All Posts in "Day: August 20, 2022"

Fraud: Oyo Drags Ministry Officials To Court

The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA)says some staff members of the State Ministry of Lands and Urban Development are currently standing trial over allegation of transfer of government funds into personal accounts.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of OYACA, Honorable Justice Eni Esan (rtd.) on Friday, the agency said it has investigated the actions of the said officers in accordance with the statutory provisions that empowered it to investigate matters related to corruption and fraudulent acts discovered by the people.

The action of the anti- corruption agency has led to the recovery of money fraudulently collected by some staffers of Lagelu Local Government in Ibadan from one Mr. Samson Olasunkanmi for a certain piece of land.

Mr. Olasunkanmi has been refunded after the successful intervention of the agency.

The suspects are currently being prosecuted by the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Ojelowo Oyewo.

Honorable Justice Eni Esan enjoined the members of the public to reach out to the main office of OYACA at Ibadan or its local government contact offices if they have any petition on issues pertaining to fraudulent crimes against them or those perpetuated by government workers.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Crime/Metro 0
Lagos To Recognize Isese Day Soon As Oyo Traditionalists Renew Call For Holiday

 

The Lagos State government has said that the request by the Association of African Traditional Religion of Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN)to officially recognize the 20th of August every year as Isese Day, is receiving government’s attention.

The programme to mark this year’s Isese Day took place on Friday with a conference in Ilasan playing ground in Ajah area of Lagos State, and the theme for this year’s event is “African Traditional Religion Catalyst To National Peace And Stability’

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State ,who was represented at the event by Femi Martins, Senior Assistant to the governor, on Tourism Arts and Culture, stated that the theme for this year’s seminar “African Traditional Religion Catalyst To National Peace And Stability” is very timely as the association continues to strengthen the bond of unity among the various ethnic groups and adherents of every religious beliefs in the societies.

He said, “It is established that our traditional religion preaches peace, love and tolerance. Our indigenous religion in particular is well positioned to aid the promotion of national peace and development because it focuses on lifelong principles based on communal concern for the well being of all. When this is pursued it regulates behaviour, conducts and actions of individuals in the society.Our traditional religion is a significant part of our culture and therefore will continue to receive the recognition it deserves. As a government we will continue to create the atmosphere for our citizen to practice their faith.

“This administration appreciates and acknowledges the various ways AATREN has contributed to the peaceful co-existence in our state and that is why the call for the official recognition of of 20th of August every year as the Isese Day is receiving the attention of government, especially the State House of Assembly’’

Speaking on the important role that traditional worshipers have played in the society, High Chief Ifasegun Elegushi, the Opemoluwa of Ikateland and the president of AATREN, stated that Olodumare is supreme, and urged people to understand that most times their problems come from their roots.

He said,” People should not ignore their roots, which is why you see Pastors and prophets will tell people to go to their villages and do certain cleansing because that is where their problems are coming from and once they do that, they will see changes in their lives. It is the reason that we enjoining people not to fight their roots.

“Traditional religion worshipers are peace loving people. We invited Christians and Muslims today in this programme. Tradition worshipers are concerned about the development of the state and the country. We are aware that all of us came from different deities and we shouldn’t allow our fore bearers to place curses on us because of our actions.

Oba Elegushi appealed to the youths to learn morals, stop joining cult groups because there are consequences for any negative action, even as he appealed to the Lagos State government to hasten the signing into law, their request of 20th August every year as Isese Day.

“We the traditional worshipers have been praying for those in government. We have been praying for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and by the grace of God he will get to that place that he is seeking victoriously.We plead with him and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we have been praying for him. We want them to grant our request of giving us a holiday on the 20th of August every year as Isese Day,” he said.

‘’People should not ignore their roots, which is why you see Pastors and prophets will tell people to go to their villages and do certain cleansing because that is where their problems are coming from and once they do that, they will see changes in their lives. It is the reason that we enjoining people not to fight their roots.Traditional religion worshippers are peace loving people. We invited Christians and Muslims today in this programme. Tradition worshipers are concerned about the development of the state and the country. We are aware that all of us came from different deities and we shouldn’t allow our fore bearers to place curses on us because of our actions’’

Oba Elegushi appealed to the youths to learn morals, stop joining cult groups because there are consequences for any negative action, even as he appealed to the Lagos State government to hasten the signing into law, their request of 20th August every year as Isese Day.

