WE ARE VINDICATED - KWARA PDP REACTS TO REPORT TAGGING ABDULRAHMAN AS DIASPORA GOVERNO... Urges AA to stop wasting taxpayers' money on daily chattered jet*l

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has lauded the investigative report by one of the country's foremost Newspapers, the Punch Newspaper, which detailed Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State as the topmost among Nigerian Governors who have been running their states from diaspora, noting that the Party is vindicated about her stance that Governor Abdulrahman had since relocated Kwara state capital to Abuja since he emerged as the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) Chairman.

The Party in a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara (Sholyments), described the NGF chairmanship of Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq as a curse rather than blessing to the people of Kwara owing to his willful dereliction of duties that the people had to endure in the hand of a diasporan Governor. This, Kwarans would recall, is a direct contrast to when Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki served in a similar capacity when he turned our state into a tourist attraction for most Nigerian Governors including heads of many African nations, apart from using the position to facilitate juicy federal appointments for the people of the state, including Professor Oba Abdulraheem as the Chairman of the Federal Character Commission.

The PDP in Kwara condemned with utter dismay, the attempt by the Governor and his media handlers to cover up his unavailability at home which is now eating deep into the state treasury. 

"In a bid to cover up and deceive Kwarans that he is always around, Governor Abdulrahman and his media handlers have devised a strategy to always chatter private jets daily which will convey him to Kwara from Abuja to enable him to take photographs in choice locations and after the photo spree, the chattered Jets return him to Abuja where he will pass his night. It is these photos that his media handlers then share around to hoodwink the public that the Governor is around."

"Our Party is not bothered about the Governor's phobia of staying in Kwara but we are bothered about the negative implications on the Kwara treasury as it is estimated that more than N25 million is required for anybody to chatter a private jet from Abuja to Ilorin. If that is true, over N25 million is being expended daily on private jets to and fro Abuja by Mr Governor. It is safe to say such is reckless spending of Taxpayers' money as it means from May 2023 till date, the Governor may have succeeded in using N4.5 billion Taxpayers' money to hire chattered jets. This price is too huge to pay for Kwarans whose only crime was reelecting Abdulrahman to office.

"Our Party, therefore, urges Governor Abdulrahman to consider the suffering masses and return home to face the serious business of governance which he had sworn to uphold during his inauguration into office.

In further validating this report, Kwarans recall how recently, the hopes of thousands of Muslim faithful, including those of our revered royal fathers, the Sultan of Sokoto, HRM, Alhaji Sa'adu Abubakar III, and the Emir of Ilorin, HRH, Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, were dashed with Governor's inexplicable absence from the Islamic Public Lecture that took place last week. Governor Abdulrahman who incidentally flew to Ilorin on a private jet went to the Emir's Palace to pay homage to the Sultan - a gesture many participants of the programme mistook to mean the Governor was ready to honour the two royal fathers by joining them to attend the lecture as he promised during the Palace's visit.

Regrettably, it was unknown to them that the private jet that flew the Governor to Ilorin was still running at the airport waiting to convey him back to Abuja. Hence, the state royal reception that is usually adorned to such Sultanate entry to our state was practically absent with only the Emir and a few private individuals left to shoulder all welfare arrangements for the entry and exit of the Sultan.

Signed: 

Olusegun Olusola Adewara (Sholyments),

State Publicity Secretary, 

Kwara PDP.

BREAKING: SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE TINUBU, ATIKU, OBI'S FATE THURSDAY

Within 72 hours after it heard and reserved its judgment in two appeals filed against the election of President Bola Tinubu, the apex court has announced Thursday October 26, for judgment

The delivery of the judgment is expected to draw the curtain on the legal battles relating to the 2023 presidential election.

Recall that Justice John Okoro, who led six other justices of the seven-man panel of the Supreme Court had on Monday announced that judgment had been reserved, shortly after lawyers representing parties in the appeal, identified and adopted their various processes in the appeal.

“Judgment is reserved to a date that would be communicated to parties”, Justice Okoro had held.

However, a notice issued to parties on Wednesday indicated that judgment had been fixed for Thursday.

The notice issued by one of the Registrars of the Supreme Court, Zainab Garba read in part, “Take notice that judgment will be delivered in the above mentioned matter on Thursday October 26, 2023, before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, sitting at Law Court District Area, Abuja”.

The two appeals slated for judgment are that of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that of Mr Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP). 

The apex court had at Monday’s proceedings dismissed the third appeal filed by the Allied People’s Movement ( APM), shortly after it was withdrawn by the party’s lead counsel, Mr Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume, SAN.

Details later….

PARLIAMENTARY STAFF SET TO SHUT DOWN NATIONAL, STATE ASSEMBLIES

Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have declared their intentions to embark on a nationwide strike on Wednesday, October 25 2023, if their demands are not addressed by the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum it issued in September.

The union demanded, among other things, that state governors should commence immediate implementation of financial autonomy for State Assemblies in line with the 1999 Constitution.

A letter of notice written to the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Forum of Speakers and the Department of State Security Services, the workers noted that they had earlier issued a 21-day strike notice and will therefore no do same this time around.

The letter signed by PASAN National President, Mohammed Usman, “reiterate the Union’s preparedness to direct the members to embark on the proposed strike action if its demands are not yielded to”

KALU APPLAUDS COURT OF APPEAL FOR DISMISSING AA’s PETITION AGAINST HIS ELECTION

The  Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has lauded the Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss the petition by the Action Alliance (AA) against his election

The court upheld his election victory in the Feb. 25, election for Bende Federal constituency in Abia.

Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Deputy Speaker said in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The  National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia had previously struck out the AA’s petition in August.

The decision was based on the fact that the party’s candidate, Ifeanyi Igbokwe, acknowledged not filing any legal suit against Kalu and raised concerns of impersonation.

Igbokwe subsequently reported the impersonation to the police and the Department of the State Service (DSS), calling for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible

The court also said that the time limit specified by Section 285 of the Constitution for the appeal had expired, thus lacking the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

In response to the victory, Kalu, through speaking through Nwabughiogu, lauded the judiciary for the exceptional legal acumen in handling the case.

He reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to his duties, emphasising that the judgment marked the conclusion of the legal disputes arising from the 2023 general election.

FG TO REVIEW DISCOS, GENCOS' S OPERATIONAL LICENCE

The Nigerian government is set to review the operational licenses issued to Generation Companies (GenCos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) ten years after their issuance.

