₦airaland Forum

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Abubakar Bwari, yesterday, assured miners and investors that the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State would not last long.

Bwari said this while speaking on the need for government to take the action in the interest of protecting lives and property in the state, expressed optimism that very soon the government would sanitise the mining industry for legitimate miners to do their business. He said: “It’s quite unfortunate that we had to stop mining in Zamfara, a state so well endowed, a state in which we are right now doing some exploration works and where we have even discovered some minerals such as barite, nickel, manganese, and others. While pursuing economic activities, the human angle must be considered. It happened that lives were being lost to the criminal activities there.” “And the intelligent reports of the security agents show that there is a nexus between mining activities and the armed banditry going on there. So they asked us to suspend mining there. But we believe it won’t last. Our message to investors or prospective investors is that this will not take a long time to be resolved as we are hopeful that the security agents will flush the criminals out of the place soon.” Meanwhile, according to the Minister, licensed miners doing legitimate mining had about two years ago suspended mining activities and left Zamfara State due to bandits and other criminal activities that posed serious threat to their lives and investments.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/ban-on-mining-activities-wont-last-long-minister/amp/

Atiku to Buhari’s campaign: Desist from fabrication, focus on defending electoral heist in court

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar dismisses as “total fabrication” the latest allegation instigated by the Buhari campaign that he spent $30,000 to hire a US lobby group to persuade the US Congress to stop the inauguration of President Buhari.

Reacting to what he calls “shameless lies”, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, said the latest dirty propaganda against the former Vice President “didn’t come as a surprise to us because lying has so far become their only bragging rights of competence.”

In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Ibe explained that “lying has become a culture to the APC administration and therefore, we are not surprised by their latest diversionary allegations.”

The statement added that “since Atiku resisted pressure not to go to court, the APC has been behaving like a cat on hot bricks because the outcome of the 2019 elections has exposed and shattered the facade of their dubious integrity.”

According to Ibe, “the APC are behaving nervously like a thief living under the fear of being exposed and shamed”, and that “they are now using fake news against Atiku instead of focusing on defending themselves in the court.”

“For a party that has broken the worst record in election rigging, the APC doesn’t have any iota of integrity to be taken seriously by anybody”, the statement added.

According to Ibe, “Atiku’s court case has become their biggest burden because it exposes their integrity as a sham, and instead of defending their stolen mandate in court, they are now using fake news to divert public attention from the historic electoral heist they have committed against Nigerians.”

The statement also said that no amount of diversionary propaganda and fake news campaign by APC will stop Atiku Abubakar from continuing the court action he started to reclaim the stolen mandate.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/atiku-to-buharis-campaign-desist-from.html

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has described the bench warrant against him by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as “a mere academic exercise”.

He also said the Federal Government could not incite the world against him.

In a statement obtained by our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State, the IPOB leader said, “The international and diplomatic community would surely ignore the bench warrant.

“I remain eternally grateful to my sureties for standing by me all through my travails, trials and tribulations.

“It smacks of judicial persecution for Justice Binta Nyako handling my case to claim that my sureties had withdrawn their surety.

“Justice Binta Nyako’s bench warrant against me makes the judiciary complicit in the persecution of innocent people and IPOB since mid 2015.

“Where a case is for hearing of motion, the trial judge must hear the motion and adjourn for any other process. On no account should they hear a motion and hear the merits of the matter, not to talk about delivering judgment. The judge may consider doing that in the very rare circumstance of consent by parties

“When a matter has been adjourned for a particular purpose, it is my view that the business of the court on the day the matter is adjourned is the purpose for which it was adjourned.

“It is expected that parties have come prepared for that purpose for which the matter was adjourned. If it is expedient to change the purpose, it cannot be done by the court suo motu (on its own) as the parties must agree.”

He said in March last year a continental human rights court restrained the FG from persecuting of members of IPOB, regretting that the government had yet to obey the order.

Kanu said, “The arrest, detention and murder of IPOB family members is illegal, unconstitutional and in breach of the written laws of Nigeria. The fact that judges and supposed legal practitioners allow this travesty to continue is indicative of the level of ignorance that pervades the Nigerian judiciary.”

Kanu, who is facing trial alongside other IPOB members over alleged treason, has not appeared in court months after he was granted bail.

Justice Nyako revoked the bail granted Kanu in 2017and issued an arrest warrant against him, citing his continued absence from court.

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/im-not-afraid-of-bench-warrant-its-mere.html

Twenty nine lawyers from the Nasarawa state Ministry of Justice are currently prosecuting 707 criminal cases across the state High Courts.

The cases which include murder, armed robbery, rape and are at various stages of trial were recorded as at October 2018.

The trials which spread across the state High Courts show that High Court (2), presided by Justice Aisha Mohammed has the highest number of criminal cases with 238 cases including that of rape.

High Court (1) Lafia, presided over by the state Chief Judge, Justice Umaru Dikko has (47) cases while High Court (1) Keffi records the lowest with 12 cases.

High Court (4) Lafia has 45 criminal trials, and High Court (5) Lafia has 68 cases. High Court (2) Keffi has 70, Akwanga High Court 97, and Nasarawa 37.

Also Mararaba High Court (1), (2) and (3) has 25, 27 and 16 criminal

cases respectively. High Court, Karu has 27 cases.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister

Abdulkarim Kana confirmed that the state presently has 29 lawyers and that the process of recruiting 20 additional lawyers has reached advanced stage.

Barrister Kana said Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura has granted approval for the recruitment of 20 additional lawyers in the ministry and that many more interventions has been carried out to ensure speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

“The recruitment of 20 additional lawyers is in the process and over 300, lawyers applied for the 20 vacant positions approved,” he said.

Barrister kana said some of the interventions include the construction of new High Court headquarters in Lafia, with five court halls and the refurbishing of the Keffi High Court in conjunction with the state judiciary.

He added that the state government has also built two new high court complexes in Mararaba area of Karu local government and the ministry is hosting a web site to upload all its activities.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nasarawa-prosecutes-707-criminal-cases.html

Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company Limited (MEMMCOL), one of the meter asset providers (MAPs) licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide meters for electricity consumers, has said the directive by NERC to rollout new meters from May 1 is unrealistic.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos, the chairman of MEMMCOL, Mr. Kola Balogun, said some of the modalities needed to be in place before that could work.


Last Friday, NERC had mandated MAPs to begin the rollout of new meters by May 1, a year after the commission introduced MAPs – third party investors, into the power sector to facilitate massive metering of electricity consumers in the country.

However, Balogun contended that some issues relating to the rollout had not been addressed, saying the NERC’s directive cannot work.

He said: “The directive cannot work; in the first instance, consumers needed to be educated about what is expected of them to have access to MAP licensee. Secondly, consumers have to be informed on the methods of acquiring meters, whether by payment or by investment.

