https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/bobrisky-why-by-ekwulekwutv.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj9HoM48NQw

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it recovered N392.141 billion, $293 million, jewelries worth millions of dollars, including gold, as well as trapped taxes between January 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.

The acting chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Magu, made the disclosure yesterday when he appeared before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Financial Crimes, for the defence of the 2019 budget proposal of the ant-graft body.

Breakdown of the recovery indicates N11.5 billion final forfeiture (cash and accounts), N133.8 billion non-forfeiture recoveries, N8.92 billion direct deposits, N38.64 billion tax recoveries, N4.30 billion fuel subsidy recoveries and N42 billion banks (third party).

Magu said: “These are in addition to recoveries of assets as jewelries (gold), various sums in other currencies and cash for major government agencies, including NNPC, FIRS and AMCON.

“In the first quarter of 2019 financial year, the commission made recoveries, which included: Cash – N140.7 million, direct deposits – N2.02 billion, tax recoveries – N7.20 billion, subsidy recoveries –N3.06 billion and $292 million.”

He said the anti-graft agency requires N22.071 billion for its operations in 2019. He appealed to the committee for an increase of the capital budget of the agency from the N3.978 billion contained in the 2019 budget estimates.

“We again wish to crave the indulgence of this committee to consider an upward review in the commission’s capital expenditure proposal for 2019,” he said.

Magu explained that N2.02 billion is required for payment of outstanding liabilities to Julius Berger in respect to project certificate nos. 28, 29 and 30; N1.5 billion cost over runs on new head office complex; N299 billion for liabilities for consultancy (new head office); N.47 billion for purchase of security equipment (ammunitions) and N1.1 billion for furnishing of the new head office, among others.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/efcc-recovered-n392141bn-292m-in-15.html

Nollywood star, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde complained about the level of danger and insecurity in the country and has appealed to the government to a declare state of emergency in places which are affected.

She also said she believes Nigeria needs some kind of ‘revolution’ to get better.

In an online question and answering section with her fans on twitter on Friday.

Omotola said, “I am appealing to the government to immediately see to the rising rate of depression, suicide, police brutality, ritual killings and general lack of safety in the Country. It’s at an all-time high now, there should be a state of emergency declared.”

Asked why she did not openly support any presidential candidate in the last election, the actress said that she doesn’t think her support for any candidate could have made any difference in the presidential election.

Speaking further, she said “Excuses won’t move us forward. We must be angry enough and divert our anger towards looking for real change. We need to know the use of political offices, ask questions and engage the leaders.

“I hope soon we birth a Jerry Rawlins or something of that kind. We do need a revolution. Nigeria is too big and important for it to implode. However, there are still honest people. Don’t be discouraged.”

The actress also advised people on how to choose a life partner, speaking she said “A lot lies on your choice of a spouse. Are they understanding, mature minded and supportive? Your spouse needs to be your career partner, knowing it’s both of you against the world. If not, it’s a rocky ride ahead. However, don’t compromise your career, it’s your sanity.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/we-need-to-fight-for-our-rights-omotola.html

Eighteen members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly out of 25 have signed to commence impeachment process against the outgoing governor of the state, Senator Mohammed Jibrila Bindow, and the Speaker, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa.

Trouble started when the assembly reconvened on Tuesday from its one month recess, to consider a letter sent by the governor to the assembly, informing that he was proceeding on a two weeks leave abroad.


As soon as the letter was read on the floor of the house, the proceedings turned sour when several members questioned the propriety of the governor going on leave at a crucial period when he ought to stay in office to explain decisions that he took in the last four years.

The lawmakers also accused the governor of trying to abscond from office because of some alleged misconduct and corrupt practices his administration committed.

The situation, however, degenerated when the member representing Hong and Majority Leader, Hon, Hassan Barguma, accused the Speaker of being a stooge and over protecting the governor and requested him to step aside, so that an appropriate action can be taken on the governor.

The Speaker, with the assistance of the Sergeant at arms, however, quickly exited the chamber with the mace to stop them from going ahead with their plot.

According to a source close to the assembly, there was already plans to impeach the governor over fracas between him and forces in Abuja who were bent on disgracing him out of office before the expiration of his tenure.

However the deputy speaker, Lamsambani Dili, declined to comment on the impeachment moves but he said the assembly adjourned hurriedly because the management was preparing an induction course for newly elected members.

However, the Speaker of the assembly did not respond to question sent to him via text message, he only promised to get back to journalists in Yola , who were also awaiting the speaker’s response to the issue.

At the time of sending this report the speaker had not responded.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/adamawa-assembly-moves-to-sack-gov.html

The Anambra State government has lamented that it is being owed as much as N600 million in tax by companies, schools, hotels and other business concerns operating in the state, most of which have bluntly refused to pay up.

The Chairman of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. David Nzekwu, stated this on Tuesday, during the enforcement of a court order, which empowered the board to seal off some companies that were indebted to the state government.


Nzekwu said some of the companies where the order were being enforced owed taxes for years without remitting them, the reason it approached a state High Court to force the companies to pay up.

“We are owed N600 million by defaulting companies in the state, and the court has given orders for us to seal the premises of such companies, and that is what we are doing today. We are not molesting anyone, but simply sealing off their premises to ensure they pay up,” he said.

The revenue board, which was in Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi for enforcement, sealed off Sabrud Consortium, producers of prepaid electricity meters in Awka, which owed over N5 million from January 2011 to December 2016, Divine Favour Pharmaceutical Company, Nkpor, which also owed N5 million from 2010 to 2015 and Nelly New Town Hotels and Suites which owed N8 million.

Other companies also sealed off included: Ejiamatu Microfinance Bank, Ojoto; Eteleson Industries, Ogbunike; and Delendu Aluminium Manufacturing company, Onitsha, said to have evaded tax to the tune of N8 million between 2016 to 2017.

Nzekwu lamented that most of the monies owed the state could help the governor, Chief Willie Obiano, in his good works in the state.

He explained that the expectation of every new company was to register within six months of operation and render their tax returns in respect to companies and individuals’ financial strength.

He also stated that the companies would incur additional cost as a result of the sealing off of their premises, adding that breaking the seal was a huge offence that could land one in prison.

The state Governor, Obiano, had recently during a meeting with civil servants promised to pay the new minimum wage, while also urging the state revenue services to work hard to increase the internally generated revenue of the state, which he hoped to make the payment.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/anambra-laments-n600m-tax-debt-by-firms.html

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged the newly-elected members of the National Assembly to ensure that religious balance is reflected in the leadership of the two legislative chambers.

The Christian body said that of particular interest are the offices of the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker, stressing that since both the president and the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) are Muslims, either the Senate President or the Speaker should be a Christian to address the religious dichotomy.


In a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, by his Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the association said there is need to balance the appointment of principal officers across religious divides to avoid domination and marginalisation of any kind, in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It said: “As you prepare for your inauguration, CAN urges you to balance the appointments of your principal officers across religious divides to avoid domination and marginalisation of any kind in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“We, from CAN recognise the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity. It is in this regard that we call for ethnic and religious balance with depth in picking the leadership of that great institution of democracy.”

CAN said in order to remove any apprehension and suspicion harbored towards the leadership of the country, members of the National Assembly should endeavour to address both the religious and the North and South dichotomies in the interest of equity, justice and fair play.

It added, “Our quest becomes imperative due to the existing order in the two other arms of the government.

“Today, both the President and the acting CJN are Muslims and our appeal is to let either the Senate President or the Speaker be a Christian to address the religious dichotomy. This will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging irrespective of their religious affiliations.”

The Christian body further said that a critical study of Chapter 14 (13 sand 14) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) underscores the fact that the “composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.

CAN said in as much as it believed that merit should not be sacrificed in every appointment, there are Christians who are equally credible and capable of running the affairs of the National Assembly and other key positions in the government if given the opportunity.

