Divorce decree

By Adedeji Egbebi

A Customary Court in Ekiti on Wednesday dissolved a 32-year-old union between Mr Oladipo Ogunleye and his wife, Adeola Falade over failure to pay dowry.

The President of the Court, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, dissolved the union on the grounds that Ogunleye beats Falade.

Delivering judgment, Ojo held that it is evident that no marriage exist between the parties but a mere cohabitation .

She ordered both parties to go their separate ways as they stand unmarried.

The petitioner is advised to build a cordial relationship with his five children. Iadvice the respondent to encourage all the children to spend holidays with their father in order to maintain the bond between father and his children.

The court orders the petitioner to be involved in his childrens lives by paying their school fees. Bothparties are advised to maintain peace, she said, adding that should any of the parties violate the order, the wrath of the law would be meted out against such a person.

Earlier, the petitioner, Ogunleye, 61, and a mechanic, in his evidence state that there is no marriage between him and the respondent but they have five children.

The petitioner told the court that while they were living together, he was fully responsible for the upkeep of the home and the children but since the respondent left with the children, he ceased to be responsible for their welfare.

Ogunleye, however prayed to the court for the dissolution of his association with the respondent and the same time, solicits for the custody of his fifth child.

Falade, 48, a public servant, denied the allegations.

My husband beats me and chases after me. He also threatens to send me out of his house, she said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A gully erosion site

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Youths under the aegis of Anambra Youth Diaspora Initiative, FCT (Abuja) branch on Wednesday appealed to the Federal Government to urgently address the rising effects of gully erosion in Anambra.

President of the group, Mr Augustine Udoba, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as he described the current situation in the state as deplorable.

Udoba said that erosion had taken its toll on the wellbeing of people living in the affected communities who faced hazards of the damage caused on daily basis.

People are becoming helpless as the erosion continues to carry away their houses.

Lands used for aesthetic, agricultural and industrial purposes, ancestral homes, crops, livestock and other infrastructure are lost to erosion at an alarming rate.

Government should come to our aid by increasing the intervention efforts because the environmental hazard has remained active over the years, defying control measures put in place by communities and individuals.

Some of the areas affected are Nzam, Igbokaenyi, Inoma, Anam, Ode, Owerri road to mention a few, Udoba said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kuwait royal family members

Kuwaiti Emir Nawaf al-Ahmed Al Sabah on Wednesday named his 80-year-old half-brother and senior security official, Mishaal, as crown prince, according to the royal court.

Nawaf, 83, became the oil-rich countrys ruler last week following the death of his predecessor and older half-brother, Sabah.

Mishaal al-Ahmed Al Sabah has been the deputy head of National Guard since 2004.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the national guard personnel played an important role along with the military and police in enforcing the curfew and other measures the state imposed to curb the spread of the virus.

After finishing his studies at Londons Hendon Police College in 1960, he worked at Kuwaits Ministry of Interior.

Between 1967 and 1980, he was the head of the State Security Agency.

Mishaal never took charge of a ministerial portfolio and has largely stayed away from political disputes other members of the royal family were involved in over the years.

He was also close to the late emir Sabah and accompanied him on many of his medical trips, including the final one to the United States, where he died on Sept. 29.

An official said that Al Sabah family gave its blessing to the emirs nomination of Mishaal, KUNA news agency reported.

According to the constitution, parliament has to approve the appointment. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Students writing their final year exams

By Blessing Odega

The Plateau Government directs public and private schools in the state not to exceed 20 students in a class in compliance with social distancing protocol of COVID-19.

The Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) Executive Chairman, Prof. Matthew Sule, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos.

Sule explained that before the OVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO standard was 40 to 45 students to a teacher in a class.

For the nursery section in the past, we used to have 25 pupils, but the number has been reduced by the state government to 10 or maximum of 15 pupils to a teacher.

The reduction is aimed at ensuring that the children are well-spaced to avoid direct contact and the spread of the deadly disease, he said.

He also said that the Plateau SUBEB has trained teachers in primary and Junior Secondary schools on the COVID-19 protocols.

