Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Nigeria

  • Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    The Nigerian Army Saturday night announced a major redeployment of senior officers to intensify the war against terrorism and other forms of criminality that is ravaging the peace of the country.

    The Director, Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sagir Musa, while disclosing the redeployment said the move was to rekindle the spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity of the army.

    According to General Musa, the new Army architecture will now have Major General FO Agugo move from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps Apapa Lagos to Defence Headquarters Department of Communications as Chief of Defence Communications, while Major General M Mohammed leaves the Nigerian Army Resource Center Abuja for Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited and appointed Managing Director.

    Also, Maj Gen AR Owolabi is transferred from Defence Headquarters Abuja (Department of Communications) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

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    The General notes that Major General A Bande remains as General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto.

    According to Musa ,Major General E Akerejola leaves Army Headquarters Department of Logistics for the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin as Commandant “Major General UM Mohammed to remain in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu and Vice Chairman Nigerian Army Property Limited, Abuja, Major General CV Eze from Office of the Chief of Army Staff ( Nigerian Army Special Projects) to Army Headquarters, Department of Army Logistics and appointed Director Engineering Services.

    “Major General OF Azinta from Defence Space Agency, Abuja to Defence Headquarters as Director Psychological Warfare, Major General AM Dauda from National Defence College, Abuja to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Director Policy, Major General AL Dusu from Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans to Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia appointed Commandant and Major General H Ahmed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police to remain as Provost Marshal (Army).

    “Others include: Major General TA Gagariga from Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia to Defence Space Agency, Abuja appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Space Agency, Major General JO Iwara from Army Headquarters Department of Standard and Evaluation to Department of Army Logistics appointed Director of Logistics Planning, Major General PI Eze to remain at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri and appointed Theatre Logistics Component Commander,

    “Major General OO Oluyede to remain in Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Damaturu as Commander, Major General BR Sinjen to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, Abuja as Director Operations, Major General R Abubakar to remain in Defence Headquarters as Defence Liaison Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Major General OO Soyele from Defence Hedquarters, Abuja to Nigerian Army Resource Center, Abuja as Senior Research Fellow.

    “Major General AK Ibrahim to remain in Headquarters 7 Division/ Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri as General Officer Commanding/Commander Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General SI Igbinomwanhia to remain in Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno as Commander and Major General IM Jallo from Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba to Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt appointed General Officer Commanding.

    “Brigadier General AIM Lapai from 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontogora appointed Director Field Defence, Brigadier General Kawugana from Warrant Officers’ Academy, Jaji to Hedquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja Lagos appointed Commander, Brigadier General MO Jimoh from Defence Headquarters to Defence Space Agency, Abuja and appointed Deputy Director, Launch Vehicle Systems.

    “Brigadier General MA Bolarinwa from Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport Benin to Defence Headquarters(Annex), Lagos and appointed Deputy Director Supply, Brigadier General SM Uba to remain in 401 Special Forces’ Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General WM Dangana from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to 3 Division Garrison, Jos appointed Commander, Brigadier General AGL Haruna to remain in 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri as Commander, Brigadier General AM Garba from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri to Headquarters 23 Brigade, Yola appointed Commander.

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    “Brigade General AG Laka from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to Nigerian Army Operations Centre, Abuja and appointed Coordinator, Brigadier General IA Ajose from Training and Doctrine Command, Minna to 4 Special Forces Command, Doma as Chief of Staff, Brigadier General DK Zirkushu from Headquarters 1 Brigade, Gusau to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok and appointed Commander.

    “Accordingly, Brigadier General M Ibrahim from Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, Gombe to 14 Brigade Ohafia appointed Commander, Brigadier General A Idris from Army Headquarters Department of Administration Army to Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba appointed Commander, Brigadier General RT Utsaha from 34 Brigade Garrison, Owerri to 32 Brigade, Akure and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MA Sadiq from Headquarters Operation DELTA SAFE, Yenagoa to Headquarters 4 Brigade, Benin and appointed Commander, Brigadier General IH Daniel from 304 Artillery Regiment Maiduguri to 34 Brigade Garrison Oweri as Commander, Brigadier General EO Ojabo from Defence Headquarters, Abuja to 81 Division Garrison, Lagos and appointed Commander, Brigadier General SS Tilawan to remain in Headquarters 5 Brigade as Commander.

