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  • Nigeria’s inflation declines by 0.52 % in March

    Nigeria’s inflation declines by 0.52 % in March

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday said that inflation dropped by 0.52 per cent in March, the second decline recorded on the year- on- year basis.

    The first decline was recorded in February when inflation dropped by 0.94 per cent.

    In its latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March released in Abuja, the bureau stated that the index, which measured inflation increased by 17.26 per cent year-on-year.

    It, however, stated that the increase was a slower pace in March when compared to February consumer activities, which was 17.78 per cent.

    “This is the second consecutive month of a decline in the headline CPI on a year-on-year basis.

    “It represents the effects of stabilising prices in already high food and non-food prices as well as favourable base effects over 2016 prices.

    “It is also indicative of early effects of a strengthened Naira in the foreign exchange market.’’

    According to the report, price increases have been recorded in all Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yield the Headline Index.

    It, however, stated that the major divisions responsible for accelerating the pace of the increase in the headline index were Housing, Water, Electricity and Gas.

    Others it said were Education, Food and Alcoholic Beverages, Clothing and Footware and Transportation Services.

    On a month-on-month basis, the report stated that the Headline index increased by 1.72 per cent in March, 0.23 per cent points higher from the rate recorded in February.

    The Food Index increased by 18.44 per cent (year-on-year) in March, slightly down 0.09 per cent points from the rate recorded in February, which was 18.53 per cent.

    It stated that the index was driven by increases in the prices of bread, cereals, meat, fish, potatoes, yams and other tubers and wine.

    It also stated that the slowest increase in food prices year-on-year was recorded by Soft Drinks, Fruits, Coffee, Tea and Cocoa.

    In addition, the report stated price movements recorded by All Items less farm produce or Core sub-index rose by 15.40 per cent (year-on-year) in March.

    It stated that it was down by 0.60 per cent points from the rate recorded in February (16.00) per cent.

    “During the month, the highest increases were seen in miscellaneous services relating to dwelling, electricity, solid fuels, clothing materials.

    “Increases were also seen in other articles of clothing, Liquid fuel, Spirits as well as Fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment.

    “The Urban index rose by 18.27 per cent (year-on-year) in March from 18.57 per cent recorded in February, and the Rural index increased by 16.47 per cent in March from 16.98 per cent in February.’’

    On month-on-month basis, the report stated the urban index rose by 1.76 per cent in March from 1.52 per cent recorded in February.

    It further stated that the rural index rose by 1.69 per cent in March from 1.47 per cent in February.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CPI measures the average changeover time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day to-day living.

    The construction of the CPI combines economic theory, sampling and other statistical techniques using data from other surveys to produce a weighted measure of average price changes in the Nigerian economy.

  • 50,000 people facing famine in northeast – FAO

    50,000 people facing famine in northeast – FAO

    • ‎As UN receives $984m support for Nigeria, three others
    About 50, 000 people in the north east are currently grappling with food shortage in the country, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned.
    According to FAO Situation Report for the month of April 2017 published on the official twitter handle of FAO newsroom, about 6.9 million people will suffer starvation in Nigeria and three other African countries between June and August this year if an urgent step is not taken.
    Other high prone countries included are Cameroun, Chad and Niger.
    However, the United Nations organisation disclosed that about $73.6 million would be urgently needed for this year implementation of FAO humanitarian strategy.
    The report stated that aside from the famine, ‎about 500, 000 children in the region are currently suffering from malnourishment.
    Meanwhile, ‎the FAO Newsroom according to a tweet by @UNGeneva, a retweet by the FAO Newsroom, acknowledged that;

