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Osinbajo denies involvement in alleged diversion of funds
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is unperturbed by what he refers to as lies on the social media connecting him to the corruption trial of Mr Ibrahim Magu.
In a statement released by the spokesperson to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, a report published by one Jackson Ude is totally false and baseless. The said report alleges that the “embattled former Chairman of EFCC, allegedly embezzled and shared some sums of money with his principal.
He says the Vice President will not be distracted by these obvious campaigns of lies and calumny published by these online publications.
The matter has been referred to the relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation and necessary action.
July 9, 2020
FG makes u-turn, says no school will reopen until covid-19 subsides substantially
Our Reporter
Hopes of students writing WAEC and other important exams to resume school on July 13, as earlier announced by Nigerian government have been dashed as schools will not open until covid-19 pandemic reduces drastically.
The federal government had announced July 13 as the reopening date for graduating students in Primary Six, JSS 3 and SSS 3.
Announcing the suspension after Wednesday’s virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the State House, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said Nigerian schools would not be reopened until the COVID-19 pandemic drastically subsides.
He said also that Nigerian students would not participate in Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) scheduled to commence on August 4, adding that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) had no right to determine resumption date for schools in Nigeria.
He also said Nigerian students would rather be made to lose an academic year than to be exposed to danger.
July 8, 2020
BREAKING: Gov Wike sacks perm sec for flouting COVID-19 guidelines
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has sacked the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Sunny Okere, for allegedly flouting guidelines put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed on Wednesday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim.
According to the statement, Okere’s dismissal was with immediate effect.
The former permanent secretary was dismissed for reportedly participating in a burial ceremony with more than 50 persons in attendance in contravention to the state government’s protocol on funerals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The governor was quoted as saying, “In the face of increasing infections and systemic risk to public health and safety, most residents have continued to disregard the mitigating protocols with reckless abandon.
“Public and private transporters, business owners and churches are refusing to adhere to the relevant protocols.
“Burial ceremonies are also reportedly being conducted in clear breach of the 50 persons maximum attendance limit such that a serving Permanent Secretary had the temerity to chase away officials of the State Ministry of Health who went to enforce the established guidelines on public burials at Oyigbo.
“Consequently, the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Mr Sunny Okere has been relieved of his appointment with immediate effect for flouting and obstructing the enforcement of the guidelines on public burials. This should serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible.”
July 8, 2020
Ganduje introduces digitalised political initiatives targeted at grassroots
Our Reporter
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has initiated digitalised political strategies aimed at repositioning the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state as well as impact positively on the overall governance performance in the state.
The above is coming on the heels of the Governor’s recent appointment to head the party’s campaign for the September governorship election in Edo state.
A statement Wednesday, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abba Anwar and sent to ALSC, said the governor, after meeting with all the caucus leaders and members from all the 44 local governments of the state, who represented 484 political wards and scrutinising how the party performed in the last presidential, gubernatorial and legislative elections, came up with the newstrategy for the ruling APC in the state.
“The meetings that trickled down to Wards and Chapters explained better, as to how best party leaders and members saw to the success of those exercises. While the roles of individuals and groups were examined critically, efforts are now directed at how to place party on digital-pedal.
“During the inauguration of Report Collection Committees, targeted at the formation of new set of Wards and Local Governments Caucus recently, that consist of the Secretary to the State Government, all the state Commissioners and other members of the state executive council, governor Ganduje reveals “To make our party stronger and more modern, we need to practice our politics this way,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Governor explained that, “As we are running away from analogue way of practicing politics we are indeed inching towards digital political practice. And we are committed to doing this.” Which also included dishing out of terms of reference to all the set of people saddled with the responsibility of coming up with reformed Caucus at these levels.
“There are two committees for each Senatorial zone. One Local Government committee and the other is Ward Committee. Making six committees for the 3 Senatorial zones. Each committee is given terms of reference in line with repositioning the party for better.