Sule said that due to the reduction in the number of pupils and students in the classrooms, schools would now run on two shifts.

Some students will attend classes in the morning and others in the afternoon, he said.

NAN reports that the Plateau government said that an official date for resumption of school activities will be announced by the end of October.

The government said, preparatory to reopening of schools, a committee headed by the Secretary to the Government as well as sub-committees on Readiness and Compliance headed by the Commissioner for Secondary Education and Chairman, SUBEB was set up. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Abdulrasheed Maina protesting allegation of fraud against him

By Taiye Agbaje

The absence of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, again stalled the trial of Abdulrasheed Maina, Chairman, defunct Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT), for alleged N2 billion money laundering.

The absence of the judge also hindered continuation of other matters, including the alleged N29 billion money laundering charges against former Adamawa Governor, Murtala Nyako, and others by the EFCC,scheduled for the days proceeding.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting the former governor, alongside his son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako; two companies, Sebore Farms and Extension Ltd and Pagado Fortunes Ltd.

They are first, second, sixth and seventh defendants respectively in the trial.

Other defendants are Zulkifik Abba, Abubakar Aliyu, Blue Opal Ltd, Tower Assets Management Ltd and Crust Energy Ltd as third, fourth, fifth, eighth and ninth defendants respectively.

Although the EFCC had arraigned them on a 37-count charge of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observes that ten cases were listed for Wednesdays sitting.

While the case of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs. Abdulrasheed Maina and another was the first on the cause list, the Federal Republic of Nigeria Vs. Murtala Nyako and three others was on number eight.

NAN reports that the ongoing trial of Maina was, on Monday, hindered by the absence of the judge and the ex-pension reformed boss.

The court registrar, who announced that the court was indisposed, said the trial would continue the next day.

However, at the resumed trial on Tuesday, though counsel to all the parties were in court, including Sen. Ali Ndume, who is standing as surety for the ex-pension reformed chair, Justice Abang and Maina were conspicuously absent.

The registrar, for the second time, announced that the court would not be sitting because Abang was on official engagement.

He said hearing in all the criminal matters, including Mainas case would be rescheduled for Oct. 7.

On Wednesday, neither Justice Abang nor Maina was in court, although Ndume was in attendance to sign the court register as part of Mainas bail conditions.

NAN reports that Maina was recently released from Kuje Prison nine months after he was able to produce Sen. Ndume, who deposed to an affidavit to always bring him to court at every adjourned date or forfeit the N500 million bail bond.

Ndume, who represents Borno South in the National Assembly, had told the court, on Oct. 2, that he did not know the whereabouts of Maina after he was absent from court since the trial resumed for the third time.

The judge, in the last sitting, had ordered Ndume to produce Maina unfailing at Mondays proceeding or he would be forced to grant the EFCCs prayers to revoke Mainas bail and issue a warrant of arrest against him.

Besides, the anti-graft agency had also prayed the court to make an order for the lawmaker to forfeit the N500 million bail bond to the Federal Government and be remanded in prison pending the time he was able to meet the pledge.

Justice Abang had ordered that the trial would be on a daily basis, except on public holidays.

The court registrar, on Wednesday, later announced that there would be no sitting for the day.

Mainas trial is expected to continue on Oct. 8 (Thursday) going by the order of the court.

The EFCC arraigned Maina (1st defendant) before Justice Abang, on Oct. 25, 2019, alongside his son, Faisal; and firm, Common Input Property and Investment Ltd.

Although Maina is facing 12-counts bordering on money laundering, he pleaded not guilty to all the charges. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerias Senate under Ahmed Lawan

By Kingsley Okoye

The Senate on Wednesday passed the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for the fiscal years.

The passage followed the adoption of the recommendations of the report of its joint committees on National Planning and Finance, on the 2021-2023 MTEF and FSP documents.

The documents were submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate for consideration on July 21.

Chairman of the joint Committee, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Lagos), while presenting its recommendations said there was need for the National Assembly to ensure effective collaboration with the executive to ensure effective implementation of the MTEF and FSP.

