The House of Representatives on Wednesday implored security agencies to fish out oil marketers and other economic saboteurs that may be responsible for the fuel scarcity across the country.

The House also urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as a sole importer to urgently ease off these queues in service stations in the country.

The resolutions of the House was passed following a motion of urgent public importance on (Standing Order 8 Rule4) on a
“Need For The NNPC Limited And Other Regulators In The Petroleum Industry To End The Fuel Scarcity Across The County,” sponsored by Hon. Leke Abajide, (APC, Kogi).

Rep. Abajide,who moved the motion,noted that NNPC Limited is the only importer of premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol, in the country.

He stated that the National Assembly has approved the money for the subsidy on the petroleum products so as to mitigate against unforeseen circumstances in the areas of shortages of the product.

He said:”The House recalled that over three months, there has been persistent scarcity of PMS in many parts of the country and the situation appears to be getting worse.

“Aware that there are uneven pump prices being dispensed by the filling stations across the country which fields speculations that government may have begun to remove subsidy on petrol.

“Also aware that there is allegation of drop in petrol supply to marketers by private depots which is creating a dangerous mindset in the country.

The House maintained that the current fuel crisis across the country may worsen in the days ahead with the introduction of a N16.00 per liter charge.

He further explained that another contributing factor to the scarcity of the product may be unconnected with the increased cost of hiring daughter vessels in the hike in liter charges which hitherto were paid in Naira but now being charged in US Dollars.

He added:”The House is worried that the scarcity is associated with saboteurs among some of the key stakeholders who deliberately manipulated the system.Worried that due to the scarcity Nigerians are exposed to all sorts of hardships which has resulted in a hike in transportation fares and high cost of some major food items.

Adopting the motion, the House said that with the petrol scarcity Nigerians are not finding it easy in their day-to-day livelihood activities.

The House mandated the relevant House Committees to investigate the matter within 48 hours and report to the House.

 

Governor of the Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade has commissioned the first of three drone delivery sites built and operated by Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics.

The facility located in the Nduk community of Ogoja Local Government Area in Cross River State will serve as the base for the storage, management and fulfilment of medical logistics and supplies to more than 300 health facilities in the state.

The commissioning of the facility forms part of an elaborate Universal Health Coverage strategy by the federal and state to deliver medical commodities to health facilities in a timely and more efficient manner within the state.

The governor said the state is partnering with Zipline to link millions of citizens to health interventions to support the efforts of attaining Universal Health Coverage for all in the region.

“Let me, on behalf of the entire people of Cross River State, thank you for bringing this intervention to our State. Your technology is an innovation that has come to save lives, and as a state, we’ll continue to work assiduously to make sure the company strives. The lives of our people are now in good hands because of what I’ve seen here today. I can confidently say that we’re very close to achieving universal health coverage. Be assured of maximum security, a peaceful working environment and a continuous synergy even with the next administration.” – Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade said.

He also expressed his satisfaction at what he termed as “innovative thinking” by the CEO of Zipline Keller Rinaudo and the Zipline team to develop a self-operated drone technology to save lives and help in addressing the barriers of access which is a major concern of the State.

The General Manager of Zipline Nigeria, Catherine Odiase, thanked the government of Cross River State for the unflinching support and collaboration that has made the commissioning of the first drone facility in the state possible.

She said: “The government of Cross River State has made this process a seamless one right from the signing of the MOU to the finishing. Zipline will continue to be efficient and committed to all terms and conditions as agreed and our priority will be saving lives and giving the people of this state the best of services.

“We also do recognize the necessity of time in healthcare delivery and so let me assure you that our drones are reliable and our services are prompt. Our operations in countries like Ghana, Rwanda, the USA, and Japan have produced impressive outcomes, a reason we are excited to add Cross River to our success story”.

The State Commissioner for health, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, commended Zipline for putting technology in such a promising way.

“As a state, I must say we’re lucky to have Zipline come to not only Nigeria but Cross River State. From what I know about Zipline, I am confident that mortality rate will reduce drastically and we’ll get the best of services from them.”With Zipline now in our state, cases such as snake bite can easily be responded to even if the facility does not have the anti-snake venom. Just by a call, Zipline will deliver safely and timely”.