“We assure our lawmakers of our prayers as they make laws for the peace, order and good government of the federation.

“We also urge both the presidency and the leadership of the APC to support the position of the association in its quest to find an enduring peace, unity and development for our fatherland.

“Doing this will go a long way in fixing some of the problems confronting our country today that are rooted in religious, tribal suspicion, domination and marginalisation at every level of the government,” it said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/can-opposes-endorsement-of-muslims-as.html

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has affirmed that Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is in self-denial and that the Certificate of Return erroneously issued to him by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will soon be retrieved and re-issued to him (Emerhor).

In a press release by his aide on media and social communications, Mr Aghogho Orotomah, Emerhor stressed that the Federal High Court, Asaba made a specific order, “Order No 4 in the court enrolled orders nullifying the full plate of NASS, Governorship and House of Assembly candidates list of Delta APC submitted to INEC through the Prophet Jones Erue Exco which contained the following names as APC SENATORIAL candidates to wit: Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan – Delta South, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege – Delta Central and Hon Doris Uboh- Delta North”.

Olorogun Emerhor explained further that the enrolled orders have been served by the court bailiff on INEC and INEC has begun the process of obedience to the order by refusing to issue Certificate of Return to three affected candidates of the Prophet Jones Erue annulled list in Asaba.


“It is therefore obvious that the Certificate of Return already issued to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is in error and it is only a matter of time for it to be withdrawn by INEC and together with those INEC already withheld, re-issue same to Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and others.

“Senator Omo-Agege has to be in self-denial to continue to grandstand that the Asaba FHC judgment does not affect his candidacy.

“He did the right thing by attempting to seek leave of Court to Appeal the judgment as an impacted person but unfortunately the Court of Appeal Benin shut the door on him for sleeping on his right for the last six months and awarded cost against him,” he said adding that he remained the valid candidate and Senator-elect for Delta Central just as he awaits his Certificate of Return from INEC.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/asaba-fhc-judgment-omo-agege-in-self_1.html

The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the choice of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly deepened at the weekend as some of the lawmakers threatened to dare the party in the leadership tussle.

Some senators-elect of the ruling APC have also frowned at what they described as the recent utterances of the National Leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu, over the composition of the leadership of the National Assembly, saying such outburst should not have come from a national leader of the party.

Some of the party’s senators-elect, Akelicious further learnt, met in Abuja last night to discuss the decision of the party to determine the federal legislature’s leadership.

Tinubu had at the weekend in Lagos asked elected party members, not comfortable with the choice of Senator Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as Senate President and House Speaker respectively, to leave the party or be ready to abide by party decision on the matter.

Reacting to Tinubu’s statement, a cross section of the senators-elect who spoke with Akelicious on condition of anonymity said such a remark was unbecoming of a national leader of a ruling party like APC.

They also reminded Tinubu that the party belongs to all stakeholders and not an individual saying: “Asiwaju should be reminded that many political parties agreed to collapse their structures to form the nucleus of APC some five years ago; so, the party does not belong to him.”

The legislators-elect said rather than threatening the elected lawmakers, the party leadership ought to have engaged them on how to evolve a vibrant leadership for the ninth National Assembly.

A senator-elect from the North-central told Akelicious: “As we speak, the party leaders have not deemed it fit to call all APC senators-elect to a meeting only for us to be told publicly by Oshiomhole that Senator Lawan is the party’s choice as next Senate President.”

According to him, “We will do everything possible to resist imposition of any leadership on the next federal parliament.”

Another senator-elect from North-central zone affirmed that the imposition of Lawan on others will not fly. “We are ready to take on the party leadership on the matter and ensure that all stakeholders are carried along,” he said.

He advised the party not to make the mistake it made in the 8th Senate which produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President as against Senator Lawan, then the choice of the party.

The ranking senator said senators-elect of like minds across political divides will meet in Abuja this week in the course of the orientation programme for all elected federal lawmakers.

“Our colleagues have started arriving in Abuja for the orientation programme being put together by the management of National Assembly for all the 479 members-elect of the federal parliament and we’ll use the opportunity to reach out to them and take a firm decision on the kind of leadership we desire in both the Senate and the House of Representatives,” he said.

He added that senators-elect, who are against the imposition of Senator Lawan, had met at the weekend with those who are routing for former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, as next Senate President with a view to harmonising their position and come up with a candidate to face Lawan on the day 9th Senate will be inaugurated in June.”

This, he further said, are some of the issues that would be discussed with their colleagues from across the country, including legislators-elect from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties who have representation in the 9th Assembly.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/04/apc-senators-elect-move-against-partys.html

Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, has made some revelations about the 2019 general election.
Emmanuel stated that he wrestled not against humans but “powers and principalities”, who were desperate for power.

The Governor spoke on Friday, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, during a thanksgiving event.


His words: “This battle wasn’t about the flesh. We were not wrestling against the flesh but powers and principalities but God gave us victory.”

“God used this victory to show that His redemption on the cross was not in vain. God used this victory to defend the church…his name.

“At a point, it seemed as if we were almost overwhelmed but God gave us victory. God used the Akwa-Ibom people to show his victory. I have never seen where the people showed love like they did for our governments.


“Our pledge is that we will continue to serve you God almighty, we will not place your interest above the interest of the common man.

“Every strength, might, wisdom, power that God has given us, we will deploy them to work for the state. I want to thank God for not putting us to shame. God has given life to Akwa Ibom state.

“This is a new beginning for the state. No man shall be able to stop what God has destined for Akwa Ibom state. No man can and no strength can cover Emmanuel. I subdue any altar, man, force against Akwa Ibom state.”


He thanked all those who played various roles in his emergence and that his administration would continue to serve both God and the people with strength and vigour.

Also speaking at the event, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, said Nigerians are waiting for God’s ultimate victory on the presidential election.

He lamented that the entire Niger Delta was taken over by the military but God was on the side of the people and delivered the state and the region.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/akwa-ibom-what-happened-during-2019.html

The National Universities Commission released a list of illegal degree awarding institutions operating in Nigeria. The list of these illegal universities in Nigeria was made available to the public in a NUC’s weekly bulletin. In the bulletin, the NUC warns that Certificates obtained from these illegal universities and colleges will not be recognized for the purpose of NYSC, employment and further studies. Below is a list of illegal universities in Nigeria by NUC this 2019.



1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria.



2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology Nkpor, Anambra State or any of its campuses.



3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos or any of its other campuses.



4. University of applied Sciences and Management Port Novo, Republic of Benin or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.



5. Blacksmith University, Awka or any of its campuses.



6. Volta University College, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana or any of its other campuses in Nigeria.



7. Royal University Izhia, P.O. Box 800, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State or any of its other campuses.



8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi State or any of its other campuses.



9. Sunday Adokpela University, Otada Adoka, Otukpo, Benue State or any of its other campuses.



10. United Christian University, Macotis Campus, Imo State or any of its other campuses.



11. United Nigeria University College, Okija, Anambra State or any of its other campuses.



12. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue State or any of its other campuses.



13. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers State or any of its other campuses.



14. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos Plateau State or any of its other campuses.



15. The International University, Missouri, USA, Kano and Lagos Study Centres, or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



16. Columbus University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.



17. Tiu International University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.



18. Pebbles University, UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.



19. London External Studies UK operating anywhere in Nigeria.



20. Pilgrims University operating anywhere in Nigeria



21. Lobi Business School Makurdi, Benue State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



22. West African Christian University operating anywhere in Nigeria.



23. Bolta University College Aba or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



24. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) Kaduna Illegal Campus.



25. Westlan University, Esie, Kwara State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



26. St. Andrews University College, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



27. EC- Council University, USA, Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.



28. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko, Uyo Akwa Ibom State or any of its campuses in Nigeria. 29. Concept College/University (London) Ilorin or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



30. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



31. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



32. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



33. Fifom University, Mbaise, Imo State or any of its campuses in Nigeria.



34. Houdegbe North American University Campuses In Nigeria.



35. Atlantic International University, Okija, Anambra State.



36. Open International University, Akure.



37. Middle Belt University (North Central University), Otukpo.



38. Leadway University, Ughelli, Delta State.



39. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari, Abuja.



40. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers State.



41. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu State.



42. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja.



43. Temple University.



44. Irish University Business School London, operating anywhere in Nigeria.



45. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State.



46. University of Accountability and Management Studies, Mowe, Lagos Ibadan Expressway and its Annex at 41, Ikorodu Road Lagos.



47. University of Education, Winneba Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.



48. Cape Cost University, Ghana, operating anywhere in Nigeria.



49. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD), Cotonou, Benin Republic, operating anywhere in Nigeria.



50. Pacific Western University, Denver, Colorado, Owerri Study Centre.



51. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos.



52. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko Campus).

Full details at https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/57-fake-nigerian-universities-in-2019.html

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has denied releasing the cost of participating in 2019 Hajj pilgrimage as it is yet to approve the fare expected of intending pilgrims.

“We wish to draw attention of Nigeria’s 2019 Muslim intending pilgrims in particular and the general public that NAHCON has not authorised any state Muslim pilgrims’ board to announce Hajj fare for 2019,” NAHCON spokesman Fatima Sanda Usara said in a statement.

Prior to Usara’s statement, media reports announced that the 2019 Hajj pilgrimage fare will cost N1.8million. The Hajj commission, however, declared that no fees have been approved for the pilgrimage exercise.

Usara said pilgrims registration requires a tentative deposit of N1.5m (one million, five hundred thousand Naira), in bank draft, with any of the certified state Muslim pilgrims’ boards, agencies or commissions.


Usara explained that “registration of pilgrims in Nigeria had commenced in November of 2018. The registration requires a tentative deposit of N1.5m (one million, five hundred thousand Naira), in bank draft, with any of the certified state Muslim pilgrims’ boards, agencies or commissions.

“This deposit can be done fully or by instalments and a copy of the draft should be presented to the respective state board. Intending pilgrims are warned not to pay cash to any agent or board member as payment is strictly through the banks”.

Meanwhile, the hajj commission has released an updated list of approved 2019 licenced Tour Operators with the corresponding number of slots allocated to each.

This followed a 2-day hearing and verification of claims by the NAHCON committee set up for Consideration of Appeals by Appellant Companies for 2019 Hajj.

A total of 115 out of 147 companies that applied for the licence have so far been approved to participate in the year’s Umrah and Hajj exercises. The applications were submitted online.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nahcon-denies-naming-cost-for-hajj-2019.html

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has alleged that there is a gang up against him, members of his group and the Biafra struggle.


Kanu, who is on a self-imposed exile away from Nigeria, made the allegation in reaction to the court order revoking his bail as well as ordering his arrest.

Akelicious recalls that a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Binta Nyako in Abuja, revoked Kanu’s bail on treason charges yesterday and also ordered his immediate arrest.

However, in a live broadcast on Radio Biafra last night, Kanu said he was compelled to make the broadcast because of what his “enemies” are plotting against him.

But he insisted that his perceived enemies will not prevail because light is on his side.


The IPOB leader said, “I have been compelled to make this very emergency broadcast this evening by the turn of events and we must address what our enemies are doing head-on.

“We know there is gang up against IPOB, there is gang up against Biafra, and there is gang up against my humble self but in all their doings in all their machinations and in all their plans and their atrocities they will never prevail because truth is in our side, light is in our side and Chukwu Okike Abiama is with us and he would never abandon us until Biafra is restored and beyond.

“We are here to propagate this very gospel, the gospel truth and the gospel of redemption. People of iniquitous disposition will not understand what we are trying to do but the throne of light will”.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/mazi-nnamdi-kanu-reacts-to-court-order.html

Fifteen-month-old Taye Adetunji, who died under curious circumstances at HJ CLAIROOWEN medical centre on Sunday, was buried without autopsy based on the clinic’s recommendation, the family has alleged.

The child’s father Adeola Adetunji said Dayo Badmus told our correspondent on Thursday the private hospital contacted someone at a cemetery around Command Ipaja and also gave his brother the number of the person for them to bury the infant there.

According to Adetunji, they were also given a medical report, which they took to the cemetery and gave the person Badmus linked them with to enable them bury the baby.

“Before I came to Lagos on Monday morning, the nurse, Dayo (Badmus) spoke to my brother and gave a number from the cemetery to my brother.


“Dayo directed us to the place to go and bury the baby. They buried the baby at Command, Ayobo, Ipaja.

“When I came back, my baby was already dead. Yes, I saw the baby. The doctor (Badmus) told my family that he has gotten a place for them and directed them to the cemetery at Command, Ipaja.

“I asked for doctor’s report and he wanted to write it on a plain paper but I refused that it should be on the clinic’s letterhead. He later brought out the letterhead and wrote the report and signed it.

“We gave the cemetery attendant the doctor’s report before we were allowed to bury the baby there. We also paid N7, 000 at the cemetery.

“We agreed to use the cemetery because my baby deserved her last respect. We did not know about autopsy and the doctors did not say anything like that.

‘’They were just telling us that we should go and bury the baby and since my family lives in rented apartment, it would not have been easy to get a burial place by ourselves and my house is in Ogun.”

The revelation is coming just as the state government through the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) shutdown HJ CLAIROOWEN medical centre while investigations into all allegations continue.

Director for Public Health, Mrs. Adeola Salako, confirmed the closure of the clinic to our correspondent on telephone.


She assured the investigation would be thorough and findings made public.

Commissioner for Health Jide Idris dismissed claims by the Medical Director that the doctor in the eye of storm (Dr. Joy) had been dismissed, stating investigations into the case were still on.

Idris said he was still in Abuja and was yet to receive reports of the detailed investigation he ordered including the registration status of the private hospital.

He said: “Nobody can terminate appointment like that. I asked them to investigate the registration status of that hospital. They have not gotten back to me.

“I am still in Abuja. I will get everything when I come back to my office on Friday.”

Idris also promised to detail someone to investigate fresh allegations against the clinic that it made the family bury the child without an autopsy.

“This is serious. I promise you I will detail someone to investigate this allegation.

“I will get all the findings of the investigation. I will also reach out to the father of the child. Thank you for the information,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/15-month-old-baby-buried-without.html

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday urged the Federal Government not to increase the Value Added Tax.

He said an increase in VAT will reduce the spending capacity of the people and might increase hardship.

He urged the Federal Government to rather consider increasing the tax net.

He spoke on Thursday during the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium marking his 67th birthday, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

It may be recalled that, sequel to the approval of N30,000 as minimum wage by the National Assembly, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma; and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, had said the Federal Government was considering an upward review of the Value Added Tax by 50 per cent.

Udoma and Fowler who stated this on Tuesday when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, said the increment was to, among others, enable the Federal Government to fund the new national minimum wage.

Fowler said the proposed payable VAT by Nigerians based on the increment would actually be between 35 per cent (6.75%) and 50 per cent (7.25%).