    “Colonel FD Babatunde from Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos to Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos appointed Sector Commander, Colonel OJ Majebi from Operation SAFE HAVEN, Jos to 31 Brigade Garrison, Minna appointed Commander, Col JC Mbanefo from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) and appointed Commander, Colonel MA Maaji from Depot Nigerian Army Zaria to 4 Operation DELTA SAFE and appointed Commander amongst others.

    “All the postings and appointments take effect from the 18th of January 2021. While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the nation and the Service.”

  • Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    Normal activities regarding the registration of Nigerians for the National Identity Numbers have now resumed across the country after activities

    were suspended at the various offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) nationwide during the week due to strike action by workers.

    The resumption followed the intervention of the Federal Government through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami,

    According to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, on Saturday, the glitches experienced since January 6 have been resolved.

    The statement read that: the Commission “is glad to inform the general public that normal enrolment services for the National Identification Number (NIN) have been fully restored at all NIMC offices nationwide as the glitches experienced since January 6, 2021, have been sorted out.”

    Enrolment services were temporarily disrupted when the local chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) of NIMC embarked on industrial action on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, immediately after their congress, Adegoke said.

    He said Dr Pantami who promptly intervened in the matter, assured the workers that their grievances would be addressed.

    According to him, Dr Pantami advised them to empathise with Nigerians especially at this time that linkage of the NIN with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards was ongoing for the security of lives and property in the country.

    Adegoke said the Director-General of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Aziz also thanked Nigerians for their understanding in the face of the challenges posed by the two-day disruption of the enrolment process.

    He assured that the Management of NIMC would address the welfare, health and safety concerns of all staff of the Commission, especially as related to the COVID 19 pandemic.

    Engr. Aziz enjoined staff to go about their normal duties while fully observing the COVID-19 protocols as they enroll Nigerians and other eligible individuals, Adegoke stated.

    He also gave the assurance that more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be made available to staff, in addition to those already donated by the World Bank which had since been distributed to all NIMC offices nationwide.

  • Lagos State University Best Graduating Students Receive N5million Each

    Lagos State University Best Graduating Students Receive N5million Each

    Best graduating students of the Undergraduate and Masters programmes of the Lagos State University has received cheques of N5 million each presented by the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their outstanding academic performances.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu during the presentation on Friday stated that the gesture is part of “our promise to reward academic excellence in Lagos State”.

    Shotunde Oladimeji Idris, the best graduating student was also offered automatic employment into the state’s civil service, an offer the Governor reacted to sayiing is a step to continue improving the attractiveness of our civil service for the state’s best brains.

    “At the start of this administration, improving education in the state was highlighted as one of my biggest priorities, and we demonstrated commitment by increasing budgetary allocation to the sector as we work on improving the quality of our curriculums & welfare of our students”, Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

     

  • President of Nigeria, VP, Others Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine on Live TV

    President of Nigeria, VP, Others Will Take COVID-19 Vaccine on Live TV

    It has now been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari, his Vice, Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and other prominent Nigerians would be among the first set of Nigerians to receive the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine on live television.

    This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, while speaking on Thursday in Abuja during the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

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    Shuaib said: “This is to help drive awareness on the virus and the vaccine administration in the country when it finally arrived.”

    READ ALSO: Lagos Deputy Governor Loses Brother to Complications Arising from COVID-19

    He urged Nigerians not to be hesitant on the vaccines when they arrive as key government officials like president, vice president and SGF would take it on live TV.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • 731 NYSC Members in Batch B Test Positive for COVID-19

    731 NYSC Members in Batch B Test Positive for COVID-19

    Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Boss Mustapha, has revealed that no fewer than 731 of the 34,418 Batch B members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2020, tested positive for the deadly disease.

    Speaking on Tuesday at a briefing by the task force, Mustapha said corps members across the country took COVID-19 tests.

    According to him, “In continuation of the NYSC engagement, PTF has conducted the testing of Batch B Corp members using RDTs. Out of the 35,419 in the Batch B, 731 tested positive compared to 108 recorded during the Batch A.