“For Kano South Senatorial District’s Local Government Caucus has Musa Iliasu Kwankwaso, Commissioner for Rural and Community Development as the Chairman, with Dr Muhammad Tahar Adam, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, as member and Dr Zahra’u Muhammad Umar, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, as Secretary.
“While the Local Government Ward Caucus, from the Kano South, has Mukhtar Ishaq Yakasai, Commissioner for Special Duties, as the Chairman, Dr Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, Commissioner for Environment, as member and Barr. Ibrahim Mukhtar, as the Secretary.
“For Kano North Senatorial District, the Local Government Caucus has Nura Muhammad Dankadai, Commissioner for Planning and Budget, as Chairman, Shehu Na-Allah Kura, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, as member and Barr Musa Abdullahi Lawan, Commissioner for Housing and Estate, as Secretary.
“In the Local Government Ward Caucus, from the same North Senatorial District, Malam Muhammad Garba, Commissioner for Information, is the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, Commissioner for Higher Education, as a member and Muhammad Bappa Takai, Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, as Secretary of the Committee.
“For Kano Central Senatorial District, the Local Government Caucus has Murtala Sule Garo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as the Chairman of the Committee, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Commissioner for Health, as a member and Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, as Secretary.
“While Local Government Ward Caucus, from Kano Central, has Ibrahim Ahmed Karaye, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, as Chairman, Muhammad Sanusi Sa’id Kiru, Commissioner for Education, as member and Mahmoud Muhammad Santsi, Commissioner for Commerce, as Secretary of the Committee.
“An Overall Collation Committee, that would collect all reports from six committees, is chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, with Ali Bukar Makoda, Chief of Staff, Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi, former SSG, Arch Aminu Dabo, former Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as members and Barr Musa Abdullahi Lawan, Commissioner for Housing and Estate, as the Secretary of the Committee,” the statement said.
It added that all reports, after collation from all the aforementioned Committees and submitted to the SSG’s Overall Collation Committee, according to the gov, “Will be submitted in both electronic and hard copies. That can make an easy reference point.”
July 8, 2020
EFCC closes case of alleged N3.6bn fraud against Ex-NDDC director
The EFCC on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, closed its case against Tuoyo Omatsuli, former executive director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and Francis Momoh, director, Building Associates Limited, before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants, who were charged alongside their respective companies, Don Parker Properties Limited and Building Associates Limited, were arraigned on November 10, 2018 on 45-count-charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-Five Million Naira), to which they all pleaded not guilty.
One of the counts read: “That you, Engr. Tuoyo Omatsuli, between August 2014 and September 2015, at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did procure Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited to use the total sum of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion Six-Hundred and Forty-five Million Naira) paid by Starline Consultancy Services into the Diamond Bank Plc Account No. 0023785116, operated by Building Associate Ltd when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit:
corruption and gratification and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecution counsel, Ekene Iheanacho, told the court that it was closing its case against the defendants after the testimony of the 16th prosecution witness, Segun Temitope, a staff of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, SCUML.
It could be recalled that on Monday, July 6, 2020, Babajide Tinubu, managing director, Tenax Marine Limited, who in 2014, sold a landed property, located in highbrow Lekki Phase 1, Lagos to Don Parker Properties Ltd (second defendant, belonging to Omatsuli) at the cost of N3.645billion with the payment made by Building Associates Limited (fourth defendant, belonging to Momoh), testified as prosecution witness 14 (PW14) and was cross-examined by Norris Quakers, SAN, counsel for the second, third and fourth defendants.
Also Dr. Henry Ogiri, who worked as executive director, Finance and Administration, NDDC, between December 2013 and December 2015, testified as prosecution witness, PW15 and was cross-examined by Omatsuli’s counsel, Prof. Amuda A. Kamke, SAN.
Justice Saidu adjourned the matter till October 12 and 13, 2020 for the defendants to open their defence.
July 8, 2020
2019 Batch “B” Stream 2 NYSC corps to pass out July 16
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says the passing-out of the 2019 Batch “B” Stream 2 corps members has been fixed nationwide for July 16.
