₦airaland Forum

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), yesterday, gave further explanation on why it introduced and recommended the mock examination for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Exam (UTME) candidates.

The board said it is mainly to assess the candidates’ level of preparedness and also acquaint themselves with the Computer Based Test (CBT), system before the exam proper.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who introduced and tested the mock examination in 2017, said that candidates are expected to take advantage of the mock examination, to prepare themselves in terms of fine-tuning questions, answering strategies, time management and changing examination patterns. He said apart from standardisation, mock examination has helped candidates alleviate test anxiety as it ensures maximum comfort and minimal worry through practice.

“The more candidates sit for a practice test, the more relaxed and confident they would feel on the day of the actual exam. Additionally, practice test does not only help candidates to identify problem areas, it also reassures them of their academic progress as it erases all examination phobia,” Oloyede said. He added that JAMB views mock examination as an effective form of preparation for UTME candidates, which has the potential to take learning to greater heights, and that it also helps JAMB assess its readiness for the actual examination.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/why-we-introduced-mock-exam-jamb.html

The suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, may face two fresh trials on alleged huge deposits on his accounts.

There were indications that Onnoghen might be tried for alleged several breaches of the criminal and anti-corruption laws, including money laundering, bribery and tax evasion.

The latest cases also border on alleged strange deposits in his accounts and cash gifts from some Senior Advocates of Nigeria( SANs).

It was learnt that the Federal Government has delayed the arraignment of the CJN in deference to the constitutional provisions on the National Judicial Council (NJC).


The constitution stipulates that such allegations against a judicial officer should first be presented to the NJC.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has submitted a petition and a comprehensive report on Onnoghen’s accounts to the NJC.

A top government official, who spoke in confidence with select newsmen, said there are three dimensions to the allegations against Onnoghen.

He said apart from the trial of Onnoghen at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), there might be two other cases against him.

The source said the suspended CJN might be arraigned before a High Court of Justice very soon.

The source said: “When President Muhammadu Buhari decided to suspend Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen on the 25th of January, 2019, it was in response to serious allegations of irregularities, illegalities and criminal conduct contained in petitions submitted against the top judicial officer, and indeed some findings of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which not only substantiated those petitions but threw up even more damning facts.

“Since then, there have been several public revelations and judicial proceedings which are sometimes confusing to members of the general public.”

“For clarity, there are two different cases currently ongoing before constituted panels and a separate ethical issue in the public domain,


“The first point of focus has been the failure of the Chief Judge to declare his assets immediately after taking office and every four years thereafter, as required by the 1999 Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, and the Code of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

“This particular illegality has been admitted in writing by the Chief Justice himself and is a matter for criminal prosecution now before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

“But we must note that because of its specialised nature, CCT has a narrow jurisdiction and the case before it is confined to the issues of asset declaration, failure to declare assets as required by law and false declaration of assets.

“That is what the CCT had been hearing since charges were first filed against the CJN on the 10th of January, 2019.

“The prosecution recently closed its case and lawyers to the suspended CJN are now to open the defence or make a no case submission. Just for clarity, it is worth emphasizing that the CCT will only treat issues relating assets declaration.”

The source gave insights into the new cases against the suspended CJN.

He added: “The more interesting aspect of the suspended CJN’s dilemma involves allegations of several breaches of the criminal and anti-corruption laws, including money laundering, bribery and tax evasion.

“It is alleged, for instance, that the suspended CJN is the owner of some domiciliary accounts primarily funded through US dollar cash deposits made by himself.

“More disturbing is the pattern of deposits which, according to EFCC, were made in a manner inconsistent with financial transparency and the code of conduct for public officials.


“These include instances of repeated cash deposits of 10,000 US dollars each, totaling close to two million dollars.

“These serious allegations would ordinarily have gone to the High Court for prosecution, but for a case precedent which stipulates that such allegations against a judicial officer should first be presented to the National Judicial Council, more or less an internal disciplinary panel for erring judicial officers, before being prosecuted in a criminal court.

“The allegations of unexplained wealth, huge cash deposits being made into the suspended CJ’s Naira, dollar and pound sterling accounts directly from the court and well beyond his estacode and other allowances; unexplained payments into the suspended CJN’s account by lawyers who at the same time were appearing before him for adjudication, etc, are currently being handled by the NJC and would be filed in court after the NJC has made its decision on them.”

Responding to a question, the top source said: “We must not miss the point that EFCC is also a petitioner against the suspended CJN.

“After carrying out an extensive investigation, some of the findings submitted by the Commission are truly shocking.

“For instance, there are findings to the effect that the CJN allegedly received a Mercedes Benz car and dollar cash deposits from Joe Agi, appearing, who is a Senior Advocate.

“Worse still, the CJN is shown to have received cash gifts directly into his bank accounts from several other senior advocates.

“These implicating cash transactions were going on, in dollar and Naira, even up to 2017 and 2018.

“Even as the world eagerly awaits the decision of NJC on these matters, it is pertinent to emphasize that the conclusion of the cases before the CCT and NJC is not likely to be the end of the matter. Criminal charges are still to be filed in court.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/breaking-onnoghen-likely-to-face-fresh.html

Imo State governor-elect, Emeka Ihedioha has reiterated his resolve to address peoples’ needs when he assumes office.

Ihedioha said this when he received members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East Elders Council, at his Owerri residence on Friday.

The incoming governor said he acknowledged the huge task and expectations of Imo residents, and promised to do his best.

He also reassured that he would run an inclusive government where every well-meaning indigene would join hands to move the state forward.

Earlier in their speeches, former vice presidential candidate and leader of the team, Sen. Ben Obi; former governor, Chief Achike Udenwa; pioneer Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and former Enugu State governor, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo expressed delight at Ihedioha’s resounding victory in the March 9 governorship election.

“There is a lot of work to be done here in Imo, and I believe that you have the capacity, contacts and the know-how with your team to turn things around for the better,” they said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/i-want-to-restore-order-in-imo-state.html

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has described President Muhammadu Buhari as the father of modern Nigeria. In an interview conducted by GEOFFREY ANYANWU in Awka, Anambra State, Ngige said with the solid foundation being laid by the President in all sectors, Nigeria would soon boom again. Ngige spoke on the new minimum wage and other national issues.

Before the election, the issue of minimum wage was raging. Was it a political strategy?

There is nothing political about it. This President cares about workers. I care about workers; I have been a worker before, so, we all feel the pains. We all know that the economy; at least, that the minimum wage will move from the present N18,000 to something else. So, that was why we did all the negotiations as should be done. The President put up a committee that advised him, recommended N30,000, even though the recommendation was not by consensus as required by the ILO Conventions and Regulations but the President in his magnanimity listened to the governors who currently are unable to pay the N18,000 now and who made a case and said that they have submitted a bid for N22,500. So, he said that they should come up with good statistics to convince him on why they cannot pay the N30,000. The Senate had on Tuesday also okayed N30, 000 and as they had passed the bill, anytime they go to Mr. President for assent, he will do so. He has given his word on that.

On employment, your party spoke of giving Nigerians work, what do we expect to see in the next four years in this regard?

The employment situation will be much better this time around, because we are continuing with our economic recovery and growth plan which in the main is for us to diversify the economy; that is the main thrust of that plan; diversification of the economy so that the economy does not rely on oil only for us to make money. It has already been done, we are achieving results. Our earnings from taxes, whether it’s customs duty or Internally Generated Revenue, have increased so much that the collection from the FIRS alone is in the region of Trillions. We also have collection from Customs, we have collections from other offices, other royalties, taxes from oil miners, gas explorers and people in the oil-related industries. All those taxes have since been well harnessed and more importantly, we have blocked leakages. The single treasury account has put every fund in public glare, funds that were under the table that can be swept off or stolen without anybody seeing them; they are all now placed on the table by the TSA, all accounts are now TSA account and in the Central Bank and you can now know what this establishment has and if this establishment is paying money, you know to whom they paid it, for what purpose and how much. So, these are the things that are in the ERGP.


