Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and productivity

By Joan Nwagwu

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate and indefinite suspension from Office of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Adebayo Somefun.

Sen Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, in a statement by Charles Akpan of the Press and Public Relations in the ministry, named other officers suspended to include Jasper Ikedi-Azuatalam, Executive Director (ED), Finance and Investment, and Mrs Olukemi Nelson, ED, Operations.

Also suspended are Alhaji Tijani Darazo Sulaiman, ED, Administration, Mr Olusegun Olumide-Bashorun, General Manager, Administration/Human Resources/Maintenance, and Mr Lawan Tahir, General Manager, Finance.

Others asked to go are Mr Chris Esedebe, General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mr Olodotun Adegbite, Deputy General Manager, Investment and Treasury Management, and Mr Emmanuel Enyinnaya-Sike, Deputy General Manager, Finance and Accounts.

The statement also named Mrs Olutoyin Arokoyo, Deputy General Manager/Acting Head, Legal, Ms. Dorathy Zajeme-Tukura, Deputy General Manager, Administration, and Mrs Victoria Ayantuga, Assistant General Manager, Internal Audit.

The minister said that their suspension from office arose from the preliminarily established prima facie infractions on the extant Financial Regulations and Procurement Act, and other acts of gross misconduct.

During the period of their suspension, the officers will face a Joint Board and Audit Investigative Panel that had been set up to look into the financial and procurement breaches, as well as gross misconduct in the NSITF from 2016 to date.

The gross misconduct has invariably put the contributions of stakeholders in a perilous state. The affected officers have also been directed to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective departments, the statement said.

It quoted Ngige as specifically directing that Dr Kelly Nwagha, General Manager. Health, Safety and Environment Department, to assume the position of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, being the most senior General Manager in the organisation.

It said that officers assuming the new positions would take charge from Monday, July 6, 2020, until further notice.

Ngige charged the Chairman of the Board, Mr Austin Enajemo Isire, to ensure that the investigative panel commenced work as soon as possible.

He also charged him to ensure that the Board facilitated the smooth running of the Fund by creating the enabling environment and all the necessary staff adjustments and movements, in order to guarantee that services by staff to the contributors were not affected. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai

By Muftau Ogunyemi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the Nigerian Army will remain professional, apolitical and focused on its constitutional mandate.

Buratai made the pledge while commissioning some projects at the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment in Akure, Ondo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four projects were commissioned at the cantonment, which included renovation and fencing of brigade headquarters and the guard house.

Others were 32 Artillery Brigade Medical Centre, the renovation of 3xCBQs and the ground breaking of the poultry farm owned by Owena Cantonment Barracks Investment Initiative Programme (BIIP).

Buratai, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, GOC, 2 Div. Ibadan, said that the Nigerian Army would not deviate from its core mandate as prescribed by the constitution.

He said that the Nigerian Army had reiterated its commitment to ensure that the country was free from any form of terrorist acts.

We have vowed to put more efforts to curtail any form of terrorism in the country by remaining professional, apolitical and focused on our constitutional mandate, he said.

Buratai said that the renovation of staff quarters, guard quarters and medical centre was to encourage the personnel and to uplift the standard of living of Nigerian Army personnel.

I wish to put it on record today that every barracks in Nigeria today is being impacted to uplift standard and improve infrastructure, Buratai said.

He appreciated Governors Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti for their support to the Nigerian Army and 32 Artillery Brigade.

Also speaking, Brig.-Gen. Zakar Abubakar, Commander 32 Artillery Brigade, said that the COAS approved N61.2 million for the purchase of state of the art equipment for the medical centre.

I appreciate your benevolent support to the welfare of the troops and remain indebted to your cause. This singular act has saved the brigade from avoidable deaths and hardship, he said.

Abubakar added that the command would empower 100 widows of victims of North-East insurrection that would be trained by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN).

