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Tag: Abuja

  • Anambra: PDP hear guber poll appeals on Tuesday

    Anambra: PDP hear guber poll appeals on Tuesday

    The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed Tuesday, for the hearing of appeals arising from the party’s Anambra gubernatorial primary election held on Monday, Aug.  28.

    This was disclosed in a notice issued by Chinwe Nnorom, the Head of Publicity Division for the National Publicity Secretary on Monday in Abuja.

    The hearing according to the notice will take place at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse, Zone 5, Abuja, at 11 a.m.

    It said that all aspirants and other concerned stakeholders were invited for the hearing.

    It, however, warned that no aspirant to the NCC Appeal Panel was allowed to come with any crowd.

    “Non compliance with this directive will be viewed seriously by the Party.’’

  • FG okays Lagos, Abuja airports’ concession

    FG okays Lagos, Abuja airports’ concession

    Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday disclosed that the Federal Executive Council has agreed to the concessioning of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    He spoke in Abuja during the 5th Edition of the Presidential Quarterly Business Forum at the old Banquet Hall of the State House.

    “I am pleased to say that the federal executive council (FEC) has approved the concessioning of the Lagos and Abuja airports.” he said

    The Federal Government’s main commitment on ease of doing business in Nigeria, he said, was to ensure a general overhaul of the business environment which he said would involve the concession of all airports in the country.

    Osinbajo noted that partnering with private sector operators was a sensible decision to take at the moment.

    The forum, he said, is important for the government to receive both criticisms and suggestions from the private sector.

    He pointed out that government’s commitment on ease of doing businesses in Nigeria was predicated on both evolution plans and capacity building.

    On capacity building, Osinbajo said it had become imperative to improve the capacity of government agencies which regulate business activities.

    According to him, even though the pursuit of enabling business environment might be slow, the government would remain focused, a situation he said was responsible for the signing of executive orders with a view to ensuring that things are properly done.

    Osinbajo further said that government’s approach to ease of doing business in Nigeria was dynamic.

    While the country currently generates 6,700 megawatts of electricity, he said that 2000 of it get wasted daily because of problems associated with connection difficulties as well as problems between the transmission and distribution companies.

    He said the distribution companies also expressed their unwillingness to take the 2,000 megawatts because of the unwillingness of some consumers to pay.

    The Vice President also pledged government’s commitment to improving infrastructure related to power distribution.

    He also said part of the business overhaul initiatives of the government is to ensure the provision of power in some notable business environments such as the Ariaria Market in Aba, Abia State; the printing industry in Somolu, Lagos, and a Kano market without the necessary connection to the national grid.

    He described it as “all sorts of off-grid initiatives to get power.”

    Osinbajo said the government was promoting solar power initiative as well as the construction of integrated power plants in nine Nigerian universities to boost power supply.

  • I have nothing aginst nude shoots –Face of Candycity winner

    I have nothing aginst nude shoots –Face of Candycity winner

    Emmanuella Duke is the newly crowned queen of online pageantry, Face of CandyCity. The 300 Level Public Administration student of Veritas University, Abuja, who won at glamorous finals in Lagos recently. In this interview with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN, speaks on the challenges she faced during the competition, her parents’ reluctant approval of her participation and other issues. Excerpts  

    HOW would you describe your journey before Face of CandyCity?

    I would say it was quite interesting though very challenging due to the fact that there were a lot of setbacks in which people around me described as signs of bad luck. From when the pictures were taken down when I was leading the online voting to my exams clashing with the camp period and being shifted few days to camp down to when I almost missed my flight.

    And when I was locked out because of my camp letter (at this point I already concluded the organizers disliked me but I didn’t mind. I was still focused and smiling) then to the main event when my makeup artist disappointed. It even got to a point where I typed a withdrawal letter but my mind wasn’t at rest. I didn’t feel alright with quitting so I had to face my challenges, pull through with it and finish what I started. And it turned out that the said bad luck signs were actually signs of good luck, which is all to the glory of God.

    How did you get to know about the face of CandyCity?

    I got to know about Face of CandyCity Nigeria through Instagram… yes, and that was in 2015 during (the reign of) Onyinye Ilechukwu popularly known as Sassy Somma.

    You were contestant number 60; did you ever think you would win?

    Yes, to be honest, I believed in myself and I had faith in God as well. Though there were times I had negative thoughts but I didn’t allow that overpower the positive vibes. But then, it wasn’t a do or die thing for me and the girls were everything smart, beautiful and hardworking.

