₦airaland Forum

Nigeria’s securities regulator is preparing for record bond issuance from companies seeking to benefit from lower interest rates and an economy on the mend.

The bond bonanza comes as Africa’s biggest oil producer recovers from a 2016 contraction, with the International Monetary Fund predicting an expansion of 2.1 percent this year. It will also mark a turnaround from last year when corporate bond sales tumbled to a four-year low as the government ramped up borrowing to fund its spending plans. That flooded the market, drove up borrowing costs, deterred businesses and curbed demand for riskier debt.


Companies could raise 200 billion naira ($554 million) of bonds in 2018, almost double the all-time high set two years ago, the Securities and Exchange Commission said in an emailed response to questions. Five companies have already submitted plans for debt sales totaling 60.5 billion naira, it said.

The funds are being earmarked for infrastructure projects including rail, roads and power, as well as to create capital buffers, the Abuja-based regulator said. Improved liquidity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange is also encouraging firms to sell more debt securities, it said.

Bank loans “may not be enough” for companies seeking to raise cash to expand, meaning businesses will have to be “substantially financed” in the corporate bond market, said Abubakar Jimoh, the chief executive officer of Lagos-based Coronation Merchant Bank.

The investment bank plans to issue its first tranche of a 100 billion-naira debt program this year, he said in an interview, predicting that at least four of his peers will sell bonds in 2018 to increase their lending capacity.

In the Pipeline
Dangote Cement Plc plans to issue 50 billion naira of bonds in the second half to fund an expansion and refinance debt. Wema Bank Plc plans to sell 20 billion naira of debt to bolster its capital levels after suspending the plan last year. C&I Leasing Plc is targeting a 7 billion-naira issuance this quarter to purchase vehicles and meet increased demand.

“Owing to the recent strong liquidity in the market, largely driven by the reduction in domestic borrowing and the consequent downward trend in rates, we expect to see an increase in corporate bond issuance in 2018,” Jimoh said. Coronation plans to raise short-term loans to fund trade deals between companies, while the bonds will help meet customers’ project-finance needs, the CEO said.

Authorities raised dollar bonds late last year and in the first quarter with the aim of reducing naira borrowing, bringing down costs and encouraging companies to access the local debt market. That helped drive yields on local bonds down about 400 basis points since late August.

“The macro-economy is encouraging now,” creating the right conditions for a return to the bond market, C&I Managing Director Andrew Otike-Odibi said by phone from Lagos. C&I raised 700 million naira at about 16 percent in 2016, which was below 3 billion naira it had targeted because of the high costs.

Sterling Bank Plc has also revived its plans to sell bonds after abandoning a 65 billion-naira bond program in 2016 after being charged 16.5 percent for 7.9 billion naira of debt, which it considered too high. A drop in inflation to a two-year low bodes well for a sale later this year, Chief Executive Officer Abubakar Suleiman said. Inflation fell to 13.3 percent in March, below the benchmark rate of 14 percent.

“We’re still watching the market closely and will only issue when rates moderate to acceptable levels,” he said. “With the recent inflation data, we expect to see improvement in interest rates in the coming months.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/record-bond-bonanza-awaits-nigeria-as.html

Abia State has reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding and other relevant documents with two firms for the establishment of a modular refinery in the state.

The refinery, according to information gathered by our correspondent is expected to be sited in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State which has the highest oil deposit in the state.

The Information Commissioner, in a press release stated that the agreement was signed in Umuahia, the state capital, adding that Secretary to Abia State Government Dr. Eme Okoro, signed on behalf of the State Government while the Managing Director of GoldTrust Limited, Mr. Freeman George Amadin and the Managing Director of White page Concept, Engr. Mohammed Yakubu, signed on behalf of their respective companies.


According to Okiyi, the SSG informed the investors that the administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu would always provide the enabling environment that would aid investors to excel as the state remains the best in ease of doing business in the region.

Dr. Okoro called on other investors to come and invest in the State, as Abia remains one of the safest States in Nigeria with top quality infrastructure deployed by the Ikpeazu administration.

He assured the indigenes of oil producing communities in the state that they would benefit maximally from the oil refinery deal.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of AG GoldTrust Limited, Mr. Freeman George Amadin, reiterated his belief that investing in Abia will bring huge dividends, as the State has both commercial and social essence that would ignite every business to thrive and succeed.

He revealed that establishing the modular refinery would help ignite industrial revolution in the State and expressed hope that the refinery when commissioned would create job opportunities for Abia youths and accelerate economic development of the State.

In his speech, the Managing Director of Whitepage Concept, Engr. Mohammed Yakubu, promised that they would create the necessary platform that would aid Abians to own and develop oil resources in the State


Some government functionaries including, Commissioner for Petroleum, Barr. Chizuru Kanu, the Deputy Chief of Staff, office of the State Governor, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai (Dr.), ASOPADEC Chairman, Chief Sam Nwogu among others witnessed the signing ceremony.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/modular-refinery-to-be-established-in.html

Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister, on Friday revealed why President Muhammadu Buhari should be impeached.

He claimed that Buhari’s impeachment will avert another impending civil war in Nigeria.


The former Minister stated this while disagreeing with the stance of former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon that impeaching Buhari would lead to another civil war.
Faulting Gowon’s stance, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain insisted that Buhari’s impeachment would also avert what he termed the “coming conflagration.”
In a tweet, Fani-Kayode wrote: “I respectfully disagree with former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon when he said that impeaching @MBuhari would lead to civil war.
“Ironically impeaching Buhari may well be what will save Nigeria from such a civil war and what can best be described as the coming conflagration.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/fani-kayode-fires-back-at-gowon-reveals.html

The Biafra Nations Youth League, BNYL, has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s remark that herdsmen don’t carry weapons but sticks.

Buhari, who made the declaration during a meeting with his United States, US, counterpart, Donald Trump, had insisted that herdsmen only wield sticks, machetes and not AK-47.

BNYL described the statement by the president as “laughable” and condemnable.

Reacting to Buhari’s remark, leader of BNYL, Princewill Richard admonished Buhari to apologize to Nigerians for defending killer herdsmen.
In a statement sent to Akelicious, Richard said failure to tender an apology, Buhari will be perceived as being herdsmen “backbone.”
The statement reads, “It’s laughable to say that the Fulani Herdsmen being his kinsmen carry just sticks, he should have been asked about the attack at Nimbo in Enugu in the past and recent Killings in Benue where heads are being cut off, is it the sticks they carry that slides people’s head.

“Buhari should tender an apology to the public for defending killer Herdsmen else he is trying to make us believe he is their backbone”.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/biafra-group-reacts-to-buharis-comment.html

Ebonyi State now has the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.

Governor Dave Umahi gave his assent on Monday, at a ceremony at the Executive Council chambers in Abakaliki. The ceremony was attended by his wife, Rachel and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The Speaker , Mr Francis Nwifuru said the law forbids violence against persons, prohibits Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and protects women against all manners of violence, including wife battering.

