Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: News

  • We Didn’t Request For N5bn Yacht- Presidency

    We Didn’t Request For N5bn Yacht- Presidency

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s spokesperson, Tope Ajayi, has clarified that the President did not request the N5 billion presidential yacht proposed by the Nigerian Navy.

    This statement comes in response to the public outrage following the revelation of the N2.1 trillion supplementary budget submitted by Tinubu to the National Assembly.

    The supplementary budget included an allocation of N5.09 billion for the yacht, N2.9 billion for sport utility vehicles for the Presidential Villa, and an additional N2.9 billion for the replacement of operational vehicles for the presidency.

    The yacht was listed as part of the Nigerian Navy’s proposed capital expenditure of N42.3 billion.

    Ajayi expressed doubts about whether President Tinubu actually needed a presidential yacht to perform the functions of his office, suggesting that the request for such an expenditure likely had operational reasons within the Navy.

    Furthermore, Ajayi highlighted the need for more accurate reporting and transparency in budget descriptions, emphasizing that budgetary provisions for the State House are often misconstrued, leading to misleading headlines.

    He urged for a better understanding of the purpose behind such budget items, which often encompass state events, meetings, hosting VIPs, foreign dignitaries, and more, rather than personal expenses for the President and Vice President.

  • Natasha Akpoti Sworn In As Kogi Central Senator

    Natasha Akpoti Sworn In As Kogi Central Senator

    Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, oversaw the swearing-in of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the new senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District during a plenary session held on Thursday. 

    The oath of office was administered by the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, at 11:41am.

    Following the oath, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had a handshake with the Senate President, who presented her with a copy of the Senate Standing Rules. 

    She was then escorted to her seat by the sergeant at arms after exchanging pleasantries with her colleagues.

    This development comes after the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s victory as the duly elected candidate for the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held on February 25th earlier this year. 

    The appeal filed by Senator Abubakar Ohere, representing the All Progressives Congress, was dismissed by the appellate court, citing a lack of merit.

    This decision follows the earlier ruling by the Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal in September, which nullified Ohere’s victory and declared Akpoti-Uduaghan as the rightful winner of the February senatorial poll. 

    Despite Ohere’s appeal to the Court of Appeal seeking redress, the court has upheld Akpoti-Uduaghan as the legitimate winner of the election.

  • FCTA Warns Shop Owners Against Using Social Devt Secretariat As Drinking Joint   

    FCTA Warns Shop Owners Against Using Social Devt Secretariat As Drinking Joint   

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned against the use of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture complex in Garki, Abuja, as a drinking joint by shop owners.

    Mr Ibrahim Masari, the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, gave the warning during an emergency meeting with business operators and shop owners at the secretariat in Abuja.

    Masari, thereafter, designated 7:30pm as the daily closing hour for all business and shop owners operating within the complex due to security concerns.

    He expressed dismay at the level of lawlessness that transpired within the secretariat when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex around 7.10 pm on October 29.

    He explained that the visit was to affirm the veracity of the information at his disposal about the heinous acts that happens at the complex late hours of the night.

    “To my dismay, I discovered more than 500 persons within the complex at such late hours, enjoying themselves with alcoholic drinks and smoking indiscriminately.

    “I was not aware of what the event or activity was all about, as there was no official communication whatsoever to that effect.

    “After waiting patiently till about 8.30 p.m. with no signs of them exiting soon, I invited some of the private security guards on duty who accompanied me to disperse the gathering.

    “This is very disturbing.

    “Management will no longer condone a situation whereby non-staff and tenants in the secretariat will stay back after official closing hours to as late as 9 pm,” he said.

    The mandate scribe said that the 7.30 pm closing hour would take effect from Thursday, advising members of the public to take note to avoid embarrassment from security personnel.

    He stressed that the civil service rule forbids the sale of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances within working premises.

    He added that an internal mechanism has been activated to sanction business owners who encouraged such lawlessness and disregard to the extant rules.

    “Business owners and members of the public who transact businesses in the complex after 7.30pm will have themselves to blame, if caught flouting this directive.

