lopsided statistics to compare Nigeria with China and other countries on economic and infrastructural development, but they carefully excluded the fact that for China to get to where they are today, they established a zero tolerance on corruption.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/2019-presidency-group-vow-to-deliver-16.html

The Senate, on Thursday adjourned plenary till Jan. 16, for the Christmas and New Year break.

This followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Sen. Ahmed Lawan (APC Yobe), at plenary and seconded by Sen. Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT) on behalf of the minority.

In a few remarks before his motion, Lawan described the outgoing year as a successful one for the Senate in terms of bills and motions passed.


“I believe we have done so much work within the year. We have remained focused throughout this period, and we have cooperated among ourselves very well.

“Even though from time to time, partisanship would tend to take its toll, we have displayed commitment and statesmanship.

“I want to thank, particularly our presiding officers, the Senate President and our Deputy Senate President, and of course our colleagues in opposition, those in PDP, APGA, SDP, ADP and PRP.


“You have done wonderfully well by supporting everything for the good governance of Nigeria, and that is how it should be.

“We did that for 16 years while we were in the opposition, and I believe that we will continue with this next year,” he said.

Lawan also thanked his fellow APC members for standing by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, urging them to sustain the tempo in 2019.

He assured the Executive arm of government of the continued cooperation and partnership of the Senate to ensure that “we give Nigerians what they need regardless of our political affiliation.”

“As a government consisting of three arms, I believe there is no way we can succeed without working together.

“I think that going forward, we can only move to the next level when we are able to work together assiduously regardless of where we are in terms of politics and who we are in terms of where we came from.

“I want to urge the third arm of government to continue to work with us, and of course we are prepared to also work with them.

“This is what Nigerians desire. They don’t care what political party or arm of government you belong.

“What Nigerians care for is service delivery; we give them roads, healthcare and security,” he said.

Before seconding the motion, Aduda also gave few remarks in which he thanked his colleagues for working together for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have worked together for the unity and prosperity of this nation.

“Even when at some points we disagreed, we resolved our differences and came out stronger.

“Mr President, we are ending this year on a very wonderful note and we pray to God Almighty that as we move into the new year it will come with lots of prospects and good tidings.

“We pray 2019 further strengthen us as a nation and put us on the pedestal of prosperity,” he said.

On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the sitting, wished Nigerians well during and after the festive period.

Ekweremadu advised Nigerians to drive carefully, and eat and drink responsibly “knowing that there is tomorrow.”

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/senate-adjourns-for-christmas-new-year.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the lingering strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) will have serious impact on preparations for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

Mr Festus Okoye, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, made this known in Abuja at a one-day seminar on Media and Gender Sensitive Reporting of Elections.

According to Okoye, it is next to impossible for the members of the National Youth Service Corp to provide all the ad-hoc staff needs and requirements of the commission.


He said that over 70 per cent requirement in some states of the federation were drawn from students of federal tertiary institutions.

“For the 2019 elections, INEC will recruit and deploy over one million adhoc staff made up of lecturers and students in federal tertiary institutions and corps members.

“These category of adhoc staff will serve as returning officers, collation officers, supervisory presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.

“The bulk of assistant presiding officers will be drawn from students of institutions, INEC is presently organising root training for corps members and wants to begin that with students.

“So it is important and imperative that they are in school a month before the election for this to happen.,” he said.

Okoye therefore called on ASUU and the Federal Government to quickly and genuinely resolve the lingering impasse that led to uncertainty in the education sector.

He said the resolution of the problems that led to the strike would be in the national interest and Nigeria’s democracy.

Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee INEC, said that the seminar was organised to brainstorm on new ways to use media to promote gender equality in the electoral process.

Ogunmola said that the commission understood the indisputable role of the media in setting and resetting the mindset of electorates to make the 2019 elections more gender sensitive.

He said that beyond the freedom to vote and adherence to electoral laws, a free and fair election was also about a participatory process where voters were well informed to make right choices.

Ogunmola added that the media serve this role through objective and impartial reporting of political events which help to shape public opinion and deepen democracy.

He urged the media to plan contents that would support gender in their reportage of the electoral process to ensure inclusiveness.

Mr Lansana Wonneh, representative of UN Women, said that when politics is inclusive and women participate, the results would be better.

Wonneh said that Nigeria leads Africa in almost everything except in terms of female participation in governance and politics where Nigeria was among countries with the lowest number.