Agriculture again is a major source of diversification and today, we are eating what we produce, what we grow here. Rice for example is a major staple here and we have been consuming before now, about five to 10 tonnes a day in terms of importation of rice from outside, China and the rest of them but today, 95 per cent of the rice we eat is produced from Nigeria. Five percent, imported. In fact, people told me that it’s about three percent to two percent now but we are looking forward in this clime to exporting rice so that we can do 100 percent our rice here, do 100 per cent of our beans here, sorghum was already on the world map, we are third best exporter and the other things. So, we need to start earning money from agriculture. We should be, we have the fertile soil. We have the soil, we have the workforce; young workforce unlike the old times. We also have better facilities now in terms of fertilizer, in terms of equipment and so, agriculture should be a major stay. It can become our main stay after oil, followed by solid minerals. There are a lot of solid minerals here that are untapped. We’re going to do them and make no mistake about it, President Buhari is the father of modern Nigeria. He is the one laying all the foundations and these foundations are solid foundations not fragile and all these that he is doing translate to more infrastructure and for as long as you have more money, you can do more infrastructure. So, we are doing more blockages, we are building more infrastructures through the money we are getting and through some loans, cheap money, cheap funds from China in particular to build railways, to do electricity, to do roads. These are the major infrastructure in the land and when you are doing infrastructures, you are creating jobs.

Power is another area that will be tackled, tackled very seriously in the next four years of President Buhari and when he tackles power, he will create a lot of small scale jobs; people who are doing vulcanizing, people who are doing tailoring, people who are doing carpentry, they will all resort to electricity and not the small generating sets where you will be buying fuel and diesel. The national grid power, you will see them, they will multiply their shops, they will put branches and these branches will employ people, many, many people. The big industries – Dunlop, Michelin and all these industries that fled to Ghana, they will come back because why they fled to Ghana was because of power. They will come back and when they come back here, they will utilize our local rubber and more rubber will be grown, more farmers will attend to rubber and all these are employment. So I’m looking forward to that and it will come.


Can you put a figure to how many people you have employed so far and how many are we expecting in this second term?

I can’t give you any figure because they come in various ways like through the Anchor Borrowers loans and these loans are used to improve fertilizer, and it’s been working. There’s a lot of money in farming, a lot. There’s this awareness now that farming is no longer a derogatory job. It’s even a job that makes you to be proud. In the North, they are the people who pay first for hajj before those that are government sponsored. They buy vehicles, they train their children; they send them to schools. Mr. President complained that the only aspect that worries him is that they are marrying more wives in the North. So, you can see that it is a major employment. It’s only in the South; South-South and South East that you see people not taking farming seriously but if you go to Ayamelum area of Anambra State, you’ll see what Coscharis is doing with rice farming. There are so many other big people there too; big rice mills that are there. If you go to Ebonyi, same. Today, Ebonyi rice cannot be compared to any rice in the world. It’s even better than Thai rice. The taste is sweeter, very delicious. So, you can now see that this country is changing and that is the change agenda we said we’re giving. So, after four years, we said that in another four years, we move you to the next level and this next level will be a level of Eldorado, I can assure you. This is the level that we shall attack power and infrastructure frontally, more vigorously than we are doing now; railways, roads, the harbours and water transportation, the airways, electricity and what have you. Once you do all these, you have created jobs. So, we expect more jobs will come. This is apart from the social intervention projects of N-power where we today have at least half a million young graduates who could not get jobs being given temporary appointment for two years on N30,000 per month and Shell improvement programme of conditional cash transfer for the vulnerable; those who cannot do anything anymore; for the weak and poor. AGIP which is another cash loan programme that is in hundreds of thousand for businesses, we intend to intensify all those; fine-tune them. There is the immediate term and then long term. This is the way it is spread.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-father-of-modern-nigeria-chris.html

Congratulations my colleague and brother, Senator @IsiakaAdeleke1. This victory is for Osun state.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ben-bruce-congratulates-adeleke-as.html

Researchers are unanimous that talc or talcum powder can cause lung, ovarian, stomach and endometrial (uterine) cancers. They said talc consisting of asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled or/and used regularly in the genital area. Evidence on asbestos-free talc is however less clear.

“The health implication of using talc that contains asbestos is that it causes cancer. The real worry is that talc powder is the main ingredient in powders used for rashes in babies and adults in Nigeria,” said a consultant epidemiologist, Dr. Anthony Nwaoney.

He noted: “It has been suggested that talcum powder might cause cancer in the ovaries if the powder particles (applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) were to travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary.”


The epidemiologist told The Guardian that concerns about a possible link between talcum powder and cancer have focused on: whether people who have long-term exposure to talc particles at work, such as talc miners, are at higher risk of lung cancer; and whether women who apply talcum powder regularly in the genital area have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and cut down on friction, making it useful for keeping the skin dry and preventing rashes. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products. In its natural form, some talc extracts contain asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer in the lungs when inhaled.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer. IARC classifies talc that contains asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans.” Based on the lack of data from human studies and on limited data in lab animal studies, IARC classifies inhaled talc not containing asbestos as “not classifiable as to carcinogenicity in humans.”

Based on limited evidence from human studies of a link to ovarian cancer, IARC classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based body powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

While the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has remained silent on the issue, despite several queries from The Guardian, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), early February 2019, alerted the public to substandard Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Talc Powder in circulation.

The agency said in a statement that following a “credible process”, the popular Johnson & Johnson (J&J) product, Johnson’s Baby Talc (Baby/Body), in circulation was found to be harmful and injurious to users.

The statement by the Director General, Babatunde Irukera, said a court in the United States decided the company failed to warn consumers about the potential health risks associated with using its baby and body powder products. The CPC said the plaintiffs in the case had claimed that asbestos caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

Although J&J has already indicated its intention to appeal the case, Irukera said the council considers it important to alert and educate consumers in Nigeria as they make choices on baby and body powders.

The council noted that scientific findings in support of the decision of the court above were otherwise inconclusive.

Indeed, over 6,600 consumers have filed baby powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. Most of these consumers are women who have ovarian cancer. They claimed that their cancer developed due to the use of talcum powder on the genital. They also backed their claims with a variety of studies that have found that long-term use of talcum powder on female genitals may increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

A new study published in the journal Epidemiology, analysed the use of talcum powder in over 4,000 women with and without ovarian cancer. The authors found that talcum powder in the genital region may increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by 33 per cent, especially in instances where the powder was used daily. The researchers insisted that more study is necessary to determine how talcum powder causes cancer.

In the meantime, the American Cancer Society suggests that it may be prudent to avoid or limit the use of products containing talc, if you are concerned about developing ovarian cancer.

A study published in the journal Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry further established that cosmetic facial talcum powders marketed in Nigeria contain toxic trace metals such as lead. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of Pb (lead), Cd (cadmium), Co (copper), and Cr (chromium) in cosmetic talcum powders regularly used in Nigeria.


According to the study, higher metal concentrations compared to others were obtained in few samples manufactured by certain companies, indicating that raw materials used and exogenous contamination could be major contributory factors.

The researchers said the results of the study were generally within regulatory limits and the slightly elevated levels of Pb (lead) in few samples indicate that the use of certain talcum powder products could constitute trace metal exposure routes to users. “Thus, there is a need for regulation of trace metal levels in cosmetic powders through the establishment of national guidelines,” they said.

According to another study published in American Journal of Industrial Medicine, lead acetate administered orally, cutaneously, or intraperitoneally causes kidney cancer, brain cancer (gliomas), and lung cancer in rodents, and acts synergistically with other carcinogens.

IARC classified lead as a “possible human carcinogen” based on sufficient animal data and insufficient human data in 1987.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/talcum-powder-may-cause-cancer-experts.html

Nigeria’s influential employers union has warned the Federal Government not to go ahead with a proposal to increase the Value-Added Tax (VAT) charged in the country.

