All Posts in "Day: July 27, 2021"

Wushishi  Promises To Reposition NECO

The new Registrar/Chief Executive of the, National Examinations Council (NECO), Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi,has promised to reposition the examination body towards attaining its full potentials.
Wushiwushi,who gave his words when he officially resumed duty on Monday told members of staff who were on hand to welcome him at the Council’s Headquarters, along Minna-Bida road that, “My desire is to make NECO surpass international standards which other international examination bodies will look onto, that is my mission”.
Against fears of promoting tribal and religious bias, Professor Wushishi according to a statement signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations Division, Mr. Azeez Sani said, “I am not here to be bias in anyway, rather I am here as a Nigerian, I will work with everybody to take NECO to the desired heights”.
The new Registrar/Chief Executive who however acknowledged that there are challenges that needed to be tackled to make NECO better than it is today assured that the challenges are surmountable with the support of all staff.
Part of the strategies to ensure maximum results, Professor Wushishi explaied is to ensure that staff who distinguished themselves are rewarded and their privileges and entitlements paid as at and when due.
While however warning that the management under his leadership would not hesitate to punish any staff found wanting in the discharge of his/her duties, the new Registrar solicited for the support and cooperation of the management and staff to enable him succeed.
Thanking President Muhammadu Buhari for deeming him fit to be appointed as NECO Registrar, Wushishi also pledged to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education and NECO Governing Board.
The Acting Registrar of NECO, Mr. Ebikibina John Ogborodi had earlier briefed the new Registrar on progresses made so far in the on-going 2021 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) as well as other core mandate of the Council.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Education 0
 FG’s Social Housing Programme Records 54,720 Jobs

Fashola advocates land for infrastructure — Nigeria — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
Mr. Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Works and Housing,says  the Federal Government’s National Social Housing Programme,(NSHP) has created 54,720 jobs.
He disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 15th edition of the Abuja International Housing Show with the theme: Sustainable and Resilient Housing Solutions for a Post Pandemic World.
He the national housing programme which started in 2016 has been able to generate 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs.
Fashola said  that a total of  1,021 building contractors have been engaged under Phases 1and Il of the programme while 2,249 units have been completed in 34 states and Federal Capital Territory.
“A total of 1,021 Building Contractors have been engaged under Phases | and Il of the Programme since the inception in 2016 and 13,680 and 41,040 direct and indirect jobs have been generated. During this period, the Ministry has undertaken the construction of 4,694 housing units, out of which 2,249 units have been completed in 34 States and FCT with a total of 41 sites spread over the 34 States and FCT” he said.
Fashola stated that his ministry is promoting local content in line with the Executive Orders 3 and 5, adding that the use of available local building materials in the NHP has stimulated the nation’s economy. .
According to him, the overall economic value chain arising from the housing construction activities is mostly beneficial to the Nigerian youths who are directly involved in the physical production of the houses.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Property 0
 Buhari Signs N982bn Supplementary Budget 

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja signed a supplementary budget of N982.7bn for 2021 to address urgent security and COVID-19 needs of the nation.
Of the amount, N123.3 million is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure while the sum of the N859.3bn is for contribution to the Development Fund for the capital expenditure for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 2021.
He commended the National Assembly for the expeditious consideration and approval of the supplementary budget, assuring that the executive arm of government would ensure the timely delivery of capital projects to achieve the laudable objectives of the budget.
The President had earlier signed the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board (Amendment) Act, 2021.
 The Act amends the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board Act Cap. O10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide for the establishment of the Orthopedic Hospital Jos, Plateau State under the control of the Orthopedic Hospitals Management Board affiliated to the Jos Teaching Hospital to provide specialised orthopedic treatment and medical services.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in News 0
Lagos Gives 3-Day Quit Notice To Owners Of Illegal Structures In Lekki

Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) has  issued a 3 -Day Removal Notice to all owners of makeshift structures, shanties, kiosks and vehicles at Maroko and Lekki Coastal Road, Lekki, Lagos.
Chairman of Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, who led his team to the points of the issuance of the removal notices said that the order became necessary for the road construction along the coastal road which serves as an alternative route for the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
According to the Chairman, “the stretch of road has been taken over by mechanics, block makers, bamboo and wood sellers, shanties and other illegal occupiers, which are going to hamper road construction work in the area.”
He further stated that on expiration of the Removal Notice on Thursday, officials of the agency would remove all structures, shanties, abandoned vehicles and materials in the area.
He noted that the removal of shanties and criminal hideout in Marwa Waterside area would help reduce traffic robberies and criminal activities on Lekki/Ajah Corridor, particularly in Jakande Roundabout.
While addressing the occupants of the area in clusters before pasting the notices the Chairman implored them to heed the State Government’s Removal Order as anyone found on the road at the expiration of the notice would be made to face justice.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in News 0
How Baba Ijesha Abused My Foster Daughter -Princess