Following the presentations and contributions by some senators on need to cut cost of governance, reduce borrowing, reduce waste and shore up government revenue, Senate approved the 20-point recommendations of the committee.

One of the recommendations was that the Federal Government retained revenue of N7.89 trillion of the total proposed expenditure of N13.08 trillion in the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP.

The Senate also approved the fiscal deficit of N5.19 trillion and borrowings of N4.28 trillion, including foreign and domestic borrowings.

Others are statutory transfers, totalling, N484.4 billion, debt service estimate of N3.12 trillion, while sinking fund to the tune of N220 billion was also approved.
It also approved pension, gratuities and retirees benefits of N520.6 billion and Federal Government aggregate expenditure of N13.08 trillion.

The expenditure is made up of total recurrent (Non-debt) of N5.66 trillion; Personnel Costs of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of N3.05 trillion.

It includes capital expenditure (exclusive of Transfers) of N3.58 trillion, Special Intervention (recurrent) amounting to N350 billion and special intervention (capital) of N20billion.

The Senate also approved daily crude oil production of 1.86mbpd for 2021; 2.09mbpd for 2022; and 2.38mbpd for 2023.

This it said was to ensure greater budget realism and disruptions due to attacks, sabotage in the Niger-Delta which had substantially abated for a while.

The Senate also approved that the benchmark oil price of 40 dollars per barrel should remain because of the clear evidence of wide consultations with key stakeholders.

It also approved the exchange rate of N379 dollars proposed by the executive for the 2021-2023.

This it said was based on the determination of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pursue unification around its rate over the medium term, where investors and exporters transact dollars at market determined prices.

It also approved the projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 3.00 per cent, given the Federal Governments response via fiscal policies adapted to contain the damage of COVID-19, including the N500 billion stimulus fund.

It also approved the projected Inflation rate of 11.95 per cent among other recommendations.

President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan, in his remarks, said that the Senate Committees via its oversight must ensure that revenue generating agencies meet their targets of revenue to the federation account.

When it comes to revenue generation and remittances, we need to work so hard to meet our expectations especially for funding of development projects in the budget.

Now that so many more agencies of government have been added, there is need for our committee on finance to closely monitor the revenue meeting of targets for these agencies.

We should explore other options of funding the budget and minimise borrowing but we cannot eliminate borrowing totally.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dollar

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Ronke Onadeko, an energy expert says high exchange rate of Naira to the dollar is responsible for increase in price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also called petrol, in the country.

Onadeko disclosed this on Wednesday in Lagos at a policy dialogue on reporting the oil and gas sector.

According to her, when the price of crude oil, which sells in dollar in the international market, drops the high exchange rate of naira affects the price at which refined products are imported into the country.

We are at the point where government has access to money, but people who want to import petrol cannot find dollar to buy.

When there is scarcity of dollar, there is always a challenge.

What happens is that when Nigerians hear that crude oil price has gone down and will be excited that price of petrol will come down, it will not happen.

When you source forex to buy the PMS and bring it to Nigeria, it has negated the gains you are supposed to make.

Even if the price of crude drops to 10 dollars per barrel and you buy one dollar at N550, something you were buying at N360 before, you can see there is trouble already.

You will not see the difference with low crude oil price, she said, adding that it was unfortunate that people kept forgetting the foreign exchange element in the oil business.

Onadeko noted that going back to the subsidy regime as demanded by unions and some Nigerians would further drain the economy that was near sinking.

According to her, finding alternative to petrol is a step in the right direction for the nation to move forward.

We can move our industries, generators and public transports to gas where we are doing better and the train system is coming up.

We have more of gas, we dont have to import it, we are going to save foreign exchange and if we start moving to gas investors will come to invest in gas infrastructure, she said.

The Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had hinted that the Federal Government would establish gas plants at all NNPC filling stations.

Silva had said this was to ensure the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as alternative to petrol, saying that CNG was cheaper and cleaner source of energy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the award of contracts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern narrow gauge railway, with new branch lines and trans-shipment facilities.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, made this known when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the 18virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (NAN).

