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  • Drive Performance Management System process, Perm Sec charges mgt staff

    Drive Performance Management System process, Perm Sec charges mgt staff

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan has charged the Directors and PMS champions to sustain and drive the Performance Management System (PMS) process in the consciousness of the staff toward successful implementation of the federal civil service reforms.

    The Permanent Secretary gave the charge during the ongoing four-day training on the Design and Implementation of a Performance Management System for the departmental champions towards institutionalization of the System at the headquarters of the Ministry of Police Affairs, Abuja.

    According to a statement by Deputy Director (Press) in the ministry, Bolaji O. Kazeem, Enitan said the workshop is a shift from the traditional Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) as it would enable objective assessment of staff adding that APER is not going to be in operation as from 2024 and the need for the Ministry to robustly implement PMS.

    In his words, “The APER is usually filled to suit ourselves by awarding marks that are not reflective of our works. The gaps in the APER are very obvious and the need to shift to a more realistic PMS policy in the civil service. The management came up with the idea of having a champion in each department and unit and they are expected to be the advocate of PMS to staff after the robust training facilitated for them”

    He said the PMS has come to stay and everyone should embrace it and the need for Directors/Champions in the Ministry to continue to create awareness and sustain the PMS process in the consciousness of the staff and should be cascaded along the ladder for full implementation in the Ministry.

    Earlier, the coordinator of the Performance Management System, Professor Adeyemi Ajayi, said one of the objectives of the training is to provide a broad understanding of the PMS as an effective tool for repositioning the public service to become efficient, productive, incorruptible, and citizen-centered service (EPIC)

    He added that the training will be practical oriented with exposure to Key Result Areas (KRAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), SMART objectives, Performance review, Roles and Responsibilities, and Monitoring and Evaluations Mechanisms.

  • N6.9bn Fraud: FG arraigns Emefiele, allies Thursday

    N6.9bn Fraud: FG arraigns Emefiele, allies Thursday

    The Federal Government will on Thursday arraign suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and his associates for N6.9 billion procurement fraud at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja.

    Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

    The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd.

    The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    The section read, “Any public officer who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without an option of fine.’’

    In the charges signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar; Deputy Director, Public Prosecution, Mrs Nkiru Jones-Nebo and eight other ministry officials, the three accused persons were alleged to have bought a fleet of over 98 exotic vehicles and armoured buses valued at about N6.9bn.

    Some of the vehicles bought between 2018 and 2020 included 84 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 armoured Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers and one Toyota Avalon car.

    Count one read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 (Nos.) Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which she is a director and thereby committed an offence.

    “Statement of the offence: Conferring corrupt advantage contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.’’

    The Federal Government further accused Emefiele of conspiracy to confer corrupt advantage on the second defendant contrary to sections 26 (c) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.

    “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, female, adult, and April 1616 Investment Ltd, sometime in 2019 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to use the office of Mr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 1 (No.) Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73,800,000 only to April 1616 Investment Ltd,” the charge stated.

    Emefiele was said to have also conferred a corrupt advantage on Yaro by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9m to her company, April1616 Investment Ltd., in 2019.

    The suspended governor was also accused of awarding a contract for the supply of another Toyota Landcruiser V8 for N77.050m to the third defendant in 2018.

    The ex-CBN governor was said to have conspired with Yaro to confer corrupt advantages on the CBN staffer by awarding to her a contract for the supply of two Toyota Hilux Shell specification vehicles at the cost of N44.2m sometime in 2020.

    Emefiele was further alleged to have awarded another contract to Yaro and her firm for the purchase of one Toyota Landcruiser VXR valued at N96m in 2020.

    Yaro was similarly accused of fraudulent acquisition of property for getting a contract from the CBN for the supply of 47 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N1,085, 700,000 and thereby committed a punishable offence.

    Other counts read, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, for the supply of 47 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N1,085, 700,000 and thereby committed an offence.’’

    Count 11, “That you, Sa’adatu Rammala Yaro, female, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court while being employed at the CBN knowingly held directly a private interest as director in April1616 Investment Ltd., in a contract awarded to the said company, emanating from the CBN where you are employed, for the supply of 10 Mercedes Benz armoured buses at the cost of N2,222, 500,00 and thereby committed an offence.’’

    Listed as witnesses against the defendants were the CBN Director of Procurement, Stanley Alvan; CBN Head of Procurement, Mike Agboro, Tahir Jafar, David Usman and “any other witnesses to be supplied later in the additional proof of evidence.’’

  • Nigeria’s inflation shoots to 24.08% in July -NBS

    Nigeria’s inflation shoots to 24.08% in July -NBS

    Nigeria’s headline inflation rate for the month of July 2023 increased to 24.08% from 22.79% recorded in June 2023.

    This was contained in the Consumer Price Index report by the National Bureau of Statistics. 

