All Posts in "Day: June 29, 2021"

Group Secures Release Of Two Detainees  After 10 Years In  Lagos Prison

Company Secures Release of 150 Prisoners In 2 months – NTA.ng – Breaking News, Nigeria, Africa, Worldwide

Avocats Sans Frontières France (ASF France), has  enforced the fundamental human rights of two more individuals subjected to arbitrary detention in Lagos state.

The victims are beneficiaries of ASF France’s pro bono legal aid, on the platform of the European Union and AFD funded “Strengthening the National Actors Capacities and Advocation for Ending Severe Human Rights Violations in Nigeria project” (SAFE) project.

 

The cases of Mr. Promise B, and Mr. Mohammed B were both handled between the months of October 2020 and June 2021.  Both men had spent a period of 10 years and 3 years respectively awaiting trial.

 

Both men had never appeared in court since they were remanded in custody at the Kirikiri custodial centre.

 

ASF France, said ,in its pro-bono legal intervention tendered separate applications to the Lagos State High Court on behalf of the two detainees, particularly seeking for the unconditional or conditional release, citing the violation of their fundamental human rights, their rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement, provided under the sections 35 and 41 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

 

It added the two applications were successful at the Lagos State High Court.

In the judgment of the case of Mr. Mohammed (who had spent over 10 years in arbitrary detention) delivered by Justice Adenike J. Coker (Mrs.), a damage of five million Naira was awarded against the Police in favour of the victim.

Awarding verdict  in favour of the victim, the judge highlighted that “There would be no amount of money that can compensate for 10 years of one’s life.”

 

The Country Director of Avocats Sans Frontières France, Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu commended the judges for their rulings.

She added: “It is a failure of our justice system and a gross violation of the rights of a citizen for anyone to be held in arbitrary detention, let alone for over 10 years”.

Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Army Kills 12 Insurgents In Borno

Army Kills 12 Insurgents, Loses Two Soldiers In Borno | Press Informant
Twelve fighters of Boko  Haram terrorists and Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP), were killed by troops in an encounter in Borno state on Sunday, by the Nigerian Army.
The Army however lost  two of its soldiers,according to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, (DAPR), who disclosed this in an operation update on Monday.
He  said that the terrorists were attempting to infiltrate the Forward Operational Base at Bula Yobe in Borno State, when they encountered the troops.
He said the troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation  HADIN KAI descended heavily on them with a superior fire power, leading to the death of some of the fleeing terrorists.
He also said that  the terrorists, came  mounted on  Gun trucks and several motorcycles and attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point, but were met with heavy volume of fire from the vigilant troops.
He added:”The Land troops, in their usual  dexterity  swiftly and decisively engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat,  having lost initiative. The troops sustained the fire fight and successfully neutralised 12  terrorists, with several others fleeing with gun shot wounds.
“The troops gallantly captured one Gun Truck, one Self Propelled Gun-9, one Dushika  Gun and one  mounted QJC Machine Gun. Other items captured are one Light Machine Gun and five AK 47 Rifles.Sadly, during the encounter two soldiers paid the supreme sacrifice, while five others sustained varying degrees  of injury and have been evacuated by the Air component of OPHK to a medical facility, where they are currently receiving medical attention.
“The general area within FOB Bula Yobe is cool and calm under the control of  troops of the battalion. Further exploitation by the resilient troops is ongoing .The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Faruk Yahaya has lauded the Land troops and the Air Component for their synergy and quick response, which is in tandem with the ongoing rejigging of the counter terrorism counter insurgency operations in the North East”, he said.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in News 0
Air Peace’s New Aircraft Enabler For Profitability,Sustainability-Minister

