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  • June 12 2020: Fulfilling the Promise by Hafsat Abiola-Costello

    June 12 2020: Fulfilling the Promise by Hafsat Abiola-Costello

    Hafsat Abiola-Costello
    Today marks the anniversary of June 12, 1993, the day on which a general election was held in which my father, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Now, 27 years later, tragically, his campaign promise that Nigerians would say farewell to poverty remains unfulfilled.
    My father had campaigned on a platform of restoring hope after General Ibrahim Babangida laid waste to a once vibrant economy with years of neoliberal economic policies. Within two weeks of M.K.O.’s election, on June 23, the military regime, inexplicably, annulled the results. By 1994, he was in jail, setting in motion a pro-democracy movement that continued until democracy was restored in 1999.
    After 21 years, Nigeria now ranks as the wealthiest country in Africa. It is also the most populous with 200 million people. Yet, everyone feels the reality of deepening poverty across the country, causing many to question whether the democracy movement was worth the sacrifice.
    Where did we go wrong? When that historic election was annulled, people power was ignited. Ordinary Nigerians led the struggle with their mother serving as the face of the movement. But we made a huge mistake. We thought our work was done when democracy was restored. With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that our work had only just begun.
    M.K.O.’s date with destiny should have been June the 12th. He, my mother, and so many students and activists are now dead. But Nigerians still have the prospect of realising the dream. If there’s anything we can learn from that time, it is this: the people must again take the lead.
    In a world that is waking up to the fact that black lives matter, Nigeria’s demand for economic justice in the global system may finally be heard.
    So let this be a day on which we renew our commitment to liberate ourselves from the shackles of poverty. United, we defeated a military dictatorship. United, once again, we can really fulfill the promise and eradicate poverty in our land.
    A luta continua.
  • At last, Buhari okays Dongban-Mensem for Senate confirmation as appellate court president

    At last, Buhari okays Dongban-Mensem for Senate confirmation as appellate court president

    Idowu Sowunmi

    President Muhammadu Buhari has finally sent the nomination of Her Lordship, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Acting President, Court of Appeal to the Senate for confirmation as the substantive President, Court of Appeal.

    Justice Dongban-Mensem is a serving Justice of the Court of Appeal and was recommended, as is the practice, by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the nomination by the President.

    NJC’s decisions were taken at the virtual meeting of members of the council on April 22 and 23.

    READ ALSO: How IPOB is plotting US, UK against Nigeria – Presidency says

    Confirming the news, Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, explained that the nomination was in line with the President’s constitutional responsibility.

    Justice Dongban-Mensem was sworn-in by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, on March 7, a day after Buhari appointed her as Acting President of Court of Appeal.

  • How IPOB is plotting US, UK against Nigeria – Presidency says

    How IPOB is plotting US, UK against Nigeria – Presidency says

    Tobiloba Kolawole

    The Presidency has revealed a ploy by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
    to use smear campaigns to malign the Federal Government of Nigeria with the intent to damage the relationship between it and its international allies.

    This revelation was disclosed Sunday evening by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu who stressed that it was necessary to draw the attention of citizens and the International community to what he described as a “misleading campaign”.

    Garba, accusing the IPOB leadership of spearheading the misleading campaign revealed that the group’s approach is using false allegations such as “persecution of Christians against the Nigerian State”.

    He said: “A very deep and wide investigation by an agency of the Nigerian government, working with international partners have made us become aware that there are two, interconnected campaigns being run concurrently by the IPOB in this regard.

    “Both are using the cover of Christianity – and calling for a US Special Envoy to be appointed to stop the “genocide” of Christians in Nigeria. But the real purpose is to drive a wedge between the Nigeria government and its US and UK/European allies” he said.

    Garba, in a veiled reference to exiled leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, faulted the interest of IPOB leadership whose religious views is divergent to that of his followers.

    “IPOB leadership of course self-proclaims as “Jewish,” a position not shared by the generality of the members.

    “For reasons of convenience, he claims to have an interest in the welfare of Christians – but this is a ruse: the case for independence, the leader believes, is strengthened by “proving” the government of Nigeria is “autocratic”, engaged in a “silent slaughter” of their own citizens along religion and ethnic lines – and that therefore the only viable option for the unique religious and ethnic minority is a sovereign Biafra separate from Nigeria, he stated.

    READ ALSO: Bandit Attacks: President Buhari to increase military operations in katsina, others

    While warning stakeholders across board, the presidential spokesman further revealed how the group’s campaign and activities against the Nigerian Government are being funded by unknown sponsors.

