President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has called for total elimination of nuclear weapons, warning that trafficking in nuclear materials remains a potential threat to international peace and security.

Mr Femi Adesina, the presidents spokesman, in a statement in Abuja on Friday said Buhari gave the warning in a video-message to the UN High-level meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.

Buhari restated Nigerias commitment to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He, however, expressed concern about the slow pace of States possessing nuclear weapons in disarming and decommissioning their existing nuclear facilities.

We are concerned about the slow pace of progress by nuclear-weapon States to accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals, in accordance with their legal obligations and undertakings under Article VI of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he said.

He reiterated the need for the United Nations to continue engaging Nuclear Weapon States to speed up their efforts in disarming and decommissioning their existing nuclear facilities.

The best approach to avoid damage associated with nuclear materials such as humanitarian crisis, accidents, disasters and criminality is the total elimination of nuclear weapons, he added.

The Nigerian leader told world leaders at the virtual summitthat the universalization of the NPT was dependent upon strict compliance with its three pillars namely, disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He, therefore, enjoined other Member States to ratify the Treaty, noting that Nigeria had played a major role in negotiations leading to the coming into force of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty).

We will continue to galvanize other African States to abide by the tenets of the Pelindaba Treaty. This is to ensure that the entire continent remains nuclear-free.

While there are no easy solutions when we confront one of the gravest existential threats to the survival of the human race, we must remain undeterred and committed to a world of safety and security, one without the volatility posed by Nuclear Weapons, he said.

The Nigerian President said it was noteworthy that this year marks the 75th Anniversary of the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan that terminated the lives of thousands of people with severe long-term damages to the environment.

The Anniversary is a forceful reminder of the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons which undermine global, national and human security.

Hence, there is need for all states to comply with applicable international laws and conventions to ensure a world free of nuclear weapons. We must, therefore, redouble our efforts to implement the provisions of the Nuclear NPT being the basis of Non-Proliferation Regime.

This is to enable us achieve our desire for total elimination of nuclear weapons, he said.

Buhari also highlighted how Nigeria had demonstrated support for multilateral efforts toward the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

The president recounted that as one of the countries in the vanguard of the campaign for the total elimination of nuclear weapons, Nigeria signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on Sept. 20, 2017 and recently ratified it on Aug. 6.

He noted that Nigeria joined like-minded states to sponsor the resolution titled Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations which led to the legally binding Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Nigeria has been involved in the promotion of peaceful application of nuclear science and technology at national and international levels.

Accordingly, Nigeria ratified several international treaties and conventions in the area of nuclear safety and security.

We have also expressed political commitment to the IAEA Code of Conduct on safety and security of radioactive sources.

More so, we have developed and approved the first International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Integrated Nuclear Security Plan for the period 2010-2012 with further review to cover 2019-2021 period.

In this connection, Nigeria commends the continued efforts of the IAEA, particularly its role in monitoring and inspecting nuclear facilities, he said.

The Nigerian leader urged States to ensure compliance with IAEA safeguards and standards at all times as well as nuclear verification disarmament measures.

The president added that in order to facilitate the development and peaceful deployment of nuclear technology, Nigeria regulates and implements its energy aspiration through the relevant agencies.

In addition, we are reforming the National Nuclear Security Sector to make it robust and reliable.

These reforms involve the domestication of The International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism; Review of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act; and Review of Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority Act.

To further demonstrate our commitment to nuclear security, Nigeria successfully converted the Nigeria Research Reactor (NIRR-1), a 31 kilowatts miniature neutron source reactor from highly enriched uranium to low enriched uranium fuel.

Also in 2019, the administration set up Nigerias Nuclear Security Support Centre and developed a Nuclear Security Detection Architecture to serve as a sustainable safeguard for maintaining nuclear security and detection of radioactive materials out of regulatory control, he said.

Buhari also reminded the Summit that the 1996 Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice affirms that the threat or use of nuclear weapons constitute a crime against humanity and a violation of international law, including international humanitarian law. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Bad road

By Ismaila Chafe

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Friday bemoaned the deplorable conditions of roads in the state, saying that motorists and commuters plying the roads are going through hell.

The governor said this while speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on the state of roads in his state

He also briefed the president on the damage caused by flood in 22 out of the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

Bello, who said the president sympathised with the inhabitants and those passing through the state, sought for urgent presidential intervention in the rehabilitation of failed roads in the state.