“The implementation of this law will enable the protection of women and give confidence to women.

Governor Umahi ordered that copies of the law be distributed to presidents of town unions, local government chairmen and councillors to help in propagating it in their areas.

Umahi commended the Speaker and the legislators for making the law. He also commended his wife, Rachel and her team for fighting for the cause of women in the state.

“Some states have passed VAPP into law to protect rights of Women. Women should know that they are striving to be accorded respect and must shoulder responsibility, ” he said.

Mrs Umahi said her pet project, Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation would be launched, along with foreign partners, to enhance development of women.

“VAPP law will prohibit FGM, rape, abandonment of dependants, child labour, stalking, spouses battering and others.

“It will be a privilege for women to know who they are with the law backing them,” she said.

The Chairman, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ebonyi chapter and Deputy Head of Chambers, Ms Olivia Okpaleke noted that the law covers all manner of violence against women in the state.

Okpaleke explained that it was a crime not to report rape cases, adding that any one found in the act would be prosecuted.

“This will go long way in addressing all forms of violence against women in the state, ” Okpaleke said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/ebonyi-state-passes-vapp-law.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has again, dispelled rumours of any leadership crisis in the Labour Party (LP), saying Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam remains the authentic National Chairman of the party.

INEC's position was contained vide a letter, INEC/LEG/PP/14/T/7 dated April 10, 2018 in a respond to complain by a legal firm, Afolabi Fashanu & Co apparently drawing the attention of the Commission to the activities of Mr. Mike Omotosho, who is parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

According to INEC's letter, entitled, "Re-Impersonation by Dr. Mike Omotosho as Labour Party National Chairman", the electoral empire said, "Your letter dated January 8, 2018 on the above refers; "Please note that the Commission's record and publication on its Website has the name of Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam (Baradan Paiko) as the National chairman of Labour Party.

The letter signed by Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the Secretary to the Commission, which copies were made available to newsmen in Abuja, has however helped to put an end to the misgivings in some quarters about the imaginary factionalization of the party's leadership.
However, this is the second times the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was dispelling the reports of any leadership change in the Labour Party, LP, within the last five months while giving recognition to Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulsalam's led National Working Committee, NWC.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/abdulsalam-is-lps-national-chairman.html

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company of Nigeria (SNEPCo) and its partners have built and donated a fully furnished and equipped multimillion Naira Integrated Science Laboratories Block to Aggrey Memorial (Model) College Arochukwu, Abia state.

The Principal of the college, Ugbuta Chukwuemeka Peter said the laboratories will facilitate improved teaching and learning of sciences not only in the college but in neighbouring schools.

The community leader, Chief Byron Iroakanulo commended Shell and its partners saying, “the Arochukwu community is elated and urged the school management and students to effectively use the facility for the purpose it was donated.”

In his address, SNEPCo Managing Director, Mr Bayo Ojulari on behalf of its government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other co-partners – Esso Exploration and Production Company (Deepwater Ltd), Total E&P Nigeria Ltd and Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd (ENI) – said that the laboratories project is aimed at promoting educational excellence in the sciences and is part of its larger educational support programmes to help Nigerian youths and support the government in the task of providing high quality educational facilities in public schools.
Ojulari represented by the Company’s Business Opportunities Manager, Mr Segun Owolabi, added that the laboratories were fully furnished and equipped with modern science equipment and sufficient laboratory chemicals that would serve the school for a minimum of two years.


http://www.akelicious.net/2018/05/snepco-partners-boost-training-of-young.html

The Lagos State Government on Monday pledged increased support to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

Mr Oluseye Oladayo, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, made the pledge while receiving members of the NYSC Governing Board in his office.

“The NYSC scheme is very integral to the unity and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians, and we need to sustain it.

“In Lagos, we are aware of the large number of corp members that are usually posted here, and we are ready to continuously support the scheme.”
Oladayo assured the NYSC board that the state considered the welfare and security of the members as a priority.
He also said that the state was committed to completing work at the permanent NYSC camp in the state, to make corps members more comfortable.
Meanwhile, Prof. Joseph Ahneka, the leader of the NYSC team and member of the board, had earlier thanked the state for supporting the NYSC scheme over the years.
He urged the state government to expedite work at the NYSC permanent campsite to accommodate the large numbers of corps members usually posted to the state.
Members of the NYSC board are in Lagos State on an inspection tour of facilities at the camp.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/lagos-commissioner-pledges-increased.html

The Economic Confidential has released its Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) which shows that seventeen (17) States are insolvent as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in 2017 were far below 10% of their receipts from the Federation Account Allocations (FAA) in the same year.

The index proved that without the monthly disbursement from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), many states remain unviable, and cannot survive without the federally collected revenue, mostly from the oil sector.

The IGR are generated by states through Pay-As-You-Earn Tax (PAYE), Direct Assessment, Road Taxes and revenues from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA)s.

The report further indicates that the IGR of Lagos State of N333bn is higher than that of 30 States put together whose Internally Generated Revues are extremely low and poor compared to their allocations from the Federation Account.

The states with impressive over 30% IGR apart from Lagos are Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Kwara, Enugu and Kano States who generated N607bn in total, while the remaining states merely generated a total of N327bn in 2017.

Only Lagos and Ogun States generated more revenue than their allocations from the Federation Account by 165% and 107% respectively and no any other state has up to 100% of IGR to the federal largesse.
The IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N931bn in 2017 as compared to N801.95 billion in 2016, an increase of N130 billion.
The report noted that poor states may not stay afloat outside the Federation Account Allocation due to socio-political crises including insurgency, militancy, armed-banditry and herdsmen attacks.
“Other states lack foresight in revenue generation drive coupled with arm-chair governance”, it added.
“The states that may not survive without the Federation Account due to poor internal revenue generation are Bauchi which realized a meagre N4.3bn compared to a total of N85bn it received from the Federation Account Allocation (FAA) in 2017 representing about 5%; Yobe with IGR of N3.59bn compared to FAA of N67bn representing 5.33%; Borno N4.9bn compared to FAA of N92bn representing 5.41%; Kebbi with IGR of N4.39bn compared to N76bn of FAA representing 5.77% and Katsina with IGR of N6bn compared to N103bn of FAA representing 5.8% within the period under review.
“Other poor internal revenue earners are Niger which generated N6.5bn compared to FAA of N87bn representing 7.43%; Jigawa N6.6bn compared to FAA of N85bn representing 7.75%; Imo N6.8bn compared to FAA of N85bn representing 8.1% and Akwa Ibom N15bn compared to FAA of N197bn representing 8.06%, Ekiti N4.9bn compared to FAA of N59bn representing 8.38%; Osun N6.4bn compared to FAA of N76bn representing 8.45 %, Adamawa N6.2bn compared to FAA of N72.9bn representing 8.49%, Taraba N5.7bn compared to FAA of N66bn representing 8.70% and Ebonyi N5.1bn compared to FAA of N57.8bn representing 8%.
“Meanwhile, Lagos State remained steadfast in its number one position in IGR with a total revenue generation of N333bn compared to FAA of N201bn which translate to 165% in the twelve months of 2017. It is followed by Ogun State which generated IGR of N74.83bn compared to FAA of N69bn representing 107%.
Others with impressive IGR include Rivers with N89bn compared to FAA of N178bn representing 50%; Edo with IGR of N25bn compared to FAA of N75bn representing 33%. Kwara State however with a low receipt from the Federation Account has greatly improved in its IGR of N19bn compared to FAA of N61bn representing 32% while Enugu with IGR of N22bn compared to FAA of N69bn representing 32%. Kano generated N42bn compared to FAA of N143bn representing 30% while Delta State earned N51bn IGR against FAA of N175bn representing 29%.
“The Economic Confidential ASVI further showed that only three states in the entire Northern region have IGR above 20%. They are Kwara, Kano, and Kaduna States. Meanwhile ten states in the South recorded over 20% IGR in 2017. They are Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Enugu, Delta, Cross River, Anambra, Oyo and Abia States.
“The states with the poorest Internally Generated Revenue of less than 10% in the South are Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Osun, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom and Imo States while in the North we have Gombe, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, Jigawa, Niger, Katsina, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe and Bauchi States.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/nigerian-states-generate-n931bn-igr-in.html