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    “It is on record that cases were recorded from Corp members from every state of the federation.”

    Besides, PTF chairman expressed concern about the 1,204 cases recorded on Monday, the highest number of daily infections in the country.

    While attributing the surge to the Christmas festivities, Mustapha said: “Yesterday (January 4), we recorded 1,204 infections. This was the highest daily number ever recorded since we commenced the national response.

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    “From our analysis, we are beginning to see the effect of activities carried out during the Christmas festivities. We can only hope that numbers will not escalate beyond control. We, however, still appeal to all citizens to take full responsibility through compliance and vigilance.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos Deputy Governor Loses Brother to Complications Arising from COVID-19

    Lagos Deputy Governor Loses Brother to Complications Arising from COVID-19

    Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, Wednesday mourned the death of his younger brother, Haroun, who died of complications arising from the dreaded novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Haroun died on Tuesday at the age of 37. Until his death, he was a medical doctor at a public health centre in Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

    Mourning the death of his younger brother, Lagos State deputy governor called on the public to be conscious of the volatility of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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    He charged Lagosians to take necessary precautions regarding the COVlD-19 protocols.

    According to him, “There is urgent need for us as people to be conscious of the volatility of COVID-19.

    “We should not only do this for ourselves, but for everyone we come in contact with.

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    “Stay safe, use your masks, sanitise or wash your hands regularly and maintain social distancing.”

    Hamzat prayed for the repose of the soul of his younger brother, saying may Allah forgive him his sins and grant him eternal tranquility and Aljanah Firdaus.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos Govt Makes U-turn on Resumption of Schools Below Tertiary Level

    Lagos Govt Makes U-turn on Resumption of Schools Below Tertiary Level

    Less than 24 hours after its pronouncements on the indefinite closure of all public and private schools below the tertiary level due to the second wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Monday directed that the affected pupils/students to resume for the second term 2020/21 academic session from January 18, 2021.

    Speaking through Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, the governor explained that the new directive was in line with the Federal Government’s position to curtail the spread of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

    The Sanwo-Olu administration enjoined all schools to comply with all the outlined COVID-19 requirements for resumption.

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    “The directive is not only for the improvement of the overall school operations, but for the safe reopening of academic activities to support Lagos State Government’s quest for a full return,” the commissioner said.

    She advised all schools to have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick could teach or learn from home via available online platforms, adding that schools should also strive to prevent any COVID-19 infection among students and staff.

    READ ALSO: Ex-UNILAG VC, Ibidapo-Obe, Dies of Complications from COVID-19

    Adefisayo, therefore, enjoined teachers, students and visitors to wear facemasks at all times, observe physical distancing, embrace regular handwashing with soap under running water and maintain a high standard of personal hygiene within the school premises.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Nigerian Opposition Figure Sells $100m Intels Shares, Blames Buhari-led Govt for Woes

    Nigerian Opposition Figure Sells $100m Intels Shares, Blames Buhari-led Govt for Woes

    Former Vice President and co-founder of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (Intels), Atiku Abubakar, has finally sold his shares in the company through a series of transactions executed by Guernsey Trust in an open-secret deals that began in December 2018 but reached its climax last year.

    With the transaction over, Atiku accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of displaying rare greater urgency in the last five years in destroying legitimate businesses that are employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics.

    It was gathered that the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sold his shares in Intels to Orleal Investment Group, the parent company of Intels, for various amounts totaling over $100 million.

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    The money was paid to Atiku in three instalments – $60 million, $29 million and $24.1 million.

    With this transaction, the former vice president has divested from Intels, Nigeria’s undisputed largest logistics company which provides comprehensive integrated services for the nation’s oil and gas industry.

    Confirming the development, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said it’s true that his boss “has been selling his shares in Intels over the years.”

    According to him, “It assumed greater urgency in the last five years, because this government (President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration) has been preoccupied with destroying a legitimate business that was employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics.

    “There should be a marked difference between politics and business.

    “Yes, he (Atiku) has sold his shares in Intels and redirected his investment to other sectors of the economy for returns and creation of jobs.”

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    Intels spokesman, Tommaso Ruffinoni, also corroborated Ibe’s statement, saying Atiku gave the company a goodbye kiss in December 2019.