The General Manager of Zipline, Nigeria Catherine Odiase said: “Zipline is a mission-driven company founded on the belief that every person has the right to access reliable, high-quality healthcare. We believe that more efficient, effective, and data-driven global health supply chains are a critical component on the path of universal healthcare.”

The company operates the only national-scale aerial logistics network in the world, powered by the fastest and most reliable long-distance commercial delivery drones.

Zipline’s instant logistics services ensure that health commodities arrive at the place at the right time and in the proper condition regardless of geography, infrastructure or security limitations.

So far, over five hundred thousand (500,000) commercial deliveries, with a delivery record of about six million vaccine doses, three thousand five hundred (3,500) health facilities served, and over forty million people reached.

 

The National Judicial Council has recommended the appointment of 84 Judges and 9 Heads of Courts, in order to enhance speedy justice delivery and post 2023 litigations that may arise from the general elections.

Soji Oye Esq, Director of Information, NJC,in a statement on Wednesday said the candidates were presented for recommendations by an interview panel during its 100th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The recommended Judicial officers would after their appointments, serve at the Federal and state courts in the country,he quoted in the statement.

Those recommended for positions of Chief Judges are;Justice Muhammad Aliyu for Kaduna, Justice Majebi Joe for Kogi, Justice Odusola Olusegun for Ondo, Justice Halima Mohammed for Gombe and Justice Lilian Abai
for Abia State.

Others include;Justice Abdulateef Kamaldeen as Grand Kadi, Kwara State, Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal, President, Customary Court of Appeal, FCT, Justice Monisola Oluwatoyin Abodunde as President, Customary Court of Appeal in Ekiti and Justice Uhuo Patrick Uchenna as President, Customary Court of Appeal, Ebonyi State.

A breakdown of the recommended 84 Judicial officers showed that four are for Ondo High Court and they are Akinbinu Sylvester Femi, Leonard Boyede Ologun, Bolatito Florence Ajibade and Akinwumi Bankole Jacob.

According to the statement,the Customary Court of Appeal in Ekiti has three nominees and they are Lawrence Babatope Ojo, Adegboye Rotimi Adesoji and Ogundele Olufolakemi Olufunke.

Borno State has five for appointment as Judges and they include Amina Mustapha, Ibrahim Mohammed Maina, Hafsatu Isah Bappah, Bukar Malgwi Umar and Mallam Buna Makinta while Anambra has two comprising
Etomike Innocent Ndigwe and Tagbo Chinwuba Anieto.

The five nominated for Sokoto High Court bench are Bashar Ibrahim, Fatima Ahmadu Suka, Abubakar Adamu, Kabiru Muhammad
and Amina Modi Yabo while the Sharia Court of Appeal in the state has two nominees as Kadi and are Idris Adamu and Mustapha Abdullahi Ahmad.

Ogun State High Court has 8 nominees comprising Oluwafunke Omolara Odubanjo,
Adelaja Adeola Ireti, Basirat Bolanle Adebowale, Adebayo Bamidele Adedapo,
Ayodele Adebayo Omoniyi, Sunday Olufemi Adeniyi, Awofeso Ireti-Olu Babatunde and Abimola Christopher Shokunbi.

The two nominees for Bayelsa State High Court are Charlie Ebiyon Duke and Ekadi Amadise Michael while the six for Ebonyi State are Esther Awo Ota, BUkeni Ogoke Stella Ejituruchi, Ruth Obaji Okeh, Blessing Ibeabuchi Chukwu, Christopher Ofoke Mbam and
Francis-Abba Solange Amaka.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria has six nominees including Buhari Sani, Damachi-Onugba Agede Joyce, Hassan Muhammed Yakubu, Sandra Audu Yelwa, Subilim Emmanuel Danjuma and Muhammad Adamu Hamza.

Cross Rivers High Court has two nominees in persons of Okokon Edem Nyong and Amajama Jacob Eneji while the four for Adamawa High Court are Christopher Dominic Mapeo, Ahmed Isa, Mohammed Ibrahim Tola
and Benjamin Lawan Manji.

