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  • N8.612tr budget for 2018 will sustain steady economic recovery – Buhari

    N8.612tr budget for 2018 will sustain steady economic recovery – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja presented about N8.612 trillion as the 2018 Appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, saying the projected expenditure would drive rapid economic recovery.

    He said at the session that with a benchmark of 45 dollars per barrel at an exchange rate of N305 to a dollar in 2018, the budget would consolidate on the achievements of previous budgets to aggressively steer the economy to the path of steady growth.

    “With the economic recovery made so far, it is clear that we made the right decisions.

    “And I urge you all to support the Federal Government’s policies towards economic recovery,’’ he said.

    Buhari said that the government would continue to develop infrastructure and increase investments in agriculture to attain food security and reduce importation.

    Read Also: Nigeria saves 20 Billion naira monthly on payroll system – Buhari

    He added that while the Federal Government was committed to identifying alternative means of funding new projects, there was need to continue to pursue public private partnership, to provide more infrastructure in the country.

    According to him, the Federal Government has been able to construct or rehabilitate about 776-kilometer roads in 2017.

    The president said that the construction of Abuja metroline had attained 98 per cent completion, adding that work had commenced on the Ajaouta-Itakpe rail line which was abandoned for 17 years.

    He said that the project would be delivered in September 2018, adding that the country’s power sector would witness a turn around.

    “The power sector reform is still working in progress as we have increased power generation but we still have some challenges in transmission and distribution network,” Buhari said.

    He added that the Federal Government was committed to green alternative energy.

  • Six docked for beating DPO

    Six docked for beating DPO

    Two women and four men were on Tuesday arraigned in an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly battering a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who was on his way to perform his official duty.

    The accused, who are all residing at Ikorodu, near Lagos are: Kehinde Alimot, 40; Bukola Ahmed, 32; Ifeanyi Kanu, 22; Owolabi Ibrahim, 39; Aikulola Olamiji, 54, and Jamiu Yussuf, 39.

    The accused people were arraigned before Magistrate A.B. Adelabu-Olagbegi on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assault and causing a breach of peace.

    However, they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The magistrate, thereafter, granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    The sureties, according to the magistrate, must also be house owners within the magisterial district and must also show evidence of three years tax payment.

    She adjourned the case until Dec. 14 for trial.

    Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Mary Ajiteru, had said that the accused committed the offences on Oct. 26 along Agunfoye Road, Igbogbo in Ikorodu at about 12.45 a.m.

    According to Ajiteru, the accused, including a nursing mother, battered their victim, one Supol Issah Lawal, a DPO attached to the Igbogbo Police Station.

    “On sighting the DPO, who was on his way to work, he was battered seriously while in his police uniform,” she said.

    Ajiteru said the offences contravened Sections 411, 168 (d), 174(b) of the Lagos State Criminal Code Laws, 2015.

    NAN

  • Lagos begins four-year channelisation of ferry routes

    Lagos begins four-year channelisation of ferry routes

    The Lagos State Government says it has embarked on the channelisation of 30 routes on the waterways as part of efforts to boost transportation in the state.

    The Commissioner for Water Infrastructure, Mr Ade Adesanya, made this known on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the Marina-Ebute-Ojo ferry routes in Lagos.

    Akinsanya said the channelisation would be carried out over a four-year period.

    He said that work had begun on four of the channels, explaining that the move was aimed at ensuring smooth journeys on the waterways and ultimately boost the state’s economy.

    In his remarks, Mr Steve Ayorinde, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said that the government embarked on the project to further attract investment in water transportation and boost tourism potentials in the sector.

    Ayorinde expressed optimism that the move would also enable those engaged in ferry business to generate more income and in turn pay their taxes to the state.

    Mr Olajide Akinyele, one of the engineers in charge of the project, listed the routes where work was ongoing as Ojo-Marina, Baiyeku-Ajah, Ijede-Marina and Ijede to Badore.

    Read Also: Lagos targets 2m water passengers daily

  • Trial of Amosu, other ex-service chiefs resumes Dec. 5

    Trial of Amosu, other ex-service chiefs resumes Dec. 5

    The absence of  Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday forced the adjournment until Dec. 5, 6 and 7 the trial of a former Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu and 10 others charged with N22.8 billion fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) had on June 29, 2016 arraigned Amosu alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and eight companies.

    The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd, Mcallan Oil And Gas Ltd, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Ltd, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Ltd, Deegee Oil and Gas Ltd, Timsegg Investment Ltd and Solomon HealthCare.