“Lastly, every manufacturer (licensee) that wants to roll out meters needs a grace of three months to enable it has the meters available in their warehouses. The modality to start rolling out meters has to be put in place viz a viz all the various documentations that are required and the infrastructure that will make deployment run smoothly.”

Balogun noted that when the modality is put in place, the firms can begin rolling out of meters effectively by July, adding: “If we are licensed this month (April), three months are enough for us to prepare, that is April May and June, while in July we start implementation.

“Except for few numbers of us who have some stock at hand that can roll out, but the modality to roll out is also a question. Apart from NERC giving licenses, we still need processes to be put in place before meters will get to consumers because we need to train the meter installers; they need to be adequately trained on installation in consumers’ premises.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/meter-rollout-manufacturer-says-may-1.html

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) recorded a 4.01 per cent drop in the applications received in 2018.

The NBS, in its JAMB Applications and Admitted Candidates by State and Gender within Faculty Data (2017-2018) posted on its website, stated that applications received in 2018 were 1.65 million as against the 1.72 million received in 2017.

This, it said, represented about 4.01 per cent drop in comparison to the total applications received in 2017.

Similarly, candidates admitted in 2018 were 549,763 as against the 566,719 admitted candidates in 2017.

The report said the fall in total admitted candidates in 2018 was about 2.99 per cent, compared to the total admitted candidates in 2017.

A further breakdown of the data showed that 902,176 applications received in 2018 were from males while 750,951 applications received were from female applicants.

The bureau said 952,436 applications received in 2017 were from males while the remaining 769,833 applications received were from female applicants.

In 2018, the bureau also said 302,183 male candidates were admitted as against 315,678 male candidates admitted in 2017 while 247,580 female candidates were admitted in 2018 as against 251,041 female candidates admitted in 2017.

Data for the report was supplied administratively by JAMB while it was verified and validated by NBS.

According to NBS, data in the report is restricted to test-based admissions and does not cover admissions not determined by official tests and examinations conducted by JAMB.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/jamb-records-401-drop-in-applications.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to inaugurate Africa’s first mega bus terminal, Oshodi Transport Interchange before May 29, officials of the Lagos State Government have confirmed.

Besides, the president will equally unveil the 10-lane Oshodi-Murtala Mohammed International Airport road, another iconic transport infrastructure project the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode executed under two years.


The state’s cabinet-ranking officials disclosed the plan to inaugurate the two strategic transport projects purposely developed to serve at least one million commuters in the metropolis daily.

One of the state officials, who spoke with Akelicious in confidence, described the transport interchange, as the first of its kind in Africa, which he said, was similar to Victoria Terminus in London, the United Kingdom.
At the time Ambode formally sealed the contract to construct the transport exchange at the height of economic meltdown in 2016, the project was then awarded at a whopping cost of $70 million
Constructed purely by an indigenous construction firm, Planet Project Limited under the leaders of Mr. Biodun Otunola, the official said the transport interchange was a people-oriented project that would help at least one million residents commute easily daily.

He, specifically, compared the socio-economic value of the transport interchange with the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, which according to him, was designed to serve about 40,000 people daily.
While the airport would only serve the elite, the official noted that the transport interchange was conceived “to reduce travel time on Lagos roads; unlock gridlocks associated with the megacity and help people commute without stress.

“That informed Ambode’s decision to construct other bus terminals – Ikeja Bus Terminal, Berger Bus Terminal, Yaba Bus Terminal, Oyigbo Bus Terminal and Race Cross Bus Terminal – to make Lagos function like other megacities in the developed world.

“This is the kind of project the governments at different level should invest in. The project will serve larger population and not just the elite. Ambode’s burden to relieve commuters’ pains of gridlocks informed the conception of the project.”

A statement from Planet Project Corporate Communication Office explained the rationale behind the transport interchange, which it said, was informed the peculiarity of Oshodi, West Africa’s busiest transport interchange in West Africa, with over 13 parks and 5,600 buses loading per day.

It said Oshodi “has over 100,000 passengers and 1 million pedestrians daily, with 76 percent of its land area dedicated to transport and related activities. This leads to serious traffic congestion and other environmental issues.

“Our concept seeks to transform Oshodi into a world-class Central Business District (CBD) with business, travel and leisure activities conducted in a serene, secure, clean, orderly and hygienic environment, comparable with other transport terminals around the world including Stratford and Victoria Bus Station in the United Kingdom.”
The statement, therefore, said the transport interchange would consolidate all the 13 city and interstate bus parks into 3 multi-storey terminals, providing standard facilities including waiting area, loading bays, ticketing stands, drivers lounge, parking areas, rest rooms, accessible walkways and pedestrian sky-walks linking all the 3 terminals.

According to the statement, other components of the terminal include 20 lifts and escalators, two sky-walks connecting the terminals to each other, Architectural LED Lights, passenger concourse, public address systems, bus depot, passenger drop-off areas, taxi and car parks, passenger lounge for intercity commuters, loading bays, passenger information systems, etc.

It, also, explained the benefits of the transport interchange, which it said, ensure the reduction of the traffic congestion and chaos traditionally experienced at Oshodi with a reduction in the scattered and unruly transport activities, leading to a world-class excellent transport experience for commuters and an improvement in the standard of life of Lagos residents.

With the consolidation of all transport activities, the statement said a lot of the informal economic activities “will be brought into the tax-net of the State government and Oshodi would thus be rebranded as the new and iconic face of Lagos.

“With the ongoing pace of works, the project is billed to be completed this month, and operations commencing soon after. Commuters around Lagos can therefore look forward to having a comfortable, accessible and world-class transport system.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/buhari-to-unveil-70m-oshodi-transport.html

Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) and Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), have called on 8th National Assembly to pass the draft of the National Tobacco Control Regulation as a legacy that would regulate the production and supply of tobacco in the country.

The programme coordinator of NTCA, Oluseun Esan, led a rally to the NASS, yesterday, in Abuja, demanding the approval of regulations for National Tobacco Control Act.

According to Esan, the National Tobacco Control Act (NTCA) was a legacy left by the 7th National Assembly and signed into law in 2015, by former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

“So, we are calling on the 8th National Assembly to leave a legacy of assenting to the National Tobacco Control Regulations Act.
“The Act had been submitted to the National Assembly for them to do the needful,” he said.

On his part; the deputy executive director, Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Akinbode Oluwafemi, said, “We are aware that the current session of the National Assembly will end on June 6, thereby necessitating that the National Assembly needs to approve the draft regulations within weeks.”

He called on the leadership and members of the National Assembly to resist attempts by tobacco corporations and their allies to water down the provisions of the regulations and ensure its speedy passage.

