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Category: News

ICPC Launches N3.8bn Projects’ Tracking In Sokoto

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has initiated the tracking of 72 executive and constituency projects valued at over N3.8 billion in Sokoto State.

The investigative effort falls under Phase 6 of the ‘ICPC Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking (CEPT)’ programme, which is currently underway in several states across the country.

Mr Sa’idu Yahaya, the Team Leader, on Monday announced that it would be inspecting projects across various sectors, including health, education, water supply, empowerment and electrification.

“These projects were awarded at an approximate cost of N3.8 billion and are expected to be fully executed.

“Our group, consisting of members from the ICPC, the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Civil Society Organizations, and the Media, will commence the exercise.

“This is in order to monitor and assess projects’ performance, the value of work done, contractor identification, payment details, and project status,” he said.

Yahaya added that part of the team’s goal was to determine the value and impact of these projects on the communities they serve.

The team had visited the newly constructed and equipped Faculty of Engineering at the Sokoto State University.

Other projects include a newly constructed block of classrooms and furnishings at Tafida Aminu Primary School and the installation of 38 solar street lights in the Mabera area of Sokoto South local Government.

10/17/2023
IReV Not An Election Result Collation System -INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its results viewing portal is to enhance election transparency and not a result collation or transmission system.

The INEC Director of ICT, Paul Omokore, gave the clarification in his presentation titled: “The role of BVAS, IReV for Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo Governorship elections” at a two-day capacity workshop for journalists on Monday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

Omokore advised journalists and members of the public not to confuse uploading of PU results to INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) with electronic transmission of results.

He said that INEC Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is only used to upload pictures of PUs results on form EC8A to IReV, which does not translate to electronic transmission of results.

“Form EC8A is the result that we collated at the PUs. We use BVAS to snap this form and upload the same thing to the IReV portal for public viewing.

“This is not a collecting system. It does not tally a system. What it does is to snap the EC8A which is the result at the polling unit and upload the same to the public view. That is all.

“I know that 70 per cent of the populace think that the others have collected the figures. No.

“All what it does is snapping the EC8A that the presiding officers have collected all the scores of the parties, signed and stamped and then sends this same picture to the IReV for public viewing. That is all. So it is not a collecting system,” he said.

Omokore said that from inception of elections in Nigeria, results were transmitted manually, from the PUs to the collation centres.

He said that technology deployment had proven to be an effective tool in achieving free, fair and credible elections.

He said that while challenges were eminent, INEC had put in extra efforts to ensure that they were mitigated.

“The role of BVAS is to ensure one-person-one-vote.

“The role of the IReV Portal is to improve the openness and credibility of our elections,” he said.

Ezenwa Nwagwu, who is also the Chairman, Partners for Electoral Reform, in his lecture titled: “Ethical Dilemma in Election Reporting: Navigating Bias, Balance and Promoting Transparency” urged journalists to uphold accuracy reporting.

He said that the core issues in election reporting are Independence, unbiased and accuracy report by the media.

“Accurate and transparent report is the only cure for fake news, which is the responsibility of the media,” Nwagu said.

He advised the media to always investigate reasons behind some news being presented to the media by people with biased minds on electoral process and balance it with what the provision of the laws.

10/17/2023
Palestinian War: Israel Seeks $10bn Emergency Relief From US

Israel has asked the United States for $10 billion in emergency aid amid the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the New York Times newspaper reported.

The White House is reportedly preparing an assistance package for Israel, which also contains aid to Ukraine, funding to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border, and aid to Taiwan, the newspaper said late on Monday night.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was considering Israel’s requests for additional military aid to conduct its operation in the Gaza Strip.

On Tuesday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. President Joe Biden during his visit to Israel scheduled for Oct. 18 would get an update from Israeli officials about their strategy against Hamas in Gaza, including the pace of their military operations.

Last week, a United States official told Sputnik that Washington had not made a decision on whether it would tie in assistance for Ukraine and Taiwan in a supplemental funding request it was preparing to submit to Congress seeking additional aid for Israel.

U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said the U.S. military would need additional support from Congress to be able to provide security assistance to Ukraine and Israel simultaneously.

On October 7, Palestinian group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The conflict has left thousands of people dead and injured on both sides.