Baba Ijesha to be charged with child molestation - Daily Nigerian
Popular comedienne, Damilola Adekoya , otherwise known as Princess,has told  a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, how Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, allegedly abused her Foster daughter.
Princess disclosed  this at the resume of  the case of alleged child molestation.
She  also told the court that she invested in Baba Ijesha’s education and the actor visited her at home thereafter.
She told the the actor had visited her at her residence on the day he was caught allegedly sexually assaulting her foster daughter.
Baba Ijesha was charged for offence bothering on rape, sexual assault and abuse of the minor, was granted bail on the ground that it was his fundamental human rights.
He  was also charged on six counts of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault, which contravene sections 259, 135, and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, as well as 135, 263, and 262 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
He, however, pleaded not guilty.
His trial continues today.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Crime/Metro 0
 Fidelity Bank Promotes  745 Staff

Fidelity Bank has elevated  745 employees to  as part of the moves to boost their morale and enhance productivity on the job.
The bank disclosed  that a total of 461 staff members benefited from the 2019 financial year exercise, while 284 staff members benefited from the 2020 financial year.
According to the  bank, beneficiaries cut across the senior, middle, and junior management cadre of the bank, and the promotion was based on merit, using a transparent and robust performance management system in line with global best practices.
The Managing Directr/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, expressed delight over the elevation of the staff.
She said: “I am very delighted to announce the promotions for 2019 and 2020 financial years. Releasing the list for two financial years’ promotion at the same time, is something we are very proud of.We strongly believe that the continuous growth of our bank over the years has been largely attributed to the commendable efforts and unrelenting sacrifices of our employees.
“Promotion is one of the many ways we express our gratitude. We are thankful to be a home to many amazing talents that continue to drive our value and most importantly, serve our stakeholders in the highest standards.Since I was appointed the MD/CEO of our great bank in January 2021, I have been committed to a seven-point agenda to move our bank further, out of which workforce transformation is a key category.
Staff performance and reward is a critical to us, and as an organisation, we will continue to make available adequate resources to deepen the skills and entrench a culture of high performance amongst employees.
“I wish to appreciate all members of the Fidelity Bank family for their commitment and drive, and unrelenting sacrifices towards delivering our objectives.As we move forward in our quest to becoming a leading tier-one bank, I encourage all elevated staff to see their promotion as a call to rededicate themselves to excellence,” the CEO stated.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
Nigeria’s Private Sector Choking-World Bank

The Country Director for Nigeria, World Bank, Dr Shubham Chaudhuri, has said that Nigeria’s private sector is battling to survive
He said this during a panel session at a virtual public sector seminar with the theme ‘Nigeria in challenging times: imperatives for a cohesive national development agenda’ organised by the Lagos Business School,where  he emphasized the need for private investment for the country to realise its potential.
He said:“In Nigeria, I think the basic economic agenda is about diversification away from oil because oil has really been like resource curse for Nigeria on multiple dimensions,” he said.
He noted the aspiration of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by the end of the decade.
He said, “Nigeria is a country with tremendous potential. If you look at the synopsis for this panel, it suggests that Nigeria is at a critical juncture – almost at the moment of crisis.
“Despite all of that, Nigeria is still the largest economy in Africa. So, just think about the potential that Nigeria has because of its natural resources, but more than that, because of its dynamism and all of its population. Nigerians are more entrepreneurial by nature.
“No country has become prosperous and realised its potential, eliminated poverty without doing two simple things: investing in its people, and unleashing the power of the private sector in creating jobs by investing and growing business. And then, of course, the basic function of the state is to provide security and law and order.”
He said to invest in people entails basic services, basic education, primary healthcare and nutrition, among others.
He said, “On this, Nigeria at the moment ranks sixth from the bottom in terms of the human capital index that we produce every year.
“So, obviously, there is a huge agenda in terms of investing in human capital. Nigeria spends more on PMS (premium motor spirit) subsidy than it does on primary healthcare in a year, and we know who the PMS subsidy is benefitting.”
He indicated that despite the country’s huge potential to attract private capital, the non-oil part of the economy ‘is not growing that robustly and certainly not generating revenues that the government needs’.
Chaudhuri said, “So, we see as priorities investments in human capital. But for that, one needs revenues. And there again, Nigeria unfortunately has the distinction of having about the lowest revenue-to-GDP ratio in the world.
“The standard rule of thumb is that for government to provide the basic services and law and order, it needs between 15 to 20 per cent of GDP as being revenue, and this will be both at the federal and state levels combined.
“In Nigeria, it was eight per cent in 2019. In 2020, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis and with the fall in oil prices, that went down to about between five and six per cent.
“So, domestic revenue mobilisation is huge. And then the third is enabling the space for private investment. You have to fix the power problem. Power is like the oxygen of an economy. In Nigeria, the private sector is struggling to breathe.”
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in News 0
FIRS, SystemSpecs Move To Simplify Tax Remittances 