The licenses, granted under the privatisation exercise, were initially designed to last for a decade. As the review date approaches, there is apprehension among power sector investors uncertain about license retention.

The review will assess key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and vesting contracts.


The licences granted to operators and players in the power sector under the privatisation exercise was designed to last for 10 years, implying it has 10-year moratorium from November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2023.


While there is palpable fear, some key stakeholders have called for caution, saying the entire privatisation initiative was not properly structured to support private sector investment.

Those who spoke to our correspondent critically examined how the Nigerian government fared in its original 60 per cent equity stakeholding in the privatised power sector ecosystem and what the privatisation of the electricity sector value chain contributed significantly to improving the general wellbeing of the nation’s electricity sector value chain/economy.

Addressing the fear, former power minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji blamed certain regulatory hiccups and inadequate policy direction to whatever imbalances the sector has witnessed.

According to Nnaji, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has cautiously failed to implement a cost-reflective tariff regime which has negatively and significantly affected DisCos’ return on investment.

Nnaji said the decision by NERC to discharge that responsibility could be political given that the metering gap on the one hand and appropriate billing on the other will choke citizens who are already grumbling over escalating costs of living after petrol subsidy removal.


He further asserted that the erosion of the currency in Nigeria, a type not yet seen in other countries, heavily deterred DisCos from investing in infrastructure and also adequately providing technical support services to decaying assets.

“We should understand that most parts used in servicing critical assets are imported and with foreign exchange fluctuating and rising as well as being in short supply, it limits the ability of DisCos to procure necessary equipment to support service delivery,” he said

COURT DISQUALIFIES BAYELSA APC GOV'SHIP CANDIDATE SYLVA

Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has disqualified the Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva.

Justice Okorowo ruled that Chief Sylva having been sworn in twice and ruled for five years as governor of Bayelsa State would breach the 1999 Constitution (as amended) if allowed to contest again.

The judge also declared that Sylva was not qualified to run in the forthcoming November poll because if he wins and is sworn-in, he would spend more than eight years in office as governor of the state.

Citing the case of Marwa Vs. Nyako at the Supreme Court, Justice Okorowo noted that the drafters of the country’s constitution state that nobody should be voted for as governor more than twice and that the parties to the suit agreed that Sylva was voted into office two times.

He further stated that the Supreme Court ruled in the case of Marwa Vs. Nyako that nobody can expand the constitution or its scope, hence if Sylva is allowed to contest the next election, it means a person can contest as many times as he wishes.

LEADERSHIP reports that the suit, with number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023, was filed on June 13, 2023, by a member of the APC Deme Kolomo.

PENGASSAN CONFIRMS RETURN OF SUBSIDY ON PETROL

The National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, at the weekend, said the federal government had restored the subsidy on petrol, despite the official government policy of breaking with the subsidy regime since May.Osifo, who is also the president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), disclosed this while featured on a live television programme

The government has to come clean. In reality today, there is a subsidy because as of when the earlier price was determined, the price of crude in the international market was somewhere around less than $80 a barrel. But today, it has moved to about $93/94 per barrel for Brent crude. So, because it has moved, then the price (of petrol) also needed to move,” Osifo said.

President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy in his inaugural speech on 29 May.But Osifo said due to the cost of crude oil in the international market and the exchange rate, the government still pays subsidies on petrol.“The speculation has been there looking at the fundamentals because two basic things that contribute to the pricing today are the exchange rate and the price of the crude in the international market.

You know, in the last few weeks, the price of crude has been going up, and inches towards $95 per barrel. Based on this, there are speculations that there may be an increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) but behind the scenes, we have been engaging the government and trying to make them understand that there is no basis for that.“Because for us, you know when they floated the exchange rate, you would recall that the exchange rate was moving at a very fast speed before some interventions came,” Osifo said.

He also said: “Today the official exchange rate is around N770 per dollar. So, what we have told them is that all international agencies, if you look at JP Morgan, Bank of America, and all, have said that our naira today is undervalued. What that means is that our naira should be exchanged somewhere around N600 to N630 for a dollar.

“And if the government can push it down to that range, then we would be buying PMS (petrol) at a little reduced rate compared to where it is today.“So, we have told the government that there is no basis for us to be buying petrol at a price higher than what we have today. But instead, it should go down. But the controlling factor is the exchange rate so if they could work on the exchange rate. Today it is somewhere around N770 to a dollar. But if the true value comes to bear around N600 to a dollar then we would even buy PMS at a cheaper rate,” he added.

N100bn CNG BUSES: SENATE REJECTS CBN LOANS, WARNS TINUBU AGAINST ILLEGAL SPENDING

The Senate, on Tuesday, warned President Bola Tinubu against illegal spending and advised him to seek a supplementary budget for its Compressed Natural Gas initiative.

The Senate through its Committee on Gas, led by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, urged the executive arm of government to expeditiously present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly to kick start the Compressed Natural Gas project.

This request came barely 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced measures to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The lawmakers insisted that the law was against extra-budgetary spending.

LABOUR PRESSES ON, TO DECIDE ON STRIKE

The leadership of the organised labour will meet with its organs today to discuss the N35,000 provisional wage award which the federal government approved yesterday for all treasury-paid federal workers for six months.

The president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, stated this in an interview with State House reporters yesterday after a four-hour meeting with the government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Ajero said the organised labour could not unilaterally shelve the indefinite strike it scheduled for October 3 without recourse to its organs.

“I don’t have much to say than what the Chief of Staff has said. We’ve been meeting and we’ve looked at almost all the issues, all the promissory notes from the government and we’ll look at how to translate them to reality and to be workable.

Then, we’re going to take those promises to our organs. Of course, you know these people here cannot just wake up and review and call off action.

So, like he (Gbajabiamila) said, we are hopeful that our organs will have a look at them and give us a fresh mandate on what next to do. So, it’s a simple one,” Ajaero said.

The acting president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Tommy Etim Okon, who also addressed journalists, said the labour would meet its organs today to review the outcomes of the meeting with the government delegation.

He added that the team from the organised labour would return for another meeting today.

The NLC and the TUC had called for an indefinite strike commencing on October 3 in protest against the alleged failure by the government to provide palliatives and implement policies to cushion the effect of the petrol subsidy removal on the masses.

Several workers’ unions across the country had declared their readiness to join the strike.

The unions include the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutes (SSAUTHRIA); the College of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, and the Medical & Health Workers Union of Nigeria.