The national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier scheduled for May 14 has been moved forward. National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed this in Abuja.
Abdullahi spoke on the plan to review the timetable for congresses and national convention while briefing journalists on the outcome of a closed door meeting between Chief John Odigie-Oyegun led – National Working Committee (NWC) and APC governors at the party’s national secretariat.

In the timetable earlier released, the party scheduled ward congresses for Wednesday, May 2; local government congresses, Saturday, May 5; and state congresses, Wednesday, May 9, respectively.
The APC spokesman said some of the dates would be adjusted since the NWC had been advised to look at the current timetable again for being too “closely packed” and leaving little room for errors.
“The observation was that the timetable as it is currently constituted or composed was determined because of the Ramadan and we want to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, we try to avoid conducting any political activities in the month of Ramadan,” he said.
He further explained that the adjustments had no ulterior motive other than the logistic consideration.
Abdullahi said that the meeting underscored the need for governors to give room for free, fair and transparent congresses to avoid rancour that could be generated.
“It was acknowledged that one major way to prevent rancour is to ensure that those congresses are transparent and they are acceptable, at least, to the majority of the people concerned,” he said.

Asked to know whether the meeting discussed the purported endorsement President Muhammadu Buhari gave to a former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as his candidate for the position of national chairman, he said,
“What we were told at the meeting…was that the president had a meeting with some governors and they asked to know whom he wanted to support and I think he told them his preferences. But that has nothing to do with the meeting we had today.”
Asked to speak on the Oyegun’s second term bid, Abdullahi said, “I don’t think that is a fair question to ask me… I am here to represent my position. But what I can tell you is that Chief Odigie-Oyegun will make his position clear within the next couple of days whether he’s going to contest for the chairmanship.”
Governor Abdullahi Umaru Ganduje of Kano State, who also fielded questions from journalists separately on the outcome of the meeting, said the national convention would hold after Eld-el-Fitr celebration. And on replacing Oyegun with Oshiomhole, he said, said the process might be in order if it would ensure stability in the party.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/apc-postpones-convention-amidst-cracks.html

The Lagos State Government on Thursday said the state received over $43 billion worth of investment proposals in the last three years.

Prof. Ademola Abass, the Special Adviser, Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment, disclosed this at Alausa, during the agency’s Ministerial briefing to mark the third year in office of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Abass listed areas investors had shown interest to include transportation, health, food security, power, housing, manufacturing and tourism, among others.

“Investors have shown considerable interest in tapping into the investment opportunities in Lagos because of the government’s vigorous pursuit of measures geared toward enhancing the ease of doing business.


“Lagos State as an emerging market is becoming the financial hub and a preferred investment destination in Africa,” Abass said.

He said that the agency had assisted some businesses to establish partnerships with the State Government.

According to him, the agency also helped existing investors by providing aftercare services and ensuring the provision of necessary business support services.

He said it also resolved issues relating to taxes, such as tax reduction, multiple taxation, environmental issues, local government and land ownership rights, infrastructure and partnerships.

The Special Adviser said the agency organised various international engagements for the state.

It also performed general duties which focused mainly on facilitating visa procurement for visiting foreign dignitaries as well as state officials travelling abroad for official duties.


Abass said the agency would soon unveil the “Lagos to the World” campaign in furtherance of its desire to continue to strategically position the state as a leader in investment promotion in Nigeria.

He said that the campaign was a multifaceted initiative aimed at using various cutting edge strategic tools in projecting and effectively communicating the investment opportunities in the state to the world.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/lagos-receives-43-billion-investment.html

Stakeholders in the manufacturing and importation sectors have been advised to ensure that their products meet the regulatory standards set up by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

With the production and importation of substandard goods into the country that has caused more havoc, the Republic of China is collaborating with SON to ensure that products imported reached safety measures.

This was the thrust of discussions a seminar organised by the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China and SON, in Lagos, yesterday. According to the Consul-General of China, Chao Xiaoliang, “China-Nigeria Strategic Partnership has enjoyed great progress in recent years. The bilateral political mutual trust has been increasingly enforced and economic and trade exchanges have been consistently deepened.

“In 2017, the China-Nigeria bilateral trade volume reached $13.78 billion, increasing by 29.7 per cent, among which the import of China from Nigeria reached $1.62 billion and increased by 79.1 per cent than that of 2016.”

He added that Nigeria continued to be the second biggest export market and the third biggest trade partner of China in Africa. However, China-Nigeria economic and trade cooperation also faces some challenges.

“Some companies, from both Chinese and Nigerian side, don’t fully understand Nigerian goods quality laws and the process of enforcing law in quality-related cases. So cases about product qualities do happen from time to time, bringing bad effects on bilateral economic and trade cooperation to some extent,” he said.

Regional Coordinator South-West, SON, Owoyale Oyenike said that this seminar has afforded participants the opportunity to be grounded in their activities and the relevance of maintaining internal assurance culture.“We not only monitor but ensure manufacturers build the culture of internal assurance, so as an organization we are for the growth of industries. We engage in periodic investigatory visits across the country to check the activities of these industries and also for imported goods.
She added that they are creating awareness for the importers to relief them of wastage, “what is the essence of bringing in goods that will be destroyed. Most of them are ignorant and some are deliberate and fraudulent, but for the Chinese Consulate to want this, they want to straighten trade ties, which is a welcome development.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/stakeholders-harp-on-standards-to.html

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, commended the efforts of the committee, when he received the reports in Abuja.

Mr Lawrence Ojabo, the Director Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) quoted the SGF as giving the commendation on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mustapha, who received the final report of the Presidential Committee on Special Detainees linked to Boko Haram Insurgency, thanked the committee for a good job.