Meanwhile,the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association (TRWASSO), Oyo State Branch, has renewed the call for the state government to set aside a day for public holiday dedicated to the Isese Day Festival.

The body in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday and signed by its Secretary, Mogaji Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode and the Treasurer, Chief Kehinde Ogunyemi, said the call was necessary to remind the State government that favoring some religious sects while neglecting the other portrayed the administration of the present government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde as sectional.

It described the unconcerned attitude of the state government to the lawful demand by its members for a holiday as indicative of the governor’s hatred for traditionalists.

It added:“We are once again calling on the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to tow the line of his Osun State counterpart that has set aside a day as holiday for the ISESE DAY since 2014, we will not keep quiet till our demand is met.We have tried all our best to demand for this holiday through series of letters, peaceful protest, lobbying and legislative backing, but the governor is yet to accede to our demand, does that mean he hates us so much?

“The neglect we are currently facing from this administration has shown that they do not have any respect for us as a people that also voted to have them in office.These same people are the ones that have made the ‘Muslim-Muslim’ ‘Muslim-Christian’ tickets for political offices a national discourse, where is the place of the traditionalists?”

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Oduduwa 0
FG Chases Fake Fertilizer Producers

 

The Federal Government has clamped down on fake and adulterated fertilizer producers in Kano State, in line with government’s commitment to ensure quality production of fertilizers and farm inputs, geared towards achieving food and nutritional security.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development(FMARD), explained that a team led by the Director, Farm Input Support Services Department, FMARD, Mr. Kwaido Sanni, along with the personnel of the Police and Directorate of State Services(DSS) embarked on the sealing of these illegal outfits in Kano State,a statement said.

The operation of the Taskforce took place on Wednesday and Thursday, this week, in various Local Government Areas of Kano State in line with the National Fertilizer Quality Control Regulations of 2020, Section 43, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution, which empowers Farm Input Support Services Department (FISSD) to carry out stop sale order on companies defaulting the law against adulteration and sharp practices in the fertilizers sub- sector.

Sanni stated that the National Fertilizer Quality Control Act 2019 and Regulations 2020, would ensure that any individual doing the business must register with the Farm Inputs Support Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and also possess the requisite facilities to operate in the sector.

The Director maintained that most of the fertilizer companies did not want to carry out the process because they knew that they were not qualified, which was the reason behind the clamp down on the affected companies.

He warned those who engage in the illegal business to stop or face the wrath of the law.

Speaking, the Fertilizer Quality Control Officer, FISSD, Mr. Sunday Oke,observed the prevalence of adulterated/ fake fertilizer in the state, adding that the samples of the fertilizer would be collected and taken to Abuja for laboratory analysis to confirm compliance with the guaranteed analysis.

He said: “This is a field operation, not targeted at arresting people unnecessarily, but we try as much as possible to get the operators to comply with the provisions of the Act to enable them go back to their normal business”.

He stated that the first day, the team identified those shops, investigated and sealed the shops with a view to preserving the evidence found in those shops, “making sure that we come back and tell them what they are not doing right and the violation they have committed.”

Speaking further, the fertilizer Quality Control Officer revealed that the second day exercise was targeted at cases of diversion of government procured raw materials, noting that there was a provision of the Act that specifies that diversion of fertilizer is an offence.

He disclosed that those fertilizers were meant for local NPK Fertilizer Blending Plants in the country, revealing that it was a violation of the Act.

In the course of the inspection, the leader of Yandusa Market, Kano, Alhaji Shehu Akarami said, he had been in the fertilizer business for 40 years and needs the Federal Government’s support in the area of grants to boost his business.

One of the defaulters, Khalid Mohammed, Sabon Gari Market, Kano where about 800 bags of Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PTF) were discovered, said that he was not aware of the fact that it was wrong to sell the fertilizers.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in News 0
NBC’s Revocation Of Licenses Of 52 Broadcast Stations Insensitive,Ill-advised-Media Group

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned today’s revocation and withdrawal of the broadcast licenses of 52 broadcast stations across Nigeria by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) describing the action as ill-advised, insensitive and antithetical to the interests of the Nigerian public.

Ms Obioma Okonkwo, Head of its Legal Department, MRA, in a statement, said by the revocation of the broadcast licenses of so many stations for alleged non-payment of their licence fees, the NBC was prioritizing its desire to make money off the broadcasters over the interest of citizens as the ultimate effect of its action is to deprive millions of Nigerians access to information as well as their rights and ability to freely express themselves through these stations.

