Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, Acting NDDC MD

By EricJames Ochigbo

The Act for Positive Transformation Initiative, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has requested President Muhammadu Buhari to freeze the account of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and suspend all further spending in the commission.

Mr Johnson Kolawale, the Head, Directorate of Research, Strategy and Programme, made the call at a news conference on Monday in Abuja.

He alleged that plans were ongoing to make fraudulent expenditures by top officials in the commission.

Kolawale revealed that the commission had continued to spend funds against due process and against the directive of the President.

According to him, the commission has squandered an additional nine billion Naira in the last one month.

We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and genuine security and anti-corruption agencies to immediately freeze the accounts of the commission and apprehend everyone involved in the continuous scandalous pillaging of the agencys treasury.

It gladdens the heart to note that some of the commissions officials are already refunding part of their loot to the governments recovery coffers.

The Presidency also pre-emptively disowned the commissions management over the latters impunity in extra budgetary spending yet ongoing.

However, decisive steps must be taken urgently to end the audacious and unprecedented looting under a government that professes to be fighting corruption.

After all, we all bear the consequences of the despicable actions of officials in government, he said.

Kolawale said that in addition to the N1.5 billion already spent on members of staff of the commission as palliatives for COVID-19, another N340 million had been spent for the same reason.

He stressed the need for every member of staff or appointee to refund the monies collected to the commissions account.

Kolawale said that a look at the nominal roll of the commission confirmed the alleged alarm on secret employment ongoing in the commission.

According to him, the management recently employed no fewer than 50 contract staff without following civil service rules and guidelines.

He said that some of the new intakes were alleged to be without required skills or experience and were placed on assistant director cadre without competence tests or needs assessment.

Meanwhile, the spokesman for the NDDC, Mr Charles Odili, has denied the allegations saying that they are not true.

Odili further described the allegations as a grand plan to inundate the public with a negative narrative.

The discerning public is already fatigued with this pattern of unending lies against the commission.

The NDDC is not recruiting, we are not in the position to do that because the 2020 Budget for the commission has not been approved, Odili said in a text message sent to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

Source: NAN News

Flood ravaging a community

By Ishaq Zaki

The Emir of Gumi, in Zamfara, Justice Lawal Hassan, has said that over 100 houses have been destroyed by flood on Sunday in Gumi Local Government Area of the state.

The Emir made the disclosure on Monday in Gumi, when he led state government officials to assess the level of damages caused by the flood.

Hassan said that two bridges linking various communities with Gumi town also collapsed.

We are pleading to the state government to come to our assistance.

As you can see, the bridge linking Bardoki and Gayari communities with Gumi has collapsed, another one at Gwalli also collapsed, various villages are now cut off with Gumi town.

We are pleading to government to come to our assistance, so as to save our communities as they are cut off from other towns of the state , the emir said.

He cautioned residents against building on waterways and said government should take measures to stop the trend.

I think government at all levels, stakeholders should focus on the enlightenment campaign on communities to avoid building on waterways, he added.

The Special Adviser to Governor Bello Matawalle on Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Faika Ahmad, said the government was deeply concerned about the incident.

It is very unfortunate that the flood rendered various households homeless.

I led the state government team to Gumi to sympathise with the flood victims and assess the level of damage caused by the disaster.

We brought over five trucks of palliative comprising assorted grains and other essential goods to be distributed to the beneficiaries especially the flood victims.

Other beneficiaries of the gesture comprise the IDPs, Persons with Disability and other categories of the needy, she said.

The special adviser said that the items were donated by the Federal and Zamfara governments.

The Caretaker Chairman of Gumi Local Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Ibrahim, commended the government for the timely donation and assured judicious distribution of the items to the flood victims. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Zenith Labour Party banner

Mr Banji Okunomo, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the 2020 Governorship Election in Ondo State, has resigned his membership from the party.

Okunomo, a former Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, announced his resignation and planned defection to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) on Monday in Okitipupa.

He told newsmen in Okitipupa that he would defect to ZLP officially with no fewer than 15,000 members across the 18 local government areas, at a later date.

After due consultations with my followers, I wish to inform the public that I have resigned my membership from the PDP.

