All Posts in "Day: May 13, 2022"

Resignation: Buhari Moves To Replace 10 Ministers

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed plans to fill vacant ministerial positions following resignation of some Ministers who are jostling for elective positions in the next year’s general elections in the country.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed told State House Correspondents on Friday.

Mohammed said Buhari also performed a valedictory session for the former ministers at the council chambers, State House,where he thanked them for their contributions to the administration and wished them well in their future endeavours.

He said nine of the ministers were physically present and one gave reasons for his absence at the valedictory session.

Among some of the ministers present at the brief session include, Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources, Labour and Employment, Science and Technology, Women Affairs, Minister of State Mines and Steel Development, Niger Delta Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of State for Education.

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Politics 0
Blasphemy: Muslim Media Practitioners Condemn Death Of Deborah Yakubu

The Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN) has condemned the jungle justice meted out to a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education,Deborah Yakubu,over alleged committal of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on Thursday.

The group,in a statement by its National President,Abdur-Rahman Balogun in Abuja, described such action as anti- Islam, barbaric and criminal offence in Islamic law.

According to the statement : “Allah says in Qur’an 5 verse 32 thus: … We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.So, the punishment for any offence in Islamic law is decided by a judge. No other member of the public has that jurisdiction”

The group emphasised that even if it is a crime committed against the state, it is when the specific punishment is prescribed in the Qur’an or Hadith, only a competent judge of a Shari’ah court is allowed to approve the witnesses and evidence, and to give the sentence for the execution of the appropriate punishment.

It added:”In essence, anyone who takes the law into their hands is a crime that should be punished for their crime.It is in this light that we commend the immediate action of the Sultanate Council and His Eminence Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar in condemning the criminal act and call for calm pending the outcome of the investigation panel set up by the Sokoto state government.

“As a body of Muslim Media practitioners, we join all others to condemn this barbaric act and call for immediate justice on any individual or group of people found guilty of perpetrating this dastard act.This is so because if any individual or group is permitted to judge and execute punishments on their own without recourse to the constituted authority, there will be nothing but jungle justice and anarchy on the land.

“Again, what happened in Sokoto is a manifestation of ignorance on what the religion of Islam preaches, hence the need for Islamic scholars to renew their commitments to preaching peace, love, tolerance and understanding as taught by the Prophet Muhammad himself.The Prophet (S.A.W) during his lifetime was maligned, insulted and attacked but he didn’t retaliate or order his people to prosecute any of them, hence, people accepted Islam during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad ( S.A.W ) because of his exemplary and worthy character.”

admin by — May 13, 2022 in News 0
Europe Hunts For New Gas Supplies In Nigeria, Others-Report

Olslo based consultancy firm,Rystad Energy  has said European Union countries   will need to look to Africa for new supplies in the face of the former’s plan to reduce their dependence on Russian gas

Rystad Energy,in a statement on Thursday, said that Africa is ‘conservatively forecast’ to reach peak gas production at 470 billion cubic metres (Bcm) by the late 2030s, which is equivalent to about 75% of the expected amount of gas produced by Russia in 2022.

It  added: ‘Even with the number of gas projects being developed or currently delayed, Africa still has significant production potential. The continent is forecast to increase its gas output from about 260 Bcm in 2022 to as much as 335 Bcm by the end of this decade. If oil and gas operators decide to up the ante on their gas projects on the continent, near and mid-term natural gas production from Africa could surpass the above conservative forecasts.’

While Russia has been the dominant natural gas supplier to Europe, with an average of about 62% of overall gas imports to the continent over the past decade, continued Rystad, Africa has also been a ‘consistent gas exporter to Europe’, providing about 18% of its needs.

The consultancy firm  expects the continent to play a large role as ‘recent signals from oil and gas majors such as BP, Eni, Equinor, Shell, ExxonMobil and Equinor indicate a shift in strategy towards further investment in Africa’.

Siva Prasad, senior analyst at Rystad Energy, said: ‘The geopolitical situation in Europe is changing the landscape for risk globally. While LNG flows from the US are substantial, demand is much higher. Asian and European importers will need to consider African priorities as they develop projects, as many African producers are focusing on supplying energy locally as well as to intra-African markets along with catering to global markets.

“Existing pipeline infrastructure from Northern Africa to Europe and historical LNG supply relationships make Africa a strong alternative for European markets, post the ban on Russian imports.’’
[5/13, 12:23 PM] Mohammed Shosanya: NEWS
Fake Drugs:Pharmacist Council Shuts 469 Medicine Shops In Bauchi

About  469 unlicensed pharmacies and patent medicine shops in 18 local government areas of Bauchi state, have been sealed by the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria for selling fake drugs.