The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The minister also revealed that the Council approved the construction of a new deep seaport in Bonny, under Private-Public- Partnership (PPP) programme and the construction of a railway Industrial park in Port Harcourt.

The Federal Executive Council today, approved the award of contract for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri Eastern Narrow Gauge Railway, with new branch lines and trans-shipment facilities.

It also approved the construction of a deep seaport in Bonny under PPP and construction of a railway industrial park in Port Harcourt.

The railway line will be at the cost of ,020,279,549. The industrial park, which is under PPP, at no cost to federal government, will cost ,154,389.31.

The Bonny deep seaport will cost ,924,369, at no cost to the federal government.

The Port Harcourt to Maiduguri narrow gauge railway will have new branch lines: from Port Harcourt to Bonny and from Port Harcourt to Owerri are new lines.

There is another connecting to narrow gauge to standard guage at Kafanchan.

There is a branch line from Gombe or before Maiduguri to Damaturu and Gashua. Thats what has been approved, he said.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, who also briefed the correspondents on the outcome of the meeting.

He said the Council approved N653.8million to procure and deploy hybrid spectrum monitoring system that would cover the Southeast zone of the country.

He explained that the approval followed the presentation of an investigative report by the ministry to the council on the use of illegal frequencies, saying that 106 out of the 320 frequencies being operated across the country were illegal.

Pantami, therefore, expressed the hope that the deployment of the new hybrid spectrum would go a long way in promoting safety and security, enhance revenue and create many jobs for the citizens.

From January to August 2020, within the period of eight months, we discovered 320 frequencies being used all over the country and of this 320, 106 were illegal.

This is very worrisome because the usage of this illegal spectrum or frequencies will compromise our security and safety in the country.

It is because of the agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari of promoting security that we came up with this initiative of monitoring the usage of frequencies and uncovered the legal and the illegal ones.

For the legal ones to ensure they renew their licenses annually and for the illegal ones, necessary actions are being taken according to the gravity of the offence.

We discovered that our monitoring did not cover south east. It covered five zones northeast, northwest, north central, southwest and south south. However, south east has not been covered.

It is because of this that we presented our memo, seeking for councils approval of N653,886,584 to procure and deploy hybrid spectrum monitoring system that will cover the southern part of the country, most importantly the south east.

So, Council approved for the deployment, and this project will go a long way in promoting safety and security and secondly, identify the usage of illegal spectrum and thirdly, enhance revenue for the federal government and fourthly, in the long run it will create many jobs for the citizens.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Personnel of FSARS

By Edith Nwapi

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) InTuesday commended the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP), Mohammed Adamu for banning the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).

Mr Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, gave the commendationin Abuja, while reacting to the recent ban on SARS and other special teams of the Nigerian Police from routine patrol duties

His order is in line with the Commissions recommendations following a report on the Presidential Investigation Panel on allegations of human rights violations against SARS.

This is not the first time such a proclamation is made by the Police hierarchy and that compliance to such orders has remained a problem.

It is hoped that this time the directive which is expected to preserve and protect the rights to privacy and dignity of the human person from atrocious acts of some bad eggs in the Nigeria Police will be enforced to the fullest Ojukwu stated .

He lamented that reported cases of human rights violations against the police was assuming an alarming proportion.

Ojukwu recalled that in an effort to mitigate such violations, the Vice President in 2018 gave a directive for the setting up of a Special Investigation Panel to look into the activities of the SARS.

He restated the shocking revelations that came out during the panel sittings which the report already submitted to government, contained far-reaching recommendations.

Ojukwu added that the recommendations included the establishment of state and local government Police structure and banning FSARS from embarking on routine patrol, stop and search duties etc.

He expressed optimism that the recent ban of SARS and other similar Police teams from routine operations will afford the force the opportunity to rejig its operations and re-focus it in line with human rights best practices.

He also expressed regrets in the manner which some of the officials of SARS operate is inimical to the image of the Police and that of the country in general.