To this end, a philanthropist, a friend of the barracks, Chief Bibopiri Ajube, has promised to finance the first phase.

As a take-off, 100 widows will be drawn from 32 Artillery Brigade, 60 from Owena Cantonment, 30 for Naquora Barracks and 10 for 322 Artillery Brigade, Benin.

The philanthropist, has approved the sum of N10million for the take off of the project. Today, each of the widow will be given N50,000 and N5 million will be used to commence the infrastructural development of poultry farm in the three barracks simultaneously, he said.

In his remarks, Chief Bibopiri Ajube said that he had been helping widows of deceased military personnel for almost 10 years, and chose to empower them because of the sacrifices their husbands made for Nigeria.

Ajube called on all the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously to boost their businesses.

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola/Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Government on Thursday announced the recovery and discharge of 40 more Coronavirus patients, after they tested negative to the disease twice.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said in a statement that those discharged included 38 Nigerians and two foreigners.

Good people of Lagos, today, 40 #COVID-19 Lagos patients; 17 females and 23 males, including two foreign nationals, were discharged from our Isolation facilities to reunite with the society.

The patients: 19 from Onikan, seven from Gbagada; three from Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; eight from Agidingbi and three from LUTH Isolation Centres, were discharged after full recovery and testing negative to COVID-19.

Lets continue to adhere strictly to #PhysicalDistancing and #handhygiene principles #ForACOVID19FreeLagos, Sanwo-Olu pleaded.

Source: NAN News

Fertiliser

By Cecilia Ijuo

The Federal Government has distributed 38,142 kilogramme of improved cashew seeds to Kogi farmers, to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, made this known at the roll-out of inputs to farmers in Lokoja on Thursday.

The programme was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The ministry also distributed improved seeds of other priority crops like sesame, soybeans, rice, maize, wheat, cocoa and potatoes.

He said the inputs would be distributed through farmer associations, women and youth groups as well as cooperatives, to ensure the country did not experience food shortage as a result of the pandemic.

As you are aware, the restriction of movement of people, goods and services has had a negative effect on food production, income and livelihood of the smallholder farmers, who produce most of the food consumed in the country.

Therefore, supporting them with the much needed production inputs especially seeds, would enhance food production, create employment and enable them to recover quickly from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The support is to further make them self-reliant while ensuring more sustainable and resilient food system, he said.

According to Nanono, the support is with the following farm inputs: 38,142kg of improved cashew seeds to 3,798 cashew farmers and 27,000kg of certified sesame seeds to 5,400 sesame farmers.

Others are 50,000kg of soybeans seeds for distribution to soybeans farmers and 12,000 bundles of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) for 1,200 potato farmers.

Equally, we are distributing 15,000 sachets of redforce, 3,000 sachets of glory crop protection, 580 litres of soil amender and 500 litres of organic fertiliser to potato farmers, he said.

The minister said that the distribution of the inputs in Kogi was fourth in the series of palliatives being given out, since the commencement of the programme across the country.

He said during the first roll-out of inputs in Kano, that the ministry, in collaboration with development partners, distributed certified seeds of sorghum, millet, cowpea and rice to 8,200 farmers in 13 states of the federation.

Nanono stated that at the second roll-out in Kaduna on June 8, the ministry supported rice farmers with 27,000 kg and 300,000 kg each of certified seeds of FARO 66.

The minister noted that 300,000 kg of Foundation Seeds of flood tolerant rice varieties of FARO 66

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it has not relaxed its guidelines on mass gathering in the coronavirus (COVID-19) protocol.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of the Centre, said this at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

We are on the verge of opening our flights, airports and we have relaxed intercity travel.

We know that we have family, loving people and that over the next few weeks, we will all start having this urge to go and visit our parents, our uncles and our aunts.

We may also restart the funeral activities that we have postponed for months, start the weddings, wine carryings, birthing, baptisms that we have postponed for months.

