₦airaland Forum

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to clear his name over humongous corruption allegations hanging on his neck.


The party said Oshiomhole lacks the rectitude to speak in public as a leader at any level, whatsoever, until he clears the allegations that he diverted billions of naira meant for the people of Edo State while he was governor.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP noted that since the petition against him at the EFCC is in the public domain, the newly coronated national chairman would do the APC, Buhari presidency, the EFCC as well as himself a lot of good by quietly submitting himself for investigation and possibly prosecution.

According to the party, since one of the campaign footstool upon which APC was elected into office is fighting corruption, it will be incongruous for Oshiomhole to go about his new assignment with allegation of corruption, even as tiny as a strand of hair.

“It is also instructive for the new chairman to understand that Nigerians are no longer inclined to sophistry, illogical arguments, deceits, contrivance and recourse to abuse as a method of campaign.

“As such, the PDP would be prepared for engagements that have the potency of rescuing our people from the hunger and starvation which the APC has sunk them,” it said.
The party said the essence of Oshiomhole’s emergence as President Muhammadu Buhari’s sole candidate was not lost on Nigerians as the presidency imposed him as a pliable instrument to frustrate other would-be presidential aspirants of APC extraction and hand the ticket to President Buhari, who, obviously is afraid to stand a presidential primary due to his failures in office.

“With Saturday’s charade, APC and its federal government, which claims to have zero tolerance for corruption, have eaten their vomits, confirming that they have been hypocritical and trending on lies, deception and propaganda.

“With the outcome of the Saturday’s convention, the APC has kissed internal democracy goodbye in the selection of its candidates at all levels as the national leadership, led by people burdened with corruption allegations, cannot but submit to the whim and caprices of those who granted them official protection from prosecution.

“President Buhari and his handlers should however note that manipulating the APC convention and seizing the party’s presidential ticket cannot help them as Nigerians are now fully rallying on the platform of the repositioned PDP in their quest for a new president, who truly has the competence to effectively run a united, secure and prosperous nation, come 2019,” it said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/go-after-oshiomhole-pdp-calls-on-efcc.html

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Youths Renaissance has congratulated former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole on his emergence as the new National Chairman of the party.


The youths urged Oshiomhole and the new National Working Committee, NWC, to remain focus and avoid being used by any group.

In a statement signed by it’s National Secretary, Mr. Collins Edwin and sent to Akelicious, the youths warned that the party may be derailed from achieving its goal if Oshiomhole allows himself to be used by aggrieved groups.


The youths warned that, “challenges ahead are very enormous especially as the nation is in the mood for next year’s general election.”

The group urged the “new leadership to remain focused and avoid being used by any group or individual in settling old or personal scores as that will derail the party from achieving its goals next year.”

They also advised the new leadership to, “remain receptive to new ideas as next year’s contest would be more of ideological wars than initially thought.”

The statement added, “While promising to redouble its efforts in defending the party and the policies of the Buhari administration from all negative publicity and propaganda, the group enjoin party members to always abide by party decisions and stop trying to lord their wish over the party or trying to usurp party decisions when it does not favour their interest.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/apc-youths-warn-oshiomhole-after.html

The national leadership of APC Youths Renaissance has congratulated Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on his emergence as the new National Chairman of the party.

In a statement signed by it's National Secretary, Mr. Collins Edwin, the group equally felicitated with other members of the National Working Committee-elect, saying their victory is a well deserved one looking at their verifiable track records.

The statement further noted that the challenges ahead are very enormous especially as the nation is in the mood for next year's general election.

The group urged the new leadership to remain focus and avoid being used by any group or individual in settling old or personal scores as that will derail the party from achieving it's goals next year.

The group also advised the new leadership to remain receptive to new ideas as next year's contest would be more of ideological wars than initially thought.

While promising to redouble it's efforts in defending the party and the policies of the Buhari administration from all negative publicity and propaganda, the group enjoin party members to always abide by party decisions and stop trying to lord their wish over the party or trying to usurp party decisions when it does not favour their interest.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/apc-congratulates-national-chairman.html

Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said that it viewed President Muhammadu Buhari's plan to set up cattle ranches in ten States across Nigeria including Abonyi State as a true reflection of the President's fundamentalism, "with a view to upholding and promoting his tribal and religious interest as paramount."

Reacting to the proposed plan, leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Mmadu said there had been a sudden takeover of running affairs of Nigerian government by the Fulani tribe "irrespective of their primitiveness."

"President Mohammed Buhari has proved to be the best president, Nigeria ever produced since the politically arranged independence from Britain. He ultimately and eloquently enthroned his Fulani kinsmen in all the strategic positions, coordinations and control of Nigeria governance against the reflection of true federal character and uncircumcised constitution. This is the first time a president and all his kitchen cabinet, security chiefs and paramilitary controllers including the heads of economy, health, educational, infrastructural and petroleum affairs of the Nigeria nation are in the hands of Islamic Fulani caliphate.

"Buhari in his inner sense of reasoning believes that with his kinsmen occupying top positions in military as service chiefs including all the most senior military high ranks and offices he will easily crush Biafra, maybe with his intimidating tendencies over Igbo Governors, National Assembly members, Religious, opinion and political leaders.
"As every revolutionary struggle has its own methodology, the current Biafran struggle for actualization and restoration will continue to unfold confusing methods to President Buhari. The involvement of many indescribable dimensions and other Niger Delta freedom fighters in Biafra struggle will continue to hunt President Mohammed Buhari and his Hausa Fulani people, Nigeria days of existence are numbered.
"Buhari's military civilian administration is the worst government Nigeria ever experienced, his leadership style of enforcing and imposing Islamic Hausa Fulani agenda on the rest of Nigeria people is tremendously assisting and justifying our struggle for Biafra actualization. President Buhari's stubbornness and Islamic fundamentalism against the Christian Southern, Eastern and Middle Beltan regions have reawakened the consciousness and thought of future survival of the people of this regions.
"We want Mr President to continue to take similar steps of this kind which always express his frustrations. Any king who thinks like Pharaoh of Egypt against the Jews will certainly experience the doom of Pharaoh. No man born of a woman can crush Biafra because God, History and Humanities are on our side, Biafra revolution is indestructive," the MASSOB leader said.
He declared that arrest, detention of all pro Biafra agitators, killings, persecutions, mesmerization, suppressions and oppressions of Biafrans including clampdown on non-violent and armless agitators because of their agitation for self rule would only worsen the problem and underscore Nigeria as a creeping and repressive colonial State.
"Colonialism as we must know, does not necessarily bear a white face as most people think. Any group that confines another to second class citizenship, and or denies another their full rights and autonomy to political, cultural and economic development is just as guilty of colonialism as the traditional white colonialists we are all familiar with, and herein lies Nigeria's dilemma.
"Arresting, detaining, killings, dehumanizing and torturing of Biafra agitators including the constant clampdown of Biafra agitators by Nigeria Federal security forces might seem to some, a solution to a problem, but as US President, Barack Obama said in his 2015 United Nations General Assembly speech "a government that suppresses peaceful dissent is not showing strength; it is showing weakness and it is showing fear."
"Biafra agitating groups like MASSOB and others are not the problem, what the Nigerian state as constituted is. Biafra agitation is only a reaction to the many injustices, exclusion, second class citizenship, born to rule philosophy, marginalization and other forms of inequality that characterise the Nigerian state.
"Nigeria is a state where some are first class citizens while others are second class; a state where some are born to rule while others are perpetual outcasts, a state where state policy deliberately denies Biafra land critical developmental infrastructure while accorded others same, a state where prejudice, tribalism, exclusion and hate are elevated while nation building is ignored, a state where it seems the only logic for unity is to share oil resources and not on the basis of consent, mutual respect, fraternity and shared brotherhood.
For these reasons, true nationhood has remained stillborn, peace has remained elusive and Nigeria has remained in perpetual strife and ever increasing crisis since her founding. These undeniable realities are the reasons the Nigerian state is afraid of Biafra and her agitators because we speak of a truth they cannot legitimately counter. We speak of a truth they know they are guilty of, so out of weakness and fear, they resort to repression, persecution and detention.
But as history teaches us, arresting, killings and detention of Biafra agitators will not take away the problem; neither will it stop the struggle insofar as the conditions that birthed the agitation remain. You cannot beat a child and ask the child not to cry. Arresting Nelson Mandela did not stop the apartheid struggle; neither did arresting Kwame Nkrumah stop the independence struggle in Ghana. Such examples are evident all through history.
Detention of pro Biafra agitators and others have moved beyond being an individual ideology, it has become a cry for justice that detention or even death cannot stop.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/cattle-ranches-fg-despotic-policies.html