The Director and Head of Enforcement Department, National Headquarters, Abuja, Stephen Esumobi,  disclosed this at a press conference held at the North-East Zonal Office of the Council in Bauchi.

The council said has also sealed stores that sell sub-standard drugs along with those that engage in clinical services, he said, adding that the shops would remain sealed until they met the minimum requirements.

He said that the PCN enforcement team visited some premises across some Local Government Areas in the state in 2019 and sealed off some of them who were operating without registration with the Council and the registered ones who failed to renew their certificates.

He also said   the owners of the sealed premises were given opportunity to fulfil conditions for registration pointing out that after most of them fulfilled conditions for registration, their premises were unsealed.

” The council took pains to sensitise Patent Medicine Vendors and other medicine dealers on the need to continue complying with regulations in the interest of public health. During the orientation and continuing education programmes, vendors were taught how to handle simple household (over-the-counter) medicines to ensure that products remained safe, effective and of good quality throughout their self life”

“Despite the efforts of PCN, so many premises returned to their old ways because of financial gains. While some premises took steps to operate in line with regulations, so many others have chosen to operate in breach of it. Many products in these erring premises may no longer be fit for human consumption due to poor handling. The exposure of these products to adverse environmental factors like high temperature, humidity and direct sunlight could compromise their quality, safety, and efficacy”

“It is in the light of the above that the Council had no other option than to reseal these premises during the current national enforcement exercise. The Local government Areas visited include the following: Bauchi, Toro, Katagum, Alkaleri, Kirfi, Misau, Zaki, Gamawa, Giade, Shira, Jamaare, Itas, Ganjuwa, Ningi, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Darazo”

“At the end of the exercise, a total of five hundred and ninety eight (598) premises were visited. This comprises five hundred and fifty-seven (557) patent medicines shops (PMS) and forty-one (41) Pharmacies. A total of four hundred and sixty nine (469) premises were sealed comprising twenty three (23) pharmacies and four hundred and forty six (446) patent medicines shops. Thirteen compliance directives were issued for various offences such as poor sanitary conditions, poor documentation and non-display of premises and pharmacists annual licences”

“It is against the guidelines for patent medicine stores to engage in clinical services because they don’t have the capacity to handle some of these cases and when there is any side effects from those drugs, they don’t have the facilities to handle them,” he stated.

He warned that any manufacturer who sells drugs to an unauthorised dealer has committed a huge  offense and would be prosecuted if found guilty, adding that the Council has been doing its best to curb the menace.

admin by — May 13, 2022 in News 0
NECO Exams: 100 Enugu  Inmates Get Credit In English, Mathematics 

No fewer than 100 inmates of Nigerian Correctional Service serving in Enugu State have made credits in English and Mathematics in the recently released National Examination Council (NECO) November/December, 2021 external examination.

Public Relations Officer of Nigerian Correctional Service in Enugu State, DSC Monday Chukwuemeka, disclosed this  in a statement  in Enugu,  saying that the inmates were serving various terms at the Enugu and Nsukka Custodial Centres.

He said 127 inmates registered for the 2021 NECO External Examination, where 40 are inmates of Nsukka Custodial Centre and 87 are inmates of Enugu Custodial Centre.

He said that the inmates’ registrations for the NECO Examination were sponsored by CAPIO, Isaac Blessing Foundation and AGADIBE Foundation.

He  added:”The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State Command, Mr Nicholas Obiako, has sent his congratulatory message to the inmates and encourages the general public to assist in the reformation process of inmates in custodial centres.

“The service under the leadership of Controller-General of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa, is poised to provide platforms for inmates to develop themselves while in custody,” Chukwuemeka said.

[5/13, 11:55 AM] Mohammed Shosanya: EDUCATION
Exam Malpractices: Council Indicts 20 Bayelsa Schools

The National Council on Education has indicted 20 secondary schools in Bayelsa State that were allegedly involved in examination malpractices during the 2021/2022 terminal examinations organised recently by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) in the country.

Jacob Osusu, the Director of Secondary Education Department in the state ministry of education,disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation programme with the theme, “Examination Malpractices in Public and Private Secondary Schools and its Effects: The Way Forward”, in Yenagoa.

He also said 23 teachers were found culpable for allegedly aiding and abetting examination malpractices in the state.

