ECOWAS Condemns Attempted Coup In Ethiopia, Calls For Restraint

June 27, 2019

Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has formally condemned the coup attempt in the Amhara Region and the tragic events in the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, on Saturday 22 June, 2019.

The body cautioned all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any action that could undermine the peace, unity and stability of Ethiopia.

In a statement today, June 27, the Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, expressed deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of the coup attempt and to the people and Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

“We reaffirm the imperative for the adherence to relevant African Union Instruments, principally the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Lomé Declaration on the Unconstitutional Change of Government.

“We are committed to the ideals of the African Union on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance adopted at the Eighth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2007.”

ECOWAS boss stressed that at this trying period, the body is in full solidarity with the people and Government of Ethiopia even as he reiterated the respect of member states for the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Ethiopia.

Emir Sanusi To Buhari: Scrap Fuel Subsidy Before It Grounds The Economy

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently scrap fuel and electricity subsidies before they ground the country’s economy.

Sanusi, who is a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), made this point in an address he delivered at the ongoing third National Treasury Workshop, organized by the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in Kano.

Sanusi recalled that in 2011, when he was CBN governor, Nigeria made $16 billion from petroleum sales, “and we spent $8bn importing petroleum and spent another $8.2bn subsidising the product…and I asked, ‘Is this sustainable?

“The country is bankrupt and we are heading to bankruptcy. What happens is that the Federal Government do pay petroleum subsidy, pays electricity tariff subsidy, and if there is a rise in interest rates, the Federal Government pays. What is more life-threatening than the subsidy that we have to sacrifice education, health sector and infrastructure for us to have cheap petroleum?

“If truly President Buhari is fighting poverty, he should remove the risk on the national financial sector and stop the subsidy regime, which is fraudulent.”

He asked the President to tell Nigerians the facts about the economic situation and act promptly to address it, saying: “we need to ask these questions: why are there high mortality rates, malnutrition, high rate of out-of-school children, among others, while the national treasury goes to petroleum sector?

“In 2016, we were told that we are consuming 28 million litres of petrol per day and just a few weeks ago, we were told that it has jerked up to 60 million litres daily; what went wrong? Since I have decided to come here, you have to accept what I have said here. And please, if you do not want to hear the truth, never invite me.”

The Emir expressed worry about the state of public finance in the country, saying there were a number of very difficult decisions that must be made.

“We should face reality. His Excellency, the President, said in his inaugural speech that his government would like to lift 100 million people out of poverty. It was a speech that was well received, not only in this country but worldwide.

“The number of people living in abject poverty in Nigeria is frightening. By 2050, 85 per cent of those living in extreme poverty in the world will be from the African continent, and Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo will top the list.

“Two days ago, I read that the percentage of government revenue going to debt servicing had risen to 70 per cent. These numbers are not lying. They are public numbers. I read them in the newspapers. When you are spending 70 per cent of your revenue on debt services, then you are managing 30 per cent.

“And then, you continue subsidising petroleum products and spending N1.5tn per annum on petroleum subsidy! And then we are subsidising electricity tariff. And maybe, you have to borrow from the capital market or the Central Bank of Nigeria to service the shortfall in the electricity tariff. Where is the money to pay salaries? Where is the money for education and other government projects?”

Source: PUNCH.

My Monthly Salary Is N750,000 – Senate President: You Lied, It Is N15 Million – Sagay

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), has put a lie to a statement credited to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan that his monthly salary is N750,000.

Professor Sagay made it clear today, June 26 that the Senator President and his colleagues earn N15 million monthly and not N750,000 as claimed by the Senate President.

The Senate President on Tuesday said that there was no such thing as ‘jumbo pay,’ adding that he earns N750,000 as salary.

Sagay reacted by saying: “He (Senate President) knows that nobody will take him seriously. I respect and like him but what he has done is to give half-truth. He is telling us the actual salary without mentioning anything about the allowances.