The government is currently charging five per cent VAT on all products in the country.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/you-cant-increase-vat-tinubu-tells-fg.html

The Governor of Abia State and Governor-Elect, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has extended an olive branch to his opponents in the March 9, 2019 governorship election, Dr. Uche Ogah of All Progressives Congress and Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, calling on them join him in building the state.
Ikpeazu made the call on Wednesday when he collected his Certificate of Return as Governor-Elect of Abia State from the Independent National Electoral Commission at the Commission’s headquarters in Umuahia.
He said such collaboration is the only way to build the Abia.
The Governor, while extending the olive branch, also called on his opponents to bring their ideas to the table and participate in the development of Abia State.
He said: “I call on my brothers and those who lost in the election to join us to build the Abia of our dreams.
“This is the only way to go because in every election or contest, there must be a winner and losers.
“For us, this is a victory for Abia and since all of us that participated in the election are all Abians, it then means there is no loser in the actual sense.
“We must collaborate for the good of our state and our people.”
Ikpeazu described as a privilege the opportunity to serve Abians again for the next four years, while reaffirming his commitment to the all round development of the state.
The Abia Chief Executive further reiterated his administration’s commitment to job creation for the teeming Abia youth in the next four years, adding that he is poised to leave the state better than he met it.
Ikpeazu, who also dedicated his victory to God for perfecting all his efforts and that of the campaign teams with success, said the Lord gives power to whoever He wills.
He reaffirmed his commitment to focus on improving on his visions to give Abians nothing less than the best as well ensuring that he writes his name in gold.
Meanwhile, Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, National Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, has called for post-election healing.
According to Ibeani: “After every election, there should be post-election healing.
“Those who win must be magnanimous in victory.
“Those who lose must not give unnecessary excuses, instead accept the outcome of the process.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/come-lets-build-abia-together-gov.html

Against the backdrop of alleged zoning of the positions of President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy President of the Senate to the North East, South West and North West, respectively, United Religious Movement has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to consider Nigeria’s multi-religious status and give equal opportunities to the two dominant religions: Islam and Christianity.

Spokesperson of the group, Apostle Kehinde Collins, said APC should do so for the sake of peace and unity in Nigeria.

He stressed that the Ninth Session of the National Assembly is made up of Christians and Muslims; in the Red and Green chambers.

Addressing a special session with members of the group, yesterday, Collins urged the APC leadership to take cognizance of the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria.

He said: “It is imperative for the APC to be conscious of the multi-religious nature of the country.

“Senator Ahmad Lawan and Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila have been recommended by the APC as senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively. The duo of Lawan and Gbajabiamila are Muslims.

“There is need to accommodate Christians in these positions.

“For the sake of peaceful co-existence among all religious and ethnic groups, there must be fairness and equity in appointments across the board.

“The appointments are lopsided and will polarise the country. The leadership of the APC should consider a Christian for either president of the senate or speaker of the House of Representatives.”

Collins urged religious leaders to call the political class to order, and also, appealed to the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to ensure all ethnic and religious groups are given equal opportunities.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/consider-christians-in-nass-zoning.html

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday took local and international investors by surprise, cutting the 32-month-old Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) by 0.5 per cent to 13.5 per cent.

The new economic direction for the next two months has already been seen as growth and investment inducer, notwithstanding the size. It is capable of creating loan renegotiations if sustained and is a test of rate cut environment.

Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) members had held on to the rates for nearly three years, despite calls by real sector operators in a three-fold fight against inflation, exchange rate manipulations and attraction of foreign inflows, as the economy slipped into and exited recession.


Their pessimism rode on the back of precedents and the recent remark by CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele that the issues that led to the economic crisis of 2015-2017 remained visible, hence the need to be alert to domestic and global developments.

But yesterday, he called the decision a “new direction” saying: “This rate cut is meant to signal that there is a need for us to move course a little further. To do so, we need to begin to look at money supply and liquidity to push growth.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, described the development as positive “ambush” of all projections, but more importantly, a sign of returning confidence in the economy.

He said that the decision has three immediate impacts: assurance to the private sector; boost to investments; and sustenance of foreign investments inflow.

“While structural issues constraining lending persist, we cannot rule out the impact of 50 basis points downward adjustment on cost of funding. That is a boost to investments and borrowing for economic activity. There is expected movement from fixed income segment to the equities segment by the rate adjustment. It is not enough to sway foreign inflow, because already, fixed income yields have compressed at about 12 and 13 per cent,” he said.

The research analyst at FXTM, Lukman Otunuga, said investors were caught completely off-guard with the unexpected cut in benchmark interest rate for the first time in years by CBN. “Today’s move by the CBN may open the doors to further rate cuts in the future, especially if macroeconomic conditions continue to improve and inflation cools further,” he said.

The Head of Research at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Ayodele Akinwunmi, said the decision was based on the relative stability in inflation rate and exchange rate but noted that it would only subsist if there is no adjustment in the pump price of petrol and electricity tariff.


“The cost of servicing the debt of the government may also drop. And with complementary fiscal policies to improve business environment, lending to the private sector may increase,” he said.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited were however not convinced that an easing cycle by the apex bank has begun, as the current move remains subject to global interest rate development and is tainted by “desperation to sustain and retain flows.”

They noted: “In addition, credit to private sector is not expected to improve on the back of rate reduction as structural bottlenecks and elevated business risk environment remain drags to credit creation.”

Stock market operators described the MPR cut as a positive development that would spur liquidity in the equities market.

The equities market has been on a downward note in the last few years due to the mouthwatering yield the fixed income market offers to investors. But with the cut, operators said the segment of the market would be depressed while the yield remains unattractive.

Specifically, a professor of capital market and head, banking and finance department, Nasarawa State University Keffi, Uche Uwaleke, said: “The reduced MPR will also be positive for the capital market as some of the increased liquidity that will ensue will flow into the equities market. Also, it will be cheaper for the government to issue bonds, given that part of this year’s budget deficit will be financed through domestic borrowing.”

The Head of Research in FSL Capital Limited, Victor Chiazor, said it is a good development as it is expected to propel inflow of funds into the equities market.

He said once yield in the fixed income market continues to nosedive, investors would be compelled to look for other investment securities for better returns.

“It is expected to cause a reduction in yield of securities in the fixed income market and once this happens, investors would have no other choice but to return to the equities market where stocks like Zenith Bank would offer a better dividend yield.

“But CBN must keep yield slightly depressed, so that investors would not pick interest in the fixed income market and this would attract more patronage of the equities market,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/cbn-tweaks-32-month-old-policy-rate.html

President Muhammadu Buhari has frowned at some actions and decisions of the 8th National Assembly, saying such activities remain regrettable.

The president, who made his feeling known when he hosted state governors and senators-elect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday night.

President Buhari particularly cited the deliberate and persistent delay in passing the nation’s annual budget by the national assembly.

He, therefore, challenged the in-coming 9th national assembly to do things differently from the outgoing 8th senate so as to enable his administration to achieve its target of transforming the nation.


“This is my fifth and last time of standing for an election – for that reason I’ll like to leave something behind.

“And what I want to leave cannot be successfully done without your support.

“So, that is why I’m appealing for your support. What happened in the last senate and so on is regrettable because I still feel it shouldn’t take seven months to pass a budget. You have a very, very serious job ahead of you.

“So, what I’m appealing is that any major decision you are going to take please reflect more on the country than yourself as a person – what effect will it have on the country,’’ he said.

While promising to work and partner with the 9th national assembly in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in the country, the president thanked the governors and senators-elect for their support and understanding.

The National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who spoke to State House correspondents after the dinner, said the whole purpose of the event was to bond the new and old senators, to establish a new of relationship between the executive and the legislature.

He said: “The system talks about the separation of powers between the executive and legislature and the two must handshake for things to happen.

“And when you have a president that is determined to drive changes, fundamental changes that will affect our habits, our life style, review the economy, deal with the security situation, fight corruption as fiercely as he is trying to do, he will need a very supportive legislative arm of government.


“And happily, the Nigerian people have given us the number in the legislative arm of government.

“All we have agreed today is that we will use these numbers as a functioning whole to determine the leadership of the Senate in a way that we are not going to go to the floor of the Senate and allow the opposition dictate who becomes the senate president.

“Because, we have a comfortable majority to drive that, what we have to do is to manage that majority.’’

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, who also spoke on outcome of the meeting said: “What the president has done today, I think is the right step in the right direction.

“The last time we did not have the opportunity of this politics but today, Mr. President invited us. Because, we are governors and we also dialogue with our senators.