10/17/2023
Women Affairs Secretariat: Tinubu Appoints Benjamin-Laniyi As Mandate Secretary

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi as the Mandate Secretary for the newly created Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike made the disclosure in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Ogunleye said that Benjamins-Laniyi would play a pivotal role in the FCTA’s commitment to promoting the well-being and empowerment of women and children in the Federal Capital Territory.

He expressed optimism that her appointment would further strengthen the formidable administrative team led by Wike and the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

Ogunleye added that Benjamins-Laniyi, born in 1965 from Ogun, was appointed for her exemplary qualifications and dedication to public service.

“With over 35 years of experience as a communications consultant, social entrepreneur, international mentor, and environmentalist, Mrs Benjamins-Laniyi would bring a wealth of knowledge to her new role.

“She attended Queens College, Lagos, for her secondary school education and a 1989 graduate of English from the University of Ibadan.

“She has made significant contributions to society as a prominent compere and renowned motivational speaker.

“Her passion for social issues, particularly those affecting women and children, is evident in her remarkable work.

“She has also showcased her commitment to women’s political participation by aspiring for a senatorial position in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022,” he said.

Ogunleye added that as the Grand Matron of “Hope Again for FCT Women in Politics”, Benjamins-Laniyi had played a vital role in encouraging and mentoring women in the political arena.

According to him, her deep understanding of the political landscape and her ability to navigate complex policy challenges will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of women’s rights and well-being in the FCT.

10/16/2023
Tinubu Swears In 3 New Cabinet Members

President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to three new ministers during the second Federal Executive Council meeting held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

The newly appointed cabinet members are as follows: Malam Balarabe Lawal from Kaduna State as the Minister of Environment, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim from Kwara as the Minister of Youths, and Ayodele Olawande from Ondo as the Minister of State for Youths.

These appointments follow the creation of the Ministry of Youths, with Tinubu nominating these individuals to lead it and serve as a replacement for former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

Recall that El-Rufai’s nomination was previously rejected during the Senate ministerial screening due to a petition against him.

Tinubu, who chaired the FEC meeting, oversaw the swearing-in ceremony and also posed for photographs with the new cabinet members.

The council also observed a minute of silence in honor of Late Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, a former member of the cabinet who served as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

This second FEC meeting further solidified the administration’s commitment to delivering on its “Renewed Hope Agenda” and addressing the eight-point economic agenda unveiled by President Tinubu during the inaugural meeting held in August.

The Federal Executive Council serves as a constitutional institution where government policies are discussed and endorsed by ministers, with the President serving as the Chairman and the Vice President as the Vice Chairman.

10/16/2023
DSS Storms Ondo PDP Headquarters

On Monday, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) made a conspicuous appearance at the Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State.

These security personnel were seen positioning their vehicles in the vicinity of the opposition party’s headquarters.

Kennedy Peretei, the spokesperson for the Ondo PDP, officially confirmed the presence of the security operatives.

He disclosed that their primary objective appeared to be the prevention of a planned peaceful protest scheduled by the party’s youth wing.

Peretei further clarified that the protest aimed to address the ongoing absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from the State since April 2023, with the intent of seeking information about his whereabouts.

Notably, this heightened security presence hindered the entry of staff into the PDP secretariat.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) sounded an alarm on Sunday, alleging potential machinations by the PDP and certain APC figures to instigate unrest within the state.

The APC statement emphasized that Governor Akeredolu would soon return to the State, asserting that he has continued to carry out his official duties even while away.

10/16/2023
Fuel Scarcity Returns To Lagos Amid Increased Pump Price

Fuel scarcity has made a troubling return to Lagos and its surroundings, as numerous oil marketers have closed their outlets, leaving motorists and consumers in a lurch.

Last week, a similar issue was reported in Abuja, attributed by oil marketers to poor road conditions and the soaring cost of diesel for distribution.

However, recent observations over the weekend have revealed that both independent and major oil marketers have halted operations, leaving the responsibility of serving customers in most parts of Lagos to NNPC Limited, the only remaining importer of the product.

This scarcity has persisted despite fuel deregulation, as other operators have struggled to import petrol due to market instability and a lack of foreign exchange.

The informal exchange rate has reached over N1,000 per dollar, compounding the challenges faced by these operators.

Chinedu Okoronkwo, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has indicated that measures are being taken to address this crisis.

He stated, “Stakeholders have been meeting, and measures have been taken to enable oil marketers to access foreign exchange at a rate that will not disrupt the current price of the product.”