On March 19, the government announced that a new VAT regime might be put in place after the nation’s upper legislative chamber approved a long-awaited new minimum wage of N30, 000.

Speaking at an employers’ forum on Thursday in Ikeja, Mr Timothy Olawale, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), warned that increasing VAT after approving a new wage would have far-reaching implications for the economy.


Olawale argued that apart from weakening the purchasing power of workers, an increased VAT would impact negatively on manufacturers and businesses, which he said, were currently struggling for capacity utilisation.

“The planned increase will erode the gains of the minimum wage for low-income earners and further weaken their purchasing power, among others.”

He said that increasing VAT should not be the only option open to the government to fund the payment of the new wage.

Olawale argued further that increasing VAT would wipe whatever gains workers would derive from the new wage, expected to be signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NECA chief said that increasing VAT would also have implications for manufacturers, businesses and consumers in a nation where manufacturers and businesses had been saddled with infrastructure decay and power challenges.

Olawale lamented that some companies were already closing shops, due to worsening operational challenges while others were struggling to stay afloat.

“The proposed increase in VAT will lead to an increase in the cost of doing business which will likely be passed to the consumers. VAT increase is not desirable at this time.

“Government does not have to increase VAT in order to enable it pay a new wage.

“However, in the event that government must increase VAT against the will of the people, it should be limited to luxury or ostentatious goods only.”

Olawale faulted the comparison by some bureaucrats of Nigeria’s VAT rates with other countries as being irrelevant, pointing out that the business climate in other climes were more conducive than what obtained in Nigeria.

He, however, aligned with the position canvassed by the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Babatunde Fowler, that there should be more individual and corporate entities captured in the tax net paying VAT.

According to Olawale, government should reduce its recurrent expenditure, cost of governance, widen the tax net in its bid to generate more revenue and ensure effective collection of taxes from non-compliant citizens or defaulters.

He told the government not to burden businesses with taxes but that it should create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and continue to contribute to the growth of the nation.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigerias-employers-union-warns-fg-on.html

The Police Command in Kano State said on Thursday that no fewer than 1,800 political thugs were currently in prison across the state, awaiting trial.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Wakili Muhammad, disclosed this in Kano at a one-day meeting with stakeholders for the promotion of peaceful conduct of the governorship re-run in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the town hall meeting was organised by the National Peace Committee in collaboration with the Kano Peace Committee.

It was geared towards ensuring peaceful conduct of the governorship re-run on Saturday.

The commissioner, represented by ACP Abubakar Zubairu, said the suspects were apprehended during the Presidential and National Assembly elections as well as the Governorship election.

He said Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders in Kano state had already been directed to arrest all those who tried to cause violence before, during and after the re-run.

Muhammad said the police command had put in place adequate security measures to ensure that the election was peaceful and devoid of violence.

“We want to inform people who may want to cause trouble to know that we are ready for them and anybody who wants to test our will, let him or her come out,” he said.

According to him, the Force Headquarters had deployed additional security personnel to the state to enhance security during the election.

He, therefore, advised the youths to shun politicians who were bent on using them to cause violence, adding no politicians worth their salt should resort to use of violence.

In his remarks, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Prof Riskuwa Arab-Shehu, said the commission had received all the necessary election materials for the conduct of the re-run.


The REC, who was represented by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed Garba, commended the committee for organising the meeting.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/kano-over-1800-political-thugs-in.html

Personal Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has called on the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, to check the server where Nigerians voted on the 23rd of February during the presidential election.


Onochie said this on Wednesday in reaction to the claim by the PDP that Atiku Abubakar defeated Buhari by about 1.6 million votes and won the 2019 election from what the INEC server showed.

Akelicious recalls that the PDP national legal adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, had in a petition to the election tribunal, requested that Atiku be declared the winner of last month’s presidential poll.


He stated in the party’s 139-page petition that, “From the data in the 1st respondent’s (INEC’s) server the true, actual and correct results from state to state computation, showed that Atiku polled a total of 18,356,732 votes to defeat Buhari whom they said scored 16,741,430 votes.”

Reacting, Onochie wrote on her Twitter handle: “INEC server shows Buhari lost presidential election with 1.6 million votes – Atiku, PDP

“Me: You checked the server of the postponed 16th February stuffed ballot Box Presidential election.

“Please Check the server where Nigerians voted on the 23rd of February. Ndok!”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-vs-atiku-lauretta-onochie-tells.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that anyone thinking it would organize a special ceremony to issue them their Certificate of Return will be living in fool’s paradise.


The commission was responding to questions concerning the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, through Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, INEC’s director of Voter Education and Publicity, who appeared on Channels Television.

The commission said there would be no such preparation for anybody whose name did not appear on its list of successful candidates in the 2019 general elections.


“There is no special ceremony for anybody. I think we should get that one quite clear. Anybody thinking otherwise will be living in fool’s paradise.” He said.

Osaze-Uzzi was asked to respond to a comment by Rochas Okorocha.

Okorocha was declared the winner of the Imo West senatorial election.


However, the presiding officer, cried out that he was forced to make the declaration.

Governor Okorocha who was left out of INEC’s list of successful members of the 9th senate, had told reporters: “Maybe INEC wants to organise a special programme for me to hand over the certificate to me but clearly, I’ve won and it was a peaceful election.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/imo-election-dont-live-in-fools.html

Sen. Usani Usani, Minister of Niger Delta, has dismissed claims of working for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as cheap blackmail aimed at tarnishing his reputation by desperate politicians afraid of his rising political profile.


The Minister, while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the allegation was baseless and being peddled by his political opponents.

Usani wondered what would attract him to the PDP now that he was a minister having declined all offers made to join the party in the 16 years it held sway in country.


The minister stressed that the people of Cross River, his home state, could attest to his character and credibility.

“In 2012 when i contested against PDP candidate, offers were made to me and i declined, if you talk to the people of Cross River, they know us by character.

“If i did not accept overtures from the PDP before now, what will attract me now as Minister, if for 16 years i declined everything they offered to me.


“Now as minister, what do i want to gain from them, is it that if i support them i will become President’’, he wondered.

Usani said he won his ward in the just concluded Presidential election for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and could therefore not be working for the opposition PDP.

He maintained that those peddling the fake news were afraid of his growing political relevance and how that has exposed their weaknesses and irrelevance.


According to him, some of those dishing out the mischief had mismanaged public resources and are now afraid that the anti corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari would catch up with them.

The Minister alleged that some of them were awarded contracts but failed to execute them after getting paid.

Usani expressed concern that the APC has derailed from its original vision, stressing that it was only the integrity of President Buhari that is keeping the party as one.


“The president’s image is what keep standing as if there is a form of a party, otherwise by conduct, we have lost every value of initial concept that brought honor to our party’’, he said.

The minister added that the allegation that he was supporting Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the APC immediate past National Chairman, was a ploy to create bad blood between him and Adams Oshiomhole,the party’s current National chairman.

“I wonder what that meant, Odigie-Oyegun contested no election and so, even if somebody was supporting him, of what amount of value would that support be’’, he asked.


He, however, added that his suspension on March 1, by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) alongside Governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibekunle Amosun of Imo and Ogun states, would not stand.

Usani said he had been silent for a while over the issues because as a minister, he recognised where rule and order prevails.

“My silence for a while is because anybody worth the salt of a public office occupation should be able to recognise where rule and order is to prevail.


“I am however, speaking out because further silence in the face of the falsehood in the market, will suggest that am guilty and that’s the reason i can afford to talk on these issues now’’, he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigeria-election-buharis-minister-usani.html

The Enugu State Executive Council (EXCO) in keeping with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s commitment to full implementation of the 2019 budget for the advancement of the cause of development, has awarded multiple contracts for the construction/ reconstruction of urban and rural roads, and 263 classroom blocks.


