₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Army is giving a press briefing on the activities of Operation Lafiya Dole, which is aimed at rooting out terrorists from the stronghold of Sambia forest and its environments.

Click the link to watch video http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/videonigeria-army-gives-briefing-on.html

Stock market investors’ yesterday lost a whooping N370billion, as the reign of the bears continued unabated on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

This highest loss in five months was due to price losses suffered by virtually all the blue chip companies, as profit raking was sustained across major sectors at the end of yesterday’s transactions.

Specifically, market capitalisation of the NSE depreciated by N370billion or 2.5 per cent from N15.337trillion recorded when the market reopened for the week on Monday to N14.967trillion.Similarly, the All-share index dipped by 2.4 per cent or 1,029.74 points to 41,708.15 from 42,737.89 achieved on Monday.Analysts at Cordros Capital however argued that equities outlook for 2018 remains positive despite selloff from investors.“Our theme on equities remains positive, despite broad selloffs, as declining prices suggest potential bargain hunting with investors positioning ahead of Q4-17 earnings season.”

Also, the Chief Research Officer, InvestData Consulting, Ambrose Omordion, said: “The relatively low price attraction has boosted positioning ahead earnings declaration, while supporting high possibility of rebound today in the midst of volatility and portfolio reshuffling as buying pressure is looking up again.

“But investors should value stocks as today trading confirm direction. However, we would like to reiterate that investors should go for equities with intrinsic value, especially during this season that dividend payment is approaching.
“We advise investors to allow numbers guide their decisions while repositioning for the rest of the year’s trading activities, especially now that stock prices remain volatile amidst improving company, economic and market fundamentals.
“It is time to combine fundamentals and technical tools to take decision by knowing the support and resistant level to reposition or exit any position. Market is in phases; know the cycles in order to manage your trading and investing risk,” he advised
Further breakdown of yesterday’s trading showed that 40 stocks constituted the losers’ chart led by Nestle with 40.00 kobo to close at N1320 per share, while Dangote Cement followed with 13.30 kobo to close at N258.70 per share.Nigerian Breweries trailed with 5.20 to close at N127.80 per share. Guinness lost 5.00 kobo to close at N105.00 per share. International Breweries also depreciated by 2.50 kobo to close at N57.50 per share.
On the other hand, WAPCO topped the gainers’ chart with 1.00 kobo to close at N51.00 per share. Zenith Bank followed with 0.60 kobo to close at N30.00 per share. Berger garnered 0.45 kobo to close at N9.45 per share. Access Bank gained 0.45 kobo to close at N12.00 per share. Dangote Cement also appreciated by 0.30 kobo to close at N21.00 per share.
Meanwhile, the value of transactions at the stock market surged 1,295 per cent on Monday, following a huge investment made in Dangote Cement Plc.
Specifically, investors committed N127.933billion on 752.113 million shares in 3,576 deals, up from N9.173billion invested in 425.245 million shares in 4,104 deals last Friday.
Dangote Cement accounted for 96 per cent of the transaction value as investors invested N124billion on about 551 million shares of the cement firm.It was gathered that Meristem Securities Limited, which had last August facilitated N87.4billion investment in Dangote Cement was responsible for the N124billion venture.
Although the stockbroking firm refused to comment on the transaction, market operators said an existing foreign shareholder in Dangote Cement might have increased its holding through the new investment.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/investors-lose-n370-billion-highest-dip.html

A medical doctor has been declared wanted for alleged robbery in Abuja.

Dr. Ola Solomon Jimade, who is currently at large, is said to be the proprietor of Vital Care Hospital in Kubwa area of Abuja.

He is said to be the leader of a robbery and car snatching gang that operates in various areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The police on Tuesday paraded five members of his gang at the FCT Police Command headquarters.


Members of the gang include Sunday Okhomode, Meshak James, Amusu Koku, (painter who specialises in changing the colours of stolen vehicles), Kunle Obajemi, (printer who is an expert in changing chassis numbers on the dashboards) and Suleiman Isa (a goldsmith who buys stolen jewelleries from the gang).

The police said four pistols with eight rounds of live ammunition and a face mask which was carefully hidden in a bag in the office of the doctor were recovered during execution of search warrant in the suspect’s hospital.

On how the gang operates, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Sadiq Bello said: “I alerted members of the public last year about the activities of an armed robbery gang whose modus operandi is to gain access into the houses of their targets by blaring their horns at the gates.

“These criminal elements that normally operate in the early hours of the evening, drive in heavily tinted vehicles, when they get to the entrance of their target houses, they will blare the horns of the car, the gatemen will assume that they are family members or friends, the gates will be flung open and they will get inside and rob the occupants of their cars and valuables especially jewelleries.

“I am happy to tell you today that the FCT Command busted one of the gangs responsible for such evil acts.

“The gang is led by one Dr. Ola Solomon Jimade, the proprietor of Vital Care Hospital in Kubwa who is presently on the run. Notwithstanding, five members of the gang have been arrested for the various roles they played in the commission of the crime and they are cooperating with the police.


“The arrest of members of the syndicate was sequel to a reported case of armed robbery incident at a house in Maitama in November 2017 where a BMW X6 vehicle, large quantities of gold and other valuables worth millions of naira were carted away by the syndicate.

“Upon the receipt of the report, the Command through the Specia1 Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) commenced discreet investigation which led to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the robbed BMW X6 vehicle.

“In the course of investigation so far, five vehicles that have their colours changed have been recovered out of which four have been identified by their respective owners that were robbed at gunpoint in various areas of the city.

“Anybody that knows the whereabouts of Dr. Jimade who is said to be an indigene of Ife Olukotun Community, Yagba East, Kogi State, should quickly alert the nearest police station.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/police-declare-doctor-wanted-over.html

Another batch of 136 Nigerians stranded in Libya on Tuesday arrived the Port Harcourt International Airport.

The aircraft conveying the returnees touched down at the airport 1:10 a.m. on Tuesday morning. They were received by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other agencies on behalf of the Federal Government.

The returnees include 86 males, 50 females and eight children. They were conveyed by Medview Air, one of the airlines engaged by the Federal Government to evacuate the stranded Nigerians back home from the North African country.

They were thereafter transported to the reception centre for profiling and refreshment.Some of the returnees who appeared sick were also attended to by medical officials. One of the returnees who was taken out on a stretcher was moved to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for further treatment.

Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, a Chief administration officer of NEMA who received the returnees on behalf of the Director-General of NEMA called on state government to expedite action in transporting their indigenes home from the reception centre for proper rehabilitation and integration in their various communities.
On Friday, February 2, 465 Nigerians were evacuated from Libya by the Federal Government. The returnees arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport at about 12:25 a.m. on board Max Air.
More batches of the returnees are, however, expected to make the evacuation window as the Government looks to meet the over 5,300 target of Nigerian returnees.

more photos at http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/photosfg-evacuates-136-more-nigerians.html

The PDP national chairman has stated that some APC governors are poised to join the PDP ahead of 2019

Uche Secondus stated that the governors are all in the north central zone and would be welcomed soon - He stressed that the PDP was out to wrest power from the APC and warned INEC to desist from plans to rig the upcoming elections Chief Uche Secondus, the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that some governors in the north-central zone elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will soon join the opposition party, Daily Trust reports. Secondus made his comments in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, during his one-day working visit to the PDP’s State Executive Council (SEC).Akelicious gathers that the PDP chairman disclosed that the APC governors were already in talks to join the opposition party, and would be welcomed very soon. All the six states in the north-central zone - Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau - are currently governed by APC governors. Secondus further disclosed that contrary to claims that some PDP governors plan to defect to other parties, they are actually intact. The party chairman warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to desist from any attempt to rig the upcoming general elections; stating that any such attempt would be resisted. He further disclosed that the PDP was on a mission to wrest power from the APC. In his words: “We are on a mission of recovering Nigeria from the hands of APC; even the market women know that the APC government has collapsed.” Akelicious previously reported that nine governors under the platform of the APC were mulling the idea of exiting the party ahead of the 2019 elections. According to an unnamed source, unless President Muhammadu Buhari and the party leaders move fast to quell the crisis within the party, no fewer than nine governors and other party chieftains would dump the party. The rumoured exit of the party stalwarts is expected to be more prominent in the south-west and north-central regions of the country.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/2019-some-apc-governors-are-already-in.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cokw8h7BBHw

The inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market has received 210 million dollars from Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) to meet customers’ requests in various segments of the market.

