₦airaland Forum

I’m glad Buhari attended the Governor’s kids wedding in Kano. Sad that he could not find time to visit Dapchi to lead from the front or Zamfara to console them over the death of 41 people or Benue to sympathize with them over the killing of 73 people by killer Fulani herdsmen!

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/03/im-glad-buhari-attended-governors-kids.html

INEC says it will enter into strategic partnership with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to ensure an effective distribution of materials and personnel ahead of the 2019 elections.

Prof Godswill Obioma, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, said this at a meeting attended by representatives of the 29 branches of the NURTW and INEC officials on Saturday in Abakaliki.

Obioma commended the union for the previous partnership with the commission in the area of transport arrangements.


The REC said that transportation was a critical component of election involving timely movement of INEC personnel and electoral materials.

According to him, elections are held between 8a.m. and 4p. m.

“It becomes pertinent that adequate transportation arrangements are made to ensure that INEC officials and materials are moved to designated election centres on time.”

He said the meeting was in line with the directives from the commission’s national headquarters that state offices of INEC should hold meetings with its strategic partners on election planning.

The REC told members of the NURTW that the meeting was to enable the commission embark on early transportation planning.

He said that the initiative would also help the commission to overcome avoidable mobility challenges.

Obioma said that the meeting was a follow up to an earlier meeting held between the commission and the union.

“The main purpose of this meeting is to start planning early the transportation arrangements and it is also a follow up to the meeting held last month.

“We made some far reaching resolutions during the last meeting and it becomes even more urgent to partner with your union in making transportation arrangement now that our headquarters has given us orders to do so.

“We were told to go back and meet with our stakeholders in various aspects to begin arrangements in earnest for the elections.

“We have just met with the committee in charge of security called the Inter Agency Consultative Committee in Electoral Security,” he said.

Obioma explained that they had used the opportunity availed by the meeting to lay out strategic plans for security.

He said, “the Commissioner of Police is the chairman and REC is the co-chair man. ”

The REC said that a nine-man joint sub-committee to work out the modalities for effective engagement of the transporters would be constituted at the end of the meeting.

He commended the union for attending the meeting and reassured its members of the commitment of the commission aimed at sustaining existing cordial relationship between it and NURTW.

Obioma also restated the commitment of the electoral body to conduct credible, free and fair elections in Ebonyi in 2019.

The state chairman of the NURTW, Chief Oko Ewa, said the union would support the commission to succeed in the areas of transportation.

Ewa, represented by the state secretary, Mr Sunday Ebude, said that NURTW would respect the partnership arrangement.

The NURTW Chairman also commended the commission for starting the planning one year ahead of the election.

“The early planning will enable both the commission and our union to resolve every challenge that may arise along the line.

“NURTW has been a critical partner of INEC and we assure you that we are going to abide by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the committee will come up with, ” he said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/03/2019-inec-to-seek-partnership-with.html

The ongoing military exercise across Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa and Taraba states has started yielding positive results in no small time, a group identified as Middle Belt Patriotic Assembly has said. This was disclosed at a press conference in Lafia, the Nasarawa State Capital on Wednesday by the group’s coordinator, Comrade- Omenge Frederick at a press conference to evaluate the exercise that was recently launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai to tackle the menace of herdsmen /Farmers clashes, banditry and cattle rustling across the states .
The group however noted that while the army is making concerted efforts to rid the region of criminal elements , some politicians are making attempts to drag the Army into politics which he said is beyond the scope of exercise AYEM AKPATUMA. According to Frederick, the Nigerian Army must continue to remain apolitical and true to its mandate at all times. He urged individuals, especially the Governor of Benue States to set a good example by not dragging the security agencies into the politics of anti-open grazing legislation. According to him, all stakeholders must understand that the military as a national institution doesn’t yield to individual concerns of political actors but that which benefit the overall interest of the country. He said, “Whereas the Governor is free to make his statement anywhere in a democracy, the Middle Belt Patriotic Assembly considers the comments as a clear breach of the constitution and an attempt to drag the Nigerian Army into the politics surrounding issues between herdsmen/Farmers in the State. “We therefore wish to warn the Benue State Governor to spare the militrary of any interference in the internal affairs of the State whilst allowing the Army to concern itself strictly with the Exercise Cat Dance which was inaugurated to flush out criminal elements from the State. “There is no doubt that the exercise is already yielding its desire goals as conceived by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai and is being carried out by troops patriotically.” Frederick said after their assessment, it came to the conclusion that the military is doing a good job in Benue State and other parts of the country where “ Exercise Cat Race “ is currently taking place. He said Nigerian Army exercise should be supported to achieve the desired goal which will be beneficial to the entire country, stressing that the Nigerian Army under Lieutenant General Buratai has remained apolitical and can do without political distractions.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/03/exercise-cat-race-yielding-positive.html

President Buhari, I saw the big smile on your face as your son, Yusuf, returned home to you from Germany. That‘s the same big smile that will be on the faces of parents of the #DapchiGirls when their daughters return home to them. They are as precious to them as Yusuf is to you!

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/03/i-saw-big-smile-on-your-face-as-your.html

President, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote on Wednesday said his investments in the Lekki Free Trade Zone will earn the country N8 trillion turn over annually. The Africa richest man who spoke at the opening of the inaugural edition of the Lagos-Kano Economic and Investment Summit held at the Jubilee Chalets in Epe, Lagos, said Lagos has clearly demonstrated its readiness for serious investments. Dangote who lauded the partnership between both States said, “Lagos is more than ready for business. Our refinery, petrochemical, fertilizer and gas projects will generate N8trillion per annum for Nigeria when fully on stream.” Also speaking, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said at least $2billion would be required to revive the Lagos-Kano Rail Line as part of efforts to boost local and international trade along the Northern and Southern zones. Osinbajo explained that the federal government in partnership with a private firm, General Electric (GE) is already proposing to invest in the project to enhance the movement of cargo from Apapa ports to Kano via the rail line. Commending the Lagos and Kano State Governors for creating a platform to collaborate for economic growth, Osinbajo expressed optimism that such initiatives would open up the investment opportunities that abound in both States to would-be investors both locally and internationally. “I believe that Lagos and Kano States have by this collaboration underscored the cornerstone of the Federal Government’s economic recovery and growth plan, namely the leveraging of synergies among States and between government and the private sector. “The strategic role of the federal government is of course to create an enabling environment for commerce beginning with the provision of infrastructure. “For us, what this meant especially in the context of Lagos and Kano collaboration is the refurbishing of the narrow gauge Lagos to Kano Rail with a concession to General Electric who are proposing to invest almost $2billion to ensure that the rail route is effective for movement of cargo from Apapa port to Kano. “Similarly, we are investing in the Lagos to Kano standard gauge line, the Lagos Ibadan portion of that is expected to be ready by the end of this year. Also, we have budgeted N80billion for the development of special economic zones in the six geo-political zones of the country,” Osinbajo said. While reeling out plans by the Federal Government on power, the Vice President said arrangements have been firmed up to establish independent power projects to specifically service printers in Somolu area and traders in Sura Market. He said the Federal Government would keep a close tap on the decisions reached at the Summit and would use it direct its engagement with State Governments going forward. “Let me again commend Governors Ganduje and Ambode for this Summit. I want to commend Governor Ganduje for making the long journey to Lagos. I must also say that Governor Ambode deserves special mention for his foresightedness in establishing this collaboration, working with Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi on the famous LAKE Rice and even leasing land from Ogun State to grow rice which I think is another act of collaboration,” Osinbajo said.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/03/our-investments-in-lekki-free-zonell.html

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

The House of Representatives on Wednesday resolved to investigate why the prices, earnings and profitability profiles of some quoted stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has remained in one position for about three years.