“We are several weeks away from the general elections and this seminar could not be more appropriate.

“At UN Women, we are working with INEC to make sure that there are efforts in making elections free and fair and inclusive especially gender inclusive,” he said.

He urged the media to use it’s power to promote women in politics to change the narrative.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/inec-says-ASUU-strike-will-have-serious.html

Oil companies operating in the Niger Delta have released $180 million as part of counterpart funding for the Ogoni clean up project.



Outgoing Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril, disclosed this yesterday at the handover ceremony to Suleiman Zarma in Abuja.

Jibril also said that his successor would receive $17 million, while $5 million was in the ministry’s domiciliary account.


According to him, the ministry is richer with N200 million in its accounts. He urged the incoming minister to work towards Ogoni
clean up.

Jibril resigned his appointment as minister recently when he was appointed an emir in Nasarawa State.

He thanked the management and staff of the ministry for their cooperation, and urged them to extend the same to the new minister.

Zarma promised to continue with the laudable projects embarked upon by his predecessor.

He assured the workers that their welfare would be given priority. He said more projects would come up next year.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/oil-firms-release-180million-for-ogoni.html

Osun State government is to get $20million to fix healthcare facilities, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, announced this on Wednesday.

He stated this when he received Governor Gboyega Oyetola in his office in Abuja.

The money is the earning of the state from the World Bank-supported Saving One Million Lives (SOML) programme for result initiative.

The programme is aimed at giving incentives based on achievement of results (health outcomes) and helping to drive institutional processes needed to achieve results.

It also seeks to catalyze change in the way health business is done by focusing on results and governnce.

The programme is financed through the $500m International Development Association (IDA) credit to the Federal Government over a period of four years, for distribution to states on the basis of performance.

States are assessed based on the implementation of a number of maternal and child healthcare indicators, which determine what is earned.

Oyetola said Osun State would use the money to fix 332 out of the over 900 Primary Health Centres (PHC).

This will be on the basis of one PHC per ward, so as to bring healthcare to the doorstep of the people at the grassroots.

The governor, who is the chairman of the committee on healthcare which he constituted immediately after his inauguration, said he took charge “to put my eyes on the ball and ensure that the 332 PHCs go into full operation within the shortest possible time.”

Oyetola said he was prioritizing healthcare because “a healthy state is a wealthy state.”

That is why healthcare and education are critital indices of the Human Capital Development (HCD), he added.

The governor commended the minister for his support for Osun state and for his ambition when he was bidding for the position.

He explained that he was looking forward to the actualisation of the planned upgrading of the Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa to a Federal Medical Centre.

Permanennt Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Abdulaziz Abdullahi, and other top officials, including Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the Programme Manager of SOML, who made a presentation of the Osun State Healthcre indices, attended the meeting.

The governor also on Wednesdday received the Deputy Head of Mission Finnish Embassy, Otto Stenius, and Trade and Investment Development attache Ms, Suri Laakson, at the Osun House in the Fedderal Capital Territory.

The envoy promised to support the state in respect of a planned agroculture exhibition.

Oyetola urged developed countries to support developing countries so as to empower their people.

“It is in the best interest of the developed countries to assist developing counties to prevent migration which is now in a very high rate.

He canvassed the idea of Public–Private-Partnership (PPP) as a business model saying “government has no business in business”

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/osun-gets-20m-to-fix-healthcare.html

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has charged the Corporation Downstream company, NNPC Retail, to increase its current 14 per cent market share to 30 per cent by 2020.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the first Triennial Delegates Conference of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), NNPC Retail Branch, Dr. Baru stated that the charge was an assignment that must be accomplished.

A release by NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Baru, disclosed at the event that the NNPC Management would soon expand the operations of NNPC Retail Limited.

Baru stated that NNPC was determined to ensure that the prevailing availability of petroleum products across the country was sustained as arrangements have reached advanced stage to acquire more landed property in Abuja and across the states to build more NNPC retail outlets.

Speaking as Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who is a former Group Managing Director of NNPC, described the National Oil Company as an accountable and transparent going concern, saying nothing should deter it from sustaining its core values.

The former NNPC GMD stated that the current Management of the corporation deserved commendation for public accountability, pitched against its periodic and prompt reporting of the company’s operations and financial transactions.