“Mr President said in order to avoid rancour, let me lay the way forward and we are very happy he has laid the way forward and because of that we are all going to work towards achieving the desire of Mr President for the good of this country.’’(NAN)

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/some-actions-decisions-of-8th-senate.html

Nigerian airlines are losing lucrative West and Central African markets, which used to sustain them in the past as a result of the creation of open sky policy that allows other airlines free entry and free exit in 23 African countries.

investigations revealed that the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which was ratified by the African Union early last year created open sky for 23 African countries that are already signatories to the policy.
The implication of this policy, it was learnt, is that the airlines of these 23 countries can freely enter and exit these member-countries without hindrance.


It was, however, gathered that while Nigeria allows airlines from the West Coast like African World Airlines (AWA), Air Senegal, Air Cote d’Ivoire and others to operate in the country with minimum charges, other countries over charge Nigerian carriers to discourage them from flying to lucrative destinations such as Accra, Abidjan, Dakar, Freetown and others.

With such strangulating charges and taxes, Akelicious learnt that the Nigerian airlines are forced to charge high fares to these routes to offset operation cost, thus making them uncompetitive.
Investigation has revealed that Medview Airline, Dana Air have stopped operations to West Coast destinations, while Arik Air has cut back its operations in the West and Central African destinations.

The airline, it was learnt, no longer operate to Gabon, Banjul, Abidjan, Freetown, and Douala, and has restricted its destinations to Accra, Ghana, Luanda, Angola, Dakar, Senegal and Monrovia, Liberia.
Also, Air Peace, which started operations four years ago, has launched operations to many destinations in the sub-region, which include Accra, Lome, Abidjan, Banjul, Freetown, Dakar and others.

However, Air Peace had disclosed that it loses about N500 million monthly on those routes due to exorbitant charges that are not reciprocated in Nigeria for airlines from those countries.

The Chairman of the Nigerian carrier, Allen Onyema, told Akelicious that time had gone when the routes were lucrative for Nigerian operators.
“We lose over N500 million monthly to the West Coast. This is the money we make from domestic operations. Except this SAATM is re-addressed, Nigerian airlines will go into extinction. Unless government intervenes, we may leave the routes to these foreign airlines.

“This is because if you continue operating the West and Central routes, it will affect your revenue base on the domestic scene and you will crumble. That is why most Nigerian airlines could not succeed on those destinations,” Onyema said.
He added that if the federal government supports domestic airlines as other countries, it would have reciprocated the high charges by also charging those African carriers the same amount they charge their Nigerian counterparts.

Sources at Arik Air also told Akelicious that all the routes in the sub-region are unprofitable, disclosing that Nigerian airlines incur losses because of high charges heaped on them by the countries they operate to.

“The charges in Accra are too high. After paying them, you cannot get up to N5,000 from the base fare and you have not counted the cost of operation. Their ground handling charges are so high; the same with navigational charges by ASECNA (airspace services provider) and if you don’t pay in time they seize your aircraft,” the source said.

Accra and other airports in the sub-region charge Nigerian airlines for both inbound and outbound passengers, which in Nigeria, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) charges only for outbound passengers and all weight charges for landing and then parking, but the total charges, including passenger service charge of $50 per passenger are about 25 per cent of what airports in West Africa charge Nigerian airlines.

Nigeria contributes more than 50 per cent of the total passenger traffic on the West and Central Africa, but now it is other African airlines that are making money from those routes because the host countries exempt their airlines from many of the charges which they level on Nigerian operators.

However, the organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, Ikechi Uko, said the only way the West African routes could be profitable to the airlines in the sub-region would be to standardise the charges.
He added that a former Minister of Aviation, Ghana and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), had started moves to make the charges uniform in the sub-region.

He noted that West Africa has the highest population in Africa, adding that for the airlines in the sub-region to maximise the opportunities offered by the high passenger traffic, the countries that form the West Coast must work together and agree on the charges.

“Most airlines in the sub-region are small operators with short lifespan because they have not taken advantage of the high passenger traffic in the area. For SAATM to work, every sub-region should operate like domestic service and the charges must be uniform. That way the airlines can operate profitably in the sub-region,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/nigerian-airlines-lose-lucrative-west.html

Traditional ruler of Obosi town in Anambra State, Igwe Chidubem Iweka II, has suspended Chief Osita Chidoka, who is a former Minister of Aviation and spokesman of Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, from the Council of Chiefs.


Iweka announced in a statement during the weekend the suspension of Chidoka, and two others, Chief Linus Mgbakaogu and Chief Hyacinth Udemba for their alleged involvement in bringing the corpse of two Obosi youths killed during the March 9 re-run election to the palace.

The statement signed by Dr Benneth Mozie on behalf of the monarch and his chiefs in council, said the act was a sacrilege in the tradition of Obosi kingdom which forbids the king and his council from seeing human corpse.


The statement reads, “On arriving at the palace, these chiefs in council instructed that the corpse be off loaded and dumped in the palace, an insulting and dishonouring act, an abomination of the gravest magnitude.

“After due consultations and deliberations with all relevant ancient traditional bodies of Obosi, the Igwe Iweka II in council, hereby announces the indefinite suspension from his cabinet of the above mentioned three chiefs.

“This suspension is for their acts of sacrilege against the revered age-old customs of the people and Obosi ancient kingdom,” he said.


However, Chief Anthony Nwabude, the Traditional Prime Minister of Obosi (Onowu Obosi), who was at the palace when the suspension was announced, told journalists that there was no time the content of the statement was discussed or resolved by the council.

Nwabude, an octogenarian and one of the oldest members of the council, said he could not sit back and watch a decision he was not part of foisted on him without talking.

“There was never a meeting where the cabinet met to discuss and come up with the resolution that was read.


“Since the killings, the cabinet has never met to discuss it; so, I am not in support of it,” he said.

In his reaction, Mgbakaogu one of the affected persons, dismissed the news of his suspension as a kangaroo exercise, saying he remained the (Atta Obosi).

Mgbakaogu told reporters the monarch could not suspend any member of the cabinet without convening a general meeting of the council.


He accused him of delving into partisan politics which had made him to mishandle the affairs of Obosi.

“Two Obosi sons were killed because of election and the youths of the town insisted on taking their corpse to their king in protest of numerous deaths we have witnessed, and the three of us were there to witness what happened.

“The Igwe has had running battles with Obosi community and presently there is a panel of inquiry looking into these issues, we are still expecting the white paper from Anambra Government.


“I am not surprised at the purported suspension which cannot stand, I have been in the traditional cabinet for nine years and eight months, long before he became an Igwe, so I remain Atta Obosi,” he said.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/atikus-spokesman-osita-chidoka-suspended.html

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) yesterday disclosed that Lassa fever outbreak had claimed four lives in three states while 23 fresh cases were confirmed.

With the new death cases, the NCDC disclosed that the current fever outbreak in Nigeria had killed at least 114 persons between January 1 and March 17.


The agency gave the updates in its weekly situation report from NCDC for week 11, showing that 23 new confirmed cases were reported from nine states.

The report said a total of 1801 suspected cases were reported from 21 states. Of the cases, 495 were confirmed positive, 15 probable and 1277 negative (not a case).

It showed that eight fresh cases were recorded in Edo; four in Ondo; three in Ebonyi; three in Bauchi; one in Taraba; one in Imo; one in Enugu; one in Benue and one in Kebbi

In Edo, according to the report, two death cases were recorded; one in Benue and one also in Bauchi

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the report said there “have been 114 deaths, taking the case fatality ratio in confirmed cases to 23 per cent.

“This, however, represents a significant drop in both confirmed cases and death as compared to week 10. Also, in the reporting week 11, one new health care worker was affected in Ebonyi State.

“This brings the number of health care workers who have been infected with the disease to 16. The 16 health workers infected were reported from seven states; Edo – 7, Ondo- 3, Ebonyi- 2, Enugu- 1, Rivers – 1, Bauchi- 1 and Benue 1 with two deaths in Enugu and Edo state.

