Lagos Shuts Chrisland School Over Pupils’s Death

Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Education has shut Chrisland School, Opebi-Ikeja over reported sudden death of a 12-year-old student of the School, Whitney Adeniran during the school’s inter-house sport.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, said the closure was ordered, pending the outcome of a full investigation into the unfortunate incident.

She commiserated with deceased’s parents and prayed for the repose of her soul.

She added:“We also note the impact of this unfortunate event on family, friends and acquaintance of Whytney and call for calm as we assure that no effort will be spared in investigating the incident”.

Allow Old, New Naira To Run For One Year, Tinubu Tells CBN

By Omobolanle Shosanya

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) has implored the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to allow the old and new naira notes to co-exist as legal tender for one year.

He said the step will be in line with practices elsewhere where such policy is successfully implemented seamlessly,adding that the development will “remove growing tension in the country, eliminate panic reactions by the populace and allow time to scale up infrastructural gaps around alternative payment options to cash”.

According to him, his campaign has no problem with CBN’s Naira redesign and cashless policy but is concerned about the hardship it inflected on Nigerians

He said: “I and my running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima and our campaign council do not have anything against the CBN Naira redesign and cashless policy in principle. We are,however, only concerned about its disruptive implementation and the hardship it has brought on the generality of our people who currently can’t access their hard-earned money to meet obligations and the attendant consequences on the informal sector, where majority operate”.

He described the past few weeks as harrowing for most Nigerians,saying:” I have felt the brunt of the combined problems of scarcity of fuel and new Naira notes”, the APC presidential candidate urged the CBN to consider the following:

“We advise the immediate suspension of associated charges on online transactions and bank transfers and payments via POS until the current crisis is fully resolved. This cost should be considered a roll-out expense by the CBN to incentivise the envisaged shift to alternative transaction channels; for both the financial services consuming public and those in charge of implementing the scale-up programme.

“Mobilize all Money Deposit Banks, Payment platforms to show clear commitment and timelines on expanding their infrastructure and support services. Bring in Fintech companies with capabilities into currency swap programme for the next 90 days to help decongest banking halls and ATM points where people line up for hours.

“The Central Bank and other relevant MDA’s should form an Inter-Agency Action Committee for immediate oversight over the cash supply gaps from the Nigerian Security and Minting Company and deal with issues around capabilities and turn around time to meet the needs of the informal sector and unbanked people.

“The CBN, National Orientation Agency and Ministry of Information, State and Local Governments with their relevant organs in both the public and private sectors should commence a major public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign to further educate and empower our people on the new naira and cashless policy for better understanding and mainstream adoption”.

He said that the goal of leaders should be how to make life less stressful for the majority of people, leaving no one behind

Kano Closes Supermarket Rejecting Old Notes

By Tunde Sholanke

Kano state government, through the Consumer Protection Council, on Sunday, shut popular supermarket, Wellcare, over refusal to accept old Naira notes.

Acting chairman of the Consumer Protection Council,Baffa Babba Danagundi,disclosed that the supermarket was shut shortly after Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje gave the order.

According to him,the order of the closure was sequel to the failure of WellCare Supermarket to accept the old naira notes from customers as against the instruction of the state government.

He warned other marketers in Kano to be aware that the state government has not banned the use of old Naira notes, therefore, any shop caught not receiving the old notes will be dealt with decisively.

Wellcare Alliance Limited wrote a letter of apology to the government, seeking an immediate intervention to re-open the supermarket after the closure.

Kano is currently challenging the naira redesign policy in court.

SEC, NAIC Move To Strengthen Commodities Trading System

The Securities and Exchange Commission has expressed its readiness to partner with the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation in a bid to further deepen the commodities trading ecosystem.

Director General of the SEC, Mr. Lamido Yuguda,who stated this during a meeting with the Management of NAIC in Abuja,weekend,expressed SEC’s commitment to develop the commodities ecosystem as a potent way forward in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable foreign exchange earnings and economic development.

He said:“In the past few months, this has been exacerbated by low oil production and oil theft in the country. This has often resulted in foreign exchange shortages and balance-of-payment problems.

