All Posts in "Day: August 24, 2021"

 Court Sacks  Secondus As PDP National Chairman

Just in: Rivers Court sacks PDP chairman, Uche Secondus - The NEWS
The High Court of Rivers State has  restrained  Prince Uche Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Hon. Justice. O. Gbasam of the Degema Judicial Division vacation court sitting in Port Harcourt granted the order on Monday,  following a suit No: PHC/2183/CS/2021 filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP (2nd defendant).
After reading the affidavit in support of the motion of ex parte as well  as the written address, and after hearing the submission of H.A. Bello, counsel to applicants, Justice Gbasam granted the interim injunction restraining Secondus from parading himself as the national chairman of the PDP.
He said: “That an order restraining the 1st defendant from parading himself as a member of the 2nd defendant or the national chairman of the defendant or performing the functions of national chairman of the 2nd defendant or calling , attending or presiding over any meeting of the 2nd defendant or any committee of the 2nd defendant at the Ward, Local Government or State level  or calling for any Ward, Local Government or State Congress of the 2nd defendant or setting up committees for such Congresses or participating in any activity of the 2nd defendant whatsoever whilst on suspension as a member of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing  and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.”
The judge also granted leave to serve by substituted means the originating summons, motion on notice, all orders made by the court and all subsequent processes on the respondent by pasting same on his gate at No.1 William Jumbo Street, Old G.R.A Port Harcourt.
The  judge further granted leave to serve by substituted means orders made by the court on the respondents by publishing same in the Nation Newspaper.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in Politics 0
 COVID-19: Osun Records 13 Deaths In 7 Days

COVID-19: Osun records 7 deaths, 73 new cases in two weeks - Daily Post Nigeria
Osun State Government has lost 13 of its Covid-19 patients within a week,according the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode
She disclosed this at the end of the state executive council meeting  and  cautioned residents to be wary of the assumption that the state was completely rid of the Covid-19 virus.
According to her, the state government  was now caught up by the third wave of the dreaded disease , compounded by the fast spreading new variant.
She advised  all residents to take responsibility for their personal safety and the safety of their family members, adding that continued disregard for safety protocols would only result in more fatalities.
The said: “The  commendable gains the state recorded in the fight against Covid-19 over the last one year, is gradually been obliterated by this inevitable resurgence given how our people have almost totally let down their guards. In just one week, we recorded 13 Covid-19 related deaths. The government is worried about this sad turn of events. Let’s be reminded that Osun is not an Island, We are surrounded by other states and people move into and outside the state everyday for socio-economic reasons.
“We need to take responsibility for our safety, especially considering the fact that what we are dealing with in this third wave is deadlier than the first two waves.Costly assumptions at this time could indeed be costly. Let us be deliberate about our safety, and let us submit ourselves to  be tested to be sure of our status, especially when we feel ill. Early detection is still as important as ever because  self-meducation thins the survival margin.
“While the government will continue to shore up its efforts in combating the pandemic and its effect on the State, citizens are enjoined to ensure absolute adherence to the non-pharmaceutical safety protocols. Wear your mask always, keep clean surfaces at home and in work spaces, wash or sanitise your hands as often as possible and avoid crowded spaces always.The more nonchalant and careless we become at a time like this, the more we open ourselves up to the dangerous effects of the pandemic”, the statement read.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in News 0
Court Orders  Doctors To Resume Work

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) has ordered the striking doctors under the auspices of Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to resume work immediately.
The order was sequel to  an ex-parte motion filed last  Friday by the Federal Ministry of Health, seeking for an order of interlocutory injunction, restraining members of NARD from further continuing the industrial action they embarked upon on August 2, 2021, contrary to Section 41 of the Trade Dispute Act, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Upon hearing the motion Ex-parte and affidavit in support sworn by Ahmed Nasiru, the Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Health, the presiding judge, Justice J.I Targema granted an order of interlocutory injunction, compelling all members of the defendants/respondents in all the states of the Federation to suspend the said industrial action commenced on August 2, 2021, and resume work immediately pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court maintained that the continued industrial action  by the doctors have caused a lot of damage on the health system and the sick.
Targema further ordered that the claimant/applicant and the defendant/respondent suspend all forms of hostilities forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The judge adjourned the matter to September 15, 2021 for the hearing of the motion on notice and any other pending application.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige,described the court ruling as a welcome development.
He promised he affected doctors that the ruling will not prevent the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation (BOF), Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHOCSF) and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages and Commission (NSIWC) from the implementation of the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reached at the last meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and affiliate associations with timelines affixed to them.
NMA had led three doctors associations to the negotiation that lasted from 2pm on Friday, August 20, 2021 to the early hours of Saturday, August 21, adjourning 2.am and later resumed by 2pm and finally ending by 10.pm.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in News 0
TCN Restores National Grid  