    According to the NBS, the figure represents a 1.29% percentage points rise from June headline inflation while on year-on-year basis, the inflation rate was 4.44 percentage points higher compared to the rate recorded in July 2022, which was 19.64%.

    The report noted that the increase was attributed to an increase in contributions of some items in the basket of goods and services at the divisional level.

    “These increases were witnessed in Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (12.47%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuel (4.03%), Clothing & Footwear (1.84%), Transport (1.57%), Furnishings & Household Equipment & Maintenance (1.21%), Education (0.95%) and Health (0.72%).

    “Others are Miscellaneous Goods & Services (0.40%), Restaurants & Hotels (0.29%), Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco & Kola (0.26%), Recreation & Culture (0.17%) and Communication (0.16%).

    “On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in July 2023 rose to 2.89%, this shows an average increase of 0.76 percentage points on the general price level relative to June 2023,” it said.

    The report also noted that the percentage change in the average Consumer Price Index for the twelve months ending July 2023 over the average of the CPI for the previous twelve months was 21.92%, showing a 5.17% increase compared to the 16.75% recorded in July 2022.

    “The food component sub-index for July 2023 increased by 26.98% on a year-on-year basis; this was 4.97% points higher relative to the rate recorded in June 2022 (22.02%).

    “The rise in Food index on a year-on-year basis was caused by increases in prices of Oil and fat, Bread and cereals, Fish, Potatoes, Yam and other tubers, Fruits, Meat, Vegetable, Milk, Cheese, and Eggs,” the report added.

    The further observed that, the Food inflation rate on a month-on-month basis, in July 2023 rose to 3.45%, this was 1.06% points higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2023 (2.40%).

    “The average annual rate of Food inflation for the twelve months ending July 2023 over the previous twelve-month average was 24.46%, indicating an increase of 5.71% points from (18.75%) recorded in July 2022.

    “Core inflation, which is All items less farm produce, that is excluding the prices of volatile agricultural produce, stood at 20.47% in July 2023 on a year-on-year basis; it rose by 4.41% when compared to the 16.06% recorded in July 2022.

    “This was driven by an increase in prices of Passenger Transport by Air, Passenger Transport by Road, Vehicle Spare parts, Medical Services, Maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment etc.

    On a month-on-month basis, the Core inflation rate stood at 2.11% in July 2023.

    “This shows an increase of 0.34% when compared to the 1.77% recorded in June 2023.

    The average annual core inflation rate for the twelve-month ending July 2023 over the previous twelve-month average stood at 18.84%; this was 4.31% points higher than the 14.53% recorded in July 2022.

    “The inflation rate in July 2023 for Urban consumers was 25.83% on a year-on-year basis. This indicated an increase of 5.74% points higher compared to the 20.09% recorded in July 2022,” it said.

    Also, the Urban month-on-month inflation rate rose to 3.05% in July 2023, which was 0.75% points higher compared to June 2023 (2.31%).

    The report said the twelve-month average for the Urban inflation rate ending July 2023 over the corresponding twelve-month was 22.87%. This was 5.59% points higher compared to the 17.29% reported in July 2022.

    “Similarly, the inflation rate for rural consumers in the month of July 2023 was 22.49% on a year-on-year basis; this was 3.26% points higher compared to the 19.22% recorded in July 2022.

    “On a month-on-month basis, the Rural inflation rate in July 2023 was 2.74%, up by 0.78% points compared to June 2023 (1.96%).

    “The twelve months average for the Rural inflation rate ending July 2023 over the corresponding twelve-month was 21.04%. This was 4.79% points higher compared to the 16.25% recorded in July 2022.

    “The analyses of the states show that the all-item index for July 2023, on a year-on-year basis was highest in Kogi (28.45%), Lagos (27.30%), Ondo (26.83%); while the states with slowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis were Borno (20.71%), Jigawa (20.85%) and Sokoto (20.92%) during the month.

    “On a month-on-month basis, July 2023 headline inflation recorded the highest increase in Kogi (4.99%), Abia (4.12%), and Akwa Ibom (4.07%). On the other hand, Jigawa (0.16%), Taraba (1.09%) and Yobe (1.10%) recorded the slowest rise on month-on-month inflation.

    “State-level analyses of the food index in July 2023, on a year-on-year basis, showed the highest increases in Kogi (34.53%), Lagos (32.52%) and Bayelsa (31.31%). While Jigawa (20.90%), Sokoto (21.63%) and Kebbi (22.45%) recorded the slowest rise in Food inflation during the month.

    Ends

  • FG seeks withdrawal of firearms case against Emefiele

    FG seeks withdrawal of firearms case against Emefiele

    * Introduces new charges against former CBN Gov

    The Federal Government has initiated steps to withdraw the case of “illegal possession of firearms” it had previously filed against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, made an oral application before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, explaining that the decision was based on the outcome of further investigations.

