All Posts in "Day: January 9, 2024"

Tinubu Sacks FCCPC, BPE Bosses

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the Chief Executive Officers of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC)Mr. Babatunde Irukera and Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr. Alexander Ayoola Okoh.

A statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President on Monday, noted that the two dismissed Chief Executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers.

The presidency said by this directive of the President, their removal from office takes immediate effect.

Ngelale also noted that the action was in conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in News 0
Tinubu Congratulates Keyari On Birthday

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Tinubu felicitates the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, as he marks his birthday on Monday

He commends the diligence, passion, and expertise the foremost geologist brings to tasks as one of the longest-tenured chief executives in the history of Africa’s most valuable energy company,
Chief Ajuri Ngelale,Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity),said in a statement.

“Mele is a man of action, rather than words. He is proactive in his approach. His ability to diagnose complicated problems with thoughtful and pragmatic solutions has created a path for him to continue rendering valuable service to our nation. I wish him a happy birthday,” the President says.

He prays that Almighty Allah grant the business executive more wisdom and strength in his service to Nigeria.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in News 0
New Kaduna Electric Boss Resumes,Tasks Staff On Improved Service Delivery

Mohammed Shosanya

Dr. Umar Abubakar Hashidu has taken over the reigns as the Chief Executive Officer of Kaduna Electric. He took over from Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya who left the company last week.

A statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, on Monday, said a brief handover ceremony presided over by Mr. Dafe Okpaneye, the NERC Commissioner for Legal Licensing and Compliance, was conducted at the company’s corporate headquarters in Kaduna.

The statement quoted that,at the ceremony which was followed by a short interaction with staff, Mr. Okpaneye thanked the former MD for the work he had put in in the past 18 months to move the company forward. He charged Dr. Hashidu to harness the talent and resources available to him to take Kaduna Electric to greater heights.

Addressing the Executive Management Committee members and staff, Dr. Hashidu urged every staff to look in the mirror and challenge themselves to do better. He stressed his belief in the ability of the management and staff to change the negative narrative about Kaduna Electric to a positive one.

In his farewell remarks, Engr. Yusuf also appreciated all staff for the support he got during his time amd urged everyone to extend the same support to the mew helmsman.

Management and staff took turns to welcome the new CEO with a promise of extending their full cooperation to him for the success of Kaduna Electric and wished the former MD the best in his future endeavours,according to the statement.

Prior to his appointment, Dr. Hashidu was the erstwhile Managing Director of North East Development Commission (NEDC) and also of Yola Electricity Distribution Company,the statement quoted.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Power 0
NUC Speaks On100 Fake Professors In Varsities

Mohammed Shosanya

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has debunked a media report circulating on the social media, some national dailies and television stations, that the Commission has just “discovered over 100 fake Professors in Nigerian Universities”.

Acting Executive Secretary of NUC, Chris Maiyaki refuted the claims in a statement made available to the press on Monday in Abuja.

He said the NUC wishes to deny these media reports categorically and unequivocally. As they are fake, untrue and a figment of the imagination of the author(s), all happening at an unsuitable time, when the nation is awaiting the outcome of the investigation into the fake certificate saga from universities in some neighbouring countries.

Maiyaki said the Commission finds this development as unfair to all stakeholders.

He said the fake news items have been circulating in two forms – as a link to a 2019 online news item; and as a separate list of names of the alleged fake Professors in various Nigerian Universities,which was not the case.

According to him, “we consider these unfounded publications as ill-conceived and a ploy by unscrupulous persons to create in plausible a tone, disquiet, panic and provoking outcries at both the national and international levels.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission can confirm that it initiated in 2019 a laudable project, with the intent of compiling and publishing a list of full Professors in the Nigerian Universities System (NUS) through the use of an online portal to collate the requisite data. During the exercise, the NUC found anomalies, such as Associate Professors being listed as full Professors.

“It is essential to also state clearly that the Commission as a responsible Federal Government Agency, does not engage in half-baked exercises capable of tarnishing the image of Nigeria and the NUS.

“That was why the Commission deemed it necessary to share the collated data with the Nigerian Universities for the purpose of authentication by the competent authourities as to who qualifies to be a full professor. Based on the verified data, the Commission then in a landmark accomplishment, first published the list of full Professors who participated in the exercise in 2019.

” It was understood that this would be succeeded by a continuous process of updating the list of full Professors. It is important to state at this point that all the issues pertaining to the 2019 verification of full Professors in Nigerian Universities were concluded in 2019.

