The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Oyo clarifies dissolution of boards, commissions, agencies

    Oyo clarifies dissolution of boards, commissions, agencies

    • Farmers want state to become country’s food basket

    Oyo State has made clarification on the status of commissions, boards and agencies, saying all, except the statutory ones, stand dissolved.

    A June 15 circular signed by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi, exempted the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission board and six others from the dissolution. 

    The circular reads: “With reference to the circular of May 23, 2023 (ref.No TIA/4) on the above subject, I write to provide further clarifications on the Statutory Commissions exempted from the directive.

    “All Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals are affected by the directive except the following:

    “Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission; Oyo State Judicial Service Commission; Oyo State Civil Service Commission; Local Government Service Commission; House of Assembly Commission; Oyo State Teaching Service Commission and Oyo State Audit Commission.”

    The statement enjoined MDAs to ensure strict adherence to provisions of the circular.

    All-Farmers Association of Nigeria in the state wants it to become the food basket of Nigeria.

    The Secretary, Adewunmi Abass, stated this wish when the association visited Governor Seyi Makinde at his private residence in Ibadan.

    He said: “We want Oyo to become the food basket of Southwest and of Nigeria, thereby bringing back the region’s lost glory.

    “We visited the governor to create a partnership that would translate to better agricultural development and food security for Oyo State. Our visit was also to appreciate the governor, list some of our challenges, and the way out.”

    Chairman of the association, John Olateru, said they are ready to partner the government to address challenges facing grassroots farmers.

    According to him, the government needs to acknowledge grassroots famers in its policy formulation.

    Olateru, who acknowledged that government had been executing notable projects in the agricultural sector with undisputable impact, added: “We appreciate the fact that our children are being trained; we appreciate what agri-businesses are doing, bringing multinationals to patronise us.

    “There is however the need to focus on grassroots farmers as they supply the big time farmers.”

    He also lamented that the livestock sector was ebbing out and there was the need to rejuvenate it.

    Governor Makinde, who was represented by delegated officials, one of whom was Babalola Abiodun, said the governor had great interest in agriculture and would address the farmers’ problems.

  • CBN lifts restrictions on domiciliary account operations

    CBN lifts restrictions on domiciliary account operations

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted restrictions of the operation of domiciliary accounts by individuals.

    This is contained in a “further guidance on operational changes to foreign exchange market” issued by the CBN on Sunday.

    Director, Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa Abdulmumin said “these policy changes aim to promote transparency, liquidity and price discovery in the FX market in order to improve FX supply, discourage speculation, enhance customer confidence and ensure overall stability in the FX market”.

    The decision to issue new guidance on Forex market operations, Isa said was taken at an extraordinary Bankers’ Committee on Friday, June 16, 2023.

    Read Also : BREAKING: IMF backs CBN’s exchange rate unification policy

    According to the new guidance, “ordinary domiciliary account holders shall have unfettered and unrestricted access to funds in their accounts”.

    Domiciliary account holders are henceforth”permitted to utilize cash deposits not exceeding USD$ 10,000 per day or its equivalent via telegraphic transfer.

    “Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) have now been ordered to “provide returns to the CBN, including the “purpose” for such transactions”.

    Other additional changes introduced in the Forex market by the CBN are: “cash deposits into domiciliary accounts will not be restricted, subject to DMBs
    conducting proper KYC, due diligence and adhering to the spirit and letter of
    extant AML/CFT laws and other relevant rules and regulations”.

    The CBN has also decided that it “will prioritize orderly settlement of any committed FX forward transactions as they fall due in order to boost market confidence further.

    Regarding foreign exchange for visibles and invisibles, the apex has decided that “all visible and invisible transactions (medicals, school fees, BTA/PTA, airline
    and other remittances) will now be eligible for the Investors’ and Exporters’ (I & E) window.

    As a result of this, DMBs have been told to “ensure expeditious processing of all eligible invisible transactions on behalf of their customers using the applicable rate at the I & E window”.

    The CBN in its guidance has resolved to “normalize its Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) maintenance processes and ensure equity in its implementation across the banking industry.

    The CBN said it will issue further guidance as it implements the ongoing reforms as well as continue to engage stakeholders.

  • Osihmen’s brace earns Super Eagles AFCON ticket against Sierra Leone

    Osihmen’s brace earns Super Eagles AFCON ticket against Sierra Leone

    Napoli’s talisman Victor Osihmen grabbed a first half brace in a pulsating game against the Lone stars of Sierra Leone on Sunday evening at Samuel Doe Stadium in Monrovia.