The CBN acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said 100 million dollars was sold to authorised dealers in the wholesale segment of the market.He said the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got 55 million dollars, while another 55 million dollars was allocated for customers who needed foreign exchange for tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others.

Okorafor assured Nigerians that the apex bank would continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market, in line with its pledge to sustain liquidity in the market and maintain stability.

He said the CBN would not renege on its promise to manage the foreign exchange market with a view to reducing the country’s import bills and halting depletion of its foreign reserves.


Last week, the CBN intervened in the foreign exchange market to the tune of 325.64 million dollars to cater for requests in the airlines, agriculture, petroleum products and raw materials and machinery sectors.

Meanwhile, the Naira continued its stability in the market, exchanging at an average of N361 to dollar in the Bureau de Change segment.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/foreign-exchange-market-gets-cbn-s-210m.html

The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring various killings in the country and must be held responsible for the death of innocent Nigerians.

Secondus while speaking at the headquarters of the party in Umuahia, Abia State capital on Monday also called on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be prepared to conduct free, fair and credible election in 2019 and warned that Nigerians would be ready to resist any attempt by the INEC to rig the election in favour of the ruling APC.

According to Secondus who was in the state for a 3-day working visit and inspection of completed and ongoing projects being executed by the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s led administration within the 3years of the administration, the “PDP is on a mission to recover the land of Nigeria from the APC.


“APC government has collapsed. They must be held responsible for the killings in various parts of the country. APC government has empowered the Fulani’s with the power to kill.

“They (APC) must be blamed for the mismanagement of the country’s economy. There is hunger in the land. They (APC) are broken bottle and should brace up and get ready to leave because Nigerians are tired of playing politics with the killing of innocent Nigerians and hunger which they inflicted on Nigerians.

“The APC government has run down the economy of the country. They can no longer protect the lives and property of Nigerians. They have run down the National Assembly that is why Nigerians are yearning for PDP to come and take over power from the APC. We are moving gradually, but working to rescue the nation from the mess that APC has thrown it into. We are not going to allow the APC to rig election in 2019. That is why we are saying that the best gift Buhari will give Nigerians is to conduct a free, fair and credible election, after which Buhari will retire to his house honourably because we know that Nigerians have seen that the APC has failed abysmally”.

Secondus who hinted that the party was poised to present a youthful presidential candidate who will eventually rule the country in 2019 stated that “Our (PDP) focus is on the youth, the generation next. Youths of Nigeria must be prepared to take their destiny in their hands by ensuring that their votes counted in the 2019 election.”



In his speech, the host, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated that the August visitor would be spending 3days in the state where it was expected that he would inspect 60 projects (ongoing and completed) across the three senatorial districts in the state. He said that the projects have positive impact in the lives Abians and economy of the state respectively.

Ikpeazu who said that he was confident that the party would retain the seat of power in the state, also boasted that PDP will producing the next president of the country come 2019.


The Abia State Governor who attributed the rousing welcome given to the chairman by the party faithful in the state was a clear indication that the party in the state is united and described Secondus as a hardworking man, pledging the support and loyalty of the state chapter of the party to the incumbent PDP led leadership.

Earlier in a welcome address, the State party chairman of PDP, Johnson Onuigbo informed the visiting national chairman that many of their party members who left the party in anger in 2015 were gradually returning to the party haven seen the giant strides of Ikpeazu’s administration.

Onuigbo lamented that the achievements Ikpeazu has been under reported and his (Ikpeazu’s) government being presented in a bad light by those who were head bent on tarnishing the image of the governor and ready to sweep his achievements under the carpet, whose efforts he stated would be in vain.

He assured that his leadership was working to return Ikpeazu to the state government house in 2019 also informed Secondus that they were willing to support Ikpeazu and secondus’s leaderships to succeed in the state and at the national level.

High point of the reception at the party secretariat was the official decamping of member representing Ikwuano State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Theophilus Ugabja less than a month he joined the APC from All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the January 8 mega rally in Umuahia Township Stadium.

Present at the reception were former Senate president Adolphous Wabara, senators Enyinnaya Abariabe, Mao Ohuabunwa, Hon. Uzoma Abonta, Hon. Uko Nkole, Rt.Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Eric Acho Nwakanma (former deputy governor and brother in-law to Ikpeazu), former NDDC chairman, Ugochukwu Onyema, PDP organizing secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), former Abia PDP chairman, Chief Tony Ukasoanya, members of the State House of Assembly, commissioners and other dignitaries in the state.

The chairman after the reception formally began inspection of projects within the state capital before heading for Aba.

Our reporter gathered that the national chairman of the PDP would visit other parts of the state including Abia North and other places where various projects have been completed and are ongoing.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/pdp-national-chairman-accuses-apc-of.html

The Chairman of the commission, Mr Mike Okiro made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that two commissioners of police and 13 Deputy Commissioners of police were promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) and commissioners respectively within the period under review.

The chairman said that 41 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) and 54 Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) were also elevated to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) and ACP respectively.

He said that the period under review also witnessed the elevation of 52 Superintendent of Police (SP) and 513 Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to the rank of CSP and SP.


According to Okiro, Other categories of officers promoted are : 3,365 Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and 5,933 Inspectors to the rank of DSP and ASP respectively.

On discipline, he said that 118 cases were received, 42 treated while 76 appeals and petitions were still pending.

Okiro said that under his administration, officers were promoted to the next rank when they are due.

He said that the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris inherited 1,500 disciplinary matters that affected the promotions of officers which the commission intervened.

The chairman noted that some people took advantage of the disciplinary matters to stagnate the promotions of some officers they don’t like.

He advised policemen to be committed to their duty, diligent in the prosecution of cases and adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the operation of the Police.


On special promotion, he said that officers who sacrificed their lives to protect the lives and property of Nigerians would always be rewarded with special promotion.

However, he said that special promotion had to do with exceptional feat and not the routine duty.

“The issue of special promotion cannot be overlooked in the Nigeria Police Force. Some officers put their lives on the line to protect the lives and property of other citizens.

“A situation where an officer sacrifices his or her live should be rewarded, honoured and encouraged but it should be done transparently for other people to see,“he said.

He explained that the I-G who deals with such officers on a daily basis, recommends such officers to the commission for approval.

“Once we receive such recommendations, we will send it back to the I-G to confirm the gallantry. Apart from that we do not promote officers just because they bear certain names,“he said.

He said that adherence to guidelines and Federal character was one of the strategies that worked for the commission in the recruitment of the 10, 000 policemen in 2016.

“Federal character was followed strictly to avoid complaint from the public,“he said.

He said that additional educational qualification does not qualify a serving officer for promotion in the force.

The chairman added that the force only recognise the qualification of an officer at the point of entry into the force.

“If any officer acquires additional qualification, that will be for his personal use,“he said.

He advised policemen to be committed to their duty and adhere to the rules and regulations guiding the operations of the Force.(NAN)

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/commission-promotes-9973-officers-in.html

The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) Cross River Chapter seems to be gathering momentum as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani, has stated that he is not aware of his suspension by the party’s state leadership.

The state working committee led by the Acting state Chairman, Sir John Ochala, had on Saturday, January 27 suspended Pastor Usani Uguru Usani indefinitely for anti-party activities.

The party, which also recommended Usani’s expulsion to the national leadership, accused the Minister of holding illegal meetings contrary to article 21 of APC constitution, alleging that he held a meeting at one of the former Senator’s house in Abuja on Thursday, January 24, where one Mr. Etim John was selected as the new party chairman.

But a faction of the party led by the State Organizing Secretary Mr. Ekpe Owan Ayang has declared Usani’s suspension null and void.

They went ahead to announce the suspension of Mr. Mr.Ocha and the National Vice Chairman South-South, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, from the party, endorsing instead John as the new state acting chairman.

However, in a move to douse tensions in the party, National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdulahi had in a statement insisted that Sir John Ochalla remains the chairman of the party and that members involved in the appointment of a new acting chairman would be disciplined.

Reacting for the first time since the suspension order by the state working committee, Usani told reporters at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar, where he was welcomed by a hand full of supporters, that he was not aware he had been suspended.

“I am not aware that I have been suspended by anybody. As I am talking with you, I have not got any official letter communicating to me or stating why I am suspended.

“I can tell you that every party has a fight and how you resolve it is what is important. My worry is within the limits of known partisan tradition and conflict.

“We are resolving it. When a resolution takes place, whether amicably or by victory, there important thing is that there is a resolution and we are resolving it,” he said.