The council also approved the purchase of 22,150 set of lockers and chairs for students; 1,228 set of tables and chairs for the teachers; 1, 130 marker boards for teaching and 1,960 ceiling fans for conducive learning environment.

The administration equally awarded contract for the construction of a state-of-the-art administrative block at the new site of the Enugu State University of Education, Ihe, in Awgu Local Government Area, as the first significant step towards the relocation of the school from G.R.A Enugu to the permanent site.


Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s meeting, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, added that the council approved the purchase of two Hilux vans for effective monitoring and supervision of the projects, and disclosed that the construction of classrooms and procurement of facilities will cost the sum of N4billion.

Prof. Eze, who explained that the projects will be executed under the Enugu State Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), revealed that “the state government has already contributed its counterpart fund which led to the drawdown of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) fund”.

He disclosed that the construction of the administrative block at Ihe, will cost the sum of N162,913,167.90, adding that when completed, activities and the processes of obtaining relevant approvals from the National University Commission (NUC) will commence.


The education commissioner further disclosed that the building “will not only accommodate the Vice Chancellor’s office and the Registrar’s office, it will also accommodate the Council Chamber, the Office of the Pro-Chancellor and other offices that will ensure the kick off of smooth administration”.

He pointed out that “His Excellency has shown full commitment to the take off of the University”, stressing: “That structure is a very first significant step and before long, the University will take off fully”.

On road projects, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji, stated that in line with the governor’s promise in the 2019 budget for “better urban, inter-local government and community road infrastructure”, the council equally approved the construction/reconstruction of Carter street, Asata, Enugu; Aludele road, Nsukka; Bishop Court road, Awgu; Access road to Igbo Ano Specialist Hospital, Igbo Ano, and failed culvert, pavement and surfacing at Onuiyi road, Nsukka adjacent to Zik’s residence, totaling N544.795, 992.68.


Other approvals obtained, according to the works and infrastructure commissioner, was for his ministry to commence “engineering studies and design” of Oji River and Nsukka modern township stadia for Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial Districts respectively; pre-contract documentations for the construction of state secretariat annex at Nsukka satellite town; revalidation of contract for consultancy services for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Based Bridges and roads inventories and mapping of Enugu State; revalidation of the contract for the consultancy services for engineering design, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), procurement support and construction supervision of the second phase of rural roads in the state won by Umar Munshi Associates/Allot Nig. Ltd; and engagement of a Technical Assistant (TA) on Infrastructure and contract management for Enugu RAMP-2”.

Another highlight of the briefing was the approval for the recruitment of 52 personnel, namely 4 Fire Officers, 24 Fire Lead Men and 24 Fire Men, for the State Fire Service to man the five newly built stations across the three senatorial districts of the state, for efficient and effective discharge of duties.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/enugu-govt-approves-multiple-projects.html

As of the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018, Nigeria recorded $2.8 million balance of payments surplus, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

According to the apex bank, the provisional Balance of Payments (BOP) estimates for Q4 2018 showed a significant improvement in the BOP outcome as the overall balance of payments recorded a surplus of $2.80 million compared to a huge deficit of $4.54 trillion and a surplus of $6,180.40 million recorded in the preceding quarter and corresponding period of 2017, respectively.

According to the BoP document, the current account balance (CAB) improved from a deficit of $1.54 trillion in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 to a surplus of $1.1 trillion in Q4 2018. “The financial account balance indicated a net acquisition of financial assets of $2,33 trillion in the as against a net incurrence of financial liabilities of $4,62 trillionrecorded in the preceding period”, it adds.

The current account balance indicated a positive outcome during the period, recording a surplus of $1.1 trillion as against a deficit of $1.5 trillion and a surplus of $3.66 trillion in the previous quarter and corresponding period of 2017, respectively. This development was largely attributable to the decrease in imports and payments on income.

“The surplus in the Goods Account increased significantly to $6.79 trillion in Q4 2018 from surpluses of $3.76 trillion in the preceding quarter and $5.47 trillion recorded in the corresponding period of 2017.

“Export earnings rose by 2.8 per cent to $16.66 trillion in Q4 2018 when compared with Q3 2018. It also indicated an increase of about 27.6 per cent when compared to corresponding Period of 2017. Earnings from crude oil and gas, which accounted for 93.8 per cent of total export earnings during the period, increased by 2.1 per cent to $15.62 trillion in Q4 2018 when compared with the preceding quarter. Earnings from non-oil and electricity exports increased by 15 per cent to $1035 trillion in Q4 2018 when compared with the preceding quarter.

“Available data showed that payments for import of goods (fob) to the economy in the review period decreased significantly by 20.7 per cent to $9.86trillion below the level recorded in the preceding quarter. This was largely as a result of 19.9 per cent decrease in the imports of non-oil products.

“On Services, Income and Current Transfers, net out payments for services during the period increased by 16.5 per cent to a deficit of $8.297trillion when compared with the level recorded in Q3 2018. When compared with the corresponding period of 2017, it indicated a much higher increase of about 76.9 per cent.

“However, the deficit in the income account (net) decreased by 10.8 per cent to $3.71trillion in the period from a deficit of $4,16trillion recorded in the preceding quarter. When compared with the level in the corresponding period of 2017 it indicated an increase of about 24.5 per cent.

“The surplus in the current transfers (net) increased by 5.7per cent to $6.3 trillion in Q4 2018 when compared with the preceding quarter,” the apex bank said in the report.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigeria-records-28m-balance-of-payment.html

Biodun Stephen is known for some Nollywood blockbuster movies from The Visitwhich was one of the first Nollywood movies bought by Netflix and earned AMVCA nomination to Picture Perfect which was a hit in cinemas in 2017 and host of others. She is a screenwriter, film producer and director. Her movies were adjudged via audience ratings as the best movies on iROKO TV in 2017 and 2018. Biodun’s latest movie, Joba, will hit cinemas in April. This Nollywood heroine talks to Chinedu Ibeabuchi about her career, what film making means to her and a lot more
I Like Working with Young Talents Because Someone Needs to Give Them the Chance
One of the Crises I Suffered from was Ability to Do So Many Things

How did it all begin for you?


It was initially acting. I really wanted to be an actor. I was busy going for auditions. It was never about not passing an audition. It was always ‘did they ever call you back’? Also, I think when I was much younger, there were just few men who were as tall as I am. So pairing me was difficult. And when they pair me, they pair me with old men. So, they are automatically doubling my age in real life. And you know how Nollywood works? The moment you are known for a character, that’s the character you will always be playing. For instance, I always assume Carol King was old and when I met her 10 years after, she said ‘oh, I am not as old as you think.’ You know because she always plays someone’s mother for a long time, I had a perception that since she is a mom, she must be in her 50s. But alas, she is still young. My original dream as a teenager was that I wanted to act. I studied Philosophy in OAU and after school, I worked as an OAP and news presenter on radio. Later, I worked as copywriter in an advertising agency, then went back to radio and later traveled to learn film making at the London Film Academy. When I got back to Nigeria, I met Chris of Koga Entertainment. We collaborated to produce an amazing story called The Visit. That earned me AMVCA nomination as the best movie in West Africa. In 2016, we shot Picture Perfect which was out in Cinemas in 2017. My films were rated as the best, by audience choice, on iRoko TV in 2017 and 2018. My latest work is Joba, a faith based movie.



You seem to be investing whole lot on talented actors who are up coming. Why?

It’s because I have come from a place of hunger. By hunger, I mean being hungry for the space I am now. Someone gave me an opportunity in the person of late Chris of Koga Entertainment. Also, because I write my script myself, I need to find the perfect person. If it means that I have to drill talents till we get it right. I like working with young talents because someone needs to give them the chance. Someone took a gamble on me, so why won’t I do that to others.



A lot of young people get confused about career. They don’t know what to look out for. What’s the best way to choose a career or knowing what to do?