Commercial motorcyclists operating in Awka and Onitsha have been urged to take advantage of the alternative empowerment measures put in place by the state government to engage themselves productively.

Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Ostar Christophe, said the ban of Okada riders in the two major cities come first of next month was in the best interest of the state and the people.

Mr. Christopher noted that Governor Willie Obiano as the Chief Security Officer of the state is determined not to compromise the lives and property of the people in anywhere and has given governance human face by providing immediate interventions to those affected to enable them not only to continue with a source of livelihood but also to expand their earning capacity by upgrading their business through the purchase of shuttle buses.

He pointed out that Okada as very fast moving machine is often used by criminals to threaten the security of the state which has remained paramount to the Governor.
The Senior Special Assistant enjoined other commercial motorcyclists operating in other areas to always comply with the laws and directives guiding their operations including closing hour of seven o’ clock in the evening.
He reassured that the state has strong vigilante services at the grassroot working closely with the police to maintain a robust security apparatus and urged landlords and community leaders to ensure that the all data of all tenants in their areas are properly documented and their activities closely monitored.
Mr. Christopher said the relationship between farmers and herdsmen in the state has remained very cordial while the state Cattle Menace Control Committee has remained alert to nip every excesses from the bud

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/commercial-motorcyclists-urged-to.html

The Rivers state government has confirmed that it sent emissaries to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris.
State Commissioner for Information, Emma Okah disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

Okah said Governor Nyesom Wike gave the approval to the elder statesmen who volunteered to mediate between the Police and the Governor.


He said the intention of the visit is to resolve the issues between an arm of the Police and the state government to pave way for a mutual relationship.

Okah said the elders realised that, “The friction between an arm of the Police and the Rivers state government is not doing the state any good.

“That is why we thought that all the issues should be resolved. We believe that there is much more we can achieve if the Police understand the vision of Governor Wike to restore security.


“Anybody can think what they like. They can assume what they like but our interest is to resolve the conflict for the benefit of our people.”

Recall that the All Progressive Congress, APC in Rivers had revealed that Wike sent emissaries to appeal to IGP Idris over his media attack on the Police especially the Federal Anti Robbery Squad, F-SARS and its commander in the state, ACP Akin Fakorede.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/why-wike-sent-emissaries-to-igp-idris.html

Transaction turnover in the Fixed Income and Currency (FIC) markets for the month of May amounted to N14.30trillion, a 4.30 percent (N0.64trn) decrease from the value recorded in April and a 50.60 percent (N4.80trn) increase Year on Year.

Activities in the Treasury bills’ market accounted for 39.49 percent (45.85% in April) of total turnover, while the Foreign Exchange (FX) market accounted for 36.42 percent (36.60% in April) of the total turnover.


In the same period, the Money Market (Repurchase Agreements (Repos)/Buy-Backs & Unsecured Placements/Takings) accounted for 17.55 percent of market turnover (11.17% in April). These three segments collectively contributed circa 93.47 percent to the total turnover in the FIC markets.

The value of transactions in the FX Market settled at $14.77billion in May, a decrease of 10.31 percent ($1.70bn) when compared with the value recorded in April ($16.47bn). Liquidity flows via the I&E FX Window increased as the total volumes traded for the month settled at $6.40billion, representing a 34.91 percent ($1.65bn) increase from the previous month ($4.74bn).

So far, the total volumes traded at the Window Year-to-Date stands at $26.35billion. Exchange rates for the Naira depreciated at the Investors’ & Exporters’ (I&E) FX Window as rates closed the reporting month at $/N360.97 from $/N360.51 as at April 30, 2018, whilst also trading at a discount to the Parallel Market as rates closed the reporting month at $/N363.00 from $/N362.00 as at April 30, 2018.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/turnover-in-fixed-income-currency.html

Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ignore the antics of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), saying the group’s claim of marginalisation and its insistence on meeting with President Muhamadu Buhari is to blackmail, intimidate and ambush him.

Abdullahi, a former governor of Nasarawa State, in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja ahead of the national convention of the APC slated for Saturday, commended Buhari for refusing to interfere in the nPDP issue, which, according to him, was receiving the attention of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the leadership of the party.


He said it was time the party ‘’ignored the deliberate attempts’’ by some persons in the APC to distract President Buhari’s focus on governance, pointing out that the admonition was against the backdrop of their recent decision to resurrect the platform of the defunct nPDP to fight their personal battles.

“I belonged to the nPDP; and, as I had said before, there was nowhere we held a meeting to resurrect the group for the purpose of protesting alleged marginalisation of our former members by the APC-led federal government. Apart from that, the basis of the group’s allegation is tenuous.”

The senator, who is the north central zone’s coordinator for Buhari’s presidential campaign, said that the latest media report of President Buhari’s resolve not to interfere in the APC leadership’s meeting with the nPDP was a welcome development.

He stated that the President’s position that Vice President Osinbajo and the party leadership should interface with the nPDP was good for the supremacy of the APC.

He stated, “While the antics of the so-called nPDP to portray the Buhari administration as being unfair to the group in its appointments are reprehensible, I commend the President’s governance style and his litany of progressive decisions that are in tandem with the collective aspirations of our party.”

He commended, in particular, the President for signing the 2018 budget into law despite its shortcomings and about 200 days after the presentation of the fiscal estimates to the National Assembly.

Senator Abdullahi also said that it was disingenuous for the nPDP to create the impression that the Buhari administration had been partial in its appointments, saying nothing could be farther from the truth.

According to him, “If, however, the group’s ultimate agenda is to prepare the ground to pull out of the APC at the national convention or thereafter, I have good news for our teeming members nationwide: it is a notorious fact that some of the people concerned have already started jumping from one side of the aisle to the other in the chamber without a formal declaration of defection.”

He said that “time shall tell whether or not these persons actually count for something in the bigger picture of Mr. President’s bid to have his presidential mandate renewed by Nigerians who are enamoured by his anti-corruption war and his integrity in government.”

On the national convention, the senator stressed the need for party members and leaders to keep their eyes sharply-focused on the ball, pointing out that “our goal is to strengthen our party ahead of the crucial 2019 general elections and, therefore, all hands must be on deck to achieve this important feat through excellent management of the convention.”

He commended the Convention Planning Committee for a good job that it had done so far and urged all candidates and delegates to cooperate with and support the committee to deliver on its assignment.