Yes, its important to do these things and the interstate travel will allow us to do this, but remember we havent relaxed the guidelines of mass gatherings, he said.

The DG said that as more people were infected across the world, it wasincreasingly obvious that transmission among younger people aged between 20 and 40driving the spread of thevirus.

He noted that as the country planned over the next few weeks or months, Nigerians have to remember that there arestill restrictions on mass gatherings.

Beyond that, Nigerians have to show their elderly citizens love andaffection by not exposing them to the virus as much as they possibly could.

For some people, the exposure is inevitable because of the nature of this virus, but we mustnt contribute to increasing the risk.

Looking through social media today, I saw a brilliant campaign in Edo state, titled our elders our pride.

For this to mean something for all of us, we have to put this into action.

The DG added that the NCDC waslooking forward to working with Nigerians and, through the title of the theme of thecampaign in Edo, Our Elders Our Pride, if it means something they could take it to heart.

He urged Nigerians to wear a mask, postpone travel, avoid mass gatherings and wash their hands.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state.

By Muhammad Nur

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has announced a total easing of the lockdown imposed on the state to check spread of the COVID-19.

Ganduje made the announcement on Thursday in Kano while briefing newsmen on the COVID-19 pandemic at Government House, Kano.

He said, however, that restriction of movement from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. would continue.

The governor also directed civil servants on grade level 12 and above to resume work from July 6.

Civil servants from grade level 12 and abovecan return to work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. but must continue to practice social distancing, he said.

According to the governor, the law banning street begging and hawking is still in place.

He urged Kano State residents to wear masks when going out and to continue to adhere to social distancing in public places.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal
Nigeria on Wednesday recorded its new highest daily figure of 790 COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 26, 484.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on its official twitter handle.

The NCDC said, as at July 1, Nigeria recorded 13 deaths.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC also said that Nigeria reported a total of 603 deaths in 35 states and the FCT.

The NCDC said that Delta state reported the highest number of cases with 166 new cases while Lagos reported 120 new infections.

Others are Enugu-66, FCT-65, Edo-60, Ogun-43, Kano-41, Kaduna-39, Ondo-33, Rivers-32, Bayelsa-29, Katsina-21, Imo-20, Kwara-18. Oyo-11, Abia-10, Benue-6, Gombe-4, Yobe-2, Bauchi-2 and Kebbi-2.

The centre also said it has introduced an lIVR Self-Assessment Tool.

It said that Nigerians could use the opportunity to complete a COVID-19 self-assessment by dialing 01-700-6232 for an automated call-back if they suspect that them or a loved one may have been exposed to the virus.

NAN reports that the Virology Laboratory at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State has been included in the National COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory Network.

This brings the total number of laboratories in the national network to 40.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria daily testing exceed 4,000 for the first time in 125 days,the NCDC exceeded its target and set a record on its daily tests to 4,205 as at June 30.

Source: NAN News

By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has solicited the support of traditional leaders in Zamfara to combat activities of bandits and other forms of criminalities in the North West geo political zone.

Buratai made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Sarkin Katsinan Gusau, the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, in his Palace in Gusau on Wednesday.

He informed the Emir that he was in zamfara on operational tour of formations and units of 8 Division Nigerian Army to assess the level of their combat readiness in the reinvigorated efforts to combat banditry and associated insecurity in the zone.

Buratai said his visit to the palace was to register his respect and in furtherance of Nigerian Armys excellent civil military relations.

He added that the Nigerian Army was celebrating her 157 years of existence (Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020) in the neighbouring state of Katsina to reinvigorate the fight against insecurity in the region.

According to him, the commencement of Exercise Sahel Sanity currently going on simultaneously in Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara States was aimed at the final defeat of banditry and other forms of criminality.

He however solicited for the support of the traditional rulers by sensitising their people to cooperate with the security agencies by providing the necessary information to help in containing the lingering security challenges in the region and the country at large.

