By Salisu Sani-Idris
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, on Thursday directed the reopening of all schools in the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday, Oct. 11 for the 2020/2021 Academic Session.

Bello, who made the disclosure at a news conference in Abuja, explained that boarding school are to resume on Sunday, while Day schools would resume on Monday Oct. 12.

He said the decision to reopen schools had been probably one of the most painstaking decision that the FCT administration had to take as a team.

In opening of schools we have to be very careful and conscious of the need to ensure that all the efforts of all of us during the last few months are not in vain.

Based on the reality on ground as well as the inputs and advice of medical personnel and the guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) and releases from the Federal Ministry of Education.

We have come to the conclusion that it is relatively safe for us to open up schools in the FCT base on certain guidelines and conditions which will be release shortly, he said.

He noted that the gathering of young people and children within enclosed environment posed very peculiar challenges that requires handling with utmost care, particularly by the schools and education administrators.

Bello enjoined parents, guardians and stakeholders to complement the efforts of the FCT administration by further sensitising their people and wards on the need to adhere strictly to health guidelines.

He warned that the virus had not been eliminated and it was still a deadly disease, saying now is therefore not the time for us to be complaisant.

The Chairman FCT Schools Resumption Committee, Dr Fatima Abdulrahman, who read the guidelines for the post COVID-19 school resumption, disclosed that there would not be third term.

Abdulrahman directed schools to conduct revision and examination to tidy up and end second term within two weeks.

She warned private schools against demanding for third term fees, adding that maximum class size should be 25 students per class.

She said that the FCT administration has suspended all activities that encourages crowding and clustering in schools.

Abdulrahman said that every school should have a sick bay where students with high temperature would be kept under the supervision of health personnel until their parents come for them.

She warned that any school that does not comply with the guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risk closure.

Source: NAN News

By Lucy ogalue
The Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) has called for collaboration of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) to drive investment in the countrys economy through realisation of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port.

Mr Hassan Bello, NSCs Executive Secretary, made the call when he led a team to visit the Executive Secretary of NIPC, Yewande Sadiku, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Bello said that transport drives the economy and modern/efficient Infrastructure In the transport sector would result to corresponding growth, Inclusiveness, and development in the economy.

In this modern era, diversification of sources of revenue have been forced on us and there is no better place to express this diversification than in the transport sector.

For long we have been import dependent economy, we import almost everything and that is not healthy. So we need investment in infrastructure, we need to look at how do we coordinate, how do we attract investors to us.

We have gone through public private partnership, we have to leverage on the private sector because the government has complete faith in it, we are mindful of the ease of doing business and the cost of doing business.

So at present we have the Ibadan inland dry port for example which is 80,000 TEU port, meant to decongest the Lagos sea port and bring the shipping economy to the door steps of shippers.

As a nation, we need to export and so the dry port will serve that. It is a 100 million dollar medium contribute investment, the CIRC of China is already the preferred bidder.

We have gone one or two round of negotiations and we invite NIPC, to join our team of negotiators so that things will be made easy, the contract is very important, many people will be employed otherwise and also some consequential industry or business activities will of course be there.

So, we know that it requires a lot of approvals, permits, waivers, incentives, pioneering status and other things which your organisation will certainly grant or make possible for it to be, Bello said.

The NSC boss listed some of the items to include waivers of custom duties, approvals in the aspect of environmental and social impact assessment, approvals relating to immigration matters including our expatriate quota, timely approval of offshore insurance, NOTAP and Federal Support Agreement among others.

He said: We have come here to ask for your cooperation, not only for this dry port but for other dry ports so that we establish a kind of rapport or we cement it.

He enjoined the NIPC to support shippers councils effort in achieving its mandate and growing the Nigerian economy.

The NIPC boss in her remarks pledged the Councils support in the realisation of the projects by the shippers council based on the provisions in NIPCs mandate.

In relation to your request, we will be very happy to support you and you can take NIPCs support for granted in the context of development of Ibadan Inland Dry port.

So, the number of things that you mentioned that you wanted approval for, you referred to waivers for custom duties, approvals relating to immigration and expatriate quota, Federal Government support and the like.

The approvals and waivers that come from third party agencies, we can provide guidance on how to peach the request so that it is favourably considered by the relevant authorities.

But NIPC does not give any waivers or incentives generally but we often advise ministries on incentives that need to be created to enable investments to happen and we will be happy to work with you to do that, Sadiku said.