NO APOLOGY FOR BACKING NORTHERN CANDIDATE.... ABDULLAHI ADAMU

No Apology For Backing A Northern Candidate, I am a northerner and I would go for a northerner; and no apologies for that. I have never hidden this.” – Abdullahi Adamu

When asked, Was the issue of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the party’s candidate an initiative you took out of your conviction as a party chairman?

“The party chairman has a role, but with a ruling party, I could not take it on myself to float Ahmed Lawan’s name.

“I am curious because everybody put it on you.

Well, of course, I take responsibility as party chairman, but nobody with maturity in politics and governance will say that Abdullahi Adamu, as the chairman of the party, would just get up and say this is my presidential candidate. It doesn’t add up.

“Of course, there were processes. I don’t want to go back on that. What I detested about this whole setting was that people who wanted to win favours with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu continued saying there was cold war between me and him and making so much capital out of it.

“I am an established person from my root, right from birth. I come from a royal family and I am proud of it. I was born at a time when there was a northern Nigeria. I was brought into its values even though I worked mainly in the private sector. I saw myself first and foremost as a northerner in Nigeria and I have no apologies to anybody on this.

“But times are changing, if you want to take a count of people with the same feeling, attitude, commitment and loyalty to the North, you would have a problem.

“But go down South, especially the South West, and you would see that people are not ashamed of beating their chests and telling you who they are and where they come from and what they stand for. Go to the East, till today, we are losing lives in the East for what they believe in, not here.

“The reason I have no regret is that only what God wills will happen.

God has made Bola Ahmed Tinubu the president of this country. 

“The moment he won in the convention, I led the National Working Committee to his residence to congratulate him and to give him assurance that we would stand head and shoulders with him to work for the success of the party; and we did.

“No matter what anybody will say about my relationship with Tinubu, the fact remains that it was under my leadership that the APC won the election. I like Tinubu for one thing. When I last saw him after my resignation, he referred to himself as “this bouncing baby boy delivered by you.” And he made my day.”

On why he resign as APC National Chairman 

He said, “Politics is an amalgamation of actions and reactions and you have to find your bearing in them. I felt I had played that part of leadership. I was a minister in this country. I was also a governor and secretary of Board of Trustees of a ruling party. I led this party called the APC to victory and delivered a whole new government to succeed Buhari.

“President Buhari nominated me before the governors and I went to the convention and was elected. I remain ever grateful to him and the Almighty God for ensuring that I succeeded.”

When asked, Was the issue of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the party’s candidate an initiative you took out of your conviction as a party chairman?

“The party chairman has a role, but with a ruling party, I could not take it on myself to float Ahmed Lawan’s name.

“I am curious because everybody put it on you.

Well, of course, I take responsibility as party chairman, but nobody with maturity in politics and governance will say that Abdullahi Adamu, as the chairman of the party, would just get up and say this is my presidential candidate. It doesn’t add up.

“Of course, there were processes. I don’t want to go back on that. What I detested about this whole setting was that people who wanted to win favours with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu continued saying there was cold war between me and him and making so much capital out of it.

“I am an established person from my root, right from birth. I come from a royal family and I am proud of it. I was born at a time when there was a northern Nigeria. I was brought into its values even though I worked mainly in the private sector. I saw myself first and foremost as a northerner in Nigeria and I have no apologies to anybody on this.

“But times are changing, if you want to take a count of people with the same feeling, attitude, commitment and loyalty to the North, you would have a problem.

“But go down South, especially the South West, and you would see that people are not ashamed of beating their chests and telling you who they are and where they come from and what they stand for. Go to the East, till today, we are losing lives in the East for what they believe in, not here.

“The reason I have no regret is that only what God wills will happen.

God has made Bola Ahmed Tinubu the president of this country. 

“The moment he won in the convention, I led the National Working Committee to his residence to congratulate him and to give him assurance that we would stand head and shoulders with him to work for the success of the party; and we did.

“No matter what anybody will say about my relationship with Tinubu, the fact remains that it was under my leadership that the APC won the election. I like Tinubu for one thing. When I last saw him after my resignation, he referred to himself as “this bouncing baby boy delivered by you.” And he made my day.”

On why he resign as APC National Chairman 

He said, “Politics is an amalgamation of actions and reactions and you have to find your bearing in them. I felt I had played that part of leadership. I was a minister in this country. I was also a governor and secretary of Board of Trustees of a ruling party. I led this party called the APC to victory and delivered a whole new government to succeed Buhari.

“President Buhari nominated me before the governors and I went to the convention and was elected. I remain ever grateful to him and the Almighty God for ensuring that I succeeded.”

63RD INDEPENDENCE: NIGERIA ALWAYS EMERGES STRONGER FROM CHALLENGES OF NATION BUILDING: KWARA GOV

Kwara State Governor/Chairman of Nigeria Governors’  Forum AbdulRahman Abdulrasaq has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 63rd anniversary of independence. 

He said the country’s march to greatness is on course, and on an even stronger footing, regardless of its own share of the challenges of nation building that every society goes through. 

“What is certain is that the country has always emerged stronger from any of its challenges and the current ones, whatever their magnitude or shades, will not be an exception,” the Governor said in a statement commemorating the 63rd anniversary of the country.

“I congratulate Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the rest of the country on this occasion. We thank God for His mercies on our country, and commend all the patriots who have remained true to the dream of a greater, united Nigeria at all turns of our history. 

“I join Mr. President, leadership of the other arms of government, and all thought leaders to call on Nigerians to remain united and committed to collective good. Together, we’ll build in the successes of the past years and break new grounds in political maturity and inclusiveness, economic growth, and collective prosperity.”

Rafiu Ajakaye 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor 

September 30, 2023

63RD INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY: IT MAY BE DIFFICULT NOW BUT NIGERIA WILL RISE AGAIN.... SARAKI

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Nigerians on the 63rd anniversary of the nation’s independence and urged them to believe that despite the difficult situation confronting the country now, good days will soon return.

In a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, head of his Media Office, Saraki stated that no matter the state of the economy, politics, and social situation, the Independence Anniversary presents an opportunity for every citizen to celebrate and renew their commitment to the country.

He added that the economic situation of the country, the political challenges, poor social conditions, and security crises are strong factors that could make the people unhappy and reduce their enthusiasm to celebrate as they usually do every first day of October.

“However, I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is good for our people to look at the bright side of life and strengthen their belief in the country. It has not always been like what we have today. This country's independence in 1960 was seen by the rest of the world as the one that symbolised the future and greatness of Africa. What those who believed Nigeria represented the best of Africa saw in 1960 remains here.

