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Tag: FG

  • Cleric to FG, Nigerians: Leah must not die in captivity

    Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi Christian girl in Boko Haram captivity since February must be freed at all costs, a staff of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students(IFES), Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, has appealed.

    He told the Federal Government and well-meaning Nigerians to stop at nothing to secure the release of the 15-year-old girl and others in terrorists’ camp.

    Para-Mallam admitted the Federal Government has been doing so much behind the scene but urged that such efforts be intensified for Leah’s release as soon as possible.

    The Jos-based preacher told our correspondent however said the government should much more for the release of all abductees.

    “Such negotiations are difficult, confusing, convoluted and complicated. It happened during President Jonathan’s time and we just have to pray and trust God for the best outcomes, as it clearly shows that the government does not seem to be getting things on the right track at the moment.

    “No one will believe that the government is doing enough if there are no concrete results in securing Leah’s and others release from captivity.”

    Expressing pains over the execution of the 24-year-old aid worker Hauwa last week by terrorists, Para-Mallam said government should ensure that was the last of such incident.

    He said Leah and other abductees must not be allowed to go through similar treatment.

    “That Leah and Alice were left alive is something to thank God for. It also means in some way that Boko Haram is listening and this is where the appeals and advocacy at the local and global levels must continue to the Nigerian Government, the AU, EU and UN to do all they can to secure the release of Leah and other captives.

    “Other international bodies need to also support the efforts of the Nigerian government.

    “Such negotiations are always done in utmost secrecy or confidentiality, my hope and prayer is that the Government is engaging with the authentic negotiators from the Boko Haram’s side.

    “I believe the government needs to do more now, than ever before to secure Leah’s release.”

    On the declaration by Boko Haram terrorists that Leah and Alice have been converted to their slaves for life, Para-Mallam urged well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate government’s efforts to secure their release.

    “I wish to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians who are open to helping in contributing towards raising funds for the freedom of Leah to take decisive and concrete steps from now.

    “I will always like to maintain in prayer and hope that – may Leah’s release lead to the release of other captives: Christians and Muslims alike.

    “We must not make the mistake of leaving everything to the government. Governments are human although they like to portray themselves as super humans and almost invincible.

    “Governments make mistakes, they engage in missteps and therefore limited in more ways that they care to admit.

    “Bravado talks in complex situations such this yields nothing but empty talk which diminishes the credibility of government.”

    He asked Nigerians not to stop praying for Leah and Alice’s release, stating “Christians and Muslims, at home and in the diaspora should jointly pray for the freedom of Leah, Alice and others currently in captivity.

    “Pointing fingers alone at the government is not enough. Let’s work together. There will always be profiteers in such situations but they can be defeated so that men and women of integrity and work in partnership to see Leah and other captives safely home.”

     

  • FG, international body to develop parks

    The Federal Government and Conservation International (CI) have signed a five-year agreement for the development of the National Parks.

    The tripartite agreement was signed among CI Senior Vice President, Africa Field Division, Michael O’Brien-Onyeka, Conservator General of the National Parks Ibrahim Goni and the Executive Director of Human Rights Advancement, Development and Advocacy Centre (HURIDAC), Ayodele Ameen, in Abuja.

    At the pact signing, O’Brien-Onyeka said the partnership would include fund mobilisation from the Global Environment Fund to strengthen the service, build capacity of forest rangers well as improve livelihoods of the host communities in the states hosting the parks.

    He emphasised that the implementation process would be gradual as it is expected to further improve wildlife protection.

    “Conservation International believes that forest protection must have people at its centre. We are working to realise the Sustainable Development Goals especially through nature, clean air, water and protecting the ecosystem.

    “So, the scale of challenge is not a quick fix but a gradual process. At the moment the MoU is for 5 years.

    “We have used the MoU to capture range of areas we can collaborate. The next step is for the technical team of national parks, CI and other partners. When it comes to training and employment of rangers, we may have a different team that might dona better job.”

    “For instance, if it is to allow a more robust wildlife enforcement system, which might require changes in the law, then we will get more legal people to work on the draft legislation to work with the parliament.

    “There are additional funding coming for wildlife specifically within the GEF that does not affect the star allocation of the country,” O’Brien-Onyeka added.

    Goni applauded the international body for its commitment to supporting the service though the partnership.

    He pledged to provide needed support to ensure the partnership yields result.

    Executive Director of the implementing partner, Ameer Bashir said it took over 24 weeks of planning and meetings before the agreement could become a reality.

