The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal government

  • World Refugees Day: FG promises more welfare for IDPS, Migrants

    World Refugees Day: FG promises more welfare for IDPS, Migrants

    …UNHCR laments condition of refugees

     

    The Federal Government on Monday promised that it will continue to make provisions for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants precipitated by crisis in the various camps scattered across the country in line with mandate and principles of international protection.

    The assurance was given by the Federal Commissioner in charge of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, Sadiya Umar Farouk while presenting food items to inmates of the refugees camp in Nyanya Gwandara, Nasarawa State as part of activities to mark the World Refugee Day.

    June 20 is marked as World Refugee Day.

    As part of activities to mark the day, Farouk led ‎representatives of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to the camp.

    Farouk said that the aim of the visit was to empathize with refugees and IDPs who have found themselves in circumstances not pleasant for humanity.

    She urged Nigerians and all individuals to take a moment to remember all those affected, assuring them that they are not forgotten.

    She said “The National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons will continue to play its role in accordance with its mandate and principles of international protection.”

    The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Jose Antonio Canhandula lamented the condition of the refugees which he said was caused by no fault of theirs.

    He called on the international community to show solidarity with the refugees predicament.

    Also in her remarks, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Dr Fatima Diasow ‎assured that ECOWAS was doing everything within its powers to curtail the disturbing incidence of conflicts across the region.

    Diasow, who was represented at the occasion by Mr Alozie Amaechi, assured that ECOWAS was willing to partner with UNHCR and other world bodies to address the sufferings of citizens caught in conflict situations across the region.

    The spokesperson of the refugees, Germaine Ukumu commended Nigeria for the show of love and provision for stranded African refugees, despite competing demands on lean resources owing to the government’s engagements in the fight against terrorism.

    She said “Whoever gives a refugee a cup of water or shelter has done mighty before God. We here there are over 50 million refugees in the world today, and more troubles are taking place to force more people out of their countries into exile.

    “Now, there is a new trend, the IDPs syndrome that has occupied ‎the attention and resources of the federal government of Nigeria in recent times due to terrorism. Despite all that, Nigeria has continued to show large heart to stranded Africans and refugees,” she said.

     

  • No need to panic over quit notice, FG reassures Nigerians

    No need to panic over quit notice, FG reassures Nigerians

    The Federal Government again assured Nigerians not to panic over the quit notice issued to some Nigerians living outside their state of origin.

    Some Arewa youths had recently given Igbos residing in the North ultimatum to leave the region on or before October 1st.

    The youths claimed that they were reacting to the sit at home order on the 30th May by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said that all Nigerians are free to live anywhere in the country.

    According to him, the Federal Government is on top of the situation.

    He said that the series of consultation meetings the Acting President is holding is to calm down the situation and to reassure all Nigerians of their safety anywhere in the country.

    He said: “We want to make comments on what is agitating the minds of Nigerians, that is the call for people from certain parts of the country to relocate to their region, generally very disquieting voices.

    “We just want to assure Nigerians that the federal government is on top of the matter and that yesterday the Acting President addressed leaders from the northern part of the country. At 4 p.m today (Wednesday) he is going to address leaders from the South Eastern part of the country. On Friday he is going to address south eastern traditional rulers and leaders of thoughts. On the 22nd of June there is going to be a meeting of all the groups that is, traditional rulers, religious leaders and leaders of thoughts from both the South East and North part of Nigeria.

    “The idea is not just to assure Nigerians that we are doing something about it but also to give comfort to all Nigerians that this matter is completely under control.

    “To assure Nigerians that any Nigerian anywhere is save, the security authorities are completely on top of the matter and that they will deal decisively with any group of people whose conduct that is believed is going to create instability in the country.

    “So there is no need for anybody to panic, there is no need for anybody to move from any part of the country. The security agencies are on top of the matter and there is no reason for anybody to panic,” he added.

    On why the two newly confirmed Ministerial nominees by the Senate are yet to be sworn-in, he said “I’m not sure whether we’ve had the communication from National Assembly. But what I will do is that I will probably ask from the Acting President or the liaison officer then I will come and give you feedback.”

     

  • FG spends N3.7bn to feed 1.2 million pupils – Akande

    FG spends N3.7bn to feed 1.2 million pupils – Akande

    The Federal Government (FG) has released N3.77 billion for the feeding of 1,287,270 school children in nine states under the Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

    This is was announced on Sunday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President, Mr Laolu Akande.

