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17May By Felix ShammahNo Comments

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Nigeria’s Restructuring Inevitable, Says Prof. Igho Natufe

By Frank Momoh A renowned foreign policy expert, Prof. Igho Natufe, on Sunday, in Lagos made a critical appraisal of the Nigerian State and concluded that restructuring of Nigeria in accordance with the notion of federalism was inevitable. Speaking on behalf of one of Nigeria’s minority tribes: The Okpes in Delta State, on Sunday, he said: ‘’Our contribution to Nigerian development shall be influenced by the tenets of federalism.” As a component of the Nigerian federation of ethnic nationalities, he said the Okpe union endorses the call for restructuring the Nigerian federal system in accordance with the notion of federalism. In a paper entitled Internal Cohesion and Development in Okpe Nation, Natufe said that active participation of Okpe Union in Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDE...

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16May By Mohammed MohammedNo Comments

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Alleged $65m Theft by Ex FMBN Boss: Buhari ‘ll Not Provide Cover for Criminals, Says Shehu

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, has acknowledged the revelation on the alleged theft of $65 million by the  Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences  Commission (ICPC), against the former MD of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Yau' Kumo. He however declared that Kumo is not an in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari.In a statement made available to the media, the SSA acknowledged that the there is a running story in the media to the effect that the Commission has declared the  former MD of FMBN wanted in connection with fraud involving the large sum of money, $65 million, reiterating that the former MD is no longer an in law of President Muhammadu Buhari'. Shehu, in a statement acknowledged that ...

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15May By Mohammed MohammedNo Comments

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Food Security: Buhari Pledges Action against Bandits’ Threat

With increasing threat to Nigerian farmers by bandits from having access to farmlands, President Muhammadu Buhari, has pledged to use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food production in the coming growing season. President Muhammadu Buhari, also acknowledged that without security that Nigerians can’t do anything, even as he expresses surprise and disappointment at the developments in the North-west. With strong emphasis, he pledged that federal government is dealing with it the menance. In the statement signed by his Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, he however appealed to Nigerians for more understanding of the current situation in the country. “I exp...

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15May By Seun AdamsNo Comments

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Review of 1999 Constitution: Public Hearing Commences May 26, 27

The much-awaited zonal public hearing on the review of the 1999 Constitution would hold from May 26 to 27.The event which would simultaneously hold across 12 state capitals across the country would witness two public hearings per geopolitical zone.Mr. Yomi Odunuga, Spokesperson to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, in a statement made available to the media, said a national public hearing is expected to hold in Abuja.  The Senate Committee, Chairman on Constitution Review and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege disclosed, he added. Speaking while hosting members of the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEPAD) in his office, led by its National Coordinator, Chino Obiagwu (SAN), Senator Omo-Agege called on those who have already submitted ...

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11May By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

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Job Creation: Minister Expresses FG’s Support for 1,221 Tech-startups

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said federal government has supported the growth and sustainable development of 1,221 technology start-ups, physically domiciled in the Ministry’s Technology Incubation Centres. Dr. Onu, revealed the laudable feat, when he received the report of the Technical Committee on Job Creation in Nigeria; “FMST CONTRIBUTION.” The Technology start-ups he said include firms involved in food processing, auto-spare part production, agricultural machinery, software development, pharmaceuticals and various feats of engineering. According to the Minister the research and innovation efforts of the Ministry have been beneficial to the establishment of many Micro, Small, Medium and Large Scale enterprises (MSMLE’s) in the country. He...

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8May By Seun AdamsNo Comments

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Telcos Growth: NCC, US Firm Move to Balance Competition with Disruptive Technologies 

For sustained growth in Nigeria’s telecommunications space, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said that in cognizance of the global trajectory in disruptive technology, it is keen on balancing healthy competition among players to ensure sustainable telecoms industry growth and development in Nigeria. The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the disclosure during a presentation to the Commission by a delegation from SpaceX, an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportations services company, in Abuja on Thursday, May 6, 2021. SpaceX is in the process of launching a low-earth orbiting (LOE) constellation of satellites to provide low latency, high bandwidths Internet to all corners of the globe and has identified Nigeria as a critical...