FIRS, SystemSpecs Partner to Ease Tax RemittancesTHISDAYLIVE
SystemSpecs has partnered  with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to strengthen tax administration through its Remita Payment Gateway which powers payments on TaxPro-Max, a solution newly introduced for filing tax returns.
SystemSpecs said the Remita Payment Gateway platform for private sector and government payments has been integrated with the FIRS’s new TaxPro Max e-filling platform to automate tax filing, enable hassle-free registration, ease tax payments as well as provide a single-view of transaction records.
It added that the  partnership between SystemSpecs and FIRS  will promote digitalisation of tax administration in Nigeria.
Abayomi Oniku, Divisional Head, Business Development, SystemSpecs ,said pursuant to the fulfillment of his organisation’s brand promise, the Remita Payment Gateway will continue to meet the payment needs of individuals, businesses and governments at all levels.
He added:“In furtherance of our support for various sectors of the Nigerian economy, we have now also advanced our brand proposition to ensure that tax payment is faster, more convenient and efficient. Our latest partnership with the FIRS is geared towards helping individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies enjoy a convenient process of paying their taxes, anywhere and at any time to facilitate compliance.”
According to him,one of the benefits of paying taxes with Remita, on TaxPro-Max, is the availability of multiple payment channels, including internet banking, card, transfer, USSD and if preferred, payers can also walk into a bank branch for their tax payments.
He explained that tax payers are expected to log on to the TaxPro-Max website, www.taxpromax.firs.gov.ng and click on the Remita logo to generate the Document Identification Number (DIN/RRR), and effect payment, using the most convenient of available Remita payment channels. For Government agencies, they would complete the transaction using their existing Remita profile.
The new TaxPro-Max e-filling platform was developed to facilitate easy registration, filing, and payment of taxes and enable the automated credit of withholding tax as well as other credits to the taxpayer’s account, among other features. The platform also provides taxpayers a single view for all transactions.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in News 0
Kaduna Housewife  Begs Court To Recover ₦70,000 Debt From Ex-Husband

Woman prays court to recover N70,000 loan from ex-husband
A housewife, Bilkisu Muhammad on Monday prayed a Shari’a court sitting at Magajin Gari, Kaduna to recover N70,000 from her former husband, Kamal Rabiu.
She told the court she lent him  N75,000 when they were married and he only paid back N5,000 only.
Rabiu also took away a 6kg gas cylinder, food flask, washing bowl, wrapper, jug, and cup,she said.
Rabiu, said he is aware of the loan,adding that he only took the washing bowl,but have no idea of the other items.
He begged the court to give him until August to pay the debt.
The Judge, Malam Murtala Nasir, asked Muhammad to produce her witness who can testify that the items she listed were taken by Rabiu.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Law/Human Rights 0
Pension Fund Now N12.66tr As PenCom Commences  Payment Of  2.5% Pension Differentials To Retirees

Over 67% of pension fund put in federal government securities
The National Pension Commision (PenCom),says  pension fund assets had risen to N12.66 trillion as at June 30, 2021.
It also said  contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) has grown to  9.38 million mark.
The Director General, PenCom , Mrs Aisha Dahir-Umar,disclosed this in Lagos at the 2021 Journalist Workshop, where she maintained
 that the consistent growth trajectory justified the commission’s overriding investment philosophy of ensuring the safety of pension fund assets.
She assured pension stakeholders that the implementation of the CPS remained on course.
Dahir-Umar,who was represented at the event
by Mr Peter Aghahowa, Head,  Corporate Communication, PenCom, Dahir-Umar,explained that the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a review of business processes across various organisations, which made it imperative for the commision to deepen technology innovation.
She said:“COVID-19 has engendered socio-economic disruptions of the entire global order, with multifarious challenges in conducting hitherto routine activities. It was, therefore, imperative for the commission to deepen technological innovation to navigate through the challenges imposed by the pandemic.
“The most recent technological innovation introduced by the commission is the in-house designed and developed online enrolment application. The application has capabilities to register, verify and enroll prospective retirees of Treasury-Funded Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),” she said.
She said based on the deployment of this new application, mass gathering of people has been avoided while enhancing convenience for the prospective retirees through a seamless enrolment process.
She said that public enlightenment and education was one of the five strategic focus areas currently pursued by the commission.
“This is considered germane considering that 17 years after the pension reform in Nigeria, there still exists a knowledge gap on the CPS.
“Consequently, the commission is committed to reinvigorating its public enlightenment and education drive in order to address this challenge,” she said.
According to her, other strategic focus areas of PenCom include the resolution of outstanding pension liabilities of the Federal Government; portfolio diversification of pension fund investments.
Meanwhile,the National Pension Commission (PenCom) on Monday said it has started payment of the 2.5 per cent differentials of 2004 and 2014 specified by the Pension Reform Act (PRA) to retirees in the country
Mr Saleem Abdulrahman, Head, Contribution and Bond Redemption Department, PenCom,disclosed that the beneficiaries were retirees between 2019 and 2020 of the Federal Government Treasury Funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s).
Abdulrahman,who  stated this at the 2021 Journalist Workshop organised by the Commision in Lagos with the theme: “Positioning the Pension Industry in the Post COVID Era.”,explained that the commission had also begun computing the details of retirees between July 1, 2014 to Dec. 2018 and would pay them soon.
He added:“Some of the retirees may likely get additional lumpsum or enhanced annuity or programmed withdrawal”.
Online Editor by — July 27, 2021 in Insurance&Pension 0