The investigative committees are capital market and institutions, insurance and actuarial matters.


This investigation shall also review and confirm the pricing basis of the recent acquisitions of publicly quoted Nigerian insurance companies.
These resolutions came on the heels of the adopted motion sponsored by Hon. Femi Fakeye.
Fakeye, in his lead debate, affirmed that investors were expected to share accruing profits through declared dividends and appreciation in the their companies stock periodically.
The lawmaker pointed out that despite many reports on the positive performance of some companies quoted on the NSE about their earnings and profitability profiles, their prices have remained pegged in one position.

He further disclosed that nearly all the twenty-six insurance companies quoted on the stock exchange have had their stock prices trading at 50 kobo par value for many years.
Fakeye further expressed worry that if the situation continues unchecked, it will have the tendency to discourage the investing public and stifle the growth of the stock market.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/reps-to-probe-stagnation-of-prices.html

The Operation Safe Haven Taskforce in Plateau announced that it had arrested a farmer who allegedly specialises in fabricating and repairing locally made weapons in the state. Daily Trust reports that the spokesperson of the taskforce, Major Adam Umar said the suspect; David Paul was arrested in Kabu village of Jema’a local government area which shares boundary with Sanga in Kaduna state. Umar said the suspect was arrested with about 50 guns which included dane guns, single barrel guns and revolvers following a tip off from members of the public.

He said: ''Investigation is ongoing to get some of his collaborators and those who patronise him. He will be handed over to the police command in Kaduna for proper investigation.'' The suspect, David Paul (49), said he had been in the business of weapon fabricating for 15 years. He added that he had never been accosted by security agents even when he sometimes fabricated his weapons in the open and on market days.

He said: ''I always see some policemen passing and they will only look at me and say, ‘See this man is making locally made guns.’ None of them ever told me it was illegal. Most of the weapons here are for repair, but I also fabricate some for hunters.''

According to the report, the attack occurred on night of Friday, January 26 at Hukke village, in Maingo district of Bassa local government area of the central northern state. Report that the attackers also burned down not fewer than 10 houses with foodstuff and valuable items worth millions of naira inside them.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/farmer-arrested-for-fabricating-weapons.html

The minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has explained that foreign investors, who are interested in doing business in Nigeria, have continued to have cold feet because of lack of data. The minister gave the explanation during the 2017 Agricultural Performance Survey Public Presentation and Stakeholders Forum in Abuja yesterday. Sen. Lokpobiri lamented that lack of database for agricultural sector has not only made the sector unattractive to both the foreign and local investors but also has continued to retard the growth of agribusiness in the country. He noted the urgent need for adequate data for the sector, advising that Nigerians should begin to signify ample interest in farming business in as much as in the next few decades; agriculture will supplant oil to become the mainstay of the country’s economy. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have data in Nigeria and even when we have, the data will not be publicised. This is a landmark exercise and for that, it is going to be an annual survey event. “We have over 84 million hectares of land ready for farming but foreign investors who are interested in Nigerian agribusiness are discouraged because of lack of data. “We want a situation where all the states of the nation are interested in agriculture to create jobs and wealth. “Part of the problem of data collection and research is funding. It is not enough to do a research; you have to commercialize your research results because the era of government doing everything is gone. “The young people are encouraged to go into farming. For that, farming has to be made sexy and attractive.” The minister commended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for conducting the 2017 wet season agricultural performance survey, adding that from this year, there will be both dry and wet season survey. Speaking earlier, the vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Ibrahim Garba assured that the institute would continue its utmost best to provide research and extension services in all the aspect of agriculture, adding that they shall also continue to serve the teeming population of farmers and other stakeholders with information, skills, technologies and other services to make the country achieve self-sufficiency in food production and improve the economic wellbeing of the citizens through agriculture. He said, “This institute has continued to collate, evaluate and disseminate agricultural technology and provide capacity building for stakeholders. This is in addition to core mandate and responsibility of research in agricultural extension methodologies and development of extension workers nationwide. “Today, we are to witness the presentation of 2017 APS by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri. This survey coming in 2017 is probably the 30th because it has been going on for the last 30 years but only this year, we have chosen to present it in public. But in the last 29 years of research, it has always been conducted and it has always been there in the Ahmadu Bello University. “Minister sir, we appreciate your ministry’s interest and continued support to agricultural research institute in Ahmadu Bello University, and I assure you and the nation at large that we shall continue our utmost best to provide a research and extension services in all the aspect of agriculture that we have a national mandate on. “We shall also continue to serve our teeming population of farmers and other stakeholders with information, skills, technologies and other services to make our country achieve self-sufficiency in food production and attainment of the economic wellbeing of our citizens through agriculture.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/why-foreign-investors-are-ignoring.html

The House of Representatives on Tuesday set up an ad hoc committee to visit Dapchi in Yobe to assess the issues surrounding recent abduction of 105 girls from a school in the community.

The House also urged the Federal Government to guard against further abduction and insecurity in the North-East.

This was sequel to a motion under Matters of Urgent National Importance moved by Rep. Goni Lawan (Yobe-APC).


Moving the motion, Lawan noted that in 2014, 58 male students of College of Agriculture, Buni Yadi in Yobe state were mowed down in cold blood in their sleep.

He said that at various times in Yobe, abduction of school children, many of which were not reported, had been carried out by the insurgents.

“At those times, the attack often resulted in destruction of lives of innocent citizens of which their greatest offence was to have education.

“These unfortunate incidents had since been going on not only in Yobe, but in various parts of the North-East, especially Borno and Adamawa, without any proactive measures in place to forestall further occurrences,” he said.

Lawan expressed worry that a week to the attack in Dapchi, there was no presence of any military operative in any of the check points leading to the community and the school in particular.He added that this was in spite of the volatile situation in Yobe as one of the hotbeds of Boko Haram operation.

