The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would not zone the governorship ticket for the 2021 election in Anambra state.

The party declared that its priority is to identify a credible and sellable candidate that would secure victory for it.

This followed a recent request to Governor Willie Obiano by some traditional rulers from the southern senatorial district to ensure that their zone produced the next governor.



The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Chief Victor Oye, had earlier in the year, disclosed that the party has zoned its governorship ticket to Anambra south.

National Vice Chairman, South East, Chief Austin Umahi, who made the party’s position known, said zoning the governorship might be the internal affair of APGA, which had nothing to do with his party.

He said there was no way another party’s zoning arrangement would apply to the PDP.

Addressing newsmen in Enugu, after PDP’s monthly zonal meeting, at the weekend, he wondered what zoning was being talked about.

He stated that the PDP has not been in power in the state for a very long time, so, it would go the whole hog of identifying the best candidate to win the election.

He noted that APGA could afford to zone because it has been in power in the state for long, asking not be dragged into what was happening in another party as he did not belong there.

“Anambra election is very cardinal to us; we wouldn’t allow what happened before to happen again to us because; we are determined and dogged to recapture Anambra as a party because the state belongs to the PDP and you know that if not for sabotage, if not for the P.H.D; (Pull Him Down) syndrome in Anambra State, which we have taken precaution.

“We must have to nip it in the bud this time around; it will not repeat itself.

“On the issue of zoning; you talked about APGA, but this is PDP. We are going for the best candidate, irrespective of where he comes from; if he likes, let him come from anywhere and let his brother act as the deputy, the most important thing is that PDP wants to reclaim Anambra state because the state is very cardinal to the Southeast.

‘There’s no way South East Governors Forum would meet as PDP and Anambra state would be lacking. So, the onus lies on us that we get Anambra back on the stream for the PDP,” Umahi said.

He sounded it clearly that the national leadership of the PDP has mandated the zone to recapture Anambra as they did recently in Imo state.

https://www.akelicious.net/anambra-2021-we-wont-zone-governorship-ticket-pdp/

A total of 12,209 candidates on Saturday sat for the 2019 Bayero University Kano Post-UTME Aptitude Test (BUKAT).



According to a statement signed by the Information officer of the University, Alhaji Lamara Garba in Kano on Saturday, all the candidates are jostling for placement to undergo various degree programmes of the Institution.

The statement quoted the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Adamu Tanko, as giving the figure shortly after the screening on Saturday, 17th August.

According to him, 15, 817 candidates applied to BUK for the 2019/2020 academic session out of which 12, 209 participated in the screening.

“The screening was conducted in two sessions, morning and afternoon with a view to ensuring a smooth conduct.



The Deputy Vice-Chancellor expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the exercise.

“The screening was very smooth while staff assigned to oversee the programme were very dutiful,” he said.

He further explained that the exercise started on schedule and all the candidates were law-abiding.

Tanko added that the screening was hitch free and there was no examination misconduct reported.

The statement also quoted the Registrar of the Institution, Hajiya Fatima Mohammed as expressing delight at the arrangements and smooth conduct of the exercise.



“More venues were provided to decongest the crowd while two situation rooms were established one each at old and new campuses to decentralize the coordination of the exercise.

” The University engaged the services of both teaching and non-teaching staff as invigilators and some students who served as ‘campus guide’ in order to ensure smooth running of the programme,” she said.

On his part, the Director, Directorate of Examinations, Admissions and Records (DEAR), Hajiya Amina Umar, who coordinates the screening disclosed that majority of the candidates were well-behaved and properly dressed, noting that no case of impersonation was recorded.

NAN reports that two candidates who sat for the screening examination, Ummuhani Abdulmalik Ize (B.Sc Biochemistry) and Abubakar Ayuba (B.Sc. Architecture) expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by the University.

https://www.akelicious.net/12209-candidates-sit-for-buk-post-utme-test/

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has deployed 1,400 corps members to Gombe State for the 2019 Batch B Stream II orientation course.

Mr David Markson, the NYSC State Coordinator, disclosed this in a statement signed by Margaret Dakama, Head of the Public Relations unit of the corps in the state on Friday in Gombe.

Markson said the orientation course at the NYSC temporary orientation camp, Science Technical College Amada, KM 21 Gombe – Bauchi Highway, would last for three weeks.

According to him, registration and documentation of the prospective corps members will commence at the camp on Aug. 20 and last till midnight of Wednesday, Aug. 21.

“Prospective corps members are therefore expected to report to camp on time before the portal closes,” he said

Markson added that swearing-in ceremony would be on Aug. 22 and closing ceremony Sept. 9.

He advised the prospective corps members not to deface their uniforms in any form.

“In the same vein, Management of the scheme has observed the growing trend of defacement of the NYSC uniform and improper dressing by corps members.

“Prospective corps members are advised not to deface the uniform either by slim fitting, use of rubber band at the helm of the khaki trouser or cutting it to three-quarter.

“They must be ready to be properly dressed for all occasions and functions as leaders of tomorrow and role models to millions of youth in the country,” he stated.

He further solicited the support and cooperation of all stakeholders for a successful and hitch-free orientation.

https://www.akelicious.net/nysc-deploys-1400-corps-members-to-gombe-state/

An official memo to all departments of government in Delta State banning nursing mothers among the civil servants from bringing their babies to office is underway.

This was revealed by the Chairman, Delta state Civil Service Commission, Nkem Okwuofu during a routine inspection exercise at the Directorate of Sustainable Development Goals on Thursday in Asaba.

She, however, said the commission would provide creche facilities within the ministries to enable nursing mothers to take care of their babies.

She said the facilities would provide a conducive environment for mothers to breastfeed their babies and return to work.

The civil service commission chairman said that bringing infants to the office exposed the children to infections.

“Apart from the health implication of this practice, it must be known that this is against the rules and regulations of the state civil service,” she said.

Okwuofu also used the occasion to inform the workers that the commission had completed the review of the 1978 civil service rules, which she described as obsolete.

“The approval of the state governor has already been secured, the document will be made available to all civil servants soon.

“The commission has also successfully established its own official website and data base. This contains the retirement dates of civil servants in the state,” she said.

Earlier, Mr Akpesiri Ubogu, the directorate’s Permanent Secretary, pledged the readiness of members of staff to exude commitment and efficiency in service delivery.

https://www.akelicious.net/delta-to-ban-mothers-from-bringing-babies-to-office/

Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has approved the payment of N10 million owed a contractor handling the construction of the collapsed Coca-Cola Bridge in Ilorin.

The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Works and Transport, Dr Garba Manjo, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Press Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Mansurat Kannike, on Thursday in Ilorin.

Kannike quoted the permanent secretary as saying this during an assessment tour of the project.

Manjo, who expressed satisfaction with the two transition slabs done on the bridge, however urged the contractor to speed up the work on the project to allow for vehicular movement.

He also charged the contractor to ensure quality work in the ongoing stone pitching and on the road leading to the bridge.

The contractor, Mr Aladen Aljarrah of Alaco Construction Nigeria Limited, was said to have confirmed the receipt of the approved sum.

He assured that the project would be completed in line with the specifications and on schedule.

The contractor, who had abandoned the project since 2018, was said to have returned to site following an order issued to him by the permanent secretary to either resume work in July or risk termination of the contract.

https://www.akelicious.net/collapsed-bridge-gov-abdulrazaq-approves-payment-of-n10m-to-contractor/

Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has donated NI6 million to three families who lost their lives in a fire outbreak in the state.