He added that  of the 20 indicted secondary schools, five of them had been de-recognised as examination centres in Bayelsa ,while the rest were handed stern warning based on the degree of the offences committed.

Expressing concern over the incidents, he said,”Five schools were de-recognised and they are made up of four public schools and one private school based on different forms of examination malpractices with candidates colluding with one another, topping the list of offences.

“While 15 other secondary schools were given warning letters based on similar reasons. Also, 23 participants (teachers) in the WAEC/NECO were also blacklisted and dropped from further supervision of such examinations in the state.”

He implored the state ministry of education and the state government to punish principals of secondary schools found culpable in order to discourage the rising rate of examination malpractices in schools in the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah, said the government had noted the decision of the national council on education.

He said that the state lacked sufficient teachers at present, stressing that “those available should ensure that students are well groomed to face the challenges of examinations without involving in malpractices.”

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Education 0
Oil Marketers Get N58bn Subsidy Claims

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over N58 billion has been disbursed to oil marketers whose claims have been verified.

The agency,in a statement, said about N34 billion  of the amount went directly to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

The agency has taken note of concerns raised by some oil marketers over their outstanding bridging claims.

It said  since December 2021, it has made several payments to marketers whose claims have been verified,adding that hithertho over N58 billion has been disbursed to oil marketers out of which about N34 billion went directly to members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

It added:”We wish to stress that the total amount disbursed so far is the highest ever paid within a 6-months span by previous fund administrators, which implies that the reimbursement of marketer’s transportation differentials for petroleum products movement from depots to sales outlets is a priority to the NMDPRA. In addition, Freight Rates were recently reviewed upwards to reflect current market realities and stimulate investments in the transportation of petroleum products in the country to ensure uninterrupted distribution.

“It is pertinent to note that some of the pending payments is due to the reluctance of marketers to reconcile their claims, in spite of the Authority’s continuous appeal to come for reconciliation whenever there are discrepancies. Furthermore, we wish to assure the public that NNPC has sufficient PMS to last over 47 days, translating to about 2.65 billion litres, therefore there is no need to panic as the current situation being experienced in some parts of the country will soon stabilise.

“To address this, some loading depots have been directed to operate on extended hours to enable increased truck-out. In the interim, the vessel discharge operations have been reviewed to fast-track truck loading and distribution in order to meet increased demand”

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Oil&Gas 0
How Africa Can Combat Climate Change -AFC

 

A new report from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), Africa’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has emphasized the need for Africa to focus on developing local industries by putting processing and manufacturing at the centre of sustainable circular economies.

It said doing so will eliminate emission-spewing shipments of Africa’s minerals and other commodities to Asia for manufacturing and processing, only to be shipped again as finished goods to consumer markets.

The report, Roadmap to Africa’s COP: A Pragmatic Path to Net Zero, is set within a context where Africa has borne the brunt of the most devastating impacts of climate change, while contributing little to global emissions.

It said low carbon output reflects Africa’s crippling energy deficit, which has stymied industrialisation and economic development. Africa, therefore, needs a realistic agenda for addressing climate change which allows the region to also continue advancing its industrial base.

“Africa is unlike any other continent when it comes to global net zero – and we need a blueprint for a common negotiating stance that reflects this,” said Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC. “We are advocating for consideration of Africa’s energy deficit and the need for quantum leaps in industrialisation for job creation and reducing poverty, as well as climate-proofing built infrastructure and protecting our powerful carbon sinks.”

The report argues that, while cutting emissions is vital for the more developed and highest polluting wealthier nations, there is a more limited universal impact to be gained from reducing the far lower emissions of sub-Saharan Africa.

The report said while renewable sources are the ultimate goal, in the near-term Africa must exploit its abundant reserves of natural gas.

“Since much of Africa is already at net zero, such development can be achieved without contributing substantially to global carbon emissions, while channeling harmful gas flares from oil fields and reducing the use of more polluting fuels such as coal, diesel and firewood. Resultant job creation and economic growth will enable African nations to invest further in renewable sources”, it added.

The report said the continent needs strong and resilient building — to re-build ocean and river defenses, and infrastructure in transport, construction, electricity grids and off-grid energy, which will in turn help the development of sustainable mining and the circular economies that drive growth and job creation

The report said financing is also needed to help preserve Africa’s vast carbon sinks, which absorb more carbon dioxide annually than any other region’s rainforests but are being depleted by local populations for firewood for cooking and heating.

