All Posts in "Day: June 1, 2022"

2023: We’ll Vote Presidential, Governorship Candidates Who Care For Us-Pensioners

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP),says vowed to mobilise votes for any aspirant that would uphold interest of its members in the country.

President of NUP, Comrade Godwin Abumisi, spoke at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, where he said his members would no longer be used and abandoned by politicians after winning elections in Nigeria.

According to him,the union was still understudying the aspirants with a view to assessing those that would religiously incorporate the payment of pension as at when due into their programmes.

He added that such persons who are retirees -friendly in power would guarantee a sense of belonging, respect and improved welfare for our members.

He also advocated the need for the sustenance of the Pensions Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) because they have a resulted oriented policy which has made pension administration easy and hitch free.

He said:”We pensioners are keenly and curiously watching the political space and the ongoing aggressive campaigns being embarked upon by the various aspirants vying for different positions under different political parties.

“Certainly the pensioners shall pitch their tent with the Presidential/Gubernatorial aspirants who are committed and more disposed to their cause and plight by massively casting their votes for them in order to secure their tomorrow.

“We are still watching them and for the first time in Nigeria, we are going to make sure anybody who will not be disposed favourably to Pensioners in Nigeria is going to fail in the elections. A time has come when the politicians will stop taking us for granted.”

Commending the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for bringing succour to Nigerian pensioners through their various policies and interventions,he maintained that PTAD could not be “held responsible for delay of monthly pensons or any related payments as misconceived by the misinformed general public.

He disclosed that the introduction of PTAD’s ‘I Am Alive’ application software designed to routinely check the status of aliveness of pensioners and removing death cases from the database and payroll, has eliminated the rigorous physical verification exercise but most importantly, saved the Federal Government billions of naira.

He lamented the pathetic plight and unfortunate living conditions of state pensioners, especially those in states where the governor’s were unwilling to pay their legitimate entitlements.

He added:”Even though I salute many state Governor’s who are prompt in paying monthly pensions to our state pensioners, it is on records that majority of the state pensioners have not received a dime of their gratuity since retirement between 5 – 10 years.More worrisome, almost all the state Governor’s choose not to review the monthly pensions of their retirees as provided in section 173(3) and 210(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“With all sense of respect and responsibility,I call on the state Governors as a matter of national emergency to immediately set up committee jointly with our state council’s across the country to work out modalities on how state governors will liquidate all the outstanding entitlements that had accrued over the years.”

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Politics 0
NSCDC Uncovers Illegal Diesel Storage Site In Lagos

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered an illegal oil storage site used by vandals to refine Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, also known as diesel, in Lagos.

It said 19 suspected members of the syndicate ,among who was a female, were arrested.

It added that eighty one trucks used to convey the products to different parts of the South West region were recovered, including nine buses..

According to the corps, 140 drums containing illegally refined AGO, 15 power generating sets ,12 pumping machines, 25 surface tanks N4 million cash kept in one of the syndicate’s cars ,were recovered.

Speaking on how the syndicate was smashed, spokesman for the NSCDC, Assistant Superintendent of Corps, ASCI Abolurin Olumide , said the Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad stormed Etal Avenue, off Kudirat, Abiola way, Oregun in Ikeja area of Lagos State, at about 12.18 am yesterday, following intelligence report on the illegal oil storage site.

He said : “The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, inaugurated towards the end of year 2021, at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja, is also one of the multi – dimensional approaches being deployed by the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to squash the desecrating activities of oil pipeline vandals and the assymetric war the nation isfaced with today.

“Recently, he reiterated his vow to stamp out oil pipeline vandalism, illegal oil bunkering, illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining of solid and natural minerals and other disheartening forms of economic sabotage, being perpetrated by criminal elements, in our dear nation

“Upon bursting the illegal oil site, it was discovered that petroleum products were being illegally stored and refined.

“The Squad was immediately re – enforced by the Anti – vandal team of the Lagos State Command, on the swift orders of the Commandant, Lagos State Command, Commandant Eweka Okoro, who directed that the arrested suspects be brought for adequate interrogation and investigation, in the Intelligence and Investigation, INT Department , at the State Command Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, before further legal action will be taken on the matter.