The Chairman of Board of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo, made this known in an interview with the Nigeria News Agency in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

Dododo listed the beneficiaries as the families of Alhaji Mallami Abdulkadir who lost five children in the fire outbreak; Walida Nasiru and Abdul-Samed Nadir who received N10 million each from the State Government.

He added that the family of late Alhaji Farouk Umar and his wife who lost their lives in the fire incident received N5 million while Malam Danjuma Danganwo got N1 million.

The board chairman said that the assistance was part of the state government’s commitment to the victims to cushion the lost of their loved ones, but not compensation for the lives lost.

https://www.akelicious.net/gov-bagudu-donates-n16m-to-fire-victims/

Curvaceous actress, Amara Maduka, has narrated to Inside Nollywood her challenges as a single lady and how she handles sexual urge.

Giving a hint on her current relationship status, Maduka revealed that she’s self-dating for now. “I wouldn’t say I’m single. I’m simply self-dating. I take myself out, buy myself good stuff, spoil myself and, of course, give myself the best orgasm. Yes, I use intimacy gadgets. They save lives. You should try it. They are so loyal to you. They don’t give you drama. You don’t share them with others. They don’t cheat too!

“They are the best. I don’t worry I would get addicted to them because personally nothing has control over me. I can dump it in a heartbeat if I want to. I use it; it doesn’t use me. I can do without sex. Good sex is great but then, e no be food. When the time comes to dump them, I know how to go about it,” she squealed.

Maduka, who is putting finishing touches to her new TV show, added that she has been off the radar for a while to get things right. “I have been working on myself so much this year. I’ll say everything is new. I don’t feel like my old self anymore. However, I have a movie I did with Martinz Jr. Studios coming out on August 25. It’s a project I am very excited about and I know you all would love it. It’s called Ordinary Couple,” she said.

https://www.akelicious.net/with-sex-toys-i-give-myself-best-orgasm-actress-amara-maduka/

The members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) have taken the Federal Government to court over the proscription of their group, saying the action is a violation of their constitutional rights to worship and freedom of association.The decision came on the heels of a Kaduna High Court ruling, which on Monday granted leave to IMN Leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, to travel to India for medical treatment.

The duo has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2015, following a clash in Zaria, Kaduna State, between the sect and the Nigerian Army.In a motion on notice filed by the group at the Abuja Federal High Court, the applicant wants an order setting aside, discharging or vacating the ex parte order of the court made on July 26, 2019, which gave the government power to proscribe the sect.

In the case (No: FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019) between IMN and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as respondent, the Islamic group sought to quash the order “of this honorable court restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent/applicant under any other name or platform howsoever called or described in any part of Nigeria.”


The Shiites group contended that the order was made without jurisdiction and also made against a non-juristic body. It pointed out that the court, pursuant to an ex parte application brought by the applicant/respondent, made an order, inter alia, “proscribing the existence and activities of the respondent/applicant in any part of Nigeria under whatever form, either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called or referred to without affording the respondent/applicant the right of fair hearing.”

The lead counsel to El-Zakzaky and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, noted: “The said order of the honorable court breached the fundamental right of all members of the respondent/applicant to fair hearing guaranteed by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004, in that no fair hearing was granted the applicant/respondent before the order was made.

“The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has violated the fundamental right of members of the respondent to freedom of thought, conscience and religion guaranteed by Section 38 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).“The order ex parte granted by this honourable court has breached the fundamental right of the members of the respondent to freedom of assembly and association guaranteed by Section of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

According to him, “The court did not grant the declaration that the activities of the respondent in any part of Nigeria amount to acts of terrorism and illegality. There was no urgency warranting the granting of the order ex parte. No motion on notice was filed together with the motion ex parte. The ex parte order made by the honorable court has determined the fundamental right of the respondent/applicant without affording it fair hearing.

“No undertaking was made as to damages. The order ex parte was anchored on misrepresentation of material facts and based on suppression of material facts. The order ex parte constitutes a gross abuse of the process of this honorable court.”

A supporting affidavit disposed to by one Haruna Garba Magashi, said: “I am a legal practitioner and a Shiite practising Muslim in Nigeria under the leadership and guidance of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The respondent/applicant was never afforded the opportunity to defend the allegation made against it by the applicant/respondent before the ex parte order was made, contrary to the provision of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”

Magashi pointed out that “the activities of the members of the respondent are non-violent but peaceful and they have been in existence since the 1970s in Nigeria as a Muslim body.” He said: “Contrary to the depositions of the applicant/respondent in their affidavit in support of the motion ex parte, it is the Federal Government of Nigeria and its security agencies that have at all times provoked the respondent/applicant, violently attacking them and destroying their properties and killing innocent members across the states in Nigeria.

“This unwarranted attack was taken to a new height in December 2015 while the members were celebrating the beginning of Maulud, which is the birthday anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, when the Nigerian Army led by its Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, launched a vicious attack on peaceful worshippers of our members gathered at Husainiyya Baquiyyatullah, our worship centre at No 1A Sokoto Road, Zaria, Kaduna State.

“In the said attack, properties worth millions of naira were destroyed and several armless and defenseless worshippers numbering over 1,000 including men, women and children, the aged and people with disabilities were killed.”


Describing Shiites as peaceful and non-violent, Magashi said: “Members of the respondent/applicant are very peaceful and law-abiding citizens of Nigeria who have at all times resorted to the practical application of the rule of law to challenge the atrocities of security agencies against members of the respondent/applicant and have won several court cases against the applicant/respondent as against their deposition in the affidavit in support of their ex parte application which they relied on to mislead this honourable court into granting the said ex parte order.”

He added: “The members are a set of religious worshippers whose right to worship has been violated by the order of court herein. The members of the respondent/applicant are Nigerian citizens whose fundamental right to peaceful assembly, religious worship and right to peaceful procession is guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and under the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, 2004.

“Unless the order by this honourable court made on the 26th of July 2019 proscribing the activities of the respondent/applicant is set aside or discharged in its entirety, the respondent/applicant members’ rights to freedom of worship, procession and peaceful assembly, as Shiite Muslim practitioners in Nigeria, will be completely eroded.“The applicant/respondent will not be prejudiced in any way should this honourable court grant this application seeking to set aside the orders made on the 26th of July 2019 against the respondent/applicant.”

https://www.akelicious.net/shiites-fight-back-sue-fg-over-proscription/

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has issued a second suspension order to Kano Distribution Company (KEDCO).

The suspension order was posted on TCN’s twitter handle @TCN_Nigeria on Wednesday.

According to the twitter handle, the suspension order which took effect from Tuesday was issued on KEDCO for not paying May 2019 Invoice in full.

The Nigerian Electricity Market Operator said that the non payment of the invoice in full was a default in the Market Conditions/Market Participation Agreements.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that TCN on July 21, issued suspension and disconnection orders to Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) from the electricity grid.

According to TCN, the suspension order was as a result of KEDCO’s default in the Market Conditions/Market Participation Agreements.

NAN also reports that in the last few weeks suspension and disconnection orders had been issued against Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Eko and Ikeja DISCOs over the same allegations of infraction of market rules.