    But his brace was cancelled out five minutes before regulation time before Ihenacho scored a well-worked pass during extra time to earn the Eagles a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

    The victory earned the Super Eagles qualification ticket for the 2023 AFCON in Cote ID Voir

  • Okorocha escapes alleged assassination

    Okorocha escapes alleged assassination

    A former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha has alleged his convoy was attacked by gunmen last Friday with a police officer killed.

    Okorocha, who was addressing guests on Sunday at the birthday ceremony of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Imo State, Samuel Anyanwu, claimed his convoy was attacked at Ihube community on the Okigwe- Enugu expressway while returning to Enugu State.

    Okorocha said that the the killing of the cop was “unfortunate.”

    The ex-Imo Governor said that he was retuning from Enugu after attending the burial ceremony of the wife of a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

    Okorocha said Enugu Governor Peter Mbah released vehicles and security men to take him and his team to Imo state for the burial ceremony of Ihedioha’s mother.

    Read Also : Okorocha to Lawan: How you returned to 10th Senate is still a mystery

    He said it was after he had finished attending the funeral ceremony at Mbaise and the convoy had dropped him at his Spilbat mansion in Owerri and was heading back to Enugu that they were attacked.

    Okorocha said: ” I am angry. I am very angry. I am angry because I spent two days in Enugu and nothing happened to me but it is in my own state that the convoy released to me by the Governor of Enugu state ( a very good man) to attend the burial ceremony of Ihedioha’s mother at Mbaise that police man was killed.

    “What is happening in Imo state makes me angry. Many people who are running to govern Imo state are not capable but I have seen one man who the cap fits. When it is time I will speak.”

    It was learnt the vehicles in the convoy, which comprised of a sports Utility Vehicle, a bus and Hilux were shattered by bullets.

    The Nation reports Ihube axis of the expressway has been an hotbed of hoodlums killing and kidnapping people and travellers for ransom.

  • UPDATED: Tinubu has made right decisions so far, say Akpabio, Odili, Ibori

    UPDATED: Tinubu has made right decisions so far, say Akpabio, Odili, Ibori

    The Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Rivers and Delta Governors Dr. Peter Odili and Chief Onanefe Ibori have appraised the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he has so far taken the right decisions to put the country on the right path.

    The trio spoke on Sunday at a reception for dignitaries that attended the Thanksgiving Service organised by the family of former Governor Nyesom Wike at Wike’s Rumuepirikom’s country home Obio-Akpor.

    Odili, who was the chairman of the occasion, said they were very happy that the efforts of Wike and his group led to the emergence of Tinubu, who belongs to their class of 1999 governors, as the President.

    He said they were confident that Tinubu would change the narratives in the country and urged the other arms of the government to work together with the President to move Nigeria forward.

    While observing that a good dance begins with the first step, Odili said Tinubu had “taken very correct steps” as the dance had started.

    Read Also : Akpabio, Wamakko, others upbeat on Tinubu’s victory at poll

    Odili said: “We need each other to keep Nigeria united. I want to congratulate the members of the other party that worked with them to produce what I am praying will be the best or at least one of the best two Presidents Nigeria will have so far.

    “Our President was a member of class 99. My elder brother James is here. We have no doubts that the President that all of you have collectively voted for and who is in charge today as the Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, is going to change the narratives in Nigeria.

    “So, Mr. President of the Senate, when you get back to Abuja as you begin the task of governance, recognise and put it to action the fact that no country has two governments. There’s only one federal government with three arms.

    “Those three arms must work together for Nigeria to move forward. We want to use this opportunity to appeal to you and your colleagues to work with the President so that the dividends he has in mind can be delivered.

    “A good dance begins with the first step. His first steps are very correct steps and the dance has started. We pray that the almighty God will sustain your collective efforts to take Nigeria to where Nigeria should have been years ago. God’s time is always the best”.

    Odili, who described Wike as indomitable, irrepressible, courageous lion of the Niger Delta said they had run out of words to qualify the former governor.

    He said: “We have run out of words to describe this man. In 2015 he was called Mr. Dynamic, hurricane. Today he stands out in Nigeria as a household name. Mention the name Wike anywhere, heads will turn, the temperature will change and the atmosphere will be altered.