He said the commission as part of its implementation of the 10-year Capital Market Master Plan, constituted a Technical Committee on commodities Trading Ecosystem whose mandate was to identify challenges of the existing framework and develop a roadmap for a vibrant ecosystem.

“A committee comprising of various stakeholders including the SON was set up to drive the implementation of the report. One of the recommendations in the report identified the development of grading and standardisation system in line with international best practice. We are therefore willing to also work with NAIC to grow the commodities sector.

He stated that the SEC and NAIC have a lot of things in common as both organisations are government agencies working towards the growth of the commodities sector of the economy.

According to him, “The SEC has been doing a lot of things in the commodities sector and the role of NAIC in this sector cannot be over emphasized and based on that, we would like to explore areas of collaboration to see how far we can help grow that sector together.

He said there are markets that need these commodities that are produced in Nigeria but lamented that the only impediment at the moment is lack of standards which he stated, is the reason why some of the commodities are not being accepted in the international market for now.

He assured that the SEC is working hard to ensure that agricultural produce meet international specifications for export hence the need to also work with NAIC in a bid to be able to mitigate various risks in the ecosystem when they happen adding, “This sector is key to our country’s future. If we can harness it, it will greatly improve the economy of this country.

Executive Commissioner Operations of the SEC, Mr. Dayo Obisan said enormous opportunities abound in the entire agricultural value chain, that if well harnessed would lead to further development of the nation’s economy.

He added:“There has been a couple of developments in the commodities side, the entire value chain is quite large. The farmers want someone to take up the crops, even local companies in Nigeria can do that. They need quality seeds as well as the funds to buy them. If the sector is not de risked, it will be difficult to attract investors”

Speaking,Managing Director of NAIC Mrs Folashade Joseph,said that her organisation is willing and available to push forward any initiative that will add value to the population and the nation’s economy.

She said:“It is a privilege to do this, as things begin to evolve, we try to push forward what will add value to the population. Our focus is on commodities. There are various evolving issues during the course of our business as insurers because we manage across the value chain”.

She added that in areas of storage and insurance issues, the collaboration will be of great benefit to all parties involved and assured that NAIC is ready to provide their expertise in anything that will add value to the commodities ecosystem.

Ramadan: Islamic Forum Seeks Shift In 2023 Census Date

 

Islamic Forum of Nigeria,has advised the Federal Government to postpone this year’s census to another date after Ramadan.

The National Population Commission has already fixed the 2023 exercise by next March/April 2023 which coincides with Ramadan, a month long fasting period for Muslim faithful.

Executive Secretary of the Forum , Professor Salisu Shehu,conveyed the group’s plea in a statement on Sunday.

He explained that the forum has observed with serious concern that, the time scheduled for the conduct of the national population census, appears to be the month which Muslims worldwide observe their obligatory fasting.

He said that, the exercise is a very rigorous one, involving travels across the entire region, where ad-hoc staff can be posted to any part of the country, and remote areas away from their places of origin.

He emphasized that “generally, Muslims, especially those that will travel to remote non-Muslim areas will not even find the convenience and the conducive environment to observe their spiritual duties in Ramadan like Tarawih prayers at nights, the Sahur and Iftar,Tafseer”

According to him, muslims all over the country, staff involved and the people to be enumerated, would find it difficult to cope with the hardship, that may be occasioned by travels in long distances and rigors of the exercise.

He begged Federal Government of Nigeria, to consider the plight the population of over one-Hundred and twenty mllion (120,000,000) Nigerians and therefore, prevail on the National Population Commission, to postpone the exercise to a more conducive and convenient time after Ramadan.

He stressed that,given the ongoing difficulty of the new bank notes scarcity, coupled with staying at home for five days during the exercise, Nigerians would definitely face more difficulties that also needs to be considered by the National Population Commission.

Edo: NNPC, Sahara Group Provide Uninterrupted Electricity To Ajoki Community

Enageed Resource Limited, a Sahara Group upstream company and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) have delivered uninterrupted power supply to Ajoki community in Edo State

The Enageed Resource Ajoki Gas-to-Power project generates a combined capacity of 1Megawatt round-the-clock electricity from gas, in keeping with Sahara Group’s commitment to promoting access to clean energy and spearheading seamless energy transition in Africa,a statement said on Sunday.