“This is still a country where one out of every four Africans is a Nigerian. It is a country where the natural resources are still abundant. It is a country where the best professionals from Africa emanated from. It is a country where over 60 percent of the population is youth. It is a country which presents a huge market to the world with its almost 200 million population.

“Which other country dominates the financial technology (fintech) world as we have? Also, our control of the world of sports, entertainment, medicine, and academics shows that the future belongs to us.

“All these give me hope that the future will be bright for our country. We only need to be more diligent and effective in the choice of our leadership and the followership should strive to be a positive influence on those who administer the country.

“As we celebrate the 63rd independence anniversary of our dear nation, let us all pray to God to heal our land, guide both our leaders and the followers right, and “help our youths the truth to know” as the words of our national anthem read.

“Let me again reiterate my prayers that Almighty Allah should protect our men and women in the security services who are stationed on the frontline fighting to secure the country and give them victory over the enemies of the state who have chosen to wage war against the country. May peace and prosperity return to our country so that we can all celebrate her greatness once again. Happy Independence Anniversary to all Nigerians”, Saraki stated.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu

Head, Abubakar Bukola Saraki Media Office

Abuja

CBN GOV. MAPS OUT AGENDA; PROMISES TO TACKLE IMPEDIMENT TO LIQUIDITY

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Olayemi Cardoso said plans are afoot to formally unveil his agenda for the monetary and financial sector in the days ahead.

Addressing a group of investors in his office on Thursday, Cardoso said that the CBN will do all within its powers “to address identified distortions and ensure a conducive atmosphere for different categories of investors”.

He noted that under his leadership, “the new management team at the Bank will do its best to tackle the impediments to liquidity in the foreign exchange market in Nigeria”.

Speaking specifically to the liquidity management, Cardoso said his team will devise a short-term goal that would address “structural issues within the financial system that gave rise to the liquidity challenge in the first instance”.

To achieve this, he said the CBN would “focus on strengthening its data-gathering system to ensure that only verifiable data will be relied upon for evidence-based decisions”.

According to him “the CBN would also adhere to rules that are known, acceptable and transparent for the conduct of monetary policy”.

On the relationship between the monetary and fiscal authorities, the CBN Governor said there would continue to be consensus between both authorities to harmonise their positions on the interest rate and inflation. He, however, said the Bank would remain open to different views in its push for greater transparency.

WIKE SACKS 21 HEAD OF AGENCIES IN FCT

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has sacked the heads of 21 agencies and companies belonging to the FCT Administration

The sack which was with immediate effect was contained in a statement issued Wednesday night in Abuja and signed by the Director, Press, in his office, Mr Anthony Ogunleye.

Ogunleye listed those affected as Group MD/CEO, Abuja investment Company Ltd; CEO/MD, Abuja Markets Management Ltd; MD/CEO, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company; CEO/MD, Abuja Property Development Company; CEO/MD Abuja Technology Village Free Trade Zone Company; CEO/MD Abuja Film Village International; CEO/MD Powernoth AICL Equipment Leasing Company Ltd; MD Abuja Broadcasting Corporation; MD, Abuja Enterprise Agency, and GM, FCT Water Board.

Others are the DG, FCT Emergency Management Agency; Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Healthcare Board; Director General, Hospital Management Board; Director, Abuja Environmental Protection Board; Director, FCT Scholarship Board; Director FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board; Director, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board; Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Center! Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme; Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department; and, the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council.

“They are to hand over the affairs of their offices to the most senior officers in rank.

“Appointments into the offices will be made in due course”, said Ogunleye.

JUST IN: WAEC ANNOUNCES PLAN TO BEGIN COMPUTER-BASED TEST (CBT) FOR SSCE

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) is planning to introduce Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for its exams, as stated by the Head of National Office, Patrick Areghan. This move aligns with his vision for WAEC's future. 

However, there are challenges, particularly in practical and essay papers. Factors like computer literacy, facilities, and electricity availability will influence CBT adoption. WAEC may start with objective questions and eventually expand to theory and practical papers, possibly allowing a choice between CBT and traditional methods. Mr. Areghan also aims for full digitization of WAEC's operations in the future.

LP CONDEMNS KILLING OF SECURITY AGENTS, BURNING OF BUSINESSES, HOUSES IN IMO

Over 14 Local Government Areas out of the 27 in Imo State have been overrun by insecurity and killings, with death becoming a normal way of life. Unfortunately, the government of Imo State seems more interested in reelection than finding solutions to this dire situation."

The Labour Party has condemned the killing of security agents in Imo State by gunmen and the subsequent burning of houses and businesses in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area by soldiers.

The party in a statement on Saturday by the National Vice Chairman (South East), Chief Innocent Okeke, described Governor Hope Uzodimma as clueless in the face of the killings and destructions going on in the state.

SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, that some gunmen, who were yet to be identified attacked and killed five security agents attached to the Joint Task Force, Operation Search and Flush (OP SAF) and subsequently burnt their two patrol vehicles along a road at Obowo community in the Obowo Local Government Area of the state.

Later, soldiers of the Nigerian Army allegedly returned to the community and burned down markets, houses, and businesses in what appeared a reprisal attack on the community.

Reacting to both attacks, the LP condemned the rampant killings that are occurring daily in Imo state without any form of restraint noting that the recent incident in Ehime Mbano was the climax of it all.

According to the party, "the purpose of governance becomes futile if the lives of both the governed and the security agencies are not ensured as the case in Imo state. The state has regrettably descended into a state of lawlessness and total anarchy where individuals are uncertain about their safety for another thirty minutes without nursing the fears of death.

Despite these distressing circumstances, the Nigerian government and the Imo State government have failed to take proactive measures to forestall further occurrences and adequately protect its citizens. They passively observe as lives are being destroyed on a daily basis.

"On Tuesday, 19th September, in Ehime Mbano, security officers who were recruited by the federal government of Nigeria were killed, humiliated, and their bodies burnt beyond recognition. These officers had families who depended on them for daily survival, and it was unjust that they had to answer national calls with their lives. Unfortunately, this is one of many incidents in Imo state that have been underreported and uninvestigated, and no significant measures are being put in place to forestall further occurrence."

The party regretted that instead of finding lasting solutions to the problems, the "gospel of re-election is the only thing paramount on the lips of the government of Imo State, while the people are left defenceless."

