All Posts in "Day: August 4, 2021"

612 Ghost Workers On Payrolls Of  Bayelsa Primary Schools 

Panel uncovers 612 'ghost' workers in Bayelsa primary schools - Punch Newspapers
The Bayelsa State Government,has uncovered  612 ghost workers in primary schools in the state,according to the chairman, Committee on the Review of Grade Levels and Steps of Local Government and Primary School Staff, Timipre Seipulou.
He  disclosed this while submitting the committee’s report to Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in Government House, Yenagoa, on Monday,a statement said.
Seipulou was quoted in a statement as saying that the 33-member committee, which was inaugurated in April 2021, reviewed a total of 14,258 cases in the various local government areas.
According to him,the figure comprises  7,207 primary school teachers, 5,893 council staff and 1,189 health workers.
Seipulou said, “The committee conducted a staff verification exercise using the March 2021 payroll as a template and discovered some anomalies. The committee observed that out of the 7,207 primary school staff, 612 were confirmed by headmasters as ghost workers in their schools.”
He further said that 573 staff were not in the payrolls but were said to be physically present in the schools, while the names of 10 dead and 13 retired staff were found in the payrolls.
Seipulou, who is also the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Revenues and Accounts, said the committee equally observed irregular progressions across board, improper updating of files and indiscriminate award of special promotions, among other irregularities.
According to him, the committee’s recommendations include the setting up of a special team to review cases of staff who appear in the payrolls but are not in schools as well as removal of dead and retired staff from the wage bill.
He said the committee also advised government to use the April 2021 payrolls, grade levels and steps report as a basis to conduct  physical verification of all staff with an Oracle Team on ground to capture the biometrics of the workers during the verification exercise.
Seipulou said “the government should review the issue of health workers conversion from the consolidated public service salary structure (CONPSS) to consolidated health salary structure (CONHESS)” and correct cases of staff who go to work but whose names are not in the payrolls.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Niger Delta 0
Buhari Celebrates  Emefiele At 60,Says He’s Selfless Nigerian

President Muhammadu Buhari,has celebrated  Mr Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, who turns 60 today.
He appreciated  the economist/banker for his patriotic service to the country at a time of stiff economic challenges, adding  that his efforts will yield positive dividends for Nigerians to tap from.
Buhari  wished the CBN Governor good health and greater service to fatherland.
He said:“It gives me great pleasure to rejoice with you on the occasion of your Diamond Jubilee. Kindly accept the felicitations of myself, family and Nigerians at this auspicious milestone. As Governor of Nigeria’s apex bank, you have rendered selfless service to your country at a most challenging period of our economic development, and I salute your commitment, passion and doggedness. As you continue to build on these achievements, it is my hope that your efforts translate to more positive results on the nation’s economy for improved living standards we envisage for our people.
“While using this medium to pray Almighty God to bless you with many more years in good health and service to your fatherland, please accept my best wishes and personal regards”.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in News 0
Buhari Deploys Nine Permanent Secretaries

Buhari Deploys 9 Permanent Secretaries Including Ngige's Wife (Full List) | Nigeria News
President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the deployment of nine  Federal Permanent Secretaries to the Federal Ministries.
The Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation(OHCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan,conveyed  this in a circular HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/IX/59 dated 3rd August, 2021.
The deployed permanent secretaries are :
Mr. Bitrus Bako Nabasu from Ministry of Petroleum Resource is deployed to the Federal Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy; Dr. Evelyn Ngige, Service Welfare Office, OHCSF has been deployed to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Mammam Mahmuda, Career Management Office, OHCSF is now in the Federal Ministry of Health; Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment has been taken to Ministry of Petroleum Resources and Dr. Anthonia Akpabio Ekpa, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs.
Others are the new appointed Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Onwudiwe Maryanne Ngozi, Dr. Ogunbiyi Marcus Olaniyi, Yusuf Ibrahim Idris and Engr, Adebiyi Olusesan Olufunso who were deployed to Service Welfare Office, OHCSF; Career Management Office, OHCSF; Common Service Office, OHCSF and Federal Ministry of Women Affairs respectively.
The deployment takes immediate effect and handing over and taking over process should  be completed on or before Friday, 6th August, 2021 with the exception of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health whose take over will be on 13th August, 2021.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in News 0
 Olawuyi, 14 Ohers  Get NEITI Appointment

