The Nation Newspaper

Category: Lead

  • PDP chieftains shun Makinde, hold rally for Atiku in Ibadan

    PDP chieftains shun Makinde, hold rally for Atiku in Ibadan

    Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have shunned Governor Seyi Makinde by organising a rally for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    The chieftains, who include Elder Wole Oyelese, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide and a former deputy governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi, said the G-5 crisis is between the governors and the National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, not with Atiku.

    Oyelese, who led others in addressing reporters on behalf of the group, said Atiku was the most qualified among the leading presidential candidates, judging by his experience and pedigree as a detribalised Nigerian.

    The former minister said the chieftains and PDP members in the state were determined to ensure Atiku’s victory in the February 25 election.

    The rally, tagged ‘Freedom Walk’, will start at Total Garden area of the capital city and terminate at the historic Mapo Hall where party leaders will address PDP supporters and others on why they should mobilise and vote for Atiku in the election.

    He said: “PDP is the strongest and most popular party in Oyo State and Nigeria. We are confident PDP will sweep all the positions in the forthcoming election. Atiku won in Oyo State in 2019 and we believe he will win by landslide this time.

    People have seen the difference between PDP and APC governments. During PDP government, the economy was far better than what it is today.

    Another four years of APC will throw Nigeria into the throes. Atiku will salvage Nigeria. He is experienced and will hit the ground running from the first day. He is detribalised, a pan-Nigerian. He has the best ideas on how to rescue Nigeria.”

    Answering questions from reporters, Gbolarumi said Atiku would win the election with or without the G-5 governors. He assured the people that Makinde will not announce support for any other presidential candidate when he launches his campaign today.

  • NUPENG threatens strike over alleged security harassment

    NUPENG threatens strike over alleged security harassment

    Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (PTD– NUPENG) has threatened strike over the illegal activities and  high-handedness of some security agents, particularly the  Military Task Force in the Port Harcourt zone of the Union.

    This may end the relief being experienced by Nigerians at Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol retail outlets across the country  over availability of the products.

    National Chairman of the PTD- NUPENG, Comrade Lucky Osesua told reporters in NUPENG Secretariat, Abuja that men of the Military Task Force in Port Harcourt burnt two trucks conveying HPFO, otherwise known as black oil on Tuesday night as the truck drivers were falsely accused of transporting crude oil.

    According to the PTD- NUPENG National Chairman, the trucks which lifted the black oil at a modular refinery, Walter Smith Refinery and Petrochemical Ibigwe Imo State, on Monday and Tuesday,   were intercepted  between Ahoada and Elele in Rivers State.

    Comrade Osesua, who gave the plate  numbers of the trucks as EFR 770 XA and AFZ 351  ZY, further disclosed that they were conveying 40,000 liters each of the Black Oil to Bob & Sea Depot Koko Delta State.

    He told journalists that the drivers of the two trucks were polite in their responses and presented all the necessary  documents to officers of the military who ignored the documents, rebuffed appeals and burnt the trucks.

    The PTD- National Chairman who presented the documents to newsmen  said:” The drivers presented WayBills, NUPENG receipts, and quality control documents. But the military men still insisted that they carried crude oil. They drove the  the two trucks away and burnt them between Ahoada and Elele in Rivers State,   on Tuesday night.

    this modern world, trained security agents should be able to identify black oil as against crude oil. We should not be at the receiving end of their ignorance”

    Comrade Osesua further hinted that in a desperate move to clean up their actions, the soldiers mobilised those who pick scraps to the sight of the burnt trucks.

  • NDDC barred from awarding contract above limit

    NDDC barred from awarding contract above limit

    WITH a warning not to award contracts above its threshold, the Lauretta Onochie-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board was inaugurated yesterday.

    The Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Umana Okon Umana, who inaugurated members of the new Board, mandated them to strictly adhere to the procurement thresholds as enshrined in the Public Procurement Act.

    Those inaugurated with Onochie as Board members are: Mr. Dimgba Erugba (Abia); Dr. Emem Wilcox Wills (Akwa Ibom); Elder Denyanbofa Dimaro (Bayelsa); Orok Duke (Cross River); Dr. Pius Odubu (Edo); Gbenga Edema (Ondo); Anthony Ekene (Imo), Mr. Elekwachi Dimkpa (Rivers) and Mohammed Kabir Abubakar (representing  Northcentral).

    Others are: Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN, (representing Northeast); Sadiq Sami Sule-Ikoh (representing Northwest); Dr. Samuel Ogbuku (Managing Director); Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Executive Director, Finance and Administration) and Charles Ogunmola (Executive Director, Project).

    Umana said: “The new management must abide by the operating financial regulations to ensure prudence in the management of the limited resources. Every contract above the threshold of management is to be referred to the Ministerial Tenders Board and the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Any breach of contract approval limits will attract severe sanctions.