    The case which was earlier scheduled for continuation of trial on Tuesday, was again adjourned to the new dates following the absence of Justice Mohammed Idris.

    No reason was given for his absence.

    The accused are standing trial on charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.

    They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bails.

    The accused were alleged to have indirectly converted N3.6 billion belonging to the Nigerian Air Force to their own.

    In addition, Amosu and others were alleged to have stolen over N323 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Air Force between March 21, 2014 and March 12, 2015 and that the money was utilised for the purpose of purchasing for themselves a property situated at No.1, River Street, Wuse II, Abuja.

    The offences. according to the EFCC, contravene Sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.

    NAN

  • ‘Nigeria lost N6tr worth of goods to fire disasters in five years’

    ‘Nigeria lost N6tr worth of goods to fire disasters in five years’

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, Sen. Andy Uba, says Nigeria has lost over N6 trillion worth of goods to fire disasters in the past five years.

    Uba made the disclosure at the International Fire Conference and Exhibition, organised by the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Interior, held on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to him, nationally, direct and indirect reported and unreported losses to the economy have been put conservatively at about N6 trillion.

    “Alarming as these numbers are, they could be significantly higher if all the incidents in rural areas were recorded by an efficient operational fire statistics database.

    “There is a general consensus on the need to mitigate this trend to stopping the fire before they start,” he said.

    The lawmaker told the Federal Government to reposition fire service delivery to make it modern and efficient.

    Uba, who noted that less than two per cent of Nigeria’s population were safety literate, called for media partnership on creating awareness on the issue.

    Declaring the two-day event open, the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that outbreaks were preventable given the necessary equipment and manpower.

    The vice-president was represented by the Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau.

    He said that with support from the legislature and backing from the presidency, the Federal Fire Service would be one of the best in the world within the next five years.

    “The effort by the National Assembly in the 2016 budget to procure five equipment is encouraging. This did not happen in the last 30 years or more.

    “We are doing our best to ensure that Nigeria remains safe. There is a correlation between climate change and conflict,” he said.

    The President of the Fire Disaster Prevention and Safety Awareness Association of Nigeria, Mr Badanga Lamidi, commended the senate for its effort in ensuring safety of Nigerians.

    NAN

  • Ekwueme is alive, responding to treatment – Hospital

    Ekwueme is alive, responding to treatment – Hospital

    Contrary to the rumoured death of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme in the social media, an official of Memfys Neurological Hospital, Enugu, and his younger brother have debunked the report.

    An official of the hospital who on condition of anonymity in Enugu on Tuesday said that ”Ekwueme is still in Memfys Hospital.

    “Former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, is alive, stable and responding to treatment.’’

    The official further said that Ekwueme was receiving the best attention from the hospital.

    The official maintained that though the hospital would not give out information about its patients, “the rumour that he is dead is false.

    “He is recovering and doing well; people should not spread false information.

    “The family members are always here,” the official said.

    Similarly, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, the traditional ruler of Oko community in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra, corroborated the hospital’s position.

    The traditional ruler, who is also the younger brother of the former Vice President, said in a telephone interview in Awka on Tuesday that people had bored the family with phone calls.

    “You people should stop disturbing me with all these calls. Ekwueme is alive and recovering, please,” he said.

    It would be recalled that barely a week ago, Ekwueme was admitted at the Intensive Care Unit of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, Enugu.

    Due to his critical condition, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for his treatment abroad.

    Meanwhile, the family has described the rumour of his death as “wicked”.

    NAN

  • FG saves N24.7bn from TSA, IPPIS/BVN monthly – Buhari

    FG saves N24.7bn from TSA, IPPIS/BVN monthly – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says Federal Government’s leveraging on Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) and the enforcement of Bank Verification Number ( BVN ) has saved the nation of N24.7 billion monthly.

    The president disclosed this when he declared open the 2017 eNigeria Conference, organised by National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA ) at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    The president also revealed that the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System ( IPPIS ) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) had eliminated ghost workers and reduced waste, thereby saving the nation N20 billion monthly.

    He said that the consolidation of 20,000 accounts had saved the nation N4.7 billion.

    According to him, the TSA policy has also facilitated transparency, accountability and ease of transactions and payments between government and businesses as well as government and citizens.

    “We have done a lot to transform our government, especially in the areas of strategy, policies and digital infrastructure investments.

    “You may recall that on assumption of office, we enforced the policy on Treasury Single Account (TSA). Today, we are all witnesses to the impact it has made on our financial management.