Also reacting, Mr. Etim John, who arrived at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar with Usani, said the statement from the National leadership recognising Sir John Ochala as the authentic Acting Chairman was a ‘misnomer’.

Etim maintained that Ochalla was not from the same zone as the former chairman and therefore not qualified to be an acting state chairman; adding that because a vacuum cannot be left, he as deputy chairman held brief.

“As far as I am concerned, the statement by the APC publicity Secretary is a misnomer. The party guidelines stipulate clearly how an acting chairman is appointed. As far as this is concerned, Ochalla is yet to be appointed or elected because he only came in to hold brief,” John said.

Ochalla had taken over as acting chairman of the party after Usani was appointed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/c-river-apc-crisis-im-not-aware-of-my.html

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has decried the support of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South-East governors for the recent military Operation Python Dance that unleashed mayhem on a non violent organization that it is, as well as the entire South East and South South, saying Federal Government’s inaction to herdsmen attacks and killings in the Middle Belt, would have served as a lesson and an eye opener to its duplicity.

The group wondered why Ohanaeze and governors of Southeast endorsed the attack on IPOB by military armored tanks in the name of operation Python dance while no Hausa\Fulani governor or Arewa Consultative Forum has condemned or spoken out against the killer herdsmen.

The media and publicity secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful, in a statement yesterday said that the deployment of soldiers to Benue, Taraba and other states to tame the menace of herdsmen by the federal government has been belated after much havoc had been done and many lives wasted in the areas.

According him, “Have you heard a single word of condemnation from any Hausa Fulani governor or Arewa Consultative Forum against these killer herdsmen? The answer is a capital no. Maybe there is a lesson here to be learned by Igbo politicians and Ohaneze Ndigbo.

“This government is currently in the midst of deceit but unfortunately some people are being taken in by their lies. It took pressure from all over the world to get this administration to agree to this paper deployment because we know it’s not real.

“The best remedy for the murderous mayhem of the terrorists is to divide Nigeria. Anybody still habouring the hope of one united prosperous Nigeria is living in a fool’s paradise. Unfortunately, this belatedly announced Operation Cat race or whatever they named it, to deal with a band of hardened state sponsored terrorists is totally meaningless. People will continue to die needlessly until Nigeria is divided.

“The deployment of troops to beleaguered Benue communities is a fraud designed to hoodwink the masses into thinking that this administration is serious about fighting the menace of Fulani herdsmen which they created through their policy of acquiescence and appeasement.

“These so called troops allegedly deployed to Benue are all staffed by Fulani officers who as usual will provide protection and cover for the tribesmen who are doing the killing. The world witnessed the same scenario in Southern Kaduna in 2016\17 or we have, suddenly forgotten. Did Nigerian Army not allegedly supply murderous herdsmen with arms with which they massacred and sacked non Muslim villages in Southern Kaduna?”


Despite the outlawed group’s strong words, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Southeast governors and other prominent leaders of the region have consistently expressed belief and support for a united Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/herdsmen-killings-strong-warning-to.html

The Enugu State Government on Friday flagged off the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads in different parts of the state under the auspices of the Enugu State Rural Access and Mobility Project (Enugu RAMP-2).

In a speech before the flag-off ceremony, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, and secretary to the state government, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, said that Enugu State was one of four states implementing RAMP-2 in the country.

He noted that it came as a complement to the rural, agricultural and other socio-economic development initiatives of the state government.

“This administration has always maintained an unreserved commitment towards the successful and satisfactory implementation of World Bank and other donor-assisted projects and progammes in the state,” he said.
He assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to do its utmost to ensure the full realization and timely delivery of RAMP-2.
Earlier in an address, RAMP’s national co-ordinator, Engr. Uba Ndoma, noted that his office has embarked on the rehabilitation and construction of some rural roads which, when complete, will help rural dwellers to transfer their commodities to the market.
He appealed to all the benefiting communities to take full ownership of the project and ensure that the machineries, equipment and personnel of contractors are well secured and that nothing is done by them to truncate the laudable project.
Also speaking, the state coodidnator, Engr. Chinedu Ugwu commended the governor’s contribution, adding that the state government released the sum of N75m to the project as part payment of the 2017 counterpart fund, last December.
He assured the governor that they would do whatever it takes to finish their work at the targeted schedule.
In their separate goodwill messages, the local government chairmen of the areas visited comprising Isi-Izo, Hon Benjamin Edeoga; Udi, Hon. Nestor Ochin and Uzo-Uwani, Hon. Fidelis Ani, all appreciated the good works of Governor Ugwuanyi and also reiterated their determination to collaborate with his administration to achieve its developmental goals in the state.
The roads flagged off included 3.76km Abor road; Egede – Awhum road (6.5 km); Neke – Mbu – Ogbodo Aba – Obollo Etiti road – (6.25 km); Ukpabi-Nimbo – Ugbene Ajima – Eziani road – (26.275 km); Ikwoka – Amagu – Ajuona – Akabuiyi Obimo road – 5.45 km and Adani – Asaba – Igga – Ojo road – (9.94 km).

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/enugu-govt-commences-rehabilitation-of.html

The federal government thursday in Enugu State declared that it had compiled data on property, bank accounts, shareholdings and other income sources of individuals and corporate entities, warning that there would be unsavoury consequences for those who failed to regularise their tax status.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, spoke at the commencement of the sensitisation campaign on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), a new tax policy of the federal government.


Adeosun advised the state residents, the business community and other wealthy Nigerians to take advantage of VAIDS to regularise their tax status and escape embarrassment from the government.

The state government hosted the event, which was attended by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; members of the state executive Council, the state legislators and traditional rulers as well as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, who was represented by the Executive Secretary, Joint Tax Board (JTB), Sir Oseni Elamah.

Also present were representatives of the business community in the state, including Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture; Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; bank executives, lawyers, traders, electronic dealers, hospital owners, school owners and transport owners associations.

Adeosun said VAIDS was conceived to allow Nigerian companies and individuals to voluntarily do what is right for the country by coming forward to declare their assets for proper tax evaluation.

According to her, “From our records, there seems to be a few rich people from this part of the country who may need to think very carefully about making a VAIDS declaration. We have been compiling data on property, bank accounts, share holdings and other sources that suggest that many people have not been paying the right taxes. VAIDS is an opportunity to regularise.”

According to her, it would be difficult for the federal government to address the huge infrastructural deficit in the country without the people taxes, noting that huge sums of money have been moved out of Nigeria without the owners paying a kobo in tax.

“The good news for government, which is bad news for the tax evaders, is that globally, countriess have agreed to share data under the Automatic Exchange of Information. This means that while sitting on our desks in Abuja, we are getting information about assets that the owners thought were well hidden from the tax authorities.

“As you know, Nigerians are entitled to keep their wealth anywhere in the world, including under their mattress, but what the law requires is that they pay tax on their income as they earn it,” the minister added.

Nigeria, she stated, has a very poor scorecard in tax payment, noting that “when oil came, we abandoned the old systems of tax collection that provided most of our infrastructure since the colonial days.

“Currently, we have just 14 million taxpayers out of 70million, who are economically active. So many people who should be paying are not paying anything. Incidentally, we have 74million registered voters.

“Also, some who are paying tax are not paying the correct amount. It may seem smart for a businessman to go and get a tax clearance certificate for N200,00 when he earns millions, but I can tell you without fear of contradiction that not only is this illegal, but such people are cheating themselves and future generations.”

In his remarks, the state Governor, Ugwuanyi, appealed to the finance minister to ask federal government establishments in the state to pay the state government huge withholding tax debts owed the state. The state governor pledged the cooperation of the state government to ensure the success of the new tax scheme, noting that it would also boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fg-vows-to-expose-property-bank.html

Nigerian internet users increased marginally to 98.3million in November, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has said.

The NCC made this disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscribers Data for December 2017 on its website on Thursday in Abuja.

According to the data, Airtel, MTN and Glo gained more internet subscribers during the month in review while 9mobile was the big loser.


The data also showed that overall, internet users increased by 98,391,456 in December from 94, 818,553 in November showing an increase 3, 572,903.The data breakdown revealed that MTN gained the most with 2,642.666, new internet users increasing its subscription in December to 36,069,597, from 33,426,931 in November.

It showed that 9mobile lost 68,341 internet users in December decreasing its subscription to 11,338.839 as against November when it recorded 11,407,180.

It said Airtel gained the most with 911,040 new internet users in December amounting to 23,985.203 users as against 23,074,163 users in November.