FG ready to support investors to advance aviation sector – Sirika
The Minister of Aviation,Senator Hadi Sirika, has commended Air Peace for acquisition of brand new aircraft, saying the carrier’s business plan was in line  with the Federal Government’s roadmap for the sector.
He  insisted that the use of brand new air planes by the airline would change the dynamics in airlines’ profitability and sustainability, by driving down maintenance and fueling costs.
Sirika made the statement recently in Abuja at the delivery ceremony of Air Peace third brand new E195-E2 aircraft,according to a  statement by Stanley Olisa, the Spokesman for the airline said that
 Sirika, who was represented at the occasion by Mr. Hassan Musa, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Ministry, called on other carriers to emulate the airline.
Speaking , Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace, lauded Sirika for engendering tremendous changes in the sector, while adding that the industry had experienced exponential transformation since he assumed office.
Onyema said the acquisition of the 30 new planes, when fully operational, would create 17, 000 jobs for technical personnel in the country, in addition to the over 3,000 direct and indirect employees currently.
He said: “By next year, we hope to receive all the 13 planes we made firm orders for and by the end of 2023, we intend to activate payment for another 10 of the aircraft brand, which will bring the total to 23. We have new routes that we want to deploy the aircraft to. We have new routes that we have just opened, and more routes will still be explored in the coming months.”
He  hinted that the airline would be opening Gombe soon and plans to deploy the brand new aircraft to West Coast and the broader African region.
Onyema said the company  plans  to commence the Lagos-London route, with the assistance of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which is working on fast-tracking the process.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Aviation 0
How NTSIF Paid N38bn Without  FG’s  Approval

Senate uncovers illegal payment of N38bn as salaries by NSITF
The Senate has exposed how Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) paid the sum of N38 billion as salaries to staff without approval by the federal government.
The  chairman,Senate Committee on Public Accounts,Senator Mathew Urhoghide, uncovered the illegal payment of Salaries, following  the 2018 report of Auditor General of the Federation.
The query said Audit observed that the Fund had been implementing a salary structure that was not approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission. As a result, irregular payment of N38,219,919,530.32 by way of personnel cost was made to the staff of the Fund from 2012 to 2017.
It also said implementation of unapproved salary structure may result in wastage of public funds, as remuneration may be higher than the productivity level of staff.
It added that:”The Managing Director is required to provide the approval of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission for the implementation of the Fund’s salaries structure”
The Managing Director of NSTIF, Dr. Michael Akabogu, has, however, claimed that the amount was approved through a letter dated 4th July , 2019 .
Examining  the letter from National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission on the salary, it was observed it was written five years after the Commission started paying the salaries.
The Committee further discovered in the letter from National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission that an objection was raised about the payment of unapproved salaries by the commission.
The letter reads : “However, the following anomalies are observed in the consolidated salary of the General Manager and Deputy General Manager and are both places on GL17 respectively and One GL17, (General Manager) salary grade has 8 steps while another GL(Deputy General Manager) and GL 16 salary grades have 5 steps each.
“The Fund is, therefore, advised to arrange a meeting of the fund, it’s supervising Ministry and this Commission to rectify these anomalies before the next promotion exercise.”
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in News 0
Ignore Today’s Strike Threat,Factional IPMAN Tells Nigerians

Petroleum products marketers have no planned strike – IPMAN President – Voice of Nigeria

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)  has denied rumours of planning to go on strike today, saying there is no plan to shut fuel pumps nationwide, its National President, Alhaji Sanusi Fari, said on Monday.
Its National President,Alhaji Sanusi Fari,was quoted in a statement issued in Awka and signed by the association’s National Secretary, Mr Chidi Nnubia, the group called on the general public to ignore any information regarding the planned strike.
 Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, a factional Publicity Secretary, had in a statement, threatened in Abuja on Monday that IPMAN would go on strike and shut fuel stations nationwide beginning from Tuesday because the police laid siege on its secretariat.
Suleiman alleged that some police officers laid siege on IPMAN’s National Secretariat last Friday for undisclosed reasons. He said that aggrieved IPMAN members and officials at states, zonal and depots levels, held series of meetings and threatened to shut filling stations if the issue was not properly addressed.
He also advised government and security agencies to “halt impunity in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry’’.
However, Fari advised the general public to disregard the threat saying all members of IPMAN would be opened for business as no planned strike action exists anywhere.
He said the publication regarding strike rumour was authored  some persons whose stock in trade is to sabotage the efforts of the Federal Government and the PPMC to provide uninterrupted supply of petroleum products nationwide.
The statement by Fari read; “We wish to inform the general public that our members have no plans to shut down any petrol station in the country as there is no reason to take such action. Our members are directed to disregard a publication by some persons whose stock in trade is to sabotage the efforts of the Federal Government and the PPMC to provide uninterrupted supply of petroleum products nationwide.”
“We ask the general public to ignore any information emanating from any unscrupulous individuals attempting to hijack the association for their selfish and profiteering adventure. Those individuals lack the capacity to call off our services as they are illegally parading themselves as officers of the association in total disregard and disobedience of a Supreme Court judgment of Dec. 14, 2018.”
“We enjoin the public to go about their normal activities as we continue to support the Federal Government through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC to ensure availability of petroleum products across the country”.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Labour/Human Resources 0
Ibadan DisCo Dissociates Self From Sale Of Unistar Meters