“The anti – vandal unit of the Lagos State Commas was also directed by the Commandant, to take full charge of the illegal oil site immediately, so as to forestall any further untoward activity by these economic saboteurs of our collective commonwealth”

Reiterating Okoro’s commitment to the vision and mission of the Commandant General, the former, according to him, warned oil thieves in the state to desist from inimical act capable of sabotaging the nation’s economy “with the disturbing untoward experiences it could bring upon the ordinary citizens of our nation.”

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Naira Mutilation: Chinese Bags Two Years Jail

The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Li Lei Lei, a Chinese national, to two years imprisonment for mutilating the Nigerian currency.

He was convicted by Justice I. Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

He was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on tampering of the Nigerian note, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Establishment) Act.

One of the count said: “That you, Li Lei Lei, on or about the 17th day of May, 2022, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, tampered with One Thousand Naira (N1,000) Note, with serial number 947882 issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, Cap C4, Vol.1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010.”

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Why Nigeria’s Power Sector Is Underperforming 

A research conducted by experts in the power sector has revealed why there has been a consistent lapses in electricity generation and distribution chain in Nigeria, despite various intervention programmes.

In the research detailing the challenges still plaguing Nigeria’s electricity distribution companies (DisCos), low system efficiencies or high Aggregate, Technical and Commercial, ATC&C, losses, ageing infrastructure, poor customer relationship management, and a history of less than cost-reflective tariffs were listed as major impediments to the sector.

The research conducted by Nextier, also highlights Nigeria’s electricity supply industry challenges to financing, noting that the capital structure of acquisition debt and expansion financing poses more challenge for infrastructure assets operated in a regulated utility.

Another issue identified by the report  is the challenge of raising the required long-term patient capital aligned to the long-lived infrastructure assets.

It added:”As a result, it has been a challenge for the companies to service debts, meet the necessary rehabilitation and expansion commitments, improve efficiencies, and simultaneously pay their upstream invoices to other market participants and administrative entities.

“In the context of the Nigerian market, the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO), a methodology for regulating prices and rewarding the performance of industry operators, forms the basis of electricity tariffs. The MYTO allows for bi-annual minor reviews to account for changes in the parameters that influence tariffs, such as available power generation, inflation, exchange rates and gas prices.

“These minor reviews provide a 6-month generation forecast. However, factors such as gas availability, water management and transmission infrastructure capabilities also constrain actual generation,”the Nextier paper report asserted.

According to the report, due to these interdependencies within the sector, the DisCos lack complete control of all the factors that impact their operational excellence. Insisting that from a DisCo perspective,

Some of the upstream expenses are not incurred due to the unavailability of energy supply, system constraints still result in lost revenue and profits from the distribution companies perspective the report said.

It added:”A holistic approach to solving the issues in the sector is required if the NESI is to achieve its potential. Furthermore, solving the problems faced by the DisCos would help facilitate a more competitive electricity market”

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Power 0
Human Rights Commission Advocates Protection of Journalists’ Rights

The National Human Rights Commission ( NHRC ) has advocated the need for the protection of journalists and media practitioners who have continued to hold government and public officers accountable to the people.

Its Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu,said this in Abuja during a capacity building training for the journalists and staff of corporate affairs and external linkages of the commission.

The training with the theme ” Defending the Rights of Journalists and Media Practitioners Through National Safety Mechanisms ” was aimed at working out a modality and rub minds on the hazards of journalism profession and how to navigate through them and still come out stronger as the mirror of the society.

Ojukwu expressed dismay at the way and manner journalists’ rights were being violated and trampled upon for no just cause by the state, non-state actors and individuals who are not comfortable with the certain investigative journalism.

He said the training would enable the participants to understand safety’ mechanisms which they needed to survive in any situation in the line of their duty.

According to him:” It cannot be gainsaid that safety of journalists has been a growing concern in the country and elsewhere in the world, given that some journalists operate under difficult conditions where freedom of expression and the press is relegated to the background. In such climes , the issue of censorship, harassment, unlawful arrest and detention and assassination are not uncommon.