On my own part, I was confused for so long. One of the crises I suffered from was an ability to do so many things. I can write, act, direct, present and so on. In finding my space, I talked to myself and also prayed. I realised I had gone for several auditions and not clicking; also, I was on radio for a long time. However, radio helped me to find my purpose as a film maker because I did a talk show on radio which was about sharing life issues. So, that helped me to realise that even as a film maker, whatever I am writing has to speak the truth and help someone find peace. The defining moment for me was the AMVCA nomination which made me realise that my space was not in the front of the camera but at the back. And the moment I accepted that, every other thing fell into place. Now to answer your question on how to find your purpose, there is really no fast or short route. Sometimes, your purpose is steering at you but you don’t want to accept it.



Your first movie, The Visit, was a hit. Do you prefer producing for Pay-TV or Cinemas?

The Visit was everywhere. It was on Netflix, Africa magic, Rok TV, Ebony Life, etc. The question is why do we want to go to Cinema? The few times I have gone to Cinema were by accident. When I wrote The Visit, I was fresh out of Film School. Cinema was not on my mind. My goal was to produce a fantastic movie. And when I graduated from film school, I didn’t have huge budget, so I said let me shoot a small budget film that is very fantastic. But it turned out to receive great accolades. The Visit was one of the first Nollywood movies bought by Netflix. In summary, you tap into the opportunities that you get. The Visit opened my eyes to a lot of possibilities.



Tell us about Joba?

The story of Joba is amazing. I was driving and listened to this song featuring Tope Alabi, ‘Jesu Joba’. I listened to it repeatedly and repeatedly about 50 times in the traffic. And I just knew that this song has to be a story. Right there, I got the idea. I ran home and wrote the story as it plays in my head that same day. I slept at 1a.m. When I woke up in the morning and re-read the story, I knew this wouldn’t have been me who did this. Then I shared a post on social media that I have just written an amazing story, that I am very honoured that God chose me to write this story. After I posted it, I got a direct message from a woman in South Africa saying, ‘God says I should work with you on this project’. I have never met the women before. Two days later, we signed the contract to collaborate on financing the project. Joba is highly emotionally gripping.



There is a trend in Nollywood now started by Amaka Igwe. Female filmmakers are bold enough now to come out and do amazing things. Would you say it’s literarily the time for female film makers to take over the industry from men?

I don’t think it’s a takeover but it a positioning. We are kind of sitting in our space and making a mark. I am happy for Nollywood. I am happy that a lot of things have changed. Now, you can have a talent in Nollywood and the talent is recognised without having to sleep with anybody or kiss anybody’s ass. That evolution has also brought women to the fore. People like Amaka Igwe and Emem Isong paved the way. Today, you have the likes of Mary Njoku of Rok Studio giving a lot of women the platform to be producers. She tells you, ‘bring your film, I will finance it and put it on our platform.’ It’s no longer the era of saying I have a good story but don’t know what to do.

The paradigm has shifted. The top films of last year were made by women. Women have been given a space to flourish career-wise, in this field. I think the men are out there supporting us.



Would you say problem in Nollywood is access to finance or recovering the finance?

It’s both. I think one of my biggest fears is accepting money to shoot a movie though I do get several offers. In as much as content is king, the demand for it is getting higher but the remuneration is getting lower. Producers, who have made huge box office returns, check out what they have put in and their returns. If you say you make N100 million in cinemas, split that in three ways first before you start considering returns on investment from the one-third that comes to you.



The talk around town now is that Netflix owning a particular Nollywood series, might tamper with the originality of the story, taking into consideration that our culture is different from that of western world.

I doubt if they will tamper with the originality because it’s the authenticity of the story that will make it different. You can’t sell sands to the Arabs, they already have enough sand. I think what they will focus on will be on technicalities, qualities, production value and picture but the core of the story, I doubt if they will tamper with it because that’s what will make it different.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/biodun-stephen-im-accidental-cinema.html

The African Development Bank (AfDB) will double its climate finance commitment for the period 2020-2025, the Bank’s President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina announced Thursday.

He said the Bank would commit at least $25 billion towards climate finance.


Speaking at a plenary in the presence of heads of states at the One Planet Summit taking place in Nairobi, Adesina also announced the Bank was on course to achieve its target of allocating 40 per cent of its funding to climate finance by 2020, a year ahead.

The Bank’s commitment on the target, the highest among all multilateral development banks, had progressed steadily from nine per cent in 2016 to 28 per cent in 2017 and 32 per cent in 2018.

Considering Africa’s high vulnerability despite contributing the least to climate change, the African Development Bank has successfully raised its adaptation finance from less than 30 per cent of total climate finance to parity with mitigation in 2018.

Adesina said: “The required level of financing is only feasible with the direct involvement of the entire financial sector. Consequently, the Bank launched the African Financial Alliance for Climate Change (AFAC) to link all stock exchanges, pension and sovereign wealth funds, central Banks and other financial institutions of Africa to mobilise and incentivise the shift of their portfolios towards low carbon and climate resilient investments.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/afdb-pledges-25bn-to-climate-finance.html

The federal government has inaugurated the committee to organise the inauguration ceremony to herald the beginning of a new four- year term for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on May 29.

The inter-ministerial comittee was inaugurated yesterday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha.


Mustapha, who is the chairman of the committee, noted that the forthcoming event is a reward for Buhari’s exemplary leadership and sincerity, by Nigerians from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who gave him a new mandate of four years on February 23.

He also tasked the members of the committee to deploy their wealth of experience and leave no stone unturned in delivering on the mandate by making the inauguration ceremony a success.

Members of the committee include the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammad and his contemporaries from Interior, Lt Gen AbdulRahman Danbazzau (rtd); Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; FCT, Malam Musa Mohammed Bello; Defence, Maj. Gen. Mansur Ali, (rtd) Health, Prof Isaac Ajewole; Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu; State (Aviation) Senator Hadi Sirika and the National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomole.

Others are the Inspector General of Police,Mohammad Abubakar Adamu; DG DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi; Commander, Brigade of Guards, Brig. Gen. Umar Musa and the Permanent Secretaries (State House), General Services Office and Political and Economic Affairs Office.

Oshiomole, who was absent at the inaugural meeting was represented by the Deputy National Chairman of APC, Niyi Adebayo.

The SGF said Buhari had approved the constitution of the Presidential Inter-Ministerial Inauguration Committee to plan, organise and execute all approved programmes for the series of activities that would be undertaken on May 29.

He also stressed that in the course of the implementation of its assignment, several sub-committees to be headed by the ministers will be constituted.

Also for inclusiveness, other members would be drawn not only from the MDAs, but from the APC, the Presidential Campaign Council, the Buhari Support Organisation as well as Women and Youth Campaign Council.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/fg-inaugurates-committee-for-take-off.html

National President, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Kunle Awobodu, says there are over one thousand buildings unfit for human habitation in Lagos Island.

Awobodu made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

He told NAN that BCPG had brought such distressed buildings to the notice of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for demolition.

He spoke against the backdrop of a three-storey building located at Massey Street, Ita-Faaji, Lagos Island, that collapsed on Wednesday, killing some school pupils with many others injured.

NAN reports that no fewer than 45 pupils said to be on the last floor of the building were rescued from the rubble.

According to him, the collapsed building was one of the many buildings that were unfit for human habitation in Lagos Island.