While wishing the party a successful convention, Adamu expressed belief in the capacity of the APC, under the leadership of President Buhari, to organise a convention that would have acceptable outcomes to both winners and losers.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ignore-npdps-antics-senator-abdullahi.html

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has launched a new campaign aimed at reinforcing the brand’s focus that it enables ‘you to be’ and ‘be all you can be.’

According to the financial services organisation, the campaign would run on radio, television, press, outdoor, advertising, and digital, among other channels of communication.


It exposes the main business pillars on which the Stanbic IBTC brand stands – a full service financial institution with a clear focus on corporate and investment banking, personal and business banking and wealth management.

The brand campaign comes against the backdrop of the sixth anniversary of Stanbic IBTC’s adoption of a holding company structure in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s directive for separation of core commercial banking activities from other financial activities such as stockbrokerage, asset management and pension, among others.

Speaking in Lagos, Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mr. Yinka Sanni, said: “The pivotal message here is first and foremost that of appreciation, encouragement and guarantee for our esteemed customers that we are their partner at every stage through life’s journey, to make progress real by enabling people and businesses.”

He noted that enormous improvements have been made across the businesses in terms of product and service offerings, access channels and customer care, as well as innovation and technological application.

He added: “Over the last couple of years, we have expanded our footprint across the country by establishing our presence in all states of the federation and the FCT. In addition, we have established Nigeria’s first self-service digital bank branch, a very robust mobile banking app, an innovation hub, the personal teller machine, and various hybrid products and services targeted at different market segments. All these are designed to deliver on our goal of being an institution for everyone.”

Sanni added that the new brand campaign was in line with the financial services group’s on-going strategy and efforts aimed at increasing its retail product and service offerings especially in niche financial services focus areas like personal and business banking, and wealth and investment management.

“Our main goal is to continue to render best in class service to our customers who cut right across Nigeria’s socio-economic spectrum and play a leading role in supporting individuals, businesses and the Nigerian economy. At Stanbic IBTC, our deepest commitment is to offer flawless customer service,” he added.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/stanbic-ibtc-launches-new-brand-campaign.html

The phrases “Action” or “Cut” and “That’s A Wrap” are truly synonymous with the entertainment industry, specifically filmmaking and motion picture development.

But these scenes do not occur, without the backing and funding from studios, production houses or deep pocket independent producers and directors.A new generation of powers behind the industry is emerging – Black Women, and this month, 15 of such influencers are profiled in a new feature in LA Magazine, and they are directors, movie funding gatekeepers, producers, program executives and writers from big-name players such as Paramount Pictures, BET Networks, Extra!, AEG, City National Bank and Revolt.

And then a certain 15-year-old documentary filmmaker called Zuriel Oduwole, youthfully perched at the top left of the group portrait, made the cut.She made her first film at the age of 9 about the Ghana Revolution, and her fourth film at the age of 12, showed in 2 movie theatre chains overseas and screened in Ghana, the UK, Nigeria, South Africa and Tokyo – Japan.

It made her the youngest producer in the world to show their self-produced and self-edited film in a commercial movie theatre chain. Indeed, a new dawn is breaking in Hollywood.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigerias-zuriel-oduwole-listed-among.html

Staff of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday stage a peaceful protest at its headquarters over poor condition of service and redundancy.

Mr Justin Uwazuruonye, the Chairman of Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN), NEMA Unit, who spoke on behalf of the staff in Abuja, appealed to the Federal Government to investigate the matter.

According to him, there is the need for the Federal Government to hear their side of the story.

“You can see that we are peaceful people, what we are demanding is that NEMA starts to work again, in the past one year do you have any annual report? No, we have been redundant.

“Let the government ask Maihaja to produce the annual report for the past one year; he came here, we want them (government) to come here and inspect and hear our side of the story.

`Not only our condition of service, the other people were paying us the same money, we didn’t talk but this time you come to the office, you stay hours without doing anything, we don’t have tools to work.

“No papers, no biro, they are killing our morale and that is our problems. They should pay us what is due to us as workers, and we will stand on it, let them come and hear us.

“Even the police themselves know the truth and we have been working with them, they know that NEMA is no longer working, let them put a call through to our call centre now it will not go.

“Let there be accident on the road now, there will be nobody to response from NEMA, no diesel, no battery in the car.

“Corruption is not only to take money, we have what we call moral corruption, Management is morally bankrupt.”

The chairman further said that the present administration was doing its best in providing all the necessary support needed by the agency for prompt response, but it is not being actualised.

Ms. Maryam Yau, Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Officer said Nigeria was taking the lead before in Africa for prompt response in disaster management but the case was different presently.

She said the current NEMA administration has grounded the agency, stating that they come to work without being productive while disaster has increased without response.

“Disaster continues to increase in this country but people are not being helped, the government is doing its best, the government is giving the appropriate funding for us to actually response to the people but is not happening.

“It is so frustrating, our ambulance are beside the road not working, where is the effort of all the previous administration, Nigeria has been setting pace in disaster management in Africa.

“We have been doing well, we go to other countries to train them on disaster management but now we can’t, we need to work please, we are begging the government.”

Responding, Mr Sani Datti, Head of Media and Public Relations, NEMA, noted in a statement, that the management insists there is no justification for an industrial action.

Datti said that most of the demands of the staff have either been addressed or are currently being addressed.

He said that in September 2017, an agreement was reached which included settlement of outstanding Overtime Allowance, payment of DTAs and other claims, which have accrued (since 2015) are being settled in batches.

“On the issue of staff promotion, the Department of Human Resources Management has concluded preparations, briefs and other related cases, such as conversion, upgrading and confirmation, among others.

“The Renewal of Group Life Insurance, which is at the centre of the present disagreement have been approved after going through rigorous due process.

“However, the commitment of government was invigorated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“A meeting was convened between the NEMA management and the Union’s officials and it addressed the government efforts to providing better condition of service for NEMA staff”.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency started its strike on June 11 on the ground that the agency Emergency Response Ambulance Bays that responded to over 1000 incidences in 2015 has been grounded.

The Agency cannot respond to emergencies anywhere in Nigeria as the call centres have been grounded as well as all response vehicles.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nema-workers-protest-want-fg-to.html

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has clarified that its anticipated fortune in the 2019 general elections was not completely hinged on former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

It, however, stated that Obasanjo should not be wished away by assuming that he had become less influential in the nation’s political space.

The party said that it was rather the principles, the manifesto and the ideology of ADC that attracted the former President and others, to adopt the party as the right vehicle that would bring about desired change for good leadership in Nigeria.

ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Anayo Arinze made the assertion when the party inaugurated its Enugu State Working Committee headed by the state chairman, Stella Chukwuma in Enugu, at the weekend.

Arinze said: “ADC is not anchoring its prospects on Obasanjo, he is just one person but you know that he is an enigma. You cannot wish him away in the country, Africa and entire universe.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/our-hope-not-hinged-on-obasanjo-says-adc.html

Nigerian Navy has arrested a ship smuggling a large haul of contraband rice into Nigeria from Cameroon.

The vessel carrying 2,860 bags of foreign rice was intercepted over the weekend by Naval personnel on board the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) victory along the Calabar waterway in Cross River State.

The Acting Commander of the NNS victory ship, Captain Babafemi Ajayi, while parading the five suspects alongside their seized boat in Calabar, the state capital said the arrests were made following an intelligence report.

“We discovered that the boat was hidden around Calabar channels with this consignments with the intention that when there is darkness, they will use smaller boats to evacuate the products into a warehouse.