TCN has, however, lifted the suspension on Enugu, Eko and Ikeja DISCOs after they complied with the market conditions/participation agreement while Port-Harcourt Disco was still on suspension.

https://www.akelicious.net/again-tcn-issues-suspension-order-to-kano-disco/

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps says it has deployed 4,000 of its personnel to beef up security during and after Eid-el Adha celebration in Abuja.

The FCT Commandant, NSCDC, Patrick Ukpan, made this known in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Akinbinu David, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ukpan said that directives have been given for the deployment of the personnel ahead of the festive period.



This, he said, was to beef up security before, during and after the Sallah period so as to ensure a crime-free celebration.

He said that the personnel would be drawn from all formations of the Corps in the Territory.

The units included the under-covers, the Conflict Management Unit, Disaster Management Unit, Anti Vandals, and the Armed Squad personnel among others.

Ukpan added that special rules of engagement would be reeled out to deployed personnel.

“All the nooks and crannies of the capital will be adequately covered, leaving no place uncovered.

“Special attention will be given to some identified flash points like the market places, motor parks, fun parks, prayer grounds and borders because of high convergence of people in these areas during the period.

“Also, other areas to be beefed up include critical infrastructure because of their socio-economic importance like telecommunication masts, PHCN/AEDC cables and installations, waterboards, essential government buildings, among others.

“A 24-hour surveillance and patrol teams would be intensified in these areas.



“The Command is aware of some criminally- minded people who might want to perpetrate crimes because of the busy nature of the period hence, the need to beef-up security to forestall any likely breach,” he said.

Ukpan urged the members of the public to be vigilant as well as obey rules and order.

He further said that the command would open up its communication channels where the public could report any suspicious person or act of security breach to any Civil Defence Office or security post nearest to them.

“You can also call us on 08054747755, should there be need for emergency or urgent directive and response. We wish all Muslim faithful a happy and peaceful Sallah celebration,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/sallah-nscdc-deploys-4000-personnel-in-fct/

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (“NSE” or “The Exchange”) is pleased to announce the appointment of internationally renowned award-winning artist, Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known as Tuface or 2Baba as its Good Cause Ambassador. This was disclosed at the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, at the Stock Exchange in Lagos.

Further to this appointment as NSE Good Cause Ambassador, Tuface will lend his voice to raising awareness and mobilizing support for the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability initiatives of The Nigerian Stock Exchange geared toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Develop​ment Goals (SDG) in Nigeria.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema OON, Chief Executive Officer, NSE, stated that, ‘We are pleased to welcome Tuface Idibia as the first NSE Good Cause Ambassador. His focus on promoting social causes such as raising awareness on peace, the fight against fake drugs, and various other ills that plague the Nigerian society through his music aligns with our commitment to creating sustainable value for our diverse stakeholders as well as increasing impact in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We run an inclusive Corporate Sustainability strategy that promotes a market-based approach to environmental, social and governance imperatives amongst all stakeholders. The appointment of Tuface is aimed at inspiring accelerated progress towards the advancement of the SDGs”.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Idibia said “I am honoured to join the NSE family as a Good Cause Ambassador. I have always used my music to inspire change in the world and this has been the focus of the campaigns I have supported over the years. I’m indeed delighted to be given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I will like to assure all that I will be dedicated to the good cause of promoting sustainable development as championed by the Exchange”.

More photos at https://www.akelicious.net/nse-unveils-tuface-idibia-as-good-cause-ambassador-see-photos/

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has urged the army to prosecute soldiers arrested over alleged rape of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) student.
In a statement issued yesterday in Akure by Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, the governor described the offence as callous, mindless and disheartening.He also lamented that soldiers ought to be helpers the people, especially the vulnerable, in the face of increasing violence and insecurity in the country.

“It should be noted that the Government of Ondo State under Akeredolu will do all in its powers to fight the menace of rape in the state. Rapists, or those who wish to engage in it will find Ondo State too hot for such nefarious act, as government will be firm and decisive on this,” the statement reads.

The governor’s entreaties followed the arrest of the soldiers who perpetrated the crime, even as management of the institution has demanded the dismantling of all military checkpoints in the area.

A preliminary investigation report released by the institution’s Acting Registrar, Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa in Akure yesterday, condemned the sexual assault on female students.

However, Akeredolu described the arrest of the alleged rapists at the Akungba-Ikare checkpoint as heartwarming and applauded the prompt response and swiftness of the Brigade Commander who ensured apprehension of those allegedly involved in the dastardly act. “Reassuring as the effort appears, Akeredolu is unequivocal and unwavering in his insistence that the suspects should be handed over to the Nigeria Police for immediate prosecution.”

“The full weight of the law must be tested in this particular case to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to undesirably, take advantage of the unprotected,” the statement added.

However, the university’s authorities also condemned the sexual assault on the students at a checkpoint between Akungba-Akoko and Ikare-Akoko.While commending the swift action of the Brigade Commander on the assault on a defenceless and innocent student, it urged the Nigerian Army to deal decisively with the perpetrator(s) of the act against humanity. “While we are not unaware of the security situation in the country, we strongly request that the checkpoint be dismantled and the soldiers moved to Oba-Akoko and Ose where kidnappings and robberies occur almost on a daily basis, Akinfemiwa said.

https://www.akelicious.net/akeredolu-aaua-seek-prosecution-of-soldiers-over-alleged-rape-of-student/

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has advocated for the review of the laws dealing with drug abuse, possession of fire arms, rape, banditry and kidnapping.

Bello said this during the swearing-in of Mr Aliyu Mayaki, as the Chief Judge of the state, in Minna on Sunday.

A press statement by Bello’s Chief Secretary, Mrs Mary Berje, said the governor called for reform of the judiciary to enable it discharge its duties diligently.

Bello said a situation where criminals who were arrested and charged to court obtain bail within 48 hours was not good for our contemporary society.

He, however, suggested stiffer penalties for crimes associated with drug possession and addiction, rape, banditry and kidnapping among others.

He enjoined the judiciary and the legislative arms of government to work towards facilitating immediate amendment of such laws as well as proffer lasting solution to the increasing wave of insecurity confronting the country.

He urged the judicial arm of government to engage the legislatures on its budget estimates to bring about efficiency in the administration of justice.

“I also realized that for this programme to be effective, there is the need to implement full autonomy for the judiciary.

“I hope we can implement this autonomy and I hope our income will increase so that we are able to give you a reasonable amount every month to renovate your courts,” he said.

The governor added that the three arms of government complements each other, adding that they should partner in building a virile society.

Bello said his administration would continue to support the judiciary in the areas of capacity building, renovation of courts, and ensure welfare of judges.

The Nigeria News Agency report that Mayaki, until his appointment was the acting Chief Judge of the state following the retirement of Mr Ahmed Bima.

https://www.akelicious.net/gov-bello-calls-for-law-review-to-tackle-crimes/

Worried by the spate of insecurity in the South West and southeast geo-political zones of the country, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo has urged the Federal Government to beef up security in the two regions.

Besides, Ohaneze Ndigbo tasked the Federal Government to ensure that an end comes to all forms of insecurity in the two regions and the country at large. Rising from its quarterly meeting, the Ohaneze Ndigbo in the South West zone called on the Governors of the six states of the zone to ensure the security of lives and properties of residents of the region.

On the recent killings of Mrs. Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the Pan Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti by suspected Fulani herdsmen, Ohaneze asked the Federal Government and all security agencies in the country to fish out the killers of the deceased in no distant time.