This is due to the fact that such officials often operate contrary to the rules of engagement and standard of procedures of the force.

Most times they do not wear Police uniforms, making it difficult for one to identify them as Policemen.

The commission has continued to record cases of extra-judicial killings, series of extortion, harassment, and intimidation of innocent citizens by FSARS without much being done to change the status quo, thereby tarnishing the image of the country among the global community he lamented.

Ojukwu emphasised that accountability was key in dealing with such cases as nobody should be above the law.

He expressed the readiness of the Commission to continue to work with the police especially in the area of training and retraining all FSARS officers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman

By Stanley Nwanosike

Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman, has directed strict compliance to ban of Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS) and other tactical squads from routine and conventional low-risk duties.

Abdurrahman gave the order in a statement issued on his behalf by the states Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu.

The Commissioner also directed Officers-in-Charge of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anti-Cultism Squad and Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command to henceforth, desist from posting operatives to perform the said banned duties.

According to him, they are to ensure their officers and men focus completely on the performance of the duties for which the Units were established.

He warned that anything in the contrary would be met with severe disciplinary actions.

I have directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State CID, Command Provost Marshal as well as Officers in-charge of the State Intelligence Bureau and X-Squad to henceforth conduct intense covert and overt monitoring operations.

This is to ensure operatives of the Command directly dealing with members of the public by way of patrols, stop and search, investigation, charge-room duties, etc, comply with the Forces extant Standard Operating Procedures and/or rules of engagement, including wearing of appropriate uniforms.

They are also to identify and bring to book any police officer found to be unprofessional, corrupt, high-handed, uncivil and infringes on the fundamental human rights of citizens in the discharge of his/her duties.

I have also directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Departments to properly supervise and ensure their subordinates maintain the highest level of professionalism, civility and respect for the fundamental human rights of citizens in the performance of their duties.

As, they, the supervising heads, will be held vicariously liable for any form of dereliction of duty, he said.

Abdurrahman, however, reassured of the Commands commitment to upholding fundamental human rights of residents by officers and men of the Command.

He also enjoined the public, especially law-abiding citizens of the state, to continue to keep faith with the police and promptly report any erring police officer on or off duty to the nearest police station.

Residents should call the Commands emergency hotlines on: 08032003702, 08086671202, 08075390883 or 08098880172; or send an email to, the police boss said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FRSC personnel at an scene of an accident

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kano State, has confirmed nine persons killed and three others injured in a ghastly motor accident on Kano-Zaria road.

Mr Zubairu Mato, the Corps Commander, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kano on Tuesday.

Mato disclosed that the accident occurred when two vehicles collided at Imawa village in Kura Local Government Area of the state.

He said that the accident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Monday involving an articulated vehicle, a car and a tricycle.

The commandant said the accident involved a trailer with registration number KMC158XW; a car with registration number AE 884 GZW and a tricycle without registration number.

Mato attributed the accident to the recklessness driving, adding that the trailer and the car collided while trying to doged the tricycle coming from the other side of the road.

We received a call at about 9:12 a.m. on Oct. 6, and we dispatched rescue team to the scene of the accident to rescue the victims, he said.

The commander listed the deceased to include two male, six female and a child while three others sustained injuries.

Mato added that the victims were referred to Kura General Hospital for treatment.

He urged motorists to observe traffic regulations to control road accidents. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Personnel of NSCDC

available to theNews Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

The CG urged Ondo indigenes to go out en masse to exercise their franchise without fear or favour, and in doing so, vote the candidate of their choice without any recourse to fear or intimidation. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A nurse giving injection to a patient

A German court on Tuesday handed life sentence to a 38-year-old former nurse for the murder of three of his patients by injecting an insulin overdose.

The nurse had access to insulin as he is a diabetic.

He refused to give evidence in court but at the end of the trial apologised to relatives of his victims. What I did was very cruel and remains cruel, he said.

In sentencing the man, who is a Polish citizen, the court in Munich said the severity of his crimes effectively ruled out early release after 15 years as is normally the case with life sentences in Germany.

The initial charges concerned six murders, but the prosecution reduced the number to three. In the other cases, charges of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm were brought.