    “Our private security guards have been duly advised accordingly,” he said.

    He explained that the decision was imperative taking into consideration the security of lives as well as government properties. 

  • Travel Entry: Bahamas To Sign Visa Waiver Agreement With Nigeria

    Travel Entry: Bahamas To Sign Visa Waiver Agreement With Nigeria

    Nigeria and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas are committed to signing a visa waiver agreement for Diplomatic and Official Passports holders of both countries.

    The Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis made the commitment when Ambassador Benaoyagha Okoyen, the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas paid him courtesy visit.

    A statement from the Nigerian Embassay in Havana stated that Okoyen paid Davis a courtesy visit, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas, Mr Fred Mitchel, at Nassau on Monday.

    Okoyen is the Nigeria’s Ambassador to Cuba with concurrent accreditation to the Bahamas, Republic of Nicaragua and Honduras.

    According to the statement, the purpose of the proposed agreement between Nigeria and the Bahamas is to facilitate the entry of citizens of the Government of both countries who are holders of valid diplomatic and official passports, into their respective countries.

    “The Agreement once concluded would further protect the interest of both countries and strengthen their friendly relations.”

    Okoyen, attended the various sessions of the Bahamas 2023 Diplomatic Week that celebrated “50 years of Foreign Relations and beyond in an independent Bahamas” between 22-27 October, 2023.

    He also participated in a hybrid High Level Panel Discussion on “Diplomacy and the next Generation” along with other representatives of the Bahamas, China, Indonesia, USA, and participating students from various schools in the country.

    While in Nassau, Okoyen also paid a courtesy visit on the Governor-General of the Bahamas, Ms. Cynthia Pratt, who bid the high commissioner farewell as he took formal leave of the host authority in the Bahamas.

  • NiMet Alerts On Approaching Dust Haze, Deterioration Visibility

    NiMet Alerts On Approaching Dust Haze, Deterioration Visibility

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet), has alerted the public on the possibility of deterioration in visibility as a result of observed dust haze propagated into the country from the source region.

    The agency made the remark in a statement signed by Mr Muntari Ibrahim, the NiMet’s General Manager of Public Relations in Abuja.

    According to the agency, winds over 10m and 925hPha are favourable for Dust-Haze propagations into the northern parts of the country.

    “Stations in the source region, Niger (Goure, Zinder, Maine-Soroa, Diffa, N-Guigmi and 61091) reporting horizontal visibility between 800m and 6000m.

    “The sources from Chad are expected to report poor horizontal visibility in the next 24hrs, based on available models.

    “Due to strong winds, dust in suspension is expected to propagate to some states in northern part of the country.’’

    It said that this would further reduce horizontal visibility especially over Katsina, Kano, Nguru, Jigawa, Potiskum and Maiduguri in next 24hours.

    NiMet therefore advised members of the public to take necessary precautions due to dust particles presently in suspension over the atmosphere.

    It further advised Individuals with respiratory ailments to protect themselves as the current weather condition is not good for their health.

    “Airline operators are also advised to avail themselves of weather reports from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

    “NiMet will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates when necessary,” the agency said.

  • Again, FG To Shut Down Third Mainland Bridge For 5-Week Repair

    Again, FG To Shut Down Third Mainland Bridge For 5-Week Repair

    The Federal Government on Wednesday said that it had perfected plans to close a section of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for five weeks comprehensive repairs.

    A statement by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, said that the repairs would start from Monday, November 6, 2023.

    “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works wish to inform the motoring public that it has perfected plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

    “In view of the above, the motoring public are hereby notified that the repair works will begin with the ramps connecting Oworonshoki to Adekunle and Lagos-Island (Adeniji Adele) to Adekunle simultaneously.

    “Consequently, the two ramps mentioned above will be closed to traffic by 7.00am on Monday, November 6, 2023 for five weeks.

    “Motorists are, therefore, advised to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed. They are encouraged to use the alternative routes as attached,” she said.