Ibadan DisCo Urges Customers To Shun Fraudulent Acquisition Of Meters – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company has dissociated itself from the sale  and distribution of the defunct Unistar prepaid meters.
The electricity distribution company said it  stopped the sales of the Unsitar meters to customers since 2014 in compliance with the directive of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The company  added that the management of Unistar Hi-Tech Systems Limited, the manufacturer of the meters in a public disclaimer on the pages of the Punch newspaper of 14 June 2021 said, it has discontinued the production and the sale of such meters since 2014 in line with NERC’s directive.
According to the company,the Association of the Electrical Installer of Nigeria (AEIPON) that continue to promote the sale and installation of the Unistar meter is not in any way affiliated to IBEDC, nor does it represent the interest of the company.
 It  recalled that the same Association in 2017, took IBEDC to court, praying the court to compel the company to absorb the illegally sold and installed Unistar meters for some of our customers at Osun State
It added:”The court judgement on the case mentioned above (Prince Anthony Atayero JP & 2 ORS v. IBEDC & Anor) noted that section 81 of the ESPR Act in its opinion only binds NERC’s approved manufacturers, importers etc. and that IBEDC is at liberty to choose from any of the meter providers approved by NERC. Also, relying on the provision of Regulation 7 of the Electrical Installation Regulation, a subsidiary of EPSR Act, which provides that no electrical installation shall commenced until a written permit has been obtained from the electricity supply authority, except where the supplier is the consumer of electricity generated.
“Consequently, the court resolved this question in favor of IBEDC, as the plaintiffs failed to prove or show evidence that the said Unistar meters installed in IBEDC’s network was with its permission or consent. The Court also held that because the meters were installed in IBEDC’s network illegally, it constitutes economic sabotage.
“Despite the judgment of the Federal High Court, the Association of the Electrical Installer of Nigeria (AEIPON) in 2020, through a legal firm N.O. Folorunsho & CO wrote a letter, contesting IBEDC’s rights to disconnect illicit meters within its network and requested to install Unistar meters to customers. Our Legal Department in response to the letter, reinstated the court’s ruling in the case referenced above and declined the association’s request to install Unistar meters for customers within our franchise. This act largely is capable of misleading our esteemed customers and portraying the company as an organization that does not have regards for the rule of law.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IBEDC, Engr. John Ayodele, said IBEDC as a customer centric organization is committed to metering all its customers though the current National Mass Metering Program(NMMP) approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He  enjoined customers to be more cautious and not fall into the hands of fraudsters who parade themselves as Marketers, selling and installing illicit meters not recognized by the company or approved by NERC.
‘’From the 105,000 meters allocated to IBEDC under Phase zero of NMMP, we have metered over 69,000 of our customers while we continue to give free meters to customers within our network as the next phase of the program kicks off soon.  Do not pay anyone for meter or installation’’ Engr. Ayodele explained.
He also advised customers or stakeholders that want meters to visit any IBEDC office closest to them or call our customer Care line 07001239999, for more information and clarification visit www.ibedc.com.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Power 0
RMAFC Moves To  Cut Politicians’ Remuneration