The motion was unanimously adopted by members when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

The House also urged the Federal Government to mobilise every security apparatus, including the Army, Air Force, Department of State Security (DSS) and other agencies to rescue the students as soon as possible.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/dapchi-girls-reps-warn-fg-against.html

The chairman of the Madagali local government area of Adamawa state, Mohammed Yusuf, has disclosed that the local government witnessed a total of 35 attacks in 24 villages by Boko Haram in the last ten months. The chairman stated that the attacks resulted in the loss of 27 lives and over a hundred households were destroyed, Channels reports.

Akelicious.com gathered that Yusuf disclosed this during a meeting of elders organised by the council to find a way of assisting security agencies in the fight against insurgency.

The deputy speaker of the Adamawa state House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Tsamdu an indigene of Madagali, who was also at the meeting, spoke on the significance of the meeting. Other stakeholders including a former adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Barrister Ali Gulak, expressed concern over the recent attack and challenges confronting their communities. Gulak called on the federal government to deploy more troops to the area while the state government assist the vigilante group. He stated that the highlight of the meeting was the raising of funds to assist members of the vigilante who have been involved in the fight against the insurgency with little or no support from the government. The elders of Madagali, therefore, used the meeting to draw the attention of the federal and state government as well as non-governmental organisations to the plight of the people living in the community.

It was learnt that the Boko Haram insurgents launched a night attack on Mildu village on Tuesday, August 1, 2017, leaving about 10 others injured. Residents who were able to get away said the insurgents stormed the village, around 12 midnight and opened fired on sleeping residents.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/27-lives-lost-in-35-boko-haram-attacks.html

Many houses have reportedly been set on fire in an outbreak of violence in Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state.

Details of the violence are still sketchy but a source said it had to do with the abduction and forceful conversion of some girls by a religious group. Kasuwan Magani is 31 kilometers away from Kaduna city. It is located on the highway that links the state to Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states. Massive security personnel have reportedly been deployed in the area.

click on the link for full report http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/breaking-houses-on-fire-as-violence.html

Over 15 pro-Biafran groups converged at the home of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in Nnewi, Anambra State over the weekend.

The agitators held a prayer session and insisted that there was no going back on their quest for a sovereign state of Biafra.

This was contained in a statement by the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, Uchenna Madu.
Apart from the Madu-led MASSOB, other groups in attendance included the Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra United Liberation Council , Joint Revolutionary Council of Biafra, Igbo Hebrew Cultural Restoration, and Biafra Actualisation and Defence Squad.
Also in the gathering were Biafra Revolutionary Organisation, Biafra Liberation Crusade, Salvation Peoples of Biafra, Ekwenche Organisation, Biafra Peace Corps, Billie Human Rights Initiatives as well as Igbozurume Organisation.
The statement said, “All pro- Biafran groups agreed to work together as one for the purpose of Biafra actualisation and restoration.
“The groups also agreed on the unity of purpose for Biafra and that all pro-Biafran groups should maintain their individual status , name and internal running of their affairs.
“The groups rejected the proposals for states as federating units of Nigeria as part of restructuring; it is totally against the wish and desire of the people of Biafra.
“While we are reaffirming our total commitment to Biafra actualisation, we wish to state that the only kind of restructuring that will be acceptable to us is to recognise the six geopolitical regions as federating units, using the 1963 constitution as a template.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/igbo-groups-gather-at-ojukwus-home.html

Total telecommunications solutions provider, Globacom recently added another laurel to its basket of accolades as it got an award for its silent, yet consistent contributions to road safety in Nigeria.

Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, at an interactive session preceding the award eulogised Globacom for throwing its weight behind the Commission in its concerted efforts geared towards making the nation’s network of roads safe over the years.

Globacom received the award of recognition at a high-octane dinner held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja at the grand finale of activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of the commission.

Acting National Coordinator, Globacom Public Sector Sales, Mansur Opakunle and the company’s Regional Head, North Central, Ike Onuekwusi, received the prestigious award from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who in his remarks, commended Globacom for being a pillar of support to FRSC and thereby made the work of the Commission easier.

The SGF urged the company and other corporate supporters not to relent in their collaboration as the collective efforts of the FRSC and its supporters would ultimately culminate in safer roads across the country.

Mr. Kolapo Sheriff of Globacom’s Marketing Department had earlier in a short presentation underscored the importance of intelligent and innovative technology as panacea towards implementing successful road safety measures, saying that developed nations of the world rely on such technology to achieve safety on their roads.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/glo-bags-award-from-frsc.html

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has pleaded with Nigerians to stop passing unfair and rash judgements against them and the entire herdsmen in Nigeria.

The group said herdsmen were only looking for greener pastures in the southern and middle belt regions of the country.Alhaji Gidado Sadiqu, the southeast zonal chairman of MACBAN said this during the group’s zonal meeting in Enugu, on Saturday, February 24. He also urged the public to disregard rumours making the rounds that their members were planning coordinated attacks on Enugu and Anambra states.

Sadiqu said they are pained that any sight of a Fulani sends shivers down the spines of community members, Vanguard reports.

MACBAN also warned some of it’s members who were in the habit of destroying farm crops in a particular state, only to relocate to another state.

It urged such members to desist from the act and urged it’s leaders in different areas to report such cases to herdsmen/farmers committees set up in different states in the zone.

Going further, the body also requested that any farmer who unlawfully kills a cow should be made to pay for it same as herdsmen who destroy farmlands.

“We also advise our members to participate actively during the coming election by obtaining PVC.This will bring them close to their host to reduce suspicion and hatred.

“We urge our members to be submit to the committee’s that were constituted by the government to mitigate menace that is coming from the Fulani’s or their hosts,” said Sadiqu.The monarch made his comments at a book launch in honour of Prof Ishaq Oloyede, registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on Wednesday, February 21.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/please-be-fair-to-us-miyetti-allah-begs.html

The quantity of dirty and unfit naira notes in circulation and scarcity of small denominations of N10, N20, N50 and N100 notes, is becoming a major concern to Nigerians, especially those engaged in commercial transactions.

These days, even over-the-counter and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) transactions are disbursing dirty and unfit notes, just as commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) trade blames over who is responsible, directly or indirectly, for the situation.

More worrisome to banks’ customers is that ATMs have not only become outlets for these dirty and sometimes, unfit notes, but are also deliberately mixing them with few new notes and once dispensed, even the same bank do not accept them back when presented in the banking hall.

A customer of one of the top three banks in the country, who identified himself simply as Sampson, told The Guardian how he withdrew money across the counter and hurriedly left, but later discovered that two bundles of N500 notes were almost unfit.


“When I brought it back to them, they rejected the money and denied ever paying the money to me. I avoided creating a scene in the banking hall and could not push further because I was in a hurry to join a bus coming back to Lagos from Enugu,” he said.