Acting president of the organization, Nze Emeka Enwereonye in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, urged the federal government to be alive to its constitutional responsibility of ensuring the safety of all Nigerians wherever they live within the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/beef-up-security-in-swest-seast-ohanaeze-tells-fg/

A Catholic priest of Enugu Diocese, Reverend Fr. Paul Offu has been reportedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

The priest was said to have been killed in Awgu Local Government Area of the state around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night.



Offu’s death is coming barely five months after Rev. Fr. Clement Ugwu, the parish priest of St Mark Catholic Church, Obinofia Ndiuno in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the State was killed.

Fr. Ugwu, who was kidnapped on March 20, 2019 was found dead in a bush decomposing after a one-week search by his parishioners.


Communication’s Director, Catholic Diocese of Enugu Reverend Fr. Benjamin Achi confirmed the tragic news to Akelicious when contacted on telephone.

Fr. Achi who decried the killing, said that details of the incident would be made available to our correspondent after the meeting of the priests this morning.

He said “We (priests) are going for meeting now at the diocese. After the meeting, I will give you the details and the position of the church on the incident.”

When the state Commissioner of police, Sulieman Balarabe was contacted on the telephone, he said he would get back to our correspondent, after getting details from the Area Commander.

https://www.akelicious.net/another-catholic-priest-shot-dead-in-enugu/

Justice Sikiru Oyinloye of the Kwara State High Court, sitting in Ilorin, on Thursday, ordered the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of a plaza valued at N150m belonging to a civil servant in the state, Rasaq Momonu.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ilorin zonal office, had approached the court to give an order of final forfeiture of Asmau Plaza situated in the Tanke Area of Ilorin on the allegation that the said property was acquired with proceeds of an unlawful activity.



Momonu is an accountant with the Kwara State Government and is an assistant director.

The affidavit deposed to by Musa Gidado, an investigating officer with the EFCC, read, “Investigations revealed that Rasaq Momonu used his influence as an accountant with the Kwara State Government to inflate and award contracts for the construction of two classrooms at Ogbondoroko and Obanisuwa communities in Kwara State.

“Investigations further revealed that the respondent who is a civil servant that earns less than N100,000 in a month cannot afford to build the house known as Asmau Plaza between 2010 and 2012.

“That I know as a fact that the respondent was confronted with the above findings by the applicant which he did not dispute and has agreed to forfeit the property known as Asmau Plaza to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Moving the application for final forfeiture on Thursday, counsel for the applicant, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court to grant the order based on the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

Omewa said, “My Lord, we have a motion on notice dated 19th July, 2019 and filed on the same day; the motion is brought pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee fraud and other Fraud-related Offences. I urge the court to grant the motion.”

Justice Oyinloye granted the application and resolved all the issues raised in favour of the EFCC.

The judge said, “The application brought by the EFCC is meritorious and granted; this honourable court hereby orders the final forfeiture of the landed property known as Asmau Plaza, Tanke Road, Ilorin, Kwara State to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

https://www.akelicious.net/civil-servant-forfeits-n150m-plaza-to-fg/

Sango-Ota(Ogun), Aug.1, 2019 (Ogun) The Ogun Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Thursday said that 80 persons died in road accidents in the state during the second quarter of 2019.

Mr Clement Oladele, the Sector Commander of FRSC, made this known during a stakeholders forum organised by the Sango-Ota Unit in Ogun.

According to him, the number of people that died in road crashes increased from 72 in the second quarter of 2018 to 80 in the same period in 2019.

He also said that 196 crashes were recorded in the second quarter of 2019 against 148 crashes in 2018.

“FRSC rescued 505 victims in various crashes that happened in the state in 2019 compared to 481 persons rescued in 2018,’’ he said.

The sector commander said that the development was worrisome because the number of people who died increased by four per cent in 2019.

Oladele attributed most of the crashes to recklessness on the part of the drivers and non-compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

He advised motorists to be cautious and desist from acts that could lead to loss of lives and property on the highways.

Oladele stressed the need for the FRSC to strengthen enforcement on safety, especially in Ifo, Itori, Ewekoro, Sango-Ota and other areas in the state.

He also said that any erring driver caught driving against traffic in areas where construction works were ongoing would be arrested and prosecuted.

” FRSC cannot continue to allow people to die unnecessarily on our roads,” he said.

Mr Akeem Gainyu, the Unit Commander in Sango-Ota, said that the crashes were not caused by spiritual forces, but by human errors.

Gainyu said that over 90 per cent of road crashes were caused by not adherence to traffic rules and regulations as well as human errors.

The unit commander said that drivers were not obeying traffic rules and regulations in spite of the fact that they knew the consequences of such behaviours.

“The motorists should be safety conscious and ensure that their vehicles were in good condition, while speed should be reduced to the lowest level,” he said.

Ganiyu said that safety on the highways should not be left to FRSC alone, but should be a collective responsible of all which include the passengers and all stakeholders in the transport industry.

He also implored motorists to consider other road users and always plan their journey before embarking on any trip.

https://www.akelicious.net/80-died-in-ogun-road-accidents-in-2nd-quarter-of-2019-frsc/

Representatives of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company and leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers are presently meeting in Abuja to avert industrial action as a result of the seven-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government on Wednesday by NUPENG.

NUPENG had asked the FG to compel Chevron Nigeria Limited to honour the agreement it reached with the union on June 20, 2019, saying its members would embark on strike if the agreement was not respected in seven days.

President of the Union, Williams Akporeha, told our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday that NNPC had intervened and a meeting had been scheduled.

He said, “Because of the ultimatum we issued yesterday (Wednesday), NNPC has stepped in as a mediator in the issues we raised. A meeting was scheduled and we are at the meeting venue and discussion is on now. Further directives will be issued after the meeting.”

A statement signed by Akporeha and General Secretary of NUPENG, Afolabi Olawale, on the ultimatum said, “NUPENG, with deep frustration and worries, would like to alert the general public and all relevant authorities of the blatant violation of agreement reached between Chevron Nigeria Limited and unions in the industry.

“It is public knowledge that unions in the oil and gas industry had a protracted negotiation with Chevron Nigeria Limited over 70 per cent labour manpower reduction which it (Chevron) claimed was required in view of reduction in their operations in the oil and gas Industry.

“After up to one year negotiation, brokered by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; National Petroleum Investment Management Services, NAPIMS, and Ministry of Labour, it was agreed that considering the intervention of all the institutions mentioned above and the various justifications made, only 30 per cent of the labour manpower contract workers will be relieved.

‘’Of the 1,856 contract workers in the company, NUPENG has 1,120; PENGASSAN, 213; and non-unionised, 523. It was agreed that the 30 per cent reduction shall be spread in equal percentage among the three groups. “It was also agreed that union executives (NUPENG and PENGASSAN) will not be affected by the reduction, that Chevron Nigeria Limited will not in any guise change the labour manpower to service contracts.

“Unfortunately, immediately after the agreement was reached, Chevron started executing the exercise in blatant violation of the agreed terms, ostensibly to either put NUPENG in bad light as troublesome or for extinction because only NUPENG members have been exited from work, leaving behind the Non- Unionised workers and PENGASSAN members.