It added, "The high level of governmental intimidations, harassment, and threats to any group or individual who tries to come up with alternative ideas is another issue of concern today.

"It is beyond comprehension that the government of Imo State has been unable to identify the group responsible for these atrocities over the years and find a way to engage them positively. Instead, all we hear is the term "unknown gunmen," leaving one to question the effectiveness of the state's intelligence departments.

It is imperative that the government of Imo State identifies the source of these unknown gunmen within their territory, what their agitations are, and how the government can engage them in dialogue.

"Over 14 Local Government Areas out of the 27 in Imo State have been overrun by insecurity and killings, with death becoming a normal way of life. Unfortunately, the government of Imo State seems more interested in reelection than finding solutions to this dire situation."

The party, however, condemned the reprisal attack by soldiers on defenceless citizens of Ehime Mbano, describing it as horrendous.

On issues such as this, intelligence should be gathered, and the security can't get credible intelligence from the people by burning their shops and inflicting pain on them. Even in the heat of provocation, our gallant officers must exercise restraint and control their emotions. Theirs is to protect lives and property, not the reverse."

LP asked the federal government to take a special interest in the current security situation in Imo State and the broader South East region, adding that the restoration of peace in this region would undoubtedly contribute significantly to the overall recovery of the Nigerian economy

NMDPRA TO SANCTION FUEL STATIONS OPERATORS WHO ALTERS PETROLEUM PUMPS

Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, says it will sanction fuel stations operators who alters petroleum pumps.

Farouk Ahmed, NMDPRA Chief Executive, said this during an interactive session with commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Ahmed said that petrol stations caught dispensing fuel with adjusted fuel pumps would face heavy sanction.

He said that the sanctions to be meted out include revocation of operating licenses, suspension from operation or shut down depending on the gravity of the offence.

According to him, adjustment of fuel pumps by filling station operators is a major concern to the oil regulatory bodies and the Federal Government.

“What we are doing now is that we have some of our staff going round to take on-the-spot checks of some of the petrol stations.

“If you drive into a station, drive out, you will not know if you have been cheated until you do a measurement.

“Sometimes we do a physical measurement where we go to some stations and buy one litre, look at that environment to see whether that one litre is really one litre.

”Then we will know whether or not they have tampered with the pump,” he said.

The NMDPRA boss said that the authority would continue to collaborate with the RMAFC to generate more revenue for the federation.

MOHBAD, HAD GOOD RESULTS; AIMED TO STUDY ACCOUNTING. – FORMER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Abidemi Faboye, the proprietor and principal of Abifab College, Ikorodu, Lagos State, the secondary school the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad, attended, has shared some fond memories about him.

Faboye noted that Mohbad wanted to study Accounting, and he had good results in school having also improved in mathematics and financial accounting.

In an interview with PUNCH, the former school principal said he was surprised when he was told that Mohbad had become a member of the Marlian group, and he doubted if Mohbad “could cope with such group.”

He said, “I knew him when he enrolled in my school in 2013. His elder sister, Blessing, also graduated from the school in 2013. He was brought from a public school, and he was a quiet boy. He was tall and slim. It was years after secondary school that he added weight.

“He was 17 years old, and was a bit more mature than some of his classmates. He wrote the National Examination Council senior secondary certificate exam in 2015, and made his papers in one sitting. He spent two years in the school, and there was a transformation in his life. He always called me, ‘daddy’. I always wanted my students to call me ‘Abifab’ or ‘Mr Abifab but he found it difficult to call me that.

Whenever Promise (Ilerioluwa) called me ‘daddy’, I would tell him to call me ‘Abifab’; and he would just laugh.

“He was in commercial class, and he had very good results. I would not say he was an excellent student, but he was above average. He was an easygoing person, who only played occasionally. He never made trouble.

“He wanted to study Accounting, and I told him there was no way he could do that without mathematics. So, he improved in mathematics and financial accounting.

“When I heard that he was a member of the Marlian group, I was surprised. I doubted if he could cope with such group. Although he was mature, I felt he must have mixed with a few others who joined the record label. I prayed that God would be with him, because after he left school, we did not communicate regularly.

Many of us, including the teachers who taught him, were surprised. When we heard about Imole, we were all surprised. I was not familiar with afrobeats music, until one day, my daughter told me, ‘Do you know Uncle Promise is now Mohbad?’ I took my phone and chatted with him via Messenger. He then gave me his number. His dad is a carpenter, and as a student, he often assisted his dad. He learnt carpentry from his father, who is also a pastor.”

The former principal added, “If people like us were aware that he had problems with his record label, we would have spoken to them, and I believe God would make him listen. Not all musicians are gangsters.

There are some musicians who are not gangsters, and he was one of such people. When he was having those issues, he was not talking to the real people. He should have involved his mother and father, because he was raised by his stepmother. His mother is alive, but she is separated from the dad. His father had a second wife. He made moves to bring his mum to his father, and I think he achieved that before death came.” 

MTV BASE BANS MARLIAN MUSIC

MTV’s first pan-African music channel, MTV Base, has placed a ban on Marlian music following the death of a Nigerian singer, Mohbad.

Marlian Music is a record label owned by Nigerian musician, Naira Marley, who is being fingered in the travails of Mohbad, which allegedly led to the latter’s eventual death.

LEADERSHIP reports that a former signee of Marlian Records, Mohbad, died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, under mysterious circumstances.

Following the controversial death of the singer, some national radio stations have placed a “Not to Be Broadcast” (NTTB) ban on all the music under the Records Label.

Joining the growing list of music outlets that have banned Marlian music, popular TV host, Ehizojie Okoeguale, aka DadaBoy Ehiz, made the announcement on Wednesday.

In a post shared on his X, Ehiz wrote: “MTVbase dropped everything Marlian. Kudos to dem.”

PRESIDENT TINUBU TO SET NEW MINIMUM WAGE NEXT WEEK

President Bola Tinubu is set to unveil a new minimum wage for Nigerian workers in the coming week, according to revelations made by Comrade Festus Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The announcement comes after a crucial meeting held between the TUC and the federal government to discuss the removal of fuel subsidies.

The federal government, represented by Minister of Labour Simon Lalong, confirmed discussions with President Tinubu and Minister of Finance Wale Edun regarding the wage issue.

Comrade Osifo shared these insights during an appearance on ChannelsTV's "Politics Today" program on Tuesday evening, September 19, 2023.