According to Sadiku, the NIPC has a one-stop investment centre that houses a lot of agencies including the NSC, adding that if approvals are required from government agencies the council will be happy to assist.

Source: NAN News

Nigerias Senate under Ahmed Lawan

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate has began probing crude oil, gas, and non-oil export proceeds unrepatriated since the inspection of the Export Act from 1996 to 2019.

The upper chamber also mandated its committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to ascertain why relevant government agencies kept on having conflicting data of same product value published in Nigeria on one hand while those published by OPEC were different.

The resolutions were sequel to a motion on Need to investigate pre-shipment inspection of export activities in Nigeria with respect to non-repatriation of crude oil export proceeds in line with pre-shipment inspection of export Act CAP-P26 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, vis--vis challenges posed by global COVID-19 pandemic.

The motion was sponsored by Sen. Yusuf Yusuf (APC-Taraba) during Wednesdays plenary.

Moving the motion, the senator said that the pre-shipment inspection of export was the inspection of goods (oil and non-oil) in Nigeria prior to the shipment of those goods outside Nigeria as provided under the pre-shipment inspection of export Act CAP-P26 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The period prior to the pre-shipment inspection of export enactment, export of crude oil and gas was characterised by under valuation and delays in issuance of invoices and payments for goods, sometimes up to 120 days.

The resolutions of the upper chamber were unanimously adopted by the senators after voice votes by President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.

Meanwhile, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan said that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be considered for second reading in two weeks.

We have asked for copies to be made and I want to believe that almost everyone has a copy.

So we study this bill, its so critical, its so important and then we take the second reading in two weeks so that we have sufficient time to go through the bill.

Its a big bill and it is a crucial bill, Lawan said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Senate passed for second reading the PIB.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buki Ponle, MD NAN

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle, says the agency is exploring avenues to partner with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on effective information gathering and sharing.

Ponle said this when he led the agencys management team on a courtesy visit to the NISs Comptroller General, Mr Muhammad Babandede on Wednesday in Abuja.

He expressed the commitment of the agency to providing effective, quality and quantity-filled information.

Ponle, who assumed duty as the Managing Director of NAN on Sept. 1, 2020, noted that the agency had partnered with various organisations on information sharing for efficient service delivery to its numerous clientele.

With the NIS focusing on addressing human trafficking and child trafficking, we seek to partner with you to ensure all your programmes are well circulated .

We have various means of disseminating information. We have the multimedia section which is all about visuals, with the videos uploaded on YouTube.

We have NAN mobile. This is a situation whereby you get breaking news from NAN through SMS alert . You get information first before everyone gets it. It is called NAN SMS alert.

We have the Forum section which gives any CEO, DG or MD of any organisation opportunity to visit the agency and talk about the achievements and challenges of their organisations.

We hope you will partner with us to ensure effective dissemination of your activities, he said.

Ponle commended the effort of the CG on the development and improvement of the service, adding that the NIS had become a service to reckon with.

He lauded the agency on its effort at ensuring issuance of visa to visitors on arrival, noting that Nigeria was the greater beneficiary in terms of services rendered.

Immigration is outstanding. The effort on Visa on Arrival is a laudable achievement. I choose to wear this colour of cloth just to identify with you since I do not have the immigration service uniform.

The agency is a success. This shows that the CG knows the job, carry people along and from what I saw, the staff morale is high.

More power to your elbow and May your shadow never run down, he added.

Ponle assured the immigration service of the Agencys continued effective service delivery such that would promote unity and development in the country.

Responding, Babandede congratulated NAN MD on his appointment.

Babandede commended the effort of NAN on reportage and coverage of the services activities adding that NAN was an agency to rely on.

He noted that NAN had been on the forefront of disseminating news on Immigration service, adding that the service was looking forward to partnering with it.

I want to congratulate you on your appointment. I want to assure you that we will attend to you anytime. We appreciate your presence here and we are ready to partner with the agency.

Infact, I am ashamed of myself that you are the one looking for us. We are the one who should be looking for NAN.

I look forward to this great opportunity to partner with you on all your platforms. As a service, we are proud of what we have achieved so far and we are ready to do more by telling the world what we are doing and what we are yet to do.

If we have NAN here with us, we have the whole World already because when we talk to NAN, we talk to everybody.

I use to receive alert from NAN before, but we will see how we can continue.