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, has said that the commission has completed plans to begin the review of the nation’s revenue sharing formula.
The Chairman of the commission,Elias Mbam,disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit to his office by members of the National Assembly Service Commission led by Ahmed Amshi,said  that the review of remuneration for political and judicial office holders would also take off as soon as the Federal Government released fund for it.
He said:“The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has concluded arrangements to fully commence the review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula.The review is targeted at equitable distribution of the accrued revenue into the federation account to the three tiers of government and this will be concluded before the end of 2021.”
Disclosing that the review of remuneration for political and judicial office holders will equally take off as soon as the Federal government released fund for it, the commission’s chairman further stated that the RAF review is at first concentrating on the vertical formula which has to do with sharing of revenue between federal, state and local governments.
He said this will be followed by a horizontal formula which also has to do with sharing among states and among local governments.”
Mbam said while the legislature may have to approve the outcome of the review, whatsoever the commission fixed was final and could not be surpassed.
“Mbam also added that while the review of remuneration for judicial and executive office holders in the federation is subjected to further legislation by national or state assemblies as the case may be for approval but not more than what RMAFC has recommended, RMAFC’s determination for legislatures at federal, state and local governments is final,” he added.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in News 0
Kaduna,Airtel Nigeria Partner On Deployment Of Broadband Services

Kaduna State signs MoU with Airtel Nigeria to deploy broadband services
The Kaduna State Government has announced a strategic partnership with Airtel Nigeria, to modernize and digitalize its entire telecoms and network infrastructure as well as deploy Broadband services across the State.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, explained that the partnership is a significant step in improving the quality of life and boosting productivity in the state .
He said:”The partnership with Airtel “is a major landmark for us as an administration because since we came into office we have identified about 41 locations in Kaduna State that are black-spots that have no telecom services at all. We have been pursuing the NCC to deploy the Universal Service Provision Fund to fill those gaps without much success.
“Our aspiration is for every part of Kaduna State to have minimum of 3G coverage. We are very grateful to Airtel for agreeing to be our partners in achieving this aspiration. 3G coverage is the minimum we need in this century for people to pursue quality lives and livelihoods. We believe in that very strongly and we are prepared work with you to achieve that.”
He also noted that the agreement will build even higher levels of penetration of digital technologies to every nook and cranny of Kaduna State while commending Airtel for not only providing services that enhance lives and livelihoods, but also providing timely interventions through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Speaking on the partnership with the Kaduna State Government, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said: “Today marks an important milestone for all of at Airtel Nigeria. We are not only excited by this partnership with Kaduna State to deploy broadband services across the State but we are inspired as this project aligns with our corporate purpose of connecting people, empowering Nigerians and touching lives.
He explained that with the  partnership, Airtel will deploy broadband services in Kaduna and provision 4G services across key cities in the state specifically Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria while also upgrading 3G services and providing Internet access and network connectivity across the entire state.
He said:“I believe that Broadband is a universal human right that should not be denied anyone. It bridges the gap between prosperity and poverty. It lifts so many people out of poverty. So many studies on how broadband can transform life has been done and some of these studies say that for every one or two percentage increase in broadband penetration, it can actually increase GDP by up to 10%. For me, access to broadband is as good as connecting to electricity and water. With this project, many will be lifted out of poverty in Kaduna and I really look forward to this project.”
“Following the MOU signing ceremony, Airtel Nigeria will work with Kaduna State Government to immediately commence the project with a timeline of upgrading 3G services across the entire state by end of 2022 and also deploying 4G services across key cities in the state specifically in Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria”
He said the  project scope also includes deployment of fibre network across the entire state.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in IT&Telecoms 0
Zenith Bank,AccessBank,UBA,Others Grow Earnings By 311%