“From our record, over 500 of NUPENG members are being sacked. Having been pushed to the wall, NUPENG, hereby, puts all our members on red alert should Chevron Nigeria Limited and its contractors fail to honour or comply with our demands within the next seven days, we would also not hesitate to take all necessary legal options available to us, including industrial actions, to press home our legitimate demands.”

https://www.akelicious.net/nupeng-nnpc-meeting-to-avert-strike-fuel-scarcity/

Kaduna South Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) on Wednesday emerged winner of the 2019 National Inter-school Quiz Competition for primary school pupils on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Kaduna state.

The Nigeria News Agency reports that Ikara and Kachia LGEAs came second and third respectively, while Makarfi LGEA came last out of the 22 LGEAs that participated in the competition held in Kaduna.

Mr Sama’ila Adamau, Director, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation in the state’s Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) told NAN that the competition was sponsored by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Adamu said that the three LGEAs would represent the state at the zonal competition scheduled for September 2019 in Katsina.

He explained that the competition was organised to create the needed awareness and attitudinal change among primary school pupils toward good sanitation and hygiene practices.

“Kaduna State with funding support from UNICEF and United Kingdom Agency for International Development have been expending huge resources toward improving good sanitation and hygiene practices, particularly in rural areas.

“Rural communities are being supported with water and sanitation facilities, under the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water in Nigeria (SHAWN) programme.

“They are equally being supported with useful information and knowledge on how to maintain and live in a hygienic environment for better health outcomes.

“This quiz competition is part of efforts to ensure that the younger generation, particularly primary school pupils are equally carried along in promoting good hygiene practices and keeping the environment clean,” the director said.

Also speaking, Kabir Lawal, Desk Officer, School Health, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board, noted that schools were part of communities that benefited from the SHAWN programme.

According to him, the competition is inculcating good sanitation and hygiene practices among pupils, which in the long run will create the needed hygiene-sensitive communities in the country.

NAN reports that Army Children’s School, Artillery II, Kaduna, represented Kaduna South LGEA, UBE Primary School, Turaki represented Ikara LGEA, while St. Johns Primary School Kachia, represented Kachia LGEA.

The visibly elated Head Teacher of the Army Children’s School, Mrs Angelina Abel, said she prepared the pupils to participate in the competition.

“When I heard of the competition, I directed my teachers to mobilise all materials and books on sanitation, hygiene and other health issues needed to prepare the pupils for the competition.

“And to my surprise, my school won the competition at the ward level, won at the LGEA level and went on to win at the state level.

“This shows that with available teaching materials and dedicated teachers, children can learn whatever you want them to learn and fast.

“They have impressed me; they have encouraged me, and I want to do more. I have, therefore, decided to teach WASH related issues to all my pupils from nursery up to primary six,” she said.

https://www.akelicious.net/kaduna-south-lgea-wins-2019-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-quiz-competition/

I’ll make Bayelsa preventive healthcare, seaport hub – Female governorship aspirant

A female Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Bayelsa, Tari Oliver, has pledged to make the state a preventive health care and seaport hub, if elected governor.

Oliver made the pledge while speaking with newsmen shortly after the submission of her nomination and expression of interest form, at the PDP national secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oliver said that Bayelsa had all it would take to drive preventive health care in Nigeria as obtained in India and China.

She said that she had benefited a lot from various opportunities in the state, which improved her health and aided her weight loss.

“I have been an advocate of preventive health care and Bayelsa has everything to drive it.

“An average Ijaw man is a fantastic masseur. Our dances can make you lose up to 700 calories and, by extension, lose a lot of weight.

“In the preventive health industry, only countries such as China and India have utilised their potential for health tourism.

“I believe Bayelsa can be a health tourism designation, where people can come, lose a lot of weight, enjoy the environment and go back happy,” she said.

Oliver said that this would also boost the development of other sectors such as industries, agriculture and tourism, not only within the state but across Nigeria.

The female aspirant, who commended the incumbent governor for doing a lot in terms of infrastructure development, education and road construction, said she would build on his achievements.

She pledged to invest in seaport, tourism, agriculture, industries and entertainment as well support small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to address the mass exodus of young talents in the state.

“The entertainment industry is one that encourages people to migrate and you will find out that most of the talents migrate from the Niger Delta. We should create an enabling environment for them to thrive.

“I’m also going to focus on a seaport project because if we have one in Niger Delta, particularly in Ijaw land, we are going to have a lot of companies springing up and job opportunities created.

“Thank God, Gov. Seriake Dickson has done a lot to make sure an airport springs up; we are going to encourage investors to come in, encourage tax cut and for people to volunteer their land for development,” Oliver said.

The aspirant added that her administration would encourage the people of Bayelsa to come home to invest in the state by creating an enabling environment.

On whether she has the financial muscle to face other aspirants, Oliver expressed confidence that the party’s choice of candidate would not be for the highest bidder.

“Whoever has the highest bidding power can go ahead but the people are wiser now; they understand that a one-off payment will keep them in poverty and will not do anything for them.

“This time, people are going to vote by their conscience and the things they are going to consider to choose candidate is accessibility of the individuals in the race.

“Some of these people are only accessible now because they only need your votes. After getting your votes, they will make themselves inaccessible to you.

“I am part of the grassroots and I believe this is the time for a grassroots person to emerge.

“I can convince the delegates because the projects I am bringing to the table are not abstract; they are what the people want,” she said.

Oliver, who said she was the youngest member of the ‘Restoration Family’ in Bayelsa, said she was not intimidated by the array of male aspirants from the party.

She said that all along, Bayelsa had been governed by men and it was time for the party structure to look towards the women, adding that if this was done, the state would be having the first female governor by November.

“I did not consider being the only female aspirant as a challenge but an opportunity because Gov. Dickson believes in women and youths.

“The governor also believes in the 35 percent affirmative action for women. If you go by that, it means I already have 35 per cent of delegates’ vote and the other 65 per cent between the other 20 male aspirants.

“With this, I don’t see how they are going to beat me. In fact, I see a lot of possibilities and opportunities. I believe the men will stand by me to move Bayelsa forward.”

She also pledged to engage professionals to address the issue of gas flaring and frequent tanker explosions in the state, saying “I am going to be a listening governor.

“What makes a good leader is the ability to listen. You may not know everything but if you listen to professionals, you will get professional advice.

“I will bring professionals from different sectors on board to support the state with their expertise to solve our myriad of problems.

https://www.akelicious.net/ill-make-bayelsa-preventive-healthcare-seaport-hub-female-governorship-aspirant/

A Nigerian, Amos Paul Gabriel, 48, who was sentenced to three years in jail for defrauding the Ethiopian government of $27.2m, was on Wednesday charged with cheating another inmate while in remand at Changi Prison in Singapore.

Amos, who is a permanent resident in Singapore has been accused of deceiving Milled El Khouri into believing that a sum of $27, 560, provided by El Khouri, would be used to post bail for the latter, reports Yahoo News Singapore.

Believing Amos, El Khouri had the sum of money delivered to a person named Chung Ting Fai through another person named Enkhadalai Mandakh.



READ ALSO: WAEC official disowns Buhari’s Cambridge credentials

During his previous legal cases, Amos had been represented by a lawyer also named Chung Ting Fai.

El Khouri is an Australian businessman who is wanted in Australia for allegedly receiving stolen cars and dealing with criminal proceeds. He was detained in Singapore in January last year.

Amos’ is said to have committed the crime between January and May 2019 at Changi Prison Complex while he was in remand for his money laundering offences. His charge sheet did not state the roles played by Chung and Enkhadalai in the alleged offence.