It added:”Working with development finance institutions, governments and institutional investors, AFC’s many projects over the course of 15 years demonstrate that it is possible to mobilise financing at scale through crowding in private sector investment.

“Through leveraging financial input from governments and NGOs, we have the tools to de-risk climate investments and offer strong returns to incentivise funding from institutional investors. These efforts can help ensure that capital flows to the frontlines of the fight against climate change—Africa”

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Environment 0
Comedian  Gbenga Adeyinka Joins Presidential  Race    

A popular comedian,Gbenga Adeyinka, has declared his intention to  contest for presidential seat in the next year’s general elections in Nigeria.

He did not state the party he intends to actualize his presidential ambition.

He disclosed  in his declaration speech that his  desire to contest for the number one position in the land was drivrn by nationalism,service and value addition to governance in the country.

He said:”It gladdens my heart to step forward this day and speak to you about my ambition.I have served my fatherland for over three decades as the Grand Comedian of Nigeria, designing and delivering joy and joie de vivre to the deserted Southwestern states of this honourable nation in particular, and Nigeria, as a whole.

“Moving from State to State and ensuring that we left nothing but a soothing experience of undiluted and unrestrained entertainment and laughter behind.I have been to the ancient city of Ibadan, where the brown roofs tell the story of her yearnings for the excitement that comes with a well-packaged entertainment event.

“I have similarly visited Osogbo, the land with unimaginable potential for exponential entertainment growth, where we left them asking for more.Not to mention how I left the city of Akure in wonder with the people urging me to do more because, in their own words, “We’ve never experienced such wholesome entertainment, ever.”

“How can I forget to mention my exploits in my native Abeokuta; Ijebu Ode, and the city of Ilorin where I literally made the people understand why they say their land is the closest to heaven and far away from hell with the level of satisfaction they got from my visit?

“However, mine is not just a southwest agenda. Indeed, it has been a worthy and worthwhile nationalistic professional odyssey.I have worked in, and traversed the 36 States of the federation and no one, and I repeat, no one knows and feels the yearnings of everyday Nigerians like I do.

“Nigeria is at a crossroads. Nigerians are traumatised from banditry, insecurity, corruption, kidnapping, rising costs of living, fuel scarcity, ritual killings, and internecine conflicts, and so many other travails that threaten to tear us asunder.

“Fellow Nigerians, Nigeria is in need of a purposeful and proactive, and direct and decisive leadership.Nigeria needs a president that is devoid of a party mindset, whose leadership is cast on the global vision of building a nation that is bigger than him and his party.

“A president that will not read his intentions from the stale and stereotypical narratives of paid scriptwriters, but whose actions will draw from the bounties of floating ideas enriched by the creative engagement of his mind and powered by the dynamics of his visions. His ethnic origin will not guide his conduct or choice of appointments.

“His identity is not frosty or fraught with inconsistencies. His visions must transform from the intangible, spiritual form to concrete objects of practical feelings. He will build roads; provide electricity, homes and food for the people, but only as a normal, natural responsibility of state. He would go beyond this to set standards of integrity, strong ethical values, and would live by practical examples. I am that man…”

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Politics 0
Nigeria’s E-payment Transactions Hit N330tr –CBN

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says electronic transactions in Nigeria increased by 66 per cent year-on-year to N330 trillion in December 2021 from N198.61 trillion at the end of 2020.

In her address at a conference tagged “The Future of Payments and Fraud: Catching the Next New, organised by BusinessDay in Lagos on Thursday, the Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability CBN, Aishah Ahmad, said that the COVID-19 pandemic changed digitalisation by accelerating the shift to digital image platforms as the foregoing tech trends drove significant change in consumer and business behaviors, banks in which all the other operators in the payments ecosystem are still responding quite rapidly to.

Represented by Deputy Director, Banking and Payments System Department at CBN, Taiwo Oladimeji, Ahmad said these technological trends coupled with deliberate forward thinking regulatory framework set out by the CBN has manifested in Nigeria’s burgeoning FinTech sector within a fast growing and highly dynamic financial industry, which has leapfrogged many of its counterparts globally and on the continent.

She said:“The impact of these policies by the CBN are evident in areas such as the stability of the payment systems. We have just contributed to the uninterrupted growth in transactions, volumes and values across various channels too. For example, the value of electronic transactions in Nigeria rose by 66 per cent year-on-year to N330 trillion in December 2021 from N198.61 trillion at the end of December 2020”.