"The minister of labour told us that he had an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the minister of finance and had reviewed the issue of wage award. But the president asked them to fine-tune the issues before he makes the announcement," explained the TUC president.

Osifo further emphasised that the TUC had given the federal government a two-week ultimatum to address their demands or face the prospect of nationwide industrial action.

Despite Minister Lalong's request for additional time due to the president's travel commitments, the TUC remained steadfast in their resolve for a swift resolution.

"The minister told us all these issues would be streamlined, but because the president has traveled, we should give him an extra two weeks. We said no; we don't have an extra two weeks to give. After more discussions, he said the president would make a proper announcement next week," disclosed Osifo

KANO TRIBUNAL GOES ON RECESS AHEAD OF FINAL VERDICT

The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has gone on recess ahead of its verdict on the election.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed a petition to challenge the victory of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

According to the report, judges stayed away from the court on Wednesday and commenced proceedings virtually.

Access to the court was only limited to 50 persons, according to the Kano Commissioner of Police, Usaini Muhammed Gumel.

The tribunal had dismissed the Preliminary Objection challenging the petition on grounds that the language used did not comply with the Electoral Act.

It also agreed with APC that there was substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.

On the second Preliminary Objection, the Tribunal ruled in favour of INEC that the issue of sponsorship and membership of Gov Yusuf is a party internal affair

But the tribunal dismissed the third Preliminary Objection by INEC which challenged the petition on the grounds that Yusuf Gawuna, APC candidate, was not joined.

The tribunal is expected to give its verdict later

TINUBU MEETS RAMAPHOSA FOR FIRST BILATERAL ENGAGEMENT AHEAD OF 78TH UNGA

President Bola Tinubu has met with Cyril Ramaphosa, South African president, as part of his bilateral engagements ahead of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the United States of America.

In a statement on Monday, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu’s spokesperson, said the two leaders held a fruitful cross-sectoral discussion.

“H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has held a very fruitful, cross-sectoral discussion with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa as the first of many bilateral engagements with counterparts from multiple continents in New York City, ahead of the UN General Assembly,” Ngelale tweeted.

The presidential spokesperson had earlier said his principal would engage in bilateral meetings that will focus on investments and economic development diplomacy during the UNGA session taking place in New York from September 18 to 26.

Tinubu is also expected to hold discussions with US President Joe Biden.

Molly Phee, US assistant secretary for African affairs, had said Biden had exclusively requested to meet with the Nigerian leader on the sidelines of UNGA.

Ngelale listed other world leaders that would engage with Tinubu to include Von der Leyen, president of the European Union Commission; President Azali Assoumani of Comoros; Mark Rutte, prime minister of the Netherlands; Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria; President Luiz Lula da Silva of Brazil; and Pedro Pérez-Castejón, prime minister of Spain.

Ngelale added that Tinubu would also meet with Brad Smith, global president of Microsoft, and Nick Clegg, head of global affairs for Meta Technologies.

He said the president would discuss strategies on how to improve Nigeria’s digital transformation and leverage artificial intelligence.

Tinubu is also expected to meet with the global chief executive officers of General Electric, and Exxon Mobil Oil and Gas Company to discuss investments in sectors revolving around power, aviation, and transportation.

FUEL SUBSIDY: NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT MEETS ORGANISED LABOUR IN ABUJA TO AVERT INDEFINITE STRIKE

The meeting between Nigeria Labour Congress and the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government is holding today (Monday). 

While the meeting, aimed at halting organised labour’s planned strike over fuel subsidy removal and the attendant hardship in the country, was scheduled for 11am, it was later moved to 1pm

Journalists were already at the venue of the meeting  –  the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Labour and Employment –  but there were no organised labour or Federal Government representatives.

The press was later informed that the meeting had been moved to 1pm.

This is the second meeting in recent times after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) suspended its two-day warning strike two weeks ago.

The NLC boycotted the first meeting but members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) attended even though its leadership said they are open to discussions with the government.

The NLC and the TUC are protesting the harsh effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

They are asking the Federal Government to implement their recommendations which among other things include the payment of a new minimum wage for workers, provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and their conversion centres as alternative to petrol as well as the payment of all withheld salaries for university lecturers.

The NLC has threatened to embark on an indefinite strike should the government fail to address its demands.

STRIKE: LABOUR MINISTER INVITES NLC FOR MEETING

The Minister of Labour and Employment Simon Bako Lalong has again invited the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC for another meeting over its planned indefinite strike.

The Minister who directed the Department of Trade Unions Services and Industrial Relations to convene a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for Monday 18th September 2023 said it was important that the Unions sit with Government to resolve all pending matters to avert further disruption to the economy. 

According to the Minister, the administration of President Bola Tinubu will always engage the organised labour  and respond to its concerns after due consultation and negotiations in order to guarantee industrial harmony which is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda. 

It would be recalled that the Minister had invited the two Labour centres for talks to avert the 2 day strike held between 5th and 6th September, but only the TUC showed up for the meeting. 

Olajide Oshundun

Director Information, 

Ministry of Labour and Employment 

17th September 2023.

TINUBU APPOINTS JEMILA IBRAHIM AS YOUTHS MINISTER

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Jamila Bio Ibrahim as the minister of youth.

The president also nominated Ayodele Olawande to serve as the minister of state for youth.

The nomination is ahead of their confirmation by the senate.

Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, announced the development in a statement on Sunday.

BUA CEMENT SETS TO REDUCE PRICE

BUA Cement Sets to Reduce Cement Price, As Abdul Samad Rabiu Meets President Bola Tinubu

BUA Cement is set to reduce the price of cement in Nigeria. This was announced by the chairman of the company, Abdul Samad Rabiu, after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja today.

Speaking on the visit, Abdul Samad Rabiu said that to support the efforts of the government to bring down the prices of key commodities, the company is adding two new plants at the end of the year to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu, bringing BUA Cement’s total capacity to 17million metric tons. 

This will enable the company to bring down the price of cement to about 3500 naira per bag.

UNIVERSITY OF TRANSPORTATION IN DAURA TO COMMENCE ACADEMIC SESSION IN OCT

Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, has revealed that Muhammadu Buhari (Transportation)University, Daura in Katsina State will commence academic activities by October this year.

He disclosed this when he led his ministry’s delegation on an inspection tour to the school’s permanent site in Daura on Friday.

The minister also said the school had already submitted its courses to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for confirmation and determination of number of students to be admitted.

Alkali said, “I hereby commend the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) for building this university as part of their corporate social responsibility. I want to challenge other companies to emulate them by building either a school, hospital or something.