“The number of deaths recorded in 2019 is almost three-quarters of the total recorded from the disease in 2018,” the situation said.

The annual report by the NCDC last December showed that there were 171 deaths with 3,493 suspected cases in 23 states in 2018.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu said 73 local government areas in 21 states have recorded at least 1 confirmed case as at week 11.

The states are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River.

Currently, 63 patients are at various treatment centres across the country. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital treatment centre has the highest number of patients with 26 undergoing treatment. The Federal Medical Centre, Owo has 16, Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki 10; Nasarawa 1; Bauchi- 1; Plateau 3; Taraba 4; and others 2.

According to the NCDC, 590 contacts have been identified from 19 states. Of these, 2353 are currently being followed up, 3384 have completed 21 days follow-up, while four were lost to follow up.

So far 84 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 49 have tested positive. Contact tracing has been identified as one of the crucial strategies in curtailing the spread of the disease.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness, which is been transmitted to human via contact with rodent or human to human transmission.

Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission also occur particularly in hospitals due to lack of adequate infection prevention and control measures.

NCDC said the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Centre continues to coordinate the response activities at all level.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/lassa-fever-kills-four-as-ncdc-confirms.html

The Cross River State Command of the Department of State Services has said the arrest of one of its personnel, Bassey Eyo, and his subsequent parade by the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad of the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar over suspected kidnap was done in error.

According to a statement by the State Director of DSS, Adebayo Ilupeju, “the command wishes to state that this is a misrepresentation of what happened. The fact is that Eyo had accompanied three of his friends namely: Eyo Edet, Sylvia James and Jason Udo, to assist them to recover a debt from Robert Bassey.


“Investigations have revealed that Bassey had (allegedly) fleeced Edet, James and Udo of a certain sum of money with a promise to help them secure admission to the University of Calabar.

“But when Bassey could not fulfil his obligation, they demanded a refund.

“The story was brought to the attention of Eyo who advised that the matter be reported to the police. His advice however fell on deaf ears and unknown to him, his friends took him along to the home of Bassey who connived with his brothers and invited the police, claiming that they were being kidnapped. On arrival, the police apprehended the alleged kidnappers and Eyo who was in company with the trio.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/our-worker-not-kidnapper-dss.html

Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, seeking reelection on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against using his name to "defraud" the people of Sokoto State.

He stated this in response to an advertorial accusing him of manipulating elections in Sokoto.

He made his position known in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos, while responding to an advertorial alleging that he met with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to influence the Sokoto State governorship rerun election in favour of APC.

Referring to Tambuwal as a "drowning man", he berated the Governor for using desperate means to win the election, NAN reported.

Noting that Tambuwal was acting out of "sheer desperation", he said the Governor "fears that his political career is crumbling", adding that "if he loses this election, he has lost everything."
Read Tinubu’s full statement:

Our attention has been drawn to a partisan advertorial in the 21st March edition of Daily Trust. This advertorial, placed by a shadowy organization calling itself the Sokoto State Coalition of PDP Supporters, bears the logo of PDP National Youth League and is signed by one Engr. Haruna Usman Shagari. Titled “Inconclusive Gubernatorial Election: Sokoto People Warn Tinubu, Oshiomole, Yari, Bagudu and others”, the advert makes baseless allegations against Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole, Chairman of APC, Senator Adamu Aliero and Zamfara Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari.

It falsely alleges that Asiwaju along with the others met the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in order to influence the Sokoto State gubernatorial rerun election in favour of APC.

These allegations by a contrived PDP organ are desperate untruths without a basis in fact. But they are entirely in line with the delusional reactions of PDP to their devastating loss in the presidential elections.

The entire PDP hierarchy have been scared and jumping at their own shadows since the election. They have been seeing phantom conspiracies and imaginary gatherings that make us wonder whether they remain connected to reality. Most recently, they alleged that Asiwaju was physically in Kano to manipulate elections there. They backed up this fraudulent allegation with photographs of Asiwaju and the Kano Governor taken last year in Lagos. For so long and so often they cannot even get right the whereabouts of one man. That they can’t even tell the truth about the location of a single person shows that they are incompetent to manage the complex affairs of an entire state.

It is a matter of public record that Asiwaju has always been at the forefront of the struggle for electoral reform, a struggle that culminated in the establishment of the Uwais Commission by late President Umaru Yar’adua. A prominent member of that panel, Prof. Attahiru Jega, later became the INEC Chairman and was able to implement the far-reaching reforms that have enabled us to have the free and fair elections that we witnessed in 2015 and now in 2019. If Asiwaju was such a prominent supporter of electoral reforms, why would he now be among those trying to subvert democracy? Asiwaju’s only tools for influencing elections are his moral authority, his skills as a veteran politician, and his dedication to campaigning and mobilising his own party members.

With respect to Sokoto, former Governor Wamakko is a popular figure and leader who has the respect of the people if the state. It is also clear that the APC candidate is more qualified and more committed to the welfare of the people than his PDP opponent.

By his panicked responses, Governor Tambuwal has shown his sheer desperation. He is a drowning man clinging to the limp of a tree. Having been tricked into joining the PDP only to be outsmarted by Atiku for the PDP presidential nomination, Tambuwal fears that his political career is crumbling. If he loses this election, he has lost everything. Thus there is no untruth he will not tell and no tactics too extreme in order to hold on to his seat. However, he should not use Asiwaju’s name to defraud the people or as a way to gain sympathy.

Instead, Tambuwal should face the consequences of his own actions. It is Tambuwal, not Asiwaju, who has caused his own predicament. Try how he may to blame Asiwaju, the people know that Tambuwal has sacrificed their interests to advance his own. He can try whatever propaganda and untruths he wants, but in the end, the people will render the verdict that his selfish and unproductive record deserves.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/tinubu-to-tambuwal-dont-use-my-name-to.html

The federal Government has approved the release of additional N50million to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project roll out in order to cover the country’s major population

The government had earlier released N10 billion to the commission for the project. More so, the Spectrum Management Council has approved the release of Spectrums, which would be auctioned in order to generate more money to fund the DSO.

Director General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja said that the country’s roll out plan for DSO has been concluded adding that the process has been slow due to unavailability of enough set top boxes. Kawu however disclosed that he hosted a delegation of the South Korean Set Top Boxes manufacturing company adding that they are exploring the possibility of their offering local STB manufacturing outfits, one million boxes that would be paid for only after they had been sold.

He observed that there are other significant steps being taken to keep the DSO on track as the Information Services on the Set Top Boxes (STBs) are now being used by the Nigeria Police Force to post security-related Information to homes. Kawu also noted that the commission has been able to use the good offices of the National Security Adviser (NSA), to break the logjam in respect of the renewal of the Digital Terrestrial License issued to Details Nigeria Limited for the operations of GOTV.

He explained that NBC had in January 2018, issued a notice, that the said license was not going to be renewed at expiration and that license is expected to expire in a couple of days on. According to him, the commission yesterday held a meeting under the auspices of the National Security Adviser, General Babagana Monguno, during which they resolved that GOTV would have its license renewed for a period of three years but with certain provisos.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/fg-approves-additional-n50-million-to.html

The Japanese government has invested $1.4 billion as economic aids and donor funds in Nigeria between 1966 and 2015–a period of 49 years, making it Nigeria’s third highest donor country.

A document obtained yesterday from the Japanese Embassy in Abuja explained for instance, that since 1966, Japan spent $773 million to support Nigeria’s polio eradication project, and $459 million as grants since 1970 for economic projects such as improvement of


Nigeria’s electricity network.

Equally, the sum of $180 million was made available for technical cooperation since 1972; over $64 million for humanitarian support to the North-east since 2013,and over $11 million on Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security projects (GGP) scheme since 1998.

The document, which was given to journalists during the grant contract signing ceremony for the disbursement of a fresh financial aid worth $558,455 (about N170 million) to five community-based projects across Nigeria, indicated that between this period, the fund was spent to

help Nigeria grow her economy, support thenhealth system, and advance peace-keeping and the stability of the country’s North-east which has been under severe attacks by terrorist group, Boko Haram.

