Officials say 20 nursery school children died in Niger Republic on Tuesday in a fire that trapped them in straw-hut classrooms.

There were 20 deaths, most of them young children, said the head of Nigers fire service, Col. Bako Boubacar.

He said the origin of the fire in Niamey was unknown.

An official of a Nigers teachers union said the school in the popular Pays Bas neighbourhood had around 800 students, including children in the nursery section.

The fire apparently started around the school gate. Without an emergency exit, many were trapped and students were forced to scale the wall to escape.

Those that died were mostly children in the preschool, Mounkaila Halidou said.

Authorities had arrived at the scene and launched an investigation, the government said. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Nnamdi Onochie, has taken his peace building initiative to traders in Onitsha and other parts of the South East, asking them to embrace peace to make Nigeria stand.

This is contained in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Onochie had since last month been paying advocacy visits to prominent Nigerians, including traditional rulers and associations, to persuade them to preach unity and oneness among Nigerians in their various domains.

Last month, he was at the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman, to persuade the traditional ruler to sensitize his subjects on the need for Nigeria to remain an indivisible entity.

Onochie, speaking when he paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Onitsha Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Nnanyelugo Ekwegbalu, pleaded with the traders to rise and stand with Nigeria at its moment of need.

He noted that the support of traders was needed in the effort to pull Nigeria out of its current travails, saying that unity of purpose was needed to make Nigeria to rise again.

Onochie, however, advised the government to take immediate steps to provide a conducive atmosphere for market men and women to thrive in their businesses.

He pointed out that the hallmark of good governance was the enthronement of a congenial environment that would give confidence to local and foreign investors to do business in Nigeria.

Nigerians need a country where traders will not be harassed or intimidated by anyone, including security agents.

Prosperity of the business class can only be achieved by freedom to operate and engage in fruitful and legitimate ventures. We need peace and unity to achieve these goals.

The multi-lingual politician disclosed that he planned to visit community leaders in the five South Eastern states to advocate peace and to ask traditional rulers to prevail on their subjects to have faith in one Nigeria.

Onochie noted, however, that sustainable peace could only be achieved in Nigeria when every ethnic group respected equity, fairness, justice and fair play as necessary ingredients for national cohesion.

The PDP stalwart noted that the founding fathers of the party had envisaged enduring unity in the country with Article 7, Section 2, Sub-section C of the partys constitution, which mandated zoning of all the partys and government positions.

The same provisions are akin to the Federal Character law inserted in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Both provisions provide a buffer of unity, equity and fairness, a bedrock of all federal and multi-ethnic societies.

He argued that the political parties, especially the two dominant ones, should zone their presidential slots to Igbo-speaking areas of the country during the 2023 elections to give the people a sense of belonging in the Nigerian project.

Also speaking, Ekwegbalu said that Onitsha traders would always support a united and indivisible Nigeria, noting, however, that traders in Onitsha expected the presidency to be zoned to Igbo-speaking areas in 2023.

He appealed to government to introduce policies that would help traders to overcome current hardships facing them, including unfavourable exchange rates and multiple taxations by government agencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kingsley Okoye
The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Dr Halilu Shaba as the Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency.

The confirmation followed the presentation and consideration of a report of the Committee on Science and Technology by the Chairman, Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP -Anambra Central) at plenary on Wednesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on March 2, asked the Senate to confirm Shaba as DG NASRDA.

In the letter, Buhari urged the lawmakers to give his request an accelerated consideration.

Ekwunife, while presenting the report said the nominee had shown evidence of more than 21 years of post-doctoral research experience in space science, six years above the minimum requirements to be appointed director general of NSRDA.

She said the nominee was cleared by the Nigerian Police, Department of State Security Services (DSS) as eligible for appointment.

Ekwunife maintained the nominee provided evidence of tax clearance and code of conduct acknowledgement slip.

She said the committee was ultimately satisfied with the qualifications, performance and suitability of the nominee for the position.

The committee is convinced the nominee is eminently qualified to hold the position he is being nominated for and accordingly hereby recommends him for confirmation of Senate, Ekwunife said.