“We are also appealing to the company to assist the university with a takeoff grant to enable it begin full operations as planned,” the minister appealed.

On his part, the new Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Umar Adamu Katsayal, said the university had been provided with modern facilities to aid learning, including hostel for male and female students.

NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS CINDY AMADI IS DEAD

Nollywood actress Cindy Amadi, known for her role in the lesbian-themed film “Ife,”, has reportedly passed away.

Her death was confirmed in a statement issued by the producers of the film, posted on their Instagram page.

It read; We are greatly, deeply, and unbelievably saddened to learn about the passing of Cindy Amadi, who played Adaora in #ìféthemovie.

Cindy brought her magic to our set and changed our lives forever. She was very enthusiastic about developing her craft and growing her career, and continuing to showcase her talent. She was well on her way until her untimely passing.

We cannot begin to imagine the pain and loss her family feel right now. On behalf of our entire cast and crew, we send our deepest condolences to her family and wish them all the comfort they need at this time.

Rest in Peace, Cindy. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. We will always remember you, and you live on in our hearts forever.

BREAKING: TINUBU APPOINTS ZACCH ADEDEJI FIRS’ ACTING CHAIRMAN

Zacch Adelabu Adelabu, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on revenue, has been appointed acting chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Adedeji, who, at 33, was former governor Abiola’s finance commissioner, was asked to fill the void created by the retirement leave of the outgoing chairman of the commission, Mohammed Nami whose tenure ends in December 2023.

The certified accountant who hails from the Iwo-Ate area of Ogo-Oluwa local government of Oyo state, recently bagged his doctorate degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

LABOUR PARTY EXPRESSES SHOCK ON SPATE OF JUDGEMENTS SOFAR

Labour Party, yesterday, expressed shock at the spate of judgments being churned out at the various national and state assembly tribunals, where several of its elected members at the National Assembly had been sacked.

According to National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure,  “LP became a household name with over 10 million members and supporters across the nation. However, this feat is regrettably being reversed by the pronouncements coming out from the various tribunals.

“We are worried because the reasons for reversing our victories are matters that have been settled by the superior courts in the past. It is even incomprehensible and ludicrous when different tribunals give conflicting and diverse judgements on the same matter, a matter that has since been ruled by the Supreme Court and very recently at the Presidential Election Petition Court in APC v Peter Obi.

“The courts have in a plethora of cases held that the court has no jurisdiction to intervene in the internal affairs of a political party.”

NIGER STATE GOV TO SPEND N1TR ON INFRASTRUCTURE

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has said that his government will invest N1 trillion in infrastructural development in the state in the next two years.

Bago said the state’s infrastructure will be of immense benefit to the state and the country as a whole as Niger is a gateway connecting the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday while declaring open a startup workshop on the Minna-Bida road project co-financed by the Islamic Development Bank and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, at the Government House, Minna.

Bago who appreciated the IsDB and ADFD for agreeing to co-finance the Minna-Bida road project, highlighted the huge potential in the state ranging from its size; to the presence of four hydro dams; and eight national to international borders among others which he said are selling points that would attract investors into the state.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN LAGOS- KANO RAIL FREIGHT.

The operations are due to commence in the next three months, according to the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Alkali, during his visit to the Kajola Wagon Assembly Plant in Ogun, on Tuesday.

He noted that the Lagos- Ibadan service would use the standard gauge to carry cargo and will begin the operation from Apapa to Kano in three months, citing that meetings have resumed with the Shipping Council over freight prices.

The Minister noted that FG had already fixed the narrow gauge from Lagos to Kano, and will now get some locomotives and wagons to take containers from Apapa and move them to Kano

“Once we evacuate containers from Lagos, we will use the narrow gauge to move them to Kano.”

He also directed the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, to look into the cleanliness of the coaches, to enhance patronage on railways, urging that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, being the port regulator, and the former Minister of Transportation set up a ministerial committee headed by the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation to look into freight charges.

BOUNDARY DISPUTE: REPS TO CEDE ADAMAWA TERRITORY TO CAMEROON

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on international boundary dispute has directed that Sina area in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State be ceded to the Republic of Cameroon immediately.

Chairman of the committee, Beni Lar, gave the ruling during a hearing on the series of lingering boundary hotspots across the Nigeria-Cameroon boundaries which stretches from the Lake Chad region down to Cross River estuaries.

The hearing was also to assess the role of the military and para-military and security agencies to safeguard the borders and territorial integrity of the country.

In attendance at the hearing was the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, NBC, Adamu Adaji; a representative from Sina Area, Adamu Kamale; the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, who represented the Attorney General of the Federation; as well as representatives of security agencies.

Lar said: “We have to continue this engagement with the relevant community and the boundary commission and come up with a solution. Let us go on a fact-finding mission and then we will intervene.

‘’The communities have a right and their right must be considered. This demarcation has to be put on hold until the disputes are resolved. It should be halted pending the resolution of this committee. We would visit Adamawa and come up with a comprehensive report. “We will recall that we did the first phase of this, similar to the DANARE-BIAJUA AXIS of Cross River State and as a fallout of that, the speaker through a request by Dauda Nyampa, included this SINA AREA to the committee’s terms of reference.

“As usual, we are to interact on the aspects of the likely ceding of SINA to Cameroon. Thereafter, we pay an ‘on-the-spot fact-finding visit’ to Adamawa, of which we have notified the executive governor.”

“The second aspect of this interactive briefing, which is very critical and crucial is on the role of the military, the para-military and the security agencies towards safeguarding the borders & territorial integrity of Nigeria: this briefing is to leverage inputs from the guarantors of our national security – the Army and the various security agencies.

‘’This is because in the committee’s last visit to Cross River State, we discovered the lack of security posts or barracks of any sort along our land borders whereas such is obtained across the Cameroon side of borders, hence, the necessity of this interactive session with our security formations.’’

Director General of NBC, Adamu Adaji, said the demarcation was being carried out in line with a ruling of the International Court of Justice, ICJ.

He said so far, the sub-commission on demarcation had emplaced a total of 2,214 pillars along the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon.

“The Adamawa State sector of the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon as decided by the International Court of Justice, is based on treaties and agreements that had been entered into by colonial masters.

‘’The courts upheld these treaties and agreements and ruled that they be used to re-establish the boundary. It is not a new boundary, it is a boundary that has been existing and there are documents that show the fact these boundaries have been existing.