TCN restores national grid after partial collapse -
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said the national grid experienced partial system disturbance at about 1.06pm yesterday, 23rd August 2021, has been successfully restored.
Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs, who announced the recovery in a statement noted that the incident followed a sudden drop in system frequency from 50.18Hz to 47.63Hz that caused system instability and consequently the collapse of a part of the national grid.
She said the partial system disturbance did not affect parts of the grid such as Afam Complex, Alaoji, Ikot Ekpene, Odukpani, and Calabar axis, which means that electricity supply to these areas was not interrupted by the incident.
According to reports from the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)  readings and some substations, control panel readings by System Operators showed that some units from a particular generating station tripped suddenly, causing an initial loss of 402 megawatts (MW) from the grid network. This caused a destabilizing imbalance, which further caused the pulling out a total of 3,560MW from the grid that finally collapsed part of the national grid.
“TCN commenced the immediate recovery of the grid at 1:19pm through Shiroro Generating Station and almost immediately restored electricity to Abuja axis.  The Alaoji – Onitsha axis was restored at about the same time as Abuja, while the Shiroro – Mando axis, on the other hand, was restored by 3.42pm.      By 6.57pm yesterday, the national grid was fully recovered and operational.
“TCN appreciates the kind understanding of government and electricity consumers within the affected areas and notes that it is consistently executing projects geared towards putting in place a very robust grid. It is equally pursuing a nationwide SCADA implementation that would further contribute to grid stability”.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in Power 0
Kebbi Assembly Sacks Speaker, Deputy

JUST IN: Speaker And Deputy Speaker Of Kebbi Assembly Impeached, Elects New Speaker | Naija360.Ng
 
 
The Kebbi State House of Assembly has sacked its  speaker ,Sama, ilah Abdulmuminu Kamba and his deputy Muhammad Buhari Alieru .
 
In a letter signed and made available by the clerk to the house Usman Ahmad Bunza to journalist said the two house leaders were found to have committed impeachable offence hence the reason to relieve them of their post with immediate effect.
 
 
 
 
Bunza also announced their replacement which are Muhammad Abubakar lolo as the new speaker while honourable Usman Ankwai zuru  as his deputy.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in Politics 0
Sterling Bank, Founder Institute  Deepen Support For  Startups

Sterling Bank's Olayinka Oni talks about hiring top tech-talents, solving problems
Sterling Bank Plc  has partnered with Founder Institute (FI), to further connect early-stage startup resources for founders in Nigeria.
It said under the partnership, Sterling Bank will ensure that more organizations benefit from FI’s globally tested corporate innovation programme that will help them become more innovative and disruptive entities.
Besides, Sterling Bank and Founder Institute will provide resources for startups looking to launch or scale their business.
The partnership will also produce amazing benefits for companies in Nigeria that will leverage Sterling Bank’s advanced industry experience and Founder Institute’s global curriculum.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, said, “This partnership represents a continuing commitment to innovation as an accelerator of development and a creator of value,” adding that, “Along with our HEART strategy as a bank, our service delivery and our entire operational structure relies heavily on innovation and agile technology.”
Speaking on the partnership, FI’s Managing Director, Ifedy Eze, said;”We are excited to be partnering with one of the most technology-friendly banks in Nigeria to unlock more value for founders of tech startups solving problems across Nigeria.
He added:” Through this partnership, founders will receive support across critical areas like market access, tech infrastructure support, legal and regulatory compliance, and investor readiness, among others.The combination of Sterling Bank’s robust tech support architecture and FI’s globally syndicated and locally validated curriculum will add mileage to the founders’ journey, especially at the very critical early stages when most startups fail. Over the years, our alumni have demonstrated an 80 per cent success rate, a direct reflection of the quality and impact of the programme”.
Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr., Regional Director for Africa, Founder Institute, said,:”Our primary focus at FI Lagos is to add value to early-stage entrepreneurs by providing all the support and resources they need to develop and make their ideas a reality in the current ecosystem.”
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in Banking&Finance 0
Gunmen Attack NDA, Kill Two Soldiers

BREAKING: Gunmen Attack NDA, Kill Two Officers
 
Gunmen today attacked  the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna state, killing two soldiers, and abducting another,Major Bashir Muhd Jajira, the Academy Public Relations Officer, (PRO), said  in a statement.
He said:”The security architecture of  the Academy  “was compromised  early this morning by unknown gunmen who gained access into  the residential area within the Academy in Afaka. During the unfortunate incident, we lost two personnel and one was abducted.”
 