“There are over 1,000 distressed other buildings of this nature in Lagos, which, if nothing is done to demolish them, they will still collapse, resulting to more calamities in the state.
“The collapsed building had been marked for demolition about three times, but the building regulatory agency has not demolished it.
“We are moving round the circle and this has to stop.
“Let the building control agency take the bull by the horn, by ensuring that all distressed buildings in the state are identified and demolished.
“Let the state government look for preventive measures, rather than spending money for evacuation, investigation and remediation after the calamities and damages have occurred,” Awobodu said.
He said that all the agencies responsible for monitoring buildings should be more proactive in discharging their mandates if the issue of building collapse must stop.
Awobodu said that the architects, building engineers, bricklayers and the end-users must also live up to the expectations by complying with the construction rules and regulations guiding the industry.
Also speaking, Mr Adelaja Adekanmbi, the Chairman, Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB), Lagos Chapter, called for a Town Hall Meeting, comprises the government, professionals, developers and end-users in the built environment.
Adekanmbi said the meeting was necessary as a platform for comprehensive deliberation among the players, on how to tackle the issue of building collapse in Lagos State.
According to him, all players in the industry have a role to play in addressing the issue of building collapse.
He said that all the parties had contributed one way or the other to the cause of a building collapse.
“Residents, who are the end-users have vital roles to play in curbing building collapse; they are in a better position to detect early illegal, abandoned and substandard constructions.
“LASBCA and other building regulatory authorities alone cannot properly monitor to detect when buildings are defective or when illegal constructions are going on, without the support of the residents.
“It is the residents that are in a better position to detect distressed and substandard buildings within their areas.
“It will be wicked of us to wait until calamity happens before the government, institutions, professionals or individuals, can start to look for preventions.
“It requires collective efforts to end building collapse, and all players in the industry must contribute their quotas,” Adekanmbi said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/over-1-000-buildings-are-unfit-for.html

Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday congratulated Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for emerging winner of the March 9 governorship election in the state.

Similarly, the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, has also congratulated Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Femi Hamzat, on their electoral victory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

The State Returning Officer, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, while announcing the results, said the APC candidate polled 739,445 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Jimi Agbaje of the PDP, who polled 206,141votes.

The PDP Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr Taofik Gani, in a statement in Lagos on Monday, said the congratulatory message was to exhibit sportmanship and show respect for the laws of the land.

The spokesman, however, said the if PDP had any reason to challenge the results, it shall not hesitate to do so.

Gani called on the governor-elect to accommodate everyone in victory and shun politics of seclusion and retaliation.

He advised the governor-elect not to go against anyone because of political or ideological differences.

“Lagosians will not accept any excuse for any failure in governance for any reason.

“We advise Mr Sanwo-Olu to hit the ground running, get competent hands, irrespective of party affiliation.

“This is necesssary so that all hands can be on deck to move Lagos State forward as it should be,” he said.

Speaking, Obasa, who also won the fifth mandate to represent Agege Constituency I at the Lagos Assembly, also felicitated with returning and new members-elect of the House.

He described the victory of APC as hard-earned but well deseved for the party at the polls.

“It was tough for us all but at the end of the day, a well deserved victory for all members of the party.

“It was a confirmation of the love Lagosians have for our great party and the giant strides we have been achieving in the state,” obasa said.

The speaker also expressed appreciation to Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, for reposing and renewing their confidence in the APC, not only in the state, but also at the federal level.

He assured that Nigerians won’t regret the renewed mandate given to the APC.

“We have absolute confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; the Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, to deliver good governance.

“Therefore, I want to assure Nigerians, particularly Lagosians, that the APC administration at all levels will continue to put in place programmes and projects that will enhance your welfare and improve your standard of living,” he added.

Obasa said that Sanwo-Olu would take the state to greater heights.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/pdp-congratulate-sanwo-olu.html

Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, a coalition of 36 political parties has pledged its support for the re-election bid of Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

The political parties, under the aegis of Forum of Registered Political Parties, Benue State, gave their endorsement during a courtesy visit to the governor at the Benue Government House, in Makurdi.

Chairman of the forum, Mr. Godwin Odeh, noted that they took the decision after carefully assessing the goodwill and efforts of the governor in the defence of the Benue Valley.

He said through their expanded networks, they had fought tirelessly to ensure that Benue land is not surrendered to both external and internal oppressors.

Odeh, who expressed the commitment of the forum to the struggle for a better and free Benue, said it was for that reason they resolved to channel their networks through, their structures, to mobilise their members to vote for Ortom on Saturday.

Also speaking, Franc Utov, a House of Representatives aspirant, under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) expressed the confidence that the margin of governor Ortom’s victory in next Saturday’s polls would be in ratio of 90 to 10 percent.

Responding, Ortom, who thanked the various parties and their candidates for their support, said, together, they would work to ensure victory for him and the PDP.

The governor also enjoined the electorate not to be intimidated by threats from the opposition that federal might would be deployed to win the elections, saying Benue people are the might as far as the state is concerned.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/36-political-parties-endorse-ortom.html

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has promised to govern the state with the fear of God if re-elected for the second term.

Governor Ugwuanyi made the promise, yesterday at Ogige Market, Nsukka, during the 12th draw of the second phase of the Enugu State Government Traders Empowerment Scheme.

Addressing the crowd of supporters, the governor said he was a poor child but God, in his mercy elevated him to be their governor.

“As you have agreed to re-elect me, I promise you that I will govern the state with the fear of God.”

While he thanked the people of Nsukka for voting for his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), during the Presidential and National Assembly elections, Ugwuanyi, however, enjoined them to show the same support on Saturday March 9, and vote for all the candidates of PDP.

Earlier, in his remarks, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, and senator-elect for the Enugu North Senatorial district, assured the governor that the people of Nsukka and Enugu North zone would vote for him on Saturday, stressing that his good work will speak for him.

Meanwhile, 70 political parties under the aegis of Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Enugu State have endorsed the re-election of Governor Ugwuanyi.

The parties said they were adopting Governor Ugwuanyi as consensus governorship candidate on the grounds that he ran all-inclusive government in the state for three years and half, which they attributed to the pervading peace and security in the state.

Speaking at the adoption ceremony at the Best Western Hotel, Enugu, yesterday, the coordinator of the coalition and state Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. John Nwobodo, said Ugwuanyi has done well and Saturday’s election will be referendum on his achievements in his first tenure.

Nwobodo said in a multi-party democracy, political parties aspire to gain control of governmental powers within the context of differing ideologies and programmes.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/ill-govern-enugu-with-fear-of-god.html

The Forum of Presidential Candidates and Political Parties for Good Governance, has appealed to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, not to challenge the outcome of the recent presidential election in court.

The forum made up of chairmen and candidates of 36 political parties, who contested the election with the winner, President Muhammadu Buhari, specifically urged Atiku to disregard the advice of those asking him to challenge the outcome of the poll in court.

In a statement read on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the chairman of the forum, Mr. Shittu Kabir, said the group had started a robust discussion with Buhari and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a view to being magnanimous in victory by setting up a government of national unity.


Kabir said, “We have advised the government to be magnanimous in victory. I believe that will be done. We have urged them that irrespective of political party or religion or tribe, the government should pick the best brains across the land and those who can contribute to the development of the country across the nation.”

He noted that Atiku, who has already set up a formidable team of legal experts for the judicial battle ahead, has the right to approach the court but added that he should forget the litigation option in the interest of peace.

He said, “We strongly urge Alhaji Abubakar to drop the legal option in expressing his grievances. This is consistent with the counsel of many well-meaning Nigerians including Chief Olisa Agbakoba.

“We also believe that the former vice president has made a mark among Nigerians of means who have positively impacted their communities. We think he has a lot more to contribute to developing humanity and promoting peace and progress in our nation, even without holding any political office.

“At his age, he should now avoid any action and utterances capable of fanning the embers of discord, disagreement and violent conduct. Nigeria is greater than any personal or class interest.

“Atiku has his right and nobody can infringe on his right. That is why we have not said he cannot go to court but we are saying he should not go to court.

“Instead of wasting that time and maybe draw our developmental stride backwards, let us give our nation time for development and let the government be focused on providing good governance.

“We need to get the country out of the wood and address national issues instead of diverting the attention of the government by going to
court.”

It also said part of their task would be to convince the President to sign the Electoral Bill into law with a view to preventing the irregularities, rigging and violence that usually characterised elections in the country.