    He said the benefiting states, comprising Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta and Abia,  received various sums in tranches.

    He also said that 14,574 cooks were engaged in the communities where the schools were located.

    According to Akande, the money is paid directly from the FG’s coffers to the cooks, with a slight variation in Osun State where some of the food items, such as eggs, were bought centrally by an aggregator.

    He added that the federal government intended to feed no fewer than three million pupils in 2017 under the feeding Programme, an aspect of the Social Investment Programme (SIP) of the Buhari presidency.

  • Govt set to negotiate minimum wage with Labour, says minister

    Govt set to negotiate minimum wage with Labour, says minister

    Negotiations that will lead to increased minimum wage will  commence this month, Labour Minister Chris Ngige has said.

    The minister’s assurance followed the announcement of the members of the national minimum wage negotiation committee.

    Ngige also allayed the fears of the Labour movement over the move by the National assembly to repeal the law on minimum wage by taking it away from the exclusive list to the concurrent list.

    Speaking with reporters at the ongoing 106th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, Ngige said though employers had said they were not in a position to pay the N56,000 minimum wage being demanded by Labour, all parties involved had agreed that the N18,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic.

    NLC President Ayuba Wabba told the ILC delegates that the situation of the working poor in Nigeria continued to be dire because of the high and increasing cost of living and rising number of dependents given the deepening unemployment situation; low social protection coverage, delayed payment of salaries among others.

    The minister said: “The issue of minimum wage is a tripartite thing involving the employers, workers and the government and the three of us are talking and have agreed that there is the need to review the issue of minimum wage in Nigeria.

    “The government also agreed that there is the need to pay for short fall of salary arrears, promotion arrears and other earned allowances and they can also attest to that. That is why they have not reported us here of subjugation because we have taken bold steps and initiated payment in that same direction.

    “Before I left home, N10 billion was already being processed for the promotion allowances arrears. Also, the sum of N14.6 billion had been expended in the area of salaries. If we go back home, we have other machineries and plans to go into the bond market and get some funds to offset all these arrears in one full swipe.”

    Asked when the issue of new minimum wage will be resolved, he said: “You cannot fix a time limit for the new minimum wage because it is a negotiation that is ongoing. But we are sure and we have seen the reason there must be an increase.

    “Some people have taken their position. The workers have demanded N56,000 and the employers have said we cannot pay N56,000. But everything being said now is outside the orbit of the negotiation table.When the committee comes into force, then actual discussion will start and that committee will come into force in the a forthright.”

    Speaking on the Bill before the House of Representatives seeking to remove the Labour matters, including minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list, the minister said: “bill has just been presented and if you understand the process of law making the way I do, you will not have any course to worry.

    “The real stage where law making begins is the second reading because that is where the argument starts and you have to convince your colleagues in the chamber in question, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate that the bill must be advanced further and there must be concurrence.

    “The bill in question has just passed first reading and I reiterate that the issue of Labour matters, minimum wage and arbitration are things that are on the exclusive federal legislative list, second schedule of the constitution, item number 34.

    “Therefore, even if that passes a second reading and third reading and is passed, it will still require a constitutional amendment for it to be allowed to pass into a law. So, it is almost like an impossibility. But anything is possible. It is like looking for a needle inside a sack. So, there is no cause for alarm.”

    Wabba said while organised labour were worried about the delay in the commencement of negotiation, they have gotten commitment from all level, including the National Assembly that they are ready to make sure that the issue is addressed once and for all.

  • Northern Threat: Return our oil Blocs, N’Delta militants tell FG

    Northern Threat: Return our oil Blocs, N’Delta militants tell FG

    …Threaten to declare independence on October 1

     

    The coalition of Niger Delta militants on Friday called on the Federal Government to return all oil blocs being controlled by northerners to the people of the region.

    The agitators explained that their action was based on the ultimatum given by some northern youth groups to the Igbo to vacate the North within three months.

    Leaders of the eight militants groups said in a statement that the Niger Delta region shall declare its independence on October 1, 2017 and free itself from enslavement by the North.

