Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • 10th Senate Passes Anti-Doping Bill

    10th Senate Passes Anti-Doping Bill

    The Nigerian Senate on Thursday, June 6, passed the “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024.”

    This legislation, requested by President Bola Tinubu, seeks to prohibit Nigerian athletes’ consumption of performance-enhancing substances both during and after sporting competitions.

    President Bola Tinubu had requested the Senate to enact the law penultimate week in a letter read on the floor by the deputy Senate president, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

    The bill’s passage comes as part of Nigeria’s efforts to align with international sports standards ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in France.

    In his letter to the Senate, President Tinubu emphasized the need for Nigeria to domesticate and enforce the international convention against doping in sports.

    The bill also proposes the establishment of a Nigeria anti-doping centre tasked with implementing Nigeria’s obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code.

    The bill was reviewed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Mohammed Monguno.

    After thorough consideration, the committee’s recommendations were adopted, and the bill was approved for a third reading following a voice vote led by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

    This legislative step marks a critical development in Nigeria’s sports governance. It ensures that athletes adhere to fair play and integrity, thereby fostering a clean sporting environment nationally and globally.

  • 2027: PDP Speaks On Peter Obi, Atiku Alliance 

    2027: PDP Speaks On Peter Obi, Atiku Alliance 

    The Peoples Democratic Party has revealed that it is not engaged in any merger, fusion or amalgamation talks with any other political party or interest.

    Recall that 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi visited some PDP bigwigs including Atiku Abubakar in Abuja.

    The visit had sparked rumours of a proposed merger ahead of the 2027 election.

    But during its 587th meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party said the party is open and welcoming to all Nigerians including our former members who left for other parties.

    Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary of the party in a statement said:

    “Our Party remains strong and formidable, capable of winning elections in a free,fair and transparent electoral process in our country.

    “The NWC acknowledges the influx of millions of Nigerians into our Party in the on-going Party Membership Drive in all the Electoral Wards across the country; which further confirms that the PDP remains the Party of choice for majority of Nigerians. 

    “The public, teeming members of our great Party, Democracy Institutions and of course the International Community should therefore disregard any report suggesting any form of merger between the PDP and any other political Party as such is not in the contemplation of our great Party”.

  • BREAKING: EFCC Withdraws Naira Abuse Suit Against Cubana Chief Priest

    BREAKING: EFCC Withdraws Naira Abuse Suit Against Cubana Chief Priest

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled in favour of celebrity bartender, Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, by granting a motion by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to discontinue its suit against him.

    The court’s decision comes after both parties revealed they were exploring a settlement in the matter.

    During the May 2 seating, the defense counsel, Mr. Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), informed the court that parties were exploring a settlement, and the matter was adjourned until June 5 for a report on the settlement.

    The court then adjourned the case until June 5 (today) for report of settlement. However, on Wednesday, the defense requested an adjournment, and the case was fixed for June 25 for mention.

    Cubana Chief Priest is accused of tampering with N500 denomination funds while dancing at the social event. This the EFCC said contraves the Central Bank Act of 2007.

    He was later arraigned on April 17 on a three-count charge bordering on Naira Abuse.

  • ‘It Is Exaggerated’ – House Of Reps Slam Labour For Circulating Fake Nigerian Lawmakers’ Salary

    ‘It Is Exaggerated’ – House Of Reps Slam Labour For Circulating Fake Nigerian Lawmakers’ Salary

    The House of Representatives has castigated organized labour in Nigeria, blaming it for circulating fake and exaggerated salary of lawmakers in the country.

    The lawmakers, while debunking the salary circulated by labour via social media, said the action of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), in circulating “fake earnings” of National Assembly members in Nigeria is capable of stoking public resentment and undermine the credibility of the Legislature.

    The stand of the Green Chamber was made known in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, on Tuesday.

    The statement added that the House remains committed to ensuring better working conditions for Nigerian workers in the interest of everyone and is glad that the strike action initially declared by the labour to press home its demands concerning a new minimum wage has been suspended to allow for further negotiations with the government.

    The statement read, “The House of Representatives acknowledges the recent industrial action undertaken by the NLC and the TUC due to the breakdown in negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

    “The People’s House is pleased to note that the strike action has been suspended for one week to allow for further negotiation.

    “During this period, as we have previously demonstrated, the People’s House remains responsive and committed to actively engaging all stakeholders to resolve the issues in the best interest of Nigerians.

    “House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has consistently advocated a living wage and better working conditions for workers.

    “At various fora, he has emphasised the importance of addressing key national priorities, including the state of the economy and insecurity, through legislative action.

    “While the Green Chamber is in full support of the call for improved wages and working conditions, there is a great need to exercise caution in increasing the minimum wage beyond what our economy can sustain to avoid unintended outcomes such as inflation, layoffs, and other adverse economic consequences.