    “Nigerians and the international community are advised to be wary of this divisive campaign, which available evidence shows is being funded with a monthly spending of $85,000 USD since October 2019, with no records of the source of this largesse.

    “The campaign consists of producing articles in the names of the alleged Christian NGOs’ leaders (of campaign groups created at the time this PR contract with a US lobbying firm was signed) and letters to and from members of Congress to the White House.

    “Unfortunately, some Members of Congress have clearly been persuaded there is indeed a “Christian persecution” underway in Nigeria – and do so quoting the campaign – and they are known to be taking up the case directly with the White House to appoint the special envoy”, Mr Shehu said.

    Expressing how far the group had gone in its attempt to heat up the polity and cause disquiet nationally and international, Garba noted that the “misleading campaign” has caught the attention of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom and other international figures and organizations in the UK and Europe.

    Shehu stated that: “There is also a UK and European angle of the Campaign, which is more opaque than its US sister campaign – given there is less legal requirement for public filings – but what is known of this at the moment is that their Budget is sufficient to hire four PR firms in the UK, Belgium, France and the US (the latter additional to the above).

    “They have founded an “NGO/Charity” and a linked web-based campaign named “Stop the Silent Slaughter” which is well designed and complete with video “evidence”-completely concocted.

    “Members of the alleged Christian NGO have had multiple Op-Ed articles in conservative news websites promulgating their message of a “Christian Genocide”. Some of those articles have also been used as “evidence” in the sister US campaign.

    “Two of those conservative news websites were co-founded by the owner of the UK PR firm they have hired to generate their publicity as well as an OP-Ed article in the name of a British MP who may have been convinced by their campaign under false pretences” Shehu revealed.

    With additional coverage in France, EU and Germany as stated by Presidential spokesman, Shehu added that: “They secured a MPs debate on the “Christian Genocide” in the House of Commons in which staff member of the UK PR was referenced as the “private secretary” to the leader of the UK-based Charity”.

    Shehu pointed out that the misleading actions of the group is capable of damaging inter-religiois dialogue in the country as well as the reputation of Nigeria among international communities.

    READ ALSO: AfDB Board finds middle ground, supports Adesina, grants US a review

    He said: “It is clear from all of the above that the IPOB’s extraordinarily and dubiously well-funded campaign in the US and UK/Europe is misusing the issue of the welfare of Christians purely to further their own political ends”.

    He however called on international groups and societies to send representatives to Nigeria for fact findings so they could see the false claims by “these terrorist groups who are duping them of their money and involving them in conduct and activities disguised to destroy the harmonious relationships existing between their home countries and Nigeria”.

    Shehu advised Nigerians and the international community to “ignore this campaign as they have disregarded similar past campaigns originated by this group which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian State”.

  • Bandit Attacks: President Buhari to increase military operations in Katsina, others

    Bandit Attacks: President Buhari to increase military operations in Katsina, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari says he will deploy more military operations in Zamfara, Sokoto, Niger, Katsina and Kaduna States in order to check the activities of bandits.

    The President made this known on Thursday when the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari who has been troubled with recent attacks by bandits in his state, visited the State House Abuja.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu Saturday, President Buhari stressed that “bandits, who have committed crimes against innocent citizens in the state, and across the country, will not be spared”.

    Assuring the people and government of Katsina State of renewed efforts, the President stated that security operations in the troubled state and other parts of the country will be reviewed and improved to ensure the security of lives and property.

    The President, commiserating with Governor Masari over the loss of lives to incessant attacks warned “bandits to surrender their weapons, or face disgraceful and violent end’’.

  • NNPC warns of contaminated diesel, explains measures to cut crude oil production cost

    NNPC warns of contaminated diesel, explains measures to cut crude oil production cost

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has raised an alarm over prevalent low grade and contaminated Automative Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise called, diesel offered at discounted prices in parts of the country.

    This was coming as the corporation has taken measures to bring down cost of crude oil production to $10 per barrel or below.

    NNPC’s warning was contained in a report by the corporation’s Retail Limited Managing Director, Sir Billy Okoye, who admonished motorists to be wary of the off-spec products.

    Okoye explained that “the warning became necessary because the low grade, contaminated diesel is harmful to machines and environment”, adding that “NNPC Retail Limited as a market leader considered it incumbent upon it to alert the public on the subject.”

    He assured consumers that “NNPC Retail Limited deals only in premium, high-quality products in the interest of Nigerian motorists and users”, urging consumers to patronise the company’s stations where the quality of their products is assured.

    As a deregulated product, diesel is also imported by other major and independent marketers in the country.