He added that, Nigerians would count this as a legacy achievement of the current leadership and members of the National Assembly.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/8th-nass-should-pass-regulations-on.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has reassured Nigerians that ending banditry remains a key priority of his administration and he would do whatever it takes to ensure the country's security system confronts these public enemies with merciless determination.


Reacting to the recent increase in reported incidents of banditry and kidnappings in some parts of the country, President Buhari while condoling all those affected by the unfortunate events, described himself as one of the unhappiest leaders in the world.

In the words of the President.

"How can I be happy and indifferent to the senseless killings of my fellow citizens by bandits? I am human and I understand the pains of the victims and their families who have been traumatized and impoverished by constant ransom demands by bandits", the President said empathetically.

"The politicisation of tragedy reveals the darkest sides of our primitive politics. Almost every week, I summon my security chiefs to get an update on the strategies being devised to defeat these mass murderers..."

President Buhari called on communities where banditry is active to support and cooperate with the security agencies, particularly the recently launched Operation Puff Adderto battle bandits and kidnappers.

The President said it was regrettable that bandits have informants within some communities and utterly reprehensible that certain communities have signed protection deals with bandits at the expense of other communities, thereby creating complications and frustrating government's intervention.

He appealed to communities to report suspicious movements of the bandits into their areas within the shortest available opportunity, especially considering the fact that intelligence is critical to detecting, frustrating, neutralising and defeating the criminals.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/president-muhammadu-buhari-promises-to.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended appreciation to King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan for the continuous support Nigeria received from the country to fight terrorism, saying the investment in Nigeria’s peace and security will always be remembered.


President Buhari, who met with King Abdullah II on the sideline of the World Economic Forum on Middle East and North Africa holding in Dead Sea, Jordan, said the international support Nigeria got, particularly from Jordan, showed commitment to making the world a more harmonious and peaceful place where people can live and pursue their interests without fear.

He said the support and encouragement enabled the Nigerian military to degrade terrorism.


The President said both Nigeria and Jordan would need to strengthen trade relations by exploring areas of competitive advantage.

In his remarks, the King of Jordan said his country will continue to support Nigeria with hardware’s to ensure that the global war against terrorism is successfully prosecuted.

He said the long-term bilateral relations between both countries will be strengthened in trade and innovative ideas that will benefit citizens.

President Buhari also met with the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of Saudi Aramco, Khalid A. Al-Falih, assuring him that Nigeria remains committed to the terms of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), especially on the quota system.


The Saudi Arabian minister congratulated the President for winning re-election for a second term, assuring him that Saudi Arabia will continue to support Nigeria in its effort to maintain peace and ensure prosperity for its citizens.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nigeria-commends-jordan-for-support-in.html

The Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC, Adams Oshiomhole will be some of the big names to attend the party’s political summit in Anambra on May 1st.

While the Vice president will declare the summit open, Oshiomhole will deliver the keynote address, with the former Senate president, Ken Nnamani to deliver one of the lectures on the day.

This is part of the activities lined up by APC in the state, under the leadership of Chief Basil Ejidike among others, to re-position the party in Anambra state.

The party has equally concluded arrangements to set up a committee on how to bring back some of the elders of the party, who had backed out as a result of neglect.


Some of the elders of the party were, former Governor of the state, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Senator Ikechukwu Obiora, Chief Dr, Obinna Uzor among others.

Before now, the party had set up a committee to investigate the abysmal performance of APC in Anambra State during the last elections of which the report was being awaited.

Addressing reporters on Saturday at the Olde English Hotels in Awka, the Acting Chairman of the party in the State, Chief Basil Ejidike, flanked by all the executive members, said ‘enough is enough’

He said the next target of APC was to win the Governorship election of Anambra State come 2022, adding that the party still had a lot of grounds to cover in the state.

Other activities lined up by the party apart from the three day summit included, the tour of all the 21 local government areas in the state, visit to all the federal government projects in Anambra,verification of the party’s register among others.

Ejidike, who admitted that the party had not reached it’s height in Anambra State, however, gave kudos to the members to giving their best, adding that the aim of the current moves was to take APC to where it belonged.

He said another important thing starring the party in the face was putting up a committee to harmonise all the warring factions in the state, which would give the party the opportunity to take over the state completely.

According to him, “our aim is to take over power in Anambra as soon as possible and our target is the next governorship election and we are saying enough is enough “Ejidike said

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/osinbajo-oshiomhole-others-for-apc.html

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has advised Nigerians to stop buying drugs from hawkers and unauthorised outlets.

Mrs Chinelo Ejeh, NAFDAC’s South South Zonal Coordinator, gave the advice while hosting some secondary school students from the Bridge School in Worji, Port Harcourt.

Ejeh, who lectured the visiting students on the agency’s mandate, regulatory duties and how to identify NAFDAC number on products, also reminded them that hawking of drugs was prohibited.

She also taught the students how to use the Mobile Authentication System (MAS) inscribed with silver panel on anti-malaria drugs and antibiotics to identify fake or genuine drugs.

“They were also told the processes involved in clinical trials before drugs are fit for human consumption and registered,’’ a statement by Mr Cyril Monye, the Public Relations Officer for the South-South Zone said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nafdac-warns-against-buying-drugs-from.html

he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday said that 5.32 billion litres of petrol were imported into the country in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The NBS disclosed this in its Petroleum Products Imports and Consumption (Truck Out) Statistics for fourth quarter 2018 posted on its website.

It also reported that 1.3 billion litres of diesel, 114.19 million litres of kerosene and 267.80 million litres of aviation fuel were imported during the period.


In addition, the report indicated that 50.73 million litres of base oil, 42.38 million litres of bitumen and 10.63 million litres of Low Pour Fuel Oil were imported.

The NBS said that 331.78 million litres of domestic gas were imported into the country in the quarter under review.

The bureau said that state-wide distribution or truck-out volume for fourth quarter showed that 5.17 billion litres of petrol were distributed nationwide.

It said that 1.16 billion litres of diesel, 81.12 million litres of household kerosene, 256.73 million litres of aviation fuel and 137.53 million litres of domestic gas were distributed nationwide during the period under review.

The data for the report were provided by the Petroleum Products and Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and verified as well as validated by the NBS.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nbs-nigeria-imported-532bn-litres-of.html

As part of his ongoing consultations with stakeholders in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over his interest in the Senate presidency, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has met with four APC governors in Abuja, THISDAY has learnt.

This is coming as two other ranking APC senators- Mohammed Goje and Ali Ndume, who are also eyeing the position of Senate president have commenced discussion on the possibility of working together.


It was gathered that Lawan’s meeting with the governors was held on Tuesday night at the instance of the Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, who is a senator-elect.

The meeting, it was learnt, was aimed at drumming support for Lawan’s ambition at the level of the Progressive Governors’ Forum.

