All Posts in "Day: April 26, 2021"

South-South Leaders Pass Vote Of Confidence On  Akpabio

APC ward leaders pass vote of confidence on Buhari, Akpabio | Blueprint Newspapers Limited
South-South leaders have  given a pass mark to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, commending  him for going the extra mile and using his good offices to root out all impurity and indiscipline from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
They also advised Nigerians not to allow themselves to be held captive by men with unprecedented capacity for lies, mischief and treachery.
The leaders in a statement in Yenagoa described as malicious and devilish the campaign of calumny against Akpabio.
“Sensationalism is not an admirable feature of excellent journalism.
We find the purport of the news story entitled;” Exclusive: How EFCC detained Godswill Akpabio for two hours after attempting to bribe agency chairman with $350,000” as misleading”
The leaders condemned critics of Akpabio for degenerating into abuses, lies and wild allegations.
They alleged that some individuals are spreading untrue tales against Akpabio and NDDC.
“Some individuals are stepping up their covert and overt moves to cause confusion in the country. Miscreants have been recruited to insult and blackmail the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs”
The comments by Comrade Damian Nwikinaka of the Niger Delta Renaissance Coalition on the forensic audit in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) also drew fierce criticism from the South-South leaders.
The leaders described the utterances of Nwikinaka as reckless, ridiculous, unbelievable, disgusting, inaccurate and insulting.
“Nwikinaka has consciously and definitely shown disdain for the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio”
The statement signed by the Chairman of South-South Front (SSF), Chief John Harry refuted some of the distractions spewing from unguarded quarters in the country, saying those behind them do not wish the Niger Delta region well.
 “Chief Godswill Akpabio is against forms of behaviors that are alien to or subversive of the rule of law” the leaders said.
The leaders apart from drawing attention to the orchestrated campaign of hate, slander and witch-hunting being undertaken by some individuals and their sponsors commended Akpabio for enhancing the prestige of peoples of the Niger Delta region.
 “Chief Godswill Akpabio should not be a subject of undue attack. He should be celebrated for changing the face of the region” they said.
The leaders condemned other misleading stories sponsored by the enemies of the region to push their selfish agenda and justify unrealistic conclusions about Akpabio.
They praised President Muhammadu Buhari for developing the region.
 “Chief Godswill Akpabio is a politician with a conscience. He will continue to incur envy, malice and hatred from those who see perfidy as a virtue in politics” they said”
They also urged Nigerians to ignore the shenanigans of these individuals.
 “Chief Godswill Akpabio shall not be distracted in his God assigned role of developing the Niger Delta region through sound policies” they said.
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Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Niger Delta 0
BEDC signing ceremony

L-R: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR [GENERATION ] NIGER DELTA POWER HOLDING COMPANY , ABDULLAHI KASSIM; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES, NDPHC, MR MOHAMMED MAHMUD; MANAGING DIRECTOR , CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICIAL , NDPHC, MR. CHIEDU UGBO; MANAGING DIRECTOR , CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICIAL, BEDC ELETRICITY PLC, MRS. FUNKE OSIBODU; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BEDC,MR. ABU EJOOR; AND CHIEF STATE HEAD EDO, BEDC, MR. ABEL ENECHAZIAM, AT A SIGNING OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO COMPANY BEDC AND NDPHC, LAGOS… ON WEDNESDAY, PHOTO ; BEDC.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in PhotoNews 0
NIPCO’s Investment  In Gas Infrastructure  Legendary -Sylva

Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has lauded
NIPCO Plc’s commitment to the development of requisite infrastructure to
enhance effective utilization of the nation’s gas resources
 Chief  Sylva disclosed this  when he visited  NIPCO  exhibition stand at
the two -day National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) Consultative Forum
hosted by Imo State Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of
Petroleum Resources in Owerri, Imo State.
The minister, who was received by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate
Affairs of NIPCO Plc, Lawal Taofeek, expressed delight by the enormous
resources the company has invested in the gas sector apart from the
impacts it has made in white products retail business in Nigeria.
He noted   NIPCO’s support for his ministry’s  initiative to encourage
a timely switch to gas  as a viable alternative energy source in the Country
being championed by the National Gas Expansion Programme [NGEP]  under the
leadership of Dr Mohamed Ibrahim ,whom he described as a colossus in the
nation’s hydrocarbon industry .
 He stated that the Federal Government is vigorously pursuing its gas
agenda, noting that the NGEP would impact positively on Nigerian economy.
 He expressed deep
pleasure in NIPCO’s support to the government’s initiative of encouraging
switch to gas as viable alternative energy source in the country.
.
 Welcoming the minister and his entourage including the Speaker, Imo State
House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Paul Emeziem who represented Governor Hope
Uzodimma, Lawal recalled the enormous support received from the former
Minster of Energy ,HRH Edward Daukoru  whom Sylva worked with as Special
Assistant
.
    “He was very much involved in the company’s emergence as one of the
three firms granted  licenses to develop Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
infrastructures and gas dispensing outlets  to enable motorists have
alternative energy sources apart from white products in 2009 ” he said..
He noted that the development , resulted in the company’s inauguration of
eight CNG stations in Benin, Edo State and Ibafo, Ogun State and further
putting up of  the biggest gas compression plant in West Africa in Ogun State.
According to  Lawal ,  NIPCO,s intervention in the gas sector also  birthed
the construction of about 10,500 MT LPG storage facility  saying that  since
the inauguration of NGEP by the Minister in January 2020 the company has key
into the project and  determined  to offer meaningful support to enhance
massive switch to gas as energy source for vehicles and industrial concerns.
In the realm of LPG as domestic cooking fuel, he informed that the company
had last year launched an LPG skid expansion scheme requesting partnership
with persons and families with virgin lands for long lease or outright sales
to develop and install skids in conformity with Department of Petroleum
Resources [DPR] regulations.
He added that the scheme offers veritable opportunity for deepening LPG
usage across the country through access to the product expecially in
residential areas at competitive rates
 According to him , the scheme, which has received tremendous support across
the country has boosted  NIPCO’s LPG footprints in over  18 states and the
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
 In his remarks ,the Chairman  NGEP committee, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim commended
NIPCO Plc for its tremendous impacts in the Gas Sector saying the company
offers renewed hope in harnessing the nation’s  gas potentials  .
 He said as the preferred global energy source , Nigeria cannot afford to
wait any longer to derive the inherent benefits of the impending gas
revolution over fossil fuels.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Oil&Gas 0
NDLEA Intercepts N10bn Heroin In Lagos,Kano

NDLEA Intercepts N10bn Heroin, Khat at Lagos, Kano AirportsTHISDAYLIVE
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have confiscated
from the suspects consignments of heroin and khat with a  value of over N10bn at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
They also arrested six persons in connection with the illicit drug
At the MMIA, Lagos, during cargo examination at the SAHCO Import Shed,the operative said  a freight agent had presented a cargo from South Africa with an Ethiopian Airline ET 3901 Airway bill no: 071-40689003 for examination before the NDLEA operatives attached to the beat.
Femi Babafemi,  the spokesman for the NDLEA, said  the officers later  conducted a search of the cargo during which a suspected brownish substance was discovered concealed inside a red Ghana-must-go bag.
He added:“During preliminary interview of the suspect, it was gathered that another freight agent sub-contracted the clearing job to him; six suspects have so far been arrested in follow-up operations, while the substance tested positive for heroin with a total weight of 24.05kg.
“Another consignment in the consolidated cargo has also proved to be methamphetamine with a weight of 1.25kg, bringing the total weight of illicit drugs seized in the cargo to 25.3kg.
“Though the cargo arrived at the airport in the evening of April 16, properly searched the following day, follow-up operations leading to a number of arrests lasted till the weekend.”
The NDLEA Commander at the MMIA, Ahmadu Garba, said, “The heroin and methamphetamine consignments were tagged in different names to deceive our officers, but we still uncovered them and neutralised the suspects’ plot.”
Similarly, the MAKIA Command of the NDLEA intercepted and seized a consignment meant for export to Manchester, United Kingdom, at its cargo shed.
A sample of the substance in the consignment was sent for laboratory analysis, the result of which came out positive for khat, which weighed 36kg.
This brings the total weight of illicit drugs seized at the two international airports to 61.3kg, Babafemi said.
The NDLEA acting Commander at the MAKIA, Mohammed Ajiya, said further investigation was ongoing to ascertain the true owners of the illegal consignments.
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended the officers and men of the Lagos and Kano airports commands of the agency for not allowing the illicit substances to escape their watch either into Nigeria or foreign jurisdictions.
He assured them that he would continue to do his best to improve their welfare and take the anti-drug law enforcement agency to enviable heights.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 Insecurity, Economic Hardship Bane Of  Basic Education Delivery,Says  UBEC 