    “I also urge you to shun the impulse for the award of spurious and indiscriminate new contracts, and suggest that you instead focus on the completion of ongoing projects to better serve the people of the region and deliver on the mandate of the NDCC, thereby helping to repair the negative public perception for the Commission.

    “At this juncture, I will like to reiterate the point I have made at many fora since I assumed office. At the Senior Management Retreat of the ministry and the NDDC on July 29, 2022 as well as the annual meeting of the Council on Niger Delta in Uyo on September 15, 2022, I said that under my leadership, the ministry would make a difference through the Federal Government’s intervention in the Niger Delta, and that we would reposition the NDDC and put it on the path to effective execution of its mandate for the wholesome and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

    “In this regard, the Ministry has the kind approval of the President to implement a new template for the development of the region. The new development design will centre on core infrastructure projects that include but are not limited to the construction of inter-state roads with the ultimate goal of transforming the Niger Delta into a regional economic hub. The inauguration of the Board of the NDDC today is a major step in this new policy direction.

    “I urge the New Board to key into the change programme from day one. We started to implement the change we desire in the various policy options that we have taken right from the very beginning of my assumption of office. We had said we would install the governance ethos that emphasizes transparency and accountability.

    “We have kept to that promise by publishing the lists of both cancelled contracts (for non-performance) and completed projects awarded by the Commission for public information. We have been getting valuable feedback since the publication of those lists in key national newspapers.

    “We plan to do more to let stakeholders and the public at large keep track of service delivery in both the Ministry and the Commission. In the first quarter of this year we will present to the public compendiums of all completed projects executed by the Ministry and the Commission for the Niger Delta region.

    “With regard to the overall policy direction under its current leadership, the ministry has prioritized: implementation of the harmonisation of all development plans of all agencies and development partners operating in the Niger Delta region into a Single Integrated Regional Development Plan as a roadmap to accelerated development of the region.

    “We believe such harmony in development design will deliver the synergy and momentum sorely needed for the rapid transformation of the Niger Delta region.

    “Collaboration and partnership with critical stakeholders, beginning with state governments in the region is necessary. We believe both the ministry and the NDDC must collaborate rather than compete with the state governments in the region to best deliver value to the majority of the people.

    “The collaborative strategy is also the cornerstone of the relationships with community leaders and the oil companies that operate in the region. Through collaboration and partnership with all stakeholders, we will be in a better position to leverage opportunities in the region to expand intervention in health, education, security and build more capacity to diversify the range of economic activities that support livelihoods and guarantee a better standard of living for most people in the region.

    “My desire and plan is to work with the new board and management, as well as all key stakeholders, to achieve the change programme we have put in place for the good of the Niger Delta region.

    “It is now my honour and privilege to formally inaugurate the Seventh Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.”

    Board Chairman Lauretta Onochie thanked President Muhamadu Buhari and the minister for reposing confidence on the members.

    Assuring that it will no longer be business as usual in the Commission, Onochie called for the support of people from the region and entire Nigerians to rescue the “troubled” interventionist agency.

    She said: “We ask that you give us a breathing space to generate great idea that will bring about the desired change in the region.

    “We are determined to do a great job. We are committed to the improvement of the economic and ecological wellbeing of our region. We are devoted to the prosperous future of the region.

    “We will not fail. It’s a promise, but we ask that you give us the breathing space to do our job. We ask for your support, all and sundry, so that we can deliver for the long suffering people of the Niger Delta.”

  • 184 die in 17 states from Lassa fever as cases hit 1,038

    184 die in 17 states from Lassa fever as cases hit 1,038

    There were 1,038 Lassa fever cases in Nigeria between January and December 18, 2022, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

    The agency said between December 12 to 18, 2022, a total of ten new cases were recorded in four states: Ondo, seven; Bauchi, one; Taraba, one and Nasarawa, one.

    Also, cumulatively, between January and December 18, 2022, at least 184 confirmed Lassa fever-associated deaths have been reported from 17 states.

    Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi have the highest number of deaths at 54, 29 and 20.

    The NCDC stated: “In week 50 (December 12 to 18), the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 13 in week 49 2022 to 10 cases.

    “These were reported from Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, and Kogi States.

    “Cumulatively from week 1 to week 50, 2022, 183 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 17.6 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2021 (20.3 per cent).

    “In total for 2022, 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 111 Local Government Areas.

    “Of all confirmed cases, 71 per cent are from Ondo (33 per cent), Edo (25 per cent), and Bauchi (13 per cent) States.

    “The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 1 to 90 years, Median Age: 30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8.

    “The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021.

    “No new Healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 50

    “National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group (TWG) continues to coordinate the response activities at all levels.”

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses.