“That’s where the jumbo pay comes in when you talk of building, furniture, domestic this or that, 15 items and those items alone bring everything up to N13.5 million a month. So, simply mentioning the base salary, which brings it over N14 million, is not sufficient.”

Source: PUNCH

Police Shortlist 210,150 Applicants To Be Screened For Recruitment From July 1st

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

The Police Service Commission has disclosed that it will on July 1st, commence the screening of 210,150 shortlisted applicants for recruitment into the Constable Cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Commission said that the screening exercise will hold from Monday, July 1, to July 28th, 2019 in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

The Commission at the close of its recruitment portal on Friday, January, 11, 2019 received 315,032 applications.

The Commission got the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to recruit 10,000 Nigerians into the Nigeria Police Force.

Out of the 210,150 applicants shortlisted for screening, 182,926 are males while 27,224 others are females.

A statement in Abuja today, June 26 by the Commission’s Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani said that letters of invitation stating venue, date and requirements for the screening have been sent to the email addresses of the applicants at the time of submitting their applications.

Ikechukwu Ani said that applicants can check for their names in the Commission’s Recruitment portal, www.psc.org.ng.

Giving the details of some of the states with the highest and lowest applications, the spokesman said: “Niger State recorded the highest number of applicants with 12,247 shortlisted for screening while Lagos State has the least with, 1,305.

“Kano State recorded second highest applicants with 11,717; Katsina State, third with 11,651; Benue State, fourth, with 10, 567; Adamawa State, fifth, with 10,361 and Bauchi, State, sixth, with 10,232 applicants.

“Bayelsa State with 1,414 shortlisted for the screening exercise is second from the rear after Lagos State. Anambra State is third with 1,415, Ebonyi State fourth with 1,679, and Abia State fifth with 1,880 applicants.”

Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith charged the candidates to be of good behaviour throughout the period of the screening.

He warned that anybody who has nothing to do with the exercise should stay clear of the venues as loiters would be arrested and prosecuted.

He advised the candidates not to attempt cheating or compromise the Staff of the Commission as anyone caught involving himself in any criminal act will be handed over to the police for investigation and prosecution.

Smith also warned Staff of the Commission and Police Officers involved in the exercise to work diligently, firmly and above board throughout the duration.

He stressed that the Commission is committed to a transparent, hitch-free and merit-driven exercise that will ensure the recruitment of the best for the Nigeria Police Force.

Court To AIT: Pay Your Fees, Be Balanced In Your Reportage, All Shall Be Well

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered DAAR Communications Plc, owners of AIT, RayPower FM, and others to find ways of urgently settling the outstanding licence renewal fees for its National Network Broadcast licence (Radio/TV) to the Federal Government.

The court also ordered it to take necessary internal steps to ensure balance in its news coverage, especially political commentary on the Plaintiffs stations across the country.

The court also wanted DAAR Communications to ensure that all programmes transmitted on its TV/Radio stations across the country comply with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)Act, Cap. NH, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code as may be in force or/and as amended from time to time.

It insisted that DAAR Communications would henceforth take full editorial responsibility for the use of content sourced from social media and all/any other outlets.

Justice Inyang Ekwo extracted these and others from the terms of settlement entered into by DAAR Communications and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) as condition for the resolution of the dispute between both institutions, which resulted in the recent indefinite suspension of DAAR’s licence by the NBC.

The NBC, through its Director-General, Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, had on June 6, 2019 announced the indefinite suspension of DAAR’s operating licence, a decision the broadcasting firm challenged by instituting a suit before the court.

The NBC had alleged that DAAR’s broadcasting stations breached existing broadcast codes and defaulted in the payment of their licence renewal fees. The stations were also accused of airing a presidential election documentary while the matter was still before a tribunal, among others.

Upon an ex-parte application by DAAR Communications, Justice Ekwo, on June 7, 2019s parties to maintain status quo as of May 30, 2019, pending the determination of an application for interlocutory injunction against NBC and other defendants in the case it filed.