In four further cases, the prosecution called for acquittal, as there was no proof that the insulin injections had led to death.

This decision led to sharp criticism from lawyers representing families of the deceased.

The case is one of a number of recent similar cases, the most prominent of which concerned serial murderer Niels Hoegel, who was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of killing 85 patients while working as a hospital nurse, also by administering lethal injections. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigeria Police logo

By Yinusa Ishola

The Police Command in Ekiti state, has declared one Omotoyinbo Samuel wanted in connection with Fridays robbery attack on a commercial bank in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of the state.

The command in a statement on Tuesday by Mr Sunday Abutu, its Public Relations Officer, said Samuel was suspected to have led the robbery attack on the Iyin-Ekiti branch of the Wema Bank.

According to the statement, our investigations so far revealed how Omotoyinbo Samuel actively participated in the Bank robbery as mastermind and other robberies, kidnapping and murder incidents in Ekiti and Ondo States.

His real name is Omotoyinbo Samuel, but popularly called ELEVEN (11) in Ekiti State and BADO in Ondo State.

He is an indigene of Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State where the recent bank robbery incident took place.

The Command implored any person with useful information that could lead to his arrest to please contact the nearest Police Station or the SARS Department on 07031620186 or the PPRO on 09064050086, the statement added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that robbers allegedly numbering about 10 and heavily armed stormed the Iyin-Ekiti branch of WEMA Bank at about 3:55p.m with Volkswagen Golf with registration number GED 906 AA, one Acura MDX Jeep with registration number LSR 327 CD and a Toyota Camry with Reg. No GED 106 ER.

The robbers allegedly overpowered the policemen attached to the bank due to their large number before gaining entrance into the bank.

Although undisclosed amount of cash was said to have been carted away during the operation, no casualty was recorded.

Three vehicles allegedly abandoned by the armed robbers were also recovered by police with some Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two handsets. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sirika

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Tuesday, commended Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra for embarking on the construction of a cargo airport in the state.

A statement issued by Mr James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs in the ministry, quoted Sirika as saying this when he received Obiano in his office in Abuja.

According to Sirika, the construction of the airport by the Anambra government will positively impact on the economic development of the state and the South-East zone as a whole.

He saied that the ministry and its agencies would always give necessary guide and cooperation to states embarking on such projects in order to ensure that all the internationally-set standards were met.

Airports can be viable if they are built with specific objectives. Hopefully, Anambra airport will be successful in serving the interests of the trading population of the state and its environs, he added.

The minister advised Obiano to sustain the ongoing collaboration with the regulatory authorities to ensure that all regulations and guidelines for the construction and operation of airports were met.

Earlier, Obiano said that the cargo airport, located at Umueri, would be ready for inauguration in April 2021, adding that the state would be honoured to have the minister perform the exercise.

We are sure of the date because we have the money to compete it. We are not asking for any assistance neither are we taking any loan. I am here personally to brief you on the project and to invite you to inaugurate it for us in April 2021.

The decision to embark on the airport project was actually based on catering for the economic interests of the state and its environs.

The airport, which has the second longest runway in the country after the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, is being built with the best available materials, with a guaranteed lifespan of 100 years, he said.

According to him, the airport is just a few kilometres away from Onitsha town, the economic nerve centre of the South-East zone.

The governor, who said that the airport was strategically located, described it as a worthwhile investment.

Obiano said that the construction of the airport had been guided by recommendations and guidelines of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to meet the best international standards. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gold

By Abubakar Ahmed

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara says that his administration has entered into a N5 billion gold supply deal with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The governor made the disclosure on Tuesday in Gusau, at a press conference to present the 31-kilogramme Zamfara processed gold.

He said that the state government would, at an agreed time during the year, supply the gold equivalent of the amount.

Following the global acceptance of the high quality of the gold dug from the state, the apex bank approached us with the deal, which we believe is a good business.

At the moment, we have commenced our gold reserve with this 31 kilogramme of pure gold and I have presented the sample of the commodity to the president.