    Humans usually become infected with the Lassa virus through exposure to food or household items contaminated with urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats.

  • Nigeria’s debt to hit N77tr by May

    Nigeria’s debt to hit N77tr by May

    The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will be leaving behind a debt of N77 trillion.

    It will be made up of N44.06 trillion total debt stock as of the third quarter of 2022, N22.7 trillion Ways and Means borrowed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), projected new borrowings of N10.57 captured in the 2023 budget and issuance of promissory notes.

    Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms Patience Oniha, projected that this administration will be bequeathing a total national debt stock of about N77 trillion.

    The DMO chief spoke at the “Public Presentation and Breakdown of the Highlights of the 2023 Appropriation Act” in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Oniha argued that if the National Assembly approves the securitisation of the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means debt secured from the CBN, the figure included in the public debt.

    “You will see a significant increase in public debt to N77 trillion that is if you add the new borrowing depending on market conditions of N5 trillion.

    “The other area of the debt stock we are trying to highlight is to say, the debt stock is also growing from the issuance of promissory notes which are not true borrowing as such by the government”.

    She added: “While the debt is growing because there is new borrowing, revenue is receiving significant attention.

    “Like DMO always says, you can’t talk about debt without talking about revenue. We need the two to work together.”

    Defending the President’s request to the National Assembly to approve the securitisation of the N22.7 trillion Ways and Means borrowed from the CBN, Ms Oniha said that it “would significantly reduce the cost of servicing the loan”.

  • Nigeria records 35 new COVID-19 cases

    Nigeria records 35 new COVID-19 cases

    Nigeria recorded 35 new COVID-19 cases in a week, according to the latest epidemiological report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

    The cases were found in the Federal Capital Territory and three states between December 24 and 30, 2022.

    They are FCT, 22; Lagos, 10; Delta, two; and Plateau, one.

    This brings the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria to 266,450, with 3,155 deaths recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.

    The report says 6,609 persons are still receiving treatment, with 259,841 persons discharged so far.

    The agency assured Nigerians that its activated multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC) at Level 2 continues to coordinate the national response activities.

    Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, urged Nigerians to continue to adhere to the preventive measures by practising physical distancing, face mask use, and regular hand hygiene.

    He said: “Are you worried about the upward trend of COVID-19 in parts of the world?

    “Are you dizzy from the various alphabets and numbers used to describe SARSCoV2 variants?

    “Are you worried about travel, transmission and risk of imported dangerous variants? Take responsibility.

    “Getting vaccinated protects you from severe illness, hospitalisation and death from the COVID-19 virus.

    “Encourage your loved ones and those around you to get vaccinated. Visit https://vacsitefinder.nphcda.gov.ng to locate the nearest vaccination site to you.

    “Ensure you get your vaccines and booster doses. Vaccines are the most effective protection against severe disease, hospitalisation and death.

    “In addition to vaccines, for those at high risk – use masks, avoid crowds, hand hygiene, etc.”

  • Bagudu: All APC governors will deliver states for Tinubu

    Bagudu: All APC governors will deliver states for Tinubu

    Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on Wednesday said all the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will deliver their states for Asiwaju Ahmad Bola Tinubu in next month’s presidential poll.

    Bagudu, who is the chairperson of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), said this at the mega rally for Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.

    It was held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano.

    “All the APC governors are united and have promised to deliver Asiwaju Bola Ahmad Tinubu at the presidential election.

    “We know that Tinubu will replicate what he did in Lagos nationwide when he is elected president of this country,” Bagudu said.

    Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, said no other political party can penetrate Kano given how strongly APC has held it.

    “All the borders have been closed,” Lalong, who is the Director General of Tinubu’s presidential campaign council, said.

    Read Also: 2023 Presidency: Why I flaunt Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    Tinubu said he was overwhelmed by the unprecedented crowd that turned out for the rally and the rousing welcome accorded him.

    “I will serve you; I will serve Nigerians and protect all.

    “I am overwhelmed; I am here just to dance (play the music). Nagode (thank you), nagode, nagode. So sai,” Tinubu said.

    ReplyForward
  • Court refuses to sack INEC chair over assets declaration

    Court refuses to sack INEC chair over assets declaration

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Garki has dismissed a suit seeking the investigation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, over alleged false assets declaration.

    In the judgment on Wednesday, Justice M. A. Hassan found that Yakubu complied with all relevant requirements in declaring his assets.

    Justice Hassan held that the declaration of assets by the INEC chair was lawful, valid and in compliance with the law.

    The judge further held that having complied with the relevant laws in his assets declaration, Yakubu could not be investigated by any of the nation’s security agencies, as requested by the claimant.

    Justice Hassan, who declined to grant any of the 14 reliefs sought in the suit, declared that the INEC Chairman could not be removed from office over an unsubstantiated allegation of false assets declaration.