I paid a visit to Mr. President to extend my greetings and wishes for the Independence Anniversary and I also seized the opportunity to discuss some issues that affect Niger State especially the state of roads.

At the moment, we are facing difficult times because the rains are quite heavy, most sections of the roads have failed completely and there is need to have some quick intervention to ease the difficulties being experienced by motorists in highways.

So I took time to brief Mr. President on what is happening and what I think can be done in the interim to address some of these issues.

You will recall that about two weeks ago, we had a meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff with the Minister of Works, the GMD of the NNPC, the Director-General of Department of State Service and the Inspector General of Police with regard to the closure of Minna-Bida road.

We were forced to close Mina-Bida road because the contractor on site had complained that the work in progress was very slow as a result of heavy movement of trucks on that road. As you are aware that road was built for light vehicles, so we were forced to shut down Minna-Bida road.

Eventually, we had to open it so that we dont create hardship to other parts of the country, especially the Northern states.

But at the moment, we have two failed sections of the Minna-Bida road and one failed section of Minna-Tekna road which has brought about the complete blockage of that road.

The governor stressed the need to provide alternative routes between South West and Northern parts of the states, saying attention should be given to the Jebba-Mokwa-Kagara-Tegna-Pandogri-Kaduna road.

He said: I hope attention should be given to that road so that we divert most of the trailers to that road. There is also an alternative route which is the Mokwa-Bida-Lapai-Lambata road. That will also provide alternative to Minna-Bida road.

So overall, that has been the main point of our discussion.

Bello, who also updated the president on the flood situation in Niger, said over 150 communities had been submerged by water while the popular Sunti Sugar Farm has also been destroyed by the flood.

We touched on flood briefly. I believe in the next few weeks, we may have some reliefs when it comes to flood.

At the moment, we have over 150 communities under water in Niger State, thousands of hectares of land have been washed away, major investments like the Sunti sugar is completely under water.

They have lost over 2,500 hectares of Sugar Cane Plantation. And vast majority of the facility itself is under water. It is unfortunate this has happened, but I pray we will be able to get some quick intervention from the Federal Government so that we can support our local farmers that have lost their livelihood due to floods.

On the presidents response, the governor said: The President believes more in action, he doesnt talk too much, I think from his countenance I can say that he felt bad especially for Niger State. We are shouldering all the weight, every cargo from South West passes through Minna specifically.

I think he has an idea, he probably will not know everything but he has an idea what we are going through at moment. At the moment, we are going through hell in Niger State. So I believe something will be done soon. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

A Senior Magistrates Court in Lokoja on Friday ordered that a 69-year-old traditional ruler in Adavi Local Government, Asema Uka (Otumi-Ajoko) Momoh Nasir and 10 others be remanded in a correctional centre for alleged homicide.

The police charged thetraditional ruler and his alleged accomplices with Criminal Conspiracy, Attempted Culpable Homicide, Aiding and Abetting, contrary to sections 97(1) 229, 325 and 89 of Kogi Penal Code Law.

Senior Magistrate Agatha Shankyula, ordered that they be remanded in theFederal Correctional Facility, Koton-Karfe, Kogi.

She granted a Motion Ex-parte dated and filed Oct. 2, by the prosecution led by Samuel Ikuntanwa, of the legal department of the state command of Nigeria Police.

In her ruling, Shankyula held that the offence was serious in nature, adding that it had been slated in the affidavit, the need for further investigations.

It is on this basis that I tried probable course to make this order.

The suspects are to be remanded in the Federal Correctional Facility Koton-Karfe for the next 14 days pending investigation and legal advice from the office of theAttorney-General or the arraignment before the appropriate Court on specific charges.

This order is given for the first instance and pursuant to the provisions of section 294(1) of the acjl of Kogi 2017,she held .

She adjourned the matter until Oct. 16

Earlier,Sgt. Tuesday Ganagana, in amotion brought pursuant to section 291 and 292 of the Kogi Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017, sought an order of the Court to remand the suspects at the Federal Correctional facility, Koton-Karfe.

Ganagana sought for such order or further orders as the Court might deem fit to make in the circumstances of the application.

He argued that the suspects on Sept. 28, attacked and injured a group of persons praying at Kabba junction for the proposed Dec. 12, Local Government Council elections in the state.