    READ ALSO: FCTA issues guidelines on reopening of worship centres in Abuja

    Meanwhile, NNPC said it’s taking measures to bring down cost of crude oil production to $10 per barrel or below. This was disclosed by the corporation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ventures and Business Development, Mr. Roland Ewubare.

    NNPC, in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that Ewubare made the declaration today on a Channels TV breakfast programme, Business Morning.

    The COO explained that terrain peculiarity was an important factor in determining cost, arguing that issues such as pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, among others, were some of the factors peculiar to the Nigerian terrain that drive up crude oil production cost in the country.

    He, however, stated that NNPC was looking very closely at such variable as logistics, security and transportation with a view to reducing cost of production to $10 and below per barrel.
    He disclosed that much had been done over the years in the area of reducing contracting cycle which used to be a major factor responsible for high cost of production, noting that the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) achieved a six-month contracting cycle under him as Group General Manager.

    Amidst speculations of non-compliance by some countries with the production cuts agreed upon by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its non-member allies, Ewubare affirmed that Nigeria was in full compliance with the agreed output cuts, saying reports including Nigeria on the list of non-compliant countries were not true.

    Ewubare explained that though Nigeria’s total production capacity was 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), it was currently producing only about 1.4mbpd in compliance with the OPEC+ production quota, adding that what makes up the little extra over the 1.4mbpd figure being bandied around for Nigeria was condensate which is usually not computed as part of production in OPEC quota.

    “There’s some confusion in the market around the parameters for the production cuts. Nigeria has a full production capacity of about 2.3mbpd. We are currently producing between 1.6 and 1.7mbpd.

    “Our OPEC quota as a result of the cuts is about 1.4mbpd. You and I know that condensate is not included in the computation of the cut numbers. So what we have is 1.4mbpd of crude oil.

    “The little you see above 1.4mbpd is made up of condensate which does not count as part of the basis for assessing our OPEC quota”, Ewubare said.

    READ ALSO: AfDB board finds middle ground, supports Adesina, grants US a review

    NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in a recent interview advanced a similar position where he stressed that NNPC was working assiduously to bring down the cost of crude oil production to not more than $10 per barrel by 2021.

  • AfDB board finds middle ground, supports Adesina, grants US a review

    AfDB board finds middle ground, supports Adesina, grants US a review

    The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) board, decided to opt for a middle ground resolution of the impasse generated by the demand of the United States, a non-regional investor in the bank, for an independent probe of misconduct allegations leveled against the bank’s President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, whom the ethics committee of the organization has already cleared.
    In a statement issued by the Chairperson of the Bureau of the Board of Governors, Ms. Niale Kaba on Thursday, the board stood its ground on the accuracy of the outcome of an internal investigation that had cleared Adesina of improper conduct, but confirmed it would authorise an independent review of the ethics committee report, as against the US’ “independent probe” in order to please all stakeholders.

    READ ALSO: African Development Bank Presidency: I’ll stand by you – Buhari tells Adesina

    AfDB’s board of governors said it believed the bank’s ethics committee, which produced the report, had carried out its role correctly. But the board has nevertheless agreed to authorise a review.

    “The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high caliber individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity,” it said.

    The AfDB chief who never hid his desire to run the bank for a second term, gained the support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) due to his sterling performance at the bank. In April, Dr. Adesina was confronted with the first resistance to his second term bid in the form of allegations of misconduct by a whistleblower and later a second resistance when the United States rejected an internal process that cleared him of wrongdoing.

    The United States, AfDB’s second-largest shareholder, has demanded a new independent probe into the allegations, rejecting the bank’s investigation over reservations about the integrity of the bank’s process.

    Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the leader of the nation with the largest single share, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has voiced his support and gave his backing to Adesina in his bid for a second term as AfDB president.

    Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari meets African Development Bank’s (AfDB) President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina

    READ ALSO: Workers Welfare: House pledges support-to criminalise estimated billing

    The board however stressed that the review of the investigation would take no more than four weeks considering the organization’s electoral calendar.

    Owing to the disquiet in Africa’s number one bank, the board of Governors resolved to review the bank’s whistle-blowing and complaints handling policy at a later date presumably to improve the confidence of all stakeholders in its Internal mechanism.

  • No tenure extension for top management staff of National Assembly, says Gbajabiamila

    No tenure extension for top management staff of National Assembly, says Gbajabiamila

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Thursday denied authorising a letter by his Chief of Staff, Sanusi Rikiji, in which the leadership of the House purportedly insisted on an amended National Assembly Condition of Service seeking service extension for top management staff.