I will be joining the ZLP officially with 15,000 of my followers at a date that will be announced later.

I am appealing to my followers to be calm as my defection from PDP to ZLP is for the good of the people of Ondo South and the entire state, Okunomo said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okunomo came fifth at the state PDP primary election held on July 22 in Akure.

The primary election produced Mr Eyitayo Jegede as the partys flag-bearer in the governorship election slated for Oct. 10.

NAN gathered that Okunomos defection might be connected with the choice of Mr Ikengboju Gboluga, Member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, as Jegedes running mate. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tennis court

The French Open will allow a maximum of 11,500 spectators per day to adhere to strict health protocols and curb the spread of COVID-19 when the Grand Slam begins later this month.

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) disclosed this on Monday.

The French Open, traditionally held in May and June, was postponed earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now be held at Roland Garros from Sept. 27 to Oct. 11.

France has recorded nearly 31,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally.

The FFT said a maximum of 5,000 spectators per day would be allowed to watch matches at both the Philippe-Chatrier and Suzanne-Lenglen showcourts.

It added that only 1,500 fans would be allowed at the smaller Simonne-Mathieu court.

Seating arrangements would have a gap of one seat on each row and no more than four people can sit side-by-side while wearing masks would be mandatory for anyone over the age of 11.

The qualifying rounds, which begin on Sept. 21, will be held behind closed doors.

The FFT had said in July it planned to allow up to 60 percent of the usual number of fans.

A record 520,000 spectators attended last years event, according to organisers.

Rafa Nadal and Ash Barty, who both skipped the U.S. Open in New York due to COVID-19 concerns, are expected to defend their titles at Roland Garros.

Tournament officials said that all players must stay in one of two designated hotels in order to respect the health and safety measures.

Serena Williams has opted to stay in private housing as she hunts for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open.

She said players should have the option to stay elsewhere if fans are attending matches.

Im super conservative because I do have some serious health issues.

So, I try to stay away from public places, because I have been in a really bad position in the hospital a few times, she told reporters at Flushing Meadows after reaching the quarter-finals.

Williams suffered blood clots and life-threatening pulmonary embolisms while giving birth to her daughter Olympia in 2017.

So I dont want to end up in that position again, she added. For me, I try to keep a 12-foot distance instead of six. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

U.S. President Donald Trump

By Harrison Arubu

President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States was not a fully developed country.

Trump stated this at a news conference outside the White House that coincided with the U.S. Labour Day celebration.

According to him, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) treats China as a developing nation, and the U.S. as a nationthat is fully developed.

He cited the U.S.-China trade agreement signed by the Obama administration under WTO conventions, describing it as one of the mostdisastrous trade deals in history.

We are not fully developed, as far I am concerned.

China didnt t play by the rules. One of the reasons WTO is so bad is because China didnt play by the rules.

We did, but their rules were easier because they are considered a developing nation.

So, their standards are much lower, but even at that they didnt play by the rules, he said.

Trump said the U.S. lost millions of jobs and billions of dollars to China under the deal, which his administration had renegotiated.

No country has ever cheated America like China did for many years and decades, the president said, adding that the U.S. was getting nothing other than losses.

But China was taking our money to build their military. You see they are building a very powerful military.

We are lucky I am building ours otherwise we would be dwarfed right now by China, he said.

Reiterating his claim that China would own America should Joe Biden wins the Nov. 3 presidential election, he said his administration was working towards decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economies.

So, when you mention the word decouple, its an interesting word.

Under my administration, we will make America enter the manufacturing super power of the world that will end our reliance on China once and for all.

Whether its decoupling or putting in massive tariffs like I have been doing already, we will end our reliance on China because we cant rely on China, he added.

Trump said the WTO had become much better following his rough stance against international organisations that were unfair to the U.S.

We are looking at WTO. They have become much better. They have been very nice to us lately, I would say that, amazingly.

We never used to win anything at the WTO, we were losing every case, but all of a sudden we won a lot of cases.