Taofeek of Festac Town, Lagos, also told The Guardian that he went to deposit money in another top three bank, but the bulk teller rejected some notes and told him that if she collected them, the amount would be deducted from her salary.

“The notes were weak and some dirty, but the numbers are there and that was how I collected them, too, from others.

“In fact, one of my customers withdrew some of the notes in my very presence from the ATM and paid me. Why are they doing this?” he queried.

The Guardian’s poll of customers in 24 branches of 11 different banks, including the top five banks, across Lagos, showed that there are more of dirty notes and some near unfit ones than clean notes in many banking transactions these days.

Another bulk teller said that his boss has told staff that the CBN charges banks for the unfit notes when returned for replacement.

But spokesman of the apex bank spokesman, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, has consistently debunked this, saying banks have deliberately refused to sort the dirty and unfit notes and return them to CBN and instead choose to mix them up and when this happens, it will be sorted by the CBN and the banks charged as such.

“They are playing tricks. They will see unfit notes and re-issue them again, because they don’t want to make investments in sorting the money.

“It is their duty to return unfit notes to us and we will replace them with new ones.

“If banks sort the money before bringing to CBN, we don’t charge them, but if they don’t, we will sort and charge them.

“It is only when they mix up the unfit and good ones together, which is what they do, that we charge them for sorting.

“But it is our duty to issue new notes in place of the unfit and that we have been doing,” he said.

He advised any person with such complaints to direct it to CBN’s consumer protection department through cpd@cbn.gov.ng, stating the name of the bank.

Okorafor reiterated that the problem for rejection should not be the dirtiness of money, but if the numbers on the money are complete, adding: “If the numbers are complete, no bank has any right to reject the currency, no matter how dirty it is.”

Across the country, shortage of small denominations is gradually affecting commercial activities and transactions, thereby affecting the economy of the middle and low-income class.

It is also breeding disagreement between service providers and customers, and “marriage of inconvenience” between transporters and passengers.

Happiness, a tricycle operator in Enugu, charges his passengers according to their distance. Most operators of tricycle charge N50 per trip. However, “it is always a problem, especially, in the morning hours, to get passengers, who would pay you the exact fare,” he said.

Asked how he has been coping with the development, he stated that he either abandons the passenger with the N50 note or look for those he would drop on charter.

He told The Guardian that getting lower dominations of the naira is now a difficult thing, adding that in some cases, they pair passengers to enable them settle for a higher denomination before they are taken to their destinations.

Michael Dibia, a resident of Ahoada, explained that the scarcity of smaller denominations have led to increase in the price of foodstuffs and transportation.

“I have observed of recent that you could barely buy spices used for cooking soup at N5 or even N10. I blame this on the non-availability of smaller denominations. Most traders prefer to sell them at N20 or N50 and above. Before a customer buys something in the market these days, the seller will ask whether the customer has the required money. Very often, the customers, like me, have to compromise to buy what I don’t intend to buy because of change. This is affecting the cost of living for people like us,” he said.

Similarly, Tonye Oruwari, who owns a grocery in Port Harcourt, stated that in the absence of small denomination currencies, the grocery shops have evolved a unique way to address the issue by offering chewing gums and sweets against balance, in place of the small denomination currencies.

Also in Kwara State, while some traders complained of the scarcity, they agreed that it had assisted in swelling their profit margin.

Alhaja Afusat Wakilu popularly called “Iya Azeez” at Lanjoorin Street, Murtala Mohammed Way, Ilorin, said many of her customers often forfeit their balances with her without realising the magnitude of gains conceded to her.

“For instance, if you buy a sachet of water that used to be N10, few months ago, some customers would insist on getting their N10 balance while many others would not even wait for it. The implications of this is that such buyers without them knowing has added over 100 per cent gains to my profits margin,” she said.

This has forced many traders to go to churches on Sundays, after services, to look for these denominations, from offerings, to enable them transact their businesses conveniently.

A source from CBN, who pleaded anonymity, said the concern now should be more about preserving the currency and the law enforcement agencies being alert to their duty, as notes are being destroyed by the activities of currency hawkers, who make brisk business at various party centres across the country, particularly, Lagos State.


Investigations showed that the sale of the clean notes for older ones currently goes for as high as 20 per cent of the value being exchanged, that is, exchanging N800 new notes for N1000 old notes.

The source cited CBN Act 2007, Section 21, sub-section 3 and 4, which said: “For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or matching on the naira or any note issued by the Bank (CBN) during social occasions or otherwise howsoever, shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the naira or such note and shall be punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section.

“It shall also be an offence punishable under sub-section (1) of this section for any person to hawk, sell or otherwise trade in the naira notes, coins or any other note issued by the bank.”

He urged Nigerians to embrace the alternative payment solutions being provided, such as the Point of Sale (PoS), Internet and mobile money services to reduce cash-based transactions and preserve the available notes.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigerians-agonise-over-dirty-shortage.html

Eight All Progressives Congress (APC) governors told President Muhammadu Buhari, at a meeting convened at the Presidential Villa, yesterday, to throw his hat in the ring for a second term in 2019.

Governors of Edo, Kogi, Kano, Kaduna, Imo, Bauchi, Jigawa and Ogun states were at the parley which held at the at the First Lady’s Conference Room.

Thereafter, Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha disclosed this to newsmen after the meeting, yesterday night.

He also disclosed that the meeting focused on the country, the party and Buhari’s 2019 ambition.

Okorocha told State House Correspondents that Buhari urged governors to give him time and that he will soon make his intention known, on the 2019 elections.

“We discussed so many issues that affects the nation, our party and Mr. President’s ambition to run for 2019 elections.

“It is the desire of the governors that Mr. President should run for this exalted office; given his performance in the last two years. We believe that if he continues Nigeria will be better for it.

“Anyhow, Mr. President, in his usual manner, has requested that we give him time and that he will address the nation’s and the cacaus of the party very soon. So, we should be full of expectations that Mr. President will make officially known to Nigerians his intentions but we hope that his response will be in line with what the governors are thinking.”


President Buhari had, in a bid to halt the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, February 6, appointed the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu to lead the reconciliation process of members of the party.


The meeting started at about few minutes to 8:00pm and ended at 10:15pm.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/eight-apc-governors-backs-president.html

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari yesterday said the state was in need of additional 13,000 teachers to bridge the gap with educationally advantaged states in the country.



Besides, the governor who disclosed that the state has a deficit of 16,000 classes lamented that the number was a major factor to realising the goal of having at least 50 pupils per class.

Masari who stated this while receiving World Bank officials led by its task team leader, Dr. Olatunde Adekola in his office said he inherited the problem from his predecessor but assured that efforts were being made to address the situation.

He said due to the financial implication involved in recruiting additional full-time teachers, the state borrowed a leaf from federal government’s N-Power programme and came up with its own, called S-Power.