    The coalition comprises Niger Delta Watchdogs, Niger Delta Volunteers, Niger Delta Peoples Fighters, Niger Delta Warriors, Bakassi Freedom Fighters, Niger Delta Movement for Justice, Niger Delta Fighters Network and Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

    The militant leaders are General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener: Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators), General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers) General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

    Others are Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters), Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice), Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson (Niger Delta Fighters Network), and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams (Niger Delta Freedom Mandate).

    In a statement, which was said to have been issued shortly after their meeting in Port Harcourt, the militant leaders warned all companies operating in such oil blocs to vacate within three months.

    The group said “A coalition of the Niger Delta militants met today in Port Harcourt to review the recent call by the Arewa Youths groups that the Ndigbo should vacate all the Northern states within three months.

    “We see the declaration by Arewa Youths as a well consultative declaration which the northern elders, leaders, political elite, security heads from the North and governors were fully aware.

    “We demand 100 percent control of our resources. We demand that the Federal Government should hand over all oil blocs owned by the northerners to Niger Delta indigenes. All the companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate within three months.

    “The Federal Government should immediately relocate NNPC and all the offices that have to do with oil/gas sector back to Niger Delta states and an immediately replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of Niger Delta.

    “All northern indigenes working in NNPC and any other Board that has anything to do with oil/gas should be sack with immediate effect.

    “We demand an independent and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta. We are tired of living with the North under Nigeria. We are tired of the President’s sentiments to the Niger Delta people.

    “The President can have time to receive the Chibok girls, but could not have time to meet with the Representatives of the Niger Delta agitators. Our money has been used to fund Boko Haram, a problem created by the Northerners in order to use it as conduit pipe to siphon the resources of Niger Delta.

    “On October 1, 2017 we shall declare our independence come rain, come shine. We shall take our destiny in our hands and free ourselves from the slavery of the North as they are tired of one Nigeria.”

    They maintained that all the companies and businesses owned by the northerners in Niger Delta should be vacated within three months, saying, “From 1st October 2017, we don’t want to see any northerner close to Niger Delta; any attempt to penetrate shall meet fierce resistance. This time, we are not going to play defence, but attack,” the statement by the coalition of Niger Delta agitators read.

    They also called on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region with immediate effect, adding that the measure was aimed at ensuring zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

    They said, “We also demand the Federal government should immediately replace the Inspector General of Police with an indigene of the South West, the Director General of DSS with an indigene of South East, and the National Security Adviser with an indigene of South- South.

    “The Speaker, House of Representatives should voluntarily resign and hand over to an indigene of the South-South.”

     

  • APGA to INEC: Don’t register APDA

    APGA to INEC: Don’t register APDA

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to register “All Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA)”, the newly-formed political association.

    National Chairman of APGA, Dr Victor Oye, made the call in his message to members of the party on mark his two years in office, released in Awka on Wednesday.

    Oye said that APDA, the acronym of the new group, shared similarity with APGA and would confuse party followers if registered.

    “I want to draw the attention of INEC once again to the plans to register All Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) whose acronym sounds like APGA.

    “This is capable of confusing prospective voters in an election; therefore, INEC should not register the new party in view of our formal protest.

    “It should do something urgently to avert the impending confusion,” he said.

    Oye said that APGA under his chairmanship in the last two years, had grown stronger and was more focused and better unified, adding that he had delivered on some of his promises.

    “In my inaugural speech, I promised to reconcile aggrieved members of our party and build on the solid foundation laid by our predecessors.

    “We are thankful to God that today we can say we have fulfilled a reasonable percentage of our promises.

    “Although our political terrain is tortuous, we have been unrelenting in our commitment and unfazed by the darts thrown at us by our detractors and adversaries,’’ he said.

    He said that the focus of his executive was to continue to build the party from where their predecessors stopped, into a formidable national party.

    The chairman added that APGA would remain a party where every member irrespective of creed, race, status or any other mundane consideration would be free and safe to express himself without fear, let or hindrance.

    He decried the slow political development of Nigeria 57 years after independence, pointing out that the political class had exhibited lack of clear political ideology.

    He charged the Federal Government to take urgent steps toward ameliorating the suffering of the masses.

    “It is significantly clear that our politicians still suffer from amnesia.

    “Why have we refused to grow with the times? Why have we refused to tolerate one another and play the game according to its laid down rules?

    “We urge the Federal Government to take further measures to tighten security across the country and alleviate the sufferings of the people who daily grapple with the rising cost of living.