    “Look at the rainbow nature of this gathering and you will appreciate the points being made. He is thanking God because for eight years the almighty God gave him the opportunity to govern Rivers State and he grabbed the opportunities with two hands and the almighty God showed him the way.

    “Wike stands in the history of Nigeria and in the history of democratic governance as the best governor that the Nigeria has produced so far. The MC said Dr. Peter Odili was the golden governor of Nigeria. I can say that Odili is gladly handing over that title to Nyesom Wike”.

    Akpabio observed that within 20 days of Tinubu’s Presidency, the Stock Exchange had shown that the right person is in charge of the country.

    Akpabio, who was joined at the podium by other senators in his entourage, used the occasion commend Tinubu and the Vice-President, Senator Kassim Shettima for ensuring seamless transition at the National Assembly.

    He said the National Assembly would cooperate with President Tinubu to take the country to greater heights

    He said: “In less than 20 days in office, even the stock exchange has shown that yes indeed the right person is in the saddle. We want to wish him well and we assure you that we will cooperate with him to ensure that Nigerians get the benefits of the democracy they have been yearning for for do many years”.

    Ibori expressed confidence that Tinubu would do well for the country as the President.

    He said: “We beleive that the President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will do what is good for Nigeria. We know he is courageous, daring and we know he can take risks. We need all of those combined to do what is right”.

  • Overloading, windy rain caused Kwara boat tragedy, says Inland Waterways MD

    Overloading, windy rain caused Kwara boat tragedy, says Inland Waterways MD

    Preliminary investigations have revealed that overloading and windy rain were some of the causes of the last week boat tragedy that killed no fewer than 106 persons in Kwara state, Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr George Moghalu has said.

    He added that the boat lacked navigational aid as it was dead in the night.

    Moghalu told reporters on Saturday night in Ilorin, the state capital shortly after visiting the affected communities and bereaved families.

    NIWA cautioned boat operators and owners to restrict their movement to between 6am and 6pm, urging them to avoid night navigation.

    He added that his team would visit the scene of the accident this week to carry out environmental impact assessment (EIA), noting that “once the EIA is done the authority will make available facility for the communities.

    “Preliminary investigations have shown that the accident was avoidable if specific protocols were followed.

    “Experience has shown that over 95 percent of accidents that happen on our waterways occur either in the night or very early hours of the morning and the reason is that the vessel could not apply navigational aid.
    “Secondly, the vessel in question was very heavily overloaded.

    “The vessel carried over 250 passengers. It was practically impossible for the vessel to operate safely without having a hitch. Apart from passengers, we had leakages in the vessel.”

  • We are freedom fighters, not oil pipeline guards-IPOB

    We are freedom fighters, not oil pipeline guards-IPOB

    The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has said that the pro-separatist group is not in the league of militants and oil pipeline guards and maintained, that they are freedom fighters.

    Apparently reacting to ex militant, Asari Dokubo’s comment on Nnamdi Kanu’s continuous detention in DSS camp, the group stated that those who are campaigning for continuous detention of Kanu should know that militancy for monetary gains is in the same category as criminals and terrorists.

    IPOB media and publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful stated this in a statement on Sunday.

    He said: “Those campaigning for the continuous detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in DSS solitary confinement forgot that militancy for monetary gains are in the same category as criminals and terrorists.

    “IPOB is not in the league of militants and oil pipeline guards. IPOB stand for freedom for Biafrans including those on oil pipeline security guards for the oppressors.”

    He regretted that the oil communities are in ruins because people who are supposed to be in the decision making of the oil explorations in their region are guarding the oil pipelines for the oppressors and their children.

    He warned those using IPOB leader, Kanu’s detention to look for oil guard contracts in Aso Rock Abuja to be guided as cajoling him cannot secure them contract instead it will bring them down.

    He noted that two sets of militants are operating in Niger Delta.

    According to him: “Some are fighting for resource control to better their region while some are fighting to enrich themselves through Government sponsored oil contract and bunkering as the region is exploited.

    “IPOB members are not in the same mission with any of the militant groups. IPOB headed by Mazi Nnamdi KANU is fighting for total emancipation and independence of Biafra where Biafra resources will be controlled by and used for the Biafrans.”

  • Just In: Tinubu has started well, says Odili

    Just In: Tinubu has started well, says Odili

    A former Rivers Governor Peter Odili has said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated well.