The governor explained that the programme is aimed at recruiting 5,000 teachers who have requisite qualification, particularly the National Certificate in Education (NCE), to teach in primary schools across the state.

He said the teachers would be paid a monthly stipend of N5, 000, and that the programme is to run for a period of two years.

Masari however pointed out that as the state’s finances improve, full-time teachers would be employed as replacement for the S-Power workers.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/katsina-needs-13000-teachers-to-bridge.html

The nationwide fuel scarcity might get worse in two weeks, following the latest threat from depot owners.

On Tuesday, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) gave the federal government a 14-day ultimatum, to settle a N650billion debt allegedly owed its members.


In a statement by its Executive Secretary, Olufemi Adewole, the group said failure to meet the deadline will force its members to disengage their workers.

“The unfortunate primary fallout of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the federal government will pay off its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.

“This unfortunately will have a multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products which presently is still a struggle,” he said.

Adewole said that a letter was written to the presidency on January 24, but government failed to respond to the plight of petroleum marketers.


“We are continually under pressure from our banks/AMCON, with looming threats of imminent take-over of our petrol stations and tank farms.

“In the light of the above and after exhausting all formal avenues to secure payment of these debts, we have given government notice to the likelihood of disengaging our personnel.

“The unfortunate primary fallout of this step is the likely shut down of all DAPPMAN depots nationwide due to lack of manpower to operate same pending the time the government will pay off its indebtedness to petroleum marketers.

“This unfortunately will have a multiplier effect on the nationwide supply and distribution of petroleum products which presently is still a struggle,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fuel-scarcity-to-get-worse-as-depot.html

Nigeria’s aviation authorities said Wednesday they had launched an investigation into how a passenger plane overshot the runway while landing in the southern city of Port Harcourt.

The incident involving a Dana Air Boeing MD-83 jet happened at about 7:30 pm (1830 GMT) on Tuesday. None of the 44 passengers and six crew on board was injured.

But Sam Adurogboye, of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), told AFP the plane was “badly damaged”, adding: “We have launched an investigation.”


It was the second incident involving domestic airliner Dana Air this month: on February 7, an emergency exit door fell off as the plane as it landed in Abuja from Lagos.
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said Tuesday’s overshoot “was suspected to have been caused by heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and a storm”.
Dana Air was grounded after another of its MD-83 aircraft crashed outside Lagos on June 3, 2012, killing all 153 on board and six on the ground.
An air accident investigation report published last year blamed mechanical failure and pilot error.
The airline resumed operations in January 2014.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigeria-launches-probe-after-plane.html

Vice Chancellor of the University of America, California, Prof. Gamalier O. Prince, has said that the change mantra of the Federal Government must fix the educational system if there must be positive improvement in the country.

Prince, who stated that the nation’s academic system expired long ago, said that the leadership of Nigeria had continued to fail because the educational system failed to impact the right qualities and had not shown signs of recovery.

Prince said: “People in Nigeria are getting expired education. That is why you see people who studied engineering and are not able to do engineering feat. You see people who studied computer science and are not able to understand anything or diagnose computer language and what have you. This is because Nigeria’s educational system is a dilapidated one.


“The problem of Nigeria began from the citadel of learning and if you want to fix Nigeria, you must fix the educational system. This is because every Nigerian in leadership went through our academic institutions – politicians, scientists and leaders. They were not able to acquire trainings that could be used to advance the course of the country. If our leaders have failed, it is because our educational system has also failed. So, if you want to change Nigeria, change the educational system. So, the mantra of change must begin with the academic institutions and students.”

Prince spoke in Enugu during the first joint matriculation of the University of America, an affiliate of Peaceland College of Education, Enugu, where the Provost, Dr. Leonard Ilechukwu, was conferred with the professor of Education Administration.

The college is a campus of the University of America in Enugu.

Meanwhile, the vice chancellor stated that the university had decided to introduce the “updated American education” into the country for the students in affiliation with the Peaceland College, Enugu.

“It is not about bringing Americans to Nigeria but the curriculum. The curriculum we are going to use, currency and relevance of the textbooks to modern day challenges, technology and what have you. It does not matter who is going to operate them. Nigerians can be taught how to operate them. Americans can come but we don’t hope to bring Americans to stay here. Our job is to train Nigerians in what they can do. We will bring in the Americans who will avail same textbooks, technology that we use over there.

“I believe that somebody studying engineering should be able to manufacture, and if you are doing computer, you should be able to produce your own computer. The students of Peaceland should be able to come to see what their American counterparts are doing, think what they are thinking and be able to compare it with what they know and that is what we call comparative education and when you put that together, you have what is called a wholistic education. Schooling is different from education. The environment is the difference between the black man and white man and this is what our education will try to address,” he stressed.

He told the matriculating students that the university was poised to moulding them realise their dreams in life and become productive citizens, saying there was no room for laxity and malpractices that were the hallmarks of education in Nigeria.

Earlier, Ilechukwu said that the programme of the school was very exciting, adding that the institution remains one of the dynamic institutions in America.

“Make it a goal to grow in multiple dimensions. Make it a goal to take advantage of the University of America. Push yourself to reach as high as possible in your studies. Make it a goal to do your best – to excel to the highest level possible,” he told the students.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigerians-are-receiving-expired.html

Fulani herders in Ekiti and the South West have taken a traditional oath binding on them to assure the host communities in Ekiti, and by extension, the South West Nigeria, that they would no longer behave unruly, kill or allow their cows to stray into farms.

The traditional oath, revealed to be an effective cultural sanction on herders as its violation was believed to bring tragedy on the culprit, was administered by Alhaji Ardo Mairero, the Sarkin Fulani of Kwara State during the peace meeting of all parties involved in herdsmen challenge in the state.


They include Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Alhaji Mohammad Leewa, National President, Miyetti Allah , Mohammad Kiruwa, Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti Deputy Governor, Olusola Kolapo, Secretary to State Government, (SSG), Modupe Alade, Chief of Staff, Dipo Anisulowo, Agriculture Commissioner, Kehinde Odebunmi and Miyetti Allah national and zonal leaders.
Also, a communique, co-signed by governor Fayose, Alhaji Shekarau, representative of HRH Muhammad Sanusi 11, Emir of Kano, Mrs. Alade, (SSG), Alhaji Kiruwa, National President, Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association and Alhaji Mohammad Kabir, Zonal Chairman,South West, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and witnessed by Alhaji Nasamu Muhammad, Chiraman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ekiti State, was released through the office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi.
Adeslusi said: “of most significance of the peace meeting of February 19 by the stakeholders was the traditional oath taken with kolanuts as agreement that the herdsmen in Ekiti will not behave unruly any longer, kill or allow their cows to stray into farms.
“It was administered with kola and sharing of the kola, which is a Fulani tradition that is binding on the initiators. With this oath, issues of robbery, killing, damaging of farms and kidnapping among others being allegedly perpetuated by Fulani herders are over in the state. The meeting and signing of the memorandum by all parties lasted for two hours between 11pm on Monday 19 to 1am of Tuesday, February 20.”