Charged via videolink, Amos said that he had a lawyer but was not aware of the new charge against him. He will be back in court on 28 August.

Amos was sentenced to three years’ jail on 16 May this year for the money laundering offences.

On the same day, he was also fined $4,200 for reckless driving after nearly causing an accident on the East Coast Parkway expressway sometime in 2016 while in his blue Lamborghini.

For his current charge, Amos faces up to 10 years in jail or a fine if convicted.

https://www.akelicious.net/nigerian-jailed-for-fraud-cheats-inmate-of-27-560/

Experts have identified capacity building as the way forward to tackle challenges militating against export trade in Nigeria.
They argued that lack of capacity building on the part of exporters, lack of adequate knowledge of the business, banks inability to fund exporters and regulators’ cumbersome processes, have increased the cost of doing business.

The challenges, they further argued have made export business in Nigeria an uninteresting venture.To tackle the challenges and make export business easier and lucrative, UKaid in partnership with the Policy Development Facility (PDF) II of Department for International Development (DFID), organised a two- day capacity building for money deposit banks (DMBs) and development finance institutions (DFIs) in Lagos.
The seventh non-oil exporters dialogue focused on improving access to finance for non-oil export trade.Lead, Trade Policy Work Stream, PDF II of DFID, Olumuyiwa Alaba, who said there was a huge gap in terms of what it takes to export in Nigeria, noted that the new paradigm shift ensures that countries add value to whatever they are producing and be able to access the export market.

He stressed that this would not happen except funding is made available for production and export, adding that the initiative was timely, following Federal Government’s agenda to diversify from oil to non-oil export.“We saw it as a very important initiative to sponsor capacity building on understanding what it takes to invest in non-oil export.

“On the exporters’ side, we are trying to enhance their knowledge of what to do to access export financing. On the banks side, we are making them understand the details of what it takes to export so that they can do their analysis and what it takes to finance non-oil exports.

“And on the regulators part, on how they can respond to commercial banks issues in terms of regulations.” Chief Executive Officer, 3Timpex Trade Academy, Bamidele Aiyemibo, who was facilitator, said the programme was timely for banks to fund exporters, adding that most banks do not know how export works, as they have only mastered imports.

“If they have the capacity, all other products would be easier. It is a big opportunity for them now that the CBN has made finance available to fund non-oil exports.“We want to see Nigeria export more to successfully diversify the nation’s economy away from oil.“Our expectation is that we would be able to enhance the bankers’ knowledge to be able to lend to exporters, while the exporters would know what it takes to access funding from banks.”

https://akelicious.net/lack-of-capacity-building-hinders-export-trade-in-nigeria-say-experts/

Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), the ministerial nominee for Delta has says he will unbundle the Supreme Court if made the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

Keyamo disclosed this on Friday while taking questions from members of the Senate at the ongoing ministerial screening exercise in Abuja.

The human right activist, who was the fourth nominee to appear in the red Chamber on Thursday, said it was “scandalous” to have only one Supreme Court in Abuja, attending to the whole country.

He said he would press for constitutional changes to create six more regional Supreme Courts.

He attributed the current delay of judicial processes at the apex court to heavy traffic of cases coming from the 36 states and the FCT.

He proposed that the Appeal Court in Abuja should only be made to attend to constitutional interpretation, political and election matters.

He also advocated for the decongestion of the prisons across the country.

He said this would be made possible by making sure that every Divisional Police Officer opens his cells to the nearest magistrate to ascertain why suspects are detained.

He also called for the amendment of the criminal laws across the states, particularly calling for the review of the powers of the Director of Prosecution and their Attorneys General, to avoid abuse of office.

On the number of the political parties in the country, Keyamo said “we must keep opening up the political space to Nigerians.

“But besides registration of these political parties, they must be made to test their popularity and capacity at the lower elections.”

Sen. James Manager (PDP Delta), who spoke on behalf of Delta caucus in the Senate, urged his colleagues to support the nomination.

He said that Keyamo had demonstrated competence and intelligence in handling all the questions by the senators.

The President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, therefore ratified Manager’s appeal through a voice vote in favour of the nominee.

https://akelicious.net/ministerial-screening-i-will-unburndle-the-supreme-court-keyamo/

Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appealed to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to retrace its steps on the proposed policy to restrict foreign exchange allocation for milk importation.

Baba Othman Ngelzarma National Secretary of MACBAN made the call in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

The CBN governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele had on July 23 at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja, announced a planned policy restricting allocation of foreign exchange for milk importation into Nigeria.

“Although a desired long term outcome where local production substitutes importation, implementation of such a policy requires a robust strategy that addresses underlying issues,’’ the statement quoted Ngelzarma as saying.

According to him, MACBAN notes that the National Livestock Transformation Plan of (NLTP) as an integrated plan will holistically solve the historic challenges that have deprived the pastoralists from producing high quantity and quality beef and dairy products demanded by the Nigerian market.

He said NLTP would do this by ensuring that the pastoralists goods do not end up being sold at sub-standard prices.

The association said that NLTP would modernise the industry through allowing ranches to develop organically with pastoralists as core participants in the livestock production chain.

He said that the move would ultimately impact wealth creation.

“In view of this, we are advising the CBN to retrace its steps and take a productive role that does not undo the work done to date.

“As much as the infusion of capital into the livestock sub sector is deeply appreciated and welcome, it must occur in the right strategic, stakeholders and cluster development context as provided in the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) framework.

“As much as the infusion of capital into the livestock sub sector is deeply appreciated and welcome, it must occur in the right strategic, stakeholder and cluster development context as provided in the NLTP framework.

“It will also help to transfer knowledge mechanisms. This we strongly believe that it is safer, more stable sustainable path way than one which favours only one part of the livestock system.

“Therefore, for MACBAN, the recent discussions between the CBN’s Development Finance Department and dairy processors is a non-starter,’’ the statement quoted Ngelzarma as saying.

According to him, the challenge is not solved by lending money at nine per cent and requiring dairy companies to go to Kaduna, Niger, Plateau, Kano or Oyo to locate and develop at least 10,000 hectares of land within a grazing reserve commencing on or before September.

Ngelzarma said the association believed that approach did not speak to the aspirations of its members.

He said without the pastoralists, crop farmers, processors, bankers, ranchers, technical workers, extension service providers, geneticists, and other stakeholders being involved, “the likelihood of failure will be very high’’.

Ngelzarma noted that the challenges had deprived the pastoralists from producing high quantity and quality beef and the dairy products demanded by the Nigerian market, ensuring that their goods do not end up being sold at sub-standard prices.

He said that partnering with domestic and foreign value chain actors was critical.

“Whether with fodder and pasture specialists at National Animal Production Institution (NAPRI), Zaria or dairy processors from Europe or cross breeding specialists from Brazil.

“It can also be vaccine developers from the National Veterinary Research Institution (NVRI) Vom in Jos as well as partnership across the livestock ecosystem is a requirement.

“Any plan that does not place such a step at its core is doomed to fail,’’ he said.

The association said that the invitation given to the diary processors to come up with their own plan on how they would develop their dairy farms of at least 10,000 hectares was disturbing.

“This move is disastrous on two counts, firstly, it disregards completely Federal Government approved NLTP.

“The approval that clearly outlines the necessary steps needed to be taken to transform the livestock sub-sector over 10 years in line with the desires and aspirations of all consulted stakeholders.