    If you are to judge, what would you say gave you an edge ahead of other contestants?

    I’d say my personality, my confidence and maybe my smile. Don’t mind me, my smile is just something I like.

    Before emerging the winner, what was your everyday life like?

    My everyday life… I was just a normal student with nothing going on except academics. At some point in life, I used to dance but I stopped that when I got admitted into the university.

    What are your plans for the next one year of your reign?

    As a beauty queen, people look up to me. So I automatically play the role of a role model, an advocate of social service and a goodwill ambassador. The magnetic personality of a title holder attracts a lot of people’s attention and to sensitize the public about targeted social problems, this, in turn, helps raise funds for the eradication of these problems. What I am saying, in essence, is that my duty as a beauty queen is to be a role model, raise funds and be a goodwill ambassador.

    Are you in a relationship presently?

    Yes, I am in a relationship.

    As a pretty lady, men must be dying to have you….what’s your kind of man?

    A caring, hardworking, good looking and God fearing man who has a proper understanding of our individual differences.

    How old are you?

    I am 20 years old.

    You are 20 years old and you have a relationship already. What attracts you to him?

    At 20, I am an adult. I don’t think there is anything wrong with being in a harmless relationship.

    For you, is money love?

    Money is not love but the money complements love because at times there are things you would love to do with your partner to spice up the relationship and keep you guys going and you may not be able to do them because of financial issues. But then, the money must not necessarily be in excess.

    How do you intend to make your impact as the Face of CandyCity?

    I intend to work effortlessly towards the actualisation of my project which focuses on domestic violence. I think the fight against domestic violence is not as effective as it should be. Domestic violence is a crime against human nature and I believe if we preach the gospel of the effect it leaves in our lives, it can be minimized.

    Aside that I also intend to give back to the society especially the needy in every possible way I can and to contribute positively to the growth of the brand in which I represent. I am open for collaborations on any idea or program that will put smiles on people’s faces, happiness and joy to their hearts.

    What do you think about nude photo shoots? Would you dare it?

    I don’t have a problem with nude photo shoots as people have different perspectives and also different ways of interpreting things and also appreciating their body. But personally, I can’t do that.

    With all the negative news on pageantry, what were your parents’ take about you going into the competition?

    At first, my dad was skeptical about the whole idea but with the help of my sisters and success stories of the past pageant winners, he was able to see the positive side of pageantry.

  • Nigerians urged to register for National ID Card

    Nigerians urged to register for National ID Card

    The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga, has called on all eligible Nigerians to register with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to obtain the national electronic identity card.

    Onanuga made this call when he visited the commission’s Acting General Manager, Operations/Regional Coordinator, North Central, Mrs. Florence Oloruntade, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He urged all eligible Nigerians to register without further delay to avail themselves of the benefits available in obtaining the card.

    He noted that the importance of the card cannot be overemphasised as one would hardly transact any government or other business these days without such identification, adding that the card identifies one for life.

    While responding, Oloruntade explained that the National Identity Number(NIN) is the most important token issued by the Federal Government of Nigeria for citizens and legal residents to assert their identities.

    She said Nigerians should note that the NIN, which is issued after successful enrolment on a slip, is the foundational identity of the holder stored on the National Identity Database.

    “The NIN can be verified and authenticated by institutions and persons in both the public and private sectors, using the verifications and authentication platform already deployed by the Commission.

    “The NIN verification portal has been deployed for banks and other service providers to take advantage for the purpose of ease of doing business,” she said.

    She disclosed that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has also directed the banks accordingly on the database.

    She further advised Nigerians who have lost their NIN slip to visit the nearest NIMC state office and request for a reprint, which will only cost N500 deposit into the government’s coffer.

    Oloruntade also said that Nigerians can make use of the Commission’s website to check the status of their National e-ID Card.

    “What you have to do is to login to the web portal and follow the link.

    “Click the proceed button, fill in your First Name, Last Name and the last 6-digits of your NIN.”

    She further disclosed that the NIMC is partnering the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enroll all participants who will attend the 12th Abuja International Trade Fair, 2017, and issue them the National Identification Number (NIN).

    She, therefore, urged participants and visitors who will be at the fair to take advantage of the opportunity to enroll at the NIMC enrolment stand.

    “Enroll for the NIN today, and be identified for life,” she added.