Noting that innovation around the payment space globally is evolving and dynamic, Ahmad highlighted six regulatory priorities that would improve Nigeria’s payment system.

She emphasized the need for new innovative players to be identified and licensed in order to bring them within the regulatory limits was highlighted.

She said there should be creation of a framework to understand the markets for new players as more energy will attract opportunities and monitor changes in the monetary transmission mechanism.

According to her,the country must achieve financial inclusion and democratised access to quality, affordable and cost effective financial services for all Nigerians by resolving the challenges related to identity management, neutral financial access points into operability of payment systems, electronic payments, and open banking among others”.

admin by — May 13, 2022 in Banking&Finance 0
Emiefele’s Presidential Ambition Will Hurt Nigeria’s Economy-Muda Yussuf

The Chief Executive Officer,CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise,CPPE,Dr.Muda Yussuf,has said that the presidential ambition of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria,Mr.Godwin Emefiele,will hurt the nation’s economy.

The partisan disposition of the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, he said,has cast a dark cloud over the credibility, independence, neutrality and professionalism of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“It is a troubling development because of the huge reputational risk to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the wider implications for the Nigerian economy”, he said in a statement

He added that it  portends ominous outlook for the credibility of monetary policy, foreign exchange policy, management of intervention funds and the impartial discharge of regulatory responsibilities of the apex bank.

According to him:”There are also profound implications for the confidence of investors, both foreign or local. The Central Bank is an institution that needs to earn the trust of all stakeholders in the economy, irrespective of their political affiliation, creed, gender, religion, ethnicity or vocation. It is difficult to earn this trust with the unfolding scenario of the obvious partisan stance of the CBN Governor. This development raises serious ethical and propriety issues, which are much bigger than the legal questions.

“These are not the best times for the Nigerian economy.  The distractions of dragging the apex bank into the chaotic space of partisan politics can only worsen an already bad situation.  The economy is yet to recover from the shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Many businesses and investors are still struggling to survive in the context of a fragile economic recovery.

“The onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine had inflicted yet another profound macroeconomic dislocations and supply chain disruptions on the global and domestic economies. It is a case of multiple devastating shocks on the economy and businesses”

He said stakeholders are battling with   plunge of the naira exchange rate to about N590 to a dollar,unprecedented disparities between the official and parallel market exchange rates as well as liquidity crisis in the foreign exchange market due to monetary and foreign exchange policies of the Central Bank

admin by — May 13, 2022 in News 0
NLNG’s Science Prize: Judges Receive 107 Entries For 2022 Cycle

The panel of judges for The Nigeria Prize for Science has received the entries from scientists worldwide for the  2022 edition, signalling the commencement of the race to determine a winner with the best scientific or research work on the theme “Innovations in Sustainable Food Security.”

The prize, worth $100,000, is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).At the hand-over ceremony in Lagos, the Advisory Board for the prize, chaired by Professor Barth Nnaji, handed over 107 entries to the judges, headed by Professor Christian Ugwu Agbo.

The theme “Innovations in Sustainable Food Security” was carried over from the 2020/2021cycle into the 2022 cycle after a no-winner decision by the judges.

At the ceremony, NLNG’s General Manager for External Relations and Sustainable Development,Mr. Andy Odeh, represented by the Acting Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Mrs Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, said the need to find some scientific approach to attaining sustainable food security is critical to the country’s survival.

He stated that the trending forecast shows there may be severe food challenges waiting to implode.

According to him, scientists were needed now, more than ever in the country’s history, to wade off a food crisis that would negatively impact sustainable development goals.

“NLNG is very keen on ensuring that The Nigeria Prize for Science creates opportunities for positive impact in all spheres of life in Nigeria. This is why we are taking continuous improvement steps to revitalise and rekindle the drive for development and to build a better Nigeria, in line with our company’s vision,” he said.

Professor Nnaji,who handed over the entries to the judges, said the science prize was an opportunity to change thenarrative about the country’s development. He stated that the state of the nation mirrors the state of science and scientific research in the country. He challenged the judges to remain resolute and focused on excellence, sound research, and innovation.

The chairman of the panel of judges, Professor Agbo,is a professor in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Other memberson the panelare Ms Funke Opekeand Prof Mohammed Magaji. Ms. Opeke is an experienced telecommunications executive and the founder/CEO of MainOne while Professor Magaji is a professor of Agronomy at the UsmanuDanfodiyo University, Sokoto.

admin by — May 13, 2022 in News 0