“Secondly, the need for Federal Government regulations and incentives for the roles of all partners in the transformation processes to achieve the goals of peaceful coexistence between crop farmers and pastoralists.

“Also to enhance the pastoral productivity through organic modernisation of the pastoral production base with capacity to retain their cultural livestock linkage in modernity and innovation for generations to come.

Ngelzarma said that it was important that the spirit of partnership and transparent dialogue with which the NLTP was developed be maintained and should allowed to thrive.

“Transforming Nigeria’s livestock sub sector from a basic, subsistence low technology, conflict-stricken status into a world class, productive, safe and profitable industry devoid of conflicts requires the involvement of all stakeholders including the pastoralists and crop farmers,’’ he said.

The association, however, urged the CBN to join all-inclusive reformist efforts underway under the NLTP rather than reinvent the wheel once again.

https://akelicious.net/miyetti-allah-cautions-cbn-on-restriction-of-forex-on-milk-importation/

Tottenham Hotspur manager, Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to Manchester United over the tough tackles from his team during Thursday’s International Champions Cup game.

Angel Gomes hit a late winner for United after Lucas Moura’s deflected shot cancelled out Anthony Martial’s opener in China.

Eric Bailly hurt his knee trying to block a shot from Son Heung-min while Moussa Sissoko appeared to stamp on United’s new winger, Daniel James, in the first half.

And Pochettino acknowledged his side were perhaps overly aggressive in their 2-1 defeat.

“I was a little bit annoyed about some situations, I was not happy.

“It was a friendly game and in some situations of course when you are tired, when it’s so hot you are not right with the tempo to arrive at the actions, sometimes you arrive late and something can happen.

“I apologise on behalf of our players to Manchester United,” he told reporters.

Pochettino added: “It wasn’t their intention, but sometimes when you are tired you arrive late and some things can happen.

“And I was worried because in this period of preparation it is sometimes you need to be aggressive and you need to play with passion but sometimes the focus is to build your fitness and develop the way you want to play.

“Of course I was worried, Manchester United, Eric Bailly got injured and I am sorry for that but he was alone.

“And always when the players start to build their fitness and start to fight for their place in the team, when something happens in the pre-season it’s always tough and I was a little bit worried, but in the second half the game was a bit more relaxed.”

https://akelicious.net/pochettino-apologises-to-manchester-united/

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has called on the Federal Government to dump the controversial idea of the proposed Fulani settlements.

Instead, he urged President Muhammadu Buhari to seek solutions to the issues of desert encroachment and lack of sufficient vegetation.


According to him, those issues are responsible for the movements of nomadic herdsmen in the country.

He spoke yesterday at the 43rd Annual Conference of the Soil Science Society of Nigeria at the Federal University of Agriculture, (FUAM) Makurdi, the state capital.

Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Benson Abounu, recommended what was done in Israel, where a complete desert was transformed into a rich agricultural hub that now feeds the rest of the world.


“If the sandy Negev desert, which had no water or vegetation could be so transformed, there is no reason the same cannot be done in the northern part of Nigeria, where there is water and vegetation but where the only problem is desert encroachment.

“Let me call on the Soil Science Society of Nigeria to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to put a complete halt to the imminent danger that this country is currently facing which can cause the disintegration of this country,” he said.

He urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to engage the services of the SSSN to study the soil in the far North bedevilled by desert encroachment with the view to finding solutions to desertification.


Ortom charged the soil scientists to rise up to the challenge of meeting the growing demand for food occasioned by the negative impact of climate change on food and nutrition and the limitations imposed by insecurity.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/dump-ruga-face-desert-encroachment-gov.html

Fresh facts have emerged on why Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr won’t be sacked by the Nigerian Football Federation, Sports Extra has exclusively gathered.

There have been calls for Rohr to be sacked after he failed to guide Nigeria to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after his side lost 2-1 to Algeria in the semi-final on Sunday.


Sports Extra reliably gathered that the German tactician, who has one-year left on his current deal has a $1m payment clause inserted in his contract should he be relieved of his post as the head coach of the team before the expiration of his new deal.

The NFF president,Amaju Pinnick, had on Wednesday ruled out wielding the axe on the 66-year-old who according to him met the target set for him by the federation.

“He (Rohr) will remain in the job. I have complete confidence in him,” Pinnick told journalists in Egypt.

“Gernot has taken us to the semi-final, the target we set for him. Right now, we have a third-place match to play for and we intend to have our team leave Egypt with honour.

“There are some people that have been calling on me and the federation to sack Gernot. But I am not going to do that. In fact, Gernot is going on a refresher training period with Bayern Munich after the Nations Cup. We have a long-term plan with him.

“We have had rocky and difficult moments in our relationship, but this is normal in any relationship between two people.

“He is a good coach and we want him to remain with us. That said, we will work together on what needs to be improved upon.”

German Rohr has recorded 20 wins in 35 matches, drawn five and lost 10 since he took charge of the team in 2016.


Telephone calls and messages sent to NFF’s Director of Communications, AdemolaOlajire, on the issue were not replied as at the time of filing this report.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/why-nff-cant-sack-rohr.html

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN).

He was confirmed on Wednesday after screening by Senators, to succeed Justice Walter Onnoghen, who resigned following some false asset declaration.

The Senate, contrary to the earlier promise that they would screen him in the open plenary, retired into an executive session to do so.

President Muhammadu Buhari last week, requested the confirmation of Mohammad as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria, following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Justice Mohammed was first appointed in January after Buhari suspended Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, who was accused of false declaration of asset.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/breaking-senate-confirms-tanko-mohammed.html

Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) and Northern Elders Forum (NEF) have expressed concern over the safety of Fulani herdsmen in the southern part of the country and ordered them to relocate to the North.

This followed alleged threats to their lives, by southerners.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, after a meeting, yesterday, CNG’s spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, frowned at the utterances of some southerners, since the brutal death of the daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fashoranti.

Suleiman urged NEF to prevail on Fulani herdsmen to return home.

The Coalition said: “Based on our observations, and the fact that instigation of hatred against Fulani persists, we feel obliged to advise the leadership of the Northern Elders Forum to consider calling on Fulani to forego their right to live and flourish anywhere in the South and relocate to their various states in the North, to ensure their safety, noting the inherent return value of such denial.”

In response to the CNG’s request, NEF Chairman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, said if there is no certainty that safety of the Fulani is guaranteed in places where they are residing, they won’t mind having them back to places where their safety would be guaranteed.

He said: “The reactions we are getting from some sections of the country, especially from leaders who ought to be more restrained; concerning the sensitive nature of the issue. We also want to assure them that the NEF will take up this issue, to find solution.

“There is need that everything must be done to avoid escalation of this matter where it will lead to the breakdown of law and order in this country. If there is no certainty that their safety is guaranteed in the places where they are residing, we rather have them back into places where there safety would be guaranteed.



“I think NEF will like to take this opportunity to emphasise, again, to the leadership of the North and other sections that this is a country we want to keep together; not at the expense of any other section of the country.

“If there is going to be a follow-up on compensation, our recommendation should, therefore, be a judicial public enquiry or a panel be set up for people to come and make their claims.

“If the compensation would be paid by government, it should be to all sides that have suffered loss,” Abdullahi noted.