We just won seven billion dollars, and they are talking to us much differently than they used to, because if they dont shape up, we are going to shape out, thats all.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Students of a secondary school

By Joy Mbachi

The Ministry of Basic Education in Anambra has approved gradual reopening of schools in the state, in line with the ministrys approved timetable for the completion of the 2019/2020 academic session.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Nwabueze Nwankwo, announced this on Monday in a statement in Awka.

Nwankwo stated that though the third term would be short, schools were expected to make maximum use of the time, in addition to the various e-platform teaching.

We expect that the Anambra teaching on air will continue as a back up to cover all the lost ground in the last six months, he stated.

He added that through its various platforms, the ministry would continue with the phased reopening of schools, in addition to watching the health of the students.

The ministry urged parents to provide their children and wards with hand sanitisers and face masks to ensure their safety.

It also charged the managements of the schools to respect all the COVID-19 precautionary measures put in place to contain the spread of the deadly pandemic with the resumption of schools.

The ministry promised to publish a schedule for the state-organised examinations.

It stated that the Junior Secondary School Three students in all the schools in Anambra had resumed normal academic classes, adding that other classes would resume on September 14. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Oil spill in Niger Delta Region

By Nathan Nwakamma

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), on Monday confirmed that 45 barrels and not 45, 000 barrels of crude oil leaked from a well head in Bayelsa on March 17.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident occurred on a well head owned by Shell at Angiama community.

NOSDRA admitted on its official twitter handle that it erred in an earlier update that indicated that the spilled volume was 45,000 barrels and apologised for the error.

When contacted by NAN, Mr Musa Idris, the Director-General of NOSDRA, urged the public to disregard the earlier tweet on the 45, 000 barrels spill.

It will be recalled that on Friday, the agency announced that a Joint Investigative Visit (JIV) to the incident site indicated that 45,000 barrels leaked from the facility due to equipment failure.

JIV is a statutory exercise carried out by representatives of host communities, oil firm, state government and regulators to ascertain the cause and estimated volume of oil spill after a leakage is reported by operator of facility.

The JIV report No. 0478 indicated that the oil spill adversely impacted an area of 1.2 hectares, while the post spill impact assessment was yet to be carried out.

The report listed the incident as an operational spill and stated that recovery of leaked crude was completed on March 30. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deji Abdulwahab

Fidelity Bank has announced N105.8 billion gross earnings in its audited results for the half-year ended June 30, in spite the economic challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bank in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said it had sustained the financial performance trajectory of recent years with another set of impressive financial results.

Details of the Audited Half Year results ending June 30, 2020 for the top Nigerian lender, released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Sept. 3, show strong growth in profits and other indices.

The bank recorded a surge in Profit Before Tax of N12.0 billion from N9.8 billion in 2019, which translated to a 22 per cent growth.

Net profits forFidelity Bank grew by 33 per cent from N8.5 billion to N11.3 billion in the reporting period.

In other indices total assets rose by 13.7 per cent from N2.1trillion in 2019 to N2.4 trillion this year whilst total deposits rose by 14.8 per cent from N1.2 trillion to N1.4 trillion during the same period.

The statement quoted Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo as commenting on the results.

Okonkwo said the performance for the period reflected the resilience of the banks business model.

Due to the global and domestic headwinds witnessed in H1 2020, we proactively increased our cost of risk as the impact of the pandemic slowed down economic activities, whilst adapting our business model to the new risks and opportunities of the new normal, he said.

Okonkwo said Fidelity Bank re-stated its H1 2019 figures from N15.1billion to N9.8 billion to reflect the impact of IFRIC 21- Levies, which was adopted for the first time on the H1 2020 financials.

The key impact of IFRIC 21 was that our 2020FY AMCON Cost was recognised 100 per cent in our H1 2020 accounts rather than been amortised over 12 months as was done previously on our financials, bank CEO said.

He said that without implementing IFRIC 21, profit for the period would have been N17.9 billion compared to the N15.1billion reported in H1 2019.

Fidelity Bank has been implementing a digital-led retail strategy and digital banking gained furthertraction during the period with 87.3 per cent of the banks customers now transacting on digital platforms.