    “As a political party, APGA has distinguished itself from the pack; we have exhibited a high sense of duty, tolerance and humanity in the management of the affairs of the party,’’ he said.

    On the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, Oye said that the party was ready to win again, adding that it would resist any attempt to subvert the process.

    He reiterated that APGA national leadership was intact with him as chairman.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that we are ready for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 18, 2017.

    “We express confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct free and fair election in Anambra, but find it nauseating when some political desperadoes and urchins arrogate to themselves powers they do not have.

    “One thing we can assure them is that nobody can rig that election. For us, the word ‘rigging’ is odious, pungent, putrefying, invidious, sinister, wicked, malicious, offensive and devious.

    “The leadership of our great party is intact, untainted and unflappable.

    “We are committed to building a party that generation unborn will be proud of; our members owe the party and nation a duty to contribute our little quota to make them great,” he said.

    Oye was inaugurated as national chairman of APGA on June 6, 2015.

     

  • FG concerned over human rights chief remarks

    FG concerned over human rights chief remarks

    The Federal Government on Wednesday expressed “deep displeasure” over remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein for describing Nigeria as being an “uncooperative” member and for blocking multiple UN expert visits to these human rights hot spots.

    Foreign Affairs Ministry, Permanent Secretary Sola Enikanolaiye, registered Nigeria’s displeasure at the 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    In a statement, Enikanolaiye said: “Nigeria has has always cooperated with international experts and committed to discharge its human rights obligations.

    “This amounts to gross misrepresentation capable of eroding the confidence and credibility of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the eyes of Nigerians,” he said

    Enikanolaye, who led Nigerian delegation to the conference, said that the attention of the UN would be drawn to the impeccable record of Nigeria in the sphere of human rights protection and scrutiny by the UN.

    “The delegation will state at the allotted time that Nigeria has continued to cooperate fully and unconditionally with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the various human rights mechanisms.

    “In January 2016, Nigeria received four Human Rights Mandate holders, namely the Special Rapporteur on sales of children, child prostitution and pornography.

    “Nigeria also received Maud de Boer-Buquicchio; Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, Ms Urmilla Boola, and the Special Rapporteur on Right to Mental and Physical Health, Mr Dainus Puras.

    “Nigeria similarly received the Special Rapporteur on Internally Displaced Persons, Prof. Chaloka Beyani, from Aug. 23 to Aug. 26, 2016,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria had a known disposition to cooperating with such bodies.

    According to him, delegation has expressed the country’s preparedness to receive the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, in November this year.

    He said that the delegation was however vindicated by the acknowledgement of this misrepresentation by the Office of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights, as conveyed in the Revised Version of his report.

    “Nigeria is ever ready and committed to scaling up its human rights obligations by applying globally acknowledged best practices,” he said.

    NAN reports that Al-Hueesin called out members such as Venezuela, Egypt, Nigeria and the Philippines for blocking multiple UN expert visits to these human rights hot spots.

    “Most astonishingly, in spite of having been elected to this council in 2015, Burundi continues to commit some of the most serious human rights violations dealt with by this council,” he said.

  • Taraba: Farmers association to cultivate 600 hectares of soya beans

    Taraba: Farmers association to cultivate 600 hectares of soya beans

    The Nigerian Commercial Farmers Association (NCFA) has secured 600 hectares of land in Wukari, Taraba, for soya beans cultivation.

    The National President of the association, Dr Jones Ozuzu, made this known on Wednesday while inaugurating the Taraba Chapter of the association in Jalingo.

    Ozuzu said that the aim was to assist individual farmers to have the opportunity to engage in commercial farming which, he said, was being hindered by lack of funds.

    He said that individual farmers lacked access to funding from financial institutions.

    According to him, the association went into partnership with some foreign organisations and other stakeholders to secure the 600 hectares and other farmlands for the benefit of its members.

    “Commercial farmers association is formed to take Nigeria to its economic destination through agriculture.

    “Agriculture is the pillar of every nation. Even countries with rocky lands such as Israel and U.S. have achieved food sufficiency with just five per cent of their population into farming.

    “We must have to do away with subsistence farming as to catch up with the rest of the world in food production.

    “Commercial agriculture is the foundation of every country,” Ozuzu said.