    “We have so far consolidated over 20,000 accounts, resulting into about N4.7 billion monthly savings.

    “In addition, the policy facilitated transparency, accountability and ease of transactions and payments between government and businesses as well as government and citizens.

    “Another initiative leveraging on ICT and making huge impact on the economy is the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and Bank Verification Number (BVN).

    “Its implementation has helped to eliminate the menace of ghost workers, thereby reducing waste in the system by saving government over N20 billion monthly.

    President Buhari described his presence at the event as a demonstration of his commitment and strong belief in using ICT as a major driver of developmental governance and economic reform plans aimed at bringing about the true CHANGE his administration promised Nigerians.

    According to him, ICT is strategic in driving productivity and efficiency in all sectors of the economy.

    He noted that currently, almost all sectors of the nation’s economy leverage on ICT to increase efficiency, productivity and performance.

    President Buhari commended NITDA’s efforts on fostering the patronage of indigenous IT products and services through continuous engagement with indigenous OEMs, relevant stakeholders and other laudable initiatives.

    He observed that ICT played a pivotal role with agencies of government such as the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC ), Federal Inland Revenue Service ( FIRS ) and the Nigeria Immigration Service ( NIS ).

    He stated that the affected agencies had leaned on ICT in improving public service delivery in an efficient and transparent manner.

    “So far, 31 reforms have been completed by the council and these reforms are already making noticeable impact on our economic diversification efforts.

    “The Agency’s efforts at enforcing Federal Government’s directive on ensuring that all ICT projects in the country are cleared by it before implementation are highly commendable.

    “These efforts will ensure that government’s ICT procurement is transparent.

    “It is aligned with government’s IT-shared vision and policy, save costs through promotion of shared services, avoid duplication, ensure compatibility of IT systems, thereby improving efficiency across government and enforce the patronage of indigenous companies.’’

    The president expressed the hope that the conference would come up with practical, viable solutions and recommendations to further develop local content in ICT as well as how it could best regulate the deployment and use of ICT systems to foster a digital economy in Nigeria.

    The president used the opportunity of the conference to express displeasure over refusal of some heads of government’s ministries, agencies and departments to wear the Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem.

    He noted that very few of dignitaries at the conference wore the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day emblem, which he inaugurated on Wednesday.

    He urged all heads of ministries, departments and agencies to wear the emblem with pride, to encourage the legionnaires as well as families of those who paid the supreme price for the unity of the nation.

    Buhari said the emblem launch was a worthy tradition of recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices of the veterans in the First and Second World Wars, Nigerian Civil War and Peace Support Operations around the world.

    The three-day conference has as theme: “Fostering Digital Economy through Local Content Development and Effective Regulations.”

    NAN

  • NDLEA Destroys 54,244, 639kg of illicit drugs worth N10b in Kano

    NDLEA Destroys 54,244, 639kg of illicit drugs worth N10b in Kano

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) yesterday in Kano destroyed over 54, 244, 639kg of assorted narcotic drugs worth over N10 billion.
    Speaking during a brief ceremony witnessed by Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the state NDLEA chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (rtd) raised the alarm over the high rate of Nigerian youths and women engaging in drug abuse and trafficking.
    According to him, the future of our youths should be paramount and from indication, with the involvement of them in drugs, the Federal Government must take immediate action to redeem their future and also tackle the menace of drug abuse.
    He added that, “in as much as the tonnage of the seized drugs for destruction today is a clear indication of a good performance by NDLEA, for 54.244 metric tons of drugs to be intercepted from a particular state in no such a long period of time is of unacceptable magnitude and quiet worrisome. It speaks of the extent and prevalence of these deadly substances in the state.”
    Giving details of the seizure, the NDLEA state Commander, Hamza Umar said it was a collective efforts of the state Command and the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport ( MAKIA ), NDLEA Command.
    According to him, “to fully appreciate the abnormality and magnitude of the problem, the two Commands within the last three years (2015-2017) made a total seizure of 12, 314, 3211 in 2016 and in 2017,  47, 12, 314, 3211KG from January to date, 14, 99, 424kg seizure was made as you can see the analysis of what we are burning today.”
    He said in all the figures, Cannabis Sativa was 11, 504.822kg, Psychotropic substances 42, 700.27kg, Cocaine 26.187kg, Heroine 13.360kg, adding that, “all the achievements would not have been possible without the full support of a visionary leader, His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who provided condusive atmosphere to operate.”
    Umar also hailed the effort of the Joint Task Force that involved all the security agencies would not have worked positively without Ganduje’s moral and financial support, adding that the operational vehicles of the Command were mostly donation from Kano state Government.
    The NDLEA boss also used the opportunity to appeal to Governor Ganduje to facilitate the completion of rehabilitation centre which he said when completed will help in discouraging youths against the dangers of drug abuse.
    In his address, Governor Ganduje promised continuous support to NDLEA, just as he thanked Kano people, particularly the  Kano Concerned Citizens for their effort in curbing the menace of drug abuse among youths in the state.
     