Buhari appoints Olawuyi, 14 others into NEITI board | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Business — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Prof. Damilola Olawuyi and 14 others as members of the newly constituted governing board of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
The 15-member board was inaugurated in Abuja by President Buhari, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The board, otherwise known as the National Stakeholders Working Group is responsible for the formulation of policies, programmes and strategies for promoting transparency, accountability and good governance in the petroleum and mining sectors.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Buhari charged the board to preserve the noble virtues for which NEITI is known and be non-partisan.
“NEITI is not just a local agency of government, but part of an international organisation. Hence it must be seen to comply with the principles of the international EITI.
“Your mandate as the board of this organisation is to ensure effective Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementation in Nigeria by providing policy and strategic direction, guidance, monitoring and oversight to the EITI process in Nigeria,” the President said.
The new governing board is under the chairmanship of Olusegun Adekunle, former Permanent Secretary, general services in the office of the SGF, while Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of NEITI, serves as the board’s secretary.
Other members of the board are Bashir Bature Gafai (North-West), Iliya Gashinbaki (North-East), Godwin Akor Ogwuche (North-Central), Nze Joe Ibeh (South-East), Awowo Christian (South-South) and Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, SAN (South-West).
Speaking on his appointment, Prof. Olawuyi, who is also a member of the African Union’s working group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations in Africa, said: “It is an absolute privilege and honour to have been appointed to serve on this important board.
“If developed in an open, transparent and accountable manner, petroleum and mining sectors have enormous potential to unlock economic prosperity and sustainable development in Nigeria. I look forward to contributing my best to advance the important work that NEITI is doing to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in these key economic sectors. I thank Mr President for the confidence reposed in us and we shall not let the nation down.”
The chairman and members have four-year tenure on a part-time basis, while the Executive Secretary has a five-year tenure and is on a full-time appointment.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Next Level 0
Nigeria To Splash $15,000 On Olympics Gold Medalists 

Tokyo Olympics: Nigerian Gold Medalists To Receive $15,000 - Nigeria Newspapers Online
The Federal Government will  reward of 15, 000 dollars, 10,000 dollars, 7,500 dollars for gold, silver and bronze medalists at the Tokyo Olympics.
Simon Ebohdjaiye, Director, Federation and Elite Athletes Department (FEAD), Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,who conveyed this  on Tuesday in Tokyo,said the reward was an upward review from the initial amount announced due to the dedication of the athletes.
He said:“Gold medallist will now be rewarded with 15,000 dollars, while silver and bronze medal winners will each get 10,000 dollars and 7,500 dollars respectively. The earlier award is 5,000 dollars for gold, 3,000 dollars for silver and 2,000 dollars for bronze”
He explained that the gesture was to drive home the point that the Federal Government would always reward superlative performance.
Meanwhile,Blessing Oborodudu,has emerged as the first Nigerian wrestler to win an Olympic medal courtesy of the silver medal she won in the women’s 68kg freestyle and will now get 10,000 dollars for her efforts.
Long jumper, Ese Brume, who won Nigeria’s first medal at the Games with a bronze will get 7,500 dollars.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Sports 0
UAE Eases Restrictions On Nigerian Travelers

COVID-19: UAE eases travel restrictions for passengers from Nigeria, S/Africa, India
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday announced that it was relaxing restrictions for inbound passengers from  Nigeria and five other countries from tomorrow
The country’s National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said the lifting of the restrictions will take effect from August 5.
The country in January had announced a ban on transit flights from Nigeria as it battled a rise in COVID-19 cases.
But Tuesday’s announcement will allow passengers from the six countries – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Uganda, and Nigeria – to be able to transit through UAE airports, as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours before departure.
Travel for transit passengers from all countries from which transit passengers have been suspended will be resumed in advance provided that the passenger’s last destination is accepted with a laboratory check-up within 72 hours of departure and state airports will allocate special lounges for transit passengers,” NCEMA said.
“Emergencies, crises and civil aviation announce the exclusion of new categories of passengers from some of the banned countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda, as of August 5.
“These categories include those with valid residency permits who have received full vaccination doses in the UAE and 14 days have passed since receiving the second dose and who have vaccination certificates approved by the official authorities in the country.”
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Aviation 0
Nigeria Seeks Increased Funding For Renewable Energy Projects