However, we are working on having handsets that will be a public line for all the deputy Comptroller Generals and by so doing, we all can be receiving information from NAN always.

We will assist NAN to grow because if we assist NAN to grow, then global issues would be addressed at the grassroots. I look forward to working with you, he said.

NAN reports that the highlight of the event was presentation of plaque, NIS magazines, annual reports and group photographs.

Source: NAN News

Muhammad Babandede, CG Nigeria Immigration Service

By Bukky Adetoye

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has promoted 8,899 personnel working in its Lagos state zone A offices.

Speaking at the graduation and decoration ceremony of the personnel on Wednesday in Lagos, the Comptroller-General of Immigration (CGI), Muhammed Babandede, said the service will not relent in producing competent personnel to boost the countrys migration sector performance..

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIS Lagos Zone A, comprising of many commands, includes Lagos Command, Airport command, Ikeja passport office, Ogun state command, among others.

Babandede, represented by NIS Zone A boss, Asst. Comptroller-General (ACG) of Immigration , Mrs Doris Braimah, congratulated the newly-promoted officers and urged them to discharge their duties effectively.

ACG Braimah assumed office on September 11 following the departure of Mohamed Alfa.

Babandede said that the officers should adhere and run with the mission and vision of the immigration service.

He said that NIS mission is to strengthen the security and prosperity of Nigeria through proactive, effective and efficient modern security and migration management.

Also, NIS vision is to be a modern effective and efficient immigration service manned by well trained and motivated workforce, he said.

The CGI pleaded with the newly promoted officers not to disappoint the NIS that stood as a guarantor for everyone of them to be promoted.

This is the first time we are having a huge number of people promoted at a time. I implore you to do your best in you new designation, he said.

Promotion is an elevation to a new level of responsibility and you have been entrusted with new set of responsibilities to take the service to the next level.

You may have been assigned to certain level of responsibility prior to this promotion. However, now, you have been entrusted with a higher level of responsibility, he said.

A newly promoted personnel, Deputy Comptroller (DC), Mr Yaya Momodu, said he was happy and grateful to God for the promotion.

I promise to work hard and be dedicated to the new task at hand, Momodu said.

Mrs Adebunmi Balogun, also a newly-promoted DC, said she is elated to have been promoted amongst her peers.

I urge my colleagues who were not promoted to take heart and put in their best for the next promotion exercise, she said.

Also speaking, Funsho Alao, Asst Controller, said he will put up his best in his new rank and ensure that he keeps the immigration flag flying high.

Source: NAN News

Policemen brutalising a man

By Monday Ijeh

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued communication platforms for Nigerians to send complaints of misconduct against police officers in the course of their duties.

Mr Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations of the commission, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ani called on Nigerians to take advantage of the communication platforms to report any police officer found to be compromising the rules of engagement of the force.

The commission wishes to invite Nigerians to take advantage of the Commissions communication platforms to send complaints on any Police officer found to be compromising on their rule of engagement.

These platforms are 07034072677, 07034072676, text messages only, Email,, twitter handle, @PoliceserviceC2 and Website, www.psc.gov.ng, he said.

Ani said the commission had followed the recent public outcry on the brazen abuse of office by personnel of both the Federal and State Armed Robbery Squads and other special Units.

He said the commission had also noted that the abuses were because of absence of supervision by relevant supervisory authorities.

Ani said the commission was aware of recent efforts by the Inspector General of Police (I-G) and other Government Agencies to stem this ugly trend.

He said the commission would henceforth sanction any officer, whether of the Federal, State or Unit of the IGP including other departments who operates outside approved laws and regulations of their engagements.

According to him, the commission will henceforth closely monitor the activities of these Officers and will not hesitate to punish deviants who may want to continue in their old habits.

He said that the commission had the Constitutional mandate to discipline, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over officers in the Nigeria Police Force except the IGP.

Ani said the mandate would be discharged without fear or favour, adding that the vision of the commission was to build a highly motivated, professional, disciplined and accountable force. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Lucy Ogalue
President Muhammadu Buhari has renewed the tenure of the Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation((NRC), Mr Freeborn Okhiria.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ajani said the renewal was made via a letter, Ref: No SH/COS/17/A/1698 and dated Oct. 5, 2020.

President Buhari has approved the renewal of appointment of Engr. Freeborn Edetanlaen Okhiria, as the Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

This is in accordance with the relevant section of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act. Cap 129, LFN, 2004.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okhiria was first appointed as managing director of the corporation on Oct. 24, 2016.