Investigation revealed that the consultative meeting, which took place at a guest house in Aso Drive had in attendance the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, who is also a senator-elect; Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and his Adamawa State counterpart, Mohammed Bindow.


THISDAY learnt that Geidam, who is governor of Lawan’s home state, Yobe, was said to have called the meeting to solicit necessary support for the actualisation of Lawan’s ambition to lead the 9th Senate.

A source privy to the meeting told THISDAY that Lawan used the forum to solicit the backing of APC governors and by extension the senators-elect in the 22 states controlled by the ruling party for his ambition ahead of the inauguration of the Senate in June.

The source who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the governors had fruitful discussions with Lawan and assured him of their support since he is the choice of the party leadership.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/04/05/struggle-for-senate-presidency-intensifies-lawan-meets-apc-govs/%3famp

A federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday heard how billions of naira loans taken by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others from the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, led to the prosecution of the bank’s former Managing Director, Dr. Erastus Akingbola.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are trying Akingbola in an amended 22 counts charge.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, the prosecution witness, Mr. Abdulraham Jimoh, while being cross examined by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), admitted that a company linked to the Senate President, Dicetrade Nigeria Limited, was indebted to Intercontinental Bank Plc, in the sum of N1. 89 billion.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/how-saraki-others-loans-led-to.html

The pro-chancellor and chairman, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Governing Council, Bolanle Babalakin, has advised medical graduates of the institution to consider an escape from the country in search of greener pastures as a second option.

He gave the charge at the day-two of the university’s weeklong 50th convocation ceremonies, saying it would be an avoidable temptation.

Babalakin, who congratulated the 3,643 graduates from eight faculties, urged them to study carefully the profiles of outstanding graduates of the university, who, despite their unrivalled professional excellence, returned to Nigeria and the university to render selfless services in love of their fatherland.


He added, “Studying medicine at the University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, is particularly difficult and many of you have gone through the rigours of the various routes and are now graduates today.

“It is tempting to see your qualifications as a stepping stone to escape out of Nigeria.

“It is tempting to see this as an escape route from the country, let escape from Nigeria be a second choice. Join in the crusade to reposition the Nigerian medical practice and profession.


“Let your qualification be an opportunity to reposition the College Of Medicine. Your choice is to make Nigeria attractive again,” he added.

The chancellor commended graduates from the institution’s Distance Learning Institute (DLI) for their doggedness studying and combining the same with work.

Babalakin tasked the 1,324 graduates from the part-time institute not to consider their certificates as a ticket but an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the development of the society.

Earlier, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, the vice chancellor, in his welcome address, gave a breakdown of the graduates as 137 in Basic Medical Sciences, 294 Clinical Sciences, Dental Sciences 56, Engineering 510, and Law 272 graduates.

Others according to the VC are Management Sciences 954, Pharmacy 96 and Distance Learning Institute (DLI) 1324.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/babalakin-advises-unilag-medical.html

Chairman, National Cardiothoracic Centre of Excellence, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, Professor Basden Onwubere, has revealed that the centre successfully carried out about 230 open-heart surgeries since March 2013.

Onwubere, a former Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), disclosed that over half of the figure were children.

He disclosed this while responding to questions from reporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu yesterday on activities of the centre.


He, however, stated that although UNTH started open-heart surgery in February 1974 and suspended in 2007 due to movement to its new site at Ituku Ozalla, the number carried out in the last six years outweighs surgeries carried out in 33 years from 1974 to 2007.

He attributed the progress to support of UNTH’s Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Chris Amah, who not only supported the project financially, but also engaged some international partners and philanthropists who helped to smoothen the process of surgery.

Speaking, Amah, noted that he has no regrets investing on the open-heart project.

He stressed that his greatest joy was that the lives of some persons who could not have afforded the cost of surgery anywhere, were saved after successful open-heart operations at the hospital, adding that open-heart surgery at the UNTH has become a routine.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/unth-records-230-successful-open-heart.html

Oando Plc delivered good results and created value for its shareholders in its financial results for the full year ended, December 31, 2018, that was released yesterday.

The results showed that despite a challenging local environment, the oil and gas company was able to maintain a trend by posting positive results for the third consecutive year with the announcement of a N28.8 billion profit after tax (PAT), which was 46 per cent increase from the N19.8 billion the company recorded in 2017.
As at full year 2018, Oando’s turnover increased by 37 per cent to N679.5 billion, compared with the N497.4 billion it realised the previous year, driven primarily by higher oil prices which resulted in higher oil revenue and higher gas prices. This led to higher gas revenues.


In addition, its gross profit grew by nine per cent to N96.3 billion in the year under review, from N88.1 billion in 2017.
Also, the total group borrowings decreased by 11 per cent to N210.9 billion, from N237.4 billion in 2017, while long term borrowings decreased by 23 per cent to N76.8 billion compared to N99.6 billion in the same period of 2017.

Worthy of note was the fact that, since its acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria in 2014, Oando has embarked on a proactive drive to significantly reduce its debt and liabilities. From a N473.3 billion corporate facility in 2014 to N210.9 billion at the end of 2018, represented a 55 per cent decrease and in its upstream business, the company has reduced its debt by 70 per cent, from $801.6 million in 2014 to $260 million as at FYE 2018.

Speaking on the significant reduction in borrowings, the Group Chief Executive of Oando, Mr. Wale Tinubu, was quoted in a statement to have said: “Our asset base is delivering strong free cash flows as evidenced by a 70 per cent reduction in our Upstream Borrowings since the closure of our landmark acquisition of ConocoPhillips’s Nigerian assets in 2014.”

The statement added: “The company’s full year 2018 results are further evidence that the management team is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet, profitability, value creation and a business that is indeed here for good.
“The company’s third year of strong financial performance is evidence that the company is back to business as usual, thus rebuilding stakeholder confidence in the brand as a viable business to invest in.”

Commenting on the results, Alhaji Kabiru Tambari, an Oando shareholder from Sokoto Zone of the Shareholders Association, commended the management of Oando for leading the company to yet another profit, saying: “We can see light at the end of the tunnel. My faith in the management of the company grows from strength to strength with each financial result. I’m hopeful that soon, in the very near future we the shareholders can finally reap the fruits of our labour.”
Speaking further, Tinubu said: “We remain confident in our ability to deliver significant value to shareholders in the years ahead as well as resuming our dividend payments.

“Our 2018 results demonstrate the solid foundation we have built across volatile commodity price cycles, and our ability to deliver profitability despite a challenging local operating environment. Over the last few years, we have developed a reliable platform for future growth through the execution of a corporate strategy designed to streamline our operations, reduce our debt and optimise our asset portfolio.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/oandos-profit-rises-by-46-to-n29bn-in.html

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has urged members of the 9th National Assembly to work together.


Saraki, who is an outgoing Senate President said the incoming lawmakers must work together in the interest of Nigerians.