The data showed that Globacom also gained 87,538 new users in December as the figure recorded was 26,997,817 as against 26,910,279 in November.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigerian-internet-users-hit-983-million.html

Tuesday was rowdy in the Big Brother Naija House. It was just Day 10 of this year’s edition of the reality show, and bottled emotions are exploding already. This time, it was clearly about food.

Although the outburst was between Princess, the notable ‘cook’ in the House and Cee-C, the self-isolating strategic-turned-romance partner of the Head of House, Tobi; other housemates took side albeit distantly.

Princess’ overbearing kitchen role did not go well with some housemates who either did not like a particular meal or felt they were given a small portion of the food.

However, two events introduced by Biggie doused the tension – an urgent pantomime production that required the cooperation of all housemate, and a secret task given to the gentle Lolu and partner of the daring Anto to woo any other female housemate in the house and get them to fall in love with him.



While they were busy with the drama sketch, audition and rehearsal, attention shifted naturally from the previous quarrel. Also, everyone was wary of Lolu, knowing he had something up his sleeve. To complicate matter for Lolu, Biggie was to reward any housemate who is able to figure out what secret task he was given. The two ladies of his target – Ahneeka and Vandora – have been avoiding him not knowing the real nature of his task.

After their presentation of the pantomime, he began to chat and flirt with Ahneeka in the kitchen, trying to make her laughs, letting her know she is the kind of girl he likes. Whether or not Ahneeka would yield his advances, one snag is clear; all the ladies know that Anto is Lolu‘s paired partner and they had expressed fondness openly.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/how-big-brother-is-making-flirt-of-lolu.html

Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) said she has watched with amusement what the party described as the recent “macabre dance” by Governor Nyesom Wike with his crop of jesters, political jobbers and jokers when they assembled during the weekend at Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, the home town of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and the incumbent Minister of Transpiration to an event they termed as foundation laying ceremony to reconstruct a primary school in Ubima.

The APC in a press statement circulated on Tuesday in Port Harcourt by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Media Consultant to Dr Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, the State Chairman of Rivers APC to Media Organisations said, “We would have not disturb ourselves over this event if there was any sincerity by Wike and those who accompanied him to the event if not that they attempt to use the event to ridicule, abuse and malign the person and personality of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, his benefactor and a great son of Rivers.”

The party further reiterated that, "For Wike to have supervised the looting and destruction of the model Secondary School and Primary School in Ubima described in some quarters as better than most Higher Institutions in Nigeria built and equipped by the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and for the same Wike to turn round to embark upon the frivolity of last Saturday in Ubima where he claims of reconstructing a dilapidated Primary School demonstrates and position Wike as someone lacking understanding of what governance is all about. The party wonders the rationale behind leaving a model Primary school well equipped in Ubima and embarked upon a the reconstruction of a dilapidated primary school that gave way to the construction of the model school in Ubima if not to score cheap political publicity.
“We truly sympathise with Wike as all his efforts to disparage and malign the person and personality of Amaechi always backfires thereby exposing him not only as a vindictive person but a fellow pursuing the impossibility of equalling the feats of Amaechi in the politics of Rivers State and the country at large.”

The party pointed out that Wike is not only a colossal failure in governance but his abhorrence for the educational advancement of Rivers State is legendary as captured in the following accounts:


1. It is on record that throughout the miserable two years plus of his administration he has never built or initiated the construction of any school block in any Local Government Area of the State as the Ubima’s initiative is his first step.

2. Wike supervised the decimation and destruction of the education sector in Rivers State through cancellation of the free education initiated by the administration of Amaechi

3. It is on record that Wike stopped the foreign and local scholarship schemes put up by the administration of Amaechi and instead squanders Rivers funds on sponsoring the activities of the ailing PDP in the country.

4. Recalled Rivers State students in foreign countries pursuing courses relevant to the future development of Rivers State

5. He sacked over 13,200 Teachers employed by the administration of Amaechi and kept under lock and key the 23 Model Secondary Schools and 320 Model Primary Schools scattered all over the 23 Local Government Areas of the State.

6. Pocketed the funds meant for the construction of some of the model secondary/ Primary Schools in Rivers State without executing the projects.



The APC expressed happiness over the conduct of the Ubima people who have to assemble to perform traditional cleansing of the Ubima town by sweeping off the feet of Wike and his crop of jesters immediately after the unholy event of last Saturday.



According to Chief John Didia the Ubima traditional Ohwor title holder during the cleansing ceremony stated, "It is sacrilegious for any true son or daughter of Ubima community not to support Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Today, we have roads, light, Health Centre, Model school and more educated people than in the past before his rise to power, when we used to send food stuffs to the government, begging for development. Since 1992 till date, every governor visits our community, because of Amaechi including those who do not like him." For avoidance of doubt, the Ubima Traditional Owhor holders according to Ikwerre tradition, speaks the minds of the gods and are the true custodians of the land.

As if the above was not enough, Ohna Ubima in Council (Traditional Custodians of Laws) further stated, “This will be the last time any politician will come to our community to insult, degrade or disparage our son, Chibuike Amaechi. If the Governor wants to do any project here, he is welcomed, after all, our son, as governor in the state appointed him Chief of Staff for four years and later nominated him as Minister. He awarded several contracts to Wike for roads, schools and health centres in his own community. So whatever renovation works or construction he wants to do in Ubima is a simple way of appreciating what our son did for him and his people. That does not call for casting aspersions on Chibuike or his people."

Both the Ohna Ubima in Council and the Owhor holders, we must confess spoke and presented the position of our party and that of any other right thinking person in Rivers State on the embarrassment that Wike has constituted himself to in the governance of Rivers State but we are convinced that Rivers State will know what to do by 2019.

On the misguided utterances of Sir Celestine Omehia during the ignoramus event, the party sympathised with him for reducing himself to the ridiculous position of an Assistant to Wike. This is a man who has nothing to show as a son of Ubima to his name both as a onetime Commissioner for Education and few months he served as a Care-Taker Governor of Rivers State, the statement added.

“As we commend the Ubima Community for this decisive step in support of their son, we must ask Wike to desist and allow Amaechi to rest as none of his efforts will ever make him to equal the records and feats of Amaechi who is his superior in all ramifications” the statement finally declared.



Source: Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze,

SSA On Media and Public Affairs Consultant to the State Chairman, APC Rivers State

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/ubimas-visit-rivers-apc-blasts-govwike.html

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have alerted that the economic impact of cancer is significant and is increasing as the total yearly economic cost of disease was estimated at approximately $1.16 trillion (N417.6 trillion).

A new study published Thursday in the journal, Cancer Epidemiology, evaluated, for the first time, the cost of productivity lost due to premature cancer deaths in several major emerging economies.Led by the IARC in partnership with leading cancer research institutions in these countries, the study shows that the productivity loss in Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS countries, reached $46.3 billion (N16.6 trillion) in 2012.

IARC is an inter-governmental agency forming part of the WHO of the United Nations (UN).Meanwhile, the cost of cancer treatment globally had reached a record high from $75 billion in 2009 to $100 billion in 2014, which represented a 25 per cent increase in five years.


According to the IMS report, the global spending on oncology medicines broke the $100 billion threshold in 2014. IMS Health is a leading global information and technology services company providing clients in the healthcare industry with comprehensive solutions to measure and improve their performance.

However, investigation by The Guardian revealed that Nigeria loses over N2.1 trillion to cancer yearly. The breakdown showed that 100,000 Nigerians are diagnosed of cancer yearly, according to latest figures from the WHO and the Nigerian National System of Cancer Registries (NSCR).


It was also gathered that an average cancer patient, on regular screening, clinical assessment and chemotherapy, over the course of a year, may accumulate N5 million to N20 million or more in medical bills depending on the type of cancer, the type of treatment and where the treatment is being accessed.It was further learnt that Nigeria has few comprehensive cancer centres and lacks adequate treatment facilities hence citizens are compelled to spend over $200 million (N72 billion) yearly on treatment abroad.

A radiologist at the Radiation Medicine Department at University of Nigeria College of Medicine (UNCM) and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, told The Guardian: “In Nigeria, the rising incidence of cancer and the paucity of institutional facilities and specialist man-power implies that the burden of care rests largely on relatives. We assessed the severity of indices of psycho-social and economic burden among relatives of women with breast and cervical cancer; and its relationship with patients’ psychosocial distress.”

Also, the WHO in a fact sheet said only one in five low- and middle-income countries have the necessary data to drive cancer policy and cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. According to the WHO, the most common causes of cancer death are cancers of: lung (1.69 million deaths); liver (78,000 deaths); colorectal (77,000 deaths); stomach (75,000 deaths) and breast (57,000 deaths).