“Following the tip-off, we positioned our men into that area. Fortunately, we saw the five men when they wanted to carry out the assignment on the boat. They were subsequently arrested. Further entry revealed their warehouse. When we got there, we saw more consignments, those that have already been offloaded.”

Captain Ajaji noted that in compliance with the extant rules, the bags of rice and the suspects will be handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for further investigation and prosecution.

More photos at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/photos-nigerian-navy-intercepts-ship.html

President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigerians must work together as a people to ensure speedy transformation of the nation’s economy for the general progress of the country.

President Buhari stated this when he received representatives of residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who paid him Sallah homage at his official resident in the presidential villa, Abuja, on Friday.

He said the call had become imperative so as to enable the nation explore its resources which hitherto had been abandoned in the past years.


The President, who digressed to praise the immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for his tremendous contributions during his tenure as minister, said it would be difficult for him to get his replacement in the cabinet.

“I’m very pleased that we are working very hard collectively as Nigerians and that God in his infinite mercy who knows what is in the heart and not by mouth, will continue to guide us so that we accommodate each other at all times.


“This country is blessed on human and material resources. Here I have to digress and wish my former minister of mines and steel, Kayode Fayemi, well.

“He has been a very hardworking minister, because the ministry he was leading was neglected with the overbearing economic relevance of oil.

“But from the days of mining of tin, columbite, coal and so on, you know this country is blessed.

“Throughout the country, we have solid minerals and I am hoping that Fayemi will succeed to lead again his state. I believe he is a very hardworking person, very patriotic but Nigerian politics is virtually unpredictable.

“We are going to work very hard to fill his space in the executive council so that we keep on exploiting more and more of our solid minerals and less politicizing of our petroleum resources.

“I think we have invested so much in this country and we will continue to pray that we stay together and let us develop the necessary confidence, work together as a people, this country is great let us work together so that we can save a lot more and exploit more of the resources that were abandoned so many years ago,’’ he said.


The President called on Nigerians to always exhibit the virtues of honesty, patriotism and hard work to enable them take advantage of the abundant natural resources.

He thanked the FCT Minister and the leaderships of the two religious communities (Islam and Christianity) for paying him happy Eid-Fitr.

President Buhari enjoined them to preach to their followers the need to be patriotic and to work harder away from primordial sentiments for the good of the society.

He said: “I’m very grateful to the minister and the Mosque and Church leadership that came to say happy Eid-Filtri to those of us that have been fasting.

“A lot of people asked me of on health grounds I can default I refused because I know the value in fasting, I cannot miss it once I can do it.

“Last year, I didn’t because I was on health vacation but this year I have done it and I thank God because it has helped me to be much more healthier to give me the time that I need to attend to national issues.

“Please in your constituencies emphasized what I said about 30 years ago, we don’t have another country except Nigeria we may as well remain here and salvage it together, there is nothing else we can do. Even those that had gone out are now trying to come back because they are not wanted out there.

“I wish all the resources they had they had deployed it here it would have been much better.

“So, thank you very much and please try to persuade your constituencies to work much harder away from individualism and sectionalism

The Minister of the FCT, Alhaji Muhammed Bello, who led the delegation for the homage, said they were in the presidential villa to felicitate with the president after the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting period.

Bello, who presented a giant Sallah Greeting Card to the President, renewed the loyalty and support of the FCT residents to Buhari administration.

He prayed that Almighty God would continue to guide and protect the President in his efforts toward transforming the country to greater height.

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who was represented at the event by Sen. Bala NaAllah, pledged that the National Assembly would continue to partner with the executive arm of government to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

NAN reports that President Buhari had earlier joined hundreds of other Muslim faithful to perform the two-raka’at Eid Fitr prayer session at the Mambilla Barrack Mosque, Abuja.

NAN observed that the prayer was led by the Mosque’s chief Imam, Capt. Sabiu Yusuf, who in his sermon, called on Muslim ummah to abide by the teachings of the Holy Quran in all their dealings with fellow citizens.

He also offered special prayers for the continued existence and prosperity of Nigeria as a geo-political entity.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/i-need-your-support-to-transform.html

President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday said Nigeria’s election was not predictable, the only reason he cannot say exactly whether his former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi would win the coming Ekiti governorship election. Buhari, however, expressed optimism that with Fayemi’s track record, he may sail through.

The president made this statement in Abuja on Friday, while call on all Nigerians to work towards salvaging the nation from the shackles of past wrongs by sharing in the collective vision for a greater Nigeria and contributing individually to realise the goal.

President Buhari, who received FCT residents at the Presidential Villa for the Eid-al-fitr celebration, urged all citizens to embrace the reality that Nigeria must exist and continue as one nation, noting that the country needs all its human and material resources to succeed.

“We have no other country than Nigeria. We may as well stay and salvage it together,’’ he said.
President Buhari told the gathering of religious leaders, traditional rulers, security chiefs and top government officials to start expanding the frontiers for development by sensitizing their “constituencies’’ to work harder for the collective good of the country.
“Please try to persuade your constituencies to work harder for the greatness of this nation,’’ he added.

President Buhari said Nigeria had a peculiar advantage of being blessed with enormous human and material resources, noting that the potentials could be turned around for the greater good of everyone.
The President commended former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, for the efforts at discovering and repositioning Nigeria’s mineral potentials.
“I hope Fayemi will succeed in the elections and lead Ekiti State. He is hardworking and patriotic, but Nigerian politics can be unpredictable,’’ President Buhari said.
The President, who disclosed that he could not fast last year due to ill health, said he was able to fully participate in the spiritual exercise this year, as the benefits were not optional for any healthy Muslim.
In his remarks, the Minister of FCT, Muhammad Musa Bello, said the Ramadan provided an auspicious opportunity to pray for the nation, and the wellbeing of the President and his family.
Representative of the Senate President, Sen. Bala Ibn Na’allah, said the National Assembly will keep supporting the vision of the administration for a greater Nigeria, noting that “no administration since 1999 had received more cooperation from the legislature like President Buhari.’’
President Buhari also received women groups led by his wife, Aisha Buhari, President of the National Council of Women Societies, Dr. Laraba Shoda, and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Pauline Tallen.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ekiti-election-buhari-afraid-for-fayemi.html

There are indications that power supply in the country, especially in rural areas across will witness significant improvement going by plans by the government to overhaul some National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs).

Though over 70 per cent of Nigerians reside in rural communities, inability of players in the power sector to operate some NIPPs continues to affect electricity supply to remote villages.

The Managing Director, NDPHC, Chiedu Ugbo, while launching a (1 *15 MVA,33/11KV) injection substation in Kaduna, said plans are being fine-tuned to enable operationalization of the projects along with Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) .


While the electricity distributor had avoided some of the projects because they were not economically viable, Ugbo said deliberation at a meeting, which brought together major stakeholders in the industry renewed hope of power supply to villages.

“At the power sector meeting today, we deliberated on that. DisCos have not taken them (completed projects) for so many reasons, especially what they called difficulty to operationalize the substations, especially when they are in very remote areas where they are in villages and it does not make any economic sense for them.

But the ministry, the minister, the regulator, we are all working to see how the challenges will be resolved,” Ugbo said.

Speaking on the commissioned substation, the MD said: “15MVA transformer substation stepped down from 33KV to 11KV.

It also has two feeders going from here to the legislative quarters and to Rafin Gosa.

It will serve this area; serve the Army Mechanized Division, several schools, several hospitals, several mosques, and several churches.”