The Senate President made the appeal during the ongoing orientation programme for members-elect of the 9th National Assembly and was contained in a video posted on his verified Twitter handle, on Monday.


He also appealed to the incoming lawmakers to continue to protect the image of the National Assembly.

According to Saraki: “In order to meet the aspirations of the Nigerian people, both chambers of @NASSNigeria must work closely together.

“It is important that there is cooperation irrespective of party position and affiliation. You have been elected by different parties but once you get to the National Assembly, your constituency is Nigeria,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/9th-assembly-what-saraki-told-lawmakers.html




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6mkOE3-GHI



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B436lJFe4mY

The high rate of unemployment among the youth population, especially graduates has compelled the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to seek partnership with the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).

The partnership, though at the rudimentary stage is expected to explore how young graduates can leverage workplace experiences as it applies to the world of work.

Recall that several stakeholders, including potential employers, have had cause to complain that many Nigerian graduates are unemployable, as most of them lack relevant skills to take up challenges in the corporate world.


Managing Director of the Fund, Adebayo Somefun, who is mulling the idea, explained that such collaborations would empower fresh graduates upon completion of their one-year mandatory youth service.

The NSITF boss stated this recently in Abuja when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of NYSC, Major General Suleiman Kazaure.


Somefun, while stating the importance of inter-agency alliance, revealed that NSITF engages at least 100 Youth Corps members every year, adding that accepting so many youths during their service year demonstrates his understanding of the central role the scheme plays in national development.

Somefun, who was a deputy director at the NYSC corporate headquarters, before his appointment as the Managing Director of NSITF, said his sojourn in the Corps for the most part of his working life indeed prepared him for his present position.

He said: “I started my carrier here at the NYSC. So, I learnt a lot through my sojourn here where I rose to the position of deputy director. Working in NYSC for that long indeed prepared me for the challenges of today. NYSC as an institution prepares its staffers for a real-life experience that can be adapted into any circumstances especially in the world of work. The NYSC organogram and work ethic that is uniquely imbued in me a very unique approach, which is what drives approach in this new assignment. For me, it is a homecoming of some sort.”

He added that he learnt the value of commitment to staff welfare and human capital development from his time at NYSC, stressing that as MD of NSITF, he has ensured that welfare of staff is prominent on his agenda, as well as ensuring that the workforce as well as trained in order to implement the Employees’ Compensation Scheme to the satisfaction of Nigerian working class and employers.

He congratulated the NYSC Director-General on his recent promotion to the rank of a Major General in the Nigerian Army, stressing that it was a demonstration of his hard work and quality leadership.

Earlier, while welcoming the NSITF MD and his team to the NYSC headquarters, Major General Kazaure had described Barrister Somefun as a hardworking and resilient member of the NYSC family who had taken his leadership expertise to another sector of government business.


Kazaure assured that the Corps was ready to collaborate with NSITF on youth empowerment initiatives that would be beneficial to young people.

He also lauded the Fund for creating space for youth corps members to serve in the organisation while urging the government and private organisations to open their doors to corps member not only to serve their fatherland but also prioritise their welfare during the service year.

He charged the NSITF Chief to always place staff welfare on a very high pedestal in his scheme of operations emphasising the need to make a positive impact for posterity to uphold.

Kazaure further expressed his confidence that the two friendly agencies will continue working closely on issues of common concerns under the framework of public service.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/unemployment-rate-nsitf-nysc-to-train.html

A report by Steve Hanke, an economist from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, United States, has listed Nigeria, Venezuela, Iran, Brazil and others among the first 10 miserable countries in the world with Nigeria assuming the sixth position.


According to the report, Venezuela was listed as the most miserable country in the world, saying: “Venezuela holds the inglorious title of the most miserable country in the world in 2018, as it did in 2017, 2016, and 2015.”

Reacting to the recent report, the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday described Steve Hanke’s report as a vindication of its position all this while, adding that the country has sunk into a new low since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed power in 2015.

Iran took third in the ranking while Brazil made it to the fourth position. Turkey took fifth position as the giant of Africa, Nigeria, emerged sixth.

The Misery Index was calculated using economic indices, including unemployment, inflation and bank lending rates.

For Nigeria, unemployment rate was the major contributing factor to its miserable state.

The report added: “The first Misery Index was constructed by an economist, Art Okun, in the 1960s as a way to provide President Lyndon Johnson of US with an easily digestible snapshot of the economy. That original Misery Index was just a simple sum of a nation’s annual inflation rate and its unemployment rate.

‘’The index has been modified several times, first by Robert Barro of Harvard University and then by myself. My modified Misery Index is the sum of the unemployment, inflation and bank lending rates, minus the percentage change in real GDP per capita.

“Higher readings on the first three elements are bad and make people more miserable. These are offset by a good (GDP per capita growth), which is subtracted from the sum of the ‘bads’. A higher Misery Index score reflects a higher level of misery, and it’s a simple enough metric that a busy president, without time for extensive economic briefings, can understand at a glance.

“The accompanying table contains Misery Index rankings for the 95 nations that report relevant data on a timely basis. For consistency and comparability, and with few exceptions, data were retrieved from the Economist Intelligence Unit.”

Reacting to the report in a statement by PDP’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party tasked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to perish the thought of the planned increment in Value Added Tax (VAT), saying such would only make life more difficult for the ‘already traumatised Nigerians’.

“That report is a vindication of the position of the PDP all these while. The economy has virtually collapsed under President Buhari, and the man is even mooting the idea of piling more pressure on Nigerians.

“Nigerians have never suffered like they are suffering today because those charged with the responsibility of managing the economy have failed completely. They have no idea of what it takes to manage an economy like ours.

“As an opposition party, we call on the presidency to take urgent steps to fine-tune the economy, create jobs for our teeming youths if only to justify that a government is in place.

“In the interim, we advise them to stop their plan to increase VAT as that would only fetch millions of Nigerians additional pain and discomfort,” PDP added.

While noting that democracy is essentially about the people, Ologbindiyan added that rather than improving on the living conditions of Nigerians, the APC-led administration of President Buhari appears to be deriving pleasure from inflicting pains and misery on the people.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/nigeria-ranks-sixth-most-miserable.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he observes Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa, and not the National Mosque in Abuja.

He said he deliberately decided to be worshipping inside the villa to prevent the constraints and inconveniences presidential movements may cause to the people.

The President was responding to a request by a delegation of Imams and Senior Islamic Scholars from all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory led by Prof. Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, the Murshid, National Mosque.


‘‘Regarding your request for me to be attending Juma’at prayers in the National Mosque, I implore you to note that I personally started observing Juma’at prayers in the State House in order to reduce hardships which people may pass through.