    The United Nations Humanitarian Office Spokespersons, Jens Laerke added that about $984 million has been received out of $4.4 million targeted to support Nigeria and three other nations against malnutrition.
    The countries are Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
    “What we call the special call for funding for the four countries where we either have famine conditions in South Sudan, Yemen, Nigeria and Somalia or we are on the brink of famine.
    “You will recall by the end of March, the Secretary General urged the international donor community to provide $4.4 billion to that. We have update as of today tha we have received a total of $984 million against the $4.4 billion. Of course the effort to raise more funds continue,” Laerke said.
    The Director-General of the FAO José Graziano da Silva recently visited the hunger-threatened northeastern Nigeria, and called for urgent increase in humanitarian assistance.
    Da Silva also stated that restoring agriculture-based livelihoods was key to recovery and peace efforts in Lake Chad Basin region.
    “If we miss the coming planting season, there will be no substantial harvests until 2018. Failure to restore food production now will lead to the worsening of widespread and severe hunger and prolonged dependency on external assistance further into the future,” Graziano da Silva said.
    He emphasised that the time for all to act is now, stressing that insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin – which incorporates parts of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and northeastern Nigeria – has resulted in the largest humanitarian crisis in Africa.

  • Law teachers to partner FG on security challenges

    The Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) has said that it would assist the Federal Government to solve the country’s security challenges.

    NALT National President, Prof. Godwin Okeke, said this on Tuesday after meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Okeke, who is Dean, Faculty of Law at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, said the association would use its 2017 Annual Conference slated for June to address the challenges of security and national development.

    He said NALT would give expert opinions on how the nation would move forward in spite of the security challenges and still sustain the accomplished developmental strides.

    “We want to bring in our expertise, as Law teachers, in trying to find solutions to the problems of security that have besieged the nation over some years or a period of time now.

    “We want to actually use the forum or medium to brainstorm on ways of ensuring that lives and property are secured in Nigeria.

    “And also that we are going to really have a sustainable kind of security policy as far as Nigeria and the administration of the nation is concerned.’’

    Okeke acknowledged that the legal profession was also facing some challenges such as funding and dearth of law teachers.

  • Police promise peaceful Easter celebration

    Police promise peaceful Easter celebration

    Mr Salisu Fagge, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Abuja, on Wednesday says adequate security measures have been taken to ensure hitch-free Easter celebrations in the zone.

    Fagge told News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in a telephone interview that the police and other security agencies would ensure seamless celebration.

    He said that already, a comprehensive operational order had been issued to commissioners of police in Abuja, Kaduna and Niger commands, to secure residents against any form of threat.

    The AIG said that police personnel in the area have been well equipped to tackle any form of security threat.

    “Residents should go about their legitimate activities as the police will ensure the protection of lives and property during and after the festivities” he said.

    He assured that adequate security will be provided to all places worship, recreation centres, motor parks and other public places to prevent any form of threat to lives and property.

    “Well armed security personnel had since been deployed to all federal highways including Kaduna-Abuja, Minna-Suleja, Minna-Kontagora and Kaduna-Jebba roads to ensure the safety of road users.”

    Fagge called on residents to volunteer information on criminals around them for prompt security action, as well as remain vigilant and security conscious at all times.

     

  • Don’t extradite Kashamu to US, Senate tells NDLEA, AGF

    Don’t extradite Kashamu to US, Senate tells NDLEA, AGF

    Senate on Tuesday asked the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Attorney General of the Federation and other security agencies not to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America to answer questions on alleged drug trafficking.
     
    The upper chamber said that the NDLEA and others should allow all court processes concerning the matter of allegation of involvement in drug-related offence levelled against Kashamu to be concluded in line with the rule of law.
     
    The resolution followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions which considered the matter of alleged attempts to extradite the Senator to the US over allegation of drug offence.
     
    The report of the committee was in respect of a petition from TRLP Law on behalf of Senator Buruji Kashamu against the NDLEA, former Chairman of the NDLEA, Mr. Ahmed Giade and the Attorney General of the Federation for alleged intention to abduct Senator Buruji Kashamu and forcibly transport him to the United States without recourse to due process.
     
    The respondents in the petition were NDLEA, Attorney General of the Federation and Mr. Giade.
     