    The controller in a traffic advisory urged motorists to comply with traffic rules, adding that traffic officers would be deployed at all diversion routes for effective monitoring, management and control.

    Kesha said tow trucks and vehicles would also be deployed for prompt removal of distressed vehicles and trucks.

    She attached a traffic management plan for seamless movement during the emergency repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Motorists coming from Iyana-Oworo on the Mainland and going to Adekunle were advised to avoid the Third Mainland and use alternative routes.

    Likewise, the ones coming from the Island on the Adeniji side going to Adekunle should use alternative routes because there will not be access to Adekunle.

  • NLC President Alleges Police Assault, Hospitalization in Imo State Protests

    NLC President Alleges Police Assault, Hospitalization in Imo State Protests

    Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, was allegedly subjected to a violent encounter with the police and subsequently hospitalized, according to the union spokesperson.

    Ajaero was apprehended in Imo State during an NLC-led protest and strike aimed at addressing workers’ grievances, including unpaid salaries and pensions.

    After his arrest, Ajaero claimed he was physically assaulted, blindfolded, and taken to an undisclosed location where he endured further brutal treatment, including attacks with bottles. His personal belongings, including phones and money, were seized and not returned to him.

    Ajaero was taken into custody at the NLC secretariat in Owerri, Imo State’s capital, during the course of the protest.

    The Imo State Police Command contested these claims, stating that Ajaero’s arrest was intended to ensure his safety. The police explained that there were scuffles and disagreements arising from the proposed lockdown of essential facilities during the protest, leading to an attack on Ajaero by a mob.

    As a result, he was placed under protective custody at the State Command Headquarters to prevent harm.

    The police contended that an injunction from the National Industrial Court on October 27, 2023, prohibited the NLC from holding the planned rally. The NLC, however, insists that Ajaero was brutalized after his arrest, not before.

    Meanwhile, the Imo State Government has distanced itself from Ajaero’s arrest, with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, describing those alleging government involvement as “perennial mischief makers.”

    He stated that the court injunction rendered the planned strike illegal, and the Imo State NLC chapter had announced its withdrawal from the strike. The government claimed that Ajaero may have clashed with lawful workers from Imo State and intruders from Abuja, necessitating police intervention to maintain peace.

  • $750m NG-CARES Programme Doing Well- World Bank

    $750m NG-CARES Programme Doing Well- World Bank

    The World Bank has aid that the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme is doing well in addressing poverty in the country.

    Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, stated this in an interview with newsmen on the sidelines of Mid-Term Review Mission meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Okunmadewa said that the bank had so far disbursed over 300 million dollars, assuring that all the remaining resources would be released within the next eight months.

    “We are quite happy about what has happened to the programme. It is still very active in all the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “And they are all very eager to get even into the next phase of the programme because caring for the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria is still the thing that government is concern about

    “Each state of the federation have been encourage to put together a set of interventions into one programme that totally cares for the poor and vulnerable.”

    The don recalled that the programme became preeminent immediately after the COVID-19 crisis, where both the livelihood and the lives of people were threatened.

    “And so government was responsive enough at the federal and state levels to put this programme together and the world bank gladly agreed to support it.

    “Now two and half years after it was being put in place we have felt is good to take a look at how fair is the programme going.

    “And particularly how well is the world bank assistance, whether it is relevant or not and whether it is achieving the desire results.

    “Of course, I will like to say that it is doing well now but after a very difficult start. It had a challenging start, had a slow start but now it has pick up and it is even almost exceeding the expectations

    “To the extent that there is clearly a desire to continue the programme at the government level and also the world bank to also support the next face of it.”

    Earlier, the National Coordinators of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, said that the programme had so far impacted into the lives of over three million Nigerians.

    Obaje said the 36 states and the FCT have contributed between N88 billion to N90 billion since the inception of the programme.

    He explained that the instrument of operation and strategy put into the designed of the programme emphasised on community participation.

    He also said that the emphasised of the programme had moved from COVID-19 to deploying the resources of the community to address their peculiar needs.