The Senate, after a voice vote confirmed the nomination of Halilu Ahmad Shaba for appointment as Director General of NSRDA.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, says revenue distributed at Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) is generated by Federal Government agencies.

The minister fielded questions from State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

She faulted recent allegations by Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) printed N60 billion in March to support federal allocation to states.

The governor was also reported to have said that the economy was in dire condition due to huge debt burden.

The issue that has been raised by the Edo State Governor for me is very, very sad because it is not a fact.

What we distribute at FAAC is revenue that is generated and the FAAC revenue distribution is public information and we publish it.

So, it is the revenue generated by the FIRS, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the NNPC that we distribute at FAAC. So, it is not true that we printed money to distribute at FAAC.

On borrowing, Ahmed said that Nigerian debt was within sustainable limits.

According to her, what is needed is to improve the nations revenue to enhance its capacity to service not only our debt obligation but also to service the needs of running government on a day to day basis.

So, our debt currently at 23 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is at a very sustainable level.

You can look at the reports that you see from multilateral agencies; those facts are stated.

The minister said that her ministry presented a memo to FEC on behalf of the FIRS.

She said that the memo sought councils approval for award of contract for the construction of the FIRS building at Ilupeju Medium and Small Tax Payers Office in the sum of N539 million inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT.

Ahmed said the completion period of the project was 52 weeks.

The Ministry also presented on behalf of NCS a memo that was seeking for the councils approval for the design, construction and supply of two NC 36 M Monohull patrol boats in the sum of N5.06 billion inclusive of five per cent VAT with a delivery period of 12 months.

We also presented a memo again on behalf of the NCS for the approval of Council for the design, construction and supply of seven fast assault boats and seven regular patrol boats at the sum of N501 million inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of eight weeks.

The purpose of purchase of these two types of patrol boats is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations of the NCS in its bid to control smuggling and also ensure enhance efficiency of Customs duty operations in the marine unit of the NCS.

We also presented again on behalf of the NCS a request for councils approval and council approved the procurement of 427 operational vehicles for the NCS operations in favour of various contractors in the combined sum of N14.55 billion inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT with a delivery period of four weeks, she said.

She said there were several contractors, including Wada Motors, Elizade Motors, Westwood Motors and Globe Motors, providing different category of vehicles that are meant for field operations of the NCS. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC) Nigeria, Rear Adm. Oladele Daji, has commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahirus leadership quality in piloting the affairs of the Nigerian Army.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, said that Daji gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy call on the COAS on Tuesday in Abuja.

The commandant said that Attahirus unique and exceptional leadership skills had led to recent successes in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the North East and other security challenges in the country.

He said the visit was to pay homage to the COAS being a member of the College Board and inform him of his recent assumption of duty as the commandant.

Daji also intimated COAS on the plan of NDC to embark on a world tour to Africa, Europe, America and Asian countries.

According to him, the tour will broaden participants knowledge on other countries military and strategic command style with a view to boosting human capacity development in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He equally invited Attahiru to deliver Chief of Army Staff Paper to participants of NDC Course 29.

Responding, the COAS, Attahiru congratulated the Commandant NDC on his appointment which according to him comes with enormous responsibilities.

Attahiru disclosed that he had been keeping abreast with the developmental strides in the college and assured the commandant of his continuous support and cooperation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has approved the promotion of an Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) and nine Corps Commanders (CC) to the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM).

The Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), ACM Bisi Kazeem, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, added that 26 Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) were also promoted to the rank of Corps Commander (CC).

Kazeem said that the approval came at the end of the meeting of the Commission on 12 April, 2021 which ratified the resolution of the Establishment Committee.

He disclosed that the promotion took effect from 12 April, 2021.

ACM Victor Nwokolo becomes DCM, to represent the South Eastern Zone, following the retirement of DCM Kenneth Nwaegbe.

Three other ACMs, who were also promoted with the mandate to proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect are ACM Kehinde Adeleye in charge of Policy, Research and Statistics Department at the national headquarters,

ACM Godwin O. Ogagaoghene, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Benin Zonal Command, as well as ACM Edward A. Zamber, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Yola Zonal Command, he said.