The communique, released to newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti,state capital added that “a truce meeting, initiated by the Emir of Kano and the Governor of Ekiti State over pastoralists menace was held on Monday, February 19 , the Governor, His Excellency, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, deputy Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, former Governor of Kano State representing the Emir of Kano HRH Muhammed Sanusi 11, Traditional rulers in Ekiti State, President and leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association ( both National and South west). Members of Ekiti State Executive Council, Members, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Security Chiefs and all key stakeholders in Ekiti State.
“The representatives of Emir of Kano,Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, conveyed the concern of the Emir over broken down relationship between herdsmen and host communities that has led to loss of lives in Ekiti State and other parts of the country. The Emir commiserated with the families of those whose lives have been cut short due to the attacks, and reprisals of herders and associated consequences.
“Similarly, the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and patrons condemned in strong terms any form if killing that has taken place.
“The Emir, through his representative s stated and it was uniamously agreed that henceforth; All herders must obey the anti-htaxing and relevant laws of the land.”

The communique further gave the following resolutions: “That herdsmen must stop attacks on any member of the host communities, any herder that breaches the peace should be prepared to face the wrath of the law, and Ekiti people should not provoke the herdsman or kill their cattle.”
It concluded that: “It is, therefore, agreed that pastoralists / farmers crisis and killings,under any guise must stop immediately. The meeting supports the anti-night grazing stand of the law because it protects the interest of all parties,and the law taken its course in the violation of letters of these resolutions. Similarly, the meeting described Governor Fayose as a peaceful leader who represents hope for all.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/herdsmen-killings-herders-take-oath-in.html

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) has suspended head of security of Akure Airport in Ondo State following last Saturday’s invasion of the airport’s runway by herd of cows.

The presence of the cows on the runway delayed the landing of a flight operated by Air Peace for many minutes, a situation which resulted into apprehension among passengers in the aircraft.

FAAN had earlier apologized to the airline and the passengers involved in the incident.

General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, also said a query has been issued to the Airport Manager while steps are being taken to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents in other airports across the country. There have been at least three incidents of delayed landing of planes in Nigerian airports as a result of invasion of the runways by herd of cows.

Also, of recent, there have been reports of planes being robbed on the runway.

Henrietta said FAAN is aware of various security breaches in airport across the country and security measures are being put in place to tackle them.

She said, “We have taken various initiatives and measures to guard against breaches of any sort at all our airports nationwide.”

“It will be recalled that there had been serious allegations of security breaches at some airports recently, the latest being the incursion of the Akure airport runway, which led to a temporary disruption of landing procedures of an inbound Air Peace flight.”

Speaking of disciplinary action taken and improved security measures taken, FAAN GM Corporate Affairs said, “We have taken other steps like the query issued to the Akure airport manager, while the head of security at the airport has been suspended even as a team of engineers from FAAN are already working to ensure that all gaps responsible for this incident are promptly closed.”

The measures include putting in place a joint patrol arrangement involving military officers, some officials of the Nigeria Police Force who will be working together with aviation security at airports across the country at all times.

She assured that the ongoing efforts of FAAN management will help tackle security infractions at all airports in the country.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/faan-suspends-akure-airport-security.html

Workers of Visionscape, the new waste management company employed by Lagos State, were seen around Tinubu Market, on Monday, evacuating refuse from overflowing bins and open spaces converted by dumpsites even in the midst of hustle of commercial transactions.

For residents and traders in the area, the appearance of the workers of the waste management firm was a big relief: at least, the unsightly mountain of refuse that had piled up in the vicinity over several days would be evacuated and with it, the foul smell that has made breathing in the environment a nightmare.

However, residents and traders in the area will be praying that Visionscape will not allow the bins to again, pile up to epidemic proportion before it send its workers for the next round of evacuation.

Traders in the market told Saharareporters that the bins and dumps in the area were usually left uncleared for many days, a situation that they said began when the Lagos State Government ended its contracts with the indigenous Private Sector Operators then under the management of Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA in favour of foreign owned Visionscape.

There have been a lot of speculations about ownership structure of the new company and why Governor Akinwumi Ambode decided to dump an arrangement which was carefully put together and had, over the years, to a large extent, helped Lagos rid itself of its unenviable status of ‘filth capital of world,’ for a new, untested model of waste evacuation.

But what is certain is that Visionscape has failed to live up to expectations.



Residents of Lagos regularly upload pictures of mountains of refuse in their areas, popular bus stops markets and so on to indicate the regression in waste management in Nigeria’s foremost commercial city under Governor Ambode.At Tinubu market on Monday for instance, Mr. Tunde Razak, a vulcaniser, told Saharareporters that the refuse dumps in the area had been abandoned until last Friday when Visionscape workers came around.

According to him, Visionscape usually allow refuse to pile up days before sending their trucks and workers to evacuate them.

Also speaking to this website, Mr. Ishola Ali, another Lagosian, said the new waste management company has not been effective in keeping Lagos clean, particularly if compared with the old manager, Lagos Waste Management Authority.

“The Visionscape people are not as efficient as LAWMA. If you compare them with LAWMA, their work is quite different. LAWMA used to clear the refuse at least three times in a day, even at midnight, but Visionscape is not effective at all.

“If you go to the inner areas like Bamgbose or Freeman, you will see refuse everywhere. Idumota is the worse. The refuse there has taken over more than half of the road. The three-lane road there has become one lane because of refuse,” Mr Ali said.

As expected, officials of Lagos State Government are always ever ready to defend the performance of the new company.

Kehinde Bamigbetan, the new spokesperson for Governor Ambode regularly uploads pictures of workers of Visionscape dressed in their lemon coloured overall uniforms and boots evacuating refuse from various sites across the city to social media sites.

While supervising the evacuation of refuse at Tinubu market on Monday, the Special Adviser to Ambode on Central Business District (CBD), Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi also defended Visionscape.

According to him, the waste management company evacuates refuse dumps every day, especially from the commercial areas.

“We clean up in the morning and in the night. It is a daily thing. We don’t leave the waste. We clean it every day, both morning and night.

“We must realize that this area (Tinubu-Idumota) is a commercial area and the quantity of refuse being generated is huge because of its commercial nature...”

He however admitted that it would take a while for Visionscape to adjust to the pace needed for evacuation of refuse in the state.

But when asked if it is true that the new cleaners come every day to dispose of the refuse as claimed by the Special Adviser, Mr. Ali said “it is not true”.