Nigeria needs more funding from international partners and donor agencies to boost the off-grid and renewable energy sub-sector in the country,the  Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, has said.
According to a statement issued by Ofem Uket, media aide of the minister, Agaba
He disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at an international energy roundtable conference between Nigeria and Senegal,where he also aid President Muhammadu Bubari has deliberate strategic policies to develop the power sector in Nigeria using domestic and international power sector models to ensure regular and steady supply of electricity in the country.
According to him, Buhari’s directive on ensuring that six million homes are provided with electricity meters under the national mass metering programme is yielding result.
He  said the West Africa power pool is designed to lighten every home in the sub-region, adding that it is strategic enough to unlock the economic potential of member countries.
Speaking ,Aissatou Sophie Gladima, Senegal’s minister of energy resources, said she is in Nigeria to seek collaboration in areas of competence to strengthen the energy sector in her country.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Power 0
Ikeja Electric Boosts Mobile App

 Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), Nigeria’s largest power distribution company, has upgraded the IE Mobile App to include cutting-edge features that enable customers to access services with ease.
The upgraded app which was announced yesterday in Lagos,is a multi-functional app designed to allow customers make enquiries, check and pay bills, report/resolve complaints, and promptly contact customer care representatives. It also offers live chat and account management functions.
Speaking at the unveiling of the upgraded app, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ikeja Electric, Folake Soetan, explained  that  the current IE Mobile App is a demonstration that company is forward-thinking, innovative and customer-centric.
She said:”We are a vibrant brand. We are bold and excited to always aim for greatness in order to bring development to the power sector. We dare to consistently improve our services in order to improve customer experience and achieve better results.
“As a company, we are pleased to present this latest version of IE Mobile App to our customers across the network thereby giving them seamless access to our services with convenience and at the same time enriching their experience. This is a testament that the Management and Staff of Ikeja Electric continuously yearn to deliver quality services and ensure direct access to us through various channels in line with our mantra, Customer first; Technology now.”
“The upgraded IE Mobile App comes with numerous functionalities that offer secured transactions, prompt services and unique user-experience. It is a mobile app positioned as a one-stop shop for customers to interact with Ikeja Electric for prompt responses”, she said.
According to Soetan, the upgraded app is easy to use, as it makes transactions seamless. She further explained that part of IE’s goal was to continue to use technology in delivering quality customer experience.
The upgraded Mobile App is currently available for download on the Google play store and iOS Store for iPhone users.
To download the app, customer can simply go to Google Play Store or Apple Store. Then, customers will need to setup their account using IE Account Number, verify their phone number, set and confirm password.
The upgraded app is expected to further strengthen Ikeja Electric’s positionin the power sector as a pioneer in providing solutions for customer satisfaction, as well as creating value and exceptional service delivery.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Power 0
Nigeria Now  Hub Of Stolen Vehicles-Minister

Zainab Ahmed Biography: Age, Net Worth, Family, Pictures, Wiki, Husband, Father, Phone Number, State Of Origin | TheCityCeleb
Nigeria is now hub of stolen vehicles,Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Ms. Zainab Shamsuna-Ahmed, has said
She said Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicles in the country were usually unregistered making it difficult to trace vehicles within the shores of Nigeria .
Shansuna-Ahmed, spoke  at a one-day sensitisation on the National Vehicle Registry (VREG), on Tuesday in Kano.
According to her: “The National Bureau of Statistics confirmed that between 2015 and 2020, Nigeria imported an average of 400,000 vehicles. An additional 40 percent of the vehicles are smuggled into the country annually. A case study revealed that Nigeria was the hub of stolen vehicles, as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of vehicles in the country were usually unregistered. Consequently, vehicles within the shores of Nigeria cannot be traced.”
She said  the ministry is introducing the National Vehicle Registry (VREG), to address these challenges.
She added that  the system would provide a singular platform through which all relevant agencies reference vehicular data with a view of ascertaining ownership and value information.
She said the system would also assist to ensure accurate monitoring, documentation and tracking of vehicular activities across the country as well as enhance national security.
Speaking, the Acting Controller in charge of Zone B, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Uba Muhammad, said the initiative would assist to ensure the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
Represented by the Controller, Kano/Jigawa Command, Mr Suleiman Umar, Muhammad said that the initiative would curb insecurity and enhance revenue generation, especially on vehicles.
“This initiative suit in with E-Customs Project that will signal the beginning of end-to-end automation of NCS processes and procedures. It will also usher a new regime of total automation of all trans-border trade activities,” he said.
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Motoring 0
Crisis Rocks PDP As Seven  Deputy National Officers Resign