Kazeem also gave the names of the nine CC promoted to ACM as CC Kumapayi Ayodele who currently is the Sector Commander in Anambra, CC Wobin Gora, Sector Commander FCT and CC Chidi Nkwonta, Sector Commander, Bayelsa.

CC Adetunji Adegoke, the Deputy Corps Secretary at the National Headquarters, Abuja, and CC Godwin Omiko, Deputy Commandant, FRSC Command and Staff College, Enugu.

Others are the Head, Policy Advisory Unit in the Office of the Corps Marshal, CC Emmanuel Nnanna Obot, CC Yerima Musa Ramalan in the Department of Policy, Research and Statistics at the national headquarters.

CC Rindon Kunven in charge of the Corps Safety Engineering Office, CC Sunday Iyamah, in charge of the Corps Budget Office at the national headquarters, he said.

Kazeem said that six other CCs were also promoted to ACM with the mandate to hand over to the most senior officers in their department/command and proceed on their statutory three months terminal leave with effect from 12 April, 2021.

The six officers are CC K.C. Alao, CC K.O. Akinusoye, CC O.A. Daniel, CC A.A. Hammed, CC S.O. Aborchi, and CC S.O. Oke.

While the newly promoted CC are DCC JO Asaolu of the Corps Budget Office and DCC Ann Odeleye in charge of National Road Safety Advisory Council.

DCC Lasun Bamigbayan, in charge of Quality Management System at the national headquarters and DCC P.I. Ugwu of FRSC Academy Udi, Enugu State.

Others include the Head, FRSC Signage, Gwagwalada, DCC Dapel, DCC U.A. Ibrahim, DCC A.M. Hassan, DCC P.C. Okoyeocha and 18 others, he said.

The Board Chairman, Bukhari Bello, expressed delight at the transparency and objectivity that characterized the whole process.

Bello urged the promoted officers to show more commitment and rededicate themselves to achieving the corporate mission of the corps which is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safer motoring environment in the country.

He stated that the promotion exercise was part of the commissions drive towards rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work which was in line with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership of the corps.

The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, equally congratulated the newly elevated officers for their excellent performances during the exercise, noting that every promotion comes with greater responsibilities.

Oyeyemi charged them to put in their best in the course of their duties as the new rank called for more focus, more dedication, commitment and passion.

He admonished those who were not promoted to keep faith alive and hope for the best as opportunities still abound for promotion in the future.

He promised to improve the general welfare of the personnel and beckoned on them to be of good cheer and put in greater efforts towards the realisation of the corporate mandate of the corps.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Sylvester Thompson

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has expressed optimism that Nigerias membership of the International Energy Charter (IEC), would facilitate Foreign Direct Investment in the energy sector.

The Minister said this on Tuesday in Abuja when he declared open a two-day National Energy Summit organised by Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) in collaboration with the IEC, Brussels.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the membership of the body was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

Onu said that the IEC and ECN had conducted studies on Energy Investment Risk Assessment (EIRA) of the Nigerian energy sector, which would be presented by the IEC secretariat during the summit.

According to him, the summit seeks to highlight how Nigerias membership of the International Energy Charter will deepen growth and development in Nigerias energy sector for sustainable national development.

He noted that the energy sector was undergoing many transformations and that reforms within the sector were ongoing.

Nigeria is preparing for a post crude oil era, national gas utilisation is receiving a lot of attention.

Our methanol utilisation policy is aimed at increasing the use of natural gas in the production of both fuel and electricity generation.

This will help stop gas flaring in the country, protect and preserve our environment as well as diversify the energy sector of our economy and we are also investing in both research and renewable energy, he said.

The Minister called for both foreign and local investment to help build the necessary infrastructure for efficient exploitation of the huge energy resources available in the country.

He also said that government had provided incentives to encourage this investment, adding that the return on investment was very favourable.

In his welcome address, Prof. Eli Bala, Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria, said the objectives of the summit was to bring to limelight how membership of the IEC would facilitate energy sufficiency.

He said that energy sufficiency and sustainable economic growth in Nigeria could only be driven on an active participation of the private sector as articulated in the National Energy Policy.