The NYSC disclosed this in a statement by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, on Wednesday in Abuja.
”Arising from the threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic, and as a precautionary measure, the event will be low-key, with qualified corps members collecting their Certificates of National Service (CNS) at the Local Government level.
“Accordingly, the distribution of the certificate of national service shall be staggered for a period of 10 days in the first instance, in keeping with the safety measures established by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC),” the statement said.
The statement quoted the Director-General of the scheme, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, as giving kudos to the outgoing members for their service to the nation, and in particular for standing out to be counted in this time of national emergency.
It said Ibrahim charged the corps members to remain steadfast in rendering service to the nation and humanity, even after they have concluded their national assignment, as that was the hallmark of the corps.
The director-general also enjoined them to remain good ambassadors of the scheme in their future endeavours.
“All corps members and NYSC stakeholders are advised to stay vigilant, in order to guard against the contraction of COVID-19.
“Therefore, all must ensure strict observance of the safety protocols, predicated on consistent use of face masks, proper washing of hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, use of alcohol-based sanitiser, and observing social/physical distancing,” Ibrahim said.
July 8, 2020
FG suspends reopening of schools for WASSCE
The federal government has reversed its decision on the reopening of schools across the country for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, had announced on Monday that the examination would commence in August and end in September.
But speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the virtual federal executive council meeting,
the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said schools under the control of the federal government will not participate in the examination.
He also appealed to state governments who have agreed to reopen schools to reconsider the action due to the COVID-19 situation.
“I appeal to state governments that have announced schools’ resumption to reconsider it. I think it’s not safe. Let’s protect our children,” he said.
Adamu also appealed to WAEC to reschedule the examination because of the pandemic.
July 8, 2020
Unveiling logo of media houses is to promote visibility- Ogbeche
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ , FCT Chapter has unveiled a conglomerate of recognized Media houses operating in the Federal Capital Territory at the NUJ FCT Council today.
Chairman of Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche who opened the ceremony stressed that there is the need to promote visibility and recognition of all media houses operating in the Federal Capital Territory and across the country.
Ogbeche said, ‘we want to capture as many media organizations that are credible, adding that his administration will not relent in its endeavor to reposition the FCT Council to be the first in Nigeria.
Former President of the National Association Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Comrade Evelyn Oyinlo commended the leadership of the Council for the epoch making event, adding that the Chairman is a trail blazer who has been transparent in his dealings with members.
Comrade Timothy Elewere commended the leadership of the FCT Council for making sure pensioners are catered for adding that the leadership is forthright and focused and that members are expecting more good things.
Former Chairman of Council, Jacob Edi who formerly unveiled the logo said this is the many milestones from the administration of the multi talented Chairman of Council, adding that the narrative of the council will change.
Edi called on journalists to endeavor to participate and believe in the Union instead of waiting for what the council can offer them, he added that the unveiling of the logo is for the benefits of journalism.
Foremost among the media houses recognized is your popular Daybreak newspaper which recently started hardcopy publication having been an online newspaper for the last three years.
July 8, 2020
Nasarawa youths: 100% inclusion into my government Gov. Sule
By Abel Leonard
In his commitment towards industrializing the state, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr Abdullahi Sule has ones again assured the youths in the state of one hundred percent inclusion in his administration to enforce development in the state.
He stated this while playing host to youth groups and organizations at the Alh Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall Government House, Lafia, today.
Sule, said the state cannot develop without the input of the youths, adding that the youths are the bedrock of any development and that is why the economy structure of the state is being managed by vibrant youths.
“The State is interested in developing the youths. We will identify some of them based on merit,” the Governor said.
In response to teachers’ welfare, the Governor said it will soon be a thing of the past considering the fact that the state is struggling to pay teachers 100 percent of ther allowamces, hence there is a need for them to be patient with government for efforts are been made to soleve that problem.