‘‘As you all know, Presidential movements require roadblocks and other attendant restrictions which could subject worshippers and other people to a lot of difficulties,’’ the President told the Islamic scholars who were at State House to congratulate him on his overwhelming victory at the February 23 presidential election.


Buhari welcomed the counsel of the Islamic scholars on the teachings of the Prophet about the obligations of leaders towards their subjects, and vice-versa.

The President thanked them for their prayers and support for his administration, assuring that the administration will leave no stone unturned in addressing the security challenges facing the country.

Congratulating the President on his re-election, Prof Galadanci noted that the victory demonstrates the desire of the majority of Nigerians to ensure the continuity of the administration to the next level.

He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the President the ability to continue with the ‘‘excellent work’’ he is doing for the country.

Highlighting noteworthy achievements of the Buhari administration in the area of security, agriculture and the fight against corruption, the leader of the group urged the President to remain focused while praying Allah to continue to give him the power to ‘‘annihilate and wipe off’’ pockets of terrorists in the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/why-i-avoid-worshipping-in-national.html

Jibrilla Bindow, Governor of Adamawa State, has conceded defeat and congratulated Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, winner of the 2019 governorship election in the state.

In a state broadcast, a text of which was made available to SaharaReporters, Bindow congratulated Fintiri and wished him a successful term of office.

"In view of the outcome and declaration of the results by INEC, I wish to congratulate the Governor-Elect Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri over his election as the incoming Governor of Adamawa State and wish him successful tenure,” he said.

Bindow expressed committment to democratic norms that would help strengthened democratic practice in the state and country as a whole.

"As a democrat, I cherish democratic norms and values, as it is practised in the civilised world,” he said.

Meanwhile Fintiri has called on fellow contestants to offer their services to his administration in order to move the state forward.

At a press conference to mark his victory, he assured the people of Adamawa that he would respect their mandate and be accountable to them at all times.

Bindow's congratulatory broadcast has put paid to speculations about challenging Fintiri's victory at the tribunal.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/no-election-petition-in-adamawa-as.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja assured Christian leaders in the country of his commitment to leave Nigeria better than he met it in 2015.

He spoke while receiving the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President affirmed that his administration will continue to address important national challenges including security, economy and corruption.

While CAN leadership was at State House to congratulate President Buhari on his re-election, the President told them the outcome of the just concluded polls underscored the trust Nigerians have in the present leadership in the country.


‘‘We will continue to strive for peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs.

‘‘In the area of allocation of political offices, our focus will be on merit and national spread such that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging.

‘‘We remain resolute in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and efforts to bring back all those in captivity and other victims of kidnappings will be intensified,’’ the President said.

Commending the important roles religious bodies have played in the last four years of the administration, President Buhari pledged to continue supporting several programmes anchored by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), geared towards peace, tolerance, unity and harmony in our country.

In his congratulatory message, the CAN president prayed God to grant President Buhari ‘‘everything it takes to perform hundred times better than’’ his first term, stressing that the organisation had the success of this administration at heart.

Rev Ayokunle welcomed the President’s pledge to run an inclusive government in a speech shortly after his re-election, noting that the gesture would give all in the country a sense of belonging.

The leadership of the Christian body in Nigeria also called for ethnic and religious balance in the selection of leadership of the ninth National Assembly.

While appealing to the President to task security agencies to be more proactive in their duties, the CAN leader made a passionate request for deliberate and relentless efforts to free Leah Sharibu, other Chibok girls and Nigerians in captivity of insurgents.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ill-leave-nigeria-better-than-i-met-it.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the collation of result of the Adamawa governorship supplementary election will begin by 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, the News Agency of Nigeriareports.

Mr. Kasim Gaidam, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, confirmed the development to NAN in Yola.

Gaidam explained that the exercise would begin at the Adamawa Governorship Election collation centre at INEC state headquarters in Yola.


Gaidam said that reports reaching him showed the election was concluded peacefully and successfully in the 44 polling units in 14 Local Government Areas of the state.

“We thank Almighty God that the supplementary election was conducted successfully and the collation of the result will commence by 8:00 p.m. today.

“The election results from the affected 14 LGAs and 44 polling units are on the way to the collation centre, ” gaidam said.

The Commissioner thanked the relevant stakeholders for making the election successful and peaceful.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/adamawa-supplementary-election-result.html

Photos: Mom Accuses Abuja School Of Murdering Her Baby And Trying To Cover It Up

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/photos-mom-accuses-abuja-school-of.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented certificate of return to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and withheld certificates of returns of four Assembly constituencies due to pending court cases.

Out of the 29 constituencies in the Assembly, four constituencies were not issued certificate of return due to pending cases in court.

The four constituencies denied certificate of return are: Ethiope East (APC); Ughelli North I (APC); Ughelli North II (APC); and Ukwuani Constituency (PDP).

At the presentation ceremony in Asaba, the National Commissioner of INEC in charge of South-South, Dr Mohammed Lecky, urged politicians to place the nation above self even in time of victory.

“This is the only way the dividends of democracy for which many have paid the supreme price can truly be within the reach of voters, majority of who went through enormous troubles to exercise their franchise,’’ he said.

Lecky while congratulating the governor-elect and the state Assembly members, said, “Section 75(10) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended provides for the issuance of certificate of return to elected candidates by the chairman of INEC’’.

In his address, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Cyril Omorogbe, commended security agencies who worked tirelessly to tackle threat to peace and security in the course of the election.

Omorogbe, however, regretted the loss of lives and destruction of property that accompanied the exercise in some voting centres in the state.

According to him, we share in the grief of families and friends of the deceased and those who lost property.

Responding, Okowa thanked God for making his victory possible.

He commended INEC for conducting an election in the state that was adjudged very peaceful.

Okowa also commended INEC for being firm in the discharge of its duties and noted that there was also room for growth and improvement of the nation’s democracy.

According to him, our democracy can only grow when we as notable politicians are ready to partner with INEC and learn to put the interest of the country first.

“The interest of this country is that we must conduct election in such a way and manner that the global world will be able to also see Nigeria as a growing democracy.

“To that extent we will attract more investors into this country to invest and that will help to create jobs for our people,’’ he said.

The governor while commending the people of the state, gave an assurance that “in the next four years, we are going to do much more than we did in the last four years’’.

Okowa, therefore, called for full participation of the people of the state in good governance and in ensuring that the dividends of democracy were delivered to the people.

According to him, we realised that we cannot do the job alone and we need the collaboration of all Deltans to enable us to achieve that which we want to achieve.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/inec-presents-certificate-of-return-to_27.html

Bickering within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over who becomes president of the Ninth Senate came to the fore yesterday with former Senate Majority Leader Muhammed Ali Ndume criticising the endorsement of Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan by President Muhammadu Buhari and the party’s leadership.

Ndume described the validation as unconstitutional and undemocratic, saying the decision was taken without consultation with APC senators-elect.

