Saturday, March 7

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Senate Congratulates New Executive of Nigerian Guild of Editors
2Jun By Skye ZacharyNo Comments
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Senate Congratulates New Executive of Nigerian Guild of Editors

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, heartily congratulates Mustapha Isa on his re-election as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE).Lawan also congratulates other members of the Executive of the Guild of Editors who were newly elected or re-elected on Tuesday by their fellow editors.The Senate President praises the NGE for the success of the biennial convention in Kano and the peaceful conduct of the elections."The peaceful and orderly manner of the elections are a good example of how professional bodies should conduct their affairs. You therefore deserve plaudits for living up to the high expectations that society has of you as leaders of the fourth estate of the realm."In that light, I enjoin you to always consider the higher national interest of unity, peace, justice an...
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PDP Raises Alarm over Plot to Fritter N1.7trn through Hazy NNPC Deal
2Jun By Seun AdamsNo Comments
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PDP Raises Alarm over Plot to Fritter N1.7trn through Hazy NNPC Deal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alarmed by alleged plans by fraudulent officials in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to divert over N1.7 trillion, ($3.9 billion) to their personal purses, under the guise of acquiring 20% shares in the $19. 5 billion refinery being built by Dangote Group. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement made available to the media, said: “Our party is worried over the opaque and nebulous deal being pushed by fraudulent officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which not only allows corrupt persons in the government to divert the funds, but also entangles and smears the unsuspecting firm with corruption.” While the PDP has nothing against any genuine and honest incentives for...
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Attack on 42 INEC Facilities: Buhari Raises Alarm over Safety of Critical Assets
2Jun By Seun AdamsNo Comments
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Attack on 42 INEC Facilities: Buhari Raises Alarm over Safety of Critical Assets

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday issued a stern warning to those bent on destroying the country through promoting insurrection, and burning down critical national assets: a rude shock awaits them, and very soon too. The President spoke after he received briefing from Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on series of attacks on facilities of the electoral body across the country. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina in a statement quoted the President as saying: “I receive daily security reports on the attacks, and it is very clear that those behind them want this administration to fail,” President Buhari said. “Insecurity in Nigeria is now mentioned all over the world. “All the people who...
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Insecurity: Lawmaker Raises Alarm over Growing Number of IDPs in Niger
2Jun By Skye ZacharyNo Comments
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Insecurity: Lawmaker Raises Alarm over Growing Number of IDPs in Niger

 Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi representing Niger North in the National Assembly, on Tuesday, raised alarm over the growing number of persons displaced by the activities of bandits in Niger North Senatorial District.  The lawmaker disclosed that no fewer than 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are in Kontagora and Rigali towns.  Senator Sabi made the revelation while coming under order 43 of the Senate Rules during plenary.  He bemoaned the spate of attacks by armed bandits in Niger State, especially in Rafi Local Government Area in Niger East, Kontagora, Manga Rijau, Magama, Mashagu and Wushishi Local Government Areas.  He said: “Mr. President, as we speak, I have confirmed reports that the bandits have attacked Kamnani Bobbi and are in and around Mai go...
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FG Fulfils Promise as PTAD Commences Payment of Consequential Increment for Pensioners
26May By Skye ZacharyNo Comments
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FG Fulfils Promise as PTAD Commences Payment of Consequential Increment for Pensioners

 The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) on Wednesday informed that payment of the consequential adjustment to the pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), has commenced. According to the Executive Secretary, Dr. Chioma Ejikeme, this is in fulfilment of PTAD’s promise made last month reinforcing President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the implementation of the consequential adjustment to the pension benefits occasioned by the new minimum wage increase of 2019. She promised in April while addressing the media that the upward adjustment of Pensioner’s benefit will take effect from May 2021. Consequently, Pensioners in the four operational departments of the Directorate namely: Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD), Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD)...
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Presidency, N’Assembly, Obaseki Mourn Death of Attahiru, Others
22May By Skye ZacharyNo Comments
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Presidency, N’Assembly, Obaseki Mourn Death of Attahiru, Others

The death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers on Friday in Kaduna, no doubt threw the entire country into mourning as it is no doubt one disaster that is becoming too many for the nation’s defence formation even as the crash sparked mourning through the length and breadth of the nation. President Muhammadu Buhari who is deeply saddened over the air crash expressed shock while condoling with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as: “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.” While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenge...
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Senate Demands Review of NIN Requirement for UTME Candidates
19May By Skye ZacharyNo Comments
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Senate Demands Review of NIN Requirement for UTME Candidates

 The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Education, Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to immediately review the implementation of the policy which makes it compulsory for UTME candidates to provide their National Identity Numbers (NIN) during registration.   The Special Assistant, on Press to the Senate President, Mr. Ezrel Tabiowo, in a statement, said the review, according to the upper chamber, should accommodate extending the JAMB registration deadline or suspending the NIN requirement until there is a seamless and well organized process for obtaining the national identity number. This was one out of two resolutions reached, following a motion considered to that effect on the floor of the Senate during...
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Nigeria’s Restructuring Inevitable, Says Prof. Igho Natufe
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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Alleged $65m Theft by Ex FMBN Boss: Buhari ‘ll Not Provide Cover for Criminals, Says Shehu
16May By Skye ZacharyNo 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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Food Security: Buhari Pledges Action against Bandits’ Threat
15May By Skye ZacharyNo 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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Review of 1999 Constitution: Public Hearing Commences May 26, 27
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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Job Creation: Minister Expresses FG’s Support for 1,221 Tech-startups
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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Telcos Growth: NCC, US Firm Move to Balance Competition with Disruptive Technologies 
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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FG Orders NPA MD, Ms. Usman to Step Aside for Investigation
7May By Skye ZacharyNo 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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FG Shifts NIN-SIM Verification Deadline to June 30 as Enrollment Hits 54million
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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FCT Not Under Attack by Boko Haram, Says Police Commissioner
3May By Skye ZacharyNo 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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Buhari Charges Nigerian Media to Report Responsibly
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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Fourth Industrial Revolution: NCC Tasks Stakeholders on Nigeria’s Role as Driver/Innovator
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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PTAD Moves to Start Payment of 20 Months Arrears for Pensioners
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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