Meanwhile, in Abuja, most major marketers that are still operational have raised their pump prices from N615 per liter to N625 per litre, adding to the woes of already burdened consumers.

10/16/2023
Delta State Government Assures On Improved Services in 2024 Budget

The Delta State Government is gearing up to deliver a more comprehensive and effective 2024 state budget that addresses the concerns of its residents.

During a Zoom meeting, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen, shed light on various aspects of the upcoming budget, which aims to enhance the lives of Deltans.

Housing has been a significant concern for many residents, particularly students who have been grappling with the high cost of accommodation.

The commissioner pledged to address this issue by acquiring vast land and collaborating with developers to construct affordable housing options, with a particular focus on students’ needs.

Road infrastructure is another critical area in the state, with complaints about the deteriorating state of the Efurrun Abraka Agbor road, which residents consider a safety hazard.

The commissioner assured the public that work is already underway to repair the road, emphasizing the government’s commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure.

Although concrete construction was preferred, cost considerations led to the decision to use asphalt.

Recognizing the importance of food security, the government plans to invest in farm settlements to make food more accessible and affordable for the people of Delta State.

This step is expected to have a positive impact on local agriculture and food supply.

In addition to these specific areas, the 2024 budget will also encompass crucial sectors such as security and education, aiming to ensure the satisfaction of Delta’s residents.

Commissioner Ekedayen urged the public to be patient and supportive as the new government settles into its responsibilities. He said the Delta State Government is determined to improve the lives of its citizens through a well-rounded and people-centric budget for the upcoming year.

10/16/2023
Court To Decide Fate Of Ex-NNPC GMD, Andrew Yakubu’s Seized $9.8m November 1

The former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, will learn his fate on November 1 regarding a lawsuit seeking the release of his $9.8 million cash seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from his Kaduna residence in 2017.

Yakubu filed a suit against the EFCC, Central Bank of Nigeria, and a commercial bank, alleging their refusal to release the money after an Abuja high court had discharged and acquitted him of money laundering charges brought against him by the agency.

Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo has scheduled November 1 to deliver a judgment on the money seizure case after Monday’s hearing. In March 2022, a Federal High Court in Abuja quashed the money laundering charges against Yakubu, which were brought after the EFCC discovered $9,772,800 and £74,000 in an apartment linked to him in 2017.

Yakubu’s lawyer has returned to court, claiming that the monies have not been released as directed by the court, and is seeking an order for their release or, alternatively, for the money to be deposited with the Federal High Court Registrar pending the suit’s determination.

The EFCC, represented by Faruk Abdullah, objected to the application, citing appeals filed in the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the judgment of the Federal High Court. Justice Ekwo, after hearing arguments from all parties involved, set November 1 as the date for a verdict on compelling the EFCC to release the money.

10/16/2023
Lawmakers To Take Delivery Of N130m Worth Prado SUVs

The House of Representatives has confirmed that the National Assembly is in the process of procuring and distributing utility Prado jeeps, worth N130 million to lawmakers.

Rep. Rotimi Akin, the Spokesperson of the House of Reps said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday night, coming at a time Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship.

Akin said the initiative aligned with existing procurement laws, adding that it was a customary practice in previous assemblies.

He said the distribution concerned vehicles tied to lawmakers’ oversight functions in the discharge of their duties within the standing committees, and they are not personal gifts.

“For the duration of the 10th assembly, spanning from 2023 to 2027, these vehicles will remain the property of the National Assembly.

“However, should the government’s extant assets deboarding policy still be in place at the end of the assembly’s tenure in 2027, lawmakers may have the option to purchase the vehicles before they become their property.”

He emphasised the importance of the vehicles in enhancing the performance of lawmakers’ duties, especially when it comes to oversight functions in various regions of the country.

Akin said the aimed was to ensure that government interventions, programmes, and policies were effectively carried out, no matter where Nigerian citizens reside.

He highlighted the percentage of the legislature’s budget as part of the national budget which had steadily decreased over the past decade, currently standing at 0.5 per cent of the federal budget.

He urged stakeholders to focus on reducing costs in the right areas while supporting lawmakers in their efforts to fulfill their duties effectively and with integrity.

He said the vehicles were work tools and not status symbols, intended to facilitate improved representation, constituency outreach, and oversight functions by elected representatives.

10/16/2023