He noted that the report was compiled in five chapters, with detailed information on detainees’ profiles and categorisation.

The SGF spoke through Mr Olusegun Adekunle, the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, OSGF, at the presentation of the report by the Chairman of the committee, General Abdullahi Mamman (rtd).
Mustapha also applauded the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahaman Danbazzau (rtd), for initiating the committee and the idea of looking into the welfare of the unfortunate citizens.
He promised to forward the report to President Muhammadu Buhari immediately, due to its urgency as stated by the chairman of the committee, especially on the aspects of international relations, inadequate infrastructure, and human rights.
The SGF further reiterated the commitment of the present administration to address all security challenges ravaging the country.
He also assured the committee that the report would be given quick attention with the view to implementing all the recommendations.
Earlier, Mamman said the committee was inaugurated in December 2016 with the mandate of profiling and categorising the Boko Haram detainees in detention across the country.
He disclosed that 6,512 detainees were identified including toddlers, who followed their mothers into detention.
Mamman also mentioned that some detainees had spent up to nine years awaiting trial, calling for justice for suspects who might be innocent.
The chairman commended President Buhari for taking the plight of Nigerians seriously, thanking him for giving them this task.
He added that they were ready to make themselves available for future assignment.
The Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, OSGF, Mr Gabriel Aduda, also commended the Committee for its patriotism, passion and doggedness in carrying out the assignment.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/boko-haram-presidential-committee-on.html

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Usman Zakari has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that the commission does not torture suspects.

Zakari was testifying in a trial within trial ordered by the court to determine if statements made by former Federal Capital Territory Minister Jumoke Akinjide and her co-defendants were voluntary.

At the last sitting of the court, Akinjide had disowned five extrajudicial statements which she allegedly made at the EFCC.

The other defendants – a former Senator representing Oyo Central Senatorial District Ayo Adeseun, and a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Oyo State Chief Olarenwaju Otiti – also claimed they did not make their statements voluntarily.Akinjide’s lawyer, Olusegun Williams had also opposed moves by the EFCC’s counsel Rotimi Oyedepo to tender the statements in evidence on the basis that they were obtained under duress.

During the proceedings, on Monday, the EFCC operative insisted that the defendants were not forced to make their statements. He also added that some of the statements were made willingly in the presence of their lawyers.

Justice Hassan has adjourned until Tuesday for continuation of cross-examination of the EFCC witness.

The EFCC had charged the defendants with conspiring to directly take possession of N650million, which they reasonably ought to have known was part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and without going through a financial institution.

The commission said the defendants allegedly received the money ahead of the 2015 general elections,from former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, who was named in the charge as being at large.

The defendants however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/alleged-n650m-fraud-efcc-refutes-claim.html

Niger Delta agitators, yesterday, urged the Nigerian Army, renowned worldwide for its professionalism, to use its expertise to deal with the militia causing carnage daily in the country, which President Muhammadu Buhari identified as mercenaries trained and armed by former Libyan leader, late Muammar Gaddafi.The campaigners, under the auspices of 21st Century Youth of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience, in a statement by the leader, W. O. I. Izon-Ebi, said: “We stridently appeal to the Chief of Army staff, Gen Tukur Brutai, and other intelligence and military organisations in the country to do the needful by adhering to their core mandate of protecting lives, properties and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Buhari, was emphatic recently that the people killing Nigerians and destroying properties on a daily basis are mercenaries trained and armed by late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

“The Nigerian Army known and applauded worldwide for its professionalism is by this statement greatly indicted for gross ineptitude for not being able to protect the territorial integrity of the country, which happens to be its core mandate.


“The onus is now on the leadership and men of the Army to prove their non-partisanship and neutrality in fighting this rampaging Islamic mercenaries masquerading as herdsmen killing and slaughtering innocent and hard-working Nigerian farmers and citizens like chickens in their fatherland with impunity.

“The Nigerian Army must stand up to justify the trust of Nigerians by putting a stop to this wanton carnage, devilish act and barbarism in the name of political interests because doomsday is approaching.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/militants-urge-army-to-stop-militia.html

Respondents to a survey conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) believe the economy would end up weaker if prices of goods and services begin to rise faster than they are presently.
The CBN stated this in its “Inflation Attitudes Survey Report,” for the first quarter (Q1) 2018, that was obtained on its website.

The survey was conducted from March 19 – 24, 2018, from a sample size of 2,070 Households that were randomly selected from 207 Enumeration Areas (EAs) across the country, with a response rate of 83.5percent.
According to the report, respondents were asked what would become of the Nigerian economy if prices started to rise faster than they do now.


But the result showed that 54.7 per cent of the respondents believed that the economy would end up weaker as 11.6 per cent stated that it would be stronger; 16.2 per cent of the respondents believed it would make a little difference, while 17.2 per cent stated that they did not know.

“The responses suggest considerable support for price stability, as majority (54.7 per cent) agreed that the economy will end up weaker. This is consistent with the notion that inflation is constrains economic growth.

“When asked how prices have changed over the past 12 months, respondents gave a median answer of 4.7 per cent.
“Of the total respondents, 16.2 per cent thought prices had gone down or not changed, 61.2 per cent felt that prices had risen least three per cent, while 16.9 per cent felt that prices inched up by more than oneper cent, but less than three per cent.

“Those that had no idea were 5.8 per cent. The median expectation of price changes over the next 12 months was that prices would inch up by 2.3 per cent,” it stated.
Furthermore, it showed that from the total responses, 41.1 per cent of the respondents expected prices to rise by at least three per cent over the next 12 months; 14.2 per cent expected prices to increase by more than oneper cent, but less than 3 per cent.

Similarly, 36.9 per cent of the respondents were optimistic that prices over the next 12 months would either go down or remain the same.

“The percentage of respondent households who felt that interest rates had risen in the last 12 months fell by 14.7 points to 31.6 points in the current quarter when compared to 56.3 points attained in Q4, 2017.
“On the other hand, 8.8 per cent of respondents believed that interest rates had fallen, 15.3 per cent of the respondents believed the rates stayed about the same in the last 12 months, while 44.3 per cent of the households had no idea.

“The result revealed that more households perceived that interest on bank loans and savings rose over the past 12 months.
“On the expected change in interest rates on bank loans and savings over the next 12 months, more respondents (26.9 per cent) were of the view that the rates will rise, while 17.5 per cent believed that the rates will fall.

“A net rise value of 9.4 per cent was recorded compared to 6.5 per cent attained in the previous quarter. About 59.6 percent of the respondents either expected no change or had no idea.
“Similarly, the respondents were asked whether it would be best for the Nigerian economy for interest rates to rise or fall,” it added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/survey-highlights-likely-effects-of.html

Nigeria’s ICT sector has proven to be one of the fast-paced industries in recent years with the influx of mobile operators, broadband companies, content providers and other technology-focused companies. However, access to quality Internet connection is still a huge challenge. This has resulted in Nigerians migrating among various Internet and telecommunication companies in order to get the best connection available in different locations.