The renewal of the second and final four year tenure takes effect from Oct. 20.

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Chukwuemeka Opara

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Chaka Nweze, has advised the Igbo to pursue Nigerias presidency bid under a united country instead of supporting individuals calling for secession.

Nweze, the pioneer APC Secretary in Ebonyi, gave the advice on Wednesday in Abakliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Former Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi said that an Igbo presidency will provide the locus to correct some complaints from the race under the existing Nigerian nation.

The complaints of marginalisation, ranging from political leadership, civil service, regional infrastructural development up to the entire security architecture of the country can be corrected with an Igbo Presidency under a united Nigeria.

Several Igbo citizens are living outside the South East geopolitical zone with investments scattered across the country; so, any existence outside the Nigerian entity will be a very huge burden to manage.

The former Caretaker and Executive Chairman of Ohaozara LGA said that the Igbo should, therefore, demand for the countrys presidency for proper national cohesion and integration in its schemes.

We should, however, realise that the presidency is not given to anyone or zone as those seeking the position need to play the necessary politics to achieve their aims.

We, therefore, need to dialogue, negotiate, build bridges of confidence across the other geopolitical zones and above all, belong to the right national political platform, he said.

He said that the APC offers the hope of integrating the Igbo properly into national politics and they should not continue foot-dragging in any other party but fully embrace the ideals of the APC.

The Igbo should, therefore, commence the search for a candidate that will turn their aspirations into reality and make other segments of the country, regret not giving the chance of presidency to them all along.

The governors of the South East zone should commence structural building and dialogue among relevant political, social and economic stakeholders across the zone to nominate a candidate that will lead the line in achieving these goals.

Nweze said that Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi had wittingly built confidence with the centre (Federal Government) and had been in the forefront of integrating the Igbo in the main stream of national politics.

He should, therefore, answer the clarion call of well meaning Igbo to join APC so that God forbid, if president eludes us in 2023, we can be sure of it in eight years after and Nigeria will be better for it.

His numerous infrastructural and economic strides in the state place him in a vantage position of replicating such feats if given the chance at the national level, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organised by the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.

NAN reports that the two-day workshop was tagged Methodology for Agricultural Value Chain Development and Market Linkages at the Grassroots.

The directors in a communique signed by Adeola Oduola, the commissions Director of Education and Social Services, said such action would guarantee food security in the state as well as Nigeria.

The participants pleaded with government to make quality food storage facilities available at all levels to prevent unnecessary wastage during harvest seasons.

The directors appreciated the Gov. Seyi Makinde led administration for lifting the ban on training and retraining of personnel in the service to facilitate more effective service delivery.

The conference equally advocated the resuscitation of farmers cooperative society to improve access to farm inputs and implements.

Earlier, Mr Aderemi Ayodele, the chairman of the commission, reiterated the commissions commitment to training of agricultural officers towards boosting the economy through modern farming system.

Ayodele, who was represented by a member of the Board, Mr. John Adisa-Oke, said that the workshop was impactful and would reflect on the grassroots.

The commissions chairman assured the participants of more local and international trainings, saying such was a priority of the governor for the generality of workers.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Kano State Government says it has concluded plans to establish five mega unity schools to improve the quality of education in the state.

Muhammad Sanusi-Kiru, the states Commissioner for Education, stated this in a statement by Aliyu Yusuf, Public Relations Officer of the ministry in Kano on Wednesday.

The statement quoted the commissioner as saying that the projects were approved at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Tuesday.

Sanusi-Kiru disclosed that the schools would be established at Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye Emirate Councils.

He said that each of the school was designed with 360 students population for JSS 1,2 and 3 as well as SS1, adding that the schools would commenced academic activities in the 2020/2021 session.

He said: With the approval, the number of unity colleges in the state will increase to seven including that of Karaye and Kachako respectively.

The unity schools are also open for admission to students from other states of the northern region.

The schools are to be headed by Director/ Principals and Deputy Directors on Grade Level 15 as Vice Principal (Academic and Administration) for prudent and effective management.

The statement further said that the SEC commiserated with the management of the Government Girls Technical College, Gwarzo, over the recent fire outbreak in the school.

The council approved N37 million for the immediate rehabilitation of the affected hostels and other facilities razed by fire in the college. (NAN)

Source: NAN News