He however said the workers of Visionscape workers have been evacuating refuse from the market since Friday, February 16, 2018 after the failure to turn up for many days before then.

Mr. Shamsudeen Mayegun, another resident, corroborated Mr. Ali’s claims. He added that the Visionscape workers appear lazy and unwilling to work.

“The Visionscape people will not pack the sand. They only pick nylons and even that, they don’t do properly. They sweep once a day unlike the LAWMA,” he said.

Even then, the intensity in the cleanup of market areas is coming days after Ambode issued a 20-day ultimatum for all market districts to be cleaned up or risked being closed down.

“You have 20 days to clear the refuse in your markets. The State Government will not hesitate to shut down any market that is dirty because we will not be happy to see any market within our metropolis dirty.

“All markets must be kept clean; the State Government has spent so much on various projects and we want you all to be partakers of these benefits. Work with us to ensure Lagos is cleaner,” Governor said in the ultimatum issued on 29 January.

Visionscape-PSP partnership, Lagos State Government Looks Away

There was a report over the weekend that unable to cope with the task of keeping Lagos clean, Visionscape had entered into an agreement with the rejected PSP operators.

Spokesperson for Visionscape, Mr. Olabode Opeseitan, confirmed the arrangement.

But he said the partnership was motivated by the company’s desire to settle out of court, the suit initiated by the PSP operators when their contract was terminated in its favour by the Lagos State.

The operators had dragged the Lagos state government and Visionscape Group to court in a suit filed by Lagos lawyer and activist, Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa following the termination of the waste evacuation agreement with the indigenous firms.

In the suit, the PSP waste operators claimed that Lagos State had encouraged them in the past to improve their operations through acquisition of modern trucks, for which many of them obtained loans from banks with high interest.

They argued that their understanding was that they will be using the resources generated from the waste operations to service the said loans.

They also argued that they have built offices in various parts of Lagos State for the smooth administration of their operations.“They also claimed to have been operating at a loss because of the refusal of Lagos State Government to enact a legislation that will facilitate the enforcement of collection of dues,” Onagboruwa said while speaking on the suit filed against the Lagos State government.

But the Special Adviser to the state governor said he knows nothing about the partnership, adding that as far as the state is concerned, it is Visionscape that is in charge of cleaning Lagos state.

“What I know is that Visionscape is in charge of the carting away of refuse. I don’t know about any partnership between them and the PSP.

“Visionscape it solidly on ground and they are gradually taking care of the waste. That is all I can say about that,” Prince Olanrewaju Elegushi said.

But the fact that the Special Adviser has to accompany the company’s workers to ensure they do their work speaks volume of the current regime of waste evacuation in Lagos.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/ambodes-new-waste-management-company.html

President Buhari has revealed that many suspected looters of government's funds have been denying ownership of properties and assets located in various parts of the country traced to them.

But the President vowed that government will sell of the assets and put funds generated from the sale into the national treasury regardless of the denials.

Buhari who spoke when he received some elders from Daura on a condolence visit to him said he was not surprised by the increasing number of those denying ownership or disclaiming the properties traced to them by the various anti-corruption agencies.

“So as a civil servant, you have 10 houses in Abuja and even in Kaduna and abroad, the more you show them the properties the more they will swear that it does not belong to them.“And we are still following the process, you know democracy you have to follow due process and respect the rule of law.

“If you are following you will hear that some of these looters were arrested, and for those who deny their loots, then instead of what happened before, this time around we will sell those stolen properties and the proceeds will be deposited in government treasury,’’

“If the money is in the government treasury I will see who will come back after we left and reclaim them,’’ he said

Buhari, also promised Nigerians that his administration will intensify efforts to boost investments in major sectors of the ecomony, like agriculture, infrastructure and power.

The president said; “Please tell Nigerians that we are trying our best, and I thank God, the rainy season is blossom, we will try to add more money to farmers, and ensure the availability of fertilizer and other farm inputs.

“We will also continue to reconstruct roads and railways and provide electricity and we promise we will continue to do so.’’

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fg-will-sell-off-assets-linked-to.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElBURsI8DF4

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has placed an indefinite suspension on registration of new private primary and secondary schools, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking during a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPSS), in his office, at the weekend, the secretary, Education Secretariat (FCTA), Sen. Isah Maina, stated that the suspension would remain in force, until new guidelines, to address the complaints and changes are put in place. Maina disclosed that the administration is reviewing the guidelines for the establishment and operations of private schools in FCT, to remove loopholes and ensure that the right things are done. He directed owners of private schools in the territory to make security and safety of school children, under them, a priority and advises proprietors, who do not have the resources for running private schools, to close shops. The secretary, who explained that it is only the department of quality assurance that has the permission to visit private schools for monitoring and supervision, also pledged to liaise with the FCT Internal Revenue Service, to streamline payment of taxes by the schools. Earlier, the president of NAPPSS, FCT chapter, Samira Jibir, had listed some of the challenges facing the association to include, multiple taxation and lack of titles, for private school lands, among others. Jibir however revealed that many private schools, perpetrating unprofessionalism, in the territory, including the latest school, whose school bus led to the killing of three children, were not members of NAPPSS. She called on the administration to make membership of NAPPSS a compulsory requirement for registration of private schools in the territory, which, according to her, is the only way to have sanity in the administration of private school in the nation’s capital.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fcta-suspends-registration-of-new.html

The president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama saturday supported the clamour for a reordering of the sequence of the 2019 general elections, with the presidential elections holding last.

The National Assembly, the Presidency and President Muhammadu Buhari’s supporters have been involved in an ongoing tussle over the order of sequence of elections ahead of the 2019 general elections.


The Senate and House of Representatives last week amended the 2010 Electoral Act reordering the sequence of the 2019 elections to commence with the National Assembly polls, followed by state assembly and gubernatorial, with the presidential elections coming last.

The lawmakers had argued that reordering the sequence of elections will bring about transparency and foster credible elections, candidates and democracy, without the influence of the presidential elections having impact on the other elections.

The Presidency and Buhari’s staunch supporters believed the reordering of the sequence of elections is targeted at President Buhari.
CBCN President Kaigama said it was more logical for the elections to be in an ascending order rather than having the presidential elections first.

“If they have to reorder the sequence of elections, what happened to the order where elections were done in an ascending order, namely, local government, state house of assembly, National Assembly, governorship and presidential elections? Why do they have to utter that?” he asked.

The Archbishop stated that “I prefer to see a return to that order of elections which is more logical. No one election will influence the other very seriously.

“That is just what I want to see, let us go back to what it was before, let us go back to the ascending order,” Kaigama added.

Meanwhile, the bishops are also billed to commence their plenary session for the year for the biennial conference in Abuja with the theme, ‘The Church and Entrepreneurship.’