The APC spoke through National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole on its choice in Abuja on Monday. It told its 65 senators-elect during a dinner at the Presidential Villa that Lawan (Yobe North) had its nod for Senate president and Femi Gbajabiamila for Speaker of the House of Representatives.


But faulting the party’s position at a media briefing in Abuja, Ndume said the endorsements were contrary to the provisions of Section 50(1A) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The section states: “There shall be a president and deputy president of the Senate who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.”

According to Ndume, neither Oshiomhole nor Buhari or any party leader has the right to force presiding officers on lawmakers.

He said: “What took place at the presidential dinner in Aso Rock on Monday night where Oshiomhole as party chairman, announced Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as President of the 9th Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively was very shocking to me and many of my colleagues.

“Oshiomhole, in making the announcement or endorsement, did not even allow me or Senators Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) and Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), widely known to be in the race for the position, to say anything.

“More disturbing was the fact that even Senator Ahmed Lawan, endorsed for the position, was not allowed to make any comment in the form of an acceptance speech or to solicit support from other interested senators.”

He said: “For the sake of cohesion and stability among party members as regards aspirations for such positions, what was expected from the party leadership, was to just zone the positions and allow contenders within each of the zones to sort things out either through consensus or shadow election.”


Ndume expressed doubt whether “Buhari was in the know of what Oshiomhole did.” According to him, “We all left the place in shock and disbelief. But my commitment and loyalty to the party remains.”

Recall that before the inauguration of the Eighth Senate on June 9, 2015, the APC leadership endorsed Lawan and Gbajabiamila for the positions of President and Speaker. Both men however lost out amid deft political moves by other party members.

While the ruling APC deals with squabbles on who clinches the legislative offices, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) raised tension a notch higher yesterday by announcing it would field candidates for the two seats.

A statement by National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan declared: “The PDP does not only have a constitutional say in the process of the emergence of the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly, it will also, as a matter of constitutional right, field candidates into presiding offices of both chambers, if need be.”

Faulting remarks by Oshiomhole that APC would not share any position with the opposition, the PDP noted that the principal offices of the federal legislature “are not the exclusive preserve of any political party but a constitutional right of every elected lawmaker in both chambers.”

It cautioned Buhari, Oshiomhole and the APC “to respect the independence of the legislature, end their imposition plot and sowing of the seeds of discord among lawmakers, as such is directly against our overall national interest.”

The PDP caucus in the Senate also warned the APC to stop dropping the name of incumbent Senate President Bukola Saraki in plots to get the chamber’s positions.

A statement by Senate Minority Leader Biodun Olujimi and Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Dino Melaye, said: “We have noted with regret and surprise how some senators who are interested in becoming the next Senate president and those seeking to occupy various leadership positions in the next Senate have been busy dragging the name of the Senate President Bukola Saraki into schemes for fulfilling their ambitions. We believe those involved in this dirty game are only afraid of the shadow of the Senate President.”


The APC’s bid to endorse a candidate for Senate President is not unconnected with perceptions within the party that Saraki has been a thorn in the flesh of the Buhari presidency.

The caucus warned: “Such surreptitious attempts to drag Saraki into the issue that does not concern him would not augur well for the smooth takeoff of the next Senate and could only create suspicion and ill-will among the incumbent senators and the incoming ones.”

It added: “Such people should know that Dr. Saraki is not interested in their plots, schemes and manipulation. His concern now is to continue to provide leadership to the Eighth Senate and ensure that the Senate achieves as much as possible in the remaining two months of its tenure.”

In the House of Representatives, Chairman House Committee on Media and Publicity Abdulrazak Namdas yesterday threw his hat into the race for the position of speaker. Two of his colleagues, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and Chika Okafor, are also vying for the seat.

A pro-democracy and non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), meanwhile has cautioned Buhari and the APC leadership against undermining the principle of separation of powers.

It claimed it has “a corpus of high net intelligence from elected legislators” showing there is “a pre-determined plot by President Buhari to ensure the inauguration of a fully choreographed and rubber-stamp legislature that would be led by mostly individuals with past misdeeds, which might be used as instruments of blackmail by heads of security forces and the anti-graft institutions to keep them in perpetual chain of control by the presidency.”

The organisation therefore called on legislators to resist the temptation of mortgaging and commercialising the constitutional right to elect their leaders.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and National Media Affairs Director, Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said the immediate consequence of having a rubber-stamp and non-vibrant legislative arm of government is that dictatorship and tyranny would become full-blown, even as other fundamental freedoms enshrined in the constitution would be imperilled.

HURIWA noted that time was running out to stop the alleged plot to enslave Nigerians.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/cracks-emerge-in-apcs-senate-presidency.html

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the streamlining of Nigerian Police operations at all the ports for speedy cargo clearance and improved efficiency.
The order followed Adamu’s meeting with the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Malam Hassan Bello, at the Police Headquarters in Abuja.
Adamu said: “Towards this end, directives aimed at streamlining police operations in and around Ports Terminals have been given to the Maritime Police Command and other formations.
“The directives reinforce the mandate of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Maritime) and the commissioners of police in-charge of the responsibility for police operations at all ports across the country.
“No other Police Formations, Commands, Units or Teams by any designation are authorized to undertake any operation or investigation in and around any Nigerian Ports Terminals.
“Any operations must be with the knowledge, written authorisation and active involvement of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Maritime) or the commissioners of Police in-charge of the Western and Eastern Ports Authority as the case may be.”
The acting I-G also pointed out that the stoppage of containers to clearing agents by different units in the police has also been harmonised.
He stated that such orders would henceforth be routed through the office of the AIG (Maritime) to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for execution.
He said: “The implication of this order is that the Maritime Police Command is to work in conjunction with the Shippers’ Council to ensure the actualisation of the IGP’s order.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ig-orders-speedy-cargo-clearance-at.html

2019 general election has produced 27 governors-elect.


However, Rivers, Adamawa and Bauchi States are still undecided.

INEC, however, concluded election in Plateau, Benue, Sokoto and Kano on Saturday.
Akelicious has compiled list of governors elected so far from the March 9 and March 23 governorship election.


Below is a list of the governors-elect:

1. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – (PDP) Enugu State.

