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Tag: Abuja

  • NiMet predicts cloudy weather for Tuesday

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted cloudy weather conditions over the Central States on Tuesday morning.

    NiMet’s Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Monday, also predicted day and night temperatures in the range of 29 to 40 and 17 to 28 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    According to NiMet, there are chances of localised thunderstorms over Abuja, Lafia, Yola, Bauchi, Ilorin and Mambilla plateau, during the afternoon and evening hours

    The agency predicted that the southern states would experience cloudy conditions over both inland and coastal cities with chances of localised thunderstorms over Calabar and Port-Harcourt in the morning.

    It also predicted prospects of isolated thunderstorms over Lagos, Ibadan, Abakaliki, Obudu, Calabar and Port-Harcourt with day and night temperatures of 32 to 35 and 22 to 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    According to NiMet, Northern States will experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with localised thunderstorms over Southern Borno, Gombe, Kano, Kaduna and Gusau.

    “Northern states are expected to have day and night temperatures in the ranges of 39 to 42 and 26 to 29 degrees Celsius, respectively.

    “As more moisture influx is expected in the country, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions are expected over the extreme northern cities.

    “There are chances of isolated thunderstorms over some parts of northern states down to the southern cities in the next 24 hours,” NiMet predicts.

    NAN

  • PDP calls for inquest into Shiite/security clash in Abuja 

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded for an immediate inquest into the violent clash between security forces and members of the Shiite movement, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    The party expressed grave worry over the handling of security in the nation’s capital and the near breakdown of law and order, which resulted in stampede and disruption of public and private businesses in the city center.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that the clash was as a result of protests by the Shiites over the continued detention of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    The Shiites leader had been granted bail by the court but the government has continued to keep him in custody, a development the PDP described show of force and infringement on citizens’ rights.

    “Furthermore, the PDP and indeed all lovers of democracy across the country are deeply concerned by the continued erosion of democratic tenets by the APC administration, resulting in avoidable crisis in various parts of the country.

    “The PDP sues for calm while demanding for an immediate inquest into the cause of this clash.

    “We also urge security high commands to ensure that this matter is nipped in the bud with the highest level of professionalism,” the statement added.

    Read Also: Police disperse Shiite protesters

  • 55% vehicles in FCT not road worthy – Official

    Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the Transportation Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, has revealed that 55 per cent of vehicles on FCT roads are not road worthy.

    The Transportation Secretary made this known when he released motor vehicles and drivers licence statistics for the FCT for the first quarter of 2018 in Abuja on Friday.

    Opeifa said of the vehicles inspected at the Abuja Computerised Vehicles Centres, between January and April 6, only 45 per cent passed the test.

    “In order to ensure that vehicles plying the territory roads are road worthy, the secretariat has therefore directed the commencement of ‘Operation Crocodile’ to rid Abuja streets of unworthy vehicles.”

    He urged motorists who have not made their vehicles available for inspection to do so.

    “Also, within the period under review, 3,085 vehicles, 260 motorcycles, 406 tricycles, 281 unpainted taxis, were impounded for various traffic offences.

    “This is against 2,885 vehicles, 183 motorcycles, 350 tricycles and 271 unpainted taxis for the same period in 2017,’’ he added.

    He said 13,757 new vehicles were registered while 48,083 vehicle licences were renewed.

    He said that 355 vehicles abandoned, accidented, and burnt were evacuated during rescue operations.

    Opeifa noted that 18,067 drivers’ licences were processed between January and March, 2018 as against 16,668 processed in the same period in 2017.

    NAN

     

  • 2019: Nigeria assures international community of free, credible elections

    Frowns at ICC’s decision to investigate cases against it

    Nigerian government will do all within its powers to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2019, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) has said.

    Malami said the country was mindful of the implication of a flawed election on its reputation and was willing to ensure that elections were held in a manner that will not require the intervention of foreign agencies like the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    The AGF spoke in Abuja on Thursday while playing host to the visiting President of the ICC, Professor Chile Ebue Osuji.

    Malami expressed Nigeria’s concern over the ICC’s decision to continue to entertain eight cases relating to it and in connection with its handling of the problem of terrorism in the country.

    The AGF said it was regrettable that despite Nigeria’s support and commitment to the ideals of the ICC, the court has proceeded to escalate the eight potential cases relating to Nigeria.

    He said: “Presently, the ICC has escalated the eight potential cases against Nigeria – six against the Boko Haram and two against the military – from the initial preliminary examination to preliminary investigation.

    “This is worrisome as Nigeria has demonstrated beyond doubt, and in absolute cooperation with the ICC, that it is willing and able and, as a matter of fact, it is indeed arresting, investigating and prosecuting anyone that commits any offence that falls within the Rome Statute of the ICC.