    The judgment was on the suit marked: FCT/HC/GAR/CV/47/2022, filed by Somadina Uzoabaka.

    Uzoabaka had among others, queried the authenticity of the assets declaration made by Yakubu and urged the court to compel security agencies to probe the INEC boss’ claims.

    In the suit with Yakubu and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as defendants, the claimant prayed the court for an order of mandatory injunction directing and compelling the INEC Chair to recuse, excuse and exclude himself and or step down from office pending the investigation of the various allegations against him by security agencies.

    Read Also: INEC: 661,783 PVCs waiting for collection in Edo

    The claimant also sought an order stopping the INEC Chair from holding or assuming any public office for 10 years.

    In his response, Yakubu faulted Uzoabaka’s claims.

    The INEC boss tendered documents before the court to establish the sources of the funds with which he purchased the assets which the claimant claimed were illegally acquired.

    Yakubu insisted that his assets declaration was validly done, a position Justice Hassan upheld in his judgment on Wednesday.

  • Power generation dips to 1,892.30MW

    Power generation dips to 1,892.30MW

    Electricity generation on Wednesday declined from 4,017MW at 14 hours to 1,892.30MW at 15:00 hours.

    This is according to the Independent System Operator of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    Twenty power plants were in operation when the grid recorded 4,017MW and later dipped by 2,125.66MW.

    At 16:00 hours on Wednesday, the production increased to 1,191MW when only eight plants were operational. 

    The document titled: “List of GenCos and their MW Load @ 16:00 hour on 04/01/2023” stated that the plants that produced the 1,191MW were Alaoji 105.20MW, Dandikowa GS (Hydro) 32.58MW, Ibom Power (Gas) 106.40MW, and Kainji (Hydro) 499MW. 

    Omoku produced 109.20MW, Omotosho (Gas) 111.10MW, Paras Energy (Gas) 60.40M and Sapele (Steam) 107.20 MW.

    The sudden surge also occurred on the grid at 12:00 hours on Tuesday when the only five plants which were in operation produced 1,112.20 MW. 

    The Nation, however, observed that within that hour the figure rose to over 4,000MW.

    But from its document titled: “List of GenCos and their MW Load @ 15hrs on 4/01/2023,” The Nation also observed that at the hour under review, only 13 plants were operational. 

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    The document said Aloaji NIPP (Gas) produced 106.60MW with one unit, and with two units, Dandikowa GS (Hydro ) generated 32.50MW, Delta (Gas) generated 319MW with eight units and with one unit, Ibom Power (Gas) produced 106.20MW. 

    The SO added that Jebba Hydro generated 374MW with four units, Kainji (Hydro ) generated 480MW with five units while Olorunsogo (Gas) produced 120.40MW with four units. 

    At the hour under review, the SO revealed that Olorunsogo NIPP (Gas) produced 106.80MW with one unit, Omoku (Gas) produced 42.40MW with three units while Paras Energy (Gas) produced 57.20MW with eight units and with four units, Sapele (Steam) generated 108.20MW.

    From the distribution end, however, another document noted that the SO allocated 3,302MW to the 11 electricity distribution companies. 

    In the document titled “Distribution Load Profile Data as at 04/01/2023 15.57:00,” the SO said Abuja DisCo got 447MW, Benin DisCo got 272MW, Eko DisCo received 411MW and Enugu DisCo got 318MW.

    The document also noted that Ibadan DisCo got 401MW, Ikeja DisCo received 470MW, Jos DisCo got 191MW and Kaduna DisCo got 220MW.

    The SO said it allocated 235MW to Kano DisCo, 240MW to Port Harcourt DisCo and Yola DisCo 95MW.

  • Nigeria no longer a mono-economy, says Fed Govt

    Nigeria no longer a mono-economy, says Fed Govt

    The Federal Government on Monday said the economy was no longer dependent on oil.

    Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, made this declaration in Abuja.

    She spoke at the ongoing “Public Presentation and Breakdown of the Highlights of the 2023 Appropriation Act”.

    “We can no longer be termed a mono-economy. Nigerian economy is now diversified,” she said.

    She attributed the change to the revenue increase from non-oil sectors.

    Mrs Ahmed said: “The non-oil sector is now generating more revenue for the nation while oil and gas, and mining sectors are pulling back the economy.

    Read Also: Women have strategic roles to play in nation building, says Ahmed

    “The major non-oil contributors to the country’s revenue are Agriculture and financial services.”

    According to her, the country lost over N6 trillion from tax incentives.

    “Government will exempt some industries from pioneer status tax incentives,” she said.

    The finance minister said President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the Finance Bill 2022 “in a couple of days”.

    She attributed the delay to the President’s insisting that legal experts must scrutinise the Bill.