But CloudCover, a pioneer of revolutionary virtual SIM technology in Nigeria, is working towards changing this situation on an extensive scale. On Tuesday, April 24, CloudCover is hosting upper echelon government officials, executives and other telecommunications stakeholders in Abuja to discuss the future of the Internet in Nigeria at the Transcorp Hilton,Abuja.

The provider of multi-network mobile data services offers reliable Internet that allows one user connect to multiple networks in Nigeria and over 100 countries with just ONE device. With its flagship 4G/LTE device called the CC1 MiFi, CloudCover presents an interesting solution to the wavering Internet service in Nigeria by helping Nigerians rule out spending extra costs on buying different SIMs and MiFis or making tough decisions on which Internet provider to go with within the country and in over 108 countries around the world.

This relatively new innovation in Nigeria brought about by virtual SIM technology is deemed as the future of Internet and cellular technology and is already being adopted in other Western countries.
In order to ensure Nigeria stays at the forefront of this Internet revolution, CloudCover is bringing together key individuals in communication and other sectors this week at Abuja to discuss the impact of virtual SIM technology on the ICT sector, and how it can be mined for the good of all.
CloudCover launched in Nigeria in 2017 and has been servicing citizens in all 36 states. The company hopes to support the government and the private sector to strengthen the growth and impact of the ICT industry and also ensure constant connectivity to internet users in Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/cloudcover-brings-virtual-sim.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied creating 30,000 additional polling units in order to compromise the 2019 general elections.

Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party`s (PDP), on Friday alleged that INEC was planning to create 30,000 illegal polling units in some remote areas.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, on Sunday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to disregard the allegation.

Oyekanmi explained that the commission received 3,789 requests nationwide for the creation of new polling units.


He said that in response to the requests, the commission directed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to thoroughly asses and provide it with information on new settlements not served or inadequately served by existing polling units.

He added that the commissioners were also to provide information on areas with natural barriers that hinder access to existing polling units; as well as areas that were distant from existing polling units.

“The RECs are also to assess and provide information on areas affected by communal and other conflicts that make voting in existing polling units unsafe for voters,“ he said.

He said that these reports were still being awaited from the various States.

“It is these reports and the information they contain that will be collated and carefully examined by the commission in order to determine what changes may be necessary in the current polling units` profile of the country.

“Therefore, the insinuation that the commission intends to create 30,000 new polling units to compromise the 2019 General Elections is false, misleading, unfounded and should be disregarded.”


The commission assured the public that its decisions and actions shall always be guided by the provisions of the extant laws and its determination to respond to requests by Nigerians to serve them better.

He said that the creation of more polling units would be done only after full consultation with all stakeholders.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/inec-denies-creating-30000-new-polling.html

Nigerian urban highlife music star Flavour N'abania, Semah Weifur Performed Together At Eko Hotels & Suites Victoria Island Lagos

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/photos-flavour-semah-weifur-performed.html

Stakeholders in the health sector have expressed alarm at the rate Nigerian physicians are trooping abroad in search of greener pastures.

In separate interviews with The Guardian, they shed light on the urgency of the situation, calling on the Federal Government to do more to save the nation’s health infrastructure.

It is estimated that at least 2,000 medical doctors leave the country yearly for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and South Africa.


“This is cataclysmic, given the fact that currently, contrary to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) of a ratio of one doctor to 600 patients, Nigeria has a ratio of one doctor to 6,000 patients.

This poor doctor-patient ratio is regrettable when compared to the ratio of doctor to patients in India (1:2083) and in the United States (1:500).”

Figures released February 2018 by the British government indicate that no fewer than 5,405 Nigerian-trained doctors and nurses are currently working with the British National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (U.K.).

This means that Nigerian medics constitute 3.9 per cent of the 137,000 foreign staff of 202 nationalities working alongside British doctors and nurses.

A Consultant Neurological Surgeon, Brain and Spine Surgery Consortium Abuja, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, regretted that fresh doctors no longer see a bright future within the shores of Nigeria. “The conditions of work are poor.

The facilities are poor and the remunerations are poor. Many doctors are breadwinners in their families but are unable to deliver family expectations,” he said.

He advised: “The government needs to take healthcare seriously and make it a major priority in view of its critical importance to our lives. The amount budgeted for health must be increased. Better financing translates to more remuneration for health workers, increased training opportunities for doctors, availability of equipment and other consumables.”

Professor of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ifeoma Okoye, shared her experience on the pitiful state of the healthcare system: “As a radiologist, my colleagues and I have faced frustration and embarrassment due to lack of imaging equipment to hone our skills and provide quality service confidently to our patient population, as well as hold our heads high at international fora, where we are faced with colleagues who run their daily practice on the latest high-end modalities.

For most of us, knowledge of such equipment is at best theoretical and these experiences of inadequacy turn our professional lives into one of hard labour and frustration.”

Okoye, also a Consultant Radiologist, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu

(UNTH), explained: “Trained health professionals are needed in every part of the world, and so when healthcare professionals lack opportunities for professional development, enabling environment to practice and optimise their skills, and find that their quality of life and ability to train their children in the best educational institutions is gated by their poor salaries (compared to their peers in more advanced countries), they permit their brains to be drained.”

According to her, developing the clinical trial industry can add value to “identified growth indicators and become the cornerstone of health and economic transformational agenda, which should help Africa climb up the value chain towards industrialisation and provide opportunities to bring the large informal sector progressively into the formal economy.”

Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, former Minister of State for Health and Executive Director Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), told The Guardian: “If political leaders, who control the public purse, continue to choose to travel abroad for medical care, it is a signal for domestic health workers that they, too, ought to travel abroad, in order to practice and advance themselves professionally. We cannot have one without the other.”

His view was shared by Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer, Beaconhill Smile Clinics, Dr. Oluwaseun Akinbobola, who noted: “Healthcare is not a priority in our nation, as most decision makers would rather travel abroad when the need arises. Until we prioritise healthcare, I don’t believe this dramatic exodus of doctors will end. You cannot fix a health system you don’t believe in.”

He, therefore, advised: “The leadership of the country must instill confidence in and show willingness to improve healthcare services by signing necessary health acts and bills, increasing funding for the sector and ensuring that funds are properly managed.”

Former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Vice President Commonwealth Medical Association (CWMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, recommended: “Better political commitment to health; better appreciation of the worth of medical personnel, along with better and competitive wages; better working conditions and inspiring work environment; better security and access to social amenities; attractive and globally respected postgraduate training programmes.”

Medical Director, Optimal Specialist Hospital Surulere, Lagos, Dr. Celestine Ugochukwu Chukwunenye, on his part, stressed: “Federal Medical Centres should be handed over to the states. Each teaching hospital should then be allowed to float or sink.

Their governing boards should reflect the interest of their catchment area and appropriate pricing of their services in line with available government subsidies.”

He said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) must be strengthened to provide better access to these facilities. According to him, it is a ruse to think that forcing the teaching hospitals to charge fees like Primary Health Centres (PHCs) is the way to improve access to them.