She said: “We are shocked by this naked display by the NBC of a lack of appreciation of its principal role which is to contribute to the emergence of a knowledge society. Rather, it has chosen to create an environment in which millions of Nigerians will wallow in ignorance, deprived of access to crucial information that they need to make critical decisions in their lives or to enhance their livelihoods.”

According to her, the action of the NBC has only worsened the prevailing lopsidedness in the broadcasting landscape in Nigeria which was already dominated by government-owned broadcasting stations but is now under the monopolistic control of Federal Government-owned stations, which will be almost unchallenged, with the result that citizens will now be fed unmitigated propaganda by these remaining stations.

She accused the NBC of being insensitive to the harsh economic environment under which the broadcast stations have operated over the last two and a half years as the national economy has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic itself and the measures taken by the government in response to the pandemic.

She noted that the broadcasting stations are also negatively impacted by the inability of the government to create a conducive environment for them to operate, such as providing appropriate infrastructure like electricity supply, adding that with the stations having to find alternative sources of power supply even as the price of diesel continues to skyrocket daily, they are simply struggling to survive.

She added: “The fact that so many broadcasting stations have been unable to pay the license fees raises serious questions about the fairness and appropriateness of the fees being imposed on broadcasters by the NBC in such a challenging economic environment. As the NBC, which imposes the fees and collects them for its own use, there needs to be an independent inquiry into this apparent conflict of interest where the motivation of the commission is apparently to make as much money for itself as possible.”

She implored the NBC to reverse its decision in the public interest to avoid creating a society of predominantly ignorant citizens, advising that the need to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed through the media should supersede any other consideration by the NBC.

She advised the commission to liaise with the broadcasting stations to identify the challenges facing the industry and come up with realistic solutions to the identified challenges.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Media 0
OML 30: Heritage Energy Commences Scholarship Scheme For Host Communities,Targets 4,000 Beneficiaries

 

Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), Operator of the OML 30 joint venture between NNPC Exploration and Production Limited (formerly NPDC) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited (SNRL) has announced the commencement of the OML 30 Scholarship Intake Process for indigenes of its host communities.

The intake process will run from August 19 – November 19, 2022 across the 112 communities for secondary and university applicants for the 2021/2022 academic year.

According to the company’s General Manager Government, Joint Venture and External Relations, Sola Adebawo, about 800 scholars will benefit from this year’s batch of the scholarship initiative.

Since inception in 2012, the OML 30 scholarship scheme has supported over 4,300 scholars from the 112 host communities ensuring access to quality education in secondary schools and universities.

This initiative is in line with the United Nation Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-4) on education.The Chief Executive Officer of HEOSL, Ado Oseragbaje, says the company and its Joint Venture Partners consider education as critical to national development.

He added:“This is why we are committed to supporting educational development in the communities neighbouring our operations as well as in Delta State in general”, he added. The OML 30 scholarship scheme is one of the many corporate social responsibility initiatives facilitated by HEOSL in its areas of operation. The company’s social performance efforts are targeted at the thematic areas of education, health and economic empowerment.”

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Education 0
Asharami Synergy Renovates MMA Police Station in Lagos

Asharami Synergy, a Sahara Group Downstream company, has renovated and upgraded the Police Station on Murtala Muhammed Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos, to enhance security and sustainable community policing.

Managed by Sahara Foundation, the corporate citizenship vehicle of energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, the project is one of Asharami Synergy’s corporate citizenship initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainable development goals in communities where the company operates.

The project which began in June 2022 required a comprehensive structural overhaul on the main building. The project also involved internal and external upgrades, including the introduction of an inverter and solar panels to ensure the station has uninterrupted power for seamless operations. The renovation also included electrical wiring, replacement of the entire roof, windows, and doors, painting, and overhaul of the facility’s toilet systems.

Yemi Odutola, Chief Operating Officer, Asharami Synergy, explained that the inclusion of solar power is in line with Asharami and Sahara Foundation’s unwavering commitment to promoting access to energy and building sustainable environments.