The project had the NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS) and the Edo State Government as key partners,according to the statement

“What we initially thought was a pipe dream has eventually become a reality,” said Scott Omasan, Secretary of Ajoki community at the handover ceremony. “The test run has been on since December last year and now the project is in full gear. Now, small businesses, healthcare, and commercial activities will be transformed in Ajoki. Even residents of neighbouring communities now flock into Ajoki to do one business or the other because of the uninterrupted power in our community,” Omasan added in the statement.

According to Olubunmi Lawson, Head Sustainable Community Development, who represented Bala Wunti, Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NUIMS, the project will foster increased agricultural and economic productivity, higher revenues, better healthcare, and make the environment cleaner.

“NNPC Limited is committed to timely delivery of social impact projects across the nation. I want to encourage the good people of Ajoki community to continue to collaboratively work with Enageed Resources Limited to ensure the sustainability of this laudable project,” she said.

Henry Menkiti, Chief Operating Officer, Asharami Energy (A Sahara Group Upstream Company) said, “what we are witnessing today is the product of Sahara Group’s unwavering commitment to seamless stakeholder relations everywhere we operate. We enjoy the support of our host communities where we call home because we continue to work with a shared vision that is centred on making a difference responsibly.”

Menkiti said Asharami Energy remained committed to effectively adapting and responding to climate change trends and positioning the business to harness emerging opportunities.

Also speaking at the event, Ejiro Gray, Director, Governance and Sustainability, Sahara Group, described the project as an outstanding achievement for the energy conglomerate, considering the endless opportunities it offers the Ajoki Community.

“As a responsible organization, one of the key parameters for measuring our progress is to also measure how well our communities are doing. This Gas-to-Power project is so important to us because we’re essentially taking a resource that is available in the community and using it to produce something that is beneficial to Ajoki and its environs” she said.

Shegun Eloa and Esther Koma, the youth and women leader respectfully of Ajoki, lauded Enageed Resource and Sahara Group for giving the community “a new lease of life.”

The Olareaja of Ajoki Community, Pa Joseph Agbaga said the community would ensure the safety of the power plant and continue to work with Enageed harmoniously. “Enageed and Sahara Group have always stood out in their approach to working with the community and Ajoki is grateful for this power project that will now make Ajoki stand out in the Niger Delta,” he added.

Babatomiwa Adesida, Head, Stakeholder and Community Relations said the gas-to-power project was the most recent sustainable project which Enageed had implemented in Ajoki.

He said the firm had previously executed other sustainable projects in the areas of health, education, capacity building and infrastructural development.

He further stated that these projects have resulted in the significant development of the community, promoted a sense of ownership amongst the people and led to peaceful operations of Enageed within the community.

Enageed Resource, the operator of Oil Mining License (ML) 148, commenced the Ajoki Electrification Project in 2019 with the aim of converting flared gas (at the flow station) to electric power for 24-hour electricity supply to Ajoki Community.

Polls: Shun Hatred, Violence, Group Advises Epe Residents

The Club Seventies Epe, a non-governmental organisation, has implored indigenes of Epe community and all stakeholders in the state to eschew hatred, anger and violence as the nation prepares for the 2023 general elections.

Its President, Mr Adelaja Hassan,gave the counsel during the club’s monthly meeting and sensitisation campaign in Epe.

He explained that the caution became necessary for indigenes and residents to toe the path of peace during the forthcoming general elections.

He implored the residents to ensure they exercise their civic duties in a manner reflective of the tolerant and non-violent principles of the people of Epe.

He also advised residents not to allow politicians to ignite conflict and use them to perpetrate illegality before, during and after the election.

The association’s president urged residents to make wise decisions at the polls and vehemently reject moves to be drawn into any form of violent acts during the elections.

“I urge residents to understand that politics will come and go, but the spirit of the Epe enterprise will endure and continue to flourish.There is no political office that should compel us to shed the blood of our brothers or sisters.

“There is no ambition that is so deep and sacred that we would be willing to turn our community and state into a cauldron of violence in order to satisfy our craving for power,” he advised.

He noted that Epe community remains an embodiment of peace and tranquility,adding that same should be sustained in the interest of all.