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7May By Mohammed MohammedNo Comments

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FG Orders NPA MD, Ms. Usman to Step Aside for Investigation

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday has ordered the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman to step aside in the meantime. Federal government is not unconnected with alleged shoddy and lack of corporate governance in the agency. The decision and approval followed the recommendation of the Ministry of Transportation superintended by Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi for the setting up of an Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the management of NPA. The Special Assistant to the President, (Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to the Media late yesterday night (Thursday), said the President has also approved that Mr. Mohammed Koko will act in that position. The panel is to be headed by the Director, Maritime ...

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4May By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

News, Top Stories

FG Shifts NIN-SIM Verification Deadline to June 30 as Enrollment Hits 54million

The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to the 30th of June.   The extension was as a result of the virtual meeting chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami, and attended by the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Dambatta and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Azeez.  The postponement of the deadline was also based on the request by stakeholders for an extension till 30th of June in order to make it easier for all citizens and legal residents to register.  ...

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3May By Mohammed MohammedNo Comments

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FCT Not Under Attack by Boko Haram, Says Police Commissioner

The attention of the FCT Joint Security Team has been drawn to a viral publication in the social media purporting that the ‘Federal Capital Territory is under the attack of Boko Haram Terrorists. ASP Yusuf Mariam, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in a statement, quoted the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Ciroma, as saying that the Joint Security Team of the FCT wishes to refute the mischievous publication targeted at creating palpable tension amongst the well-spirited residents of the territory. Contrary to the speculation, the Heads of Security Agencies (HOSA) in FCT in the bid to address security concerns within the FCT, held a strategic meeting on Thursday 29th April where the team resolved to deploy alternative proactive crime-fighting measures within the FCT particular...

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3May By Sharpedge NewsNo Comments

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Buhari Charges Nigerian Media to Report Responsibly

To mark the 2021 World Press Day (WPD), usually observed globally every May 3rd, President Muhammadu Buhari, recommits to freedom of the press, and urges media professionals to wield freedom responsibly, and without licentiousness.  The Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement made available to the media, quoted his boss as saying that freedom of the press is an irreducible minimum in a democracy that would flourish. Buhari added that freedom must, however, be used responsibly.  “That everything is permitted does not mean that there are no rules of correctness, particularly in a polity seriously challenged as ours now,” President Buhari says. “The media must be sensitive to what we are going through as a country, and anythin...

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3May By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

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Fourth Industrial Revolution: NCC Tasks Stakeholders on Nigeria’s Role as Driver/Innovator

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has tasked critical stakeholders across to ensure that Nigeria fully participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4thIR) as drivers and innovators. At a stakeholders meeting organized by the Advocaat Law Firm, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Garba Danbatta, said drastic and deliberate measures must be taken by government and stakeholders to position the country at the forefront of the emerging revolution. He said it has become expedient that we (Nigerians) must re-awaken our consciousness to the power of technology in this 4th industrial revolution, where technologically advanced nations are the ones dictating the pace of the global economy. Danbatta, who was represented by Barr. Adeleke Adewolu...

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2May By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

Interviews, Top Stories

PTAD Moves to Start Payment of 20 Months Arrears for Pensioners

The Executive Secretary (ES) of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, in this interview with journalists on Friday 30, April, 2021 raised the hope of government’s retirees whose pensions have raised concern in recent times. She expressed hope that the payment will commence immediately.Excerpts: QTN: Kindly explain in clear terms those that should expect the new payment? ANS: All the pensioners under the defined pension scheme. There is no exception. I repeat all our pensioners under the defined pension scheme. QTN: Is there specific date that the payment will commence? ANS: Like as I told you, this particular consequential adjustment is supposed to take effect from April of 2019 and we are going to start paying from the month of May which...