Ugbo was optimistic that the N300million initiative would aid Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company deliver stranded power, adding that the new station would improve power supply in the state.

According to him, the new project has enhanced small and medium enterprises and improved economic activities with resultant positive effects on the socio-economic well being within the area.

He noted that the project was conceived and built by the company to primarily address the acute power supply to Angwan Dosa and its environs.

Ugbo said the project, “is a 1×15MVA, 33/11kv injection substation complete with 4.6km of 33kv overhead line from Mando Transmission Substation and 8km of 11kv overhead line and 60nos, Completely Self Protected (CSP) distribution transformers.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/governemnt-targets-improved-power.html

The Dangote Group’s sub-sea pipeline infrastructure is expected to augment the natural domestic gas supply and add an estimated 12,000 Mega Watts (MW) to Nigeria’s power generation capacity. Dangote also has plans to construct a 570 MW power plant within refinery complex.

The 12,000mw, which is being expected from the Dangote subsea pipeline is far more than the average of 2,812mw, which is presently being supplied to power plants.

The subsea pipelines are expected to create a corridor for evacuation of trapped from offshore platforms in Nigeria to allow their monetization.

Most of the associated gases produced offshore in Nigeria are currently being re-injected or flared. Hence the Dangote strategy is to serve as a transporter only transporter and processor, or buyer for producers of the gases.

Speaking at this year’s Ghanaian International Petroleum conference (Ghipcon 2018) which held in Accra, Ghana, the Technical Adviser to the President of Dangote Group on Refinery and Petrochemical matters, who led the Dangote Refinery team to the Conference, Engr. Babajide Soyode, noted that Alhaji Aliko Dangote will always do his best in whatever sector of the economy he ventures into, and that is why this refinery will be completed and meet the needs of Nigeria, West Africa and the entire African continent.


He went further to state that the Nigerian government has been supportive of the refinery citing the visit of Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu to the site of the Refinery during which he said the government would support efforts toward its completion.

“I have made very firm commitment to Nigerians that I must stop the importation of petroleum products by 2019 and I am going to keep to it.”, Kachikwu was quoted to have said.

Meanwhile, ahead of the completion of the Dangote Oil Refinery, petroleum importing African nations and Bulk Oil Distributors based in Ghana have expressed eagerness to patronize the Nigerian Refinery when production starts.

The oil buyers said arrangements have been put in place to import petroleum products from the world’s largest single-train refinery, situated, Lekki, Lagos state owned by the foremost industrialist.

Hints of eager expectation and hopes on the Dangote Refinery were revealed at Participants at the international Conference as well as oil distributors and marketers from various countries were eager to know how they could key in for supplies from the 650,000 barrel per day refinery, that is preparing to take the continent by storm.

The Ghananian government expressed the view that dealing with Dangote refinery for petroleum import would be a better business for African nations than depending on the international market for the supply of refined petroleum products, “we will rather purchase from the Dangote Refinery due to the proximity of the refinery to Ghana and other neighbours.

President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was represented by Vice-President Alhaji Mahamud Bawumia, said African nations are anxiously waiting for Dangote Refinery.

During their visit to the Dangote oil exhibition stand, the Ghanaian Vice-President and the Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, were amazed at the size of the project and expressed satisfaction with the pace of work being done at the refinery.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/dangote-deep-sea-pipeline-to-boost.html

German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria yesterday said the seventh edition of the German-Nigerian Business Forum (GNBF) would highlight bilateral trade relations between both countries.

Its delegate, Dr. Marc Lucassen, noted that the ties would further prove the long history of 160 years of socio-economic relations between them.

Lucassen, who spoke yesterday in Lagos on the forth-coming event, said it would provide a solid platform for private enterprises, corporate bodies and governments to network, exchange information and establish relevant business contacts.


Its theme: Leveraging Partnership For Economic Growth, according to him, would extensively highlight the importance and implementation of partnerships at different levels and sectors in promoting economic growth for both countries.

His words: “Over the years, there have been initiatives to establish a collaborative and mutually beneficial bi-lateral relationship across broad-ranging sectors including diplomacy, security, as well as trade and investment.

“Bilateral relations between Nigeria and Germany regained momentum in 1999 with the advent of democracy in Nigeria.”

The two-day event holds from June 20 through June 21, 2018 in Lagos and would focus on agribusiness and food processing; energy, with a special focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency; infrastructure and access to finance; digitisation and startups; as well as technical vocational education and training.

Lucassen also disclosed that the seventh GNBF would feature panel discussions by different experts and stakeholders on the opportunities, challenges and latest developments in these sectors.

The forum, which was established by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, Nigerian-German Business Association and the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft) in 2007, holds alternately in Germany and Nigeria.

“Economic relations between Nigeria and Germany have improved tremendously and indeed Nigeria is Germany’s largest trading partner in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region with trade volume of 3.5 billion Euros.

“This year, the panels will feature a combination of technology and service providers, consumers and regulators to ensure stimulating and robust discussions on the challenges and opportunities that exist in the sectors,” he added.

Lucassen said a German business delegation from Bavaria would join the forum and therefore, urged robust participation from business leaders, entrepreneurs and public sector officials.

“We call on entrepreneurs, business executives, strategic planners, financial analysts, business development professionals, marketing experts, technology and services providers, investors, economists, associations and trade groups, the government and policy makers and the media to join,” he said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/germany-seeks-stronger-ties-with.html

Securities Exchange, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Financial Markets Dealers’ Association (FMDA), have established Straight-Through-Processing (STP) for the settlement of fixed income trades.

With the support of the CBN and the FMDQ Dealing Member (Banks), FMDQ, on Friday, successfully deployed a fixed income market STP settlement solution through its proprietary market system – FMDQ’s Q-ex – a customised fully integrated multi- asset trading system with attendant post-trade services capabilities.

FMDQ’s Q-ex has been integrated with the CBN’s Scripless Securities Settlement System (S4) to provide STP capabilities for efficient settlement in the fixed income market, improving the efficiency of the trading, reporting and settlement processes, whilst further developing, in no small measure, the Nigerian financial markets.


According to a statement by the FMDQ, Q-ex provides an unrivalled means through which trades executed by its members (currently the Dealing Member (Banks), are reported and subsequently settled, with minimal to no human intervention, via the respective channels.

The OTC Securities Exchange explained that the deployment of the FMDQ Q-ex Settlement Solution operated by FMDQ Clear Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FMDQ, will essentially streamline business processes to reduce friction along the fixed income trades settlement value-chain, boost productivity of the market participants and promote efficiency of post-trade services.

“It can be argued that the Nigerian fixed income market has not been performing at its optimum, as the market has been marked with bouts of low productivity, inefficiency and invariably, settlement defaults, all of which would likely have marred the market’s integrity and significantly lowered investor confidence.

“With integrity being one of the key ingredients for a successful market, as adjudged by global counterparts, the achievement of STP in the fixed income market via the integration of Q-ex and the CBN’s S4 could not have come a moment too soon, as this integration sets a clear and certain path for market-wide confidence in the Nigerian fixed income settlement processes, and by extension, the fixed income market, to be restored.

“The integration also makes possible, unparalleled visibility and transparency of the post-trade workflow (settlement obligations, reconciliations etc.) amongst FMDQ Members and their trading counterparties – another must for a successful market.”