Thus, the Energy Investment Risk Assessment(EIRA) reports, which highlights the investment risks in the Nigeria energy sector also reveals the flip-side that would minimise or eliminate the risks, he said.

He further said that in order to transit from an observer State of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) into a full signatory three country study reports were imperative.

He stated these to include, report on investment climate and exceptions to national treatment, energy efficiency accession report and report on the harmonisation of country laws and regulation with ECT.

In his keynote speech delivered virtually, Dr Urban Rusnak, Secretary General of Energy Charter Secretariat, Brussels, said that energy transition should fit everyone and the need to save energy for the benefit of all.

We have to work together to mobilise the multi-stakeholder corporation for action in Nigeria, he said.

Highpoint of the opening ceremony featured goodwill messages from the Ministers of Environment, Petroleum, Industry, Trade and Investment among others.

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday presided over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari is in London for a routine medical check-up.

Before the proceedings, a minute silence was observed in honour of Mahmud Tukur, a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, who passed away recently.

Ministers who attending the meeting are Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Information and Culture, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Finance, Budget and National Planning

Others are Abubakar Malami, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba while other ministers joined virtually from their offices.

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Funds Office, Mrs Habiba Lawal.

The National Security Adviser, rtd Maj.-Gen. Babagana Munguno and the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, were also present at the meeting.

At its last meeting on March 31 FEC approved over N19billion for various projects for the Ministries of Transportation, Aviation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Amen Gajira

The Chairman,Jemaa Local Government CouncilofKaduna state, MrPeterAverik, on Wednesday commended the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDC) for restoring electricity to Kafanchan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that power supply was restored in Kafanchan on Tuesday after a three-month blackout.

The commendation is contained in a statement signed by the councils Information Officer, Simeon Dauda.

Averik said stable power supply is central to economic development and increased social wellbeing of the people as businesses rely on power to thrive.

He advised residents to always explore legal means in seeking redress instead of resorting to violent protests, which, he said, was often hijacked by people with dubious intentions.

We must thank the management of KEDC for yielding to good reason to restore power supply in Kafanchan after about three months of complete power outage.

There is the need for customers and management of KEDC to sustain their commitment to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the benefit of all.

I want to also caution the people, especially the youths against resorting to violent protest to drive home grievances at every slightest occasion of misunderstanding.

That kind of habit is counter productive to the collective struggle for peace and sustainable development, he added

The council boss implored KEDC to improve on its human relations, describing it as effective tool in resolving industrial issues arising from misunderstanding.

He reiterated his councils commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property in the area.

He thanked concerned individuals and groups for the role they played in bringing about the restoration of electricity supply in the area.

The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kafanchan town, had been in total darkness since Jan. 18, when the KEDC shut down its operations after a violent protest by residents.

The residents had protested over outrageous bills and poor power supply, and security personnel had to fire into the air to disperse the violent protesters who were set on burning the KEDC office.

Thereafter, KEDCO shut down its operations in the area indefinitely, over what it called the safety of its personnel. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Debt Management Office (DMO), on Wednesday, announced the auctioning of three Federal Government bonds of N150billion at N1,000 per unit.

Details obtained from DMOs website said that the three bonds were valued at N50 billion each, with interest rates of 16.29 per cent; 12.50 per cent and 9.80 per cent, respectively.

It listed the auction date as April 21, while settlement date is April 23.

Minimum units for sale are N50,001 thousand and in multiples of N1,000 thereafter.

For re-openings of previously issued bonds, successful bidders will pay a price corresponding to the yield-to-maturity bid that clears the volume being auctioned plus any accrued interest rate on the instrument, the DMO said.

It explained that interest rates would be paid semi-annually, with bullet repayment on the maturity date.

The office said that the bonds qualify as securities in which trustees can invest under the Trustee Investment Act.

It also qualifies as government securities within the meaning of Company Income Tax Act and Personal Income Tax Act for tax exemption for pension funds and other investors.

It is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, DMO explained.

The DMO added that all federal government bonds qualified as liquid assets for the calculation of liquidity ratio for banks.