    The spokesperson added that with Atiku’s exit, two of his children working in Intels, Adamu Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Atiku Abubakar, have left Intels.

    The former vice president in 2015 described Intels as his most successful business, but the story changed in the last five years as the Buhari administration allegedly moved to stifle Atiku as the symbol of opposition in Nigeria.

    It would be recalled that Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) purportedly cancelled its 17-year-old contract for pilotage monitoring with Intels without any cogent reasons.

    The Buhari administration had in October 2017 directed NPA to terminate the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement that the agency has with Intels, arguing that the contract was void ab initio.

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    Riding on the present administration’s disdain for Atiku, NPA accused Intels of refusing to remit to the Federal Government service boat pilotage revenue in the firm’s custody, which amounted to $207.646 million (N78.905 billion) as at September 30, 2019.

    NPA explained that the money was aside from service boat pilotage revenue for January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020, amounting to $97.029 million, which added up to $307.675 million (N115.775 billion) in the custody of Intels.

    But, the then Atiku’s Intels denied all the allegations, saying NPA was owing it to the tune of $895.8 million cumulatively.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ex-UNILAG VC, Ibidapo-Obe, Dies of Complications from COVID-19

    Ex-UNILAG VC, Ibidapo-Obe, Dies of Complications from COVID-19

    A former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, has died of complications arising from the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The former University don passed away on Sunday, January 3.

    This was confirmed by the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU) UNILAG branch, Dele Ashiru.

    He said the late professor had been receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos State for about 10 days before he was pronounced dead on Sunday evening.

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    According to him, “Yes, Prof. Ibidapo-Obe is dead. He died today (Sunday) from COVID-19-related complications. The late professor’s family has properly briefed us.”

    Until his death, Ibidapo-Obe was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, First Technical University in Ibadan.

    Also, confirming his death, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of First Technical University, Olayinka Balogun, in a statement, said: “With heavy heart, and submission to the will of God I write to inform Council members of the transition to glory of Professor Oye Ibidapo-Obe, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, First Technical University, Ibadan which occurred today 03/01/2021.

    “I pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.”

    Born on July 5 1949 and married to Olusola and had four children, Ibidapo-Obe was also former President of the Nigeria Academy of Science.

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    He attended Ilesa Grammar School and Igbobi College from 1962 to 1968 and University of Lagos between 1968 and 1971.

    The former vice chancellor was awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc. Hons) degree in Mathematics in the First Class Division by University of Lagos in 1971; a Master’s of Mathematics (M. Maths) degree in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Civil Engineering with specialisation in Applied Mechanics/Systems in 1976 both from University of Waterloo, Ontario in Canada.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • COVID-19: Lagos Govt Suspends Resumption Date for Schools Below Tertiary Level

    COVID-19: Lagos Govt Suspends Resumption Date for Schools Below Tertiary Level

    The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government Sunday night announced that all public and private schools below tertiary level in the state remain closed indefinitely due to the second wave of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    The governor, in a statement by Lagos State Ministry of Education, noted that the latest directive makes it mandatory that all schools earlier scheduled to resume on January 4, 2021 must remain closed until a new resumption date is announced.

    While assuring that a new date would be communicated in due course, the ministry urged parents and students to ensure strict adherence to guidelines issued by the Sanwo-Olu administration to prevent the spread of the COVID-19, including the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, washing of hands under running water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

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    In a related development, the governor has extended the stay-at- home order for all Lagos State Public Servants on Grade Levels 14 and below to January 18, 2021 to stem the tide of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    This was disclosed by Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who noted that the directive excludes staff on essential duty as well as First Responders.

    He urged all public servants to stay safe and ensure continued adherence to all COVID-19 protocols in order to rid the state of the pandemic.

     

    Muri-Okunola also urged all staff to join the virtual Y2021 First Work Day Prayer for all public servants in the state via Zoom platform with Meeting ID: 857 4418 2571; Password: 100200 from 7.45am on January 4, 2021.

    While maintaining that the service would hold online due to the COVID-19, the Head of Service wished all staff a prosperous and fulfilling New Year.

    Idowu Sowunmi