The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Kwara wins $16.9m in SFTAS achievements for 2019/2020

    Kwara wins $16.9m in SFTAS achievements for 2019/2020

    Our Reporter

    •Gets N795m PAYE refunds

    •Review of budget figure explained

    KWARA State Government has won $16.9million worth of achievements in the 2019/2020 World Bank-supported State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme for results.

    It was the highest ever achieved by the state since the initiative began in 2018.

    The awards came after the state satisfied the disbursements linked indicators (DLIs) as contained in the Annual Performance Assessment (APA) final report submitted by the Independent Verification Agents (IVA) that had earlier visited the state.

    The DLIs include improved financial reporting and budget reliability; increased citizens engagement in budget process; strengthened internally generated revenues (IGR); biometric and BVN used to reduce payroll fraud; strengthened public debt management; improved debt sustainability; implementation of a tax compliance for individual taxpayers and businesses; strengthened procurement function for COVID-19 or emergency situation and facilitated participation of SMEs in public procurement resilient recovery phase; and publication and approval of amended COVID-19 response budget.

    “The import of the foregoing is that the state is eligible to the total sum of $16,900,000 representing performance-based grant for 2019 APA, with an earlier disbursement of $5million in November,” according to a statement by the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

    Of the balance of $11.9million, the state received additional $9.4million on January 4, and awaits the balance of $2.5million later in the month, the statement added.

    Read Also: N30,000 minimum wage: ‘Kwara, labour working on agreement’

    The government has explained why it jacked up the budget estimates from N123billion to roughly N135billion, representing an increment of about N11billion.

    The breakdown, according to the statement, included a review of the opening balance from N13.6billion to N19billion based on funds mopped up from across the MDAs; VAT from N14.6billion to N15.4billion; PAYE from N5.6billion to N5.8billion; administrative charges from N194.6million to N346.6million; Land Use Charge from N124.8million to N174.8million; SFTAS capital receipt from N3.8billion to N6.1billion; and termed loan from N4billion to N6billion.

    The statement also announced the receipt of N795,327, 222:21 as the third tranche of the 25 per cent refund of unremitted PAYE from Federal Government’s MDAs domiciled in the state.

     

  • Police arrest robbery suspect

    Police arrest robbery suspect

    Our Reporter

     

    KADUNA State Police Command has said it has arrested a suspected robber and recovered a berretta pistol.

    Commissioner Umar Muri in a statement on Tuesday in Kaduna by spokesman ASP Muhammad Jalige Umar said the suspect was nabbed about 8:30pm on January 2 at 16, Unguwan Bulus Street, Sabon Tasha in Chikun Local Government.

    Muri said prior to his arrest, the suspect and his gang members had allegedly terrorised the area, dispossessing people of their belongings.

    He said the suspect was giving the police information that would lead to the arrest of his colleagues.

    Muri said the police had intensified efforts to arrest the suspects and make them face the law. He urged residents to cooperate with the police on matters of public safety and security, “as it is everybody’s business.”

     

  • Oniru inaugurates Chiefs-in-Council

    Oniru inaugurates Chiefs-in-Council

    Halimah Balogun

     

    THE Oniru of Iruland, Oba Wasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, has inaugurated ‘Oba and Chiefs-in-Council’ to ensure the smooth running of his administration and see to the affairs of the people.

    The inauguration was held at the palace on Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday.

    The council consists of nine committees, which include Government Liaison, Market and Commerce, Infrastructure and Development, Environment, Security, Welfare, Tradition and Custom, Chieftaincy and Health.

    Spokesman for the council, the Arobadade of Iruland, Chief Abayomi Daramola, said the council was borne out of the need for a body to work with the monarch to see to the different aspects of community and ensure the needs of the community are met.

    According to him, each committee comprises white cap chiefs, Baales and one representative from each ruling house.

    Daramola said: “They have to co-operate with some of the members of the family that are not part of this body to work with them. All is to see to the good running, environmental issues, health issues, welfare issues and other issues that can come up that we can attend to in order to keep the community safe and going.

    “They have to see to the general environment, infrastructural development and other things that can bring development to the society.”

     

  • Man remanded over unlawful possession of firearms

    Man remanded over unlawful possession of firearms

    Our Reporter

     

    AN Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday ordered the remand of Umaru Adamu, 22, at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Iyaganku for allegedly being in possession of a gun and two live ammunition.

    Magistrate Mrs. Mercy Amole-Ajimoti, who did not take the plea of Adamu, said the case file should be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

    Amole-Ajimoti adjourned the case till February 23 for mention.

    Adamu, whose address was not provided in court, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful possession of firearms. Prosecutor Sgt. Philip Amusan told the court that the defendant and other persons at large committed the offences on December 4 at Idi-Iyun area of Odo-Oba Market in Ogbomoso.