Nigeria has a shortage of 277,537 teachers in basic education sector, says UBEC
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi,the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has  expressed dissatisfaction over challenges facing basic school delivery in parts of the country.
He lamented thatbchallenges of insecurity and social economic crisis is now making  parents to engage their children for pursuits such as hawking, child labor, begging and farming
He added that due to insecurity, schools which hitherto served as learning centres are being converted to camps for Internally Displaced Persons IDPs.
Bobboyi, represented by the Deputy Executive Service Secretary (Technical) Dr. Bala Zakari raised these concerns when the Senior Executive Course 43, of the National Institute For Policy and Strategic Studies NIPSS 2021 paid a courtesy visit to the agency.
“The sector is faced with some challenges like insecurity in some states which slowed  down school construction and sometimes result in destruction of completed projects or abandonment of projects.
“Parents are engaging their children for economic pursuits such as hawking, child labor, begging and farming thus increasing the rate of Out of School Children and contributing to social menace, “the UBEC boss stated.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Education 0
NPDC  Gives Scholarship To 10,000 Students

NPDC empowers 2000 indigent students with scholarship in 5 years - The NEWS
No fewer than 10,000 indigent students from its host communities have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme of  Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC) .
Mr Dahiru Abubakar, Manager, Community Relations Department,who disclosed  this known during the conduct of the year 2019/2020 scholarship examination organised  by NPDC in Warri, Delta,said  about 379 students were invited for the examination from all NPDC host communities.
 He added that the scholarship examination was being conducted simultaneously in three centres at  Warri, Delta State, Egbema in Imo State and Port Harcourt, River State.
“We are here to basically conduct NPDC yearly scholarship examination. This exercise is for year 2019/2020 and the process is going on smoothly.
“Basically, this is a tertiary scholarship exams, what we do is to send invitation to our host communities asking them to nominate four candidates to compete for one slot per community.
“The Warri venue has about 179 candidates, while Egbema and Port harcourt centres have 100 candidates each.
“In total,  we have 379 candidates sitting for the exam out of which about 160 successful candidates would be awarded the scholarships.
“The NPDC Scholarship programme started in the year 2000, and since then about 10,000 students have enjoyed and still enjoying the programme,” he said.
According to him,  the effort is part of NPDC corporate social responsibilities to its host communities aimed at promoting human capital development.
Abubakar  further stated that to ensure transparency in the process, NPDC engaged the management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) as consultant to conduct the examination.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Education 0
 SEC Urges  Investors On e-Dividend 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has has emphasized the need investors in the capital market to register for e-dividend to  enable them reap the benefits of their investments therein
Mr. Dayo Obisan,the Executive Commissioner Operations of the SEC,said in Abuja that  the registration was  necessary to reduce the unclaimed dividends profile as well as increase liquidity in the capital market and the economy.
He hinted  that the e-dividend mandate forms are available on the websites of the SEC, registrars and even in some banking halls and therefore enjoined investors to download the forms, fill them out and submit to be mandated for e-dividend.
“The forms are readily available on the SEC website, the registrars also have the forms on their websites, even some banks have them in their banking halls. We therefore enjoin investors to download the forms, fill them out and submit, if they have any problems, they can readily reach the SEC through our various contacts. Once we receive such complaints, we will be able to put them in the right part of what to do to ensure they are mandated for e-dividend.
“Remember that they are not only going to receive their current dividend. Once they are successfully mandated, past dividends will be paid as well. We want investors to be able to get the benefits of their investments as that would also help to attract more investors to the market as well as deepen the market.
He added  said it  was the quest by the Commission to protect investors that necessitated the directive on Know Your Customer Update to Capital Market Operators.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Regulators 0
Kano Destroys 402 Tonnes Of Fake Products. 