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/cancer-crippling-global-economy-with.html

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the weekend, began the distribution of free Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) forms to eligible admission seekers.

Fayemi also kick-started a free Computer-Based Training (CBT) training for candidates to boost their chances of success at the examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The daily free CBT training is held at JKF Leadership Centre on Ajilosun Road, Ado-Ekiti, the capital.

About 5,000 candidates are expected to benefit from the scheme.


Addressing beneficiaries from all 16 councils, Fayemi expressed delight at the large turnout of participants.

The former governor said the distribution of free UTME forms was one of the policies of his administration which, according to him, was allegedly stopped by the Ayo Fayose administration.

To ensure speedy registration of participants, the minister promised to empower the centre with more facilities.

He said: “I am happy to see you here. I would have loved to sit with you at this training, if not for my tight schedule. When we were in government, the state used to be responsible for this scheme. But the situation has changed today.

“I want to assure you that I am committed to ensuring that nothing inhibits your determination to achieve your dreams. It is our commitment and passion for education. This is part of a number of steps we are putting in place for you to actualise your dreams. Education is our pride in Ekiti.”

A beneficiary, Esther Ibitoye, thanked the minister, saying she would not have had the opportunity, if Fayemi had not come to her aid.


Another beneficiary, Moshood Adabiri, promised to perform well in the examination to justify the minister’s investment in the scheme.

The centre’s Programme Officer Bisi Dada and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth leader Femi Ogundare said beneficiaries were drawn from the 16 councils and 177 wards.

They said some youths, who had obtained the forms from other sources, also enrolled for the CBT training.

To ensure a wider reach, the officers pledged to begin a mobile CBT training.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/fayemi-gives-free-utme-forms-to-5000.html

As part of activities marking World Cancer Day 2018, the Federal Government will on Friday, February 9 launch a four-year action plan on cancer. The four-year National Cancer Control Plan (2018-2022) will be launched by the heath minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole.
The Executive Director of Project Pink Blue, Ms. Eunice Chidebe, disclosed this on Saturday in Abuja during the World Cancer Day 2018 walk convened by the organisation to create awareness against the disease.


Chidebe said the Project is to appeal for treatment support for three cancer patients; Kauna Monday, Beatrice Aghabo and Nkem Chibuzor who need N2.8 million, N3 million and N1 million respectively.

Soliciting support for the women, she said 65 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries like Nigeria, stressing that in the country, over 102,000 people are newly diagnosed of cancer and many of them could not afford their cancer care and treatment.

According to her; “30 Nigerian women die every day from breast cancer, death from prostate cancer is easily preventable if detected early and yet it kills 14 Nigerian men every day”.

World Cancer Day, she said, is commemorated globally by millions of people across the globe with cancer awareness, walk, fund raising and otherwise. He said the organisation has recorded tremendous success in the last three edition of walk against cancer with the objective of “raisins awareness on cancer, promoting early detection of cancer and raising funds for cancer patients in Nigeria”
She said the Board Chair of Project Pink Blue, Prof. P Ebigbo will launch “Upgrade Oncology: US- Nigeria science and technology exchange programme”, which is a medical oncology training program funded by the US Embassy in Nigeria, while there will be a presentation of an insight on the bill signed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the establishment of the National Institute on Cancer Research and Treatment.

The 2018 walk took participants across major streets of Abuja such Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Shehu Shagari Way and Ahmadu Bello Way with about 2000 people comprising of stakeholders, rights activists, students, journalists, cyclists, power bike riders and roller skaters also feature human rights campaigner Joe Okei- Odumakin, veteran broadcaster Sadiq Baba, cancer survivor Adenike Oyetunde and some victims.

Odumakin, who is the president of Women Arise said “cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In Nigeria reports say that over 80,000 Nigerians die of cancer annually. Painfully, they die when we needed them most; more people are dying in their prime.”
The World Cancer Day 2018 activities were organised in collaboration with Centre for Media and Information Literacy and media organisations in Nigeria which include THISDAY newspaper.

Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called for scientists across the globe working on the cure for cancer to intensify efforts in the discovery of an urgent cure for the illness to bring succour to those suffering from the ailment.
He also made a case for urgent action by relevant stakeholders in the health sector on cancer management while the cure tarries, urging for increased awareness on precautionary measures to control the illness.

Obaseki said this on the occasion of the World Cancer Day, which is marked globally on February 4, by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

The governor, who said the incidence of cancer-related deaths in Nigeria was worrisome, maintained that there was need for increased advocacy championed by scientists, the private sector and civil society groups to educate the populace on precautionary measures against cancer.

He said, “On a day like this, it is important to reiterate the need for coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders in the health sector on the management and control of cancer. Though we may have recorded numerous deaths of persons from cancer, there is still a lax attitude to push for solutions that would reduce these deaths.

He added, “Coalitions to tackle cancer-related causes may have been formed but the contribution from many Nigerians have been underwhelming. It is important to make a case for better funding, research and awareness on cancer in-country and for state and federal government agencies charged with the mandate to do this, should be given all the necessary financial and in-kind support.”

The primary goal of the World Cancer Day is to significantly reduce illnesses and deaths caused by cancer in 2020, after the World Cancer Declaration was made in 2008. The day targets mis-information, raises awareness, and tackles stigma associated with the illness.
In a related development, the Minister has called on Nigerians to always engage in physical exercises to reduce the risk of having cancer. Adewole said any form of physical activity that is consistent will promote healthy living, reduce obesity and sedentary lifestyle, and other non-communicable diseases.

The Minister made the call in Abuja on Saturday as Nigeria joined the world in commemorating the 2018 World Cancer Day.
In his World Cancer Day message, Adewole stated that this year’s theme was geared towards exploring individual and collective drive in reducing the global burden of cancer. He said the campaign outlined actions that communities and individuals could take to save lives, achieve greater equity in cancer care and make fighting cancer a priority at the highest political level.

On individual’s role in fighting cancer, Adewole said individuals could make healthy lifestyle choices by engaging in weekly physical activities for at least two and half hours for adult and an hour for children.

Other lifestyle modifications that the minister mentioned included avoiding tobacco smoking and chewing, eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and staying safe under the sun. He also emphasised high index of suspicion for early symptoms and signs of cancer was key, because finding cancer early makes it easier to treat and cure.

Adewole also said communities should dispel myths that led to stigma and discrimination against people living with cancer among them. He called on governments to commit adequate resources to reduce cancer death and provide better quality of life for patients and survivors.
He however informed that the Ministry of Health had made significant effort in awareness creation by developing jingles on cancer awareness in five Nigerian languages viz: English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and ‘Pidgin-english’. These, Adewole said were available for broadcast to the general public on Radio and social media.

In the same vein, the Ministry is continuing her partnership with the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NUWRT) to broadcast the awareness jingles on another 1000 long distance buses while the office of National Coordinator for Cancer Programme, Federal Ministry of Health provided technical and material support, the Minister informed.

The Minister further said that the recent unveiling of a new Radiotherapy machine at National Hospital Abuja (NHA) would provide for easy access to radiation treatment for Nigerians.

He disclosed that another new machine donated by Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) is within the country and would be operational at NHA in the next few months.

The facility at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) should be offering full and uninterrupted service by June 2018. He further stressed the commitment of FGN to rolling out nationwide screening for breast and cervical cancer in women and prostate cancer among men in 2018.

Despite these giant strides, the Minister regretted that there remained some factors militating against these efforts to effectively combat the scourge of cancer in Nigeria.

The key barriers to treatment of cancer in Nigeria, the Minister said, included: Poor awareness, poor health seeking behaviour, low level of non-governmental investments, low number of skilled health care personnel, funding Gaps, amongst others.
To surmount these barriers, Adewole said, government was committed to the development of the Public Private Partnership strategies to address the funding gaps and manpower shortages.

He therefore called on interested stakeholders in the national and international arena to partner with the Ministry of Health so that more laudable achievements could be recorded in the management of cancer cases in the country.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/nigeria-to-launch-national-cancer.html

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party is wooing members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the National Assembly with automatic tickets, it was reliably learnt on Saturday.

Many members of the APC caucus at the National Assembly were said to be currently afraid that governors of their respective states were after their seats, making their chances of getting their return tickets slimmer.



The lawmakers, it was gathered, believed President Muhammadu Buhari would intervene in the intra-party crises across the states as the national leadership of the APC was alleged to be favourably disposed to the governors.