    Read Also: Man in court for allegedly refusing to pay beer bill

    He said the police caught the defendant with one-locally-made-cut-to-size gun and two live cartridges when he was arrested.

    Amusan said when the police interrogated the defendant, he could no justify why he was with the gun. His accomplices, however, escaped.

    He said the offences contravened sections 3 and 6b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act Cap .RII, Vol. 14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

     

  • Let’s avoid a pushback, LCCI warns

    Let’s avoid a pushback, LCCI warns

    Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

     

    NIGERIA’s foremost private sector trade group, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said there is need for a strategic approach to electricity pricing to avoid a pushback from consumers.

    LCCI Director-General Muda Yusuf, while reacting to the latest tariff increase, said only two months ago,  there was a review. Now another review. The commercial arguments may be strong,  but there is a social context to be reckoned with, especially given the kind of product in question.

    He said: ” lt is also important to reckon with the economic and political ramifications of such price reviews.  We need to worry about the sensibilities of the people,” adding that LCCI is in support of a cost reflective tariff for electricity.

    Read Also: LCCI, MAN seek level playing ground for all

    But the transition to the new pricing regime should be strategic and gradual to minimize shocks and risk of pushback by the consumers.

    He said: We need to worry about social and economic contexts.

    “The economy is currently in a recession,  purchasing power has been significantly eroded across all income classes,  poverty situation has been worsening, and there is spiralling inflation,  there are fresh concerns about resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    These contexts should have a moderating effect on price movement at this time, especially for a product of high social significance.  It is important to take these factors into account in order not to put the entire reform process at risk.”

     

  • Foundation empowers over 500 with vehicles, machinery

    Foundation empowers over 500 with vehicles, machinery

    Robert Egbe

     

    The Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye Foundation has empowered over 500 persons with vehicles and machinery to set up small scale businesses.

    Its convener, Dr. Ouseye Yomi-Sholoye, made the donation at 10 Degrees Events Centre, Oregun Ikeja, Lagos.

    Yomi-Sholoye, who also doubles as the founder of The New Seraph, gifted the men, women and youths with buses, tricycles, grinding machines, deep freezers and sewing machines.

    Other beneficiaries also received cooking gas and noodles, sales coolers, drinks and sales umbrellas.

    The donations were part of the foundation’s yearly facilitation of poverty alleviation projects for the underprivileged, which have also included scholarships and business start-up capital for youths.

    Read Also: Foundation, firm lift less privileged

    The convener, who self-funded the donations, expressed confidence that the equipment would help the beneficiaries attain self dependence. She urged them not to let the foundation down.

    Yomi-Sholoye said: “People have been asking me: why I am doing all these. Is it that I do not know what to use my money for?”

    “I simply said to them: ‘Giving people fish is cool, but there is no feeling that could be as good as teaching people how to fish which is so fundamental…’

    “We shall always check on you to see how you’re fairing in this your new endeavours; and our utmost joy would be that in the shortest time possible, you have successfully turned this little impact into something massive.”

     

  • There can’t be development without infrastructure, says Buhari

    There can’t be development without infrastructure, says Buhari

    Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

     

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has restated the need to bridge infrastructural deficit in order to achieve sustainable development.

    The President spoke on Tuesday at the State House in Abuja while hosting the State Councillor and Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Yi.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, President Buhari expressed Nigeria’s gratitude to the Chinese government for its support so far.

    “We thank China for its support to us in various ways: in building of rail, road, power, defence, and many others. You are helping us to reduce our severe infrastructural deficits, and we are glad. There cannot be sustainable development without infrastructural development,” the President said.

    He pledged that Nigeria would continue to honour its obligations in the relationship with China, “as you are making a big difference, which we appreciate very much”.

    Mr. Wang Yi applauded what he called the “mutual trust and sound personal friendship” between President Buhari and President Xi Jinping of China, saying “it has guided the bilateral relationship between our two countries”.

    Read Also: Borders yet to bubble despite Buhari’s order

    The minister said China loves to begin the new year’s diplomatic duty from Africa, and that Nigeria was chosen as the first port of call in 2021, since the year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries.

    He described Nigeria as a country with great regional and international influence, adding: “We trust, understand and support each other. We will continue to value each other.”

    Mr. Yi said China would encourage its companies to increase their investments in Nigeria, while the Asian country would readily share experience and techniques in digital economy, defence, and many other areas.

    Also, Wang Yi has cautioned Chinese companies in Nigeria to obey the labour laws of the host country as well as local customs.

    Yi stated this in Abuja while addressing reporters after a closed-door meeting with Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Geoffery Onyeama.

     

     

  • Alleged public disturbance: Court sends Sowore, four others back to custody

    Alleged public disturbance: Court sends Sowore, four others back to custody

     Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

     

    CHIEF Magistrates’ Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Tuesday adjourned till Friday the ruling on the bail applications by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and four others charged with public disturbance, among others.