Patients, meanwhile, have deserted the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), following the strike action by members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), now in its fourth day.

The union embarked on the strike after the expiration of an ultimatum it gave the Federal Government, alleging non-implementation of an agreement that included salaries.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/2000-medical-doctors-leave-nigeria.html

The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said construction of the second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is projected to cost N63b, adding that although N10b was proposed for its construction in the 2017 budget, only a paltry N3b was released.

The minister, who disclosed this during a budget Defence at the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Land and Transport, Maritime Safety and Administration, Aviation, Port Harbors and Waterways, said only N8b was appropriated for the runway in the 2018 budget.

He said if government decides to go with the budget provision, it would take forever for the project to be completed and N30b was proposed as capital budget for the Aviation sector in 2018 budget.


It would be recalled that the government planned to concession the airport, but said it would not go ahead until the completion of the second runway.

But Sirika noted that the second runway became very necessary, following the fact that Abuja Airport was becoming very busy, saying that often time, operators would be on ground 20 to 30minutes waiting to take off or even to land, which is so expensive and makes the airport very inefficient.

He said government has decided to take up the construction of the second runway before handing it over to the concessionaire, following high cost and would not want the current runway to dilapidate to the initial point that necessitated shutting the airport down.

The Chairman, House Committee on Maritime and Safety Administration, Patrick Asadu, however, queried the minister for asking the National Assembly to increase their budget provision, saying, as a former legislator, the minister ought to have the instrument of lobby and relationship with the Committee on Aviation.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/abuja-airport-second-runway-to-gulp.html

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warehouse at Ikeja in Lagos, was on Saturday gutted by fire.

The South-West zonal spokesman of the agency, Mr Farinloye Ibrahim, confirmed the incident, stressing that the warehouse was being used to keep relief materials.

“We don’t have many materials in the warehouse as at the time of the fire incident. We have few mattresses, foams and other few facilities. The fire started at about 8.30 a.m.

“The damage was not much before the fire was put out. We cannot estimate as at now the cost of the materials burnt, ”Ibrahim said.
The Director of Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasaki Musibau, said that a high tension cable fell on the roof of the warehouse which resulted to the fire.
Musibau said the service’s timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby petrol filling station and other public buildings
“No casualties. We drew firemen from three stations to put out the fire. The firemen, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and police put out the fire,’’ he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/fire-destroys-nemas-warehouse-in-lagos.html

The Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, Thursday, accused the Federal Government of trivialising and playing down the violent activities of killer-herdsmen in the country.

It also claimed that forces of Islamisation in Nigeria were still moving sharply, noting that some people were pushing the agenda of Islamisation and trying to force everybody to convert to Islam.

National President of CCN, an affiliate of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Dr Benebo Fubara Fubara-Manuel and his Anambra State branch chairman and Bishop on the Niger, Rt. Rev Owen Nwokolo, disclosed this during the CCN Standing Committee meeting, held at the Archbishop C.J. Patterson International Auditorium, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha Anambra state.

CCN said it was concerned that “the market places, the schools where the children are trained and even their homes are no longer safe, we are particularly concerned that when they take away girls from their schools, they will hold back a Christian girl. These matters are still burning in our hearts.
“Instead of condemning and speaking about the violent attacks of the people in their villages and communities by the killer herdsmen, the Federal Government is describing the attacks, killings and maiming of people in their homes by killer herdsmen as conflict between herdsmen and farmers.
“They minimise and reduce the matter as conflicts between herdsmen and farmers to show that they are not yet touched by the killings, maiming and sacking of people from their homes and communities by the killer herdsmen.

“Our expectations are that government should own up to the fact that there is a problem on ground and in the land. They should stop finding excuses to the problems and making statements that minimize the problems created by the invading and marauding killer-herdsmen.
“The Federal Government should re-address its military strategy in such a way that people will not walk into our schools and take our girls and go scot-free and we hope that they will negotiate without religious bias or show of any religious divide or leave a Christian behind and bring others back.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/stop-trivialising-killings-in-nigeria.html

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned against the politicisation of the soot challenge facing the state, saying that federal government must be prevailed upon to stop the soot.

This came as a group, “Stop the soot Campaign” marched to Government House Port Harcourt yesterday with a 14-point demand for action by the state government to end the soot menace.


Wike said federal government agencies whose activities impact negatively on the environment were at the base of the soot.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Wike said nobody is immuned to the health hazards created by the soot.

He said: “The environment cannot be politicised. Nobody is immune from the soot. These environmental issues are directly under the federal government.

“The federal government owns the refineries that have been emitting the gases into the atmosphere. The federal government also owns the security agencies that have been using uncivilised methods to stop bunkering and illegal refineries “.

The governor added that the state government would always cooperate with the federal government to see that matters concerning the environment are taken seriously.

He said: “We want to assure you that we are looking into the requests. The government will act on them”.

He advised operators of illegal refineries to desist from the dangerous act which is one of the major pollutants in the state.

Earlier, Leader of the Stop the Soot campaign, Mr. Tunde Bello, said the campaign is a non-political initiative to draw attention to the air pollution caused by soot.

The group placed a 14-point demand on the Rivers State Government where they expect action.

The campaigners amongst other things called on the State Government to prioritise the environment, propose a supplementary budget, and conduct an environmental audit of host and oil producing communities, force local government areas to implement sanitation laws and make local government areas use their security votes to provide local government monitors and whistle blowers.

They also called on the state government to start street health campaign, provide air quality readings and seek legal redress to compel the federal government to fund the Ogoni cleanup.

A human rights activist, Mr. Higher King, who participated in the march, said the federal government is not living up to expectations, hence the prevalence of soot in Port Harcourt.

King said unless more refineries are in place and supplying products round the clock, soot will continue to prevail in the state’s environment because of the existence of illegal refineries.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/dont-politicise-soot-challenge-wike.html

Nearly six months after its acquisition of Jumia House (Lamudi), ToLet.com.ng, Nigeria’s leading online property classifieds portal formally changes its name to PropertyPro.ng today.

PropertyPro.ng is a world-class property search website powered by the consolidation of ToLet.com.ng and The Jumia House Nigeria website which was acquired by ToLet.com.ng in October 2017. The name change reflects the company’s broader commitment and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of real-estate search solutions.


Speaking about the name change, Fikayo Ogundipe, Co-founder and CEO of PropertyPro.ng stated that the name change reflects the company’s broader commitment and its expertise in driving the innovations needed to shape the future of real-estate search solutions.

On his part, Sulaiman Balogun, Chief Business Officer and Co-founder had this to say, “Our name change today allows us to emphasize our wide-ranging business objective around continually improving the way property search is conducted from the view of both real estate professionals and the general public, with the goal of increasing access and improving service delivery. The new name is effective immediately and will be implemented across the company’s product offerings. Our brand ethos has always been built on trust, credibility and industry knowledge – that’s what kept our business growing successfully over the last 5 years, and the PropertyPro brand promises to deliver on this same terms.”