It also assured that the bonds were backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and charged upon the general assets of Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Thompson Yamput

A 100 Level student of Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos, who reportedly fell off a vehicle during students protest, dies of injuries.

The deceased, Isreal Emmanuel, the class Rep of the Mathematics Department of the university, died in the evening from the head injuries sustained when he fell off the car.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Yohana Izam, confirmed Emmanuels death in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

The vice chancellor however described the death of the student as very sad and unfortunate.

To us as an institution, Emmanuels death is shocking and a great loss to us considering the cause of his death.

We have been cautioning the students against demonstration and protests, which are not jamborees, yet they keep doing it.

Our pain and regret is that the Monday protest has robbed us of a precious soul and forced us into mourning, Izam lamented.

Also speaking, the SUG President, Mr Luepai Ezekiel, confirmed the death of Emmanuel and expressed sadness over the sudden death.

Emmanuel fell off from one of the vehicles during our protest against the insecurity in the institution and landed with his head on the tarred road.

We rushed him to the Bokkos Cottage Hospital but unfortunately he couldnt make it as he died later in the evening of Monday, Ezekiel explained. ( NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna State Council, has urged Muslims to use the Ramadan period to pray against the mass sack of public sector workers in the state.

It also called for prayers against current security challenges across the country.

This is contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Suleiman.

The NLC said that the workers and all Nigerians should use the Ramadan period to intensify prayers for Allahs protection and total end to terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other crimes bedevilling the state and the nation in general.

The union also appealed to workers to give their best for the development of Kaduna State and the country in general.

The statement described the holy month of Ramadan as a period of renewal and an opportunity for Muslims to seek Gods forgiveness and recommit to the ideals of Islam.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of blessings, love, giving, sharing, forgiveness, prayers and reading of the Holy Quran and above all is the month of answering prayers, it added.

The NLC also urged Muslims to be humble and support the needy, and avoid all sinful acts, in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N532 million for the construction and furnishing of the University of Ibadan library extension.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, briefed State House correspondents after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari is still in London for a routine medical check-up.

The Minister of Education also presented a memo for the award of contract for the construction and furnishing of the extension of the University of Ibadan library.

The memo, which was approved, is at the cost of N532 million with a completion period of 48 weeks, the minister said.

Mohammed hinted that the memo was well received because of the need to extend the library facility in the university.

He said that for many years, the library had needed real extension, given the surge in the students population.

According to him, the extension project will comprise two suspended floors, two online reading areas and three cubicles

It will also include one physically challenged reading area, four seminar rooms and one reprographic unit.

Other facilities are six staff offices, one control room, a general room, stores, four e-libraries, a coffee room, a technical service room, a media unit room, one galaxy/exhibition room and a journal publication unit, in addition to two reading areas.

The contract was awarded to the UYK Nigeria limited and it is to be delivered in 48 weeks, Mohammed said.

On the seventh anniversary of the abduction of Chibok girls, the minister said that the government had more than ever demonstrated its concern for the issue of security through the town hall meeting it held in Kaduna recently.

He said that the theme of the all-encompassing meeting was Setting Benchmark for Enhanced Security and National Unity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Habibu Harisu

Fuel queues have resurfaced in Sokoto metropolis as consumers besieged few filling stations selling the product, while most filling stations in the state remained shut.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round the metropolis on Tuesday,reports that some filling stations along Gusau Road were filled with consumers queuing to buy the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol.

The same trend was witnessed around Bye Pass Express Way, Bello Road and Fodio Road within Sokoto town, while most filling stations within the town and those close to the city centre were shut.

Some of the motorists who spoke to NAN said they just noticed the long queues and decided to top up.

A driver who simply identified himself as Adamu, said he had to buy fuelto be able to do his businesses, in case there was scarcity.

I did not have in mind to buy petrol but seeing queues in two major marketers filling stations and the same thing is happening in others, I decided to join.

I just have to buy now with the small money that I have, Adamu said.

Another buyer, Malam Habib Muhammad, said he spent more than three hours on queue but still could not buy the product.

Muhammad said he switched to three filling stations because of the long queues but still could not buy the product.