This is the first of time, in the history of our country, that a state will discover its internal potential in gold and channel it in developing the economy of the state, Matawalle noted.

He said that the states gold reserve would be deposited in an undisclosed designated place, which could be utilised in times of need.

We have to diversify our state economy, especially with the bitter economic experience we went through as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, collapse in oil prices and other economic uncertainties cutting across the globe.

In gold however, we expect better and higher returns than in other stocks because there is higher multiplier effect in gold and it will enhance the gains of our local miners towards the attainment of the Zamfara of our dream, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor did not state the current market price of gold so as to know how much it would cost the state government to buy the 31 kilogramme.

He, however, referred to google for the price, which he explained, changed on an hourly basis, sometimes. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says it is time for the executive and legislature to focus on what they have been elected or appointed to do which is to improve welfare of the people.

Osinbajo made this submission at the closing session of the two-day Joint Executive-Legislature Leadership Retreat on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, there is no pure practice of the doctrine of separation of powers; hence the need for flexibility.

The Anglo-American traditions that we hold on to in support of the separation of powers are not pure; so, for example the U.S. Vice President serves as the president of the Senate and presides over the Senates daily proceedings.

In the absence of the Vice President, the Senates president pro tempore, and others designated by him, preside.

As one of the Senates constitutional officers, only the Vice President has the authority to cast a tie-breaking vote.

Osinbajo said that in the country that had the most advanced jurisprudence on separation of powers, they were wise enough to provide for a concrete bridge between the executive and the legislature.

He said that in the UK, the convention was that every Minister must be a member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords and every minister must be a legislator.

So, if that were to be in Nigeria all the Ministers would be either Senators or members of the House of Representatives.

So, these countries we look up to recognise that any strict separation of powers will impede development, impede governance and short change the people.

So, my brothers and sisters, it is time to focus on what we have been elected or appointed to do; this is the welfare of our people.

The law and practice as between parliament and executive is a means to an end not an end to itself; the means must not jeopardise the end.

Our people just want food on their table, shelter over their heads, clothing on their bodies, healthcare and education for their children and themselves.

According to him, the good legislator or good minister is not the one who is waving the law, and procedure and doctrines but the one who believes in securing the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen.

He said that the good legislator and minister must do all in their power to serve the needs of the people, even if it meant walking the fine lines, as Ali Wudil said, between the law and reality.

The real usefulness of this dialogue will emanate from the suggestions the President made yesterday, by the constitution of technical committees of the executive and legislature who now make the well reasoned recommendations that we must implement.

President Muhammadu Buhari has already committed to implementation and I trust that the leadership of the National Assembly will do the same, he said.

The recommendations of the retreat were presented by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to the President, who was represented by FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello.

Gambari, in the recommendations, said that there should be a concrete understanding and working knowledge of both the executive and legislature.

An effective confidence building measure should be put in place in the governance process to ensure mutual respect and cordial relationship between the executive and legislature.

The creation of an effective conflict management and resolution mechanism in resolving areas of disagreement between the executive and legislature in overall national interest.

Modalities for better access, interfacing and engagement between the leaderships of both arms of government, the National Assembly committees and MDAs should be worked out by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and National Assembly-Executive Liaison, he said.

He said that pursuant to the directive of President Buhari and concurrence by Leadership of the National Assembly and participants, a Joint Technical Committee would be constituted.

Gambari said that the committee would, among other things, align governments nine-point priority agenda with the legislative agenda of the Senate and House of Representatives to increase synergy and coordination of government policies and programmes.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Laycon

Yetunde Fatungase

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Tuesday, announced the donation of N5 million and a three-bedroom bungalow to the winner of the just-concluded Big Brother Naija reality show, Olamilekan Agbelesebioba, popularly known as Laycon.

He also appointed him as the Youth Ambassador of the state.

Abiodun made the announcement when he played host to Agbelesebioba, popularly known as Laycon, in his office in Abeokuta
He expressed the hope that his good character, excellence, good virtues, calmness and integrity would serve as a model to the youths in the state.