    Chairman of the committee, Senator Samuel Anyanwu who presented the report said that Kashamu’s travail was being masterminded by some people.
     
    The Committee said that Kashamu should be allowed a free man until the cases in court over the allegations against him have been concluded. 
     
    Anyanwu said that NDLEA and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation have been orchestrating plans to arrest and take Senator   Kashamu to the US over alleged drug trafficking offences. 
     
    He noted that Kashamu should be left alone until cases in court are resolved.
     
    The Senate said that those behind the plot to extradite Kashamu to the US should stay action pending the outcome of the court processes.
     
    The Ethics Committee said that its investigations showed that “Kashamu’s travails were being masterminded by some people.” 
     
    The committee said that it discovered that Kashamu had been acquitted of all charges against him by courts in the country.
     
    In its findings and observations, the committee said: After listening fully to the petitioner and respondents, and having painstakingly considered their submissions, the committee observed:
     
    “That the respondents did not fully understand the kernel of the matter, and had to explain again to them that the aspect of Senator Kashamu’s matter referred to the committee for consideration and intervention was the constant threat or effort to get Senator Kashamu abducted by NDLEA, AGF, local and foreign collaborators in order that he might be shipped abroad, not the narcotic cases in various courts.”
     
    The committee therefore “noted that the respondents need to stay action on the arrest/kidnapping/abduction of Senator Buruji Kashamu to allow the legislator concentrate on his duties to the nation.”
     
    It asked the NDLEA not to “overlook the question of internal conspiracy within it since the intention, it appears, was how to extort money from Senator Kashamu.”
     
    The committee recommended: “Having exhausted deliberations on the matter, taking into consideration the views of the petitioner and respondents, the committee hereby recommend as follows:
     
    “That concerned agencies and authorities be advised to stop threatening or carrying out any activities to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America for prosecution.
     
    “That the courts be allowed to handle the various aspects of the case before them without any interference.”
     
    The recommendations were adopted.

  • NUT tasks states on primary education funding

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers has told State Governments to take up the funding of primary education rather than leaving it to the Local Government Councils.

    The Secretary-General of the union, Mr Ikpe Obong, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that constitutionally, the management of primary education was the responsibility of State Governments.

    According to him, the constitution of Nigeria gives Local Governments participatory role in the management of primary education.

    “And since the Local Government is only playing a participatory role, it should not be in total control of the funding of primary schools.

    “When there was a controversy as to the interpretation of participatory role of the Local Government as it concerns primary education, the Supreme Court interpreted it.

    “We believe that any time we have ambiguity in any portion of the law, it is the Supreme Court that interprets for more and better clarifications.

    “The Supreme Court in its 2002 injunction interpreted that the responsibility of primary education remains with the state and not the Local Government.

    “The Local Government comes in only to assist in one way or the other.”

    Obong said that funding of primary schools became a concern to the union because the paucity of fund caused shortages of qualified teachers in schools.

    “Why it becomes a problem to us is that when you want to recruit teachers into classrooms that are empty, the Local Government will say it does not have the money to pay.

    “So, if you recruit any teacher, you are on your own because there is no money to pay,” he added.

    He, however, argued that salaries of primary school teachers should be paid alongside other workers in the state to ensure equal treatment of workers.

     

  • Customs remove HND dichotomy, promotes 3487 officers

    Customs remove HND dichotomy, promotes 3487 officers

    Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers who are holders of Higher National Diploma (HND), on Monday received good news from the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali, who raised their salary grade from 07 to level 08.

    The Customs boss, who decorated some of the 3,487 senior officers that were newly promoted in Abuja, told them that their promotion was purely on merit and a call for more work.

    He also announced that the rank structure of the Nigeria Customs Service has been aligned with that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    The decisions, according to him, were expected to boost the morale of the officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.