The figures areup from 82.0 per cent in 2019FY, while 51.2 per cent of the banks customers are now enrolled on the banks mobile/internet banking products.

Though digital banking income dropped by 29.1 per cent due to the downward fee revisions for electronic transactions in line with the new bankers tariff, we have continued to receive positive reviews on our digital channels.

IVY, the banks chat box is rated as the clear leader, among virtual assistants in the industry just as our flagship instant banking product (*770#) was also rated in the top tier category in the recently released 2020 KPMG Digital Channels Scorecard.

Retail banking in Fidelity Bank has continued to also deliver impressive results.

Savings Deposits in H1 2020 increased by 32.2 per cent to N363.9 billion with the bank on course to achieving the 7th consecutive year of double-digit growth in savings.

Savings Deposits accounted for 49.1 per cent of the total growth in customer deposits and now represents 25.9 per cent of total deposits compared to 22.5 per cent in 2019FY.

In reflection of the banks early conservative assessment of the sectors that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the banks Non-Performing Loans (NPL) ratio increased to 4.8 per cent from 3.3 per cent in 2019FY.

Regulatory Ratios however remained above the required thresholds with Capital Adequacy Ratio increasing to 18.8 per cent from 18.3 per cent due to the capitalisation of H1 2020 Audited Profits while Liquidity Ratio stood at 32.1 per cent.

Buoyed by the H1 performance, the bank is optimistic about the remaining part of the year.

We believe the new phase of normalcy will unveil some growth opportunities.

We will continue to monitor and pro-actively manage any evolving risks as the Nigerian economy gradually reopens and economic activities pick-up in key sectors Okonkwo stated.

Source: NAN News

Israel and the UAE announced in August they would normalise diplomatic relations in a deal brokered by Washington.

The UAE has since announced it was scrapping an economic boycott on Israel and officials from the two countries have said they were looking at cooperation in defense, energy, medicine, tourism, technology and financial investment.

A number of Israeli and Emirati businesses have signed deals since the normalisation accord was announced.

Within three to five years, trade between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reach billion, Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Israels Reshet Bet radio station.

A spokesman for Cohen, Israels former economy minister, said the figure was annual and included defence trade.

Israeli carrier Israir said on Sunday it had reserved slots for commercial flights from Tel Aviv to the UAE, preparing for potential tourism.

The heads of Israels two biggest banks will travel to the UAE this month, the first such visits since the countries agreed to normalise relations. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The anti-government demonstration was organied by Algerias Hirak opposition movement and the reporter is due to be tried on appeal on Tuesday.

Drareni, an Algerian journalist reporting for the French TV channel TV5Monde, is also a member of Reporters Without Borders (RFS).

He was arrested on March 7 during a protest organised by the Hirak movement, which has been calling for changes in the countrys political system since 2019.

On Aug. 10, the government sentenced the reporter to three years of prison for undermining national unity by his reports on the opposition movement.

Mobilisation in front of the embassy of #Algeria television presenters in Paris for journalist Khaled Drareni, a correspondent for RSF, sentenced to 3 years in prison for covering the demonstrations of #Hirak, the RFS tweeted on Monday.

Drareni has also been the subject ofa major international solidarity campaign called #WeAreKhaled.

The RFS said earlier in August that the situation regarding press freedom has deteriorated in Algeria, which the organisation put in 146th place out of 180 in its World Press Freedom Index 2020.

The Hirak opposition movement has carried out a series of protests since February 2019 to prevent the countrys former president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, from trying for a fifth presidential term.

The demonstrations, also referred to as the Revolution of Smiles, led to Bouteflikas resignation in April 2019 and have been calling for democracy in Algeria. (Sputnik/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police IG Mohammed Adamu

By Emmanuel Afonne

A Civil Society Organisation, United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP) has called for proper separation of powers and functions between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Shalom Olaseni, Executive Director, UGRFP, said in a statement in Abuja on Monday, that such separation would ensure effectiveness in the countrys policing system.

He said that the separation had become necessary, following the clash of interest between the police and PSC.

Olaseni explained that the chairmanship position of the PSC which was reserved for former Inspector-Generals of Police, must be discontinued as it defied any logic for independence of the commission.