The Prosecution alleged thatthe suspects criminally aided by one Momoh Nasiru, armed themselves with gun, sticks, stones, knives and cutlasses and invaded the venue without provocation, attacked and inflicted various degrees of injury on about eight persons.

The defence counsel, MuazuAbbas, prayed the court to admit his clients to bail.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

The management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) says it has no plans to migrate Nigerian jobs outside the country.

CNLs General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, made the clarification in a statement on Friday.

Brikinn spoke following an allegation by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria that CNL planned to relocate jobs outside the country.

He said, however, that the company was reviewing its manpower requirements in the light of the changing business environment.

According to him, the new organisational structure will require approximately 25 per cent reduction in the work force across the various levels of its organisation.

The aim is to have a business that is competitive and have an appropriately sized organisation with improved processes.

This will increase efficiency and effectiveness, retain value, reduce cost, and generate more revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It is important to note that all our employees will retain their employment until the reorganisation process is completed.

We have prospects for our company in Nigeria; however, we must make the necessary adjustments in light of the prevailing business climate.

We need everyones support to get through these tough times stronger, more efficient and more profitable, in order to sustain the business, he said.

The manager also said that CNL was in alignment with both its Joint Venture partners, including NNPC, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on the process.

He said: We are actively engaging our workforce to ensure they understand why this is being done.

We will continue to consistently engage all relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the employee unions as we continue this process of business optimisation.

Earlier, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Chevron Branch, had accused CNL of sacking 600 Nigerian workers and planning to relocate jobs to America.

Its Branch Chairman, Mr Ote Oyegbanren, and Secretary, Mr Lavin Aghaunor, in a statement said that the workers being sacked were lower cadre employees whose salaries were negligible when compared with that paid to their American expatriates counterparts.

National PENGASSAN appealed to Chevron Management to suspend the process and allow both parties to reach agreement on an amicable voluntary separation exercise such that workers may opt to exit but this conciliatory offer was rebuffed.

The plan of Chevron management is part of a grand scheme by multinational oil companies operating in Nigeria to gradually relocate work being done in Nigeria to their home country, the duo said.

Source: NAN News

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) building

By Ginika Okoye

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says it has rolled out some digitisation strategies through its new portal to transform the sector and improve insurance penetration.

Mr Abiodun Aribike, the Deputy Director in charge of Information Technology in NAICOM, said this on Friday in Uyo at a seminar for insurance journalists with theme: Digital Transformation of the Commission and Market Development Initiatives.

He said the strategies, which would be made available through the portal would help to reduce incidences of fake insurance, improve productivity and revenue in the industry.

Aribike in a lecture with title: Digital Transformation of NAICOMs Processes and Procedures, said the commission had also begun training of stakeholders in the sector to effect the digital transformation.

He said that the digitisation strategy would help the people to source information about insurers to check their genuineness.

I am here to show you what we are going to do.

We have trained staff of brokers in the South West and we want to train those in the South-South, South East for them to join the portal.

This will improve productivity, enhance stakeholders collaboration, trust and resource management, he said.

He noted that the digital system would aid easy approval of licensing for insurance companies and tracking of insurance related complaints by policyholders. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Trump and wife, Melania

U.S. President Donald Trump is moving to a military hospital for treatment after being diagnosed with COVID-19, the White House said on Friday, as his administration and election campaign scrambled to adjust to an extraordinary twist in his turbulent presidency.

Trump, 74, will be moved to a special suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland, for the next few days as a precautionary measure, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said.

Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days, she said in a statement.

Trump has a mild fever, according to a source familiar with the matter. White House doctor Sean P. Conley wrote in a memo that he is fatigued but in good spirits.

It was the latest recent setback for the Republican president, who is trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden in opinion polls ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Trump, who has played down the threat of the coronavirus pandemic from the outset, wrote on Twitter earlier on Friday that he and his wife Melania were going into quarantine after testing positive for the virus, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans and severely damaged the U.S. economy.

An active Twitter user, Trump has not posted any messages since then.

Trump is at high risk because of his age and weight. He has remained in apparent good health during his time in office but is not known to exercise regularly or to follow a healthy diet.

Conley said Trump has received a single dose of Regenerons polyclonal antibody cocktail, a technique that is used for treating a wide range of illnesses.

Data is limited on its effectiveness for COVID-19 but U.S. infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci is among those saying it has promise.

