Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Chike Ozohili

  • Senate’ll constitute C’ttees by July ending — Majority Leader

    Senate’ll constitute C’ttees by July ending — Majority Leader

    The Senate will constitute special and standing committees before the end of this month, this is according to the new Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

    Bamidele said this while briefing newsmen after his emergence as the majority leader of the 10th Senate on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Bamidele said that with the emergence of the majority and minority caucuses which make up the principal officers, they would hit the ground running.

    According to him, “Before long, during the month of July, we will have all the committees; special and standing committees properly constituted.

    “For us, the next task is to ensure we hit the ground running so that from tomorrow, we are able to take steps that will show that we have a clear understanding of what is to be done.

    “The first task ahead of us is to constitute special committees of the 10th Senate. Our rules make provision for six special committees.

    “This is so that every senator can get busy based on their own professional background and can properly fit into the sector where they can add value.

    “We are ready to attend to correspondence from the executive. Through the committee of the whole of the house, we will commence with the confirmation hearing of the Service Chiefs and some other appointees who had been named by the President.”

    He assured that as the new leadership had emerged, it would ensure that seriousness is attached to all legislative assignments.

    “By the grace of God, we will be able to make a difference that will be positive and that will be worth the effort of all of you that worked with us in ensuring that the two presiding officers emerged in a manner that was not rancorous.

    “But of course, the emergence of the remaining principal officers of the 10th Senate was not an issue that was meant to be decided on the floor.

    “Rather, it was an issue which on the one hand as related to the All Progressives Party (APC) needed to be decided among the critical stakeholders of the party. This was what led to the emergence of the officers.

    “On the other hand, with respect to the minority parties, again it wasn’t entirely a party affair because it wasn’t a typical situation where you have one opposition party but rather six political parties were involved.

    “Fifty of our colleagues were involved. So rather than it being a decision to be taken at the secretariat of political parties, it was more of a decision taken by members who were elected on the platform of the six minority parties.

    “Thirty-eight of them by virtue of their signature took a decision as to who their leaders will be and of course, this was also communicated to their respective political parties and as democrats, all the presiding officers did was to follow suit because more than a single majority had decided.”

    Bamidele added that it had been a no victor no vanquish situation adding that “we are happy eventually a leadership has emerged for the 10th Senate.”

  • CBN sensitizes Gombe stakeholders on new payment systems, economic policies

    CBN sensitizes Gombe stakeholders on new payment systems, economic policies

    *Cautions against Naira abuse, counterfeiting  

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday, sensitised stakeholders in Gombe on its policies and interventions toward boosting economic development in the country.

    The sensitisation was held at the International Conference Centre in Lafiyawo community of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe.

    The Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN Directorate Headquarters Abuja, Dr Isa Abdulmumin in his presentation, said the CBN had made a lot of efforts toward stimulating businesses across the country.

    This is to ensure economic empowerment for the country and citizens.

    Abdulmumin said the objective of the engagement was to sensitise members of the public on how the apex bank’s interventions could grow businesses in the state and to contribute to Nigeria economy.

    Represented by Mr Esu Imo, an Assistant Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN Directorate Headquarters, Abuja, Abdulmumin said the bank remained committed to supporting businesses and promoting diversification through various interventions in key sectors of the economy.

    The director also said part of the engagement was to solicit the support and co-operation of key stakeholders to partake in CBN’s mission to return Nigeria to the path of greatness.

    According to him, as a critical stakeholder in economic development, the CBN seeks collaboration with the people to contribute toward achieving a well-diversified and prosperous economy.

    “I wish to crave your indulgence to be attentive as we sensitise you on the various modern payment infrastructures for ease of business transactions.

    “We will also enlighten you on your rights and responsibilities as it relates to your relationship with your banks; among others,” he said. 

    While restating the commitment of the CBN to ensuring availability of naira notes, Isa, however, urged participants to see Naira as a critical symbol of national identity.

    “Respect and keep it clean; do not spray, hawk, mutilate or counterfeit the Naira,” he warned, adding that it is an offence to abuse the Naira.

    In his opening speech, the Branch Controller, CBN Gombe State office, Mr Shehu Goringo said the primary objective of the fair was to sensitise the people about the CBN initiatives.

    Represented by Mr Abdullahi Baba-Isa, Head, CBN’s Development and Finance Office, Gombe State, Goringo  said the CBN would leverage the engagement to harness expertise of the diverse participants toward finding common solutions to economic challenges of the country.

    Goringo expressed optimism that the outcome of the engagement would help achieve financial literacy and inclusiveness and would  contribute to employment creation, while building a sustainable economy.

    Presentations were made on consumer rights protection and how best to keep the Naira clean and CBN’s efforts to make Naira available to the public.