He stated that there was need for an urgent reform to eliminate bottlenecks and give the Nigeria police the desired leap it needed to be responsive.

There has been a lack of synergy between the PSC and NPF occasioned in part by a lack of political will and conflicting bureaucratic interpretations of the functions of both bodies.

These political will and conflicting bureaucratic interpretations have defeated the overall objective of making the Nigeria Police Force responsible and responsive, he stated.

He said such complaints had been evidenced by the continued complaints of the public against harassment by men of the force without consequence.

A retired inspector-general of police who continues to enjoy retirement pay from the force and who is a product of the system which the PSC is to regulate, will be hard-pressed and divided in his sworn duty.

It is best for the system that such scenarios are avoided in its entirety and other roles found for such officers other than the chairmanship of the commission.

In the alternative, a tenured Executive Director may be appointed to chair the commission from amongst professionals, he said.

Olaseni listed such professionals to include retired justices of any superior court in Nigeria, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, or seasoned professionals in the Human Rights sector within the private or public sector.

According to him, the National Assembly must, as a matter of urgency, grant financial concessions to the PSC to help it improve its accessibility to Nigerians in remote regions.

He noted that the funding of the commission must be prioritised to help it meet its mandate.

Also, the appropriation of the recruitment and appointment role of the commission by the Nigeria Police Force which expressly goes against the spirit of the law must be discontinued.

It is not, and should never be, among the duties of the police to cherry pick its own officers and presume to exercise disciplinary oversight over same.

Simply put, the police cannot police itself. This defies all logic for success.

The role of civil society groups, members of the public and human rights workers in the life of the commission must be given emphasis and brought to the fore of its engagement with the public

This must be done if any success can be hoped to be made with meeting the objectives of the commission, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya

The 2020 Staff Audit Committee constituted by the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), on Monday said that no fewer than 2,286 primary school teachers were using questionable certificates.

Alhaji Ayuba Katako, Central Chairman of the Committee, made this known during the presentation of the 2020 Staff Audit report to the boards management of NSUBEB in Minna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the boards management had in June set up a six-man committee to audit both teaching and non-teaching staff members of NSUBEB across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

Katako said that there were 28,058 staff in the primary schools across the state, adding that 26,00 7 of them were screened, out of which 23,721 were cleared and fit to work with SUBEB.

He noted that 2,286 of these primary school teachers were using questionable certificates as some of them could not read and write.

When they heard that screening was going on they just came to clear themselves and they are on the payroll.

Some of them went to roadside business centres to print out certificates and we could not ascertain their authenticity, he said.

He disclosed that most of these certificates were reading National Teachers Institute (NTI), Kaduna and did not resemble the actual certificates issued by NTI.

Katako, however, noted that the committee also discovered pending promotion of teachers, and in Zone A, teachers with PhD were the ones teaching in classrooms while those with Masters were the ones in the office.

Responding, Dr Adamu Isah, the state Chairman of SUBEB, commended the committee for conducting the exercise effectively, and said that the board would follow due diligence of civil service rules to take decision on those found wanting.

He added that any teacher who could neither write nor read would be disengaged as teachers and engaged in another field.

These people will be engaged as cleaners, nannies and some at local government offices in accordance with their capacities, he said.

Isah noted that they would get in touch with the institutions issuing those certificates to confirm their authenticity and anyone whose certificate was not authentic would have the appointment terminated.

He, however, gave assurance that the report of the committee would be implemented.

Also, Alhaji Kabiru Abbas, Board Member II, commended the committee and said that the report brings an end to all allegations and insinuations from the public.

Source: NAN News

Khashoggi was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, 2018.

Saudi Arabia enforces basic Islamic laws, which allow a death penalty to be commuted if a murder victims family has forgiven the killers or accepted a payment, known as diya in Arabic.

Mondays commuted sentences come after the sons of Khashoggi said in May they had forgiven their fathers killers.

These are the final verdicts and were issued after the relatives of the deceased dropped their legal right, the kingdoms top prosecutor said in a statement on Monday.

Three others were also convicted in the case, and were sentenced to between seven and 10 years in jail.