    “Thus, we restate the importance of approaching this issue from a balanced perspective to ensure long-term stability and prosperity for all.

    “In the same vein, we observed with concern the direction of the strike action before its suspension and what it portends for the future.”

    The House, however, condemned the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid and airports, during the joint unions’ mandated strike on Monday, saying it brought pain to Nigerians and those responsible for such actions must be brought to book.

    “Importantly, the shutdown of critical infrastructure, such as the national grid, constitutes economic sabotage and is detrimental to the well-being of our country. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable.

    “We also find it troubling that the leadership of Organised Labour, the majority of who live far above the means of the average Nigerian, would engage in actions that exacerbate the suffering of ordinary citizens.

    “It is necessary, therefore, to state that while industrial actions and dissent are fundamental rights within our democratic space that must be protected, the manner in which Labour conducted itself during the just-suspended strike largely shows a lack of empathy for Nigerians.

    “Is the objective of the leadership of the unions to compel the government to implement a living wage or to inflict pain on Nigerians?

    “Additionally, it is important to address persistent misinformation and disinformation propagated by organised Labour leadership regarding the earnings of lawmakers.

    “This is especially because organised Labour has, for years, contributed to false narratives about the remuneration of members of the National Assembly, exaggerating figures to stoke public resentment and undermine the credibility of the Legislature.

    “This tactic diverts attention from the core issues at s

  • NLC expresses disappointment over Fed Govt’s silence on electricity hike reversal

    NLC expresses disappointment over Fed Govt’s silence on electricity hike reversal

    The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the federal government’s silence on the April 3 electricity tariff hike as disappointing.

    NLC disclosed this in its communique on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting where it suspended its indefinite strike for one week.

    The development comes after the federal government in a meeting with organized labour on Monday agreed to pay minimum wage higher than N60,000.

    However, the government has yet to say anything about the second part of labour’s demand, which is electricity tariff reversal.

    NLC expressed disappointment over the government’s silence and lack of concrete action regarding the reversal of the electricity tariff hike and the abolition of the apartheid classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

    “The NEC reaffirms that these issues are critical to alleviating the financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general populace. The electricity tariff hike and discriminatory Band classification remain unacceptable and must be addressed alongside the wage increase,” it stated.

    Recall that on April 3, the NERC approved tariff increment of over N200 per kwh for customers getting 20-24 hours power supply.

    The hike generated reactions among Nigerians.

    In reaction, the government earlier announced a minor reduction of N18, bringing it down to N208.80kwh for band A customers.

    However, unsatisfied with the reduction, the NLC, the Trade Union Congress and other organizations called for the complete reversal of the electricity tariff hike.

    It was part of the demand presented to the federal government, alongside the issue of minimum wage.

  • Resident Doctors to down tools Over Non-Payment Of Allowances

    Resident Doctors to down tools Over Non-Payment Of Allowances

    The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a fresh industrial action over non-payment of accoutrement allowances owed their members.

    This was disclosed in a communique issued after its general meeting held in Kaduna State, while informing all its chapters to give a two-week ultimatum to the chief medical directors and managing directors (CMDs/ MDs) to immediately pay the owed allowance. 

    The communique was signed by Dr Dele Abdullahi Olaitan, President; Dr Anaduaka Christopher Obinna, Secretary General; and Dr Egbe John Jonah, Public and Special Secretary.

    The resident doctors also warned that failure to comply with the directive would result in nationwide industrial actions.

    During the discussion, the group also urged for the abolition of doctor casualisation in order to ensure equitable and stable employment standards throughout the country. 

    They also urged healthcare providers to speed up their transition to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which would streamline payroll procedures.

    The doctors emphasised that any assault on medical staff would result in an immediate suspension of services until the area’s safety was secured for practice. 

    They urged the National Assembly to approve legislation criminalising assaults on healthcare workers. They also suggested that the examination fees for the West African Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians be reduced in order to enable resident doctor registration.

    The doctors’ threat to embark on strike is coming shortly after the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) resolved to relax the nationwide strike they embarked upon since Monday.

    The Labour leaders mentioned this after they convened a joint extraordinary National Executive Council in Abuja on Tuesday, top officials confirmed to newsmen.

    “The NLC and TUC are going to relax the strike and see what happens in the next one week with negotiations with FG,” one of the sources noted.

    “We’re just doing communique but it will be released after the meeting with the government team,” another senior official had confirmed.

  • Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    Federal Lawmaker Donates Traditional Well to Residents As Constituency Project

    A member of the 10th National Assembly representing Bassa/Dekina Federal constituency in the 10th National Assembly, Paul Gowon Haruna has donated a traditional well to his constituency.

