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Author: Alpha Maidawa

Bill to set HND as minimum qualification for President, Governor, scales second readingl
The bill seeking to peg minimum educational qualification for persons seeking to occupy the office of President of Nigeria and state governors scales second reading at the senate.
Also, the bill seeks to make the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) the minimum qualification for those seeking positions at the National and state Assemblies.
The bill is being sponsored by Sen. Istifanus Huang, (PDP, Plateau).
The bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for the amendment of Sections 65 (2) (a), 131 (d), Section 106 (c) and Section 177 (d) on minimum educational qualification for those seeking such elections.
The bill is entitled, “The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (in this Bill referred to as “the Principal Act”) is altered as set out in the Bill,”
It reads in part: “the bill is seeking the alteration of section 65 (2) (a) of the Constitution which deals with the qualifications for intending members of the National Assembly”.
The extant law which the bill seeks to amend reads: “A person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if he has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.
Section 65 (2) (a) is now rephrased to read “if he has been educated to at least National Diploma level or its equivalent.”
The bill also seeks to alter Section 131(d) which states that a presidential candidate and the deputy must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
The amendment is now rephrased to read: “He has been educated up to at least HND level or’ its equivalent.”
For House of Assembly, the bill seeks the alteration of section 106 (c) of the Constitution.
According to the existing law, anyone aspiring to be a member of the House of Assembly must have “been educated up to at least the School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
It is however, now rephrased to read: “If he has been educated up to National Diploma level or its equivalent.”
For governorship candidates, the bill seeks the alteration of section 177 (d) of the Constitution which currently states that the person must have “been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.”
It is now rephrased to read: “If he has been educated up to at least Higher National Diploma Level or its equivalent.”(NAN)
March 13, 2020
Security upgrade ahead of Saturday’s by-election in Sokoto
The Police in Sokoto says it has made effective deployment of security operatives for all activities during Saturday’s scheduled by-election in the state.
The Command’s Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), ASP Muhammad Sadiq, said this in a statement issued in Sokoto on Thursday.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday (March 14), for the Kebbe state constituency by-election in the state.
NAN also recalls that the by-election followed the demise of Alhaji Isa Harisu, a member of the state House of Assembly who represented Kebbe constituency.
Late Harisu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, slumped and died on D3c. 30, 2019, when he arrived the legislative complex to attend the day’s plenary.
The statement announced that there would be restriction of vehicular, tricycle and motorcycle movements in Kebbe Local Government Area from Friday midnight (00:00hrs) to 18:00hrs (6p.m) on the poll day.
“This is except those on essential services such as Election Officials and Security Agents with valid identification, as well as those on emergency services, such as Ambulance and Fire Fighters Truck.
“It is imperative to note that the Command will not tolerate violation of movement restriction, as it prepares to decisively sanction violators.
“Moreover, only eligible voters are advised to come out with their Permanent Voter Cards to peacefully cast their votes, and keep distance, while voting by proxy or importation of ineligible voters will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” it said.
The statement added that security operatives will be on rigorous foot and vehicular patrols in the election areas in order to curtail any unforeseen circumstance that may arise in the course of the exercise.
“However, security operatives will remain apolitical, polite and professionally firm in order to provide a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the election and a level playing ground for all political parties.
“Therfore, we wish the good people of Kebbe a hitch-free by-election, while in the same vein, enjoins parents and guardians as well as traditional rulers to be wary of movements and activities of persons under their custody.
“This is in order to prevent them from being used to sabotage the election process,” it added.
The statement further disclosed that the Command Joint Operations Room Could be reached in times of distress through: 07019699968 and 07068848035. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
COVID-19: Don’t shake hands, don’t hug, minister warns Nigerians
The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has cautioned Nigerians to reduce the culture of handshakes and hugs to avoid contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).
Aregbesola said this at the ground-breaking ceremony of a 3000-capacity custodial centre in Karshi, Abuja on Thursday.
The country recorded her first case of coronavirus on Feb. 27 when an Italian having the virus flew in from Milan.
The minister however, urged the people to always stay three-feet away from one another and avoid crowded places.
”Don’t shake hands again; don’t hug for now except your family members. Maintain three-foot distance between you and the next person,” he warned.
Aregbesola also advised Nigerians to greet by bowing and touching their chests.