    Applauding the seriousness of the service, Ameer restated commitment of development organisations to improving the NPS.

  • Find General Alkali, other missing Nigerians, Senate tells FG

    The Senate on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at finding the missing Director of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ibrahim Alkali (rtd).

    Alkali was reported to have disappeared in Dura Du area of Plateau State on Monday, September 4, barely two months after his retirement from the army.

    The upper chamber also urged the government to take steps to locate other missing Nigerians.

    It prayed the government to set up an investigative panel of inquiries to unravel the circumstances surrounding the dumping of cars found in ponds of Lafande community in the Du District of the state.

    The Senate asked the government to identify possible suspects in the dastardly act and ensure that the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to other criminally-minded persons in the strongest possible terms.

    The resolutions followed a motion, on “The disappearance of retired Major General I. M. Alkali”, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Hassan (PDP Yobe South) at plenary yesterday.

    Senator Hassan in his lead debate noted that the wife of General Alkali, Salamatu had on September 4, alerted the Army authorities that her husband who departed Abuja in the morning of the previous day for Bauchi had not reached his destination.

    He said that Salamatu said that her husband told her at about noon of the previous day that he arrived Jos safely and would be passing Du road to Bauchi.

    He said, “That was the last communication she had with her husband until this moment as his where-about is presently unknown”.

    Hassan said that “following his disappearance, the Nigerian Army, with the support of the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Fire Service and other security agencies embark on intensive search vide tracking of his phone up to when it was switched off as well as relying on tips-off”.

    He explained that when earlier efforts of the Army and other security agencies didn’t yield the desired result, a pool of water in Lafande community was drained amid protest by the local women, who claimed that it was their only source of drinking water.

    The lawmaker lamented that “after two days of draining of the pond, a bus was found in it alleged to belong to a new young man that had earlier disappeared along that road, while on 29th September, 2018 at about 6.00pm, a Toyota car with registration number MUN 670 AA belonging to Major General I.M. Alkali was pulled out of the water with some of his belongings without any trace of his person, while another car, Rover was recovered from the pond whose owner disappeared in 2013”.

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    He said that concern over reported disappearance of numerous commuters along the Du axis for the past years, especially Bauchi onward bound travellers, should be addressed urgently.

    The incident, according to him, raises some pertinent questions, including “Why did the people from Du community refuse to assist the security agencies during the search.”

    “Why did the people (women) try to prevent the Army from draining the water.”

    “Why didn’t the community raise a formal complaint from the local government to the state government about the draining of the water”, and “Who were those spreading false information about the circumstances of the disappearance of Major General I.M. Alkali and what were their motives”.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki commended Senator Hassan for the motion and urged the security agencies to intensify their efforts in finding the retired Army officer and other missing Nigerians.

  • NMA extends ultimatum to FG over reconstitution of council

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), on Monday says it will extend the ultimatum given to the Federal Government to reconstitute the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) by two weeks.

    The NMA President, Dr Francis Faduyile, in a statement in Lagos, said that the extension was to allow government to complete the process of its reconstitution, which, according to him, has reached an advanced stage.

    NMA had on Sept. 7 issued a Sept. 30 deadline for the government to reconstitute the board of the MDCN.

    Faduyile said, however, that the association would not accept any further delay beyond Oct. 14, 2018.
    “We wish to state unequivocally, that the dissolution of the MDCN has caused a lot of damages to medical practice in the country.

    “The colossal damage brought about by the absence of the regulatory body is almost irreversible.
    “Nigeria perhaps could be the only country that allows the practice of medicine to go on without regulation, even for one day.

    “NMA further calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct that henceforth, the MDCN should never be dissolved, to safeguard the health of all Nigerians, “ he said.

    The NMA President urged Nigerians to resolve to contribute their quota sacrificially toward nation building as the country celebrates her 58th independence.

    He said that irrespective of the lapses and setbacks, there was still hope for a greater country.

    Faduyile said: “I therefore urge all Nigerians to keep faith with the government and diligently contribute their quota to the change mantra of the present administration.

    “Our religious and ethnic diversities should be a source of strength and unity rather than weakness and division.

    “This is the time for all Nigerians to meditate on the present state of affairs in the country and resolve to contribute their quota sacrificially toward our nation’s building. “

    According to him, efforts made to reposition the country has yet to bring desired results that will ease the sufferings of Nigerians.

    He said that 58 years after independence, the country was yet to make an impressive mark, accounting for its low ranking in the Global Human Development and Health Indices.