One of the aggrieved APC senators told said on condition of anonymity that the governors used their influence in the party against the political interests of National Assembly members from their states.

The source said, “The only person who can avert defections (from the APC to other parties) in the National Assembly is the President. All the crises that will lead to the defections are happening in the states. The President will not be safe when the defectors move to the opposition and form a camp, even if it is for just one week.

“The issue is that many governors have problems with their senators and the other party is wooing senators with tickets. Going by the fact that many of the APC senators came from the PDP, they are most likely to go back. In the worst case, APC might turn out to become the minority party in the National Assembly soon.”

When asked if the tickets being offered by the PDP would be automatic for APC defectors, the senator said, “It is.”

Another APC senator, who also spoke to one of our correspondents in confidence, explained that first-term governors were planning to replace the current National Assembly members with their loyalists and political allies, while the second-term and outgoing governors would hijack senatorial seats from the current occupants.

The senator added, “The governors want to bring in their ‘boys’ because in 2015, both the governors and the senators were on the same platform; all of them were contesting positions, so there was no boy and master. But now, because those governors have made some money and built structures for themselves, they want to replace the senators either with their secretary to state government or their commissioners or their chief of staff.

“In the case of the second-term governors, they want to come over (to the Senate) themselves. As it is with the APC today, the President appears to be the only person who can solve this problem; the governors cannot and the party itself cannot.”



Confirming the development, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP Bayelsa) said Saturday that the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, specifically mandated him to ensure the return of former PDP members in the Senate to the opposition party.

When asked if it was true that the former ruling party was offering automatic tickets to aggrieved APC members, Murray-Bruce said, “Yes, it is true. We welcome them 100 per cent with open arms. They should come and join us. We miss them; we love them and they should all come back. Even those who were not with us, we will take everybody.”

The senator was asked if the issues that forced the defectors out of the PDP had been resolved.

He said, “All have been resolved. The chairman has promised me and I have promised them that not only have the issues been resolved, they will be part of the policy decisions.

“The chairman has mandated me to tell them that they will be part of the decision-making process, going forward. All the problems have been resolved. The chairman is very accommodating and he wants everybody back. He has mandated me to tell them all to come back.”

We’ll do everything legitimate to return to power, says PDP

In his reaction, Secondus said the national leadership of the party would do everything possible within the law to return to power in 2019.

Already, he said reconciliation was ongoing among its members, adding that the PDP remained the best option for the county at the moment.

Secondus said that the party was not discussing the issue of tickets yet.

He stated, “We are talking to everyone, those who left the party before and those who do not belong to the party.

“This is not the time to be talking about automatic tickets or not. Rather, we should all be concerned about how to rescue the country from the claws of incompetent hands.

“Is there anyone in the country who is not feeling the pain? Is the market for the PDP members different from that of the APC members? Are those lining up in the queues at petrol stations members of a particular political party? Is electricity being diverted to a particular zone of the country?

“As for us, we are discussing with everybody. We want everyone back under the umbrella so that we can escape further beating by the APC acidic rain.”

Obasanjo’s ‘third force’ intensifies membership drive

Meanwhile, it was gathered that as the PDP has started working to get more members of the National Assembly into its fold, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement has also intensified efforts to persuade the lawmakers to join its fold.

Akelicious exclusively reported last week that the former President had reached out to some members of the National Assembly who were considering joining the coalition.

It was learnt that last week, the coalition intensified efforts to woo the lawmakers, while some legislators were discretely involved in the membership drive for the group.

A reliable source in the CNM said the group had opened a website and asked Nigerians to register there.

But investigations showed that many members of the National Assembly members were undecided on what to do about Obasanjo’s coalition.

In the House of Representatives, it was gathered that the lawmakers had opted to adopt a wait-and-see approach as events unfold in the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2019 general elections scheduled to hold in 11 months.

Those who voiced their opinions on the coalition were divided over the relevance or viability of the movement as a possible anchor for the next President in 2019.

One member said, “What is happening is all politics. Obasanjo, who is talking, has led this country twice before now. He couldn’t fix the country before leaving.

“So, when he is spearheading a new group to produce a president, you have to be careful jumping on the ship. We don’t know where he is headed for now.”

Another member, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that it would be “suicidal to hurriedly leave the known to the unknown.”

He said, “We are following the group; let us see how it pans out. If it is indeed the third force, it will only be a matter of months for us to know. Politicians know when to move out of an existing political party in their thousands.”

A member from Ogun State, Mr. Isiaka Ibrahim, said he was waiting for the direction of his Governor, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, and the people of his constituency on a new political development in the state.

Ibrahim stated, “As I am speaking to you, I am a full member of the All Progressives Congress. That is my party.

“The people I represent in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency of Ogun State are members of the APC. My governor is a member of the APC.

“These people have not told me that there is any new direction yet. So, I am with my party, the APC.”

Asked whether he knew there was any synergy between Obasanjo and Amosun which could galvanise the people of the state to join the coalition, Ibrahim replied that associating with Obasanjo did not imply that the governor would defect to the ex-President’s movement.

But a member from Cross River State, Mr. Bassey Ewa, praised Obasanjo to the high heavens, saying the coalition was the “best idea introduced in our politics in recent times.”

Ewa disclosed that he would gladly join the group and help in mobilising massive support for it.

He added, “The idea is fantastic. I am offering myself to be a member. I will mobilise support massively for the group.

“The current administration of President Buhari has only set this country back many years. All the gains of the past have been eroded.

“Look at the state of the economy; industries are shutting down and no new reasonable jobs have been created in almost three years.

“Millions are out of jobs because the government is deficient in ideas. So, I tell you, I will be deeply involved with the coalition.”

A member from Ebonyi State, Mr. Igariwey Iduma-Enwo, also hailed Obasanjo, saying such a group should be encouraged to flourish.

He stated, “Chief Obasanjo merely articulated the obvious bankruptcy and contradictions of the Buhari administration.

“As a former Head of State with military background, he best understands the consequences of the burgeoning centrifugal fault lines in the social fabric of this country (accentuated by recent killings across the country), with the obvious national security implications.”

A lawmaker from Edo State, Mr. Johnson Agbonayinma, however, dismissed Obasanjo’s group.

Agbonayinma, who distanced himself from the coalition, claimed that it was another ‘third term’ ploy by the former President.

He added, “It is another third-term agenda; that third-term that Obasanjo failed to get in 2007, he wants it in another way.

“The so-called third force is a group that will be loyal to Obasanjo when in power. He wants to remain in charge of political affairs in this country perpetually.

“Nigerians should open their eyes and be wary of his ploy; by rejecting this third force.”

Also, another Rep from Kogi State, Mr. Karimi Sunday, urged Nigerians to steer clear of the coalition.

He stated, “It will not change anything. We are being led into another form of APC.

“What we have as APC today is a coalition of all manner of persons and groups. See where it has landed Nigeria.

“So, when you say a new coalition, it will lead Nigeria to the same confusion; no progress. In fact, this movement will throw this country into more serious political turmoil.

“Nigerians should forget it and focus on preparing for the 2019 polls, vote the APC out of power.”

APC, PDP are vessels of darkness, says CNM

In another development, the CNM said it would soon metamorphose to a real political party after many people must have joined the movement.

It said the movement would be the best alternative third force against the ruling APC and the PDP which it described as vessels of darkness.

Speaking with journalists after the maiden visit of the movement in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Friday, the Ondo State Coordinator of the CNM, Mr. Demola Ijabiyi, said the movement had yet to become a political party.

Some of the politicians in attendance at the meeting included members of the ruling APC, PDP, Social Democratic Party and the Alliance for Democracy from across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Ijabiyi stated, “The APC and the PDP are vessels of darkness; we are bringing people to light, as nobody will like to remain in darkness. There is the need to liberate ourselves from the bondage of these exploiters, who have no solution to the problems of the country.

“For now, we are not a political party, but after collating the views of the movement as a formidable mass movement of people in all sectors of life, the decisions of leaders of the coalition will metamorphose into a political party.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/pdp-woos-apc-senators-reps-with.html

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has disclosed that the Nigerian Army would soon deployed its personnel to various parts of the country to contain ongoing threat to security in the country.

He said the troops would be deployed under Special Forces, such as Operation Python Dance III in the Southeast, Operation Crocodile Smile III in the Niger Delta and Southwest and Harbin Kunama III in the North to contend cattle rustling in that part of the country.

Buratai spoke in Abuja, yesterday, after leading officers and men on an annual 15-kilometre route match that culminated at the Mogadishu Cantonment in the city, tasked officers and men to be on alert, as they could be deployed any moment there was any need for that.