Turkey claims Khashoggi was murdered by a Saudi hit squad and his body was dismembered after he entered the consulate to obtain paperwork to marry Hatice Cengiz, who was waiting for him outside.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said that the Washington Post columnists death was a rogue operation and denied that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, widely viewed as the kingdoms de facto ruler, was involved.

Khashoggi was once close to the Saudi royal family but became a vocal critic of Mohammed. His remains were never found. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Issoufou said this in Niamey while opening a summit in which Malis post-coup progress is high on the agenda.

A group of army colonels has ruled Mali since ousting President Ibrahim Keita on Aug. 18. No consensus has yet been reached on the make-up and duration of a transitional government ahead of promised elections.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is calling for a vote within a year, a timeline the junta, the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP), has not committed to.

It is the duty of our community to assist Malians with the rapid recovery of all democratic institutions.

The military junta must help us to help Mali, ECOWAS Chairman Issoufou said.

The bloc will issue a communique on the results of the summit, which is also expected to address other regional issues, including the coronavirus pandemic.

Seeking to pressure the junta, ECOWAS has already closed borders and halted financial flows amid concerns from some West African leaders the coup could undermine their power and democratic gains in the region.

Talks in the capital Bamako about the transition period got off to a bumpy start on Saturday, when supporters of the influential M5-RFP political coalition accused the junta of sidelining them.

International powers fear continued political turmoil will further destabilise Mali and undermine a joint fight against Islamist militants in the wider Sahel region.

The CNSPs negotiations, which are also being held in regional capitals across Mali, will continue later this week. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Tanker Explosion

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has restated commitment to collaborating with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the prevention of road tanker crashes on the countrys highways.

FRSCs Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, made the commitment during a Working Visit to the DPR office, Victoria Island in Lagos on Monday.

The major challenge on the road today are the wet cargoes, that is, the tankers carrying petroleum products, and dry cargoes, which are the containers falling frequently on the road.

We really need a strong technical collaboration; our philosophy is that if there is a problem, we get to the root of the problem before we can tackle it.
That is why we are here to seek for this assistance to work together, he said.

Oyeyemi said there was need to carry out a lot of preventive measures, including putting in the technical expertise, where the DPR became very critical.

According to him, the standards required before the tankers can be loaded at the various tank farms should be complied with.

Also, in the course of giving them permit, the standards in place should be inspected and an application confirmed.

If they are all put in place, our roads will be much more safer.

The Corps Marshal said that key areas of possible operational collaboration include retraining of drivers and assistants in handling loading and unloading of products.

He said that there was need for extension of culpability and sanction for loading of deficient trucks to depot operators.

There is need for periodic interface between DPR and FRSC to review and fine-tune implementation strategies, Oyeyemi said.

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer, DPR Mr Sarki Auwalu, said that the DPR, in March, 2020, inaugurated the Minimum Industry Safety Training for Downstream Operators, as part of efforts to enhance safety.

Auwalu said that the training for the tanker drivers aimed at recognising and preventing the hazards associated with handling of petroleum products.

The training also involves safe driving strategy and procedure of handling accidents and emergency, vehicle parking, servicing and security, he said.

Source: NAN News

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal, Sadique Abubakar

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country.

Abubakar made the commitment in Gombe on Monday, at the ground breaking ceremony of 203 Combat Reconnaissance Group of the NAF, Sanni Abacha International Airport, Gombe.

According to hm, the newly established group is strategically located in Gombe State to enable NAF to carry out its responsibilities more effectively, especially in the North-East.

He said the group was also expected to add more value to organisational operations in the fight against insurgency and other security challenges in the zone and the country at large.

The group also marks another milestone in the service efforts to mark its presence in the critical parts of the zone.

Upon my assumption of duty in 2015, I charted a new course for the service with the vision to reposition NAF into a highly professional discipline for capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient deployment of firepower.

We also expanded the service by creating two new additional commands, one of which is the operational command with headquarters in Bauchi, as well as several others, he said.

Abubakar added that all the efforts were geared toward securing the country as well as bringing security closer to the people.