“Since then, the Commission has entrenched a more reliable system of generating the list of full Professors in the NUS. The Commission is also conscious of the fact that some of the academics not captured in the 2019 exercise may now have matured and progressed to become full Professors; this being the reason why it continuously updates the list of full Professors in the NUS.

“The National Universities Commission questions the rationale behind recycling this stale 2019 news of an activity it initiated, conducted and laid to rest in the same year. The purpose and objective of resurrecting in 2024 (more than 4 years later) this-no-longer-fresh news, is clearly intended to generate unnecessary controversy at an unsuitable time, whilst lacing it with a false list of fake Professors.

“The National Universities Commission owes it a solemn duty to protect and guard the integrity of the many hardworking and committed academics in the NUS, who have earned national and international respect and recognition. Therefore, the Commission has been saddled with the vital and strategic responsibility by its enabling laws, to uphold the sanctity of quality in all aspects of our University Education delivery.

“The Commission wishes to use this medium to advise Government officials at all levels, members of the NUS, the international community, and the public, to please disregard these items of fake and stale news which have long been laid to rest in 2019”.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Education 0
Emefiele Gets N100m Damages

Mohammed Shosanya

Justice Kayode Adeniyi of
High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday, ordered the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to pay the sum of N100m to the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emfiele over unlawful detention without trial.

The order was sequel to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the embattled former CBN Governor against the Federal Government agency.

In the verdict,the court held that the prolonged detention of Emefiele in the custody of the Department of State Services without trial was a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights.

Justice Adeniyi also restrained the Federal Government and its agents from re-arresting or detaining Emefiele without an order of court.

“It is hereby declared that the actions of the first and fourth respondents and its agents incarcerating the applicant’s from June 13, 2023, to October 26, 2023, when he was transferred to the custody of the fourth respondent and his further detention by the third and fourth respondents without arraignment in the court of law for the commission of any offence up until November 8, 2023, when by the order of this court when the applicant was released on bail to his senior learned counsel constitutes a flagrant violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights to personal liberty preserved by the provision of section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979, and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right.

“Also, a sum of N100m only is hereby awarded in favour of the applicant against the first and fourth respondents jointly as damages for the unlawful violation of his fundamental right to personal liberty, the court ordered.

The court added that, “without prejudice to its powers with respect to the criminal trial the applicant is currently facing at the High Court of the FCT, the respondents are hereby restrained either by themselves, their officers, agents, or any person acting on their behalf from further re-arresting or detaining the applicant without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction”.

In the rights enforcement suit, Emefiele had prayed the court to order the respondents to pay him N1bn damages and to restrain them from further arresting and or detaining him.

The former CBN Governor was arrested on June 10, 2023, shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Law/Human Rights 0
Sexual Assault:Court Remands Suspended UNICAL Lecturer In Kuje Prison

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, on Monday, ordered that Professor Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the conclusion of his bail application.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had on Monday, arraigned Ndifon in court on a 4-count charge over an alleged sexual misconduct against some of his students.

The Professor of Law however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

After taking his plea, counsel to the defendant, Okon Efut had urged the court to grant bail to his client as the application to that effect was filed on on January 2, 2024.

However, counsel to the ICPC, Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha opposed the bail application on the ground that one of the lawyers representing the defendant, Barrister Sunny Anyanwu had allegedly threatened one of the star witnesses ICPC lined up for the trial.

In his defence, Barrister Anyanwu, who had earlier argued that the name of the said witness was not listed in the charges read, later told the court that it was the ‘witness’ that called him.

Justice Omotosho however directed Barrister Anyanwu to file his affidavit of fact within 48 hours over the threat allegation of ICPC witness leveled against him.

He also ruled that the defendant, Professor Cyril Ndifon, be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre till Wednesday, January 10, 2024 when hearing on his bail application would be concluded.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Crime/Metro 0
Diri To FG:Stop Using Non-State Actors To Protect Oil Assets

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has implored the Federal Government to review its policy of using non-state actors in its effort to secure the country’s maritime environment.

Diri, who expressed concern that the continued use of such unconventional security agents might cause greater security challenges in the near future, called for the strengthening of the Nigerian Navy to perform its constitutional responsibility.

He spoke during a courtesy visit to him by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, at Government House in Yenagoa on Monday.

Represented by his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor stressed that private individuals and groups should not be allowed to execute oil pipelines surveillance and protection contracts independent of the supervision of conventional security agencies.

In a statement issued by Mr Doubara Atasi, the deputy governor’s Senior Special Assistant on Media, Diri pointed out that safeguarding the nation’s territorial waters is the exclusive preserve of the Navy and should be supported in every way possible to enable it effectively secure oil and other critical national assets in coastal communities.