NAN reports that only filling stations that belonged to major marketers sold the products at regulated price of N165 per litre as others sold between N175 to N180 per litre.

NAN also reports that street sellers who soldthe product in Jerry cans and gallons,made brisk businesses as a four-litre gallon soldbetween N1,000 to N1,200, depending on the bargain.

There had been no word from either the regulatory bodiesor petroleum products dealers about any impending scarcity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigerian Institution of Space Engineers (NISEng) on Tuesday inaugurated its sixth National Chairman, Dr George Okpanachi, and called for a specialised reconnaissance satellite to address national security.

The inauguration held concurrently with a One-day Public Lecture with the theme: Space Technology and National Security: Opportunities and Limitations in Abuja.

Prof. Lazarus Ojigi, Director, Mission Planning IT and Data Management of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), was the guest lecturer.

He said that space technology had become the driving force behind scientific, socio-economic, military and intelligence supremacy of developed nations of the world.

Ojigi said that national security was all about national safety with food security, economic, social, physical, energy, environmental, border, cyber securities as components.

A reconnaissance satellite or intelligence satellite (spy satellite) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications.

We must deploy specialised satellite, reconnaissance satellite that will assist the armed forces in detecting danger locations.

We need to invest in satellite infrastructure, ground segment infrastructure; you must not have satellite just to harvest information from satellites in the orbit.

Having the ground segment will help us to subscribe and optimise; you will have enough information for your security agencies and those information are encrypted for them to use.

We also need to develop our Inertia Navigation System (INS) and Guidance; that means that we must be able to detect where criminals are using global navigation techniques added to INS techniques, Ojigi said.

He added that the country needed to invest in infrastructure across Nigeria, train manpower and build a level of confidence with confidential security information.

He said that there was need to increase the number of communication satellites to improve surveillance.

Now we have one communication satellite and the proposal is to have three prototype to create an overlap to cover the whole world.

By that architecture, Nigeria will not only provide satellite signals but services in terms of telecommunications, internet and augmentation services to Africa and other parts of the world.

He further said that if the country could not provide three communication satellites, it could optimise the available one.

According to him, it is better to scale up the satellite asset and get better services.

Okpanachi, in his remarks, said he was going to galvanise relevant stakeholders in the space sector, the National Assembly, and agencies to get the needed support for NASRDA and Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited.

He expressed the hope that NISEng would advance to compete with other engineering bodies in the country in the future.

We will be paying courtesy visits to relevant agencies and letting them know that we have the capacity to deliver if given the necessary assistance particularly the funding aspect.

If we are well funded with the capacity and capability, it can help in tackling the security challenges and this includes having more satellites in space, synthetic aperture satellites, going into drones and cube satellites, he said.

Dr Sadiq Umar, the immediate past chairman of NISEng, encouraged the incumbent and his executive members to push for the institution to participate in the Group Dynamics competition for all Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

He also called on the new helmsmen to as well ensure that the institution stood out.

Umar said that he was grateful that he enjoyed great support from the incumbent chairman as his vice and other past chairmen during his tenure from 2019 to 2020.

He, however, encouraged his colleagues and the space industry stakeholders to extend same support to Okpanachi to ensure the institution helped in developing robust space technology programmes in the country.

Rtd. Major Gen. Michael Agu, the pioneer chairman of NISEng, recalled that the institution had a Memorandum of Understanding with NASRDA on corporation and space activities.

According to Agu, same understanding and working relationship can be extended to the Defence Space Administration (DSA) and other stakeholders to ensure that issues on security are addressed.

Other goodwill messages included from the DSA, National Productivity Centre, NASRDA and other past chairmen of the institution, a who called for more funding for space programmes.

They also called for collaboration among space technology stakeholders to boost development in the sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Abbas Bamalli

The Academic Staff Union of Federal College of Education (FCE Technical) Bichi, in Kano State has commenced a one week warning strike.

The strike was over alleged poor learning environment in the college.

The Chairman, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), FCE Technical Bichi branch, Mr Muhammad Salisu, announced their decision while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Kano.