Kano destroys 402 tons of fake drugs, other items - P.M. News
Kano State Government has destroyed 402 tonnes of illicit item confiscated by Kano Consumers Protection Council.
The affected items are substandard,  fake, adulterated,  expired, and unwholesome products that include drugs , food, cosmetics cigarettes animal feeds and grains .
Bappa Baba Dan’Agundi,  Acting MD Kano state Consumer Protection Council,  who present the fake items to the Governor,explained  that the symbolic occasion was a three months of dedication to duty.
He disclosed  that one-third  of the total products that were marked for destruction on Sunday were still fallow at the warehouse due to restrictions of space at NDLEA arena .
He  added  that the council was well equipped by the state government to do carried  out its statutory mandate,  adding that the Council therefore had no excuse to fail.
Bappaa disclosed that in line with the partnership that exist between the Council and NAFDAC,  a senior staff was recently transferred to the council to work closely with it.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Arewa 0
 JAMB  Shifts 2021 UTME Mock Test 

The Joint Admissions and Matricualtions Board (UTME), has announced the reschedule of its 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) mock examination earlier scheduled for  Saturday, 30th April 2021 to Thursday, 20th May 2021.
Fabian Benjamin, Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, imexplained that the change was due to an ongoing fine-tuning in the Board’s operational processes.
He said : “The 2021 Mock Examination earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, 30th April, 2021, has now been rescheduled to hold on Thursday, 20th May 2021.
“This change of date is owing to some ongoing adjustments in the Board’s operational processes. The change, however, would not affect other schedules including the date for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination fixed for 5th to 19th June 2021. Candidates who have registered and have chosen to sit the Mock and other critical stakeholders are to note this change of date.
The notice added: “Similarly, it is necessary to inform all stakeholders that the 2021 UTME/DE Registration exercise is ongoing and it is to end on 15th May 2021.  The Board has, however, noted with concern that some candidates, in trying to generate their profiles, are sending their details wrongly to 55019.
“The right process is to send the word “NIN” allow one space in between, then insert the eleven digits NIN number to 55019 e.g. ‘NIN  00000000000’.
It added: “Any other process is wrong and would not generate the profile code for the candidate. It is also necessary for the candidate to know that only the SIM that is linked to his/her NIN can be used to send the NIN to 55019.”
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Education 0
Police Fire  Inspector For Killing Man In Lagos

A killer police inspector who shot a man dead at a hotel in the Ajah area of Lagos State, Jonathan Kampani, has been sacked by the police in the state.
Jonathan shot dead Jelili Bakare at Quinox Lounge in the Sangotedo area of Ajah during an argument between them last month
Muyiwa Adejobi, the image-maker in charge of the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, the sack of the killer cop in a statement ,adding that the killer cop had been transferred to the state CID, Panti for further investigation and prosecution.
He said “The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed one AP No 278055 Inspector Jonathan Kampani, attached to Mounted Troop of the Nigeria Police Force, for firing and killing one Jelili Bakare at Quinox Lounge, Sangotedo Area of Lagos State, on 18th March, 2021.”
“The Command has conveyed the dismissal of the erring Inspector from the Nigeria Police to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State CID, Panti, Yaba via letter numbered AR. 3100/LS/ SPM/vol.2/321 dated 16/4/2021, for prosecution as advised by the Department of Public Prosecution of the Lagos State.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered for the arrest and immediately orderly room trial of the inspector after the incident.He also led a team of senior officers in the command to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Chief Bakare’s House, Ajiranland, Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State, on Saturday, March 27, 2021, where he promised that justice will be done in the matter.”
 He  urged  the family members of the deceased to be patient and have trust in the police and the judiciary as the matter will be given the necessary attention and commitment it requires.
Online Editor by — April 26, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0