    “The above being the case, Nigeria views the escalation of the eight potential cases as uncalled for in the circumstance.

    “Nevertheless, as a country that believes in the operation of the rule of law, fundamental freedom and the need to fight impunity in all ramifications, the escalation of the eight potential cases will not deter us from further expressing and demonstrating support to the ICC.”

    Malami said Nigeria’s recent decision to defray all its arrears of assessed contributions, totaling €1,303,402.00 was a demonstration of the country’s support for Osuji’s leadership of the ICC.

    The AGF assured that the country will prevail on countries that have withdrawn their membership of the court or threatening to do so to reconsider their position.

    Malami added: “Let me assure you that my office will continue to work with the National Assembly to ensure speedy passage of the Bill for the domestication of the Rome Statute of the ICC, which is currently awaiting action by the National Assembly.”

    He urged Osuji to ensure that his reign favours the country, particularly when there are job openings.

    Responding, Osuji praised the countries for its support to the ICC and assured that the court will continue to ensure work against injustice and abuse of powers in its area of jurisdiction.

    The ICC President described as inaccurate and erroneous the impression that Article 27 of the Rome Statute,  that abhors immunity for any head of state or senior government officials was targetted at African leaders.

    He said the provision and the reason for that portion of the Rome Statute predate Independent African states.

  • Court dismisses suit against Nigerian Army for being statute barred

    The National Industrial Court, Abuja, on Thursday dismissed the  suit filed against the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff, by retired Col. Feyisetan Kayode, for being statute barred.

    Kayode had challenged his compulsory retirement by the Nigerian Army, and urged the court to declare the purported retirement as null and void.

    He also sought for re-instatement and payment of his salaries and benefits from the time of the purported retirement till date.

    Justice Sanusi kado, in his judgment, dismissed the suit for being incompetent and not conforming with the rules of the court.

    Kado also held that the action was statute barred by virtue of Section 2(a) of the Public Officers ( Protection ) Act, 2004.

    The section of that Act states that any counter-action against public officers should be instituted within three months.

    Read Also: Court affirms Fayose’s faction as authentic PDP

    The defence counsel, Felix Umar, had said that the claimant who received his letter of retirement on June 9, 2016, did not institute the suit until Jan. 7, 2017.

    Umar further submitted that this action was instituted after seven months of the action, contrary to the provisions of Public Officers Protection Act.

    The claimant’s counsel, James Abah, said that his client was compulsory retired because he restricted the movement of a certain individual during the 2015 election.

    Abah said that the claimant was only performing his duty, adding that to forcefully retire him amounted to injustice.

    NAN

  • Ecologist advises Nigerians on proper waste disposal

    An ecologist, Mr Habib Omotosho, has advised Nigerians to imbibe the habit of proper waste disposal to support the efforts to provide safe and clean environment for the populace.

    Omotosho, who is the National Coordinator, Environmental Advancement Initiative, an NGO, gave the advice in an interview with the News men in Abuja on Thursday.

    “Municipal solid wastes heap up on the roads due to improper disposal system. People clean their own houses and litter their immediate surroundings which affect the community including themselves.

    “This type of dumping allows biodegradable materials to decompose under uncontrolled and unhygienic conditions.

    ‘‘This produces foul smell and breeds various types of insects and infectious organisms besides spoiling the aesthetics of the site.

    “Industrial solid wastes are sources of toxic metals and hazardous wastes, which may spread on land and can cause changes in physic chemical and biological characteristics, thereby affecting productivity of soils,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Nigerians rate Buhari’s chances in 2019

    The ecologist said that many types of objects that were thrown away contained toxic substances which could percolate into soil and water, affecting the health of plants, animals and humans.

    “When trash and garbage are put into an enormous pile, they begin to rot. This rotting creates methane, a greenhouse gas that is many times more potent than carbon dioxide.

    “Methane exits the landfill and floats up into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

    “One of the best solutions to this problem actually turns it into a benefit: if the methane is captured as it escapes the landfill, it can be burned and turned into electric power,’’ Omotosho said.

    According to him, this solution is already being used at many landfill locations. Other solutions include recycling, reduction of packaging and lowering consumption rates.

    NAN

  • President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June 30

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme ( VAIDS ) to June 30.

    The approval for the extension of the deadline is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the short extension after the original March 31 date is based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers.

    The statement, however, maintained that no further extension of time will be approved after June 30.

    It stated that a new date was also given, based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue.

    It said that a Fresh Executive Order would be made to give legal backing to the new timeline.