He said that coronavirus had become a global emergency and all hand must be on deck to ensure it did not become a serious problem in Nigeria.
“We must be cautious of coronavirus and work towards preventing it. We owe it to ourselves, our family, and community to be very vigilant,” he said.
Aregbesola urged the people not to panic and encouraged hygienic living to prevent the virus. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
Kaduna to pay N30,000 minimum pension in March
The Kaduna State Government says it will begin the payment of N30,000 new minimum pension to its retirees on the old Defined Benefits Pension scheme this month.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday in Kaduna.
The statement stated that the new wage would upgrade 11,511 pensioners, who were previously earning less than N30,000 monthly pension.
He said that all the government agencies had received the circular from the Office of the Head of Service to effect the new pension structure.
“Following the decision of the Kaduna State Executive Council to increase the minimum pension to N30,000 monthly, the Head of Service, Bariatu Mohammed, has issued the necessary circular to government agencies to implement from March 2020,’’ he said.
According to the governor’s aide, the circular directs ‘’the agencies to comply and implement the directive of the State Executive Council (EXCO), which recently reviewed upward the minimum pension in the state.’’
Quoting a section of the circular, dated March 11, Adekeye stated that the increase was part of the state government’s “continuous efforts to ensure welfare for both serving and retired public servants.’’
The circular noted that the decision of the EXCO “would no doubt improve the living standard of this category of senior citizens.’’
The statement recalled that some of the pensioners were receiving pensions as low as N3,000 before the increase.
Adekeye further stated that the decision aligned the minimum pension payable to retirees on the old Defined Benefits Scheme with the new national minimum wage.
“A report presented to the state EXCO noted that as at November 2019, 6,452 of 10,815 state government pensioners earned less than N30,000 as monthly pension.
“At the local government level, 5,059 of 9,295 pensioners earned less than N30,000 monthly.”
He pointed out that although the pensioners would be better off, the upward review would cost the state extra N200 million monthly.
Adekeye noted that the state began the implementation of a Contributory Pension Scheme on Jan. 1, 2017, adding that Pencom assessed the scheme highly.
‘’However, the state continues to discharge its obligations to workers, who retired before that date, whose pensions are covered by the Defined Benefits Scheme,’’ he further stated. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
FG will push for resettlement of 2.4m IDPs — Official
Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Alhaji Bashir Garba, says Federal Government will push for resettlement of 2.4 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
Garba disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday during the distribution of food items and other relief materials to rural communities in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The communities were recently attacked by bandits.
He stated that Katsina State was among seven states in the country that would benefit from the 500 Household Resettlement City Intervention Project.
According to him, the aim is to reduce poverty level within the country and protect those who have been displaced due to no fault of theirs.
Garba explained that the cities would be equipped with facilities like clinics, schools, open markets, religious centres and other livelihood facilities.
The commissioner said the commission would design the project in partnership with each benefitting state government.
He said the benefitting states were Katsina, Adamawa, Kano, Cross-River, Benue, Borno and Yobe.
Garba said the commission was in the state at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk, to commiserate with Governor Aminu Masari and people of the state, as well as distribute relief materials to victims of the recent attack. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
Presidency refutes report of attack on Buhari in Kebbi
The Presidency has described as false and untrue social media reports on alleged attack on President Muhammadu Buhari in Argungu, Kebbi State, on Thursday.
A statement by the President’s spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, late Thursday night, said a young man had attempted to greet the president at a closed range but was prevented by security officials.
The presidential said:”As the President went round the arena to inspect rice pyramids on display, and take photographs with farmers, a young man was so very excited to see his President so close. He made an attempt to get to him.
”World over, such would not be allowed by security details. The young man was prevented, and he protested that he should be allowed to greet his President.
”Now, professional contortionists are making mischief of the event. They are passing the video clip off on social media as an attempt to attack the President.
”Malicious people always twist things to give a negative narrative. But they simply dash their heads against the wall. The country moves on.”
Buhari was in Kebbi State on Thursday to declare open the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival.
It was the first time the international tourism event would hold in 11 years, as security considerations had rendered it impracticable. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
Security: Kaduna lawmaker demands more action from government
Mr Yusuf Mugu, member representing Kaura Constituency at the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has demanded more action from the state government to end incessant killings in communities in his constituency.