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30Apr By Dayo OmoogunNo Comments

Business, News, Top Stories

CBN Sacks FBN Ltd, FBN Holdings Directors, Reinstates Adeduntan as MD

The Central Bank of Nigeria on Thursday evening sacked the Directors of First Bank Ltd and FBN Holding Company over allegations of insider dealing, bad credit decisions, poor corporate governance practices and failure to recapitalize to minimum standard. (more…)

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26Apr By Seun AdamsNo Comments

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FG Debunks Stoppage of Remuneration for Interns in Civil Service

The Federal Government through the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has debunked the insinuation making the rounds that it has stopped the reimbursement of students or graduates undergoing internship programmes in the service.The Director of Public Affairs at OHCSF, Mr. AbdulGaniyu Aminu, in a statement made available to the media over the weekend, said: "The attention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been drawn to publications making the rounds on social media platforms with regard to the establishment circular on an internship programme in civil service."He said it has therefore become imperative to make the corrective clarifications and put the record straight for every stakeholder. According to him, the circular does not in...

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24Apr By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

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Push for Digital Nigeria: Buhari Commissions More Projects Nationwide

Towards attaining an all-inclusive digital Nigeria, the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) an agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy on Friday commissioned batch nine of 7 digital economy projects across the country. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami while commissioning the projects yesterday in the ultra-modern conference centre of NCC building in Abuja on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari said that these projects which cut across several geopolitical zones were executed by the parastatals as part of the implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria. This he added is in line with the economic development road map of Nigeria and the administr...

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23Apr By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

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Electricity Challenge: Onu Charts Developmental Pathway Through Nuclear Energy Technology

Onu made the call, when he declared open the Nigeria Energy Calculator 2050 (NECAL2050) stakeholders’ engagement, in Abuja on Thursday. The Minister who is a Chemical Engineer and an avowed advocate of the deployment of Science Technology and Innovation (STI) for Nigeria’s accelerated growth, said if the country peacefully maximises nuclear energy, it would help build a stable power supply base and would benefit many socio-economic areas such as medicine, agriculture, education, manufacturing and overall national economic growth. The Nigeria Energy calculator 2050, is an energy planning model which will offer choices in energy development to be examined alongside its environmental consequences. On safety concerns on the use of nuclear energy, the Minister tasked the active partic...

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23Apr By Seun AdamsNo Comments

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FG Defends Pantami, Says He Has Apologised for Utterances in 2000

The Federal Government yesterday broke its silence over the raging storm that has found the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy come under intense verbal attack especially from both the traditional and social media over some of his religious views and utterances that he made several years ago. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to the media on Wednesday while exonerating the minister blamed the pull him syndrome and detractors as responsible for the atmosphere that has become heated in the last one month. Shehu, said: “The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s. The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were...

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22Apr By Dwelleth MorountodunNo Comments

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Abdullahi Advocates Market Driven Creativity, Innovation for Nigeria’s Prosperity

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, has reiterated that Nigeria will make speedy progress and prosperity if stakeholders reinvent innovativeness and creativity in its way of life.The DG spoke at the celebration of NITDA 20th Anniversary and World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) on Wednesday in Abuja.He acknowledged that the WCID is recognised by the United Nations and designated to celebrate creativity and innovation and raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation in problem-solving to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. According to him, UN recognises the importance of creativity and innovation to humanity, hence designated the 21st of April as the World Creat...

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22Apr By Seun AdamsNo Comments

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NCC Arrests Suspects over Fraudulently-registered SIM Cards

 As part of its routine enforcement activities to sanitise the telecommunications industry of criminal elements, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has arrested five suspected persons for allegedly engaging in fraudulently registering and selling Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.  The Director of Public Affairs at the Commission, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, told journalists that the hitch-free operation was carried out by a joint team from the Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department of the Commission, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday in the Wuse area of Abuja.  The arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the NSCDC Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Comman...

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22Apr By Mohammed MohammedNo Comments

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Senate Approves $2.6bn Loan Nequest to Finance Priority Projects

The Senate, on Wednesday, approved the sum of $2.6  billion out of the $5.5 billion external borrowing request sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2020. The approval came after the Upper Chamber considered a report by the committee on local and foreign debts during plenary. The approved sum, according to the Chairman of the Local and Foreign Debt Committee, Clifford Ordia, would see €995 million euros going to finance priority projects of the federal government, while $1.5 billion would be disbursed to the thirty-six state governments to finance critical projects.  Out of the total sum approved, $1.5 billion is to be sourced from the World Bank; €671 million euros from the Export-Import Bank of Brazil; and another €324 million euros from the Deutsche B...

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