 
 
 
According to him,the Academy in collaboration with the 1Division Nigerian Army and Air Training Command as well as other security agencies in Kaduna state had since commenced pursuit of the unknown gunmen within the general area with a view to tracking them and rescuing the abducted personnel.
 
 
 
 
 
He said the NDA community and Cadets were safe in the Academy, while assuring the general public that, “this unknown gunmen would soon be apprehended and the abducted personnel rescued.”
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in News 0
VAT Controversy:Accountants Wave Olive Branch

ICAN appoints Ahmed Kumshe as new registrar/chief executive — Appointments — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has charged  the Federal Government  and the  Rivers State Government  to  urgently seek an amicable resolution of the issue of the Value Added Tax Law controversy between them.
The association cautioned that the controversy should not be allowed to deepen in view of Nigeria’s  precarious tax revenue position and the general business environment that it is important to protect the taxpayers and provide certainty to businesses.
The accountants gave the advice in its position on the ‘Rivers State Value Added Tax Law further to the judgment of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 between the Attorney General of Rivers State V. Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Attorney General of the Federation’
The position document was  signed by Professor Ahmed Kumshe, Registrar/Chief Executive of ICAN
He said   in what appears a seminal judgment on the case between the Attorney General of Rivers State and the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Attorney General of the Federation, the High Court ruled in favour of Rivers State in respect of power to collect Value Added Tax (VAT).
According to him,the court empowered  Rivers State to collect VAT as against the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
He added:“Given the rapid development of events since the judgment there is the need to guide our members, share our view with policymakers and educate the public and other stakeholders on the possible implications.
“We believe that this development presents an opportunity to us to re-examine our fiscal federalism and leverage on the ongoing constitutional review to fashion out the most suitable fiscal structure for the country in a manner that strengthens the sub-national level of government while ensuring uniformity of treatment as much as possible.This process should include a review of the VAT law, its administration and revenue sharing formula”.
He said a  cursory look at the Rivers State VAT law  indicates that it was fashioned after the extant VAT Act,stressing  that while the rate is 7.5 per cent, taxable persons are to register for the tax within six months of the commencement of the law or six months of commencement of business whichever is earlier.
He added:“This means businesses which have been in business for at least six months are to register immediately while new businesses have up to 18 February 2022 to register.Monthly remittance and returns are due by the 21st of the succeeding month in a manner specified by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service. This means the first return under the law will become due by 21st of September 2021. The VAT revenue is to be shared 70 percent to the State and 30 percent to the Local Governments.
He expressed that there is no exemption for small businesses with turnover below N25 million as is the case under the national VAT Act.
He explained  that while the move by the Rivers State government seeks to promote the principle of fiscal federalism,  the matter should be approached carefully to achieve a win-win outcome for all stakeholders.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) had said it was  still in charge of collection of Value Added Tax in Nigeria.
It implored  taxpayers in the country to continue to pay their Value Added Tax (VAT) to the FIRS  failing which they would be slammed with requisite  penalties .
The  agency’s directive was sequel to  numerous enquiries to the Service in view of a recent judgment obtained by the Rivers State Government at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which ruled that states, and not the Federal Government, are constitutionally empowered to collect VAT.
Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, Director, Communications and Liaison Department of the agency, explained that since the Service has already appealed the Rivers judgment in which appeal it is seeking a stay of execution order, the status quo ante subsists on the VAT collection authority, hence taxpayers should continue to pay their VAT to the FIRS.
He made the clarification in a statement made available to PremiumNews
He said:“The attention of the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) has been drawn to the trending report that, on 19/08/2021, the Government of Rivers State took steps to enact a Value Added Tax Law for Rivers State following the judgment of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt Division on 9th August 2021 in Suit No: CS/149/2020.  The suit was about who has the constitutional duty for the collection of VAT and Personal income tax in Rivers State.
 “We wish to inform the general public that, before the above-mentioned steps taken by the Government of Rivers State, FIRS had lodged an appeal against the above judgment and had also filed an application for stay of execution of the judgment as well asking the court for an injunction pending determination of the appeal.
“All parties to the suit are aware that both applications were heard on the 19th and 20th August 2021 and are awaiting the decision of the court.
“Given that the Court of Appeal is yet to rule on the Appeal from the Judgement of Federal High Court and that the Federal High Court is yet to deliver a ruling on FIRS’s applications for stay of execution and injunction, members of the public are advised to continue to comply with their Value Added Tax obligations until the matter is resolved by the appellate courts.”
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in News 0
Customs’ N1.3tr Revenue Projection Too Low For Nigerians -Reps