Trump is also taking zinc, Vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chevron complex

By Nathan Nwakamma

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) says it will downsize its workforce in Nigeria by 25 per cent across various levels in the oil firm, a development frowned at by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The oil firm said the development followed the evolving negative operational environment in the energy sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that workers of the oil firm under the auspices of the PENGASSAN on Friday in Lagos protested the looming sack of 600 employees.

Esimaje Brikinn, CNLs General Manager Policy, Government and Public Affairs, in a response statement, made available to NAN on Friday, noted that the 25 per cent job cut was to reposition the oil firm for greater efficiency and competitiveness.

The statement was, however, silent on the exact number of workers to be affected by the job cut, but said that 25 per cent of its workers will be sacked.

CNL and its affiliates, confirms that it is reviewing its manpower requirements in the light of the changing business environment, while continuing to evaluate opportunities to improve capital efficiency and reduce operating costs.

In this process, the company will be streamlining its workforce and improving service delivery and overall performance at all levels.

This will increase efficiency and effectiveness, retain value, reduce cost, and generate more revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria.

It is important to note that all our employees will retain their employment until the reorganization process is completed, he noted.

CNL supports the Federal Government in its objectives and efforts to build a prosperous Nigeria. In the area of employment generation, the company has several social investments which are helping to provide employment for thousands of Nigerians, the statement read in part.

He dismissed speculations that the exercise was to outsource jobs done by Nigerians to foriegners, adding that there are no plans to migrate Nigerian jobs outside the country.

He explains we have prospects for our company in Nigeria; however, we must make the necessary adjustments in light of the prevailing business climate; and we need everyones support to get through these tough times stronger, more efficient and more profitable, in order to sustain the business.

He further stated that CNL is in alignment with both its Joint Venture partners, the NNPC, and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on the process.

We are actively engaging our workforce to ensure they understand why this is being done. We will continue to consistently engage all relevant stakeholders, including the leadership of the employee unions as we continue this process of business optimization.

At CNL, the welfare and safety of our workforce is one of our highest priorities.

Making changes to the organization is never easy for anyone that will be impacted, but it is necessary to improve our ability to remain competitive in Nigeria.

Reducing the cost and improving the efficiency of our operations is critical to generating more revenues for the Federal Government of Nigeria, Esimaje said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

I felt petrified when I emerged Head of State Gowon

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

A former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retired), on Friday said he was petrified when he emerged Nigerias Head of State at age 31.

The retired army general became the third Nigerian president and the youngest ever, on Aug. 1, 1966, before his 32nd birthday on Oct.19, 1966.

At a virtual reality history competition organised by the ANISZA Foundation and Gallery, Gowon said: I felt petrified when I took over as Head of State.

The event which had the theme: Sustaining Peace Together was organised to commemorate the second anniversary of the foundation.

The virtual event was moderated by the Founder and Curator of ANISZA Foundation and Gallery, Ms Novo Isioro.

Gowon said that his ambition then was just to be a good soldier.

I never planned to be the president, it just happened, he said.

Gowon, who relived some of his life experiences, counselled young Nigerians on right attitudes and values.

He advised them to contribute their quotas to national development.

Gowon urged the participants to be committed to the unity of Nigeria.

He reiterated his faith in the Nigerian youth and the countrys potential for greatness.

We can live in peace and unity irrespective of our religions and tribes.

He called on the youth and traditional and religious institutions to take up the responsibility of securing national identity.

A highpoint of the event was the debut of the Heart of the Matter with Novo Isioro, an online talk show where the host will raise issues of peace and unity as they affect Nigeria and the world at large.

The host, Isioro, explained that the event and the concept of ANISZA were to educate Nigerian youths, especially secondary school students, about the nations history, using pictures.

She said that the national virtual history competition was part of the efforts of ANISZA to engage young Nigerians to foster national unity.

One of the participants, Mr Godswill Chibuzor, said he was delighted to see and hear from the former head of state.

He hailed the event organisers for the initiative.

Chibuzor and some other participants at the virtual event expressed confidence that Nigeria would be great.

Source: NAN News

VON D-G optimistic Buharill lift Nigerians out of poverty

By Stanley Nwanosike

Mr Osita Okechukwu, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), has expressed optimism over President Muhammadu Buharis plan to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within the next 10 years.

Okechukwu expressed this optimism in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Enugu.