    However, Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal representative for Emefiele, opposed the application.

    He argued that the government should rectify its disregard for the court’s order granting Emefiele bail before proceeding with its application.

    Justice Oweibo has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, August 17, 2023, to make a ruling on the matter.

    After the proceedings, the DPP revealed that a fresh set of charges, totaling 20 counts, has been filed against the suspended CBN governor at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

    Among the charges is an accusation of “conferring unlawful advantages” against Emefiele.

  • Gunmen kill newly-wedded couple in Plateau

    Gunmen kill newly-wedded couple in Plateau

    Unknown Gunmen have killed a newly-wedded couple, both of whom are teachers at BECO Comprehensive High School, Kwi in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.

    The gunmen also injured the Vice-Principal of the School. The incident happened on Monday.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in Plateau, DSP Alfred Alabo, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday.

    Alabo, who did not give further details on the incident, said that the command was on top of the situation.

    In a statement in Jos, Mr Rwang Tengwong, National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Movement, a socio-cultural group, said that the incident occurred at about 3.00 p.m. on Monday.

    ”We are saddened by the invasion of BECO Comprehensive High School Kwi by gunmen.

    “Two teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Rwang Danladi, a newly-wedded couple, were shot dead.

    ”Mr. Dalyop Emmanuel, the Vice-Principal of the School, was seriously injured by the armed men.

    ”The teachers were holding a meeting to compile results of students in preparation for the school’s 2023 Speech and Prize-Giving Day slated for this Friday.

    ”The injured person is currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital,” he said.

    The spokesperson decried the influx of criminals in some communities in the state.

    ”We call on security operatives to, as a matter of urgency, raid these communities that have become enclaves of criminals, particularly Fass and Mahanga in Riyom.

    ”This is necessary to get rid of criminal elements that have defied law and order,” he said. 

  • Nigeria can deradicalise Niger within 24 hours – Expert Asserts

    Nigeria can deradicalise Niger within 24 hours – Expert Asserts

    Dr. Blessing Agbomhere, a renowned security management specialist, has expressed his astonishment and disappointment over the reactions of certain Nigerians towards the planned restoration of civil rule in Niger Republic, orchestrated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the guidance of President Bola Tinubu.

    Agbomhere, who holds accreditation as an expert in security management and strategic operations from the International Institute of Professional Security, firmly believes that Nigeria, with President Bola Tinubu as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser, possess the capability to swiftly deradicalize Niger Republic within a mere 24 hours and reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum into power.

    Issuing a statement in Abuja, Agbomhere remarked that the apprehensions voiced by certain Nigerians, which stem from concerns about the armed forces’ readiness to swiftly neutralize the military junta, reflect a lack of patriotism within the nation.

    He attributes this sentiment to previous administrations’ initial struggles in managing insurgent and bandit activities that have plagued parts of the country.

    Agbomhere, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators and a strong proponent of the Rule of Law, advocates for dialogue as the primary approach to resolving Niger’s political deadlock.

    However, as a final resort, he asserts that Nigeria should not shy away from its responsibility of upholding democratic governance in the West African sub-region, even if it entails military intervention.

    Nigeria has historically fulfilled this role in Liberia, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone, and Cote d’Ivoire, contributing to the defense of democracy and regional stability.

    Agbomhere further underscored President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to rejuvenating Nigeria and called for encouragement and support to enable the nation to regain its rightful position as the Giant of Africa.

  • Global Warming: July 2023 is hottest month since 1880 -NASA

    Global Warming: July 2023 is hottest month since 1880 -NASA

    July was hotter than any other month in the global temperature record, which dated back to 1880, NASA has said.

    Overall, July was 0.24 degrees Celsius warmer than any other July in NASA’s records, according to scientists at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS).

    July 2023 was 1.18 degrees Celsius warmer than the average July between 1951 and 1980, NASA said.

    “NASA data confirms what billions around the world literally felt: temperatures in July 2023 made it the hottest month on record,’’ NASA administrator Bill Nelson said.

    “The science is clear. We must act now to protect our communities and planet; it’s the only one we have.’’

    Parts of South America, North Africa, North America, and the Antarctic Peninsula were especially hot, experiencing temperatures increased around 4 degrees Celsius above average, NASA said.

    According to NASA data, the five hottest Julys since 1880 had all happened in the past five years.

    GISS Director, Gavin Schmidt said warming around earth was primarily driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

    He said: “And that rise in average temperatures is fueling dangerous extreme heat that people are experiencing here at home and worldwide.’’

    High sea surface temperatures contributed to July’s record warmth with NASA’s analysis showing especially warm ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific.

    It said evidence of the weather phenomenon known as El Niño that began developing in May.