According to him, the one week industrial action was to compel the management of the school to address what it described as poor learning environment and prevailing insecurity conditions.

He further said that the action was also to draw the attention of government officials to hurriedly intervene in addressing the broken laboratories, halls and hostels to provide a conducive learning environment for the students.

According to him, the security outfit contracted by the college to provide security services are owed over six months allowance, leading to poor security situation on the campus.

He also alleged that offices were being burgled by yet to be identified criminals, adding that office equipment and personal belongings of the staff such as laptops were being stolen from offices.

He added that student hostels were also affected by the activities of criminals, saying that necessary and urgent measures needed to be taken to address the issue.

Salisu lamented that staff of the college were also owed a huge backlog of unpaid allowances, adding that the campus had remained unkempt in recent time.

According to the union leader, cleaners are not paid their entitlements, exposing the campus inhabitants to possible disease outbreak.

He further alleged that the management of the college have failed to respect their earlier agreement, warning that if their demands are not met at the end of the one week strike, the union would order its members to proceed on indefinite strike.

In the past 10 years, graduates of FCE Bichi were not issued with the mandatory teachers certificate by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, (TRCN), he said.

Contacted on the development, the management of the college said they were making arrangements to also brief the nedia on the issue. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Imelda Osayande

The Court of Appeal, Benin Division, on Tuesday, set aside the dissolution of the Edo State Law Review Commission for the past 13 years, over failure to follow due process.

The Commission was dissolved in 2008 by the administration of Gov. Adams Oshiomhole.

But the court, in a unanimous judgment, ordered that members of the Commission be reinstated and be allowed to complete their tenure, which should now run from March 25, 2021, the day the judgment was given, to August 25, 2025.

In the judgment delivered by the three-man panel and read by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, with Justices Oyebisi Omoleye and Dr Fredrick Oho as members, the appellate court held that the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration did not follow the laid down procedure in dissolving the commission.

The appellants, in the suit No B/375/OS/2009, were identified as: Elder Jonathan Aghimien (SAN), T. E. Ogbeide-Ihama and Edward Aigbanbe, while the Governor of Edo State, the Attorney General and the State House of Assembly were the respondents.

NAN reports that the appellants challenged the ruling of Justice Nogi Aifuwa Imoukhuede of state High Court in which he dismissed the claims of the appellants for being statute barred.

In his ruling, Justice Georgewill declared that the dissolution of the Edo State Law Review Commission and consequent termination of the appointments of the Appellants on 24/11/2008, without due compliance with the provisions of the Revised Edition Law of Edo state 2001, by the 1st Respondent, the then Executive Governor of Edo state is null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

The court set aside the letter issued by the then Secretary to State Government (SSG) on behalf of the state governor, saying it was issued without compliance with the provisions of the Revised Edition Law of Edo State 2001.

He said: An order is hereby given reinstating the Appellants to their aforesaid position as Chairman and members of the Edo State Law Review Commission to serve out the remainder of their five-year tenure.

He added that and thereafter from the date of this judgment being 25/3/2021 to 25/8/2025 totalling five years in line with Section 7 (1) of the Revised Edition Law 2001 of Edo State, excluding the period from 24/11/2008 to 25/3/2021, unless the Appellants are removed in line with the provision of the Revised Edition law of Edo State of Nigeria 2001 (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Agbaje Gabriel

The Director General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Mansur Matazu, has become Nigerias Permanent Representative at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

A statement signed by Mr Muntari Ibrahim, NiMets General Manager of Public Relations, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the appointment was in line with the provision of the General Regulations (Regulation 5a) of the WMO Basic Documents.

This is in line with provision of the General Regulations (Regulation 5a) of the World Meteorological Organisation Basic Documents No. 1 (WMO No 15) 2019 Edition.

This states that each member shall designate by written notification of the Secretary General, a Permanent Representative who shall be the Director of the Meteorological or Hydrometeorological services to act on technical matters for the member between the sessions of congress.

Subject to the approval of their respective government, Permanent Representative should be the normal channel of communication between the organisation and their respective countries, it said.

The statement further said the Permanent Representative would maintain contact with the competent authorities, government of their own countries on matters concerning the work of the organisation.