    He added that apart from donating operational vehicles to NDLEA, his administration has continued to support the agency financially and otherwise, including the creation of a Special Taskforce that is aiding the agency in the fight against drug abuse.
    In his speech, the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Youths and Students Affairs, Nasiru Adhama, regretted that crimes committed by youths are mostly caused by drug abuse.
    He advocated for more funding to the NDLEA, pointing out that, “how can the NDLEA fight drugs trafficking with meager Capital Budget of N127 million and total overhead of N393 million in 2017?”
  • 2019: PDP should put it’s act together, else will be difficult to win – Bafarawa

    2019: PDP should put it’s act together, else will be difficult to win – Bafarawa

    Former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) stalwart has said that unless the party exhibits the principle and spirit of honesty and collective participation, the leadership of the country will not be grabbed.

    He said the PDP has to put it’s arts together in that direction otherwise it quest for the country’s leadership will be difficult to come bye on a platter of gold.

    Bafarawa spoke when he received officials of the Sokoto state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) on a courtesy visit to him at ‎his residence in Sokoto.

    The one time presidential candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party ( DPP ) also noted that the media remain the live wire of any society, adding that” the media  will only ‎succeed if practitioners are fair and fearless in their reportage.

    According to him” Democracy without the media is like tea without sugar. ‎The media is the back bone of governance and development particularly in a democratic setting.

    “Therefore, journalists who kill stories, kill themselves. What is killing Nigeria’s democracy is arm chair journalism”, he pointed out.

    The former Sokoto state governor who is also the proprietor of the newly established Garkuwa FM radio station in Sokoto further appealed to meida practitioners and journalists to improve and engage in investigative journalism to better the patriotic zeal and commitment to the development, peace and stability of Nigerians and  the country’s democratic institutions‎.

    Read Also:

    Ogun PDP: Kashamu’s camp reclaim Secretariat, arrest 17

  • Senate endorse Health Sciences varsity, Otukpo

    Senate endorse Health Sciences varsity, Otukpo

    A bill which sought the establishment of the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo ( FUHSO ), Benue state, has received the endorsement of the Senate and stakeholders in the education and health sectors of the country.

    The Federal Ministry of Education, National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria ( MDCAN ), Nigeria Medical Association ( NMA ), National Association of Resident Doctors ( NARD ) and League of Idoma Professors ( LIP ) were unanimous in their submissions at the Senate Public hearing that the university is desirable.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki who described t the bill as timely noted that the establishment of the university would help mitigate the crisis in the health sector.

    Saraki stressed that the university would open the window for admission and training of medical  doctors, nurses , pharmacists and  medical  laboratory scientists in Nigeria adding “the university when established would address the issues  of medical tourism and its associated capital flights”.

    Saraki who was represented the Chief Whip, Senator Sola Adeyeye lamented that Nigeria loses humongous sum of money about N3billion annually on account of citizens seeking medical attentions abroad.

    Sponsor of the bill and former Senate President, Senator David Mark, listed the educational, economic and social importance of establishing the Health University to include medical education, access to health care facilities and employment opportunities.

    Senator Mark urged his colleagues to support and pass the bill for the benefit of humanity .

    Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu added that the establishment of the Health University would help address the imbalance in health education just as it will solve the medical needs of citizens.

    Speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Sunday Echono, the minister assured that the  executive arm of government will do the needful as soon as the legislative processes are completed .

    The NUC executive Secretary  Professor Adamu Rasheed who spoke through Prof Ibrahim Yakassai said the university would be  an added value to the pursuit of medical Education in Nigeria .

    All the Speakers including Professor Innocent Ujah of Nigeria Institute for Medical Research ( NIMR ) , Professor Francis Uba of College of Medical Sciences, Professor Owoicho Akpa, of League of IDOMA Professors, former Interior minister Comrade  Abah Moro,  and Dr. Umar Adamu  of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)  among others were of the consensus that the university be established forthwith to address medical challenges in Nigeria.