Kaigama said that the problem of youth unemployment in the country has become worrisome and a critical challenge to the Catholic Church, adding that, there was need to look for strategic ways in tackling the problem.
To that end, he said the bishops at the conference would be focusing on entrepreneurship, youth unemployment and recent herdsmen killings and clashes with farmers around the country.

The CBCN President explained that given the high level of unemployment among Nigerian youths, it was incumbent on the church to also look inward in addressing the challenges as opposed to relying solely on government intervention.

He stressed that the Catholic Church was also considering entrepreneurship as a critical component in solving many of the church’s problems, which will give way to over reliance on donations and goodwill.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/2019catholic-bishops-president-backs.html

Shortly after mobile phone brand, Fero Mobile wooed the market with Royale X2 device, the brand has strengthened its presence in the country with a new device, branded Royale Y2.
Quite different from its previous launch, the latest device boasts of a 2GB.RAM which supports multiple apps and games without hitches.
Introducing the product to the press in Lagos, Director, Fero Mobile Nigeria and Emerging Markets, Phiroze Seth stated that the new device exemplified the capabilities of the phone-maker and its continuous efforts at helping consumers achieve more in terms of work and leisure.
“We have packed a lot of cool features into the device to ensure that it is not only useful for work but also a great lifestyle companion.
“We have also put so much quality and class at ensuring that it exceeds the expectations of the tech-savvy Nigerian youths. The Royale Y2, like every other smartphone from the company is designed to give users excellent experience at an affordable price.”
The latest is a mid-range device with premium features. It runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat operating system with a quad-core processor that supports multi-tasking at super-processing speed. It boasts a 13MP rear camera for quality photos and an 8MP front camera that captures stunning pictures even with low lights.
The device also features a 5.5-inch HD IPS display screen which adds colour to its performance as well as 75% less light reflection for excellent readability under sunlight while its 3.900MAH battery guarantees long hours of gaming, video streaming and internet surfing on one full charge.
More so, the new entrant which is 4G/LTE enabled, parades a 128GB expandable storage capacity and comes in two colours of black and gold.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/presence-fero-mobile-expands-in-nigeria.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has visited Katsina State on a four-day private visit.

The President was received upon arrival at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International around 4:20 pm by Governor Aminu Bello Masari, the Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Abubakar Yahaya Kusada, and other government officials.

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman, members of the executive and legislative councils, as well as members of the religious and business communities were also at the airport to receive the President.

After the airport protocols, the President proceeded to his hometown in Daura.

President Buhari had travelled to Katsina from Kaduna where he inaugurated a surveillance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), produced locally by the Nigerian Air Force.

The induction of the drone at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Mando, code-named TSAIGUMI, is part of the Federal Government’s effort to tackle insecurity in the country, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

According to the military, the drone is the first locally made in Nigeria and will help to improve the fight against terrorism and other sophisticated crimes through enhanced air surveillance.

The President’s visit to his hometown comes six days after he lost two senior members of his family.

The two family members had died within hours of each other on Friday, last week, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.

One of them, Hajiya Halima Dauda who was buried in the President’s hometown of Daura was described by Mr Shehu as the President’s niece and younger sister to his close associate Mamman Daura.

She was aged 56 and left behind 10 children, one of the President’s personal assistants, Mohammed Sabi’u Tunde.

Before her burial, the Buhari family buried Aisha Alhaji Mamman, the wife of the President’s elder brother.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/photopresident-buhari-pays-private.html

Whatsapp has introduced payments to its messaging app in India, making it the latest service to let users transfer money to one another with a text.

After the pilot in India, this peer-to-peer payments, would be available in Nigeria and other African countries and it will have profound effect on banks already hemorrhaging from revenue losses.

With the new service, users can now link their bank account to their WhatsApp account via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and begin making payments straight to another user’s bank account through a WhatsApp chat.


According to Ndubisi Ekewe, who is familiar with the development, banks have everything to worry about the risks to banks are clear.

“The telcos have hated the global messaging app; now the banks join the fray. The risk to banks is clear: if WhatsApp becomes very successful in payments, it may become a small bank of itself. In other words, if people decide to be leaving money in their wallets without moving them to their bank accounts, most banks would struggle [liquidity issues]” Ekewe added.


In Nigeria, the rise and popularity of over-the-top (OTT) services has taken a huge toll on the bottom line of telcos across the globe. The OTT services include instant messaging, voice/ video calls and others.

Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), the industry body of all licensed telecoms operators and infrastructure providers, by the consumers, the regulator and the policy makers, has lamented the impact of OTT on the bottom line of carriers.

Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, said OTT utilise traditional Mobile Network Operator (MNO) infrastructure to offer social networks, voice and instant messaging services to retain users’ loyalty and drive stickiness with a view creating large on-line communities and eventually attract huge advertisement revenues.

The MNOs have neither rights nor control over the OTT services, as customers have the discretion to use the internet as they like.

The case maybe worse for Nigerian banks because as Ekewe pointed out, most Nigerian banks are enjoying growing transaction-based fees with ATM charges and all kinds of charges including stamp duty on digital transfer.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/whatsapp-adds-payment-to-its-messaging.html

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, yesterday called on the United Nations, UN, to intervene in the human crisis resulting from the genocide perpetrated by armed herdsmen in the state.

The Governor made the call on Wednesday at the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, office in Abuja when he led a delegation of the state to make a presentation on the continuous killing of Benue people by rampaging herdsmen.


Governor Ortom informed the gathering that as an administration, which believes in the rule of law and peaceful coexistence, series of meetings for dialogue were organised by the Benue State Government to find a solution to the crisis without much success leading to the promulgation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
He argued that due process was followed in the making of the law, saying in addition to conducting public hearings, which involved all the stakeholders in the three Senatorial districts of the state and Makurdi, a grace period of six months was allowed for people involved in livestock business to make adjustments.
After the Governor’s opening address, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Dennis Ityavyar made a presentation which had details on the attacks, including the number of people killed and property destroyed between 2011 and this year. He urged the United Nations to assist Benue State to overcome the challenge.
The United Nations and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon expressed deep worry that the conflict between herdsmen and farmers if not checked would mar the peaceful conduct of the 2019 general election.

Mr. Kallon stated that already 19 out of the 36 states of the federation were engulfed in the crisis which he said was being driven by climate change, growing scarcity of resources and insufficient political reforms.
He decried the level of attacks and killing of innocent people by armed men, maintaining that he was personally involved in the roadmap to peace and had been calling on Government all levels to find a lasting solution to the conflicts in order to stop the killings.
Mr. Kallon stated that he was represented in Benue at the mass burial of the seventy people killed by suspected Fulani militia in January where he called on the Federal Government to take firm action in investigating the attacks, bringing the perpetrators to justice and also paying compensation to victims in line with International Human Rights obligations.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/benue-killings-ortom-cries-to-un-for.html