Crisis rocks PDP as 7 NWC members quit - P.M. News
Seven deputy national officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ),have resigned  their positions.
The seven deputy national officers, who resigned are: Diran Odeyemi, deputy national publicity secretary; Ahmed Bello, deputy national legal adviser; Umoru Hadizat, deputy national women leader; Divine Amina Arong, deputy national auditor; Hassan Yakubu, deputy national organizing secretary; and Irona Alphonsus, deputy national financial secretary.
They said their action was precipitated by bad treatment exhibited by the party’s National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, since the election that brought the current leadership of the party to power in 2017,and  alleged financial impropriety  in the leadership of the party.
The national youth leader of the party,Udeh Okoye,told newsmen  that ten of the National Working Committee members would also resign their appointments  if Secondus fails to thrown in the towel by weekend.
 Secondus,he claims, is incompetent of managing the affairs of this party, and  lacks managerial capacity to manage the Peoples Democratic Party.
Okoye said: “Mr. Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of the party is incompetent of managing the affairs of this party, he lacks managerial capacity to manage PDP.He had made sure that many departments of the party did not function as effectively as it ought to function. Mr. Chairman has nothing to offer to the party only to come here and deceive us.
“There is a sharp division in our NWC right now, not only me, many more NWC members are more aggrieved than myself. Today I have asked him (Chairman) in our NWC meeting to resign his position as the chairman of this party because he cannot lead this party to victory.I am also asking the leaders, the governors, the founding fathers, the youth, the women to rise up to rescue our party from the hand of incompetent leader like Secondus because he is not willing to take us to anywhere. He is just there to make sure that he enriches himself.
“I am here to make it very clear to all Nigerians that if Secondus does not resign from the party, I am going to leave the party for him to eat the party and own the party. The governors, if they don’t wade into this matter right now, I assure Nigerians that within the next three, four days, my letter will be made public.”
The spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party,Kola Ologbondiyan, confirmed that the National Working Committee (NWC) received the notice of the resignation from deputies who are elected members of the National Executive Committee.
Ologbondiyan said: “The National Working Committee of our great party at it meeting today (Tuesday) recieved the notice of the resignation from deputies who are elected members of the National Executive Committee.
“The meeting of the National Working Committee and the deputies immediately took place to dialogue on the issues that were raised. The party will look into the grievances raised by members of NEC as well as members of the National Working Committee.
“The internal conflict resolution mechanism of our party has also been immediately activated to put these issues behind us. We call on all the leaders, stakeholders and members of our great party to remain calm as we collectively resolve these issues.”
Besides,Secondus,through his media aide,Ike Abonyi,wondered why it took Okoye three and a half years and four to five months to the convention, to realize that he’s incompetent.
He said: “It is very unfortunate because he has operated as the youth leader of this party since December 2017 with Secondus as National Chairman and has worked with him but suddenly, few months to convention, after the game of this morning, in some party of Abuja, he suddenly discovered that Secondus is incompetent, he suddenly discovered that Secondus is enriching himself?
“I want to assure members of the party that the structure of the party is intact and Prince Secondus is the National Chairman and anybody who resigns the poaition will be filled the next day and this party will work to victory in 2023, there is no going back about it.All those who are looking for interim government few months to general election are taking us back to Egypt and no body is ready to go back to Egypt. We have passed through this road before and we don’t want to go back there.”
Online Editor by — August 4, 2021 in Politics 0