2. David Umahi – (PDP) Ebonyi State


3. Inuwa Yahaya (APC) Gombe State

4. Okezie Ikpeazu (PDP) Abia State

5. Abubakar Bello (APC) Niger State


6. Seyi Makinde (PDP) Oyo State

7. Emmanuel Udom (PDP) Akwa Ibom State

8. Prof. Ben Ayade (PDP) Cross River


9. MaiMala Buni (APC) Yobe State

10. Babanide Sanwo-Olu (APC) Lagos State

11. Dapo Abiodun (APC) Ogun


12. Ifeanyi Okowa (PDP) Delta.

13. Babagana Zulum (APC) Borno

14. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (APC) Kaduna)


15. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (PDP) Imo

16. Mohammed Badaru (APC) Jigawa

17. Aminu Masari (APC) Katsina

18. Atiku Bagudu (APC) Kebbi

19. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (APC) Kwara

20. Abdullahi Sule (APC) Nasarawa

21. Abubakar Bello (APC) Niger State.

22. Muktar Idris (APC) Zamfara

23. Darius Ishaku (PDP) Taraba
24. Samuel Ortom (PDP) Benue

25: Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (APC) Kano
26: Aminu Tambuwal (PDP) Sokoto

27. Simon Lalong (APC) Plateau

States that were not affected by the 2019 governorship election include:

28. Ekiti (APC) John Fayemi

29. Bayelsa (PDP) Seriake Dickson

30. Kogi (APC) Yahaya Bello

31. Osun (sitting governor, Gboyega Oyetola and PDP’s Ademola Adeleke are still in court)
32: Ondo (APC) Rotimi Akeredolu

33. Edo (APC) Godwin Obaseki

34. Adamawa (undecided)

35. Rivers (undecided)

36. Bauchi (undecided)

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigeria-election-newly-elected.html

Jubrin Abdulmumin, a member of the House of Representatives from Kano State, has expressed fears that high level lobbying already going on among elected senators and House of Representatives members over leadership positions in the 9th legislature may result in similar circumstances that saw Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara clinching the positions in the 8th NASS.


According to the former chairman of Appropriations Committee, who was once suspended by the House, what lawmakers should be looking out for ahead of the inauguration of the ninth Assembly should be leaders who are ready to commit to electronic system or reforms in the National Assembly, such that when lawmakers are voting on any bill, the constituencies where they come from will be visible.

The member who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at the weekend to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election, made these observations before the number one citizen.


He said any member aspiring to occupy leadership position in NASS, should be ready to commit to opening up attendance of members, publish it, so that our constituents will be able to see whether their members or senators attend sittings or not.

According to Abdulmumin, who became famous following “budget padding” in the 8th Assembly, a prospective Senate President or Speaker should be ready to commit to town hall meetings that are attended by members, including a desire to run a functional constituency office that funds are always provided for.

Asked what was his mission to the State House and he had this to say, “Of course, I met with Mr. President, first to greet him as usual, for all he has done and to also congratulate him and offer few advice.

“Because we all know the political issues now as matters related to the election of the leadership of the National Assembly”.

When State House correspondents asked him if he was nursing any fears over the underground lobbying, he said, “Well the position of our party and our leaders has always been that all elected members and of course, senators should exercise patience, work is going on, consultations are being carried out and I believe that no elected senator or members of APC would allow himself to be used by the opposition like in the case of 2015.

“In the case of 2015, there wasn’t consequences, but I am pretty sure that this time around, if anybody allowed himself to be used by the opposition party, there will certainly be consequences.


“That is what is expected. But as you are also aware, they are mature people, they are elected members, there are need for engagement, need for a lot of lobbying – that is what is obtainable all over the world. And we have in the person of the president, our father, who is reaching out to everybody and of course the party chairman and other leaders working day and night consulting members and lobbying where they should so that at the end of the day we can have a very smooth leadership election.

“But of course, that is not to say that there is no some kind of elements of desperation as you can see, a lot of people coming out to indicate interest. Personally, I have complained about that and the way and manner they are going about it, it’s a bit unhealthy for the party, because at the end of the day only one person will emerge Senate President and only one person will become the Speaker and other principal officers.

“So we need to start imbibing the culture of putting the country first or the party first before ourselves. Personally, I have demonstrated that because I have indicated that I am not interested in gunning for the office of the speaker, deputy speaker or any principal officer because of how chucked up the whole system is as regard the number of people that are contesting.

“Just to open up space, and allow some of us to sit down and organise and ensure that the government and of course the party, eventually have the kind of parliament or the kind of leadership of the National Assembly that they can work with harmoniously.

“One of the very important issues that we tend to forget is that completely the narrative has changed. All of us tend to be focused on who you want, who want to contest, who wants powers, who wants to grab office A or office B.

“We have completely forgotten that what is equally important is for us to start asking the question, what commitment is the person who will emerge or we are ready to support, ready to commit to the basic issues.”

I’ll Respect APC’s Position On Zoning— Lawan

Meanwhile, Senator Ahmad Lawan, one of the frontline aspirants for the position of Senate President in the incoming National Assembly, said on Sunday that he was ready to subject his aspiration to the decision of the party on zoning.

According to him, as a politician, he believes in the supremacy of the party and, as such, would withdraw from the race the moment the party zoned the position to another geo-political zone different from his.

Declaring his interest in the office of Senate President at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos on Sunday, Senator Lawan said his determination was to preside over a Senate that worked for Nigeria and Nigerians irrespective of political or other sectional considerations.

“I will respect the party supremacy and I will respect the wishes of my party if it decides to zone the Senate President to another zone that is not my own,” he said.

He also said his aspiration had received the support of a majority of his colleagues in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties.

Lawan, the Senate Leader in the eighth National Assembly, said his desire to become the number three citizen was about working for the interest of all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, or political affiliations.

He said: “Senator Ifeanyi Ubah is here. He is from YPP stock. We have been talking to everyone, even PDP senators-elect. We have a secretariat and we visit people in their homes whose names I can’t mention here.

“But we have so many PDP senators-elect who have identified with this aspiration. What we are doing is not about APC. What we are doing is about Nigeria and Nigerians. When we provide a secure country, it is for all Nigerians, whether you are APC or PDP or you have no political party at all.

“This is 2019 and I know that for us, in the National Assembly, attention will be on the emergence of our leadership that will work for Nigerians between 2019 and 2023.

“One thing I will like to say is that my party should remain focused and not get distracted. We are already facing the right direction in terms of giving Nigerians leadership.

“We must do everything together in the legislature and the administration to deliver to Nigerians who have reposed confidence in President Buhari and the APC by voting us for a second term.”

Senator Lawan was accompanied by a powerful lobby group of senators, including Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Francis Alimekhena, Teslim Folarin, Aliyu Shabi, Fola Adeola, among others.

Also with him were some newly elected senators, including senator-elect Opeyemi Bamidele, Ifeanyi Ubah, among others.

While declaring his belief in the principle of separation of powers, he nevertheless affirmed that the principle was not an infinite elasticity as he said that all arms of government must have a convergent relationship to project the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Declaring how he had over the years remained consistent in the opposition despite the lure of the former ruling PDP, he said: “This is the first time I have been in a party running the government. I was in the ANPP throughout till we came to power.

“I am a believer in the separation of powers, but it is not an infinite elasticity.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/desperation-will-make-senators-reps.html