When asked about the name change and the new website, the Chief Technical Officer and Co-founder, Oluwaseyi Ayeni said, “the new PropertyPro.ng platform is ready for use via an android app but still accessible on desktop and mobile.” Ayeni further explained that the new PropertyPro.ng website promises a simplified user experience.

“Real estate agents and property developers who list on PropertyPro.ng will now have their listings displayed in the best manner yet. Each listing will contain more relevant and clearer information that will assist end users in making better decisions. In other words, this will help real estate agents get better results.” says Oladapo Eludire, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/online-real-estate-company-toletcomng.html

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Area Command, Lagos, of the Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a consignment of military hardware, imported into the country.

The consignment was said to have been falsely declared with different Airway Bill numbers.

It is said to include military camouflage uniforms, bulletproof jackets, military helmets, military face caps, military vest of different camouflage colours, air gun imported with two different End User Certificates, 20 pieces of assorted optical sight wrapped in military camouflage uniform bags, mainly for rifles and grenade launchers, handcuffs, police official cardigans and drones.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Jayne Shoboiki, also disclosed that the command intercepted 108 cartons of expired (2009) beef imported into the country, pangolin scales and pharmaceutical products known as tramadol tablets with no registration number from the National Agency for Food Drug, Administration and Control (NAFDAC), to be exported out of the country.

Shoboiki added that the military hardware imported into the country were intercepted at NAHCO Shed of the airport.

She said, “Economic saboteurs should desist from illicit trade and allow sanity in our economy, as we must continue to carry out our statutory mandate of enforcing government trade policies.

“The clearing agents should enlighten importers to desist from bringing into the country items that are absolutely prohibited. Military hardware are not to be imported by individuals, but must come into the country with an End User Certificate.”

Shoboiki expressed displeasure with the expired (2009) beef imported into the country, saying such item poses serious health hazards to Nigerians.

She said, “We have enough fresh beef in this country; I see no reason for importing not just beef, but the expired one. The item, which is under import prohibition list, schedule 3, item 2 of the Common External Tariff (CET), was abandoned. Effort made to arrest the consignee proved abortive, as the address mentioned does not exist.”

The customs boss noted that the command collected ₦11.6 billion from January to March 2018. The amount represents 74.34 percent of the envisaged revenue target in the first quarter.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/customs-intercepts-military-hardware-in_18.html

The Senate has accused a lawmaker, Ovie Omo-Agege, of leading hoodlums to seize the mace, which serves as the chamber’s symbol of authority.

In a statement after the incident on Wednesday, Senate spokesperson, Sabi Abdullahi, said the incident is an act of treason.

Read the full statement below:

*RESPONSE TO TODAY’S INCIDENT IN THE SENATE CHAMBER*

Today, some armed hoodlums led by suspended Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, walked into the Senate plenary and seized the symbol of authority of the Upper Legislative Chamber, the mace.

This action is an act of treason, as it is an attempt to overthrow a branch of the Federal Government of Nigeria by force, and it must be treated as such. All security agencies must stand on the side of due process and immediately mobilise their personnel to retrieve the mace and apprehend the mastermind and the perpetrators of this act.

This action is also an affront on the legislature, and the leadership of the House has come to express their support against this action.

The Senate is now in an Executive session.

An updated statement will be released immediately after the closed door session.

*Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi*
*Senate Spokesperson*

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/senate-reacts-to-hoodlums-invasion.html

The Bayelsa government has suspended and stopped the salaries of 3,403 workers in the ongoing public service reforms.

The Head of Service of Bayelsa, Rev Thomas Zidafomo, directed that salaries of 222 staff of Bayelsa owned media houses and 3,181 non-teaching staff in the State Universal Basis Education Board (SUBEB) be suspended.

Zidafomo in a letter dated Apri 6, 2018 directed that the withheld salaries of the affected workers listed as ‘excess workers’ be remitted to the Accountant General of Bayelsa.

But the unions have kicked against the action and urged the government to rescind its decision.

The protest of the unions is contained in a statement jointly issued by Mr. John Ndiomu, Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Tari Dounana.
The labour noted that withholding of salaries of workers listed for redeployment was strange and urged the government to carry out the reforms in compliance with Public Service Rules.
“Labour wishes to draw government’s attention to the ongoing public service reforms. It is proper to note that redeployment of staff is a norm but stoppage of salaries is not in line with civil service rules.
“Labour therefore calls on government to review its directive on the stoppage of salaries as it is against the public service rules.
“We also wish to remind government of its pledge that the reforms would not lead to job losses and ask that it abides by it,” they said.
The Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of SUBEB, on Monday also urged the government to reverse its decision.
NASU with 3,181 non-teaching staff affected in the reform issued a 14 –day ultimatum to the government to rescind its decision or face a strike.
The Bayelsa chapter Chairman of the union, Mr. Geku Ebiwari, in statement issued after an emergency congress of the union noted that the workers were not under any trial to warrant the suspension of their salaries.
Ebiwari said noted that there was no need to stop the salaries of the workers if the exercise was a re-deployment as claimed.
However, Mr Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Bayelsa Commissioner for Information, said that there was no going back in the reforms.
He said that the government would pursue the policy to a logical conclusion.
He maintained that the reform was necessary to “rid the public service of an excess workforce and in the process deliver a leaner, smarter and productive workforce that is better equipped to serve the state.”
Iworiso-Markson allayed fears that they had been sacked and explained that the affected workers would be trained and deployed to other areas of need.
According to him, those found unsuitable in the public service will be eased out with financial assistance to start off their businesses.
He further said that Governor Seriake Dickson is scheduled to receive the report of the state Public Service Reforms Committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (Rtd), on Tuesday.
The submission of the report is preparatory to meeting between the governor and leaders of the organised labour on Wednesday.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/bayelsa-suspends-stops-salaries-of-3403.html

Guinness Nigeria Plc has partnered with Wecyclers, a for-profit social enterprise that promotes environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and community health, to support Guinness’ waste management agenda. The partnership is expected to, among other things, help support the implementation of Guinness Nigeria’s 4R waste management strategy, covering Reduction, Reuse, Recovery and Recycling, while addressing increasing local and global concerns about environmental issues of waste disposal.

Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, stated that the partnership with Wecyclers was in line with the company’s commitment to reducing environmental impact across its operations and throughout its supply chain. He added that it was also in line with Nigeria’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy approach under which producers are given a significant responsibility for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.

“This partnership with Wecyclers is in line with our commitment to reduce our environmental footprint as well as join the global movement to advance sustainable development,” Ndegwa said. “Every year at Guinness, we set ourselves stretched targets that will guide us as we work to reduce our impact on the environment. We also strive to increase our positive social impact by delivering transformational social investments in communities where we operate.”