He added: “This energy saving, and sustainability approach applied to the renovation of the MMA Police station would ensure the facility receives power-dependent real time alerts, thereby leading to improved security. Asharami Synergy is delighted at the opportunity to work with the Nigeria Police to achieve this feat’’

The official hand-over ceremony of the renovated station took place on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the MMIA Police station. The event was hosted by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr Joseph Alabi (SP) and had the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command, CP Salem Vincent Amachree as Special Guest of Honour and representative of the Inspector General of Police.

The event was also attended by Deputy Commissioner, Admin and Finance, Mr Ajao Adewale, Head, Corporate Communications, Sahara Group, Bethel Obioma, Head, Aviation and Terminal Operations, Asharami Synergy, Abiodun Olaniyan, Chief Security Officer, Sahara Group, Adeniyi Ige, and Programs Manager, Sahara Foundation Chisomebi Okoroafor,

Speaking,the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Airport Command, CP Salem Vincent Amachree described the renovation of the MMIA Police station as laudable and commended the management of Asharami Synergy and Sahara Foundation for promoting efficiency and service experience through the project.

Amachree,who noted the state of the station prior to the completion of the project, said: “truly the difference is clear for all to see. I assure members of the public of the commitment of the Nigerian Police to safeguarding lives and properties and we look forward to collaboration towards keeping Nigeria secure for all.”

Divisional Police Officer, MMIA Police Station, Mr Joseph Alabi commended Asharami Synergy and Sahara Foundation for delivering the project seamlessly. He said the morale boosting initiative will go a long way to supporting the activities of the station, adding that the renovated station would be fully utilized towards enhaning security in Mafoloku, with an estimated population of about two hundred thousand people.

Programs Manager, Sahara Foundation, Chisomebi Okoroafor, said the MMIA Police station renovation is one out of several renovation projects currently ongoing across the country. Okoroafor listed Ibafon, Ijora, and Onne (in Rivers State) police stations as some of the facilities to have benefitted from the project targeted at promoting sustainable

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Brands&Marketing 0
Jindal Steel & Power Group Moves To Invest In Nigeria

Jindal Steel & Power Group ,a leading world player in Steel, Mines and Infrastructure, is making moves to invest in Nigeria.

The Bureau of Public Enterprises,BPE, is collaborating with the global firm to boost its areas of interest in the country, Director General of the privatization agency, Mr. Alex A. Okoh said.

Ibeh, Uzoma Chidi, BPE’s Head, Public Communications, said in a statement, that a joint committee to work out the modalities for the exercise has been set up with the Director, Industries and Services at the BPE, Mr. Yunana Jackdel Malo heading the BPE’s team while Mr. Mukesh Sharma will head the Jindal Steel & Power Group’s team.

Speaking when he received a delegation from the group, led by its Vice Chairman, Mr V. R. Sharma, which was on a courtesy visit to the Bureau on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, Okoh said there were a lot of potentials in the country in areas of interest for the group.

He mentioned among others, the planned concession of the Zungeru Power Plant which has the capacity to generate about 700 Megawatts when operational and said that already, the Federal Government had procured the services of a Transaction Adviser for its eventual concession.

He disclosed that the planned concession of the Zungeru Dam would be modelled after that of Kainji and Jebba Dams’ concession and that the successful concessionaire would handle it for a period of 30 years.

On another area of interest for the group(steel), Okoh noted that though the three Steel Rolling Companies in the country-Jos, Katsina and Osogbo had been privatised, they were not living up to expectation and that any effort to rev up the sector would be supported.

He told the investors that power which is their main strong hold, has openings in the country as the Federal Government was at the verge of privatizing five of its ten National Integrated Power Plants (NIPPs) which have the combined capacity to generate between 2,300-2,500 megawatts.

He spoke on the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), saying that despite the unbundling of the power sector by the Federal Government in 2013, resulting into 11 Power Distribution Companies and six Generation Companies, TCN was still being retained by the Federal Government but that plans were underway to unbundle it for more efficiency.

In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Group, Mr. V. R. Sharma had said the courtesy visit was to afford the group the opportunity to have firsthand information on areas of investment in Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria was the largest economy in Africa which his group intends to cash in on the vast potentials to invest in Mines, Hydro Power and other areas of interest.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Power 0
Reps Lament NBET’S $33m Monthly Power Generation Deal With Azura

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance on Friday expressed outrage over the decision of the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company, (NBET) to drag the country into Power Purchase Agreements that were detrimental to the interest of the country.