We also created some quick response groups/units also to bring security closer to the people.

Some of these groups/units are located in Gembu in Taraba, Zamfara, Agatu in Benue; Plateau, Nasarawa and Katsina State, in response to the security challenges in the various areas, he said.

Also, the Special Guest of Honour, Gov. Abubakar Yahaya of Gombe state, commended NAF for establishing the group in the state.

Yahaya said NAF had been in the front line in the fight against insurgency and other security threats plaguing the country, especially in the North-East.

I have no doubt that the group will go a long way in tackling insecirity and othe security threats plaguing the state.

The establishment of the group will also foster civil/military relations in the state. The people of Gombe state will no longer live in perpetual fear of the insurgents, he said.

Source: NAN News

Lagos state recreational park

By Uchenna Eletuo

The Lagos State Government on Sunday announced the reopening of two of its recreational parks for public use, stressing that visitors to the parks must comply with the subsisting COVID-19 protocols.

Mrs Titilayo Ajirotutu, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Parks and Gardens (LASPARK), disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.

According to Ajirotutu, the reopened recreational facilities are the Ndubisi Kanu Park in Alausa and the Dr Abayomi Finnish Park in Oregun, Ikeja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state had closed down all parks at the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic to contain the community spread of the virus.

This measure denied fun seekers the opportunity to relax in the open and hindered government revenue from the facilities.

The statement quoted Mrs Adetoun Popoola, the General Manager of LASPARK, as saying that the agency had made necessary arrangements and put in place relevant safety protocols for the public to visit the parks.

Strict observance of COVID-19 guidelines including physical distancing, use of face masks, temperature checks and washing of hands with soap and running water is germane to reducing the risk of exposure to the virus.

It is also pertinent to mention that children below five and adults above 65 years are advised to stay home to reduce their risk of infection.

All play items and games which have high touch surfaces will also not be operational for now at the parks, Popoola said.

The LASPARK boss said further that the occupancy limit of the parks had been restricted to 150 people for Ndubuisi Kanu Park and 100 people for Dr. Abayomi Finnih park to prevent overcrowding.

She said that other public recreational parks in various parts of the state are still being assessed for reopening, adding thatthe public would be notified accordingly. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

John Enenche, Director Defence Information

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters has assured residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and adjoining states that the military and other security agencies has been on red alert to ensure their safety.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, gave the assurence in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Enenche said the armed forces had intensified effective surveillance of the FCT and other states to checkmate activities of the criminals.

He said the assurance was imperative sequel to a purported memorandum from the Nigeria Customs Service warning its staff on a possible attack on the FCT.

The Armed Forces in conjunction with other security and response agencies particularly the core intelligence agencies hereby assure the public that preventive and preemptive intelligence are ongoing.

The general public is thus advised to go about their lawful businesses undeterred.

Furthermore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies wish to assure the general public that the offensives against the common enemies of this Nation will not cease until normalcy is restored in all parts of the country.

Hence, the public is equally enjoined to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity accordingly, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the military had recently raided identified camps of the DarulSalam/Boko Haram terrorist group in parts of Kogi and Nasarawa States.

It neutralised scores of the terrorists and rescued over 700 of their family members and abductees in the raid following verified intelligence reports on the locations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Monday for Niamey, Niger Republic to participate in the 57th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The Presidents spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the one day summit will deliberate on the Special Report on COVID-19 to be presented by President Buhari.

The Nigerian leader was appointed the ECOWAS Champion on the Fight against COVID-19 during the Extraordinary Virtual Summit of ECOWAS on April 23.

As a Champion, Buhari was expected to coordinate the sub-regional response against the pandemic.

In furtherance of that objective, under the supervision of the Champion, Nigerian Ministers of Health, Aviation and Finance were appointed Chairpersons of the Ministerial Coordination Committees on Health; Transport, Logistics and Trade, and Finance respectively.

The presidential aide revealed that the summit would also receive a Special Report on the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme to be presented by President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone

Bio, who is the Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), would be joined by President Alassane Ouattara, who is also the Chair of the West African Economic Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA) during the presentation.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou will present to the West African leaders, the 2020 Interim Report on activities of the sub-regional body including ECOWAS Vision 2050.