The House of Representatives say the N1.3trillion revenue projection for next year by   the Nigeria Customs Service was inadequate and unacceptable.
The House Committee on Finance expressed expectations in the region of N2.5 trillion from the Service.
 In his presentation before the James Faleke-led committee ,the  Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, (rtd), had announced the agency’s  revenue  projection of 1.33 trillion for 2022,saying  it was realizable, with the hope that it surpasses same in the course of the year.
He added:”We came up with a figure that is realizable, then whatever comes thereafter, it’s our hope that we will surpass that. We try to be as realistic as we can in our proposal”
Puncturing Ali’s revenue projection, the legislators said it was  too low for Nigerians.
Hon. Leke Abejide said the projection is ridiculous on the strength of the current devaluation of the  Naira,adding that he expected the agency’s proposal to be N2.5 trillion and above.
He added: “This is very ridiculous because now the Naira has devalued already so you will discover that the volume of money you’re getting, if you want to get the real value you will see that it’s not real improvement. So I expected the proposal to be from 2.5 trillion and above. So if you look at the value of the Naira that’s going down, it needs upward review. So please take note of the parameters and secondly the finance act has been passed, There are so many ways we can get revenue now better than last year.”
Besides,Hon. Muktar Ahmed, said there’s no way the committee will accept anything less N3 trillion from Customs.
 Chairman of the committee,James Faleke,said  that at the beginning of every year, the Budget Office takes a critical look at expected revenue generation of the country.
He supported his colleagues position, adding that the committee needs to obtain concrete commitment from agencies so that Nigerians can be happy with their report when laid before the House.
He added:”CG, the issue is this, what the budget office works with is the figures available to them on paper. And at the beginning of the year, for results to be achieved they will like to see what’s coming in. We are saying no, that your gross revenue generation is low given all the available opportunities that you have; when you also look at the your previous performance 2020 to 2021. For us as a committee on finance, we will not accept the N1.3 trillion, I am sure by the time our report comes out, you will be pleasantly happy.”
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in News 0
Hungarian Firm  To Manufacture  Aircraft In Nigeria

FG To Partner Hungarian Firm To Produce Airplanes In Nigeria – Independent Newspaper Nigeria
 
 
 
The Federal Government  is partnering with the Magnus Aircraft  Manufacturing Industry in Hungary to establish an assembling plant and begin to manufacture same in Nigeria before the end of the  administration of President Muhammadu Buhari .
 
 
 
 
 
 Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, disclosed this when he paid an inspection visit to the Magnus Aircraft Industry in Pogany, Hungary.
 
 
 
 
He explained that “if we venture we them, we may start with assembling plant and later manufacturing”, adding that the Magnus aircraft is an aeroplane that is good for Military training, has an aerobatic manoeuvre and is made of fully composite materials high strength and very lightweight.
 
 
 
 
 Sirika further said he was very satisfied with the features and more than willing to facilitate the production of the aeroplanes in Nigeria, saying one of the significant features of the Magnus aircraft is that it uses normal car petrol and outperforms any training aircraft of its kind”
 
 
 
The Minister explained  that the proposed partnership with the aircraft manufacturer will be subjected to further analysis to verify the market and government willingness to partner with a significant amount of money and logistics.
 
 
 
 
 
According to him,the local production of aircrafts in the country will facilitate the growth of Nigeria as a regional aviation super power as it will also come with maintenance and repair facilities that will attract patronage from neighbouring countries. 
 
 
 
 
 
He added that the current administration has created an attractive environment for international investors in Nigeria,  especially in the aviation sector,  with the ongoing implementation of the development roadmap which places emphasis on public private partnerships.
Online Editor by — August 24, 2021 in Aviation 0