Highlighting their observations which compelled them to request for the return of Fulani to the North, the Coalition said: “Within the grace period since our last statement, we watched with concern, the escalation of the collective resolve of southern leaders in rejecting every initiative for the resettlement of Fulani, which did not preclude the use of inciting and provocative languages to instigated hatred against northerners, particularly herders living in the South.

“Specifically, southern governors had, on July 9, gone ahead to issue a joint decision to stop the unhindered movement of herders and cattle in all the southern states.

“The governors even arrogated to themselves powers to decide which category of herdsmen can be allowed to live in the South and others whom they tagged as criminal elements.



“This resolution by the governors had inspired the Ohanaeze youth to issue a one-week ultimatum, after which they would force all herders in the South to comply with the movement restriction imposed by their governors.

“Also, within the same period, some section of the southern leadership had introduced a fresh round of instigations, by indiscriminately blaming the death of the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Fashoranti, on Fulani and threating reprisals on northerners; contrary to on-the-spot account of her own driver and the official explanation by the police that the culprits were yet to be identified.

“Throwing caution to the winds, (Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba) Gani Adams, Femi Fani-Kayode, Yinka Odumakin and a host of other southern regionalists shamelessly insisted on changing the narratives around killing of the Fashoranti lady.

“In the process, they threatened all forms of violations and breaches against northerners, including the threat of an all-out war.

The Coalition further expressed concerns over the extent to which situations have degenerated.

“With all these statements and steps taken by southern governors and opinion leaders, we are worried that none of the northern governors or federal official has deemed it apt to caution them,’’ he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/return-home-northern-elders-tell.html

To enables developers to instantly verify users on mobile web products Truecaller announced the global launch of its Truecaller SDK solution exclusively for the mobile web platform today. With this, Truecaller SDK now supports all the key mobile platforms across Android, iOS, React and now mobile web including Progressive Web App support. Developers can access the mWeb SDK from Truecaller’s global developer portal.

Across emerging markets like India and Africa, mobile web-based experiences on smartphones are proving to be the first point of discovery for users trying to access products and services online. One of the key challenges in these markets has been to on-board users using email or other modes and getting verified using the inefficient OTP process. This SDK solution on the mobile web is intended to simplify this process for developers through its OTP-less and free to use phone number based verification solution, allowing their users to seamlessly and securely access services using their Truecaller credentials.

This ensures there are reduced barriers along with fewer user drop-offs and resulting in increased growth in verified users that contributes to minimized business risks for the developer.

Commenting on the launch, Priyam Bose, Global Head, Developer Platform & Relations, Truecaller, said: “Our vision has always been to enable the developer community by providing them with solutions that help them to build user-focused, trust-based and growth-oriented products. User onboarding and verification continue to be one of the critical use cases for developers as it is crucial in creating the first impression for their users in terms of building a seamless and secure product experience. On an average, developers in growth markets are starting to see anywhere between 40%-60% of their users now coming from mobile web, giving us more reasons to launch our Truecaller SDK solution for mobile Web interfaces.”



This launch extends Truecaller’s philosophy of building and solving problems at scale for users and developers globally, with value-driven functionalities. Truecaller SDK service for the mobile web platform can be used to fulfill use cases such as mobile number based signup, login, checkout, verification, and more such touch-points across the user journey.

Early access developer partners for this service also shared their experiences. Mukund Laddha, Product Manager, OYO, said: “At OYO, we have been expanding globally at a rapid pace. Improving user experience during authentication has been a key area of focus. This integration with Truecaller presented us with an opportunity to present users with a reliable alternate login method with a large presence across countries. This has made user on-boarding on the web more fluid and frictionless.”



Zairus Master, CEO, Shine.com, said: “At Shine.com, our constant endeavor is to improve our end-user experience by adopting best-in-class technologies. As an early access partner, the integration with Truecaller’s verification solution for mobile web platform will help candidates simplify their registration process on Shine.com and facilitate a constantly active and verified set of candidates on the platform, complete with their updated contact details. We believe that this product integration will give Shine.com a competitive edge over other job portals which solely rely on traditional, OTP-based verification.”



According to Udit Tyagi, Product Head, Times Internet Limited – Indian Languages News Business: “In the ever-evolving world of PWA’s the gap between app and mWeb is slowly fading away and users expect uniformity and seamlessness in terms of experience and onboarding irrespective of the platform. By leveraging Truecaller SDK for mobile web, we have been able to improve the on-boarding experience of users in our canvas of mobile web apps. In our case, onboarding conversions via Truecaller are 41% higher compared to standard onboarding processes.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/truecaller-launches-mobile-web-user.html

Activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) continued on the losing streak on Tuesday with the market indices extending their loss by 0.49 per cent.

The All-Share Index, which opened at 28,341.03, shed 140.15 points or 0.49 per cent to close at 28,200.88 due to negative sentiment.

The market capitalisation lost N68 billion or 0.49 per cent to close at N13.744 trillion in contrast to the N13.812 trillion achieved on Monday.


Thus, the month-to-date and year-to-date losses worsened to 3.29 per cent and 10.28 per cent, respectively.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which were Okomu Oil, Chemical and Allied Products (CAP), Forte Oil, Conoil and Flour Mills of Nigeria.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited expected the negative performance to persist throughout the week as sell pressure dominated activities.

Cordros Capital Limited said its outlook for equities in the short to medium term remained conservative in the absence of catalysts to drive positive market returns.

Market breadth remained negative with 10 gainers versus 32 losers.

Red Star Express recorded the highest price gain of 9.81 per cent to close at N5.71 per share.

Lasaco Assurance followed with a gain 9.68 per cent to close at 34k, while NEM Insurance appreciated by 4.09 per cent to close at N2.29 per share.

Nestle Nigeria went up by 1.79 per cent to close at N1,250, while Guaranty Trust Bank appreciated by 1.72 per cent to close at N29.50 per share.

Conversely, CAP and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) led the price losers’ chart by 10 per cent each to close at N24.75 and N13.05 per share, respectively.

Okomu Oil followed with a decline of 9.93 per cent to close at N55.80 per share.

Forte Oil lost 9.90 per cent to close at N18.65, while Flour Mills of Nigeria shed 9.88 per cent to close at N14.60 per share.

The volume of shares traded rose by 23.95 per cent with 217.13 million shares worth N1.8 billion traded in 3,595 deals.

This was against the 175.17 million shares valued at N2.14 billion transacted in 3,111 deals on Monday.

Transactions in the shares of FBN Holdings topped the activity chart with 46.76 million shares valued at N266.24 million.

Courteville Business Solutions followed with 46.74 million shares worth N9.46 million, while UBA traded 24.17 million shares valued at N136.49 million.

Transcorp traded 12.40 million shares valued at N12.48 million, while Zenith Bank transacted 10.97 million shares worth N204.04 million.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/shares-maintain-free-fall-indices-down.html

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has discovered a fake Twitter account in the name of its Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu with the username @IbrahimMagu.

The anti-graft agency, in a statement stated unequivocally that the said Twitter handle did not belong to him and that whatever tweet emanating from it was not from the Chairman, neither represented the views of the Commission.

“In view of this, members of the public are hereby advised not to engage in whatever form with the said handle in anyway as it is hereby disclaimed.

“Efforts are being made to trace, apprehend and prosecute the impersonator(s). The EFCC can be contacted via its verified handles across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – @OfficialEFCC,” it said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/07/efcc-disowns-twitter-account-in-magus.html