He reiterated that some officers and men could be deployed at short notice to assist what he called “civil authorities” to contend insecurity in any part of the country and charged them to be prepared for the task.

The army chief could not, however, give a clear picture on whether the troops would carry out similar exercise in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states, following incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in those states, which have resulted in several killings.

He said: “Well, we are not thinking of any particular situation; we are going to train on general areas, which could include that aspect as well.

“But our focus will be to ensure that security is provided across the country.

“So, definitely, expect Harbin Kunama III, Crocodile Smile III and Egwu Eke Dance III and probably another exercise coming, which will be made known at the appropriately time.”

Operation Python Dance I & II, Operation Harbin Kunama I and II were among others conducted in 2016 and last year, respectively, to deal with the menace of cattle rustling and herdsmen/farmers clashes in parts of Northwest and North-Central, while Crocodile Smile and Egwu Eke Dance were conducted in the Niger Delta and the Southeast, respectively, last year to tackle pipeline vandalism, oil theft and piracy, violent agitation and kidnapping.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/army-to-begin-operation-python-dance.html

The Coordinator General of the Global Initiative for Harmony in Nigeria (GIHN), Elizabeth Omini, is beginning a tour of the South West zone of the country from this weekend.According to a statement yesterday by the Ogun Command of GIHN, Omini will arrive Abeokuta, the state capital this weekend, where she is scheduled to feature on NTA Abeokuta and Gateway Television, the state-owned television station on Sunday.



The GIHN CG would be hosted to a gala night in the evening of same day.The State Coordinator, Bishop Rotimi Adewumi, said Omini was bringing her message of peace and harmony into Ogun and the entire South West region.

According to Adewumi, “Omini is an apostle of strengthening national cohesion and at international levels in order to transform the society where harmony and brotherhood reign, leading to national and global peace. She maintains that we should not allow sentiments to jeopardise our religious, political, ethnic liberty with the happenings around us.

“With all the crisis, violence and criminal activities in our country and even at the global level, the CG formed GIHN to fight this negative attitudes, irrespective of our religion and beliefs, and this is the message she is bringing to us.” “The CG urges us all to embrace love and harmony, so that even insurgency and crime will reduce,” Adewumi added.

The coordinator expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support so far, while also commending the present National Assembly members for their thoroughness and patriotism over the enabling bill.

GIHN was founded by Omini on March 30, 2013. In October 2015, Omini, working with the Federal Government sponsored an amendment bill, to provide a framework for the activities of GIHN Corps under the supervision of the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which has gone through various readings in both chambers.

At the last Public Hearing on National Orientation Agency (NOA) Amendment Bill (as it is called), on December 4, 2017, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, raised concerns that Nigeria was faced with a disturbing level of violence, mutual suspicion among ethnic groups and a general lack of belief in government by its citizens.

He had said: “We cannot continue in this direction if we truly want to achieve greatness as a nation. The NOA is the body tasked with communicating government policies, staying abreast of public opinion and promoting patriotism and national development.”Saraki had added that increasing the capacity of the agency would result to taking concrete steps towards promoting global initiative for harmony in Nigeria.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/gihn-cg-begins-tour-of-south-west-zone.html

The President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, thursday defrayed the 2018 West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) fees of a total of 432 indigent students across Kwara Central senatorial district.

The beneficiaries were selected through the intervention of the Kwara State chapter of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).


Also, yesterday, the senator representing Kwara South senatorial district at the Upper House, Abuja, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim, distributed free examination forms of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to the 656 students of the senatorial district for the forthcoming 2018 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

But, Saraki, while speaking at the presentation of cash for the payment of examination fees in Ilorin yesterday, said the rationale behind the gesture was to show that every child counts.

Represented by the Director General, ABS Constituency Office, Mr. Musa Abdullahi, the Senate President noted that he was aware of the adverse effects of the current economic situation in the country and designed the programme to alleviate the suffering of the people.
He stated that the selection of the candidates for the intervention was devoid of tribal, religious and political sentiments.

Saraki enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the financial assistance and study hard for the forthcoming examination.
“The spirit behind today’s occasion is to once again demonstrate that every child counts to our leader. The President of the Senate, being aware of the present economic situation, now came up with “ABS Free WAEC Registration”.

“To achieve excellent result devoid of politics, religion or tribe, ANCOPSS in the Emirate was given the responsibility to identify the indigent students from their various schools, who could not pay their WAEC fees for 2018. From their report, they identified a total of 420 indigent students.

“It is my pleasure to inform you of the Senate President’s immediate approval of the full payment of the WAEC registration fees of 420 candidates for the year 2018. It is my hope that all the benefiting students will make the best use of this gesture by ensuring that they study hard for their examinations”, the Director General of ABS Constituency office said.

Speaking on behalf of All Nigerian Conference of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS), Mr. Olohuntoyin Abdullahi, applauded Saraki for the gesture and urged other well to do in the society to follow suit.

Also, in a related development, senator representing Kwara South senatorial district, Senator Rafiu Ibrahim distributed free JAMB forms to 656 students in the senatorial district.

Speaking at the event at his Omupo constituency office
In Ifelodun local government council of the state, Senator Ibrahim said that, the beneficiaries of the forms were picked from 164 Secondary Schools across seven local government areas of the senatorial district.

Represented at the event by the Director General of Rafiu Ibrahim Bilal Foundation, which spearheaded the distribution of the free forms, Dr. AbdulAzeez Lawal, the lawmaker said that, it was in line with his routine assistance to the less privileged.
He stated that most parents could not afford to procure the forms for their children and wards, hence the decision of the Senator to intervene.

The lawmaker said the beneficiaries were chosen through their Principals and admonished them to make the benefactor proud.
He therefore assured that he would soon roll out more programmes for the benefit of his constituents.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/saraki-offsets-waec-fees-of-420-students.html

By Ifeanyi Emeka

Since the nineteenth century, the theory of objectivity in journalism has been considered as the chief cornerstone in mass media practices. During the last decade, both communication scholars and practitioners began to contest the main notion embedded in this concept.

Despite the different shapes of opinion among academics and journalists about the paradigm of objectivity when it comes to setting up professional criteria on this concept, one thing that still remain firmly entrenched in the practice of journalism is the fact that objective and impartial reportage of issues and events creates room for just and peaceful societies. Anything short of that, creates ill-feelings among the people.

However, the recent negative reactions that greeted the simple statement made by the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan Ali on how to permanently tackle the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in all parts of the country is uncalled for.

At the end of a security meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and other security chiefs at the Presidential Vila, the Minister of Defence, General Mansur Dan Ali accepted to have a brief chat with the State House Correspondents where he was asked some questions about some of the national issues. Ordinarily, the minister reserved the right to walk away just as other security chiefs had done, but because he is a media-friendly minister, he decided to field some questions from the newsmen stationed at the vila.

In one of his responses, the Minister said: ''You see, whatever crisis that happens at anytime, there are remote and immediate causes. Look at this issue (Benue and Taraba conflicts), what are the immediate causes of these farmers crises?''

The minister in that response was only trying to let Nigerians understand what actually gave rise to the conflicts because there is no smoke without fire.

Hence, contrary to the negative portrayal of his response in the media alleging that the minister was justifying the casualties recorded during the crisis which was very far from the minister's standpoint, the minister was only speaking from an informed perspective by trying to let Nigerians see the unspoken aspect of the crisis so that they could form a balanced and objective view or opinion of the matter because problem known is half solved.

Again, while the media and their influencers are trying hard to let Nigerians see only the effects of the crisis without a balanced, impartial and objective reportage of the crisis, the minister decided to allow Nigerians to see the other side of the crisis from an informed standpoint because there are always two sides to a coin. And where the media and their influencers decides to only see and judge from one side of the coin, then the essence of justice is defeated. And where justice is lacking, what do you expect?

That was why the Minister said:''Since the nation's independence, we know there used to be a route where the cattle rearers take because they are all over the nation. You go to Bayelsa, Ogun, you will see them. If those routes are blocked what do you expect will happen?''

In other words, if you push a man to the wall because you think you are mightier than him, even if he does not have the power to fight back, natural laws and its attendant consequences will fight for him. So, the minister was not justifying or taking side in the matter as many have been made to believe, instead, he was trying to let the people know what they never knew or better still, the root cause of the crisis because history may not repeat itself, but sometimes, it rhymes.