The alarming rise in incidents of terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and piracy will also come under focus, while the disruption of the democratic process by the military in Mali, will receive further attention.

Similarly, in Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger where parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for this year, the imperative to strengthen democracy in the sub-region by respecting constitutional provisions, rule of law and outcomes of free and fair polls, will be emphasised, Shehu added.

Shehu stated that the president, who would be accompanied to the summit by ministers and other top government officials, would return to Abuja after the meeting. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu

By Cecilia Ijuo

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa), says the ongoing amendments to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act is part of efforts to reinvigorate Colleges of Agriculture (COA), to enable it contribute meaningfully to national development.

Adamu, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, stated this in an interview with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that the amendment among other things would enable the colleges to benefit from the TETFund.

NAN reports that Fund was established as an intervention agency under the TETFund Act 2011.

It was charged with the responsibility for managing, disbursing and monitoring the education tax to public tertiary institutions in the country.

Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, said that lack of proper funding for the COA had greatly hampered the objectives for its creation.

He said the TETFund Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, which had scaled first and second reading and currently before the relevant committee when passed and signed into law would restore the fortunes of the colleges.

He noted that while other higher institutions of learning were benefitting from the Fund, it was not the same with the COA.

The senator lamented that the colleges were benefitting from the TETFund at a point but for some reasons it was stopped.

The effect of stopping COA from benefitting from the TETFund is that there is no attraction for good lecturers to stay and work in the colleges.

Those who are benefitting from the Fund often take away the good hands from the COA to their institutions because they have the financial capability.

As a result, the colleges are becoming less significant and less attractive for academicians.

So, for the colleges to have the where withal to develop infrastructure for those levels of educational pursuit for agriculture, the funds have to be made available, he said.

Adamu stressed that ensuring adequate funding would change the fortunes of the colleges and enhance its operations.

He said the measure would encourage education of people to work in the agricultural sector such as extension workers and other specialists.

If we do not have the right education work, if we do not have the right expertise in research and other things in colleges, we will not get the best.

We are hoping that once the fortunes of these colleges improve, the performance will also improve.

When that happens, the students will be an improved specie and it will be to the benefit of agriculture in Nigeria generally, he added.

Commenting on the National Agricultural Research Council Act (Amendment) Bill, also before the National Assembly, Adamu said that he sponsored the bill to ensure adequate funding for the Council.

According to him, the Agricultural Research Council, meant to be an apex research institute in the country ought to be repositioned because it was not living up to the expectations.

The lawmaker said the council with over 20 research institutes in the various aspects of agriculture was not well funded.

At the moment, their recurrent budgetary allocation, that is, salaries and wages, is almost 100 per cent. Overhead, which includes travels, seminars and workshops, is between 40 to 60 per cent.

But the capital allocation is between 12 and 20 per cent and it is the capital budget that caters for the equipment required for research.

Go to any research institute in the country and ask what research they have carried out over the last 10 years and you will realise there is nothing new.

So people are being paid without carrying out research and the few instances where there are research works, they are gathering cobwebs in the shelves, he said.

Adamu lamented that besides poor funding, the law establishing the council had been prone to abuse in various ways.

People who led the place were not agricultural scientists. Somebody who did Public Administration becoming the Executive Secretary cannot deliver effectively.

These all came about because it was confused to be one of the governments agency instead of a research institute.

It got to a point when the staff of the council were embarking on incessant strike and there was a time they did not have an executive secretary.

So, with this law, everybody will sit up and we believe that the main problem would have been resolved, he added.

The lawmaker further revealed that he was sponsoring another bill, the Agricultural Development Fund Bill, to give legal backing to spell out specific funding areas of the fund.

He said the funds usually kept with the Federal Government were taken from the Federation Account, adding: there are no laws for the use of the funds, instead any time the government sense pressure from any part of the economy, it resorts to the funds.

This started from the military era to the Fourth Republic and it is still going on.

So; with the law, we want to see what aspect of the fund will generate the kind of funds that will make for the promotion of agriculture in Nigeria, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News