‘’What the court ruled is go and use this document to re-establish the boundary as it has always been recognized,’’ he said.

The representative of Sina Area, Adamu Kamale, said the disputed area was a Nigerian territory and never a settlement.

Kamale, who noted that the community was never considered in the entire demarcation process, said: “From Lake Chad to Bakassi, the ICJ ruled on several communities based on different criteria.

BREAKING: TRIBUNAL SACKS PDP REPS MEMBER IN PLATEAU

The National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, Plateau State, has nullified the election of a two-term member of the House of Representatives in the state, Dachung Bagos.

Bagos, who represents Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party during the February 25 National Assembly poll.

Nullifying Bagos’s election, the tribunal declared the Labour Party candidate, Ajang Alfred, as the rightful winner of the poll and ruled that the PDP candidate was not validly nominated by his party to contest the poll.

According to the report, Bagos was the third PDP candidate whose elections had been nullified in the state by the tribunal.

The other two were Senator Napoleon Bali who represents Plateau South, and Peter Gyengdeng who represents Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency.

FG LAUNCHES POWER OUTAGE REPORTING APP

The Federal Government unveiled an application called the Power Outage Reporting System, which enables consumers to report electricity disruptions to distribution companies under monitoring by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, on Monday.

It unveiled the applications at the Abuja headquarters of NERC, using the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company as a test-run DisCo.

The NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, said the application would enable the commission to effectively tackle power distributors that fail to address electricity disruptions reported by consumers.

We recently launched a new regulation that provides timelines within which public utilities, especially DisCos, are required to resolve complaints from customers. So this particular app being unveiled today is to assist the commission in monitoring whether DisCos are complying with the standard set out in that regulation.

Originally, the application was designed for crowd-sourcing data for the purpose of service-based tariffs. By crowd-sourcing, the application was to sample the quality of supply that customers are experiencing.

“But the commission decided that it is better to put smart meters on all feeders so that we have 100 per cent live data or near real-time data to ensure that the DisCos are actually complying with the service obligations that are prescribed in the tariff orders,” Garba stated.

He said a lot of progress had been made in the smart metering of electricity feeders.

So for this app, we are encouraging customers to go to the Apple Store or Google Play Store to download it. The app is to help customers report disruptions in supply in their areas,” he stated

The NERC boss explained that with the application, power users who make complaints would be able to see the progress being made in resolving the issues, adding that the commission would also see this.

“We decided to start this launch in Abuja, and there will be a national roll-out for all distribution companies. But such a massive application would require test-running.

BREAKING: TRIBUNAL SACKS ANOTHER NNPP HOUSE OF REPS MEMBER IN KANO

The National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Idris Dankawu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for forging his West African School Certificate (WAEC).

The NNPP candidate submitted the result as part of the requirements before he contested for the Kumbotso Federal House of Representatives Constituency seat of Kano state.

Munir Babba Danagudi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who contested against Dankawu, had filed a petition alleging that the NNPP candidate presented a fraudulent Secondary School Certificate to gain admission into Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Kaduna.

Following the petition, Justice I.P. Chima delivered a verdict and declared that; “Idris Dankawu of NNPP has forged his WAEC certificate, and as a consequence, the election is voided.”

The tribunal also instructed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to set aside the Certificate of Return previously awarded to Dankawu

FCT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS BEGIN STRIKE OVER UNPAID ARREARS

The FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed its members across the six area councils to embark on an industrial strike from today; September 11, over non-payment of 25 months arrears.

They are also protesting the non-implementation of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance by the council chairmen.

 According to the source, both secondary and primary schools in the FCT resume today for the first term academic session.

The union gave the directive in a communique issued at the end of its emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held at Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada.

The communique was jointly signed by the NUT state chairman, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, and secretary, Margaret F. Jethro.

The communique added that the council chairmen had also failed to pay other outstanding allowances, which they said included non-implementation of promotion arrears, non-upgrading of concerned teachers, non-implementation of annual increments, non-implementation of promotion letters released for teachers, among others.

MAKINDE APPROVES SELECTION OF RCCG PASTOR AS NEW SOUN OF OGBOMOSOLAND

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, approved the appointment of a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Prince Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, as the new Soun of Ogbomosoland

It would be recalled that the stool became vacant after the demise of Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, in December 2021, at the age of 95 years after he reigned for 48 years.

The selection of the new monarch had become the subject of a court case as the Chairman, Screening Committee for the Laoye ruling house, in Ogbomoso, Abdulwahab Laoye, said the family had not selected anybody to fill the vacant stool of Soun of Ogbomoso, dismissing as mere insinuations, social media report that someone had been selected.

He said the ruling house had been dazed with the rumours that one Ghandi Afolabi, a pastor with the RCCG, had been selected

We did not select Ghandi and he is not among the 11 that the screening committee selected from 23 applicants. We do not want the matter to degenerate to the level of litigation. We scheduled a meeting on February 23 and invited the council to observe, but the council hijacked the process from us and added another seven persons on the claims that the seven persons equally obtained the Expression of Interest form, thereby raising the number of the applicants to 18.”

However, a statement by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Olusegun Olayiwola, in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, said the announcement followed the long-drawn processes specified under the law.

Olayiwola said, “His Excellency congratulates the new Soun-elect on his ascension to the throne of his forebears.”

The commissioner said the exalted position had placed the monarch-elect in the position to facilitate harmony, understanding, and tolerance amongst his people.

He also urged all sons and daughters of the ancient city of Ogbomoso to work with the monarch to consolidate the successes of his forefathers.

ABIA STATE GOV OTTI SACKS 7000 CIVIL SERVANTS EMPLOYED FROM DECEMBER 2022 TILL DATE

Amid the biting economic crisis as a result of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has directed the immediate disengagement of all workers employed in the State Public Service from December 2022 till date.

The governor had sacked 7000 workers in the employment of the State, which was announced by his commissioner for information then.

Although, the governor did not provide any reason for the decision, the announcement contained in a memo addressed to All Commissioners, Heads of Ministries Development and Agencies, and Parastatals which was dated August 31, 2023, and signed by the Head of Service, Lady Joy I. Maduka.

The memo which SaharaReporters obtained on Friday has Ref: HSA/S.0006/IV/08 and is titled: "Disengagement Of Staff Employed From December 2022 Till Date."

However, any further directive(s) of His Excellency on this matter shall be communicated in due course.

"Please take appropriate steps to implement immediately and according to His Excellency's directive," it reads.