Zenith Bank, UBA, 11 other banks pay N413.49bn as staff salaries
A new report by Coronation Asset Management says Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank; Access Bank, FBN Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Stanbic IBTC Holdings grew their interest-earning assets from N6.5tn in 2010 to N26.9tn in 2020, or by 311 per cent.
The report, titled ‘Nigerian banks: Resilience built in’, was released on Monday and shows that the growth of the banking sector looks impressive.
It said:“The total average interest-earning assets of the six banks in our study rose from N6.5tn in 2010 to N26.9tn in 2020, or by 311 per cent.The total gross loans of these banks rose from N3.9tn in 2010 to N13.6tn in 2020, or by 248 per cent. The positive outliers for growth are Access Bank (growing quickly even before its 2019 merger with Diamond Bank), UBA and Zenith Bank.’’
The report, written by a Senior Research Analyst at Coronation Research, Guy Czartoryski, and Ope Ani also of Coronation Research, examined what had happened within the Nigerian banking industry in the last 10 years.
It showed 10-year study of the margins and profitability of six listed banks-Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank; Access Bank, FBN Holdings, United Bank for Africa and Stanbic IBTC Holdings.
The report said the banks have adapted successfully to many changes in interest rates over the 10 years from 2010 to 2020, which made them well-positioned for the rise in rates in 2021.
Czatoryski said:“While underlying growth in assets has been elusive, especially when data are adjusted for inflation, profitability has generally improved.The return on average equity and return on average assets of the six banks studied have both converged and improved over 10 years. This trend appears to be under-appreciated by investors, and the report shows the positive investment potential in the sector.”
The report said in  terms of valuations, and despite a significant rally in share prices over the past year, Nigerian bank stocks look remarkably cheap, both in relation to other sub-Saharan African banks and in relation to their own valuation history.
It addrd:“Five years ago, the median prospective price-to-earnings ratio was around 5.0x. Now it is 2.5x. This downward shift in ratings has exposed meaningful value for today’s investors, in our view.”
It showed that Nigerian banks’ earnings had been remarkably resilient over the interest rate cycle, their profitability was improving over time and their stock values were remarkably cheap compared to Ghanaian and Kenyan bank stocks.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
CBN Releases 50,000MT Of  Maize To  Producers,Warns Against Naira Abuse

The Central Bank of Nigeria has  released 50,000 metric tonnes of maize to 12 major producers from strategic maize reserve under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
The apex bank explained that  the release of maize to the companies,will reduce the price of grain in the market by checking the activities of middlemen who are hoarding the product and causing artificial scarcity.
The listed recipients of the grains include Premier Flour Mills, Crown-Olam, Grand Cereals, Animal Care, Amobyn Hybrid Feeds, Obasanjo Farms, Zartech, Wacot, Sayeed Farms, Pandagri Novum and Premium Farms.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, in its bid to moderate and control the prices of maize in the Nigerian market, has approved the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of maize to 12 major producers, from strategic maize reserve under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme,the acting Director of the Communication of the CBN, Osita Nwanisobi, confirmed .
He said the move would crash the price of maize, reduce pressure on the market, and make the product directly available to feed producers, thereby reducing the price of poultry feed in the country.
He added that as part of its financing framework, the bank would continue to fund maize farmers and processors through its various initiatives.
Meanwhile,the apex bank  has lamented continued abuse of currency note by the general public, especially during weddings and other occasions.
Speaking on Monday in Gombe at a Fair with the theme ‘Promoting Financial Stability and Economic Development’, Principal Manager, Currency Operations Department, Ngozi Etim, said the law banning people from matching money subsisted.
She  noted that envelope remained the best and acceptable means of extending goodwill at events and not by deliberately attempting to discredit the Nigerian currency by spraying and eventually stepping on it.
She said:“Money should not be squeezed but put into the envelope. Oil should not be allowed to touch the money; keep it neat like your clothes.
“You don’t dirty your clothes and you don’t keep your clothes on the ground. So, there is need to keep our money well. Don’t match our money, so that it can stay long. Naira is our symbol of identity.”
She added that the current CBN Act empowered the bank to arrest those who abuse the currency, adding that the proper handling would ensure the durability of the notes.
Online Editor by — June 29, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0