    Also, participants were enlightened on recent innovations in the Nigerian payment system, recent development in the foreign exchange as well as the eNaira.

    The sensitisation also featured a question-and-answer session for with the CBN officials.

  • Set another test for Mmesoma, Ohaneze tells JAMB

    Set another test for Mmesoma, Ohaneze tells JAMB

    The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to bring Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme’s alleged results falsification case to rest by testing her with another examination.

    Miss Ejikeme, who is a former student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi in Anambra, celebrated her emergence as the candidate with the highest score in the year 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    JAMB, in a statement on Sunday signed by its Spokesperson, Dr Fabian Benjamin, however, accused Miss Ejikeme of inflating her results to curry favour, adding that the result would be withdrawn as she would have to face prosecution.

    Also on Tuesday, JAMB slammed a three-year ban on Mmesoma, insisting that her score was fake and manipulated.

    Speaking with newsmen in Owerri, on Tuesday, the Financial Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Mazi Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, called on the examination board to put the matter to rest by resetting the examination for Miss Ejikeme.

    Arthur-Ugwa described the situation as `embarrassing’ to the candidate, JAMB, and Nigeria in general and called on the Board to immediately clear its image and that of the nation.

    He added that the allegation would come with negative psychological and emotional effects on Mmesoma.

    Arthu-Ugwa called on the body to “desist from causing harm” in any form or by any means on an innocent youth who had yet to be pronounced guilty by the results of ongoing investigations into the matter.

    “Only another examination supervised by independent observers will bring this matter to rest and we will avail ourselves to be part of the supervision if need be,” he said.

    According to him, the Board had never complained of any attempt to manipulate its website, hence the need for the board not to preempt investigations.

    “Only a few years back, JAMB told us how a snake swallowed a huge sum of money in one of its offices; today we are being told that the results of an examination that should admit students into our hallowed tertiary institutions can no longer be trusted for what they are.

    “JAMB must, as a matter of national importance, realise the seriousness of its role in society and stop being in the news for the wrong reasons.

    “If its management can no longer hold forth, then let the Federal Government overhaul the entire board and save our country and her people from needless embarrassment,’’ he said.

    Miss Ejikeme has denied the allegations, insisting that she scored a total of 362 marks in the examination as against JAMB’s 249, dding that she printed the result from the board’s portal. 

  • Police confirm killing of 6 persons in Zamfara

    Police confirm killing of 6 persons in Zamfara

    The Police Command in Zamfara has confirmed the killing of six persons in an attack by local vigilantes, Yan Sakai, in Kadamutsawa community of Bungudu Local Government Area.

    A statement on Tuesday issued in Gusau by the Command’s spokesman, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said the attack, which took place on June 28, left four people injured.

    “The injured victims have been taken to Kwatarkoshi Hospital where one of them died while receiving treatment,” he added.

    According to him, the police divisional police officer in Kwatorkoshi led a strike force of the division in collaboration with the military personnel to the scene.

    “The hoodlums escaped, but an effort is ongoing by the police to fish out the culprits and bring them to justice,” Abubakar said.

    He appealed to relatives of those affected to remain calm and allow the authorities to handle the situation. 

  • Subsidy Removal: Zulum releases 80 vehicles to cushion effect

    Subsidy Removal: Zulum releases 80 vehicles to cushion effect

    Subsidy Removal: Zulum releases 80 vehicles to cushion effect

    Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Tuesday released 80 vehicles to ease the high cost of transportation for farmers caused by the withdrawal of subsidy.

    A statement in Maiduguri by Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mallam Isa Gusau, said the vehicle compressed 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to convey farmers to their farms for free.

    “To reduce the high cost of living caused by the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday, released 80 buses and pick-up vans for free transportation of farmers.

    “The 80 means of transport will comprise 50 luxurious buses to be allocated from the fleet of the Borno Express Corporation, while the 30 pick-up vans will be hired by the state government.

    “Due to the removal of fuel subsidy which although has a long-term benefit, cost of transportation has increased.

    “Therefore, Borno State Government has decided to provide 50 buses and 30 pick-up vans to convey farmers to their farmlands this rainy season,” Gusau quoted Zulum as saying.

    The governor also addressed farmers along Maiduguri – Damboa Road, urging them to cooperate with the military and other security agencies deployed along the road to protect them.

    He also expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting the people. 

  • Fire Service saves 26 lives, N17m property in Kano

    Fire Service saves 26 lives, N17m property in Kano

    The Kano State Fire Service says it saved 26 lives and property worth N17 million from 22 fire outbreaks recorded in June.

    This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Service, Saminu Abdullahi, on Tuesday in Kano.

    Abdullahi disclosed that nine persons died, while property worth N6.7 million was destroyed by fire during the period.

    “The Service responded to 18 rescue calls and four false alarms from residents of the state,” he said.