While sSpeaking at the MoU signing, Chief Executive Officer of Wecyclers, Mr. Olawale Adebiyi, stated that Wecyclers aims to build a low-cost waste collection infrastructure while raising general awareness on the importance of recycling for environmental sustainability and social welfare.
According to him, “Households are given a chance to generate value from their waste and provide a reliable supply of raw material to the local recycling industry. Partnerships with well-meaning organisations such as Guinness Nigeria Plc are a critical part of driving that agenda forward.”
On her part, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Viola Graham-Douglas, stated, “In the medium to long term, Guinness Nigeria has set targets as part of its 2020 Sustainability and Responsibility commitments, comprising three key pillars: Leadership in Alcohol in Society, Building Thriving Communities and Reducing our Environmental Impact. Delivering on these goals is an integral part of our long-term business strategy and our commitment to making a real difference in communities where Guinness Nigeria operates.
“To this end, we have developed a sustainability strategy that will help us reduce our environmental impact while increasing our positive social impact in the society and this partnership will help us achieve our objectives.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/guinness-nigeria-partners-wecyclers-on.html

Sterling Bank Plc on Monday reported a growth of 65 per cent in profit after tax (PAT) for the year ended December 31, 2018. The audited results of the bank showed PAT of N8.521 billion, up from N5.163 billion posted in the 2016. The profit was recorded from gross earnings of N133.490 billion in 2017, compared with N111.440 billion in 2016.


The financial institution ended the year with net interest income of N50.180 billion, down from N55.990 billion, while impairment charges rose from N11.714 billion to N12.267 billion in 2017. Profit before tax grew from N6 billion to N8.606 billion, while PAT improved from N5.163 billion to N8.521 billion.

Based on the results, the board of directors of the bank has recommended a dividend of two kobo per share for the shareholders’ approval.

The former Managing Director/Chief Executive of Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Adeola, had last year told shareholders that bank would aggressively grow its retail business through electronic channels over the next five years.

According to him, the bank would continue to boost innovative banking, driven by market insights that would enable it serve its customers satisfactorily, implement significant investment in technology-led growth initiatives and accelerate the growth of its non-interest banking segment.

Meanwhile, the JSE Securities Exchange has lifted the technical suspension on Oando Plc. According to the South African bourse, it acted based on information from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which is the primary listing of the Oando Plc.

The NSE had last Wednesday lifted the technical suspension on the shares of the energy and gas company before reinstating the suspension some hours later.

The Exchange said subsequent to the lifting of the technical suspension, on 11 April 2018, it received another communication from SEC to maintain the status quo prior to the Commission’s letter of 9 April 2018, (the technical suspension of trading in Oando’s shares.)

“In the overall interest of investors in Nigeria’s capital markets, and following consultation with the Commission please be advised that at the start of trading tomorrow (today), 12 April 2018, trading in Oando’s shares will resume without any impediment in price movement consistent with the NSE’s market structure.

In its own explanation, SEC said the technical suspension of Oando shares took longer than expected on account of the lawsuits from its shareholders and the company itself.

“However, the suspension of the shares of Oando Plc was prolonged due to several litigations by Oando and other shareholders contesting the propriety of the forensic audit and technical suspension. All litigations have now been withdrawn, the independent forensic audit by Deloitte is ongoing and the preliminary result is expected,” the capital market regulator said

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/sterling-bank-grows-profit-after-tax-by.html

No fewer than 17 of the parents of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have died due to trauma associated with the abduction.

This is even as Senate President, Bukola Saraki, called for concerted efforts by governments, security agencies, religious and community leaders, to rescue the remaining 112 Chibok girls and the Dapchi schoolgirl, Leah Sharibu, from captivity.


The 276 schoolgirls were abducted in a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, by the Boko Haram Islamist sect on April 14, 2014.

Co-ordinator of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement in Lagos State, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, made the disclosure at the weekend at the 4th anniversary of the abduction with theme: “Four years too long,” an event marked with Christian and Muslim prayers.

She said though some of the girls had regained freedom, the fact that 112 of the girls were still with Boko Haram was too long.

“While we are not unaware of the efforts made so far by government of Nigeria in securing the release of 103 girls from captivity, four years is too long and totally unacceptable

“In fact, on May 14, 2017, we were expecting 83 girls. On May 6, only 82 agreed to board the plane to freedom.

“That still haunts me till today. Saraya Paul whose father told me as far back as October 2015, that ‘God has blessed me with eight children and they are all obedient but none has honoured me as much as Saraya.’

“Saraya offered to remain with her captors. We have failed these children and continue to fail their families.”


Muhammed-Oyebode, daughter of the assassinated Head of State, General Muritala Ramat Muhammed, expressed shock that some queried BBOG’s struggle for the release of the abducted girls.

This, she opined was a tragic reflection of the Nigerian society’s desensitization to evil:


“The abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and Dapchi schoolgirls is an attack on the soul of Nigeria.

“The kidnapping of innocent girls from school is totally unacceptable and we demand collective action to fight this monster in Nigeria.

“The rights of children, women and girls must be provided for, protected and promoted as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The prayer session was led by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House Church, Lagos, and Alhaji Tajudeen Adebayo, Imam of Falomo Police Mosque.


Saraki in a statement yesterday by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said even though four years had elapsed since the sad incident of the Chibok girls’ kidnap, it must not dampen efforts being made to see the girls rescued and reunited with their families and loved ones.


He called on the parents to remain steadfast as government would never relent in efforts to see their daughters back home safely.

Saraki said: “As a parent, I feel the pains of these unfortunate young girls from Chibok and the latest one – Leah Sharibu – from Dapchi, their parents and the people and governments of Borno and Yobe states over these harrowing experiences.

“However, all hope is not lost. We are all involved in this. Their return will give us joy while their continued stay in captiviy will inflict us with perpetual torment of failure.

“This is no time for blame game or passing the buck. We must all gear up and work together to see these girls rescued within the shortest possible time. I believe that the last four years have given us ample time to reflect on the calamity, review our modus operandi – politically and militarily – and resolve to ensure that all Nigerians are adequately protected.

“Let us fine tune the strategies that have won us successes and discard those that have failed us. The goal and focus must be clear – to rescue our girls and all those in forced captivity in any part of the country, and ultimately, to restore our pride as a sovereign entity.

“This is the time for all stakeholders to retool and re-strategise to ensure that all these girls are not only rescued but do all in our power to put a closure to all cases of kidnapping and insurgency in this land.”

The Senate President also urged security agencies to keep people abreast of developments about the issue to avoid the speculations and talks like the one insinuating that many of the girls may have died.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/17-chibok-girls-parents-dead-bbog.html

Mr Femi Adesina says he has no doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari would be returned to office when he contests the general election in 2019.

Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said this during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics via Skype from the United Kingdom.

With just 306 days to the presidential poll, the President Buhari’s spokesman was confident that his principal would be re-elected six days after he declared his intention to contest the election.

“I have no doubt that Mr President will get re-elected,” Adesina stated. “He will get the party’s ticket and he will go for the general elections, and he will get re-elected; that is my confidence and a lot of Nigerians are with us in this.”

Full report at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/04/no-doubt-buhari-will-be-re-elected-in.html