    A memo by Gbajabiamila’s Chief of Staff, dated June 3, 2020, with reference number: NASS/SPK/ADM/VOL.1/520, had surfaced online on Wednesday night.

    In the letter, Rikiji said the leadership of the chamber was opposed to the position of the National Assembly Service Commission which removes the clause extending the services of the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, and 150 other management and senior staff members.

    In his letter titled: “Re: Forwarding of Memorandum on the Review of Conditions of Service for the National Assembly Service,” Gbajabiamila said the House could not rescind the 8th Assembly’s resolution on the retirement age of National Assembly staff just like that.

    “I am directed by the entire leadership of the House of Representatives to acknowledge the receipt of your letter on the above dated 01 June 2020 vide NASC/CHO/IPS/II/Il/94 and have deliberated on it.

    READ ALSO: Workers Welfare: House pledges support, to criminalise estimated billing

    “I am further directed to inform you that the entire leadership of the House of Representatives cannot rescind the 8th Assembly’s resolution on the retirement age of National Assembly staff.

    “Therefore, the House of Representatives maintains the position of the 8th Assembly as contained in the conditions of service jointly passed by that Assembly.

    “Please accept the assurances of our regards,” the letter read.

    It would be recalled that the speaker, in a statement on Wednesday night, said he did not direct issuance of the letter.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has been drawn to a letter purportedly emanating from his office allegedly stating his endorsement of the new Condition of Service for National Assembly Staff passed by the 8th Assembly.

    “The Speaker wishes to inform the general public that there was no time he directed issuance of such purported letter from his office as there is a recognised and authorised channel for all correspondences and resolutions reached by the House or its leadership.

    READ ALSO: FCTA issues guidelines on reopening of worship centres in Abuja

    “The Speaker also wishes to call on the general public to disregard the letter and always rely on official communication channels of the House for news on the position of the House on any matter.”

  • Lagos inspires innovation, pays over N16 billion pension in one year

    Lagos inspires innovation, pays over N16 billion pension in one year

    The Lagos State Government has initiated an interactive knowledge sharing platform to tap into the wisdom of its pool of civil-servant-staff for novel ideas that will aid the development of the state.

    The platform known as SHIFT Talks, was disclosed Wednesday by the state’s Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Ajibola Ponnle at the Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the one year in office anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu held at the JJT park in the Alausa area of Ikeja, Lagos State.

    In her remark to journalists at the event, Ponnle described the initiative as one that will help the State “at harvesting the collective wisdom inherent within the service, showcasing innovation by staff and networking to bridge the inter-ministerial gap”

    Giving further explanation on how the initiative will also celebrate members of the Lagos State Government staff who distinguish themselves by following through on creative ideas, the Commissioner recognised some civil servants who had come up with ideas that aligned with the intent of the initiative in its first edition.

    “Knowledge SHIFTer, like Mrs. Tope George, a lawyer from the Ministry of Justice shared nuggets from a book she authored while Innovation SHIFTer, Seun Ogunmolu, who launched an App he developed, was recognised by Mr. Governor for an excellent performance. It should be worthy of note that Mr. Ogunmolu was advanced to GL 10 as a result of his innovative drive”.

    Giving performance account of her ministry and agencies under her supervision in the last one year, Ponnle noted that the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) had by the end of March 2020, designed and implemented a total of 44 Learning and Development programmes for a total of 2,164 Public Service staff to enhance job performance.

    READ ALSO: Alleged N225M Fraud: SERAP, Budgit call on IGP as Senator Aduda’s loyalist threatens activist

    Among others, She listed the organisation of In-Plant, Tailor-Made Workshops and Seminars, sponsorship of officers for Local and foreign training and approval for Study Leave as programmes implemented to boost the morale of employees.

    Reiterating the commitment of the Sanwo-Olu led government to boost service excellence, the Commissioner noted that: “We have trained a total of 4,210 staff during the year in-class sessions, representing 30% of the cumulative number trained in the previous four years, apart from the over 11,000 participants online”.

    She averred that in order to ensure a safe, conflict-free and productive workplace, the Ministry provided strategic and expert advice on industrial relations and also played an important role in the successful negotiation of the new minimum wage plus consequential adjustments, noting that three months arrears, as agreed, had already been paid to employees between February and April 2020 during the lockdown.

    Ponnle also emphasised that “the Lagos State Government pays more than the Federal recommended minimum wage, which shows the magnanimity of Governor Sanwo-Olu in ensuring that the ‘take-home’ of staff truly take them home”.

    In the area of Pension payments, she affirmed that the State Government has consistently distinguished itself as the leading State in the payment of contributory payment scheme, its management, implementation and administration in Nigeria, while also leading the pack in the full implementation of an increase in employers’ contribution from 7.5% to 10% and employees contribution from 7.5% to 8%.