The committee also ordered management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), to immediately commence a review of the Gas Purchase Agreement (GSA) between the Nigerian government and a certain company, for the supply of gas to its Calabar power plant, as it has been discovered that the said company was using the same platform to supply gas to other companies, when the country still pays the $10 million monthly commitment as contained in the initial agreement.

Chairman House committee on Finance, Hon. James Falake said, “The situation we find ourselves and the earlier we, the operators of government agencies, get to know this the better for this country. People complain that Nigeria is borrowing money but those of us that are responsible for revenue management and cost management are just playing to the gallery in a way that satisfies our personal interests. Pure impunity! If an investor comes and says he wants to invest in power, for that investor to invest in power, he must have carried out his own survey to be sure that consumers are available to consume his power.

“It is purely business, what is our responsibility in buying the power from him? Let him sell the power to the people. Nigerians initially felt we needed to intervene in the power sector and provided support. But we are still where we are today. We have millions of Nigerians out of job – out of school but no job because we have no power to provide industries.

“NDPHC, can you please affirm to us, that by Monday, you will review, all I want to hear from you is to review that agreement because that company now has new customers. Please come back here and tell us, that the $10 million has now dropped to $3 million. Nigeria can manage that”, Faleke told Mr Chiedu Ugbo of the company, which he agreed to act on.

The committee was dissatisfied that in about 12 of the Power Purchase Agreement entered into by NBET under the ‘Take or Pay’ arrangement, Nigeria’s monthly commitment in one of them alone was about $30 million, whether the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was able to evacuate for onward delivery to the DISCOs or not.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Company, NBET, Dr. Nnaemeka Eweluka, confirmed that the said agreements were all entered into without recourse to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), as he argued that they were not like normal procurement processes that may require such based on the recommendation of the BPP, saying they only relied on the advise of Attorney General of the Federation, while the Minister of Finance signs on behalf of the Nigerian government.

Reacting to the discoveries, Hon. Falake asked the NBET Managing Director if he has been behind every agreement Nigeria has signed, and how many power agreement he has signed, the amount involved, and if Azura was part of it.

“What is your responsibility in buying the power from him. Let him; the investor sell the power to the people” Falake asked.

In his response, Managing Director NBET Eweluka, said “Azura became operational from 2018, agreement was initially signed in 2013, then there was an addendum of 2014, 2015.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in News 0
Art of Living Foundation launches The Happiness Center

The Art of Living Foundation has officially launched The Happiness Center, in an event presided by the Global Peace Ambassador and founder, Art of Living Foundation, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.

Located in Victoria Island, Lagos, the Center aims at promoting holistic wellness and mitigating lifestyle-related disorders through Yoga, Meditation, and natural therapies. It is founded on the guiding principles of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar that defines health as “a disease-free body, quiver-free breath, stress-free mind, inhibition-free intellect, obsession-free memory, an ego that includes all, and a soul which is free from sorrow”.

The Happiness Centre also offers programmes and courses, including ‘the Happiness Programme’ where breathing techniques and mind relaxation are taught. It harnesses the power of yoga, breathing exercises and meditation combined with essential lifestyle changes to achieve emotional and mental balance, along with vibrant physical health.

Speaking at the launch, the Managing Director, The Happiness Center, Lagos, Akshay Jain, “Happiness is a state of mind, and a calm, focused and blissful state of mind is the key to unlocking a full potential. When the mind is stressed, it shrinks the consciousness. But when you are happy, it is expanded. At The Happiness Center, one is first taught the techniques to relax the mind, followed by emotional control”.

“We achieve it by combining the specific benefits of the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda, yoga, breathwork, meditation, herbal and natural remedies that are uplifting and revitalizing”, he confirmed. “Our qualified team offers the best herbal, Nigerian and Ayurvedic treatments along with breath workshops and dietary consultations”.

Ayurveda, meaning “science of life”, is an alternative medicine system that has been in existence for over 5, 000 years originating from India. It is acclaimed to be one of the oldest holistic healing systems in the world.

The Oniru of Iruland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, commended the foundation for its focus on bringing peace and happiness into the lives of Nigerians. “The Art of Living Foundation has recorded tremendous success at improving relations across world communities, eradicating violence and spreading peace and happiness. The Happiness Centre remains one-of-a-kind globally, and we are all delighted for the remarkable impact it will have in Lagos State”.

admin by — August 20, 2022 in Arts/Entertainment 0