The VON boss, who was reacting to salient points in Buharis Independence Anniversary speech, said that the President had already laid down plans and actions in motion to achieve the target.

According to him, Buharis revolution in the agricultural industry is already a success story which anyone fair to his administration will attest to.

Also, we have digital economy drive which is appealing to young Nigerians. It is gradually driving the self-reliance agenda by engaging them in genuine digital and online businesses.

The government has given thousands of free-interest soft-loans through monies to traders and others growing cottages or family businesses.

Buhari is also doing everything possible to fix electricity and roads across the country in order to facilitate growth of small, medium and big scale industries.

The federal government is also relaxing processes and registration fees of businesses and industries.

The country today has an import policy now that favours local production and consumption 100 per cent, unlike in any other previous administration.

Nigeria is gradually becoming as precious as Diamond. We are a precious country, he said.

All the country should do now is to join hands with Buhari to work together toward lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

One is happy that the President in his speech re-proclaimed his passion to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

My fascination with the proclamation to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty is that the agitation among ethno-religious front-lines, gross unemployment and all manner of insecurity can be attributed to abject poverty in the land.

Poverty and hunger are intertwined and an old English proverb says that a hungry man is an angry man. It is also said that prosperity wipes off tears and enmity, he said.

Okechukwu declared that the most important take away from the Presidents speech remained his commitment to invest more in his Agrarian Revolution, Digital Economy Drive and support to medium and small scale industries.

Investment in these areas remain a sure way of gradually lifting our people out of poverty in their very large numbers, he added.

Source: NAN News

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, JAMB Registrar

Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), says effective checks has been mounted by the Federal Government against identity theft in the admission process into Nigerias tertiary institutions.

Oloyede made this known at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu issued a directive mandating JAMB to transfer candidates biometrics to their institutions of choice.

He said that the directives implementation would end fresh capturing of biometrics and pictures of candidates for post-UTME tests.

Oloyede said that Adamus directive had already uncovered 657 cases of candidates whose photographs could not match the ones recorded in JAMBs database but were currently angling to change the photographs.

Oloyede said that the board had subsequently referred those who requested for change of photographs to come down to its headquarters.

He said that the intention was to bring perpetrators of fraud to book.

In previous admission exercises, certain candidates who appear in the institution for registration were different from those who actually sit the examination.

This was possible because the institutions were taking fresh pictures and biometrics, thereby making it possible for impersonators to have a field day to ply their trade.

In the last exercise, we insisted, as directed by the Minister of Education, that all institutions should use the already captured biometrics and pictures by the Board.

This made it impossible for the candidates whose examinations were taken on their behalf by professional examination takers to gain admissions.

Oloyede said that the implementation of the directive had led to the arrest of one Etim Israel, a Police Constable, who was paraded before newsmen on allegation of examination malpractice.

Etim hired a school teacher named Emmanuel and paid him N30, 000 to write the 2020 UTME for him, while he was away on official duties.

Luck however ran out on him when his photograph could not tally with Emmanuels and was forced to visit the JAMB headquarters in Abuja for rectification.

He scored over 200 points in UTME and wanted to read fishery at the Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden Mpat Enin.

But the new measures in place will not let him dare show his face in his chosen institution as it is the picture of his impersonator that was be displayed at the screening venue, he said.

Oloyede said incidents of impersonation and other forms of identity theft during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination had dropped from 74,000 in 2019 to 4,900 in 2020.

The JAMB boss, who said that the 4,900 cases were still high and questionable, pointed out that the drastic reduction was triggered by a process introduced by the board.

He said the process allowed officials to take a snapshot of any candidate who claimed he could not be biometrically verified compared with the picture in JAMBs database.

Last year, one of the steps we took was that if somebody comes to be verified for examination and he is not verified biometrically, we will ask that the candidate or the person who appears to write the exam should take a new picture and take fresh biometrics of the candidate.

Many of the candidates were under the impression that it was an indication that we will ask them to sit for another examination; that a make-up will be made for them as usual.

But you would recall that last year, we had over 70,000 candidates in that category. That has been reduced to 4,900 this year.

When candidates, who are impersonating were asked to subject themselves to another round of picture-taking and biometric capturing, many people had erroneously thought that was a preparation for yet another examination.

Rather, this was to match the new data with what was obtained during the registration exercise to establish if the same person had done the original registration, Oloyede said.

Source: NAN News