According to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer at FMDQ, Bola Onadele, the development of FMDQ’s Q-ex and its subsequent linkage to the CBN’s S4 is one of the key medium- to long-term initiatives of FMDQ, aimed at making the Nigerian financial market operationally excellent delivering on the FMDQ’s GOLD Agenda.“With the continued collective efforts of the CBN, the Securities and Exchange Commission and indeed, other key regulators and stakeholders, we at FMDQ, are confident that the potential of our domestic markets, acting as a catalyst to propel economic growth, shall be realised.

“To build and sustain a well-functioning market, it is hoped that all hands remain on deck even as FMDQ continues to re-affirm its commitment to promote a world-class financial market operating in alignment with international best practices.”

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/cbn-fmdq-boost-market-confidence-with.html

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday performed the investiture of national honours on heroes of democracy and tendered a national apology to the family of late Chief Moshood Abiola, for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which was adjudged to have been won by Abiola.

MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe were the candidates of Social Democratic Pary (SDP) that contested the election in 1993.

Buhari also tendered national apologies to all those who struggled for the actuallisation of the election, including journalists, politicians and all other stakeholders.

The President personally presented the awards to Mr Kola Abiola, son of MKO Abiola; Mrs Ganiat Fawehinmi, wife of late Chief Gani Fawehinmi; and Ambassador Babagana Kingigbe, who was the running mate to Abiola.

Buhari said as he presented the awards that the ceremony was not to open old wounds of inexplicable annulment of the election which was clear to have been won by MKO Abiola.

“We recognise that an error has been committed.

“We will no longer tolerate such perversion of justice.

“This honour if for the grievous injustice done to the country.

“It is meant to assist at healing the wounds and building national reconciliation of the 25 years of wounds caused by the annulment.

“I earnestly urge Nigerians to accept it in good faith and bury the past of June 12.

“We are celebrating June 12 as a democracy sustenance, freedom, unity and national cohesion.

“It will impact impact positively on the next generation.

“I tender the nation’s apology to the family of MKO Abiola, Also to those who struggle and stood for June 12.”

Buhari declared a minute silence in honour of the victims of June 12.

Mr Kola Abiola and his sister Hafsat Biola spoke on behalf of the family of MKO Abiola, saluting Buhari for the honour done to the gladiators of June 12 and for honouring their father.

Hafsat said “Today is important because in presents the unity of Nigeria.”

She appealed to all politicians to appreciate Nigerians,

“I urge all Nigerians to support President Buhari.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/buhari-tenders-national-apology-to.html

Nigeria’s oil exports are expected to fall in July to 1.43 million barrels per day (bpd), according to the loading plans, the lowest level so far this year.


This is coming as loadings of Nigerian Bonny Light crude, which have already been under force majeure for a month, would likely be further delayed by the closure of Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) by the operator, Aiteo E & P.

The NCTL and the Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) are the two major pipelines used by oil companies operating in the eastern Niger Delta to evacuate crude to the Shell-operated Bonny Export Terminal.

THISDAY gathered that the NCTL is a major crude oil transportation channel that conveys crude injected from Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 29, 18, 24, 25, 23 and 55; running from Nembe Creek in Bayelsa State through Cawthorne Channel Field on OML 18 to the Bonny Oil Terminal for export.

The pipeline has a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day at Nembe Creek, but can evacuate 600,000 barrels of liquids from the Cawthorne Channel end.

The 115-kilometre capacity line was built by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) between 2006 and 2010 at a cost of about $1.1 billion but is currently being operated by Aiteo Group since 2015 when Shell completed the assignment of its interest in OML 29 and the NCTL to Aiteo Eastern E&P Co. Ltd.

It was gathered that there have been recurrent thefts along the pipeline route, which are evidenced by significant pressure reductions on the trunk line, and theft points, which has affected Bonny Light exports.

Reuters reported that the export plan for Bonny Light comprised 48 cargoes, compared with 60 cargoes and a daily rate of 1.796 million bpd in June, largely as a result of an outage on the Bonny Light stream, which has been under force majeure for a month.

July’s export plan also includes four cargoes of Akpo condensate with 123,000 bpd, compared with four cargoes in June with 133,000 bpd.

The export plans showed one extra cargo of Agbami than in June, as well as one more Bonga cargo and an extra Qua Iboe cargo.

It also shows three fewer Forcados and one fewer Escravos, while a number of smaller streams showed no cargoes would load in July.

Nigerian oil export plans are prone to revisions and delays, with cargoes frequently pushed from one month to the next.

In a related development, the loadings of Nigerian Bonny Light crude, which have already been under force majeure for a month, would likely be further delayed by the closure of the Nembe Creek Trunk Line.

The Nembe Creek Trunk Line, which carries Bonny Light, was shut down at the weekend for repairs, according to the operator, Aiteo.

However, the Trans Niger Pipeline, which is a second line that carries Bonny Light remained open.

It was not clear when the Nembe Creek pipeline would reopen but traders said there were at least three tankers that were due to load Bonny Light this week and next, with oil deferred from the May loading programme.

But any liftings would likely be subject to delays of two to three days because of the pipeline closure, Reuters quoted oil traders as saying.

Shipments of Bonny Light remained subject to force majeure, according to a Shell spokesman Monday.

Exports have been under force majeure for a month following a leak further up the pipeline.

Between 30 and 33 cargoes are said to be available for sale from the 48 cargoes in the Nigerian July programme, which would likely keep differentials under pressure, traders said.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigerias-oil-exports-to-fall-to-2018.html

After three decades spinning the turntables and two albums that lean heavily on hip-hop and pop with over 100 guest artists featured, you will expect that it will be easier for legendary DJ Jimmy Jatt to name his top five Nigerian rappers of all time.It is not anywhere to close to being easy.

"I don't do name dropping," he said. "To be honest with you, if I give you a list now, it may change before you get to the gate."

The DJ blamed his 'not great' memory for his reluctance to drop names.

Yet, Jimmy will never hesitate to drop Modenine's name if he's to name his Top Five. The remaining four spots, he said, will be occupied by 40 others.He described the seven-time Headies Lyricist on the Roll winner as the best Nigerian rapper.

"Modenine is every rapper's lecturer around here. No matter what anybody said publicly, they still wish they can write rhymes like him. Everybody studies Modenine. "

The revered lyricist was the only artist to feature on two tracks on Jimmy's first album The Definition. He is also the only one to have a solo track on the album.

Modenine also features on the opening track of the DJ Jimmy Jatt's sophomore album.

The relationship between the two transcends the music. " We've been friends long before we started making records," he noted.

However, Jimmy Jatt has no qualms collaborating with other artists, established or not. In fact, his debut album featured more budding artists than established ones."I have done the highest number of collaborations in Nigeria as a music person," he said.

The ease with which he churns collaborations is partly hinged on the relationships he has built with industry players and artists over the years.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/dj-jimmy-jatts-top-five-nigerian.html

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Katsina State Thursday said it has received 111,302 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from its national headquarters, Abuja for onward distribution to eligible voters in the state.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of the state, Alhaji Jibril Ibrahim Zarewa, who disclosed this to newsmen in Katsina shortly after the commission’s Youth Strategy Development Consultation meeting, said the distribution is for those who registered between April and December last year.


The Katsina State REC, however, said about 20,779 PVCs had been distributed to eligible voters across the state within 17 days, calling on those who have registered to visit the commission’s office and other designated centres for onward collection of their respective PVCs.

On his part, the INEC Head of Voter’s Education Muhammed Abani Takai said the consultation meeting will provide an opportunity to assess and analyse youth participation and engagement in the electoral process of the country.

He said: “The INEC youth strategy is to articulate and coordinate youth programmes, increase civil participation of youth in the electoral process in a manner that will be appealing to the youth and to create an inclusive, qualitative engagement of youth in the electoral process as well as to properly reposition the commission as a responsive and result driven public institution.”