The document also indicated that as at 2016, the volume of trade between both countries was worth $1.157 billion, with Nigeria’s export to Japan standing at $839 million while Japan’s export to Nigeria was $318 million.

Nigeria, it noted, exported mostly liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sesame seeds to Japan which exported iron, steel, cars and machinery to Nigeria.

Notwithstanding, the government of Japan, in its approval of $558,455 under the GGP to rice farmers from Nasarawa State, the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital; and a primary health care facility in Alimosho area of Lagos State, among others, explained that it was committed to helping Nigeria improve the livelihood of its people.

According to the Charge d’Affairs of Japan Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Shigeru Umetsu, who signed the grant contracts with the implementing partners of the five selected projects, Japan would be hoping that the

assistance will contribute to the improvement of health care service delivery, enhance agricultural productivity, as well as and strengthen the friendly relations between it and Nigeria.

“The government of Japan has been working to support the improvement of the lives of people in Nigeria. Under the scheme, Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), we aim to tackle urgent

social-economic problems at the community level. From 1998 till 2018, we implemented 164 projects across Nigeria, with a total amount of approximately $11 million.

“For the fiscal year of 2018, in addition to 164 projects, we selected six high prospect projects among several other proposals to date. Last month, we already signed a grant contract with Nigerian Farmcraft Centre for the Blind which is a division of the federal ministry of women affairs and social development. Today, we will be

signing another five grant contracts making a total of 170 projects in the 20 year history of GGP in Nigeria.

“We shall be signing five projects at this grant contract signing ceremony, with a total grant amount of $558,455. The projects were adopted based on their impact on the selected communities as well as the partners’ preparedness to implement them,” Umetsu said.

Giving a breakdown of the grant, Umetsu explained that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital will get $155,877 to procure medical equipment to address infant and maternal mortality; $135,630 given to Development Africa to install solar power system for a family

care medical centre in Elegushi area of Lagos, while Amachara community in Afikpo area of Ebonyi State will get $89,285 to procure a solar-powered system for its health and education resource centre.

The other two beneficiaries, he stated, were for the improvement of a primary health care facility in Alimosho area of Lagos by Street-to-School Initiative which got $89,106 for this purpose, and $88,557 given to the Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme (NADP) to provide reapers and thrashers for rice farmers in Awe, Obi, and Keana Local Government Areas of the state, to improve their rice production and reduce food losses.

“We hope that these projects will enhance the quality of life in the benefiting communities, and make maximum contributions towards the development of the nation.

“Japan is strongly committed to supporting Nigeria’s economic and social development as declared at the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI), and these projects are part of our commitment,” Umetsu added.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/japan-emerges-nigerias-third-largest.html

The vision for Southwest regional integration driven by a single political party has continued to be a mirage with the defeat suffered by All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. Although the architects of the regional integration argue that collaboration of the six states within the geographical zone was non-political but to advance their economic, social and cultural interests which had its roots from the First Republic when the region was being governed by Action Group (AG) under the leadership of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The dominance of a party continued in the region for a greater part of the Second Republic when Unity Party (UPN) held sway in the Southwest between 1979 and 1983, but it has become tough in the current dispensation for a political party to win all the six states and push the regional integration agenda from the same political philosophy.

Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlled Ondo State for many years, while Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo States had at one time or the other been governed by PDP. With the governorship elections held in Osun and Ekiti States last year, all the six states in the Southwest are now being controlled by the APC, but that will cease by May 29 this year when Engineer Seyi Makinde of PDP will be sworn in as the governor of Oyo State.


A public analyst, Dr. Nureeni Adigun said, “For the purpose of regional integration, Oyo State is key and central because this is the capital of the region, but the governors of the other five states controlled by APC must work harder and show extra love to the new governor of Oyo State who will look like an orphan among them to achieve anything”.

But the question many are asking is, “How did APC lose its goodwill in Oyo State?
That APC lost both the presidential and governorship elections to the PDP was not a surprise to those that have been following the political trajectory of the state especially since 2015 when Governor Abiola Ajimobi won the second term which was unprecedented in the history of the state. However, the governor and his close allies failed to realise that Ajimobi was only fortunate to benefit from the political hurricane of the newly formed APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s larger than life image in the Southwest and the inability of the opposition to come together which gave him 30.1 per cent of all total votes cast in 2015 to retain his office.

But instead of working on that diminishing popularity compared to the margin with which he won in 2011, the praise singers and sycophants went to town and nicknamed him Koseleri (literally meaning one who achieved what never happened) governor. Ajimobi began to see himself not only as a colossus but an emperor who has absolute power to achieve whatever he considered the best and took joy in referring to himself as “constituted authority”, a sobriquet he assumed while addressing students of LAUTECH that protested against several months of industrial action embarked upon by the teaching and non-teaching staff of the university.

Ajimobi’s performance and prudent management of resources was not in doubt, but his alleged arrogance and inability to control his tongue became a political tool that dwarfted his achievements in redefining governance and running of an unusual government.

But the sign of the impending disaster, which was not averted, became public with the parallel congress held last year by the party. That APC was polarized shortly after he won the second term was not in doubt. Ajimobi, who rose to power through the political structure of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Lam Adeshina, had built another structure known as SENACO and the bitter war of attrition between the two groups led to the weakness of the party structure in the state.

While the LAMISTS cried out that they were being marginalized in terms of political appointment and patronage, APC members in SENACO were allegedly grabbing all opportunities and priviledges from the government. Ajimobi and his aides denied this allegation and failed to readjust and extend the goodies to the disgruntled members.

This continued till the party held its primaries, which the group saw as payback time. It took them little efforts to merge forces with the Mandate Forum to form a formidable force against Ajimobi and his SENACO group. Although Ajimobi had his way but the cracks within APC structure made it vulnerable and many enemies within the party worked against its success.

Many of the disenchanted members defected to African Democratic Congress (ADC). But what surprised many observers was the unperturbed disposition of Ajimobi for losing a chunk of party leaders with grassroots supports. But all these were unknown to the national leadership of the party, which trusted Ajimobi so much that he was made a peacemaker to other states where there were internal crisis.

His face-off with the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu was said to be poorly handled. Although many have argued that the Minister, who rose to the position through his personal relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, has “no electoral value” but keeping him as an enemy within the party was strategically wrong for a party that wanted to win an election. Shittu publicly declared that he would work against his anointed candidate, Bayo Adelabu and he did.

The result of the presidential election where Atiku Abubakar polled 366,690 to defeat APC’s Presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, who scored 365,229 and the senatorial election where Kola Balogun of PDP scored 105,720 to trump Ajimobi, who recorded 92,579 was a referendum on some of the policies of the governor who fought many elites in Ibadan, including the monarch of the town, Oba Saliu Adetunji, over the review of Olubadan Chieftaincy declaration that led to multiplicity of monarchs in the ancient city.

While the governor had argued that it was a development necessary for the city seeking a creation of Ibadan State, many believed otherwise. This led to a bitter acrimony and legal tussle between him and the monarch. The court ruled in favour of the monarch but the state government appealed against the judgment.

The controversy did not favour Ajimobi’s political ambition, who is now being seen as an outcast in the city. It is so bad that a traditional group in Ibadan disowned him as an Ibadan indigene and traced his lineage to Oshogbo. They alleged that it was Agboluaje family that rehabilitated his father. They even went to the extent of politicizing how his younger brother, Wasiu, rose from Mogaji to Jagun and placed him above his seniors within a year, a situation they said Olubadan will certainly review after May 29.

Ajimobi’s battered image was further dented by the demolition of the Music House of the juju gospel artiste, Yinka Ayefele; it also housed his radio station. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, had accused the radio station owner of allowing too much of opposition elements to criticize the government. While the arguments ensued, the government gave the radio station demolition notice, alleging that the station was flouting physical and environmental laws. Before the radio station could defend itself, the government rolled in caterpillars to demolish a section of the building, even when the matter was in court.