According to it, a letter of notification signed by Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, on behalf of the Federal Government to the WMO, disclosed that Matazu had been designated as the Permanent Representative of Nigeria with the WMO.

Haven been appointed as the head of the meteorological services, he replaces Prof. Sani Abubakar Mashi, it added.

The statement said the WMO had acknowledged the move and reflected the changes on its community platform, including the WMO country profile data base.

The World Meteorological Agency is the United Nations specialised organisation whose mandate covered weather, climate and water resources. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

France, on Tuesday, announced that its volume of trade with Nigeria in year 2020 dropped to .3 billion dollars, from .5 billion in 2019, as a result of COVID-19.

The French Minister in charge of Foreign Trade and Attractiveness, Mr Frank Riester, disclosed this at a meeting he held with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), in Abuja, as part of his two-day official visit to Nigeria.

We are optimistic of the future, when the crisis will be ending, because we have many companies that have settled here.We want a win-win partnership between our two countries.

We have 100 companies that are settled in Nigeria, representing 10,000 people working in these companies and we want to increase our investments in Nigeria, he said.

Riester added that the French Government wanted to help in the development of different states, by investing in both the private and public sectors, so as to deepen the relationship between the two countries.

He said that as the largest economy in Africa and the economic engine room of West Africa, Nigeria is indeed a major partner for France.

The minister said that the French Government was also putting in place measures that would allow more Nigerian companies to operate and invest in France.

Tomorrow, I will meet some Nigeria companies that have already invested in France, as others are willing to invest in the country.

These companies will be invited to a specific meeting in Paris in June, where President Emmanuel Macron will welcome many companies all over the world, and some of the companies will be from Nigeria, because we want more Nigerian investments in France.

Riester added that the government was also putting in place policies that would encourage more Nigerian investment in France, while the French government was also willing to assist Nigeria to tackle insecurity.

The Chairman of the NGF, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, commended the French government for its interest in Nigeria, especially in the states of the Federation.

Fayemi, represented by Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, described the meeting, aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and France, as fruitful.

He said that the meeting sought ways of boosting Frances collaboration and investment in Nigeria, in particular with the state governments.

Speaking later in an interview with newsmen on the ongoing strike by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) who are protesting the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the nations judiciary, Lalong said that state governors were not against financial autonomy for the judiciary.

Lalong, who said that the governors were already consulting with JUSUN, added that the NGF would be meeting on Wednesday, to finalize the issue, as they did not need any Order 10, to implement financial autonomy for the judiciary, since they played key role in the passage of the financial autonomy legislation.

He, however, said that certain criteria had to be put in place, for financial autonomy for the judiciary to commence at the state level.

Lalong said that financial autonomy was not about finances, but to strengthen the institution.

You dont wake up one day and say you are doing financial autonomy, because a law is passed, there must be processes.

For instance, as a former Speaker, I will tell you that you cannot do financial autonomy until you establish a service commission. You must establish a state Allocation Committee. All these are steps towards autonomy.

You dont achieve autonomy in a day. We did it in the National Assembly, and there was no Order 10 for implementation. It took them stages. The federal government is aware.

Members of the National Assembly, who are Governors today were members who fought for the autonomy, so how can we be against the autonomy, Lalong asked. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Team Delta on Tuesday towered above other participating states during the medals presentation ceremony for the golf competition at the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that players from 18 states participated in the competition, but Team Delta clinched five gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Team Bayelsa claimed three gold, five silver and two bronze medals to place second, while Plateau won three gold, two silver and one bronze medals to place third on the table.

Addressing journalists shortly after presenting the medals to their winners, Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, commended all participants for showing a strong zeal during the competition.

For us in Edo, we have the governor, Godwin Obaseki, as a golfer, myself the deputy governor a golfer, and the Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, as a golfer too, he said.

Shaibu who is the festivals Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairman added that hosting the festivals 20th edition would help to return sports to Edo the home of sports.

When we were given the hosting rights, we promised to set a template for other states willing to host the next edition, about how the festival should be hosted.

Now we have set a standard which any other state will copy, he said.

Source: NAN News