Mugu told News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday, while reacting to the killings in Kaura and other parts of the state, that it was regrettable.
The lawmaker condemned the alleged killings of residents of his constituency and tasked the state government to secure people’s lives and property.
“The government should as a matter of urgency, employ all arsenals within its reach to stem the ugly trend which is fast becoming a norm.
“It is rather unfortunate that our people can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed without fear of yet another attack,” Mugu said.
According to him, the situation was worrisome considering the fact that the farming season would soon set in and farmers had started clearing their fields.
He urged the state government to create additional police outposts and increase military presence in local government areas in southern Kaduna.
“You will also recall that this attack occurred barely a week ago when two persons were assassinated in Matsirga community in Zangon Kataf local government,” he said.
He consoled with the families of the deceased persons and called for more vigilance.
Two persons were killed while one other was critically injured in an attack on Wednesday by suspected gunmen at Zangang village, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State. (NAN)
March 13, 2020
Manchester United sink Linz in empty stadium, Basel stun Eintracht Frankfurt
Manchester United took a big step towards the Europa League quarter-finals by thrashing Austrian side LASK Linz 5-0 on Thursday in their last 16 first leg tie.
The match was played at an empty Linzer Stadium due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Striker Odion Ighalo fired Manchester United ahead in the 28th minute as he juggled a Bruno Fernandes pass onto his left foot.
He then unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner from 18 metres.
Daniel James doubled the lead in the 58th when he side-stepped his marker and buried a crisp low shot into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Alexander Schlager rooted to the spot.
Juan Mata made it 3-0 with a clinical finish from 10 metres after 82 minutes, before late substitutes Mason Greenwood and Andreas Pereira put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.
Swiss side FC Basel stunned Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 away, also behind closed doors.
Samuele Campo curled in a 27th minute free kick before substitute Kevin Bua made it 2-0 in the 73rd and then set up Fabian Frei to drill home the third.
An 88^th minute penalty kick from Bosnia forward Edin Visca gave Istanbul Basaksehir a 1-0 home win over FC Copenhagen in the solitary early fixture which fans were allowed to attend.
Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba missed a pair of gilt-edged chances for the Turkish side before Visca, who hit the post early on, drilled home his spot kick.
The Manchester United fixture was one of four in Europe’s second-tier club competition ordered to be played with no fans present due to the coronavirus outbreak and two matches were postponed.
Spanish side Getafe refused to travel to Italy and face Inter Milan, while AS Roma said they could not travel to Spain to play Sevilla because of flight restrictions.
Later on Thursday, Olympiakos Piraeus drew 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers behind closed doors.
The fixture was allowed to go ahead in spite of the Greek club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis saying he had contracted the coronavirus.
Vfl Wolfsburg lost 1-2 to visiting Shakhtar Donetsk in an empty stadium, while Rangers lost 1-3 to Bayer Leverkusen in the day’s only other match with fans permitted to attend. (Reuters/NAN)
March 13, 2020
KDSG will jail parents not sending children to school, says Gov. El-Rufai
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Wednesday reiterated that his administration would jail parents who refuse to enrol their children in school.
The governor, who made the remarks in Kaduna at the opening of a public hearing on the state’s Social Protection Policy document, said his administration would not allow anyone to toy with the future of children in the state.
He said the state government is providing 12 years of free and compulsory education for children from primary to secondary school, as such parents have no excuse not to send their children to school.
“Every parent that doesn’t send his child to school, will go to jail because he destroys the future of his child without any reason.
“Every child under the age of 5 is entitled to free medical care for every kind of illness in our public health facility; antenatal care is also free for pregnant women.”
El-Rufai said the state government would ensure the protection of the poor, the old, sick and persons living with disability in the state.
He said the state vision regarding social protection was to have a progressive society with necessary tools and environment for citizens to attain their full potentials.
According to him, social protection includes providing quality education, access to affordable health services, encouraging job creation and building infrastructure.
He added that social protection was also about upholding human dignity and promoting the ability of individuals amidst socio economic adversity.
The governor noted that most of the over 10 million people in the state were young people without jobs and mostly poor, as such the government would continue to address their problems to the best of its ability.