    “We also observed that the country has never lacked effective recommendations to mitigate our crippling socio-economic, political and developmental woes.

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    “Rather, poor and lackluster implementation including absence of the needed political will, have been responsible for the uninspiring status of the nation in the global development circle.

    “In particular, the failure to fully implement the National Health Act 2014, which we believe will guarantee Nigerians Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

    “It is important to reiterate that UHC shall not only increase access to health care delivery but also make it affordable through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

    “Also, with the Community Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBSHIP) as an integral component and will be complemented by the Basic Healthcare Provision fund and other sources of fund from luxury items and taxes, “ he said.

  • Minimum wage: NANS urges FG to yield to workers’ demand

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has urged the Federal Government to urgently accede to the organised labour’s demand on workers’ minimum wage to end Nigeria’s unwarranted sufferings.

    NANS gave the charge in Abeokuta in a statement signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Azeez Adeyemi.

    Adeyemi said that the Federal Government should quickly prioritize workers’ demand, saying that their welfare and well being should never be compromised.

    He noted that the current minimum wage of N18,000 had become grossly inadequate and could no longer meet the demands of an average Nigerian worker.

    “With the increment in prices of petrol, goods and services in the nation, no doubt the minimum wage is long overdue for increment.

    “NANS is using this medium to assure the NLC, TUC, ASUU and other unions of our solidarity and support to the struggle of the ongoing strike.

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    “The national leadership of NANS under Bamidele Akpan, hereby directs all Nigerian students to actively and morally partake in all rallies, protests and other struggles organised by the organised labour.

    “We won’t compromise as we believe we all shall overcome this present situation,” he said.

  • FG brainstorms to halt labour strike

    The Federal Government on Wednesday increased moves to stop the proposed warning strike by the organised labour.
    It resumed negotiation on the new national minimum wage.
    The organised labour had announced its intention to commence a nationwide warning strike midnight to compel the federal government to implement a new national minimum wage.
    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told State House correspondents that the Federal Government would on Wednesday resume negotiation with the organized labour on minimum wage.
    According to him, there was a communication gap between them and the organised labour, hence the threat for the warning strike.
    “Communication gap was discovered this morning.  A breach in communication gap. They said they wrote a letter to me and the SGF but I didn’t see it,” he said.

  • Labour set for nationwide strike

    The organised labour began preparation for its nation-wide strike over Federal Government delay in the implementation of a new national Minimum Wage.

    Mr Joe Ajaero, President, United Labour Congress (ULC) said in a communique issued after its meeting on Monday in Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the organised labour, made up of the NLC, TUC and ULC had on Sept. 12 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to state an amount to enable the minimum wage committee conclude its sitting.

    Labour had collectively demanded for N65,000 per month as the new National Minimum wage for all Nigerian workers as harmonized by organized Labour.

    Ajaero said that if the government failed to meet their demand on the expiration of the ultimatum, it would collaborate with other labour centres and Civil Society Organisations to embark on a nation-wide strike.

    ”We shall no longer be obliged by this time to give any further notice to the government before embarking on the action.

    ”By this communiqué we order all our affiliates and state councils nation-wide to move to the final level of alert in their preparation for the proposed nationwide strike,” he said.

    The labour leader said that a new national minimum wage was desirable and possible, adding that lack of patriotism, greed and corruption was the bane of a reasonable wage.

    Meanwhile the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has empowered the National Administrative Council (NAC) and its leadership to carry out all necessary actions in conjunction with other stakeholders to ensure the achievement of the minimum wage. (NAN)

  • …FG defends appointment of Bichi

    The Federal Government has said that the appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari into public offices are not lopsided and cannot be judged on the basis of the security sector alone.

    Information and Culture Minster, Lai Mohammed, said in Lagos that critics should stop focusing only on the security sector in their assessment of the President.

    He spoke when he paid a visit to Channels Television to drum up support for national campaign against fake news.

    The Channels’ management team had asked for his reactions to criticisms on alleged lopsided appointments in the security sector, especially the choice of Mr. Yusuf Bichi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

    Mohammed said: “Those talking about balancing and federal character should stop focusing on one aspect.

    “Let us see how many permanent secretaries, directors-general and executive directors and heads of parastatals we have in Nigeria today and where they come from. This will give us more insight into the fact that this administration is not lopsided in appointments.

    “We should stop looking at only one side to make our judgment, and anywhere we notice any lop-sidedness, government will correct it.”

