The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FG

  • FG declares three-day holidays for Christmas, New Year

    FG declares three-day holidays for Christmas, New Year

    The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, December 25, and Wednesday, December 26, as public holidays to commemorate the Christmas and Boxing Day celebrations.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Anasthesia Nwaobia, on Monday, in Abuja.

    Similarly, the statement said that Tuesday, January 1, 2013 has also been declared as public holiday to mark the New Year.

    It stated that the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, declared the holidays on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Moro enjoined all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs to imbibe and emulate the spirit of the season, which is love, joy, peace, justice and kindness.

    He urged Nigerians to continue to promote the unity of the country in its progressive march towards nationhood.

    The minister also wished all Nigerians a blissful and peaceful celebration.

     

  • FG confirms Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    FG confirms Yakowa’s, Azazi’s death in crash

    President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed utter shock and sadness over the crash on Saturday in Bayelsa State of a military helicopter resulting in the death of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State,  former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd) and their aides.

    A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also confirmed the death of Dauda Tsoho and Warrant Officer Mohammed Kamal, the pilots, Commander Muritala Mohammed Daba and Lt. Adeyemi O. Sowole in the crash.

    The President, according to the statement, extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the deceased, and the governments and people of Kaduna and Bayelsa States.

    He described the sudden loss of “these distinguished Nigerian”s as extremely painful to the entire nation.

    The president has ordered an investigation into the causes of the crash.

     

  • FG to restructure power ministry in 2013

    FG to restructure power ministry in 2013

    The Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, on Friday disclosed that the Ministry of Power will be restructured next year.

    The minister said the restructuring will deal with the new and inevitable challenges in the ministry.

    Besides, she noted that by 2013, the industry will be private sector- driven, especially as many Independent Power Projects will be commissioned.

    Kuchi spoke at a power summit in Lagos.

    THE Theme of the summit is: “Strategies towards consolidating sustainable power supply in a privatized industry.”

    She sought for the cooperation of local and international development partners, in ensuring sustainability of supply along the electricity value chain.

    Speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Dere Awosika recalled that almost all the challenges that were identified at the previous summits this year have been addressed.

    According to her, the ministry has successfully resolved the Power Holding Company of Nigeria PHCN) labour crisis and attained a new height of 5,500megawatt power generation.

    She added that the Manitoba Hydro International Corporation has taken over the management of the Transition Company of Nigeria.

     

  • Bakassi: FG protests maltreatment of Nigerians

    Bakassi: FG protests maltreatment of Nigerians

    The Federal Government on Thursday protested to Cameroon over maltreatment of Nigerians living in Bakassi Peninsula, which was ceded to the Francophone country in August 2008.

    But Cameroon swiftly responded by claiming that it is not harassing Nigerians in the Peninsula.

    The country’s government said its hospitality to the Nigerians in Bakassi Peninsula has led to massive requests from them to obtain Cameroonian nationality.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) lodged the Federal Government’s protest at the 30th session of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC).

    The session was presided over by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for West Africa, Amb. Said Djinnit, who is also the chairman of the Mixed Commission.

    But Adoke insisted that Cameroon should take measures to investigate the maltreatment of Nigerians in Bakassi to address these concerns of the Federal Government.

    He said: “Mr. Chairman, let me reiterate my earlier representation to the 20th meeting of the Follow-Up Committee that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is concerned about reported cases of maltreatment of its citizens in the Bakassi Peninsula. As I reiterated on that occasion, while Nigeria would continue its international obligations, the government is concerned about this situation and its possible effect on the work of the CNMC.

    “The effect of these allegations and the political pressure they engender cannot be over-emphasized as they impact profoundly on the level of public confidence between the government and its citizens.

    “We therefore, call on the Cameroonian authorities in the spirit of Article 4 of the Green Tree Agreement and other international Human Right Instruments to which our two countries are signatories, to urgently investigate and take measures to address these concerns.

    “This is important as it would provide the enabling political environment for the activities of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) and the Follow-Up Committee, as well as strengthen the hand of government in its resolve to faithfully implement the ICJ judgment.

     

  • FG, PHCN staff agree on severance package

    FG, PHCN staff agree on severance package

    Power Holding Company of Nigeria workers won a major battle on Tuesday midnight as the Federal Government agreed to sign an agreement with the workers’ representatives on the payment of their severance packages, pension and gratuity.

    Based on the agreement, a three- month salary in lieu of notice will be paid to all active employees of PHCN that had served for more than 10 years, while those that had been in service for less than 10 years will get one month salary.

    The disagreement over the workers’ severance package had remained the major setback in the privatization of the PHCN and the implementation of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

    The two parties had been involved in discussions and negotiations since May last year, with the aim of resolving the dispute.

    The Tuesday’s meeting took place in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

    It was attended by Senator Anyim, Minister of State for Finance, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and the acting Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, who signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

    Also in attendance were the President General, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele , Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Isaac Abegye and President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Comrade Bede Opara.

    Comrade Opara signed for the PHCN workers.

    Chief Wogu, who read the agreement, said total accrued gratuity as at June 30, 2012 will be paid to the workers in accordance with defined scheme stipulated in the PHCN 2010 condition of service.

    He added that a 15 per cent pension contributions will be paid from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012 in accordance with the provisions of the Pension Act 2004.

    It was also agreed that repatriation allowance will be paid as five per cent of Annual Pensionable Emolument.

     

  • CAN tasks FG on security

    CAN tasks FG on security

    The Christian Association of Nigeria on Friday in Ibadan called on the Federal Government to ensure improved security for all Nigerians in 2013.