    “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world.

    “Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself.

    “Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop,’’ President Buhari was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Read Also: Protest as Buhari arrives in London

    The President urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularize.”
    He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

    President Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularize their tax status.

    VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment.

    The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just six per cent of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them.

    President Buhari had in 2017 inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP ), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government.

    Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people.

    NAN

  • Police arraign woman for allegedly stealing 7-month-old baby

    The police on Wednesday arraigned a 27-year-old woman, Bridget Haruna in a Karmo Grade I Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly stealing a seven-month-old baby girl.

    Haruna, who reside at Jabi Daki Biyu village, Abuja, was arraigned on a one count charge of stealing a baby.

    She pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Police prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had informed the court that on April 4, one Vourjack Pam, a resident of Gwarinpa Estate Abuja, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station.

    Zannah said that the complainant reported the matter to the police for proper investigation which led to the arrest of the defendant.

    He alleged that on April 3 at about 11 a.m the complainant’s wife, Mrs Godiya Pam took their seven-month baby girl to Gwarinpa general hospital Abuja to visit a patient.

    The prosecutor said that while the complainant’s wife was in the hospital, the accused criminally and deceitfully took the baby from the mother and absconded to unknown destination.

    Read Also: Police arrest 5 SARS operatives over alleged robbery attempt on Lagos businessman

    The prosecutor said that Haruna was later seen at Jabi Daki–Biyu village with the baby.

    He said that the accused lied that she went to buy something for the baby.

    Zannah said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code.

    After arraignment, the judge, Mr Abubakar Sadiq, granted Haruna bail in the sum of N50, 000 with a surety in like sum.

    Sadiq ordered that the surety must have a reasonable means of livelihood and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

    The judge also ordered that the surety must present a current utility bill in his name to the court registrar and adjourned the matter till May 9 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Ekiti 2018: YIAGA deploys 24 observers to monitor CVR

    Ekiti 2018: YIAGA deploys 24 observers to monitor CVR

    Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement ( YIAGA ) said it had deployed 24 personnel to Ekiti to monitor the Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) ahead of the July 14 governorship poll.

    The group’s Executive Director, Mr Samson Itodo, said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that the objective of the mission was to assess the processes of the CVR.

    Itodo said that the observers would also verify the functionality of the Direct Data Capturing ( DDC ) machine, and check the level of compliance with Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) guidelines.

    He recalled that INEC had announced that it would decentralise the CVR to the 177 Wards in Ekiti from Tuesday to April 18.

    Itodo said that the exercise was designed to update the voter register with the registration of citizens who turned 18 years after the last voter registration or those who couldn’t register before.

    “Uncollected Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) will also be distributed during the exercise and issues relating to transfer of registered voters, lost, damaged or omitted PVCs will be addressed during the exercise.

    “YIAGA Africa will be deploying its “Watching the Vote ( WTV )’’ citizen-observers to observe the continuous voter registration.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Britain warns politicians against violence

    “For the CVR in Ekiti, YIAGA WTV is deploying 24 accredited citizen-observers to rotationally observe the process in each of the 16 local government areas.

    “This is to cover at least 72 wards out of the 177 wards in the state where the CVR will be conducted,’’ he said.

    Itodo said that the observers would send reports via coded text message on their mobile phones.

    He explained that the reports would be received directly into a sophisticated database located at the YIAGA Africa’s WTV Data Centre in Abuja “for review, verification and analysis’’.

    Itodo said that the group would issue interim reports on the process based on reports from its observers, which would be shared with the public, INEC, political parties, civic society organizations and other stakeholders.

    He said that YIAGA would also provide timely and accurate information on the conduct of the CVR, PVC distribution and transfer of registered voters.

    He said that WTV was a citizen-led election observation initiative aimed at enhancing the integrity of elections using technology and evidence-based research methodology for election observation.

    NAN

  • Buhari salutes Ayo Adebanjo at 90

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo on his 90th birthday.

    Buhari, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the elder statesman.

    He thanked God for the grace that had taken Adebanjo to this landmark age.

    The president, who noted with delight that Adebanjo had clocked 90 years, believed the politician and lawyer had contributed to national development through his profession and commitment to nation building.

    Read Also: Kano welcomes Buhari’s second term bid

    He prayed that almighty God would grant Adebanjo longer years and strength to serve humanity.

    Born on April 10, 1928, Adebanjo has been identified as one of the strong and die-hard associates of the late Chief Obafemi Owolowo and Awoism.

    Adebanjo, one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition ( NADECO ), has also been described as the “last of the original Awoists’’.

    He is also a leader of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group in the South-West region of the country.

    NAN