  • Senate to Buhari: Call Sagay to order

    Senate to Buhari: Call Sagay to order

    Says “He’s a loose cannon”

    The Senate yesterday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the chairman of the Presidential Action Committee on Anti-Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay.

    The upper chamber accused the PACAC boss of spreading falsehood and making hate speeches against the National Assembly.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi stated this in Abuja yesterday.

    The Senate spokesperson in a statement noted that Sagay was fond of using every opportunity he has to make public speeches to disparage the Federal Legislature by using uncouth and unprintable words to describe the legislators and the institution they represent.

    He said that Sagay had been one of the few divisive elements in the Buhari administration who believe their relevance is enhanced only when they create constant tension between the legislature and the executive while also setting members of the executives against each other.

    Abdullahi noted that while the legislators had ignored past statements made by the Professor of law, his recent speech at a public lecture in Lagos organized by the Society of International Law where he gave false details about the salary and allowances of the legislators and the various bills passed bordered on inciting members of the public against the legislators and deliberately circulating hate speech; which the government is working hard to contain.

    Abdullahi said, “Ordinarily, we would ignore Sagay whose statements and attitude present him like a rascal and sadist instead of a former university teacher.

    “However, his last speech in Lagos during which he was reeling out false and exaggerated figures about the salaries and allowances of legislators and also lied about the passage of anti-corruption bills showed that he just deliberately set out to undermine the legislative institution and lower its reputation in the estimation of right thinking members of the society and we therefore believe we should put him in his rightful place.

    “As an academic whose creed should be to find facts and make comments based on truth, we believe that Sagay should stop spreading beer parlour rumours about the salaries and allowances of legislators when he could simply get the facts from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC) which is the body constitutionally charged with the responsibility of fixing salaries and allowances of all public officials.

    “Let us make it clear that our salaries and allowances are open books and the details can be taken from the RMFAC by any interested party.

    “Prof. Sagay at his lecture in Lagos also made comparisons which did little credit to his background as a lecturer as he was talking of the salary of the United States President and that of a Nigerian legislator. That is like comparing oranges with apples. Only a senile, jaded, rustic and outdated Professor of Law like Sagay will make such a comparison which falls flat on its face, even to an ordinary lay man. Surely, Sagay is basing his analysis on street talks.

    “Sagay could not even check the records before proclaiming that ‘the National Assembly has not passed a single bill for the promotion of anti-corruption war since it commenced business in July 2015′. First, the 8th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 9, 2015 not July. Also, it is on record that the Senate has passed the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill, Witness Protection Bill, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Bill.

    “This man talks like a man who is constantly under the influence of some substance and perhaps possessed as he employs the language of a tout with no civility. He is probably constantly excited and incensed by the fact of having his first opportunity to find himself in the corridors of power.

    “He pontificates and talks as if the war against corruption of the Buhari administration depends solely on him to survive. He once publicly attacked the Attorney General of the Federation and accused him of not doing enough to prosecute the war. In the Lagos speech, he took a blanket swipe at the judiciary and rubbished that entire institution which he as a lawyer has the professional, ethical and constitutional duty to respect.

    “This is a man who cannot stand for Councilorship election and win. We challenge him to state what his contributions are in the election of our amiable President, Muhammadu Buhari and what new ideas he has contributed to making the fight against corruption more effective since his appointment. With an easily excited man like him as head of an advisory body, the nation has continued to lose anti-corruption cases in courts due to the failure of his advice. He needs to do more work and talk less because media prosecution cannot win the war on corruption.”

    The Senate therefore called on the President to caution Sagay and stop him from further creating needless tension in the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

  • Court jails mechanic for theft of tricycle engines

    Court jails mechanic for theft of tricycle engines

    A Grade 1 Area Court in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday sentenced a 25-year-old tricycle mechanic, Tukura Peteri, to six months imprisonment for stealing 69 pieces of tricycle engines

    Peteri had pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal trespass and theft, punishable under Sections 348 and 287 of the Penal Code.

    The Judge, Mr Hassan Ishaq, however, gave the convict N18,000 option of fine.

    He also ordered the convict to pay N2. 5 million compensation to the owners of the stolen items.

    Prosecutor Taiye Hassan had told the court that the matter was reported by one Saidu Biu, a vehicle inspection officer to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Aug. 21.

    He said that the convict trespassed into the National Stadium to steal 69 engines from seized tricycles.

    He noted that apart from the 69 pieces earlier stolen by the convict, other tricycle engines were recovered in his possession.