He said, “If that bill as approved by the National Assembly had been assented by the president, all the litigations and crimes that we are having would been taken care of.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/36-presidential-candidates-beg-atiku.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to give Nigerian women and youths more appointments in the next four years of his administration. Buhari acknowledged the significant role played by women and youths toward his re-election.

The president said his administration would not disappoint them in the next four years of his administration.

He gave the assurance on Sunday night while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women and Youths Presidential Campaign team dinner to celebrate his the re-election in Abuja.

“I appreciate your coming here tonight, but we have to congratulate ourselves for succeeding,we indeed thank God for this success, “he said.

The President however, promised that only those with integrity and interest of Nigeria would be considered for appointments in the next cabinet.

He said more fertilizers were being made available to Nigerian farmers at a lower rate.

According to him, that resulted in the increase in agricultural production and reduction in food importation.

Buhari also called on Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture to ensure more food sufficiency and food export.

The President faulted the sixteen-year rule of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which he said, wasted the nation’s resources.

According to him, the country witnessed rampant infrastructure decay in spite of the huge resources earned during the period.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-assures-women-youths.html

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Federal Government and state governments to ECOWAS Court of Justice in Abuja over, “the frequent and repressive application of the Cybercrime Act to harass, intimidate, arbitrarily arrest, detain, and unfairly prosecute anyone found publishing views or facts perceived to be critical of the government at the federal and state levels and government officials.

In the suit number ECW/CCJ/APP/09/19 filed last week at the ECOWAS Court, SERAP is arguing that: “The Federal Government and several state governments and their agents have trampled on the rights to freedom of expression and information of bloggers, journalists, activists, and social media users through the repressive use and implementation of the vaguely worded provisions of the Cybercrime Act.”

The suit filed on SERAP’s behalf by its Solicitor, Femi Falana, SAN states:

“The fundamental question for the court is whether the federal and state governments, by using and applying the Cybercrime Act and other similar laws on cyberstalking and sedition to prosecute journalists, bloggers and activists over perceived critical views, violate the rights to freedom of expression and access to information. SERAP submits that, under international freedom of expression jurisprudence, the answer is YES.”

The suit read in part: “The idea of a democracy is that the people are encouraged to express their criticisms, even their wrong-headed criticisms, of elected government officials, in the expectation that this process will improve the process of government. In circumstances of public debate concerning public figures in the political domain and public institutions, the value placed by legal principles and jurisprudence upon uninhibited expression is particularly high.

“The systematic and persistent use of the Cybercrime Act and other similar laws on alleged cyberstalking to prosecute and imprison journalists, bloggers and activists for their criticism of public officials runs afoul of freedom of expression principles, namely: that criminal prosecutions against journalists and bloggers is never an appropriate remedy for alleged defamation of government officials, and that news reporting about government officials are matters of public interest, which should be accorded heightened protection.”

“Sanctions for defamation should not be so large as to exert a chilling effect on freedom of opinion, expression and media freedom; penal sanctions, in particular imprisonment, should never be applied. This implies a free press and other media able to comment on public issues without censorship or restraint and to inform public opinion. The public also has a corresponding right to receive output.”

“Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act which provides for the offence of cyberstalking has been severally used and applied by the Defendant and its agents and several state governments across the country in molesting, intimidating, harassing and witch-hunting anyone found publishing views or facts deemed critical of government and/or government officials.”

“The vaguely worded offence of cyberstalking as stated in the Cybercrime Act is accorded a wide interpretation that extends to factual and true reports by activists, journalists, social media users and bloggers, thereby leaving a chilling effect on the rights to freedom of expression and information and media freedom and on citizens’ participation in the fight against corruption.”

“The abusive and repressive use of the vaguely worded provisions of the Cybercrime Act to stifle and muzzle perceived critics, journalists, bloggers and other media practitioners is an affront and it is dangerous to the rule of law and protection of the human rights of people.”

“Stories published online have been deemed ‘offensive’, ‘obstructive’, ‘insulting’ or ‘annoying’ with actionable consequence under section 24 of the Act even when the stories are true, correct and factual. Some stories published through traditional media outlets (print and electronic) that were never sanctioned by the government have been sanctioned by the same government upon being republished through online platforms.”

“SERAP chronologically highlights in this suit some of the high-profile cases of harassment, intimidation, arrest, unlawful detention, prosecution and imprisonment of journalists, bloggers, and activists for alleged cyberstalking.”

SERAP is seeking the following reliefs:

1.A DECLARATION that the actions of the Defendants and its agents and several states of Nigeria in arbitrarily enforcing the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 particularly its section 24 to harass, intimidate, arrest, detain, prosecute and imprison journalists, bloggers, and social media users, violate the rights to freedom of expression, information, opinion and privacy and media freedom, guaranteed under Articles 6,8,9 and 24 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights; Articles 7,9,17 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party

2. A DECLARATION that the provisions of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention, etc) Act 2015 are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with international human rights standards and infringe on the rights to the freedom of expression, information and opinion guaranteed under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights

3. A DECLARATION that the continuing use and application by the Defendant and its agents and several states in Nigeria of the Cybercrime is illegal and unlawful, as it amounts to breaches of obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and information and media freedom

4. AN ORDER directing the Defendant to immediately repeal and/or amend the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 in line with Nigerian obligations under international human rights law

5. AN ORDER directing the Defendant and/or its agents and several states of Nigeria to provide effective remedies and reparation, including adequate compensation, restitution, satisfaction or guarantees of non-repetition that the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant to human rights defenders, activists bloggers, journalists and other online and off-line media practitioners that have been harassed, intimidated, unlawfully arrested, detained, and unfairly prosecuted by the Defendant

6. SUCH FURTHER orders the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this suit.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/serap-drags-buhari-state-govts-to-court.html

Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Edward Onoja of planning to incite the people of the state against two former governors, Capt Idris Wada and Alhaji Ibrahim Idris in a campaign of calumny.

The State PDP spokesperson, Dickson Achadu, said: “Onoja’s latest charade is in a video, where he literally whipped up sentiments against the former governors and their offspring. In the trending video, Onoja accused the two PDP leaders of plotting to force their wards into governorship and other leadership positions in the state.

He is unhappy that a son of His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris is among the strong contenders for the Kogi governorship and called for an uprising against the family.

“I advise, for your own interest, come join us, and let us stop this yesterday’s men,” Onoja said in the video.

Achadu urged residents of the state to disregard Onoja’s virtuperations and call to insurrections. “Further more, we encourage them not to despair in the face of the glaring ineptitude of the APC government,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/pdp-accuses-onoja-of-making-provocative.html

Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Shehu Sani has called for cancellation of elections in Kaduna State, particularly in the Kaduna Central zone.

Senator Shehu Sani who is the candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the Senatorial election.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Monday, Senator Sani said, the Saturday election was marred with irregularities across the zone, ranging from over voting, ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and connivance with security agencies to rig in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sani said, himself and his party have compiled cases of irregularities across the zone and written to INEC, asking for the cancellation of the elections.

He said though, they have not gotten official results of the election; they are calling for the cancellation irrespective of the outcome.

Similarly, Kaduna State PRP House of Representatives candidate from Kaduna North, Kassim Balarabe Musa who spoke on behalf of PRP, alleged that the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections were marred by irregularities.

At a separate press conference in Kaduna, the PRP candidate called for cancellation of elections held in the state.

He said the election is marred by votes buying, card readers malfunctioning, usage of unknown persons PVC for voting and among others.

He said legal action will be taken against those involved in malpractice in the state, as there are evidences against them.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/breakingshehu-sani-prp-call-for.html

A total of 18 National Youth Service Corps members were abducted on Saturday in different locations in Akwa Ibom by unknown gunmen. 14 have since been freed, resident electoral commission in the state, Mike Igini said.

Ten youth Corp members, who worked as adhoc staff were abducted in Abak in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial, four in Itu and another four in Ikono.