” On our part as a commission saddle with the responsibility of protecting the rights of citizens, including journalists, we will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that human rights are adequately protected at all times.

” In view of the foregoing, capacity building training like the one we are witnessing today is very crucial because journalists who are the agents of change and promoters of good governance should be exposed to capacity building training to enable them understand safety mechanisms which they need to survive in any situation and pragmatically discharge their duties effectively.

He noted that the training would help in sharpening the skills and knowledge of journalists and staff of the commission in the use of social media in promoting human rights.

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Media 0
Third Anniversary: Makinde Scores Performance High

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has rated his administration high,declaring that the economic policies of the government have been yielding positive results.

He maintained that his government will continue to consolidate on the gains already recorded in the education sector, road infrastructure and agribusiness, among others.

Makinde,who stated these in a state broadcast in commemoration of the administration’s third year in office, maintained that the gains already recorded by the administration in the last three years include the construction of several roads that have impacted positively on the economy of the state through the creation of a thriving environment for private sector players in the state’s agribusiness sector.

According to him, the increased private sector participation in the agribusiness sector has enabled the state to attract N23 billion in agribusiness investments, as well as securing another 125 million dollars in development partners-blended finance for rural roads, agro logistics, market and industrial hubs.

He added that all these have contributed to providing direct and indirect jobs to residents of the state, adding that the state had also trained close to 4,050 youths in agribusiness, 98 of whom have started their businesses, while the state is set to support the others in diverse agribusiness enterprises.

According to the governor, the government will now move on to fix inner and feeder roads so that inner-city travels could become stress-free for residents, having been executing road projects that improved access and connectivity between the zones in the state.

Some of these projects, he noted, include the 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road, the 76.7km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road, the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the proposed reconstruction of the 48 km Ido-Eruwa Road.

The governor also said that the administration has constructed 56 Model Schools in three years, while it has also completed the renovation of 200 Primary Health Care Centres in its drive to ensure the existence of at least one functional PHC in each of the 351 Electoral Wards of the state.

He said: “When you gave us the mandate to serve, we made a promise to you that we would engineer a modern Oyo State by building on four pillars: education, economy, health and security.As we mark our third year in office, we have another opportunity to share our scorecard with you so that you can judge how well we have kept that promise.

“As we review the past year, we are thankful that our administration’s economic policies in the past three years are yielding the desired results.We have always said we believe in data, science and logic.The data we had showed that our resources as a nation were dwindling. Oil prices had dropped and there was a need to focus on raising our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“Back then, Oyo State was generating less than 1.7 billion Naira a month. Our plan based on this data, was to focus on projects that would yield the revenue needed to reduce our infrastructure deficit.

“At that time, the system was in decay. Our public schools had multiple cases of dilapidated buildings unfit for our children to learn. Our healthcare system was in shambles with primary and secondary healthcare facilities becoming mere consulting rooms.

“Security was a big campaign issue. We promised reforms.Little did we know that about eight months later, the world would be dealing with a pandemic that would further exacerbate the economic downturn and throw off our timetable for economic stability.

“Yet, we were determined to keep all our promises, expectations were delayed but never denied. Looking back now to all we have been able to accomplish despite the huge challenges we faced, I can only say thank you to you, the good people of Oyo State for your patience and understanding all through this time.

The governor further stated that the administration completed the first phase of the remodelling of the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan and that the income generated by the facility has doubled, while it is projected to attract a 300 per cent increase in revenue when completed.

He added that the commissioning of the Ojoo and Challenge Bus Terminals, which have already been handling up to 10,000 passengers daily off peak, is another achievement of the administration.

He said:”The result of all these revenue generating activities is that we have been able to continue funding projects that the good people of Oyo State can benefit from.
“In the past year, we completed the construction of 8 model schools bringing the total number of model schools completed by our administration to 56 since we assumed office three years ago.