    His words: “In compliance with circular Ref: HCSF/EIR/CND/100/ST/98 of 8th September, 2016 from Head of Service of the Federation and the approval of Government since April 1992 for the Nigeria Customs Service to align with the Nigeria Police Force rank restructure and in fulfillment of the CGC’s mandate to reorganize and reform the Nigeria Customs Service. The CGC has directed as follows:

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#dda552″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]“i) All HND holders currently on salary grade level 07 are automatically moved to salary grade level 08. Supplementary budget will be made for payment of arrears of salary;

    ii) The rank structure of the service is aligned with the Nigeria Police Force forthwith;

    iii) Officers in the Inspectorate Cadre on Salary Level 08 and above are to align to appropriate rank in the Superintendent Cadre.[/quote]

    “This is expected to boost the morale of officers and eliminate confusion in the seniority of officers.”

    Ali told the officers that the days of basing promotion on sentiments are over, stressing leverage of federal character that they enjoy at the point of entry, what counts soon after that is merit and hard-work.

    He said that the promoted officers which include the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah that is now a Deputy Comptroller, do not owe anyone any gratitude except God and their efforts that earned them the promotion.

    The Comptroller General said: “we had in the past promoted people who did not deserve it and that was what we met in the management. But now merit is key to your promotion.”

    He also announced that the Customs and Command College, will in June commence operation as a full command.

  • Lawyers group decries Senate’s failure to swear-in senator elect

    Lawyers group decries Senate’s failure to swear-in senator elect

    • Threatens to drag Saraki to court for contempt

    Human Right Lawyers and civil society groups on Monday asked Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to respect court order directing him to swear-in senator-elect, Bassey Etim, in the interest of rule of law.

    The group threatened to drag Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to court for allegedly refusing to inaugurate Etim despite a court order for him to do so.

    The Human right lawyers who spoke in Abuja at a press briefing described as an unacceptable alleged refusal of Saraki to swear-in Etim even with a duly issued certificate of return for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District.

    Coordinator of Human Right Lawyers, Frank Tietie told reporters that Saraki was trampling on rule of law for allegedly refusing to swear-in Etim.

    He recalled that on 27th, February 2017, the Federal High Court, Uyo Division in a well-considered judgement ordered among others that a certificate of return be issued to Senator-elect Bassey Etim by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He said that the same court nullified the certificate of return issued to Senator Bassey Albert.

    Tietie noted that INEC in obedience to the court order issued Basset Etim a fresh certificate of return on March 6th, 2017.

    He said that the Senate President has however delayed the swearing-in of Senator-elect Bassey Etim without any justifiable reason or excuse under the law.

    He said that on 31st March 2017, the Federal High Court in Uyo dismissed the application for stay of execution filed by Bassey Akpan to stop swearing-in Senator-elect Bassey Etim as the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East.

    He said: “It has come to our knowledge that series of letters have been written and advice given to the Senate President to swear-in senator-elect Bassey Etim but the Senate President has refused to do the needful.

    “It is worthy to mention that all relevant documents have been put before the Senate President. These include enrolled court order from Federal High Court, Uyo order for striking out of the application for stay of execution, order for the refusal of the injunction by the Federal High Court Judge in Abuja, Certificate of return from INEC.”

    Tietie noted that it is obvious that precedent has been set in the swearing-in of senators who have won pre-election matters and issued with a certificate of return.

    He said, “Just to mention but a few is the case of Kogi East in a case between Senator Isaac Alfa vs Senator Atai Aidoko. In this situation, stay of execution was pending in court and appeals were also pending in both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. We believe that their swearing-in was right because appeal does not in law operate as the order for stay of execution.”

    Tietie insisted that in view of the precedent already set by the Senate similar to the instant case of Etim, Senate ought to be consistent and swear-in Senator-elect Etim immediately.

    He said that they have been duly informed that the delay to swear-in Etim is predicated upon giving Senator Akpan opportunity to procure an order of injunction to restrain the swearing-in Etim.

    According to him, “since Albert Akpan has failed to produce injunctive order to restrain the swearing-in of Senator-elect Etim, we hereby call on the Senate President to swear-in Senator-elect Etim forthwith in accordance with the rule of law for the sustenance of our nascent democracy.”