    In his remarks, Mr Shitta Isaiah, a Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, expressed the hope that the association would actualise its dream of boosting agriculture in the state.

    Isaiah said that the Federal Government had provided farm equipment for farmers in the state at subsidised rates to encourage commercial farming.

    He hailed the association for taking agriculture to an enviable height by mobilising people to embrace commercial farming.

    Mr Bernard Aji, the Coordinator of the newly inaugurated Taraba Chapter of the association, pledged to mobilise farmers in communities in the state to embrace commercial farming for economic recovery

     

  • South-south senators may oppose $1.5b loan for states

    South-south senators may oppose $1.5b loan for states

    Federal Government request for Senate approval of $1.492 billion for development projects in ten states may spark another round of protest in the Senate.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki read Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s letter entitled “Re- Federal Executive Council approval of the 2016-2018 external borrowing (rolling) plan” which gave details of the $1.492 billion loan request.

    Only two weeks ago, the South East Senate caucus protested against the exclusion of the zone in the $5.9 billion Chinese Exim bank loan for the development of rail lines in some parts of the country.

    Some south-south senators are already gearing up to oppose the approval of the fresh loan as a result of non-inclusion of any state from the south-south geo-political zone in the loan request.

    A prominent member of the south south Senate caucus said that they were taken aback when Saraki read the letter to discover that no state from the zone was included in the loan request.

    He noted that some of them have resolved to send words home to their governors to find out if they requested for the loan and were left out.

    “If turns out that any south south state was among the states that sought the loan and was left out we will definite oppose the approval of the loan. How can a loan of over one billion dollars for development projects be approved and there is nothing for the south south,” he said.

    In the letter, Professor Osinbajo said, “ I write in reference to my earlier letter requesting for the consideration and approval of the Senate for the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Plan and to request the Senate to separate the states’ projects from the items listed in the Borrowing Plan with a view to giving them accelerated consideration.”

    He listed the affected states and their projects as:

    Kaduna State Development Policy Operation (DPO) $350 million to be funded with a loam from the World Bank Assisted project.

    Ogun State Development Policy Project (DPO) $350 million also to be funded with a loan from the World Bank Assisted Project.

    Ebonyi Ring Road Project $70million to be funded by African Development Bank and co-financed with Islamic Development Bank.

    Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) $100 million to be funded by the ADB

    Katsina Health System Project $110 million to be financed by Islamic Development Bank

    Jigawa State Integrated Rural Development Project $32.4million also to be financed by the Islamic Development Bank.

    Another Ebonyi State Ring Road Project $80million to be co-financed with AFDB

    Kano State Integrated Agricultural and Water Resources Development $200 million.

    Enugu, Kano, Plateau and Ondo States Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project (NUWSRP-111 $200 million to be financed by French Development Agency, giving a total loan of $1,492,400,000.00

  • FG vows to prosecute purveyors of fake news

    FG vows to prosecute purveyors of fake news

    The Federal Government on Sunday said that it will not relent until it has exposed those behind the fake news phenomenon in the country and bring them to justice.

    In a statement in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said that those behind the fake news had the intention of destabilising the polity and causing disunity among the country’s various ethnic and religious groups.

    The statement was signed by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.

    The minister urged Nigerians to be extra vigilant in view of the worsening cases of fake news being spread by the unscrupulous persons.

    Mohammed noted that over the weekend alone, several major cases of fake news were recorded, each of them capable of causing panic, triggering chaos or setting one group against the other.

    He said that a gory video of a blast that occurred many years ago was being circulated along with the false news of a bomb blast in Abuja, while news of a non-existent bomb blast in Lagos was also widely circulated.

    He said the Police had however debunked the fake news.

    Mohammed said the latest strategy being employed by the purveyors of fake news was to attribute to top government officials, improbable statements capable of destabilising the polity, causing tension and threatening the country’s unity.

    ”This is why we are appealing to Nigerians not to ever engage in a knee-jerk reaction to any news, and to subject every information to a very serious scrutiny by checking with security agencies and government spokespersons,” he said.

    The Minister described the fake news phenomenon as ‘the scourge of our times’ noting that it would “probably get worse in the months ahead”

    He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to be very vigilant so that fake news purveyors do not succeed in their quest to sow the seeds of chaos and confusion.

    He also appealed to the traditional media, which has a reputation to protect, to join the campaign against the purveyors of fake news.(NAN)