    Haruna is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    He is also a former member of the Kogi State Houses of Assembly.

    However, some residents of the constituency have kicked against the project. 

    Sharing pictures with SaharaReporters, one of them said, “This is a project from a House of Representatives member representing Dekina/Bassa Federal constituency, what a shame, not even a mechanised hand pump.”

    Another resident said, “It’s glaring these politicians don’t rate us, a federal lawmaker constructing well and celebrating it as achievement.”

  • Breaking: NDIC commences payment to Heritage Bank’s depositors

    Breaking: NDIC commences payment to Heritage Bank’s depositors

    Depositors of Heritage Bank (in liquidation) will be paid their insured deposits as from this week.

    The Managing Director (MD) of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Mr. Bello Hassan, disclosed this at an on-going press conference, in Abuja.

    Accord to him, over 99 percent of the 2.3 million depositors have N5 million and less in their accounts and will therefore be paid in full.

    He explained that only about 4000 depositors have above N5 million in their accounts.

    For such customers, they will receive an initial N5 million along with others and later be paid more as the NDIC recovers assets of the bank and loans from debtors.

    Details later…

  • Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released 

    Police recruitment: Full List Of Successful Candidates Released 

    The Police Service Commission has announced the approval and release of a list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable and specialist cadres of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The commission noted that to ensure fairness and justice in the recruitment process, it worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders, including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly, and the Federal Character Commission.

    It added that it ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.

    The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, made the development known in a statement on Tuesday.

    Ani said, “The Police Service Commission has approved and released the list of 10,000 successful applicants for recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The commission today, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, received the report of the Police Recruitment Board. 9,000 applicants were approved for recruitment for General Duty, while 1,000 applicants were recruited for the Specialists cadre.

    “To ensure fairness and justice in the Recruitment process, the Commission worked with guidance from relevant stakeholders including the Nigeria Police Force, the National Assembly and the Federal Character Commission. It ensured equity in the spread of successful candidates across the 774 local government areas of the country.”

    The commission had earlier inaugurated a Recruitment Board – a broad-based stakeholders’ body populated by representatives from the PSC, the NPF, the Ministry of Police Affairs, the Federal Character Commission, Police Colleges, and the Police Trust Fund to Superintendent over the recruitment process and report back to the PSC.
    Interested Nigerian youths were invited to apply online for consideration for the subsequent stages of the exercise through paid advertisements in several national media.

    Interested applicants were given six weeks to conclude the online applications (October 15, 2023 to November 26, 2023) in line with the Federal Character requirements.

    The PSC revealed that a total of 609,886 applications were received, while 416,323 applicants who met the advertised requirements were shortlisted for the second stage of the exercise, which was physical and document screening.

    This stage was held in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory between Monday 8, January, 2024 to Monday 29, January 2024.

    The commission, after the physical and credentials screening, shortlisted 171,956 applicants who met the requirements for the Computer Based Tests (conducted by the Joint Admission and Martriculation Board, JAMB an organisation renowed for its expertise in computer based tests.

    Ani on Tuesday noted that, “15,447 General duty applicants who did well in the CBT were further invited for medical screening to determine their health status. The 55,645 Specialists who were shortlisted from the Physical and credentials screening were subjected to practical tests and later medical screening. Each stage of the Recruitment process was carried out with a high level of scrutiny and care.

    “A total of 10000 applicants made up of 9000 General Duty and 1000 Specialists were recommended for final selection.

    “The selection of specialists was done in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force on the need assessment ensuring capability and balance of geographical representation.

    “The Chairman of the Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police declared that the rigorous recruitment process was to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force and to reinforce its commitment to community rooted and service oriented policing.”

    Arase noted, “I am filled with optimism because these young men and women represent the future of our nation’s security and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their journey begins on a foundation of integrity, transparency and excellence.”

    The PSC Chairman disclosed.

  • Heritage Bank: CBN Denies Plan To Revoke Licenses Of Three Other Banks

    Heritage Bank: CBN Denies Plan To Revoke Licenses Of Three Other Banks

    In an apparent move to boost public confidence, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied a media report which claimed it is set to revoke the licenses of Unity Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank.

    The apex bank, in a post via its official X account on Tuesday, urged members of the public to dismiss the report as fake news.

    Sharing a screenshot of the publication, CBN wrote: “This content is fake and not from the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

    The dismissal of the report comes on the heels of the decision by the CBN to revoke the operating license of Heritage Bank.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has assured customers of banks in the country of the safety of their deposits and investments.

    The NDIC assured the banking public that banks whose licenses have not been revoked remain safe and sound. It also urged depositors and other stakeholders to continue their banking businesses without fear.