Besides, Adamawa has one Kadi nominee for its Sharia Court of Appeal in person of Isa Yusuf khalid while its Customary Court of Appeal has another one Judge nominee in person of Adabala Nicholas.

The breakdown showed that Rivers State High Court has five candidates comprising Asivosuo Maccarthy Oriye, Omonigho Nwibani, Comfort Ifikmotu- Awaji Adangor, Prince Chika Mini and Beauty Ihuoma Emmanuel-Okere while its Customary Court of Appeal has two Judges nominees, Odiki Daniel- Kalio and Tetenwi Ngeli Elerabari.

Zamfara High Court has four and they are
Abdullahi Muhammad Gusau, Umar Adulnasir, Saad Garba Gurbin-Bore and Muntaka Ahmad Ya’akubu.

Osun State High Court has four nominees comprising Lasisi Muhammmed Adebayo,
Awe Micheal Oludare, Fatimah Adejoke Sodamade and Owolawi Joseph Olukunle while has one and is Adamu Mohammed Jajere as well as one Kadi for its Sharia Court of Appeal in person of Kasim Mohammed Kasim.

Kaduna State High Court bench has seven candidates and they are Yakubu Bodamasi, Abdullahi Isiaka, Buhari Mohammed Balarabe
Bashir Shitu Yusuf, Nana Fatima Mohammed
John Aku Ambi and Joyce Asabe Akaa’ahs.

Apart from the recommended seven high court Judges, NJC also sought for appointment of five Kadis for Kaduna Sharia Court of Appeal and they are Aminu Ahmad Jumare, Nuhu Mahmud, Murtala Nasir, Abdulrahman Ibrahim and Mahdi Muhammad Suraj.

Also, Kaduna Customary Court of Appeal is to have three Judges and they are
Dorothy Sim Inwulale, Atung Dorcaas Tabitta
and Yusuf Yakubu.

The statement added that Plateau State Customary Court of Appeal has only one Judge nominee in person of Jettei T. Pekun.

The NJC statement indicated that all recommended candidates would be sworn- in upon approval of their recommendations by their respective state governors and State Houses of Assembly.

 

Founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church, Reverend Esther Ajayi, also known as Iya Adura, has urged Christians to back their prayers with action by exercising their civic duties and voting to install their preferred leaders in the forthcoming general elections.

She spoke while fielding questions from journalists at an event recently.

Rev Ajayi said: “My advice to Nigerians is to look at this card I’m holding, this is my PVC. It is your power. I wanted to talk to my people about it today but that didn’t happen because I had to come here. It’s my agenda for our meeting next week.”Again, she added, “the PVC is your power, don’t lose it. Go and vote. That’s the only way you can change whoever is leading. At least your conscience tells you that you’ve got to vote. So, go and vote!”

She didn’t disparage the importance of prayers but emphasized that prayers alone won’t cut it as there is a part of prayers that must be executed by the individual praying.

“Prayer will help you. Prayer is important, but when you carry out the practical aspect of prayer it enhances the prayer, and makes it go straight to God,” she said.

In a separate incident, she hinted on how Nigerians could navigate the year 2023 successfully in a press release as she welcomes the body of Christ to what she termed “2023: the Year of Possessing My Possessions.”

In part, the statement admonished Christians to be more graceful, and more loving.

Quoting sections of the Holy Bible, which preaches love as the principal virtue,the cleric implored Christians to develop and nurture relationships in line with the deed of Jesus Christ.

“Yes, one must be mindful of acquaintances with ulterior motives, but as much as possible have peace with all men. There is a place for healthy interpersonal relationship. That’s what Hebrews 12:14 tells us.That is the counsel of God, and the benefits are not just personal. It goes a long way,” she added.

Ajayi,who said globally,times are hard,advised Christians to stay prayerful and try to improve on their approach to evolving innovations and technologies.

She added:“Times are changing fast, and unemployment rate is increasing. Even well-educated people are finding it difficult to get jobs, and this puts extra strains on families. But with prayers and the right attitude to emerging fields and current technologies, I’m sure Nigerians will have better chances in 2023”