The judge adjourned to a further date for the hearing of the plaintiff’s application for interlocutory injunction. On the last hearing date, the plaintiff informed the court about efforts to settle out of court, following which the court adjourned to June 26, 2019 for report of settlement.

JAMB Identifies 4 Fraudulent Candidates, Withdraws Their UTME Results

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has identified four candidates which it said faked its result and said that their Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results have therefore been withdrawn forthwith.

The candidates include: Adah Eche with Registration Number 97512230IB, Taiwo Abisola Omowumi with Registration Number 97049254GG, Vincent Onyinyechi Prisca with Registration Number 96531098BC and Sofodun Afolasade Zainab with Registration Number 96634599GA.

JAMB’s Head of Information, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, in a statement in Abuja today, June 26, said that the four candidates were found by the board to have been involved in an attempt to fake JAMB result.

“The Board therefore withdraws and invalidates the results of the four candidates found to have been involved in the illicit attempt to fake JAMB result.

“No effort would be spared in identifying and sanctioning any candidate who attempts to falsify results of JAMB-organized examinations (UTME and others) and whoever collaborates or patronizes such candidates would also face similar consequence.”

One of the culprits, Ada Eche was apprehended on Monday by the board for being in possession of a fake UTME result. He had attempted to upgrade his original UTME score of 153 to 290 with the help of a professional examination fraudster.

According to JAMB, apart from being in possession of a fake UTME result, he was also working with the above name candidates to have their scores inflated as well.

Meanwhile, the board said that it has released the results of 3, 736 who have been cleared of any infraction.

According to Dr. Benjamin, the candidates whose results have been released are those who were invited and appeared at eight centres listed by the board.

He said that after an interaction with the board’s Intelligence Committee to ascertain their culpability or otherwise in some discovered examination infraction, their results were released.

“Consequently, 3,736 candidates who were found to be either free of any blame or entitled to the benefit of the doubt, have their results processed for release. The 3, 736 results are now released.”

Airlift Of Nigerian Pilgrims To Makkah For 2019 Hajj Begins July 10

Editorial staff

June 26, 2019

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has announced that airlift of intending pilgrims for 2019 hajj will begin on Wednesday, July 10, starting with pilgrims from Katsina state.

The Chairman of NAHCON, Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, who spoke yesterday, June 25, at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the National Mosque in Abuja, said that visa procurement will be technology driven unlike others in the past.

He said that states across the federation can carry out their own process online, and that no corrections or substitution can be made with the new development.

“Now, there is no need to take passports to the embassy or consulate in Kano.”

The chairman advised all the operators that would be in charge of the exercise to be very careful when handling the various processes involved.

Mukhtar hammad appealed to the officials to continue to give orientation to the pilgrims so that the money spent by intending pilgrims on the process is not wasted.

“It makes no point for one to spend N1.4 million and doesn’t know how to perform Hajj.”

NAHCON had earlier announced the reduction of hajj fares to pilgrims for the 2019 hajj exercise.

In a statement, the head of public affairs of the commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the fares reduction was possible because of the re-classification of land transportation routes, adding that the price review led to the reduction of 620 Saudi Riyals ($165) against what was earlier announced for 2019 hajj by various states, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and armed forces.

AFCON: Super Eagles Scale To Next Level, Beat Guinea

Greenbarge Reporters

June 26, 2019

The Super Eagles of Nigeria, today, June 26, moved to the next level in the round-of-16 of the 32nd African Cup of Nations after defeating Guinea by a lone goal.

The goal, which makes Nigeria the first country to qualify for the next round, was scored by defender, Kenneth Omeruo, in the 73^rd minute.

Details later…

60 Presidential Candidates Stand By Buhari, Fault PDP, Atiku On Controversial Server

Greenbarge Reporters

June 25, 2019

No fewer than 60 Presidential candidates in the 2019 general elections threw their support for President Muhammadu Buhari over his re-election for a second-term, even as they faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar over the controversy surrounding the use of a server which they described as unnecessary.