He added:“We will never go back to the years of violence and the years where we couldn’t sleep with our eyes closed.We will not return to the years where politically motivated killings becloud our sensibilities and made us question the central purpose of governance, which is the security of lives and property.

“Let us continue to join hands to build the Lagos State of our dream and secure a future of prosperity,peace and growth for our children and generations yet unborn.That same God that has stood by us all along on this journey of growth and development, I trust will see us through the coming years”.

2023: Alboni Canvasses Votes For Atiku, Says Track Records Unprecedented

 

A Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and the National Deputy Secretary, Nigerian Business Communities ( NBC) for Atiku / Okowa, Barrister Sam Aiboni, has described the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, as a leader whose track records in all facets of life remain unbeatable.

Aiboni, who made these remarks during his sensitization tour of Ikoyi and Victoria Island in the Eti – Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State recently, noted that Alhaji Atiku had not only contributed immensely to the nation’s socio – economic development, but had successfully stood against the absurdities of life and raised the bar for equity, courage, justice and peace.

He explained that Nigerians won’t forget in a hurry the PDP’s achievements under the Obasanjo / Atiku administration in the areas of infrastructural and human capital initiatives as well as life transforming developmental projects through a well articulated policy direction under the supervision of Alhaji Atiku as the Chairman of the government’s economic team.

He noted that during the Obasanjo / Atiku administration, the Alhaji Atiku led Economic team accelerated the rebuilding of a virile, strong and economically viable country, which offered Nigerians unequalled opportunities to erect enduring blocks that got quality of the people’s life elevated.

Barrister Aiboni said that on assessment of all the presidential candidates, none was comparable to Alhaji Atiku in his patriotism and belief in the unity of Nigeria.

He further stated that all leaders and teeming members of the PDP must have considered Alhaji Atiku’s stirling qualities of steadfastness, honesty, exemplary leadership, business acumen and proven integrity before entrusting hm with the party’s presidential ticket.

He, however described the PDP presidential candidate as a poltician of moral courage and rectitude whose passion and dedication to the advancement of the Nigerian society were unequalled.

” We in the business world and the political class in particular and Nigerians in general are happy that Alhaji Atiku, a man with horrendous achievements and a big zest that has provided the platform for many to rest, is making himself available to serve his fatherland and we are happy to identify with him in his determination to ensure the nation’s over all development.

The NBC National Deputy Secretary thanked the leadership of the party and all the teeming members for their choice of Alhaji Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate, stressing that this has, no doubt, demonstrated an open identification with an emerging success story.

Imploring the people to cast their votes for the PDP presidential candidate on February 28,25 Barr. Aiboni assured Nigerians that the future of the country under Alhaji Atiku would witness a greater level of development in all areas of life with the implementation of people – oriented programmes that would impact in an unprecedented manner on the life of the people.

Fuel Scarcity: Transport Groups Shelve Plan To Picket NNPCL’s Headquarters

 

Group of transporters who threatened a 78-hour ultimatum to occupy the headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPL over acute fuel and scarcity have suspended the action.

The action was sequel to the intervention of the Mele Kyari-led management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, NNPL and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva to resolve the fuel crisis.

Last Monday,the groups which identified themselves as Commercial Motorcycles Association of Nigeria, (COMAN), Tricycles Owners Association of Nigeria (TOWAN), National Association of Traders of Nigeria, (NASTAN), Luxurious Bus Operators Union (LUBOU), Market Women Association of Nigeria (MAWAN) and Trailer Drivers Association of Nigeria, TADAN issued a Communique, and gave a 78-hour to the NNPL to resolve fuel crisis.

But a statement issued on Sunday by the group leaders, Boniface Ikedi, Basil Ekanem and four others lauded the NNPCL for ease of fuel scarcity, urging for its sustainability at the critical time.

They put-off of strike on account of the improvement in availability of fuel across the country.

They said:”Our members have monitored activities of some filling stations across the six geographical zones and discovered availability of fuel with a fair pump price adjusted between N195 to N198 per litre.”

The groups said the red alert issued to our members have been withdrawn, while they have been asked to go about their normal businesses.

The statement read: “We acknowledged prompt intervention in the fuel scarcity which has led to its availability across the country.We commend the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL, Mele Abba Kyari and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva for their effort so far, no doubt made fuel available”.