    “The programme is doing very well now and there is increase phase of disbursement and the programme is also becoming more popular among the poor and vulnerable the nation.

    “And then top government functionaries at the federal are also beginning to ask questions to become interested in what the NG-CARES is doing.

    “This is a positive development, it is a programme that relatively young as a programme but it has inherited other programme that have been existing for quite sometime.”

    Also, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, the Commissioner of Ministry of Economic Planning, Delta state, said NG-CARES is one programme whose relevance we are just discovering that is even more today than it was when it started.

    “I am very proud to say that my state delta is very active in the programme and one of those forerunners who signed on to this programme newly when it came in.

    “And we have domesticated it in our state for which we have not only gotten commendation from the world bank but also from the National Coordinating body.

    “Even our citizens too are now looking at it as a veritable means of state intervention.”

  • NGO Bemoans Current Scale Of Mini-Grids In Nigeria 

    NGO Bemoans Current Scale Of Mini-Grids In Nigeria 

    The Nigeria Team Leader of International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development (ICEED), Ewah Eleri has expressed concern over the current scale of mini-grids in Nigeria. 

    Speaking at the just concluded high-level policy dialogue titled; Sustainability, Inclusiveness, and Governance of Mini-grids in Africa (SIGMA), Eleri pointed out that Nigeria requires at least one million five hundred new connections annually over the next decade to close the current electricity access gap.

     According to him, “To meet the scale of the electricity access challenge, Nigeria needs to grow its electricity supply by seven times the current available electricity. 

    “In capacity terms, we need to expand our electricity supply to 42 gigawatts, almost ten times what is available today. A significant amount of this component must be represented by decentralized renewable energy options. 

    “It is important that we scale up the ambition for mini-grids in Nigeria to help in closing the current electricity access gap”, he concluded.

    While presenting the key findings of the research project, Co-Investigator of the project in Nigeria and lecturer at the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law at the University of Ibadan, Temilade Sesan, pointed out that Nigeria must re-evaluate the role of market forces and government in delivering electricity access through mini-grids.

    According to Sesan, “Today, the technical, financial and environmental sustainability of mini-grid development in Nigeria is questionable adding that it is also uncertain that the benefits from the increasing interest in mini-grids are spread evenly, especially as it affects women.”

  • Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Semate

    Appeal Court sacks Suswam from Semate

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja, on Wednesday, nullified the election of former Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, as senator representing North East Senatorial District of the state.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, said it was satisfied that Suswam was not the valid winner of the senatorial election that held on February 25.

    It faulted the judgement of the Benue State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which returned Suswam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Senate, after it nullified the election victory of Emmanuel Udende of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to the appellate court, the tribunal wrongly evaluated the evidence that was presented before it by the parties in the matter and thereby arrived at an erroneous conclusion that upheld the petition Suswam filed to challenge Udende’s election victory.

    Consequently, the court voided the judgement of the tribunal, saying it found merit in the appeal that was lodged before it by the APC candidate.

    “The judgement of the tribunal delivered on 8th of September, 2023 is hereby set aside.

    “The return of the appellant as the winner of the Benue North East senatorial election that was held on February 25 is hereby affirmed.

    “Parties are to bear their respective cost,” the court held in its lead verdict that was delivered by Justice Abimbola Adejumo, who led the panel.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Udende as winner of the senatorial election after he polled a total of 135,573 votes to defeat Suswam who garnered 112,231 votes.

    Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Suswam approached the tribunal on the ground that it was marred by over-voting, irregularities, alterations and falsification of results.

    In its judgement, the tribunal held that Suswam successfully established his case that irregularities took place in five out of seven LGAs in the senatorial district.

    The tribunal cancelled 51,895 votes entered for Udende and also cancelled 21,229 votes entered for Suswam.

    After subtracting the padded votes, Suswam was left with 90,590 while Udende scored 82,699 votes.

    The tribunal, headed by Justice Ori Zik-Ikeoha, entered judgment in Suswam’s favour, a decision that was vacated by the appellate court on Wednesday.