    Phenomena such as El Niño or La Niña, which warm or cool the tropical Pacific Ocean, can contribute a small amount of year-to-year variability in global temperatures.

    NASA expects to see the biggest impacts of El Niño in February, March and April 2024.

  • Army nabs 3 rail track vandals in Nasarawa

    Army nabs 3 rail track vandals in Nasarawa

    Troops from 4 Special Forces of the Nigerian Army Doma, Nasarawa State, have arrested three suspects for rail track vandalism at the Kwarra community of Keana Local Government Area (LGA).

    The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 4 Special Forces Command, Doma, Maj. Joseph Afolasade made the disclosure at a news briefing in Doma on Monday.

    Afolasade said: “On August 5 2023 at about 11 pm, troops of the command intercepted three suspected railtrack vandals during a routine patrol at Kwarra community of Keana LGA.

    “The suspects were arrested with a large number of railtracks loaded in one 18-tyre truck with Registration Number DED 364 YC.”

    He said that the suspects claimed that they were deceived by their sponsors, who are still on the run.

    Afolasade said that preliminary investigations revealed that on August 23, the driver of the truck, Chibuki Akubilo, was contacted to convey the vandalised railtracks to Ilorin in Kwara for N1.6 million.

    He further said that the Commander of the Special Forces, Maj.-Gen. Hillary Nzan, had approved that the suspects be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and prosecution.

    He, therefore, handed over the suspects to the representative of the state command of NSCDC.

    Responding, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Jerry Victor, expressed gratitude to the Army for collaborating with the corps to tackle insecurity in the state.

    “Usually, this type of crime is being committed by a syndicate,” Victor said.

    He promised that the investigation would be continued to arrest other members of the group for prosecution.

    The driver of the truck told newsmen that he was contacted by one Mr Charles to convey the items to Ilorin.

  • Niger will overcome ECOWAS sanctions, says new PM Zeine

    Niger will overcome ECOWAS sanctions, says new PM Zeine

    Lamine Zeine, Niger’s newly appointed Prime Minister, has characterized the sanctions imposed on the nation’s military junta as an “unfair challenge,” while expressing optimism that Niger will ultimately overcome them.

    Despite this obstacle, Zeine reaffirmed Niger’s commitment to fostering economic cooperation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Following the military’s ousting of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, which led to the suspension of the constitution and the installation of a transitional government, ECOWAS responded with sanctions against the new military junta.

    The regional body demanded an immediate return to constitutional order and activated a standby force in preparation for potential military intervention in Niger.

    Prime Minister Zeine acknowledged the significance of possible negotiations with both ECOWAS and neighbouring Nigeria, which had taken a lead role in addressing the situation in Niger.

    He emphasized the importance of preserving the historical relationship between Niger and ECOWAS, originally founded as an economic group to promote prosperity in West Africa.

    Zeine expressed his hopes for maintaining the economic solidarity envisioned by ECOWAS but noted concerns if political and military considerations overshadow this objective.

    He highlighted Niger’s dedication to working within the framework of regional cooperation while also voicing the nation’s desire to address issues in a balanced manner.

  • Bandits Attack in Zamfara: Emir’s son, six others abducted, one killed

    Bandits Attack in Zamfara: Emir’s son, six others abducted, one killed

    In yet another distressing incident, armed bandits targeted the headquarters of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State on Monday, resulting in one fatality and the abduction of seven individuals. The armed assailants reportedly invaded the town with lethal weaponry, launching sporadic gunfire that claimed the life of one person.

    A resident of Bungudu, Ishaq Bungudu, recounted the horrifying event to Channels Television. He disclosed that among those abducted were Abdulrahman Hassan, the son of the Emir of Bungudu, and Abubakar S/Fada Bungudu, a former State Programme Officer of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

    The recurring attacks on the local government headquarters have raised concerns, especially given its proximity to the state capital, Gusau. Ishaq Bungudu implored Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal to urgently appoint security aides to address the escalating security challenges. He expressed frustration with the lack of official response and noted that the absence of security support has compounded the crisis.

    Bungudu highlighted a bandits’ enclave situated near one community on the outskirts of the town, which he believes is linked to the continuous attacks.

    He questioned the efficacy of security agencies in dislodging the bandits and dismantling their hideout. Despite the community’s knowledge of this enclave, the security situation remains precarious.

    The headquarters of Bungudu Local Government is approximately 21 kilometers from the state capital, Gusau.

    The area has witnessed a series of attacks in recent times, including the killing of four policemen last month and another police officer in a separate incident.

    However, efforts to reach the Zamfara State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Yazid Abubakar, for further information were unsuccessful as he did not respond to multiple phone calls.

    The unfortunate recurrence of such attacks emphasizes the pressing need for enhanced security measures to safeguard the lives and well-being of residents in Zamfara State.