Therefore, for Nigerians to have better understanding of the crisis and prevent it from happening again or in the nearest future, the minister added: ''These people are Nigerians. Is just like one going to block the shoreline, does that make sense to you? These are the remote cause of the crisis. But the immediate cause is the grazing law. These people are Nigerians and we must learn to live together with each other. Communities and other people must learn to accept foreigners within their enclave finish.''

To understand what the Minister of Defence said, it is apt that we also understand the intellectual idea in the United States Constitution transferred to the United Nations Chatter which made Barrack Obama President in the United States despite the fact that he was black. It is a line that says that all human beings were born equal and as such, they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is why our constitution in recognising the fact that we are all settlers in Nigeria started by addressing fellow Nigerians as 'We The People.'

Therefore, contrary to the biased news reports and commentaries in the media, the Minister of Defence was only appealing to our collective consciences because conscience is an open wound only the truth can heal it. That was why great philosophers says that for there to be a perfect and just society, they must be a perfect man with the perfect knowledge. In this case, the Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan Ali the perfect man with the perfect knowledge.

On the call by the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the Punch Newspaper Editorial mischievously calling for the removal of the Minister, I want to first all state that it is very unfortunate for the Punch Newspaper because this is a former national newspaper that have shamelessly turned itself to a special interest newspaper. I care most for the Punch than the Benue APC who are group of gamblers looking for who to make victim for their administrative failures in the state.

Honestly, my heart bleeds for the Punch because if its founder was to be alive today, he would have committed a terrible divorce because the paper have lost every glory it had in the past. Today, it is now serving the special interest instead of serving the Nigerian people. Truly, there was a newspaper called The Punch!

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/dan-ali-benue-apc-and-punch-newspaper.html

The Oyo State government on Wednesday redeployed of 144 of the 513 staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (because).

Olalekan Ali, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), revealed this at a press conference, which took place at the state’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

The SSG said the affected workers have been redeployed to the state Civil Service, Teaching Service Commission and the office of the Head of Service, with effect from February 1 2018 (today).


Ali revealed further that the state government had also granted operational and financial autonomy to the state owned broadcasting corporation.

The Oyo SSG maintained that the steps were to ensure efficiency and productivity, adding that none of the because workers “is being sacked, disengaged or released from the services of Oyo State.”


Ali informed that the results of competence tests conducted by an international consultant engaged by the state government were used as a yardstick for the redeployment of the effected workers.

According to him, “A summary of the assessment outcome showed that of the 209 junior staff assessed, 197 passed while 12 failed; of the 149 senior staff assessed, 35 passed and 114 failed while of the 58 management staff assessed, only 16 passed and 42 of them failed.”

He added, “Based on the competency test and panel interview, the consultants found that 70% of the senior and management staff did not demonstrate the competence required for their respective grade levels. The details of the performance distribution by grade level and by department were provided in the report.”

The Oyo SSG maintained further that the postings and redeployments of the because staff were in accordance with the service provisions, addition that the state “government wishes them to report in their new offices with the required vigour and enthusiasm worthy of their employment and respective status.”

He insisted that before the restructuring, the because workforce was over bloated with high staff strength of 513 with 70% being permanent staff while 30% are contract staff.

Ali added that the workforce was heavy on staff with low skills and qualifications, as only 55% have qualifications below HND.


http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/oyo-redeploys-144-staff-of-broadcasting.html

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N2.338 billion for purchase of operational vehicles for anti-smuggling task force and staff accommodation.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to her, the approvals were given based on two memos she presented on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

She said N1.2 billion was approved for acquiring bedroom units at Lifecamp in Abuja for NCS and N1.128 billion for 50 operational vehicles for anti-smuggling task force.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/fec-approves-n2328bn-for-patrol.html

Streets in the State today are dotted with various kinds of beggers ranging from those who beg for themselves,

those who supervised those who are begged and those who beg on behalf of others under different guises and names.
In this special report, Ekwi Abide tells the story of a so called humanitarian group whose members are currently awaiting trial at the Onitsha prisons.

Usually owing to the religious belief of people in this part of the world, many are often defrauded as they believe in the blessings associated with giving. This oftentimes lead to some unscrupulous members of the public defrauding others to achieve their selfish aims.
This was the case of some members of a group which allegedly specialises in parading children with different kinds of ailments and using them for alms begging and have been arrested by the Fegge Division of the Nigerian Police.

The suspects who were arrested in connection with the crime are Friday Edet and Ezekiel Ubong both from Akwa Ibom state.
According to the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Rabiu Garbage,the men are suspected of child kidnapping and trafficking and are, notorious for kidnapping children, relocating to another state and using them to beg for alms, after allegedly inflicting them with strange ailment that attract public pity.
The Fegge DPO said six male children with hernia and a three years old baby girl with cancer of the lips, who was kidnapped when she was one year and six months old from Buruku in Benue State, during a wake keeping for a burial ceremony, had been rescued and reunited with their families after being treated of their ailments by the Division.
According to the Police, children are used daily for alms begging from unsuspecting members of the public who part with various sum of money out of pity for the children, whereas the suspects are enriching themselves with the proceeds realized.
Mr Garba who disclosed this to newsmen, said he became suspicious when he kept seeing the suspects with the children over a long period of time in spite of the monies realised, he got close to them by donating generously asked questions that confirmed his suspicion and got them arrested while others are still at large.
Mr. Garbage who cautioned the citizenry to be wary of who they help, said the suspects admitted they make up to N25, 000 daily with the children, adding that as early as 8am on the day of their arrest, they had already realized N12, 800

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/police-nab-2-child-kidnap-suspects-in.html

The Lagos State Government on Monday disclosed that it duly processed and approved over 1,000 contracts under the 2017 fiscal regime, noting that the contracts were valued at about N320 billion.

The state government also said it had started removing structures built on the right of way along the Oshodi-Apapa road to give way for the reconstruction of the 5.06-kilometre road project being redeveloped to a 10-lane highway.


The General Manager of the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (LSPPA), Mr. Fatai Onafowote, gave the number and value of contracts awarded under the 2017 fiscal regime at the annual procurement summit held at Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) yesterday.

The summit was attended by the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Adesoye; Commissioner for Finance and former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof. Ade Wahab, among others.

Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello, at the summit, warned that the state government “will not condone any act of misappropriation and misapplication of public funds.”

He, therefore, charged the procurement agency “to be steadfast and innovative in the application of the laws and regulations. This administration places high premium on accountability and will not condone any act of misappropriation and misapplication of the public funds.”

Also addressing the summit yesterday, the general manager listed the achievement of the procurement agency in the Ambode administration, noting that the agency achieved enviable milestone in 2017 with the N320 billion projects approved for execution.

He said some of the achievements “are the processing of over 1,000 requests for approvals of procurement processes valued at over N320 billion and leading to the issuance of approval instruments utilised by the agency.

“Another achievement is the organisation of a procurement planning clinic to ensure that annual procurement activities of MDAs are in line with the law and regulations as well as the issuance of registration and renewal instruments to over 1,900 contractors desirous of doing business with Lagos State,” the general manager said.

Onafowote said the agency would intensify its monitoring on all projects to ensure that no government project was abandoned or failed to be delivered at a record time, noting that the government had been able to bring about transparency and eliminate the perceived corruption inherent in the public procurement through demonstration of professionalism and adoption of global best practice in the procurement.

On the Oshodi-Airport road, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye, noted that the work upgrade “is a timely intervention by the state government as the highway ushers visitors into the country, and has been in a deplorable state for a while.”

He disclosed that the contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited, had started removing structures on the right of way, noting that Ambode “is running an all-inclusive government with a human face.

“We have dialogued with the stakeholders on the importance of the development to the area, Lagos State and Nigeria at large. We secured their buy-in as the stakeholders adopted the development wholeheartedly. Statutory notices have been served and all identified structures marked. Thereafter, public notices were placed in two national newspapers to inform residents about the project.”

On the payment of compensation, Ogunleye said the state government “is sincere about payment of compensation to all affected by the exercises carried out across the state. We have paid more than 90 percent in Mosafejo Oshodi, Abule Egba and Epe I.

“We are presently paying Epe II. As of those in Ijede, Isawo, Igbogbo-Bayeku, Agege Pen Cinema, Oyingbo and the airport road, we have started the compilation and very soon, payments would be made.”

He urged all affected property owners “to submit their planning documents such as certified registered title document of properties within the said right of way, approved building plan permit for the affected structures and any other relevant documents as proof of ownership to his office at the state secretariat in Alausa.”

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/01/lagos-processes-n320bn-contracts-in-2017.html