  • Makarfi replies Sheriff, says PDP governors are not thieves

    Makarfi replies Sheriff, says PDP governors are not thieves

    • Urges party members to shun party chairs functions

    The Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that governors elected on the platform of the party are not thieves.

    Makarfi was responding to a statement by the camp of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff saying that the party would not accept “stolen money” from the governors to run the party.

    The statement, which was made by Sheriff’s deputy, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh was targeted at Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

    In a statement on Monday by the spokesman of the Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, the faction accused Ojougboh of being an impostor, saying he was illegally parading himself as Deputy National Chairman.

    The statement said, “For the umpteenth time, we want to reiterate that Mr. Ojugboh, the former National Vice Chairman of PDP has no locus to speak in the capacity of Deputy National Chairman of the PDP.

    “He is an interloper and an impostor; and as such, any action or statement made by Cairo Ojugboh and other self-appointed members of the Sheriff renegade group is illegal, null and void and should be disregarded by all loyal supporters and members of the PDP.

    “Let these irritants take note that Governors Fayose and Wike, and indeed all governors elected on the platform of our great party, the PDP are men of integrity.

    “Our governors are responsible and trusted party men that are working tirelessly in their various states to deliver the needed dividends of democracy.

    “The people of Rivers State and Ekiti State can testify to the wonderful achievements of our governors in their states and other states governed by the PDP”.

    The faction urged party members nationwide to shun the campaign or mobilisation programme being planned by the Sheriff group in some states in the Southeast.

    “We wish to further state without any ambiguity that these actions are illegal, null and void. Faithful party men and women in the South East and any other zones in Nigeria should disregard such meetings or gathering”, the faction added.

    Stating that Sheriff’s position as chairman is being challenged at the Supreme Court, Adeyeye said the Caretaker Committee remained in charge of the party’s affairs.

    “The National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi has appealed the judgment of the February 17, 2017, at the Supreme Court and in the eyes of the law, until the appeal is set aside by the Supreme Court, the National Caretaker Committee remains in charge of the affairs of the PDP.

    “So, Senator Sheriff and his co-travellers have no power to call for any meeting of party members or supervise the affairs of the PDP forthwith.

    “We therefore want to further call on Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to stop parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “We further call on all security agencies and other agencies of government to stop according him or members of his illegal team any support or assistance.

    “Finally, we urge all our members and teeming supporters nationwide to stop attending any meeting organised by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff or any member of his team.

    “They are illegal and have no place to function as such. Senator Ahmed Makarfi led National Caretaker Committee remains the only authentic National Exco of the PDP in line with the decision of the May 21st and August 17, 2016 National Conventions of our great party”, the statement added.

  • Association’s treasurer in court over diversion of dues

    Association’s treasurer in court over diversion of dues

    Braimah Precious, 37, the Treasurer, National Towing Vehicle Owners Association, Kugbo, FCT Branch, has been arraigned in a Karu Grade 1 Area Court , Abuja, for alleged diversion of the association’s N127, 000 dues.

    The defendant, who denied committing the offences, is standing trial on a two-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust and cheating, which contravened the provisions of Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal code.
    The judge, Hassan Ishaq, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150, 000, with a reliable surety in like sum and adjourned the case till May 8.
    The prosecutor, Mahmud Ismail, had informed the court that one Abdulkarim Oseni, Chairman, National Towing Vehicle Owners Association, Kugbo, FCT Branch, reported the matter at Karu Police Station on April 3.
    He said that the complainant told the police that the defendant was entrusted with of N 127, 000, being monthly dues of members of the association between 2016 and 2017.
    Ismail told the court that it was agreed that the money should be paid into the association’s bank account.
    The prosecutor alleged that when asked to account for and refund the money, the defendant failed to do so.
    He said that during police investigation, the defendant confessed to have converted the said money to personal use.