Dr. Gaius-Obaseki, who is also the Chairman of Brass LNG, listed the NNPC core values to include: transparency, integrity and accountability which he explained must be reflected in all the company’s dealings with its stakeholders across the Industry value chain.

“The current NNPC Top Management led by Dr. Maikanti Baru, must be commended for updating the books of NNPC business units. This is reflective of what used to be. This must be sustained as NNPC business performance should be reported as stipulated in enabling laws”, he said.

Dr. Gaius-Obaseki stated that the decision to establish the NNPC Retail in 2002 had yielded result with the NNPC Mega stations across the country servicing the petroleum needs of the people, noting that unlike the situation in the past, Nigerians now enjoy fuel availability through the effort of the NNPC Retail Limited.

He charged the union to be focused in their relationship with management to enable both parties work efficiently for the benefit of Nigerians.

“Unionism must move away from strikes and protest to developmental focus. We must move away from being a combative group as a union but be forward looking and join management in the development of business,” he stated.

In his presentation entitled: “NNPC Retail Limited: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, guest speaker, Mr. Adeyemi Adetunji, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Limited, said the company was moving from a cost centre to profit making entity.

Mr. Adetunji assured the Group Managing Director of NNPC that his company would hit the 30 per cent market share target set by corporation’s helmsman.

In the same vein, PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Johnson assured that union members will be encouraged to assist the NNPC Retail management in achieving its target, pointing out that “the NNPC Retail has continued to serve as a vehicle of intervention in the market during periods of emergency and avoidable supply interruptions”.

PENGASSAN NNPC Retail branch chairman, Comrade Baba Shetimah Kukawa, thanked NNPC Retail Management for providing the enabling environment for the union to flourish, pledging the continuous support of the group to the Company.

He appreciated the GMD and other NNPC top management for their support and assured that NNPC Retail under his watch would continue to work hard towards delivering on the mandates.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/baru-directs-nnpc-retail-to-secure-30.html

The Chinese government has said that Chinese companies invested a whopping $100 million in the first 10 months of 2018.

It also expressed its willingness to give priority to supporting Nigeria in breaking the bottlenecks that hinder Nigeria’s industrialisation and agricultural modernisation, including backward infrastructure, shortage of professionals and lack of funds.

The Chinese Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Abuja, Mr. Zhao Linxiang, made the disclosure during a reception party for participants of the training courses in China.

He said after President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to China in 2016, the two countries have been working together to promote win-win cooperation, as well as seeking common development.

Linxiang added that the two sides also maintained the sound momentum of high-level exchanges and strengthened friendly exchanges in all fields.

He recalled President Buhari’s visit to China in September 2018 for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing where President Buhari and Chinese President, Xi Jinping, had a bilateral meeting and released another series of corporation projects.

Linxiang further said China was ready to work with Nigeria to strengthen mutually-beneficial cooperation in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure, capacity building and other major economic departments.

“China is willing to give priority to supporting Nigeria in breaking the bottlenecks that hinder Nigerian industrialisation and agricultural modernisation, including backward infrastructure, shortage of professionals and lack of funds.

“The trade and investment cooperation between China and Nigeria has been steadily developing. In the first 10 months of 2017, our bilateral trade reached $12 billion and the growth rate is 8.6 percent. Chinese companies have invested around $100 million in the first 10 months of this year. We are also glad to see that there are more Nigerian companies invested in China this year,” Linxiang said.

The Chinese Economic Counsellor further said China and Nigeria had achieved major infrastructure projects, adding that in 2018, China and Nigeria cooperated on several major infrastructure projects.

“On July 12, 2018, Nigeria held the opening ceremony of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit Project Phase 1, which was built by CCECC and the very first urban subway put into operation in West Africa.

“On September 5th, during President Buhari’s visit to China, the two governments of China and Nigeria signed the concessional loan contract of National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 Project with the witness of President Buhari and President Xi Jinping. This project will be carried out by Huwei.

“On October 25th, the new terminal of Port Harcourt International Airport was put into use with President Buhari attending the opening. We will also see the new international terminal of Abuja International Airport’s opening ceremony. Those two terminals, with other two in Lagos and Kano under construction now, are all built by CCECC,” Linxiang further said.

Linxiang added that in the outgoing year, China is also speeding up the process of the construction of Agriculture Demonstration Center for Nigeria, while also advancing the Satellite TV project for 1000 villages in Nigeria.

More at https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/2018-we-ve-invested-100m-in-nigeria.html