“We have expanded the Start Them Early Program (STEP) to now include an additional 6 schools. We are seeing the results of 1,276 students being exposed to modern agricultural practices and choosing agribusiness right from secondary school”

“We continued with our free health mission to the indigent and underserved. In the past year, we reached over half a million residents with medical and surgical interventions. In total, over one million, two hundred thousand residents of Oyo State have benefitted from the free health missions since it commenced in 2020.

“We have provided over 280 kilometres of public lighting through the ‘Light up Oyo’ project. This has not only enhanced economic activities as markets remain open for longer, but it has also improved the security in the state”

Governor Makinde noted that his government has been able to bring crime rates down by equipping security agencies, pointing out how it handed over 100 operational vehicles to Oyo Amotekun recently.

He said the government has also embarked on the recruitment of 500 additional Amotekun personnel, stating that it has been working hard to ensure security in the state.

The governor promised to consolidate on the gains of the last three years.

He added: “Our plan is to consolidate on the gains of the last three years in the one year we have left in our tenure.We will continue to work with the private sector, especially those involved in agribusiness to expand our economy. With the flag-off of the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub next month, there will be even more opportunities to do agribusiness in Oyo State.

admin by — June 1, 2022 in News 0
Shooting: NUJ Seeks Redeployment Of Osun Police Boss

 

Nigeria Union of Journalists,Osun state Council, has demanded for immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode, over the shooting of its member by men of the state command.

A police officer,Tuesday shot at Correspondent of the Nation Newspaper, Toba Adedeji, who was covering protest by members of family of a boy who was killed in cold blood by policemen in the State in April this year.

The chairman of the Council, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Comrade Bukola Elufadejin gave the apex echelon of the police seven days ultimatum to redeploy Olokode, on the grounds of gross indiscipline and unprofessional conduct of men and officers of the command under his supervision.

The union in a statement,further called on Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, to take this urgent step to save the state from incessant unrest and crisis due to lackadaisical approach to sensitive issues of security by the leadership of the command

The statement described the action of the officers of the command as unfortunate, barbaric, uncivilized and demeaning, especially in a democratic environment where citizens possess the rights to ventilate their grievances through protest.

The union said that it would no longer condole harassment, intimidation of its members, saying over five members of the union had been attacked by the police in the last three months.

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Media 0
Census: NPC Commences Online Recruitment Of Ad-hoc Staff

The National Population Commission (NPC) has commenced online recruitment of ad-hoc staff who would assist the Commission in the conduct of trial census slated for June 2022.

The commission advised applicants to apply through the link:https://recruitment.adhoctrial.nationalpopulation.gov.ng

Nasir Isa Kwarra, the chairman of NPC,who stated this at the flag-off of the e-recruitment Portal for the trial census in Abuja, explained that the introduction of e-recruitment process was borne out of the need to ensure fairness and transparency in the recruitment process.

He said: “The need to be fair and transparent in the recruitment process has led the Commission to introduce the e-recruitment process and train the officers that will superintend over this important census recruitment process. To us in the Commission, the quality of staff that will perform the census activities are very important.

“Therefore, having a good knowledge of the content of the census document, the technique and the organisation of the census process is key to the success of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.The quality of the recruitment process will reflect on the quality of the data to be collected and ultimately the success of the 2023 census.

“While a good recruitment exercise will not by itself necessarily guarantee a successful census, a badly conducted recruitment process will inevitably lead to problems and increase the risk of an unsuccessful census.

“The launch of the E-recruitment portal at the headquarters marks the beginning of the online recruitment process whereby Nigerians from all demography and gender can hook on to the website that will be provided by the Commission to fill the online form and get themselves registered to be recruited.”

He further revealed that the bulk of personnel for the 2023 census would be drawn from the communities where they are resident.

Also speaking, Mr. Inuwa Jalingo, Census Manager, explained that the e-recruitment portal is geo-fenced and the application is restricted to only applicants residing in the six selected Local Government Areas(LGAs) from the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

According to him,applicants must be in those six selected LGAs to be able to apply for the trial census exercise.