Responding, the Emir thanked the COAS for the visit and promised to give all the necessary support to the Nigerian Army and other security agencies where necessary in order for peace to reign in the zone.

He also prayed for the success of President Muhammadu Buharis government and for the peace and security of the nation.

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu
Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), said that Nigeria was recording successes in the implementation of the SDGs.

At a virtual workshop on Nigeria Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) on Thursday in Abuja, she said that stakeholders have contributed in no small measure towards these feats.

Orelope-Adefulire explained that INFF was a Nigerian initiative to be driven by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Office of the SSAP-SDGs.

She said that both technical and financial support would be coming from United Nations Development Project (UNDP), European Union (EU) and other stakeholders.

She added that Nigeria would present its second Voluntary National Review to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on July 10 through a virtual meeting at 4 p.m. local time, adding that all stakeholders are invited to be part of it.

She said that the INFF would strengthen commitment of policy makers and foster the commitment of development practitioners and captains of industry in the implementation of the SDGs.

At the virtual meeting, Dr Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said that the ministry was working with relevant MDAs to ensure the implementation of key fiscal priorities with focus on improving revenue generation.

She added that the ministry was focused on optimising collections and targeted reform measures to ensure the necessary fiscal space for implementation of Government policies and the achievement of the SDGs.

The Minister noted that specific cross-sectoral programmes and projects aimed at achieving the SDGs had been incorporated into the national budgets and would be included in future budgeting frameworks.

Nigeria, like all other United Nations (UN) member countries is at a critical crossroads when it comes to addressing the financial gap for implementing the SDGs and ensuring resilient inclusive and sustainable growth.

The Development of INFF is crucial, particularly in the context of the response to COVID-19 pandemic, as it will support us in moving towards the Nigeria we want and the Nigeria that our citizens deserve, Ahmed said.

Stakeholders at the virtual meeting included the Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Mr Clement Abba and the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon.

The participants pledged to support the course of the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria.

Source: NAN News

NASS Complex

By Emmanuel Afonne

A group of lawyers with the name Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates (COPA), has advised the National Assembly (NASS) members not to indulge in actions capable of portraying them as usurpers of executive functions.

Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, convener of COPA gave the advice in a statement following Tuesdays rowdy session as lawmakers and Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour trade words over sharing of 774,000 employment slots.

Olajengbaesi while reacting to the development said that the session would have been had with professional decency, and cordiality extended to the Minister and Senior Advocate of Nigeria as against the raucous show exhibited by the lawmakers.

It is, however, apparent from yesterdays revelatory drama that the lawmakers are intent on usurping the powers of the executive as represented by the Honourable Minister through arm-twisting and by exerting control over the employment programme.

It is not in contention that legislators have and can exercise the right of review over executive actions or programmes; it is part and parcel of the checks and balance feature of our constitutional democracy.

The enabling provision of the constitution, to wit; Section 88, which so empowers the legislators to review programme such as the recruitment program, however, stops-short of enabling the legislature from exerting control over such matters.

Its part and role stops at censoring, querying or reviewing executive actions and does not empower them to usurp this roles or programmes even where in its wisdom the executive are not handling it quite well.

Simply put, the legislators have the right to ask questions, demand explanations, and or, make suggestions, but may not take charge of the execution of such programmes directly or through any delegated authority stemming from it.

In view of this, the attempt by the National Assembly through one of its committee to usurp executive power and exert itself improperly on the special federal recruitment exercise underway is truly deserving of public condemnation, Olajengbesi said.

He urged the lawmakers to toe the line of fair hearing based on democratic principles and values to guarantee natural justice.

Olajengbesi added: In consideration of this factor, any attempt aimed at muzzling Mr Festus Keyamo, SAN, as he goes about his ministerial power and function within the confines of the law must be promptly subdued.

Failure to subdue and defeat such brazen attempts opens the floodgates to habitual high-handedness and lawlessness in our administrative system, and this must not be allowed. (NAN)

Source: NAN News