Earlier, the state Coordinator of Not-Too-Young-To-Run Isamiala Bello lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into law, stressing that the gesture will deepen democracy in Nigeria.

He admonished political parties in the country to implement the provisions of the law to create a space for young people to contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation’s electoral processes.

According to him, with the signing of the bill into law, President Buhari has demonstrated that he is a listening president and father who seeks for the betterment of the youths at heart.

“This law will deepen democracy and give all especially youths that constitute the bulk of the population of the country a sense of belonging. This law will give room for active participation of youths in politics, and it will also reduce the barrier between the young and the old.

“It will also make the political space more inclusive and dynamic as more young people will bring in their innovations,’’ the state coordinator said.

He reiterated that the group will continue to support the president’s programmes meant to better the lot of Nigerians by initiating programmes and policies that will complement the efforts of the state and federal governments.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/inec-receives-111302-pvcs-distributes.html

The Oyo State Government yesterday disclosed that over N9 billion has been disbursed for the payment of salaries and pensions of workers under the payroll of local councils in the state. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Bimbo Kolade, explained that N9.776b had been released for the payment of salaries and pensions of local councils employees for several months. He said part of the money would also be used to settle primary school teachers’ salaries for March and April 2018, as well as teachers’ leave bonuses for 2016 and pension of primary school retirees. He noted that of the over N9b, N4.8b would be used for the payment of primary school teachers’ salary for March and April, 2018 and leave bonuses for 2016, while N438.7m would be used to pay retired primary school pensioners.

Kolade added that N4.5b would be used for the payment of salaries and pensions of local council employees, saying the money has been disbursed to the councils for immediate payment of the salaries.

The commissioner stressed that the money would reduce the outstanding arrears owed the council workers ranging from one to six months, and urged the council chairmen to use the money judiciously for the purpose it was released. He maintained that the state government remained committed to the welfare of workers and people of Oyo State.assuring that efforts were being made to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed retired primary school teachers.

The commissioner also pointed out that effort leading to the payment of N200m gratuities of pensioners at the state level was being replicated at the council level with the release of over N400m, noting that the government would continue to ensure that workers get their dues promptly.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/oyo-releases-n97b-for-council-workers.html

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) officers have returned to the nation’s ports after seven years to check importation of illicit drugs.

Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adeyeye said that she took up the task in ensuring that officers of the agency were returned to the various ports to prevent illicit, fake drugs and similar products from coming into the country.

She said that the absence of her officers at the nation’s ports was the main cause of having illicit drugs like tramadol and codeine coming into the country.

“Returning NAFDAC to our ports is one of the struggles I fought when I assumed duty as the director-general in November 2017.

“We are back to the ports for the past two and half weeks; there was abuse of such opportunity in the past.

“Our officers now have change of attitude on the way they do things.

“Being at the ports to check and prevent entry of illicit drugs is one of our mandates taken away from us before we were reinstated recently at the ports.

“We are thinking of the safety of Nigerians, that is why we put quality management system in place for the benefit of our end users who are Nigerian populace,” she said.

The NAFDAC director-general said that the opportunities were misused by some officers of the agency who allegedly involved themselves in corrupt practices.

NAFDAC officers were removed from the ports in 2011 by the management of the Nigerian Port Authority.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nafdac-officers-return-to-ports-after-7.html

Noble Youths Mass Support Association (NYMSA), a non-governmental organisation, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill.

Comrade Godwin Onmonya, the national coordinator of the association gave the commendation while briefing newsmen in Kuje, Abuja.

According to him, the bill is a step in the right direction, adding that it will bring about new brand of leadership with sound minds.

“I am happy with the passage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill into law and it is victory to Nigerian Youths.

“I commend the President for this particular measure and the step that this government has taken regarding the bill.

“For people to think that we now have young ones who are intelligent and patriotic and allow them to take leadership positions is quite commendable,” he said.

Onmonya said President Buhari signed the bill into law on Thursday, at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, barely two days after he pledged to do so during the country’s Democracy Day celebration on May 29.

He observed that the movement had already put younger Nigerians at advantage positions to participate in elective positions ahead of the future general elections.

“What we have found in other countries that are developing is that they take time to build and groom the leadership that will take over.

“When they do, they will see that the country is moving at a faster speed but over time in this country, we have not taken time to groom our leadership.

“We keep on recycling our leaders and we don’t see much improvement in our governance.

“If we get the issue of leadership right but fail to deal with the issue facing it, we are going nowhere.”

He suggested that Nigerians in the run up to the 2019 elections should demand that aspiring politicians did not abuse their offices.

“In line with our dream of providing enabling environment for youth participation in elections and governance and to allow younger Nigerians to actively participate in elective positions in governance at all levels.

‘‘Whoever can vote can be voted for, which is a global standard,’’ he said.

He, therefore, urged Nigerian youths to immediately take advantage of the bill to actively participate in the collective quest to move the nation forward.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ntyr-youth-group-hails-buhari.html

For the second time in one week, the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant order of interim injunction against the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seeking to stop the two respondents from their plan to extradite a serving senator, Prince Buruji Kashamu to the United States for the purpose of trial in an alleged criminal offence.

Justice Babatunde Quadiri on Tuesday declined to issue injunction order against AGF and NDLEA when an ex-parte application was argued before him by counsel to the Senator, Mr. Olusegun Odubela SAN.
The judge said that in view of the sensitivity of the issue in dispute, merit of justice will not be served if the two respondents (AGF and NDLEA) are restrained on the extradition matter at the ex-parte stage.

Instead, he ordered the senator to put the AGF and NDLEA on notice on the pendency of the suit against them.
In his ruling on the motion, Justice Quadiri ordered the three parties in the matter to maintain status-quo pending the hearing on the originating summon filed by Kashamu against AGF and NDLEA on his planned extradition.
Kashamu had, in the ex-parte motion filed on May 18, prayed the court to restrain the AGF and NDLEA from arresting, detaining and extraditing him to the United States of America (USA) to face trial in drug-related charges.