This singular act, described as intolerance of the opposition by Ajimobi’s administration, further heightened negative sentiment against his government. Feeling the heat, the government made a dramatic turn around and reconciled with Ayefele while the building was reconstructed.

One of his critics, Kehinde Salami, said, “We all knew his government has ended the day he demolished Ayefele’ radio station. When he lost face in the public he went to rebuild it. So, what Ajimobi said was illegal just became legal without court pronouncement. He spent public funds to demolish it and still expended public funds to rebuild it. You can see what has come of Emperor Ajimobi. Oyo state is too civilized for this kind of behaviour”.

Also, Oyo State APC could not fly in the governorship election because Adedibu, who quit his job as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give the governorship election a shot, strongly relied on the ability of Ajimobi to win election for him. Many in the state said the grandson of the successful Ibadan parliamentarian, the late Chief Adegoke Adelabu, had even seen himself as governor-in-waiting immediately he won the APC primaries.

His campaign rode on Ajimobi’s back with visibility of his own before the presidential election. This would jolt him into the stark reality of his precarious position. His attempt to carve a niche for himself and distance his campaign from what many described as “bad fortunes” of Ajimobi came too late to have any impact in the society that had written off APC. It was a case of throwing away a child with bath water.

However, observers are of the opinion that Ajimobi’s “sins” might not have been strong enough to cause APC that election if the opposition parties had not closed ranks and worked together to confront APC.

With the result of the presidential election where PDP won majority votes for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, other opposition parties including, ADC, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and African Democratic Party (ADP), led by former Governor Christopher Adebayo Akala, went into alliance with the aim of forming a unity government and wrestling power from APC.


While the negotiation was going on, APC national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, met with Akala and the former governor, who was the convener of the opposition parties against APC, decided to form alliance with the party.

Although details of the meeting of the Akala and Tinubu were not made public, it was alleged that the former governor had been promised to be let off the hook of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) that had been trying him for alleged fraud and other financial considerations. Akala did not only work for APC but also denied Makinde from using his radio station based in Ogbomosho for live broadcast of his campaign.

But former Governor Rasheed Ladoja provided the leadership for the opposition parties and convinced Senator Femi Lanlehin (ADC), Sharafadeen Alli (ZLP), Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SDP) to drop their governorship ambitions and join Makinde to get a resounding victory for the PDP. Makinde received 515, 621 votes to defeat his closest rival from APC, Adelabu, who polled 357, 982 votes. The margin of defeat is 157,639 votes.

Besides, PDP won in 28 out of 33 local councils while APC won in five. ADP won one local council.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/guardian.ng/politics/pdps-victory-in-oyo-thwarts-south-west-apcs-political-agenda/amp

Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family, government and people of Kwara State on the death of the Etsu Patigi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar.

The President commended the monarch’s commitment to the peace, stability and development of not only his domain, but also the entire state, urging that his worthy legacy be sustained.

Umar reportedly died in Abuja on Tuesday night after a brief illness.

The report of the Etsu’s death was contained in a message by Muritala
Raheem, Personal Assistant to the Emir of Ilorin and the Chairman of the state’s Council of Emirs and Obas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until his death, the deceased
was the vice chairman of the state’s traditional council.

The remains of the first class traditional ruler were buried on
Wednesday in Patigi by 2pm.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed shock at the death of the emir.

Sulu-Gambari described the late monarch as highly respected, adding that his demise was a colossal loss to humanity.

The emir in his condolence message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, said that Umar was a true epitome of peace and symbol of unity to the entire Nupe speaking tribes in Kwara and beyond.

According to him, his death will no doubt create a wide vacuum which cannot be forgotten so soon.

He further noted that late Umar was until his death the vice chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Council and had used his wealth of experience to promote the council through his numerous outstanding contributions.


“I received the news of his death with rude shock. Etsu Chatta Umar was
a peace loving monarch whose penchant for the growth and development of the emirate and state at large knows no bound. We will surely miss him.

“I pray that Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings, admit him into Al-Janatul Firdaos and give the family and the entire people of Patigi Emirate Council the fortitude to bear the great loss,’’ he said.

Also President Buhari has also commiserated with the family, the government and people of Katsina State on the death of the District Head of Kafur, Alhaji Rabe Abubakar, Dan Galadiman Katsina.

The President described the late traditional ruler as a deeply religious, peaceful and kind-hearted man who was committed to the welfare and progress of the people in his domain.

President Buhari prayed that God Almighty would comfort the bereaved families, friends and associates of the departed royal fathers and grant peace to their souls.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/buhari-sad-over-death-of-etsu-patigi.html

The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd) has ordered the closure of the land borders of Adamawa, Benue and Sokoto States with effect from 12 noon on Friday March 22 to 12: 00 noon of Sunday, March 24, 2019.

Dambazau said the development is to restrict movements across the borders of the affected states during the election days.

A statement in Abuja by the Comptroller General (CG), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammad Babandede, explained: “Further to the re-run of the Governorship Elections taking place on Saturday 22, March 2019, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen (rtd) Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, has directed the closure of Land Borders of Adamawa, Benue and Sokoto states with effect from 12.00 noon of Friday 22, March to 12:00 noon of Sunday 24th March, 2019.

“This is to restrict movements across the borders of the affected states during the election days. The public is to take note and ensure compliance.”

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/fg-closes-borders-friday-over.html

Popular human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju who recently announced his resignation from Our Mumu Don Do Movement, has taken to Twitter to make some more allegations against Charly Boy.

It would be recalled that when Adeyanju was making the announcement of his resignation, he had revealed that the veteran music star was one of the reasons he was leaving.

Now, in a series of tweets on his Twitter page, he has alleged how popular critic of the current administration, Charly Boy confessed to collecting money to support President Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) while he (Adeyanju) languished in prison.

Adeyanju in his accusations also said he has it on record when Charly Boy was making the confession.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/deji-adeyanju-alleges-charly-boy.html

Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja will, on Friday, deliver judgment on the petition seeking to nullify the election of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The date for the judgment was contained in the hearing notice sent to one of the parties by the tribunal, yesterday, a copy of which was cited by Daily Sun.

The Justice Ibrahim Sirajo-led three-man tribunal had, on March 7, reserved judgment on the petition, after all the parties in the matter adopted their final briefs of argument.

The election petition was lodged before the tribunal by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ademola Adeleke.

Justice Sirajo had informed all the parties that a date for the judgment would be communicated to them.

Adeleke and his political platform, the PDP, had, through their team of lawyers, led by Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), urged the tribunal to declare that Oyetola was not the winner of either the substantive election that was conducted on September 22, 2018, or the rerun election that took place on September 27, 2018.

The petitioners had alleged that the rerun poll was marred by manifest irregularities, even as they urged the court to nullify Oyetola’s election and declare Adeleke as the rightful winner of the governorship election.

They submitted before the tribunal that the election was characterised by massive rigging, vote-buying and other forms of malpractices, claiming that PDP scored majority of the lawful votes in the election. On his part, Adeleke claimed that the total votes he garnered on September 22 was 245,698, while the first respondent scored 245,345.

“That the first applicant was the winner of the election and ought to have been so declared by the third respondent, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“That the third respondent declared the election inconclusive, hence, a rerun was conducted on September 27, 2018.

“That the rerun election was marred by electoral violence, vote-buying, stuffing of ballot papers, multiple thumb-printing and voting and allocation of votes by the third respondent.”

He further told the tribunal that the third respondent wrongfully declared and returned the first respondent as being duly elected and winner of the governorship election, in Osun State, held on September 22, 2018, and the rerun election held on September 27, 2018, respectively.

https://www.akelicious.net/2019/03/osun-guber-poll-oyetola-adeleke-know.html