    He said the decisions taken by the President in the past two weeks have shown what his government has in store for Nigerians.

    Odili spoke at a reception organised in honour of the immediate-past Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, in Port Harcourt.

    According to him, the President has shown that he has the wherewithal to make a difference in governance.

    Details Shortly …

  • Marketers demand release of N30.96tr worth of petrol from NNPCL

    Marketers demand release of N30.96tr worth of petrol from NNPCL

    As the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) hands-off the monopoly of petrol importation, petroleum marketers have demanded immediate release of their outstanding supplies of Premium Motor Sprit otherwise known as petrol worth N30.96 trillion by the National oil company.

    Addressing Journalists at the Suleja/Abuja Secretariat of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the marketers commended the Federal Government for ending the subsidy regime.

    He however said the industry will never stabilise if the outstanding products tickets are not settled by the NNPCL.

    The chairman, Yahaya Ahman Alhassan in a statement expressed dismay over the long delay by the NNPCL to release the products to their members.

    Read Also : NNPCL withholding N8.4tr from Federation Account, says RMAFC

    Alhassan said the NNPCL sold the product tickets to their members between six to seven months now, used the money to import fuel into the country but yet to dispense it up to this moment that despite several follow ups.

    The Suleja/Abuja branch chairman further stated that the bridging scheme must be retained to stabilise the distribution of the product to the nooks and crannies of the
    country.

    He said government should not mistakenly scrap Bridging Scheme as its not a government owned subsidy.

    “The scheme is self-funded by marketers.
    The government does not contribute a Kobo into the scheme and the has helped various governments in the past to balance the distribution of the products in the country,” he added.

    He further explained that the economy is road-driven and tampering with the bridging scheme will further divide the country and bring more hardship to the citizenry.

  • FG will provide solar alternatives to small businesses — Salihijo

    FG will provide solar alternatives to small businesses — Salihijo

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad has said the Federal Government is providing solar energy alternatives to Nigerians to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on businesses and households.

    Mr Ahmad, who was speaking after the inspection of REA’s Energizing Economies Initiative project in Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo, said the Federal Government, through REA, is setting up alternative solar energy systems to cater for electricity-underserved Nigerians.

    He also explained that the concept of the EEI project was to provide alternative and clean solar energy to Nigerians to reduce or abolish the use of carbon monoxide petrol-powered generators.

    “We came to our Zonal office in Osun and we decided to do a short inspection of the Energizing Economies Intitiative (EEI) that we have in Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo.

    “We came to see the progress of the work and we are very happy with what we have seen here today.

    “The concept is to see how we can work with the market association and, most importantly, work with the state government to scale up solar power supply to the whole market,” he said.

    He said the construction of the solar system at the Ayegbaju Market is about 95 per cent completed and that the power generation of the system is targeted at 30kwp.

    He said at the pilot phase now, the solar power electricity is being test run on 48 shops and that, in the long run, it would be extended to all the shops in the market.

    According to him, with his interaction with the market leadership, shop owners are interested in the solar power project as an alternative power source to run their operations/shops.

    “What we have seen is the tremendous interest of the market people in the solar energy alternative, especially using it to replace petrol generators, in the face of subsidy removal,” he said.

    He said as a follow-up to the inspection and interaction with the market people; he would meet and work with developers, Osun State Government and even the market association to draw a roadmap of how the project would be sustained and scaled up to cover the entire market.

    He said with the solar system initiative, REA has demonstrated a concept of solar power generation and supply and that they can now bring in and work with other stakeholders to scale it up to the demand of Nigerians who are unserved and undeserved with electricity.

    “Over 148 sites have been audited directly by REA,” saying “support from partners, such as E-guide and Rockefeller Foundation, will enhance the Energizing Economies Initiative, EEI, project.

    “It is from these sites that Ayegbaju International Market, Osogbo, and Abubakar Gumi Market, Kaduna, were selected to deliver the next phase of EEI projects,” he said.

    He said they are taking into account the lessons learnt from phase zero and one of the project initiatives and would use it as a model for sustainable and collaborative projects with state governments and Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

    “Once the solar system construction is completed, the State Governments or DisCos, developers, and REA will be able to sit with the Market Associations to sign a multilateral agreement which ensures the long-term viability of the project while ensuring energy access to the markets.

    “These projects will also provide the much-needed relief to businesses in these markets by reducing their dependence on petrol generators while increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources,” he added.