The six selected LGAs include Brass LGA(Bayelsa), Idemili South LGA (Anambra), Imeko-Afon LGA(Ogun), Tongo
LGA(Adamawa) Karu LGA(Nasarawa) and Daura LGA(Nasarawa).

admin by — June 1, 2022 in News 0
Infraction: Lagos Shuts Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Premises

The Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) has shut premises of traditional medicine practitioners for continued violation of rules and regulations guiding traditional medicine practice in the state.

Premises of over seven practitioners in Mushin, Somolu and Bariga environs were shut during the exercise,which was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

Speaking,Registrar of the Board, Olorunkemi Olawale Kadiku, explained that the event was long overdue following the March expiration deadline earlier given to the practitioners to register with the state government.

He lamented that the exercise was not being taken seriously by the affected persons, adding that the affected practitioners had already been issued abatement notices.

He added that practitioners, whose premises were sealed-off, have been operating their facilities without approval and license to practice in the state, despite several pleas from the state government to them.

He said faith-based healers under which Pentecostal Churches operate, also have to register, “So far they have birth attendant facilities”, adding that all practices relating to traditional medicine, birth attendants, faith-based healing, bone setting and the like, have to be done within the ambience of the law of the state, as recommended by the National Body on Health.

Speaking further at another location in Mushin, the Registrar, who led the enforcement team, said a situation where practitioners operate in dirty environment and willingly test the patience and magnanimity of government by flagrantly contravening the law will no longer be tolerated, assuring that the agency will do all possible within the law to sanitize the practice of traditional medicine in the state.

One of the birth attendants, who refused to register in spite of series of warnings and abatement notices, was handed over to the Police at the Nigeria Police, Area D Command, Mushin, for prosecution, to serve as deterrent to others.

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Police, Hunters Rescue Four Kidnap Victims In Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT ) Police Command and members of Destiny hunters have stormed Dadu hills through Chukwukuara in Kuje Area Council where they dislodged bandits operating in that area.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Josephine Adeh, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, also said the operatives also destroyed the hideout and successfully rescued four victims from the criminals’ den

The operation which commenced at about 06:00hrs of Tuesday 31st of May 2022 she said, witnessed the rescue of Mustahudeen Sani, Felix Vaa,, and Adamu Isa all males who were reportedly kidnapped between the 23rd and 25th of May 2022 at kiyi and Abdulsalam Uzugiz who was kidnapped at Angwan Gade extension of Kuje Area Council of the Territory.

“Unfortunately, the criminal elements upon sighting the gallant advancement of the team engaged them in a gun duel where a member of the Destiny hunter paid the ultimate price.The miscreants retreated with various degrees of gunshot injuries owing to the superior firepower of the team.

“Given the above, the Victims were taken to the hospital for medical examination and subsequently reunited with their families. The FCT Commissioner of Police while extending condolences to the family of the deceased reassured residents of the Command’s unflinching commitment to riding the Territory of crime and criminality.

“Complimenting the above, members of the public are therefore urged to remain vigilant, and strengthen their partnership with the Police as touching the rendition of prompt and actionable intelligence reporting any suspicious or abnormal occurrence in their areas to the command”

Besides, the command said its attention has been drawn to the cruel and ill-treatment perpetrated against one Oluebibe Emmanuel, a 10 years old minor by one Nweke Chadikaobi of Range view Estate Dawaki, a relative whom she lives with as seen in the video making the rounds.

“Frowning at such a level of inhumane treatment, the FCT Commissioner of Police CP Babaji Sunday ordered an immediate investigation, arrest of the suspect, and the recovery of the minor for medical attention and other forms of intervention needed in the protection of her Human right and dignity.

“In the light of the above, the painstaking effort expended led to the arrest of the suspect on Monday 30th May 2022. The suspect upon interrogation admitted to the commission of the crime stating the reasons for her action to be the fact that the minor bed wets among sundry offences.

“While the victim has been handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of child trafficking in person (NAPTIP) for special care and traumatization, the investigation continues and subsequent developments will be communicated duly.

“The Commissioner of Police While urging the good people of the Territory not to keep mute about such occurrences in their neighbourhoods, taking no exceptions or restraint in reporting same to the Police, stated that a happy child leads to a happy people and by the effect, a happy Nation void of crime and criminality.”

admin by — June 1, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0