The parties under the aegis of Joint Forum of 60 Presidential Candidates and National Chairmen, at a press conference today, June 25, addressed by Alhaji Mohammed Shittu, said the Independent National Electoral Commission did creditably well. The event was also attended by the Co-Convener of the forum and chairman of West African Coalition of Political Parties, Chief Perry Opara.

Shittu said: “We reiterate that the INEC server controversy is unnecessary. It is a plot to discredit the election as political parties never agreed with INEC in any of the several pre-election meetings that results will be transmitted electronically.

“Parties agreed on a lot of issues with the commission and those were implemented. It is worrisome that only one political party out of 91 is saying a different thing on the presidential election while at the same time praising its performance on the other elections, especially governorship, conducted by the same INEC.

“INEC consulted widely and extensively, and together with stakeholders of which we are a part of, came up with the guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 general elections, which the commission followed to the letter. We recall that nine out of the eleven points for consideration we raised as candidates under the auspices of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and Coalition of United Political Parties respectively were adopted by the Commission. How then can the EU-EOM accuse the commission of a lack of transparency in putting up guidelines for the elections?

“Therefore, the report of the EU-EOM released over a week ago wherein they alleged a lack of transparency in the guidelines of election is bewildering. With all due respect to the EU-EOM, it is left to Nigerians to decide how we conducted our 2019 general elections.

“Going forward, we would like to urge President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sign the Electoral Act Amendment into law once it is presented to him again by the National Assembly. That amendment will hugely improve our electoral system and its processes.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has expressed joy with the group for endorsing the 2019 Presidential elections as free, fair and credible, assuring the President would look into the Electoral Act as the 60 President candidates had advised.

“We are encouraged by the patriotism of the Presidential Candidates expressed in clear and matured language. We are convinced that, regardless of our different political persuasions we can work together to improve electoral integrity in Nigeria.”

The Presidency said it is in agreement with the Joint Forum that “despite the temporary setbacks experienced at the beginning, INEC managed to produce an election in which the voice of the ordinary people counted. Democracy is founded on the will of the people and INEC did well to ensure this outcome was achieved in the 2019 elections.”

The Presidency said: “the success of democracy does not only depend on electoral laws, but also on behaviour, character and attitude of politicians.”

It reiterated that “do-or-die politics is a threat to the success of electoral laws and democracy. And you don’t need to kill in order to serve the people.”

The Presidency assured members of the joint forum of the 60 political parties and chairmen of parties that the President will not spare any effort in signing the Electoral Act into law after looking into it.

Court Sacks Ekiti Oba After 10 Years On The Throne

Greenbarge Reporters

June 25, 2019

Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti has sacked the Owa of Odo Ayedun, Oba Ilesanmi Ajibade, over the lopsided selection process which led to his emergence.

The sacked Oba was installed in 2009 during the administration of Governor Segun Oni, following which the Prince Adebiyi approached the high court in Ikole, urging it to nullify the selection process that produced the king and uphold the first one that produced him.

In its ruling today, June 25, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the Ekiti State High Court which had earlier nullified the selection and appointment of Oba Ajibade.

The court, in its unanimous decision, held that Ekiti State Government erred to have cancelled the first selection process and immediately ordered for a fresh one since it has no absolute power in law to do so.

In a verdict read by Justice E. O Dawodu-williams, the court validated the first selection process held on November 2, 2009 which produced Prince Kunle Adeniyi, an assistant director in the state ministry of information, as the Owa of Odo Ayedun Ekiti

Justice Dawodu Williams, who resolved all the issues formulated for determination in the case against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, Prince Adeniyi Adekunle, affirmed the lower court’s judgement on the Oba-ship tussle.

The Court further held that there was no evidence before it which showed that the selection process that produced the claimant was marred by violence as alleged by the appellant and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.

Counsel to the appellant, Mr Obafemi Adewale, said they would proceed to supreme court to file an appeal against the judgement.

Counsel to the respondent/ claimant, T. J. Omidoyin, however, described the judgment as a deserving one.

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