    “During police investigations the convict confessed to have sold the 69 pieces of the tricycle engines at N2. 5 million.

    “After a thorough search was conducted on the convict’s workshop, some other engines which cost are yet to be valued were recovered from his possession.’’ he said.

  • Buhari returns to Abuja after Sallah holiday in Daura

    Buhari returns to Abuja after Sallah holiday in Daura

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday resumed official duties at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, after Sallah break at his country home in Daura, Katsina State, the Nation gathered.

    While in Daura, the President on Friday performed the Eid prayers along with thousands of Muslims
    at the Daura Eid ground.

    The President on Monday in Daura received associations of farmers, businessmen, youths, elders and politicians from Katsina State, where he assured them of his continuous commitment to serve the nation.

    He attributed his recent convalescence to divine act of almighty God.

    Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State also visited President Buhari in his home town Daura as part of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    During the visit, the President restated Federal Government’s commitment to guarantee adequate protection of all citizens.

    He said “every Nigerian has a right to live, work and thrive in any part of the country, irrespective of backgrounds.”

    The President on Tuesday received Nigerien President, Mahamadou Issoufou in Daura, Katsina State, where he confirmed that Nigeria was out of recession.

    “Nigeria is finally out of economic recession,” he said.

    Buhari told newsmen after a closed door meeting with visiting Nigerien leader, Issoufou, that he was “very happy’’ to hear that the country was finally out of recession.

    National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Tuesday announced that Nigeria was out of economic recession.

    The NBS said this in a Gross Domestic Product (GPD) Report for Second Quarter 2017 released by the bureau in Abuja.

    The NBS said that the nation’s GDP grew by 0.55 per cent (year-on-year) in real terms in the quarter, indicating the exit of the economy from recession.

    The bureau said that figures indicated the economy was out of recession after five consecutive quarters of contraction since first quarter 2016.

    However, President Buhari said that the real impact of coming out of recession would be better felt when ordinary Nigerians experience changes in their living conditions. (NAN)

  • Buhari departs Katsina State for Abuja

    Buhari departs Katsina State for Abuja

    After observing his Eid-el-Kabir Sallah break, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday departed Katsina State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    He was seen off by top government officials of the state led by Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari.

    A chopper brought him from Daura to Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina around 10:45 a.m where he joined his plane to Abuja five minutes later.

    The President had arrived his home state last week Wednesday and have had series of private meetings, including the visit of the President of Niger, Muhammadu Issoufou.

    The president was in company of immediate members of his family, Media Aide Garba Shehu and the Chief Security Officer, Bashir Bindawa and members of the protocol unit of the villa.

    The highly-elated Buhari commended the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk, for the wonderful reception accorded to his Niger counterpart, President Muhammadou Yusouffou, who visited the Daura palace on Tuesday
    after visiting President Buhari.

    Buhari was accompanied to the departure point by the emir, politicians, well wishers and security personnel deployed to cover the visit.

    The President during the break also had time to visit and work on his farm.

  • Ministry of Transportation pilots bicycle riding in FCT

    Ministry of Transportation pilots bicycle riding in FCT

    Ministry of Transportation says the National Council on Transportation has approved the commencement of a ‘bicycle riding’ project, as a means of transportation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi told newsmen at the end of the National Council on Transportation on Monday in Sokoto.

    He said that the introduction of bicycles as a means of transportation would reduce congestion on the road and also improve the health of the riders.

    “National Council on Transportation is a policy making Council, if nothing else; we approved that we should do a pilot project on bicycle riding in FCT.
    “This is because Abuja is the only city that has facility for bicycle riding.

    “For other states who want to do it, we must provide facility before they can proceed with it; we want to separate them from the roads because some motorists are impatient.

    “So, we decided that we do it in Abuja because if you check, nearly all the roads in Abuja, there are lanes for bicycle.

    “Any other state that wants to go ahead can do that but they must provide lanes for bicycle so that we do not have numerous accidents,” he said.

    He said that using bicycles as a means of transportation was not new adding that countries including in China, UK and others already using it.

    Amaechi, who described the project as an investment, said it would also help in exercise and reduction in the number of passengers using other forms of transportation including cars within the cities.

    Commenting on other project, he said that the ongoing rail projects would really boost the economy.

    According to him, the Lagos-Ibadan railway construction would need about 150,000 workers before its completion.

    “Construction alone that is going on between Lagos-Ibadan would really boost the economy.