    The spokesman advised the general public to handle fire with care and continue to clear their drainage to avoid unforeseen circumstances.

  • Equity market continues bullish run, gains N534bn

    Equity market continues bullish run, gains N534bn

    Nigeria’s equity market on Monday appreciated by N534 billion as an investment in the shares of United Bank of Africa, FCMB, Access Bank and others lifted the market activity

    The market capitalization of listed equities increased by 1.60 percent to N33.731 trillion from N33.197 trillion reported the previous day.

    The NGX All Share Index also increased by 980.97 basis points to 61949.24 points from 60968.27 points traded on Friday.

    A review of the investment during the day showed that JapaulGold, UPL, and Fidelity Bank led the gainers’ table gaining 10 percent each to close at N0.77 percent, N2.75, and N7.70 percent respectively, Meyer Paint and Eterna Plc also increased by 10 percent each to close at N23.10 per share.

    On the contrary, Triple G topped the losers’ chart during the day, shedding 9.87 percent to close at N3.38 percent each, Cornerstone Insurance and NSL Tech trailed with a loss of 9.09 percent each to close at N1.00 and N0.30 per unit respectively. ABC Transport fell by 6.82 percent to close at N0.41 per share, Julius Berger was down by 3.23 percent to close at N30.00 per share.

    Volume of trades increased by 20.692 million, representing 20.73 percent as investors traded 1.205 billion shares valued at N14.039 billion in 12128 deals against 998.080 million shares valued at N15.956 billion in 10580 deals.

    Transactions in the shares of FCMB group was the toast of investor during the account for 173.808 million shares valued at N930.697 million, United Bank for Africa followed with an account of 160.673 million shares worth N2.119 billion, Access Corp traded132.518 million shares valued at N2.383 billion, Jaiz Bank exchanged 80.637 million shares worth N138.392 million while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc sold a total of 74.963 million shares cost N285.247 million.

  • Grids deployment to small communities expanding productive activities- FFEAA

    Grids deployment to small communities expanding productive activities- FFEAA

    The Foundation for Economic Advocacy and Advancement (FFEAA) has said that thousands of grids deployed in small communities across Nigeria has increased electricity generated and expansion in productive activities.

    FFEAA said this while reacting to recent press release issued by the Coalition of West African Investigative Journalists (COWAFIJ) calling for investigation into the spending of over $550million repayable grant by Nigeria Electrification Project, NEP, a unit in Rural Electrification Agency, REA.

    FFEAA in a statement signed by its National Publicity Officer, Mr. Dolapo Olanrewaju described the entire press conference by COWAFIJ as an attempt at ridiculing the giant strides of the REA under Engr Salihijo Ahmad.

    FFEAA describing COWAFIJ as an arm of the opposition committed to rubbishing the Federal Government stride in the power sector,l. 

    The NGO reminded critics of the World Bank efforts at providing alternative sources of power for rural electrification in the country through an additional commitment of $750m grant to Nigeria.

    World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations for Western Central African Region,Elizabeth Huybens had announced the plan of the World Bank to further strengthen Nigeria’s rural electrification success by an additional $750M, during her visit to inspect the 60KwP Mini-Grid Project in Kilankwa Community in Abuja.

    FFEAA maintains that the successes of Nigeria’s Rural Electrification drive have been hinged on the leadership of Engr Ahmad Salihijo, who has constantly pursued the vision and goal of the agency through unalloyed hunger to fulfill the dreams of millions of Nigerians who desire to be connected to electricity.

    He said “As of today, millions of kids can study at night, because of access to electricity. There can be no modern life without electricity and it is hard to think about reducing poverty without access to electricity,” the statement added.

    FFEAA reiterated the commendations made by Rep Philip Agbese (APC), the lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/ Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, during his courtesy visit to REA. 

    “During the courtesy visit, the Honorable had applauded Engr Salihijo Ahmad on the agency’s post-subsidy removal initiatives, in providing solar energy alternatives to Nigerians in a bid to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on businesses, farmers and households.

    FFEAA alleges that the untiring propaganda against the Engr Salihijo led REA, are the attempts of opposition mischief makers, and corrupt individuals in the power sector who are currently being investigated for various degrees of fraud by the EFCC, and who wish to bring down Engr Salihijo. 

    “They insist that after a flawless administration of the World Bank funds by Engr Salihijo and his REA team, and a clean sheet of affairs, the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima GCON offered him an audience to provide an update on the advancements within the nation’s renewable energy sector.

    “During the meeting with the Vice President, the CEO of REA, presented a comprehensive overview of REA’s strategic initiatives, notable achievements in Nigeria’s off-grid renewable energy sector, and outlined the agency’s proposed measures to mitigate the impacts of the recent removal of fuel subsidy,” He said.