    She submitted that a total of 4,104 retirees had their accrued pension rights of N16,759,441,707.75 credited into their RSAs between May 2019 to April 2020, saying that the government also approved the release of N13.75billion to fund the Redemption Bond Account, thereby increasing the additional funding rate from 5% to 10% of total annual staff emoluments in order to fully clear the backlog of arrears from the old defined benefit scheme era of pension management by the State.

    READ ALSO: Ogun moves to improve standard of education, inaugurates committee

    Ponnle stated further that the Lagos State Pension Commission, LASPEC, has commenced the issuance of pensioners ID cards to retirees while additional benefits that will accrue to civil service retirees, who hold ID cards, will be unveiled in due course.

    She reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to developing initiatives that will ensure the mandate of a 21st Century-compliant workforce is achieved.

  • Ogun moves to improve standard of education, inaugurates committee

    Ogun moves to improve standard of education, inaugurates committee

    The Ogun State Ministry of Education has inaugurated a 13-member committee tasked with the responsibility of developing ideas that will improve the standard of education in the State.

    This step in the state’s education sector was Wednesday announced by the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo who said the committee was saddled with responsibilities of overseeing the management side of schools, to support and challenge schools’ senior leadership team, setting of strategic direction in schools, creating a robust accountability, ensuring financial probity among others.

    Stressing the commitment of the state government to ensuring quality and efficient schooling, Soyombo stated that the School Based Management Committee would help in bridging the gap between the government and the people, and design programmes towards restoring the lost glory and standards of schools in Ogun.

    In her remark, she said “we are committed to ensuring newly appointed committee members are up to speed and effective in their roles as quickly as possible. We would provide a number of services to support you from the start”.

    According to the Special Adviser, the State government had achieved a lot within its first year in office, including the renovation of primary schools, payment of running cost and the introduction of Ogun Digi-class.

    READ ALSO: African Development Bank Presidency: I’ll stand-by you – Buhari tells Adesina

    Reiterating the goals set for the inaugurated committee in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Abosede Ogunleye said the committee was inaugurated to ensure improved educational standard, as well as help students realise their full potentials.

    The Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite while giving an acceptance speech, described the occasion as a good intervention, promising to do all within their capacity to support the present administration at ensuring qualitative teachings and learning in schools, while also canvassing for support from individuals, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Old Students Association, Royal Fathers, Community Leaders among others.

    Source, Press, Ogun Ministry Of Education

  • African Development Bank Presidency: I’ll Stand By You, Buhari Tells Adesina

    African Development Bank Presidency: I’ll Stand By You, Buhari Tells Adesina

    Idowu Sowunmi
    President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday said Nigeria would stand solidly behind Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in his bid to get re-elected as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB).
    The President stated this at State House in Abuja, while hosting Adesina on a courtesy visit.
    According to him, “In 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position.
    “I didn’t say because you were a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Minister, and I belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC), so I would withhold my support. I’ll remain consistent with you, because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria.”
    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, pledged that Nigeria would work with all other leaders and stakeholders in AfDB to ensure that Adesina is elected for a second term built on the record of his achievements during his first term.
    The African Union had already endorsed the incumbent AfDB President as sole candidate for the continent, but some other stakeholders are trying to ensure that Adesina is re-investigated on some allegations, and rendered ineligible to run.
    Giving a background to what was happening in the bank, Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister for Agriculture, said the 16 allegations raised against him were trumped up, “and without facts, evidence, and documents, as required by the rules and regulations of the bank.”
    He added that the Ethics Committee of the bank cleared him of all the allegations, and calls for fresh investigation by the United States of America, were against the rules.”
    He said: “My defense ran into 250 pages, and not a single line was faulted or questioned. The law says that report of the Ethics Committee should be transmitted to the Chairman of Governors of the bank.
    “It was done, and the governors upheld the recommendations. That was the end of the matter, according to the rules. It was only if I was culpable that a fresh investigation could be launched.
    “I was exonerated, and any other investigation would amount to bending the rules of the bank, to arrive at a predetermined conclusion.”
    Stressing that the motive was to soil his name, and that of the bank, the AfDB President said he was proud to be Nigerian, and thanked President Buhari for his unflinching support.
    “You helped me to get elected in the first place, and you have supported me robustly all along, and the African Union unanimously endorsed my re-election,” he declared.
    While commiserating with President Buhari on the death of the former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr Adesina described Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new Chief of Staff as “a man of integrity, and of global standing.”