The senator tendered a publication of Punch Newspaper of May 13, 2018 entitled: “AGF requests for extradition process on Kashamu” to establish an alleged fact that the AGF office was making move on his extradition.
He also told the Judge that one Shehu Abubakar, a staff in the AGF office was the person who informed him of the concluded plan by AGF and NDLEA to extradite him based on the judgments of the Court of Appeal delivered on May 4 which voided all restraining orders granted in favor of Kashamu.
Kashamu argued that twice, the courts in the United Kingdom have exonerated him on the alleged drug offence and that his fundamental human rights will be breached if the AGF and NDLEA are not restrained from taking further steps on the issue.
Justice Quadiri, while refusing to restrain the AGF and NDLEA, said he would prefer to give fair hearing to parties in the suit
The judge granted an order to serve the originating summon on NDLEA in the Lagos office on the pendency of the court action.
Meanwhile, hearing in the originating summon has been fixed for September 24 this year.
Another Federal High Court in Abuja had on May 30 refused to stop the execution of the two judgments secured by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice against the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district in the Senate.
The court had held that granting the request by Kashamu to stay the appellate court decisions against him in an ex-parte application will be against the rule of law and natural justice.
In a ruling on the first ex-parte application filed against the AGF and the NDLEA, Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed had rather asked the senator to put the AGF and NDLEA on notice in respect of his fresh suit.
Justice Mohammed noted that since what the senator sought in his originating summon was to prevent his extradition, it will be unfair against the AGF and NDLEA to put the extradition on hold without going into the merit of the whole issue as contained in the originating summon.
The Judge therefore declined to stop the implementation of the appeal verdict delivered on May 4 this year.
Kashamu had through his counsel, Dr. Alex Izinyon SAN, in the ex-parte motion, argued that he was afraid and apprehensive that the federal government may likely pick him and extradite him to USA on the strength of the Court of Appeal Judgments.
He told Justice Mohammed that if the extradition is executed via the judgments of the appellate court, his fundamental right to freedom of liberty will be jeopardized.
The senior lawyer argued that if Senator Kashamu is picked by the federal government through the NDLEA; no court in Nigeria will have jurisdiction to save him because he (Kashamu) would have been flown to a foreign country.
Izinyon SAN insisted that there is likelihood now of his client being picked by the Federal Government and the NDLEA, adding that his fundamental human rights will be breached in the process.
But Justice Mohammed stood his ground that his court was not persuaded to stop the appellate court judgment but will rather wish that Kashamu puts both AGF and NDLEA on notice to show cause on why the two judgments against the senator should not be stayed from execution.
The Judge consequently fixed July 2 for the parties involved to appear before him.
The Court of Appeal had on May 4 cleared the coast for the federal government to extradite the senator, who had engaged government in a long drawn legal battle since 2014.
The appellate court, in a landmark judgment, voided and set aside all orders made by a Federal High Court between 2014 and 2017 restraining the government from proceeding with the extradition.
In a judgment in an appeal filed by the AGF, Justice Joseph Ikyeghi held that the orders granted Kashamu by Justice Okon Abang were invalid, nonsensical and unacceptable to laws because they were based on hearsays and speculations by Senator Kashamu.
The unanimous judgment was prepared by Justice Ikyeghi and was delivered by Justice Yargata Nimpar.
The court held that the hearsay that a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was instigating the extradition was not established under any law.
The appeal court said that an affidavit deposed to by the senator on the issue was worthless and not in compliance with Evidence Act because the senator himself claimed that he was told by several persons who were not called to testify in court.
Justice Ikyeghi held that Justice Abang in his two judgments on the issue erred in law by playing undue reliance on affidavit that offended Evidence Act to give judgment against the Federal government.
Consequently, the order of injunction stopping the extraction process was voided and set aside.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/again-court-refuses-to-stop-agf-ndlea.html

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will start the English champions’ quest for a first Champions League title from the stands next season after being hit with a two-game touchline ban by UEFA on Monday.

Liverpool were also fined 20,000 euros (£17,567) by UEFA for the damage caused to City’s team bus on their arrival at Anfield for the first leg of a bad-tempered Champions League quarter-final between the sides as windows of the vehicle were shatterd by bottles and cans thrown by supporters.

The second match of Guardiola’s ban, though, is suspended for a probationary period of one season.

The Catalan coach was sent off for furiously protesting after City were wrongly denied a second goal in the second leg with the tie still in the balance.
City were leading 1-0 on the night after a 3-0 first-leg defeat when Leroy Sane was flagged offside despite the ball towards the German winger coming off Liverpool’s James Milner.
With Guardiola sent to the stands by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz for the second half, City went on to lose 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool were also fined a further 9,000 euros for the setting off of fireworks in the second leg with City and the second leg of their semi-final at Roma.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/guardiola-handed-two-match-ban.html

The Director-General, West African Health Organisation (WAHO), Stanley Okolo, on Monday called on the regional countries to remain alert as the Ebola epidemic resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“This is a wake-up call on all member countries to always remain alert and prepared,” he said in a statement in Banjul.

Okolo said WAHO had already sent information to the countries reminding them of the international disease surveillance records and regulations that they should use.

“We have also helped some of the countries in terms of support for monitoring travelers at borders, who are coming in from the DRC,” he said.

WAHO liaison officers representing the regional countries are currently discussing health problems including disease surveillance and insufficient health care budgeting in Banjul ahead of the 19th Ordinary Assembly of ECOWAS Ministers on Tuesday, when key decisions will be adopted.

The latest data from the health ministry shows 53 cases of Ebola in the outbreak, including 37 confirmed, 13 probable and three suspected cases.

One new suspected case was recorded on Monday in the rural community of Iboko and five suspected cases came back negative, the health ministry said.

This is the ninth outbreak of Ebola in Congo since the disease was first detected in the country in 1976.

Health officials have moved aggressively to head off a repeat of the 2013-16 outbreak in West Africa that killed over 11,300 people.

The vaccine was first rolled out in Mbandaka on May 21 and hailed as a paradigm shift in the fight against Ebola by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO said in May that it was cautiously optimistic about the progress of the response yet Mbandaka’s location directly upstream the Congo River of the capital Kinshasa, a city of more than 10 million people, remains a concern.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/ebola-organisation-calls-for-regional.html

Some Nigerians on Monday reacted to the new excise duties imposed by the Federal Government that consumers would pay more for alcoholic beverages they consumed and tobacco they smoke from today.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that an increase in prices of alcohols and tobacco would curb its sales and its consumption by addicts.

Some respondents told NAN that excessive smoking of tobacco and consumption of alcohol had been causing serious health hazards among users.

Mustapha Nurudin, the Assistant Manager of Jolly Foods, an eatery, called on government to place a total ban on the consumption of tobacco and other related substance in public places.

He said that they were a major cause of cardiovascular disease that could lead to instant death for consumers.

“Stakeholders in the food, drink and drug businesses in the country should be educated on the negative effects of consuming the substances to human bodies.

“This is because they play major roles in the lives of the citizens.’’

He also said that lack of proper regulation over the years had led to the death of many Nigerians from food poisoning, excess drug use and inappropriate application of drugs.

“If stakeholders know that there are effective laws that will bring them to book when they cross the line, more lives will be saved.

“The government has just taken a step in the right direction because this will affect the street sales of tobacco and even alcohol,” he said.

Also, Chioma Eze, an environmentalist, said that the use of tobacco could be detrimental to smokers and non-smokers as well as the entire environment.

“Monoxide pollution has been an issue over the years in Africa, especially in Nigeria, but we have focused more on the environmental hazards that meet the eye.

“Smoking is doing so much damage to the air we breathe and I have been an advocate of building sealed public locations where addicts can do their business without affecting the public.

“The ban of cigarette is the way out of environmental pollution,” she said.

Similarly, Bidemi Adetoro, a vendor of a popular brand of cigarette, said that the government should be decisive on how it could tackle the abuse of tobacco in the country.

Adetoro said that government was earning revenue from cigarette producing companies and it would not want to block that source of revenue.

She added that there should be a sensitisation from the government geared toward disabusing the minds of addicts on the health risks associated with smoking of tobacco and excessive consumption of alcohol,” she said.

NAN reports that the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, disclosed in Abuja on Sunday that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the new excise duty rates in March.

Adeosun explained that the rates were spread over a three-year period from 2018 to 2020 in order to moderate the impact on prices of the products.

The minister had stated in March that the President had granted a 90-day grace to all manufacturers before the commencement of the new excise duty regime in that sector of the economy.

http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/nigerians-react-new-excise-on-alcohol.html

Present at the Senate #PIBPublicHearing are members from the Host Communities from the Niger Delta region, traditional Chiefs, trade unions, CSOs, MDAs, IOCs and representatives from government agencies and local oil companies.

More photos at http://www.akelicious.net/2018/06/photos-from-senate-pibpublichearing.html