“What we are trying to do in Kaduna state is to augment the Federal Government social protection programme by targeting more vulnerable people into the social protection umbrella.
“At the state level, we have targeted sectors that require the most critical interventions,” he added.
He disclosed that the state women empowerment fund was recently increased to N800 million, to enable vulnerable women to be self reliant and capable of accessing education, healthcare and skills.
“We will implement the state social protection policy to hamonize all social protection initiatives and efforts,” he said, adding that the government would remove any form of discrimination against any citizen irrespective of age, gender, ability or disability, ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
El-Rufai tasked participants at the public hearing to provide novel ideas on how everyone will be protected, ensure that everyone is safe without hunger, and is also healthy and productive.
“We want you to honestly tell us how we can do this and how to find the money to do it.”
On her part, Saude Atoyebi, chairperson the State Steering Committee on Social Investment, said the government has taken social protection seriously, because of the realisation that investment in physical infrastructure is insufficient without a deliberate effort to invest in the people in order to reduce poverty.
“Investment in the area of social protection are linked to improvement to the human development index which measure life expectancy, educational attainment and standard of living of people.”
She said her committee was tasked with developing the social protection policy by harmonizing all social protection initiatives in the state to minimize duplication, so that people would drive maximum benefits.
Atoyebi assured that the committee would produce a policy document which will be implementable and a reflection of the desire of the people.(NAN)
March 11, 2020
NSE market indices down by 3.35%, as sell pressure persists
Sell pressure continued on the nation’s bourse on Wednesday with the market indices declining further by 3.35 per cent, amid loses in blue chips.
Sentiments remained weak in the equities market as investors sell-off of bellwether stocks dampened market performance.
Speficially, the All-Share Index dropped to 23,000 mark losing 815.91 points or 3.35 per cent to close at 23,572.75 against 24,388.66 recorded on Tuesday.
Consequently, Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date losses settled at at -10.1 per cent and -12.2 per cent, respectively.
Also, the market capitalisation shed N425 billion to close at N12.284 trillion in contrast with N12.709 trillion on Tuesday.
The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Nestle Nigeria, Dangote Cement, Conoil, NASCON Allied Industries and Zenith Bank.
Analysts at Afrinvest Limited maintained a bearish outlook on the equities market in the next trading session.
Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., attributed the market bear-run to local and foreign factors.
Omordion said the factors were the recent crash in crude oil prices and COVID-19 which propelled corporate and sovereign debt crisis, especially among oil-dependent countries like Nigeria.
He added that the fear of a likely devaluation of naira and planned downward review of the 2020 budget to reflect the new economic realities contributed to the current market trend.
“This current market situation will not last after this panicky sell down that just hit the global and local markets, especially as the Nigerian market is trading at its four-year low in the midst of the 2020 earnings reporting season,” he said.
Market breadth closed negative with 18 gainers compared with 20 losers.
Dangote Cement and Nestle Nigeria led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, dropping by 10 per cent each to close at N153 and N915, per share respectively.
Sterling Bank followed with 9.93 per cent to close at N1.27, while Conoil declined by 9.88 per cent to close at N14.60 per share.
United Capital and NASCON depreciated by 9.83 per cent each to close at N2.11 and N10.55 per share, respectively.
Conversely, Chams and Courteville Business Solutions led the gainers’ table in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent each to close at 22k per share, respectively.
FCMB Group followed with 9.93 per cent to close at N1.66, while Unilever appreciated by 9.91 per cent to close at N11.65 per share.
United Bank for Africa grew up by 9.73 per cent to close at N6.20, while NPF Micro Finance Bank appreciated by 9.41 per cent to close at 93k per share.
However, total volume traded appreciated by 134 per cent with an exchange of 1.39 billion shares worth N17.65 billion traded in 7,150 deals.
This was in contrast with 594.55 million shares valued at N4.21billion transacted in 4,010 deals on Tuesday.
Zenith Bank was the most traded stock accounting for 412.41 million worth N5.06 billion.
Guaranty Trust Bank followed with 385.18 million shares valued at N7.24 billion, while FBN Holdings traded 303.03 million shares worth N1.34 billion.
UBA sold 59.98 million shares valued at N370.17 million, while Wapic Insurance accounted for 30.69 million shares worth N10.12 million. (NAN)
March 11, 2020