On his part, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon Kwanta Yakubu, said three months into the administration of the Governor, there was a revolution for youth empowerment which was launched as a fulcrum of the administration’s youth development agenda with the commencement of the Compressed Earth Bricks Making Project designed for artisanal Youth Cooperative groups.
“41 cooperatives of 250 youth (men and women) were selected across the 13 LGAs and 18 Development Areas and trained on compressed earth bricks making using laterithe that abound in our community.”
Earlier, the President of Eggon Youths Movement worldwide, Comr Daniel Yaro Anyuabaga, said Governor Sule had exhibited a good sense of responsibility in all ramifications of good governance just within his one year in office irrespective of tribe or religious.
“We have keenly observed your leadership in the state and we dare to say that, indeed, Nasarawa State people could not have made a better choice of a governor for a time like this.”
Comr Daniel Yaro applauded the Governor’s philosophy of completing projects of the predecessors, saying it is a high sense of maturity in governance as it will save the state from wastages that often attend abandoned projects.
The Eggon youths leader thanked the Governor for his efforts aimed at ensuring the security of lives and property in the state.
“We should hasten to appreciate the siting of the Mobile Police Training College in Ende Hills of Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area, the Air Force Special Base in Lafia and the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, in Doma and the establishment of Military Super Camps at Kenyehu and Udege in Toto and and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.”
Other groups however called on the State Governor to look into the plight of teachers in the state, thanking the governor for being youth friendly, considering the number of youths appointed into various positions in his administration even as they requested for more youth engagement in terms of employment.
However, the State Commissioner for Sport and Youth Development, Bala Othman, appreciated the youths in the state for felicitating with the government of the state and called on them to be law abiding citizens.
July 8, 2020
Corporate organizations individuals to help revive schools in nasarawa state.
By Abel Leonard
Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has revealed how his administration is reaching out to corporate organizations and individuals to help renovate dilapidated schools in the state.Engineer Sule disclosed this while hosting national officials of the Lafia Old Students Association (LOSA), who came on a courtesy call, at the Government House, today
The Governor said his administration resorted to thinking outside the box, reaching out to willing donors to help rebuild dilapidated scholls because the state lack the resources to renovate all the public schools in need of urgent attention.
While lamenting the level of decay and dilapidation of especially public secondary schools, the Governor said he couldn’t afford to fold his arms and to wait until the economy of the state improves before embarking on massive school renovations, recounted that he was nearly moved to shedding tears when he came face to face with the level of dilapidation at the GGSSS Garaku, with students supporting the roof with wooden beams so as to stop the ceiling crashing on them.
Engineer Sule said the terrible conditions of most public schools in the state, explained the decision of his administration to approach willing donors who will assist the state in carrying out corporate social responsibility in the area of school renovation and refurbishment.
As a result of this, he disclosed that Keystone Bank committed close to N100m in renovating the Government Girls Science Secondary School Garaku, with other organizations taking up the responsibility to renovate and refurbish the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS), Government Science School Lafia and Government Secondary School Akurba.
In his word he said “I visited the Government Science School Lafia when it was raining and I realized it was worst than when I first visited. A school In the state capital, in a state that an Engineer is the Governor, who believe in science and technology, I was ashamed of myself,” Engineer Sule recounted.
The Governor explained that his administration did not spend a single kobo while renovating the two schools, stressing the need for leaders to be creative especially as the state is facing economic challenges.”If the state does not have the money, we must think outside the box,” he stated.
While charging the officials and members of the LOSA to equally think outside the box, with a view to lending support in rebuilding their alma mater to regain its past glory, Engineer Sule expressed appreciation that all those coming to the aid of the state are doing so with no strings attached.Earlier, in an opening remarks, LOSA National President, Engineer Rabiu Al-Tanko Umaisha, said officials of the body were at the Government House to show appreciation to the Governor for his efforts aimed at renovating all dilapidated educational institutions in the state.The LOSA President added that they visited the Governor to thank him on behalf of all members of the association for his determination to renovate their alma mater, stressing that they are proud of the achievements of the Governor within the short span of a year.
July 8, 2020