It is hoped that you will help inspire our teeming youths to channel their energies towards positive engagements and shun vices, such as robbery, drug abuse, cultism, advanced fee fraud, cybercrimes and kidnapping, amongst other negative tendencies, he said.

He described Laycons conduct in the House as a demonstration of the Omoluabi virtue, which he said was the primary ingredient of an average Ogun indigene.

He observed that in spite all the odds, temptations and provocations, the BB Naija show winner was able to come out unscathed and uninvolved in any scandal or immoral act.

You have also demonstrated, with the way you carried out your assigned tasks in the House with comportment, intellectual responses to questions and your spirit of fair-play through which your academic achievement at the University of Lagos was earned.

This has also shown that our universities can and still produce graduates who are found worthy in both character and learning.

Indeed, what we are celebrating today is much more than the entertainment that the House provided, but what you represent: a rare combination of prodigious intellect, academic excellence, multi-faceted talents, character and resilience.

I believe your career will draw inspiration from great sons and daughters of Ogun, who have made their marks in their respective chosen careers, he added.

The governor said he was impressed with Laycons display while in the House, just as he urged parents and guardians to help in nurturing the talents of their children and wards in order for them to be useful to themselves and the society in the future.

He maintained that parents and guardians should realise that there was life outside the four walls of classrooms, as entertainers are also successful men and women, who are contributing to national development.

Abiodun said that his administration would continue to unleash the creative energies of the youth and the generality of the people as innovators, academics, researchers, entertainers and creative artists in public and private sectors and, formal and informal sectors, for the continued development of the nation.

According to him, plans are at an advanced stage to build an Entertainment Village for film makers, artists and musicians, where their skills could be nurtured with added value for the socio-economic development.

A visibly excited Laycon praised the governor for his youth-oriented programmes and promised to work with him to ensure that the Building Our Future Together agenda of his administration was successful. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Meplaylist appoints Beyonces father, Knowles, Kiladejo into executive team

streaming platform, Meplaylist has announced the appointment of Beyonces father, Mathew Knowles and Michael Kay Kiladejo as members of its global executive team.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by Edward Israel-Ayide, Media Contact, Meplaylist, the appointment of the duo followed their investment earlier in the year in the on-demand music streaming startup, Meplaylist.

It said that the two notable investors have expressed their optimism about the growth of streaming in the wider African market on a dedicated panel at this years Midem Digital in June.

Knowles, widely recognized in the industry for developing and promoting award-winning artists, from his iconic daughters Beyonc and Solange to Chaka Khan, Earth Wind

Batman

Warner Bros said late Monday it is delaying the release of Dune and The Batman movies, another setback for the entertainment industry hit by COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and social distancing measures that have closed theatres worldwide.

Dune, a sci-fi movie directed by Canadian director Dennis Villeneuve, is now scheduled to open in October 2021, instead of December.

The release of The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson, has been moved to the spring of 2022 from October next year.

Movie releases have been getting delayed even after restrictions were eased, with people still wary of stepping into cinema halls, and many theatres still not operational.

On Monday, the worlds second-biggest cinema chain, Cineworld, decided to temporarily close its UK and U.S. movie theatres in an attempt to survive a collapse in film-making and cinema-going.

Credit rating agency Fitch promptly downgraded the company.

Our base-case forecasts indicate that, the companys current liquidity levels may only be sufficient until November to December 2020, assuming no revolving credit facility (RCF) extensions, Fitch said in a statement.

Earlier, the filming of The Batman was also shut down for two weeks after a member of the production widely reported to be Pattinson tested positive for the new coronavirus.

Filming resumed in Britain last month and Warner Bros never confirmed or denied reports about Pattinsons diagnosis.

Dune has gained a lot of traction for its cast that includes 24-year-old Timothee Chalamet, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the 2017 film Call Me by Your Name.

Other big-budget Warner Bros movies to have their releases delayed include Tenet and Wonder Woman 1984.

The release of the new James Bond movie No Time to Die from MGM and Comcast Corps Universal Pictures has also been delayed until April 2021. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News