    In a ruling, Magistrate Mabel Segun-Bello ordered that Sowore and his co-defendants – Juwon Sanyaolu, Peter Williams, Damilare Adenola, and Emmanuel Bulus – be transferred from Kuje Correctional Centre to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at Garki Area 10, Abuja.

    They were arraigned on Monday on a three-count charge by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), following which the court ordered that they be remanded in Kuje prison.

    Sowore, who arrived the court in handcuffs, had complained about degrading treatment he and his co-accused were allegedly subjected to at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Court remands Sowore, four others in prison

    He told the court that the prison authorities denied them access to medical treatment, food, and water.

    Following his complaint, aside from changing their place of remand, the Magistrate ordered the police to provide the third defendant, Adenola, who is a Law student of the University of Abuja, with internet facilities and writing materials to enable him to prepare for his examination.

    The Magistrate made orders came after entertaining arguments from prosecution lawyer Adama Musa and defence lawyer Marshal Abubakar.

    Abubakar, who argued his clients’ bail applications, urged the court to grant the defendants bail.

    He contended that the charge against them contained bailable offences, but the prosecution opposed the request.

    Musa prayed the court to allow the defendants to remain in custody, pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.

     

     

  • Achebe’s Things Fall Apart for world TV

    Achebe’s Things Fall Apart for world TV

    Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

     

    THIRTY-FOUR years after it made its first appearance on Nigerian television screen, Chinua Achebe’s classical novel, Things Fall Apart, is making a return to the TV screen across the globe.

    The family of the late author has decided to produce the adaptation of the novel for global television audience.

    The Achebe family is working with consultants Dayo Ogunyemi of 234 Media and Joe Seldner of Seldner Media to develop Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God and No Longer At Ease into TV series as the themes of the trilogy remain relevant, profound and crucial to current realities.

    Chinua Achebe’s wife, Christie, recalled that “in 2020, as the world confronts systemic racism and battles the COVID-19 pandemic, Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and his two other novels — Arrow of God and No Longer At Ease, that make up The African Trilogy – remain relevant, profound and crucial.

    The Achebe family members — Christie and children Chinelo Achebe-Ejueyitchie, Chidi and Nwando Achebe — have decided to bring Things Fall Apart to the world through the television.

    Read Also: Posthumous recognition for Achebe imperative

    “We believe this moment makes the message of my husband’s work urgent, especially for Millennials and Generation Z, who are challenging systemic racism and driving the Black Lives Matter movement.

    “Chinua Achebe’s recognition and centering of these issues from an African perspective make his stories more vital than ever,” she said.

    A television series combines the visual appeal of film with the ability to tell stories over extended programming.

    The series will portray decades of wrenching societal change — from the end of the 19th century in Things Fall Apart through the emerging 20th century in Arrow of God, and the mid-20th century pre-independence period in No Longer at Ease.

    In 1958, Achebe’s first novel, Things Fall Apart, established African literature on the world stage.

    More than 60 years later, it remains the most widely read African novel, having sold more than 20 million copies in English alone and having been translated into more than 60 languages. Time Magazine named it “one of the 100 greatest novels of all time,” and Encyclopedia Britannica called it one of the “12 novels considered the greatest books ever written”.

     

     

  • Illela Border roars back to life

    Illela Border roars back to life

    Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

     

    WEEKS after it was reopened alongside three others, Illela Border in Sokoto State, on Tuesday roared back to life.

    The Area Controller of Customs in charge of Sokoto and Zamfara states, Abdulhameed Ma’aji urged compliance with import and export guidelines, rules and regulations as excited youths around the border community burst into jubilation.

    President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the reopening of the borders at Illela, Mfun in Cross River; Maigatari in Jigawa and Seme in Lagos, on December 16 last year.

    Ma’aji, who was assisted by the Governor of Konni, Niger republic said items on the list of import prohibition remain as it were.

    He said the essence of closing the borders were basically due to abuse of cross border activities protocols and most importantly security related issues and other illegal activities.

    Read Also: Re-opened borders

    He said: “We have also decided to come up as a reminder with the fundamental optional guidelines in order to strengthen business activities.

    “We are ready as always to grant the request of importers and exporters. I will also seize this opportunity to solicit public support and cooperation towards ensuring cordial working relations for the benefit of the country and its neighbour Niger Republic.”

    Ma’aji had earlier visited the palace of the District Head of Illela, Alhaji Buhari Tukur Abdulrahaman and the Sarkin Konni in Niger Republic to intimate them on his mission and solicited their support and cooperation on revenue generation and information on illicit cross-border activities and perpetrators.

    The controller said: “NSC cannot do everything alone especially on vigilance against movement of illicit arms in view of the prevailing security situation in both countries of Nigeria and Niger republic.”