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.

PRESIDENT TINUBU APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIRMAN / CEO OF NASENI

President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved the appointment of Khalil Suleiman Halilu as the new Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

By this appointment, Khalil Suleiman Halilu will serve for an initial term of five years by the relevant sections of the NASENI Act, 2014.

Mr. Halilu, 32, is expected to bring his significant experience as an innovator and technology expert to bear in this important new national assignment.

The tenure of Dr. Bashir Gwandu as EVC/CEO of NASENI is hereby terminated.

By the directive of the President, this appointment takes immediate effect.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

MMPN REJOICES WITH AREMU, AKANBI OVER THEIR APPOINTMENTS

The Kwara State chapter of the Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has rejoiced with Mr Tajudeen Kayode Aremu and Mr Razaq Ayobami Akanbi over their appointments as the General Managers of the Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation, Radio Kwara and Kwara State Television Authority respectively.

According to the statement jointly singed by the State Coordinator and Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf AbdulRazaq Laaro, Mallam Ahmad Ajiboye described their appointments as round pegs in the round holes, adding that the duo would use their wealth of experiences in moving the establishments forward.

The group further pointed out that the duo appointments were well-deserved, saying their trajectory in the media profession earned them the appointments and maintained that the appointments are call to greater services to the state.

The statement therefore, advised the duo to use their various appointments to project Islam in good light and shun every act capable of tarnishing the image of their religion.

The group also prayed Allah to guide and guard the duo in piloting the affairs of the media establishments to the promiseland.