He stated that, “already there had been reported cases of violation of human rights and security breaches by surveillance contractors in local communities around the state.”

He commended officers and men of the Nigerian Navy serving in Bayelsa for demonstrating professionalism in discharging their official duties which had helped the state to remain one of the most peaceful states in the country.

Calling on the navy to sustain the tempo, Diri suggested to the Chief of Naval Staff to give official recognition and rewards to the officers for their professional efficiency so far.

He said, “The cry of the Bayelsa State Government is that non-state actors are not the best to protect our oil assets. In the name of oil pipeline protection contracts, most of them violate the rights of our people in our localities. Let us not do things that we will regret as a country tomorrow. What the Federal Government is doing right now is like cutting the nose to spite the face.

“You don’t need to cut off your head because you have rotten teeth. You simply look for toothbrush. You will be surprised that we will get to a point where some of these non-state actors will start to challenge us.

“I will suggest that the Nigerian Navy should be allowed to play that role to protect our critical oil assets. The Federal Government should therefore rejig or reinvent its security strategy to securing these assets.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said the Nigerian Navy could not do without Bayelsa State in view of the state’s strategic location and the critical oil and gas facilities it is hosting in the Niger Delta.

Ogalla, who described the recent electoral victory of the governor and his deputy as a true victory for the people of Bayelsa, appealed to the government and people of the state to sustain their goodwill towards the Navy for better services.

The Chief of Naval Staff particularly called on oil-bearing communities to see the Navy as a friend and to show cooperation in the provision of credible information to curb criminality in the state.

He said: “Bayelsa and the Nigerian are partners because Bayelsa is in the core of the Niger Delta. Bayelsa holds a lot of resources in oil and gas, and the protection of these assets is a key role of the Navy. The Navy’s duty is to create an enabling environment for the oil companies to produce their maximum output, and there has been significant improvement so far in the last six months.

“This is possible with the cooperation of the Bayelsa State Government and the people; the Bayelsa State Government has also provided resources to the Navy. So we have a cordial relationship with the oil-producing communities, and we need more cooperation in intelligence and information to curb criminality around the facilities.”

admin by — January 9, 2024 in News 0
PH Refinery Pipeline Rupture Causes Spill,As Group Seeks Compensation

Mohammed Shosanya

An oil pipeline supplying crude oil to the Port Harcourt refinery has ruptured in K-Dere Community, Gokana Local Government Area, causing a massive oil spillage and environmental devastation in the area.

The pipeline which ruptured on Wednesday, January 3, was temporarily mitigated with a cement barricade to enable continuous transportation of crude needed for the test run of the refinery.

This was as the affected community following the incident, resisted attempts by the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company Limited (PPMC), the company managing the facility to permanently fix the damaged portion, insisting that a joint investigation be carried out first before permanent repairs would be allowed.

Meanwhile, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), following the unfortunate incident has called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to carry out a compressive Joint investigation into the spill to ascertain the cause of the pipeline rupture.

The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, in a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday urged NOSDRA to clean up the affected area and also pay compensation to the community should it be confirmed that the damage was caused by equipment failure.

Fyneface said, “The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), through its Crude Oil Spill Alert System (COSAS), has received a report of an oil spill in K-Dere Community in Gokana LGA (Ogoni), Rivers State.

“The Executive Director of YEAC-Nigeria, Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, who was notified of the incident on January 3, called on NOSDRA to immediately carry out JIV on the facility to determine the cause of the spill and invoke relevant sections of the Petroleum Industry Act (2021) in the circumstances, which include payment of adequate compensation to the community if confirmed to be equipment failure and cleaning up the spill site.”

Fyneface added, “The incident, which was reported as having happened on January 3, 2024, is said to have occurred on the PPMC pipeline right of way pumping crude to the Port Harcourt Refinery.

“Efforts by the PPMC to fix the spill point are currently stalled by the community until JIV is carried out, but the company has temporarily stopped the spill with a cement barricade to enable it to continue the transportation of crude needed for the test run of the Port Harcourt refinery, pending when requirements are met and expected permanent repairs are expected on the spill point.”

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Oil&Gas 0
Ondo: Amotekun Rearrests Man 72hours After Release From Prison

Mohammed Shosanya

Twenty one-year-old Simon Matthew, was Monday paraded at Amotekun Corps headquarters, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State capital, for stealing and drug peddling again.

He was just out of prison having completed a jail term on January 1, 2024 after he was convicted for similar crime

Seventy-two hours after leaving the correctional centre, he was arrested for the same crimes he went to jail for

Simon Matthew from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State was among the 29 crime suspects arrested in continuation of 24hours security patrol by Amotekun Corps with the support of other security agencies in the State during the Yuletide across all the 18 local government areas of the state .

The suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from kidnapping to stealing of motorbikes.

Corps Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said: “The ex-convict claimed to be a drug dealer who also engaged in robbery activities. We equally have about four suspects that violated the anti-grazing law of the state.

“The ex-convict, Simon Matthew, claimed to be a drug barron dealer and had been convicted for drug and robbery activities and that was exactly what he did again.

“In the last one week, we were able to arrest 29 suspects that were involved in different forms of security breaches which ranges from kidnapping, armed robbery, house breaking, shop lifting, stealing of motorcycles among others.

“The same way, those that were involved in illegal possession of firearms and have been on our watchlist in the last five months were arrested with guns, locally made pistol with which they perpetrate evil .

“Towards the yuletide season, we made it clear that there was not going to be any major bank robbery, or robbery operation throughout.

“I want to thank officers of the the Amotekun Corps, the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the DSS, and those that joined hands in ensuring that safety of lives and properties in Ondo State throughout the yuletide period was not compromised.”

Dismissing as spurious the report that bandits invaded Ondo community and overwhelmed operatives of the Amotekun Corps Adeleye said the purveyors of the report were plotting to dowse the morale of operatives of the formation.

He said: “It is so obvious that the said writer of the story did so for selfish gain of a certain quarter which the main intention was to dowse the morale of the Corps in the state over such mischievous write-up.

“We advise the general public to ignore such fake news and go about their legitimate businesses as the Akoko area of the state is safe for movement as the joint security agencies are fully on ground to ensure safety of lives and properties.

“As we talk now, the state is one of the safest. You will recall that early November will reassured members of the public that they are going to enjoy the Xmas and New Year holidays without fear of being molested. We placed it on record that there would not be bank robbery in Ondo state.

“So, I want to say that it was a cheap blackmail orchestrated by enemies of progress of the state and it is aimed at discrediting the Corps but we refused to be distracted.

“We will continue to serve our people and provide a quality security services that we are reputed for and it was what we all know that the 18 local government areas in Ondo state are safe from all these criminal activities. We refused to be distracted by the mischief-makers who are determined to rubbish the integrity of the Amotekun.”

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Crime/Metro 0
Asharami Energy Senegal Solar Solution Saves Daaray Orphanage 500,000 CFA Monthly Electricity Bills

Mohammed Shosanya

Asharami Energy Senegal, a Sahara Group Company has delivered a clean and sustainable solar powered energy solution to the Daaray Serigne Saliou Mbacke orphanage, saving the facility up to 500,000 CFA in monthly electricity bills.

A foremost orphanage located in, Kounoune, Daaray Serigne Saliou Mbacke orphanage is home to more than 100 children. Implemented in collaboration with the Sahara Foundation, the project reinforces Sahara Group’s commitment to promoting clean and sustainable energy across its locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Asharami Energy Senegal is a leading provider of energy solutions, facilitating access to top quality petroleum products which contribute to powering socio-economic activities in the West African nation.

According to Nana Yaw Asare Adu, Country Manager, Asharami Energy, the project involved installation of 24 solar panels and 24 solar powered batteries to power all electrical appliances in the orphanage including air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machine, among others.

“Asharami Energy Senegal is delighted to have been given the privilege to bring energy to life responsibly to the orphanage to ensure seamless operations to drive uninterrupted learning, fun and laughter for the children. Through this project we are saving the orphanage more than 500,000FCFA in monthly electricity bills and we are excited to be making a difference in the lives of the wonderful children at the orphanage,” he said.

Speaking on the company’s commitment to transforming lives in Senegal, Awa Diouf, Business Development Officer, Asharami Energy Senegal would continue to explore implementation of critical projects with the Sahara Foundation and other stakeholders in Senegal to enhance social impact and sustainable development.

Commending Asharami Energy for “lighting up the orphanage with the power of the sun”, Ndeye Awa Sadio the donation, Ndeye Awa Sadio, founder said the project would ease the burden of electricity bills and give the orphanage an opportunity to plan effectively in the best interest of the children.

Sadio said the solar solution would give the orphanage the opportunity to plough what would have been expended on electricity bills into other crucial operational requirements at the facility.

“On behalf of our exceptional children, we would like to thank Asharami Energy Senegal and the Sahara Foundation for this truly remarkable project. Access to more power can only mean wings to the aspirations of our children and excellent service delivery in our facility. We are excited about the future of our orphanage and its capacity to shape the lives of the children we serve. Thank you so much, Asharami Energy Senegal,” said Sadio.

admin by — January 9, 2024 in Power 0