    The minister also debunked the allegations from certain quarters that the N16.6 billion Paris Club refund to Osun State was meant to help the All Progressives Congress (APC) win the September 22 governorship election in the state.

    “This is not the first time the Paris Club refund is being made available to states. I think it should be about the fourth time the government has released the money,” he said.

    ”This particular tranche would have been drawn a while ago but for the disagreement between the governors and the Federal Government.

    “It is released to all the states, so, it has nothing to do with the election. The timing may be a coincidence.”

  • TraderMoni beneficiaries hail FG, BOI

    Beneficiaries of the TraderMoni scheme have praised the Federal Government and Bank of Industry (BOI) for the initiative, which they said has set them on the path to financial empowerment.

    They said the TraderMoni initiative introduced last month for petty traders and artisans, which offer them an initial collateral free loan of N10, 000 each, is a well-conceived plan for poverty alleviation.

    TraderMoni is part of the National Social Investment Programme under Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP).

    The scheme, which has been launched in Lagos, Abia, Kano, Katsina and Osun, has been favourably received by market leaders and beneficiaries.

    Director General, Abia Chapter of National Association of Small and Medium Scale Industrialists, Imo Anasonye, commended the Federal Government for remembering poor Nigerians in its plan to assist them with soft loans through TraderMoni.

    He noted with delight the continuity of this present administration in empowering traders at different levels.

    He said: “Last year, the government implemented the first leg of the programme called the MarketMoni where it disbursed loans from N50, 000 to N100, 000 per beneficiary.

    “Now, the government has come up with the TraderMoni, which is like season two of that engagement programme. I commend the government for coming up with such initiative.”

    They also said the registration process was not only transparent but also easy and fast.

    Willy Willy, a tricycle operator in Uyowho, who was at first skeptical about TraderMoni shared his experience.

    “The registration was very easy. They took my picture and my details. It’s just like going to the modern bank. It didn’t waste any time. I got the money on my phone.

    “I have been looking for a loan from banks to service my tricycle but it didn’t come. I will use this N10, 000 to make my tricycle roadworthy so my passengers can enjoy a smooth ride.

    “As I am operating the tricycle, I will be paying the money back. I will be faithful in paying the money so I can get more money.”

    A zobo drink seller in Kano, Rabiu Muhammed, was also full of praises for the loan.

    Without having to leave her station in the market and risk losing sales, she said the TraderMoni agent captured her details under ten minutes and she received the credit alert on her phone in few days.

    She promised to use the money to buy more ingredients to allow her make and sell more zobo.

    She said the money she makes from her business is what she uses to support her family.

    Speaking at the launch of the scheme last Thursday at Utako Ultra-Modern Market Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo enjoined the traders and artisans to avail themselves of the loan, which is meant to empower them and expand their businesses.

    Addressing the ecstatic crowd, he said TraderMoni was targeted at those at the bottom of the pyramid running micro-businesses.

    He said: “The small small traders, no be big traders; na small small traders we wan give money; make them able to sell well; have money to sell.”

    Beneficiaries get N10, 000 as the first loan and qualify for a larger amount of N15, 000 when they pay back the loan.

    After payback of the second loan, they qualify for a N20, 000 loan, and then N50, 000 and then N100, 000.

    While advising all eligible traders present to register for TraderMoni, he said: “President Muhammadu Buhari wanted to make sure that those who are selling in the market: selling pepper, sugarcane, tomato get the money.”

    Executive Director BO1, Mrs. Toyin Adeniji, explained: “This product involves loans starting at N10, 000 and they are for petty traders for whom MarketMoni and FarmerMoni are too large, and for whom the bank account and BVN requirements have been barriers.

    “Paying back the first loan guarantees automatic disbursement of N15,000, and subsequent loans of N20,000, N50,000, and N100,000.

    “Candidates are enumerated in their trade clusters by the over 4,000 TraderMoni agents nationwide.

    “They are verified by the Bank of Industry, and loans are disbursed directly to their mobile wallets,’’ she said.

  • FG recovered billions through whistleblower policy, says Malami

    Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has stated the federal government through its whistleblower policy have recovered billions of naira.

    He said the recovery was made possible through other measures like the establishment of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and Executive Order No.6, among others.

    Speaking at the 2nd annual conference/induction ceremony for new members of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors (CIFIA), the minister added the administration ensures individuals are unable to use money or property obtained through corrupt means.

    Malami also stated that it is the belief of the Buhari administration that those who corruptly enriched themselves with public funds should be jailed to serve as deterrence to others.