“At Abak 10 corps members that were abducted were released yesterday and at Itu, four corpers were also kidnapped,” Igini said.

In Ikono, he said “that is one of the areas they smashed several polling units. They have a total of 11 polling wards they destroyed about 10. And four Corp members that were kidnapped were released.”


Igini said two corps members were also arrested in error by the police and have been freed.

“After my interaction with the Commissioner of Police they were also released as the fact before us showed that it was an honest mistake of using one paper for another. It was not deliberate, materials were mixed up.

However, the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Odiko MacDon said he was not aware of any abduction.

“There was no abduction,” MacDon said.

“I just spoke with state NYSC coordinator and there is no report of any corps members missing anywhere. We have not received any report that they were abducted.”

“While on patrol on Saturday with the Commissioner of Police and other service chiefs, we saw some corps members who left their duty posts on the claims that one or two persons were trying to invade their polling unit.

“We took them back to continue with their work. No corps member was abducted.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/breaking-18-corps-members-kidnapped-in.html

The American Bar Association (ABA) has expressed concerns over the recent suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, and similar events that could undermine the rule of law in the country.

A statement by ABA President, Bob Carlson, entitled, “Re: Suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria,” a copy of which was obtained by The Guardian described President Muhammadu Buhari’s suspension of Onnoghen as “troubling.”

According to the ABA, “the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers are essential to ensuring Nigeria’s adherence to the rule of law. The basic precept of checks and balances requires that an action with such monumental consequences be accomplished strictly and unambiguously in accordance with the processes and procedures of the governing law. Failure to observe the basic precepts of checks and balances could raise questions about the legitimacy of the outcome of the ongoing election.”

Also, the New York City Bar Association in a statement on Onnoghen’s suspension signed by its President Roger Juan Maldonado, African Affairs Committee, Chair Victoria L. Safran and Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges, Chair William A. Wilson III, said it was “gravely concerned by the suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen by Buhari.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/aba-urges-free-credible-polls-faults.html

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, has said that he would accept the result of the presidential election even if it did not go the way of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu spoke with journalists after voting at Polling Unit 047, Ward 3, Ikeja at 11:20am.

He said that the will of the electorate must be respected, adding that as a true democrat, free and fair elections must be protected.


Tinubu was, however, upbeat about his party’s chances of winning the elections.

“If my party is voted out in this election, I will accept it because it is the people’s verdict, that is their decision. Any democrat that cannot accept a result from a free and fair election is not worthy of that name.

“As a true democrat, you must be able to accept the results of a free and fair election.

“My hope and determination of my party is that we are winning this election because we have the support of the masses and if you look at our rallies, it is an indication of our party’s popularity that we are the populace.

“We are not talking about the elites or those that are rich, but the poor masses, farmers, traders, artisans and the common man who seek for continuity,” he said.

Tinubu, however, rated the conduct of the elections as successful so far, adding that though elections were expensive, yet it remained the best way of choosing leaders.

“The election has been successful so far, so good. It has demonstrated the resilience of the people and like the President has said; we have chosen the best way in a difficult way.

“Democracy is the toughest way of selecting a leader but the best system. With resilience of the people and strong determination we are getting there,” Tinubu said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/ill-accept-peoples-verdict-tinubu.html

Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (EOM) and former president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has assured Nigeria of the support of the entire nations of Africa, as the country goes to polls today to elect a new leader for the next four years.

The elections of the President and national law makers were slated for last Saturday February 16, but had to be postponed to today due to logistics challenges, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it encountered.


Johnson-Sirleaf, who addressed a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said that ECOWAS watched with keen interest the manner in which both INEC and the populace handled the issue of the postponement.

She commended Nigerians for the patience and calm exhibited up till now, stating that the progress made by the commission signalled a “deepening and building of confidence in the electoral processes.”

The former Liberia President urged Nigerians, particularly the political class to sustain the peace that characterised the postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly Election and also conduct themselves according to the laws of the land, as they go to the polls today.

“We extend thanks, admiration and gratitude to the Nigerian people for their patience in the face of the last minute interruptions to their lives with the postponement of the 2019 general elections.

“We have watched the progress of INEC over the past week working together with domestic and international partners in addressing their logistical and technical challenges.

“We are pleased that these operational constraints have been significantly addressed thus creating a conducive atmosphere for tomorrow’s (today’s) general elections.

“We commend our brothers and sisters across the length and breadth of this great country for remaining calm and resilient as these concerns were addressed.”

Johnson-Sirleaf described the signing of the 2019 Peace Accord by the various political gladiators as a further demonstration of the commitment of Nigeria to democracy.

She expressed confidence that the same level of maturity would be demonstrated during the remaining phase of the electoral process.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/nigeria-decides-2019-africa-solidly.html

A prominent group, Media For Morals, has expressed what it described as its full support for the Nigerian Army, particularly the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, for vowing to ensure the armed forces remain apolitical and professional in the discharge of their duties.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Mairo Mudi, the group also berated the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly encouraging lawlessness in the armed forces, by asking soldiers to disobey orders made by their superiors.

“It is really deeply saddening, just as the army leadership has observed, that someone who wants to lead Nigeria and be the commander-in-chief of its armed forces is the very person inciting officers and men of the armed forces to disobey lawful orders made by constituted authorities,” Mudi said in the statement.

She added: “All the hullabaloo about president Buhari’s order to the military and the police, to deal ruthlessly with ballot box snatchers, is only indicative that some politicians, obviously of the opposition stock, were reliant on that method to get to power through rigging.”

She added that General Buratai’s directives are well in order, when viewed with a dispassionate mind, and within the context of the law, “as the military, not just the army, cannot turn down a directive made by the president, who, constitutionally, is their Commander-in-Chief; and, more so, when that order is aimed at ensuring the credible election that Nigerians have been yearning for is entrenched.”

While asking, rhetorically, whether Buhari’s shoot-at-sight order was not similar to the one issued by former president Obasanjo, on OPC, Mudi said: ‘’It is a call to caution, to scare away mischief makers who want to truncate our democracy, through election rigging.”

‘’What this means is that once individuals or political parties do not plan to rig, they have no reason to bother about the call.

The army is a disciplined institution that knows what is right. It has been protecting us for years now, and will not just turn its guns against innocent civilians.

The President ought to be celebrated for this patriotic call.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/ballot-snatching-groups-berate-atiku.html

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has said the postponed presidential election for Saturday may not hold.


The IPOB Leader said this on Wednesday night in a live broadcast.

Describing election as ‘sham’, Kanu said Saturday polls may not hold because ‘Jubril of Sudan’ will be chased out of Nigeria.


Kanu lamenting about killings of Igbos spearheaded by some South east governors, further revealed that he is coming back to Nigeria soon.

He said: “There’s no government in the world that doesn’t know about IPOB and fortunately I met most of them, we don’t publish all on social media.

“All these saboteurs you see online don’t exist. Check their profile and you’ll understand they’re fake. Just ignore them.


“I’m coming to Nigeria, in power and glory. I’m coming fully prepared, whatever Nigerian government wants, we will do it there.

“We called for boycott of the Zoo. Nigeria was vibrating, we called it off they ran astray. That’s how powerful IPOB is.

“No amount of intimidation, arrest, killings will stop us from marching.


“Im not sure that their Sham election will hold on Saturday 23rd Feb; because Jubril will be chased back to Sudan, then you will know that Buhari is dead.

“There is no way Jubril can survive an election in this zoo.”

Further lamenting on Killings of IPOB members, Kanu called out Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state, blaming him for orchestrating the genocide.


“As I am speaking now, IPOB members are being parked and taken to DSS custody in Abuja, masterminded by Obiano and others.

“Now that Obiano, Okezie Ikpeazu and other Igbo governors are hunting down and killing IPOB members, everyone is keeping quite.
But any day we decide to retaliate, everyone will start talking rubbish.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/02/2019-poll-i-am-coming-to-nigeria-says.html