    “The railway work that is going on there will need about 150,000 workers and when it is done, the business it would generate would help employ people.”

  • Rumble in Zakzaky’s camp

    Rumble in Zakzaky’s camp

    It is over eight months since Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the immediate release of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The order was not obeyed and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) remains in custody.

    The situation has forced followers of the Shi’ites sect leader to often take to the streets in major cities of the North, particularly Kaduna, demanding his and his wife’s unconditional release. They have been in custody since December 2015.

    Members of the Islamic sect clashed with the men of the Nigerian Army in December 2015. The clash left many people dead, while the sect leader, Sheikh Zakzaky was later arrested during the soldiers’ raid on his house in Zaria two days later and handed over to the Department of State Service (DSS).

    However, after several protests and litigation, Justice Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja in December 2016 ordered his release and 24-hour police protection for El- Zakzaky and his wife when they are released from custody.

    Apart from their release, the court ordered the authorities to provide them a decent accommodation alongside their family. Respondents in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 are the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    Lagos lawyer and activist Femi Falana (SAN) had approached the court for the release of the religious leader and his wife from detention.

    The court held: “The Respondents shall within 45 days of this judgement make proper and decent arrangement of a residential abode for the applicant and his family in Kaduna State or anywhere of their choice within the northern region, where the applicant and his wife and their children can relocate when released upon the expiration of 45 days from today, that is December 2, 2016.”

    Justice Kolawole said further; “Let me state clearly and for the avoidance of doubt that the failure of the government to effect the release of the applicant and his wife from its custody or any illegal custody whatsoever, upon the expiration of the 45th day from December 2, 2016, such failure shall not only constitute a deliberate act of disobedience of these orders, but it will crystallise into fresh cause of action of infraction of the Applicant’s rights and his wife to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

    “The Inspector General of Police or any of its subordinate officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector General when he received the applicant and his wife as ordered, shall take immediate steps within 24 hours, convey the applicant and his wife under necessary security escort to their place of abode as would have been provided by the 1st Respondent, DSS, working in conjunction with the third Respondent, AGF.

    “The 2nd Respondent, Police, shall then provide the applicant and his wife police protection which shall operate round the clock until the alleged threats which were not provided by any admissible evidence but left in the realm of speculation are moved or significantly diminished,” the Judge said.

    Eight months after, Zakzaky’s followers have been left with no alternative but to the continue protests, as the authorities have refused to release their leader.

    During one of the protests in Kaduna, the protesting Shi’ites asked the government to immediately release their leader or exterminate all of them. They also vowed never to rest until federal government releases their leader, who has been in DSS custody since December 2015.

    The angry protesters, who temporarily blocked major highways in Kaduna metropolis were seen with placards with varying inscriptions such as, “Free Zakzaky”, “We demand justice”, “We are Nigerians”, “Release El-zakzaky or kill us all,” among others.

    Addressing newsmen, spokesperson for the protesters, Mallam Nuhu Mafara said they were out in large numbers to agitate for the unconditional release of their leader who has been in detention since the December 2015 clash between the members of the Islamic sect and men of Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    “The protest was a joint action against the illegal detention of our leader Ibrahim El-zakzaky  and all members from Kano Jigawa, Niger, Bauchi, Zamfara and other northern states are here today to demand the unconditional release of our leader.

    “Today also marks over 250 days since a court of the land set him (El-Zakzaky) free, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey court orders”, he added.

    Also, a statement signed by one of the group’s top members Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello, read in part “while there are known figures in Nigeria today, agitating for the breakup of the country into pieces, with some even issueing ultimatum, to the government. But here is Sheikh Zakzaky, who has never committed any treasonable offence languishing in jail.

    “Precisely the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has clocked 612 days today in the gulag of Buhari administration illegally. It is today well over 250 days when an honorable court of the land set him free from detention, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey the courts orders”.

    The statement described what happened in Zaria in 2015 as ugly incidences, saying, “during the pogrom that included incessant killing of over 1000 unarmed members of the Movement, burning of some of them alive, looting of their property and demolishing their buildings all perpetrated by the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    “The worst part of all this oppression against Sheikh Zakzaky who enjoys millions of followership in Nigeria and beyond, is that to date none of the perpetrators of the genocidal crime in the Army and Kaduna state government has been brought to book. Some have even been rewarded with promotion in their various places of work. These and many more instances of cruelty against the Sheikh made him to be the most oppressed person in Nigeria of today.”