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman, Oyo State Chapter of CAN, Pastor Ayo Olabisi, said government should put in place measures to check bombings, killings and kidnappings.

    Olabisi said efforts to re-brand the nation’s image would amount to nothing if Nigerians do not allow peace to reign.

    According to him, a stable economy will engender further development.

    “We are expecting new things come year 2013. We stand with the government to condemn the killings, bombings and kidnappings in the country.

    “The security of this nation is of a high priority, we must therefore come together to support government in ensuring that peace reigns in 2013,’’ he said.

    Reacting to Nigeria’s rating as the 35th most corrupt nation in the world by the Transparency International, Olabisi said it was “ saddening and regrettable.’’

    He appealed to government to step up the fight against corruption and ensure that all those linked to corrupt practices were arrested and prosecuted.

     

  • Minister faults Nigeria’s TI ranking

    Minister faults Nigeria’s TI ranking

    The Federal Government has watered down the country’s corruption rating by Transparency International.

    The country was ranked 35th on the recent global corruption index.

    The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said both the TI report and a recent Gallup Poll that also showed that Nigeria is among the most corrupt nations globally were products of interactions with Nigerians and synopsis of negative media reports.

    Maku, who was responding to questions from State House Correspondents at the end of the weekly the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the rating does not actually reflect the true pictures of things in the country.

    He noted that what most of the rating institutions rely on are people’s perceptions of the country, especially Nigerians and what they get from the media.

    This he said does not take into recognition the efforts of the present administration to deal with the issue of corruption.

    He stressed that the government systematic and institutional approaches are gradually yielding results.

    The minister cited the recent government efforts at arresting the fraud in the fuel subsidy management which has led to prosecution of some suspects.

    Equally, he said the pension scam investigation and prosecution of some government workers were indications of the administration’s readiness to address corruption in the country.

    “Government has continued to take decisive measures against defaulters in the fuel subsidy scam. There are so many issues involved in dealing with corruption. When you are systematic and deliberate reform goes deeper.

    “The president does not seat in court to imprison people. There are institutions set up to do that,” the Minister observed, advising journalists to follow up on institutional proceedings to get to the roots of matters and thereby unearth omissions and commissions, so that government will be able to track and act on such.

     

  • Unity colleges: FG to adopt criteria for principals’ appointment

    Unity colleges: FG to adopt criteria for principals’ appointment

    The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would establish and adopt “measurable criteria” for the appointment of principals into Federal Unity Colleges.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The statement said the minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, made this known while declaring open the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Principals of Federal Unity Colleges in Enugu.

    According to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Education is not happy with the quality of leadership provided by principals of Federal Unity Colleges for their respective schools.

    It stated that due to the low performance of the principals, appointments to head schools would henceforth be based on measurable criteria.

    “Let me make it clear to all of us that the Minister of Education and my humble self are not satisfied with the quality of leadership that you offer in the unity colleges.

    “Therefore we are determined to raise the performance and achievement levels of our students.

    “From now on, appointment of principals to the unity colleges will be based on measurable criteria to be established and adopted soon by the Federal Ministry of Education,”the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying in the statement.

    Wike stated that the continued stay or retention of principals in office would be determined by the outcome of a summative performance evaluation to be administered annually on all principals of Federal Unity Colleges.

     

  • ‘FG to reach every child with polio immunization’

    ‘FG to reach every child with polio immunization’

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Pate, said the Federal Government had vowed to reach every child with polio immunisation by partnering with traditional rulers and philanthropists.

    Pate said this in Abuja during a roundtable discussion with journalists and executives of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an NGO, on polio eradication.

    “ There has never been this commitment by the government to eradicate polio in the country, President Goodluck Jonathan sees polio eradication as key to improving health system,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the minister as saying at the forum.

    He said one of the key components of “saving one million lives by 2015” was polio eradication, adding that more than 25 states had not seen polio virus in the last three years.

    Pate said Nigeria would take example from a country like India as it had not recorded any case of polio for the past 22 months.

    He said Indian success story was due to good information system, macro plan, tracking of migrants and ensuring that every new born was captured.

    Pate said the negative perception about the vaccine used as family planning has drastically reduced, adding that in the northern part of the country women network was playing very important role in polio eradication.

    “ The most important thing is that effort is being made to reach every child and I have seen a tremendous process in polio eradication this year.”

    In his speech, Jeff Raikes, Chief Executive officer of the foundation, said eradicating polio in the country was fundamental to reducing other diseases.

    Raikes said the foundation had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kano State government and Dangote foundation to eradicate polio in the country.

    He said the MoU was for three years to improve routine immunisation and primary health care in Kano with a goal of reaching 80 per cent coverage with basic vaccine by 2015.

     

  • Jakande tasks FG on economic growth

    Jakande tasks FG on economic growth

    A former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has urged the Federal Government to diversify the economy to reduce Nigeria’s over-dependence on petroleum.

    Jakande told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday that there was need to develop other sectors to ensure speedy development.

    The former governor, who spoke against the backdrop of plans by the United States to cut down oil imports, stressed the need for government to pursue goals that would favour economic advancement.

    “We are a great country with a large number of people and enormous resources. There are countries that have agricultural resources but not oil resources, some with oil resources but no agriculture.

    “God in his mercies has blessed us with all, it is the duty of our leaders to make the best use of these resources.

    “We have to look after ourselves and it is our duty to spread our tentacles to protect our nation’s interest. Whatever America is doing is in their own interests,” he said.

    According to him, the leaders must rise up to the occasion to develop the economy.

    President Barrack Obama had in 2011 advised the U.S. to cut down its oil imports by one-third over the next decade and encourage internal exploration.