3 Tiers Of Government Share N617.56 Billion March Revenue; Minimum Wage May Wait

April 30, 2019

The three tiers of Government in Nigeria have shared N617.56 billion as revenue generated in March even as there are indications that the new N30,000 minimu wage to workers may not be paid until it is cash-backed.

The N617.56 billion revenue for March showed a decrease of about N2.29 billion from what was shared in February.

The Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, who spoke to news men today, Tuesday at the end of the monthly Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja, explained that the implementation of the new minimum wage had technically commenced and that arrears would be paid once its cash-backed.

According to the Accountant General, mineral revenue reduced by N41.65 billion, moving from N350.09 billion in February to N308.4 billion in March, adding that the non-mineral revenue increased by N13.88 billion, from N124.3 billion in February to N138.2 billion in March.

He said that in March, the federation crude oil sales increased by 49.18 per cent, resulting in increased federation revenue of about 240.23 million dollars.

“Also, the average crude oil price increased from 63.62 dollars to 79.06 dollars per barrel.

“Lifting operations were adversely affected by production Shut in and Shut down at various terminals due to technical issues, leaks and maintenance.

“Revenues from Oil Royalty, import and Excise duties increased remarkably while Petroleum Profit Tax decreased marginally, ” he said.

Ahmed Idris said that the Federal Government received N208.39 billion, states got N105.7 billion and local governments received N81.49 billion.

In addition, N39.59 billion, representing 13 per cent of the mineral revenue was shared to oil producing states.

Ahmed Idris said that as at April 25, the money left in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) was 183 million dollars.

He said that was the amount remaining in the ECA after withdrawals were made some months back to procure some necessary Military hardwares.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Commissioners of Finance Forum, Mahmoud Yunusa said that the Forum had appointed the Commissioner of Finance, Kogi state as acting Head of the Forum, adding that he would handle the affairs of the Forum pending when the State Governors appoint new commissioners under the next administration.

Police Announce Arrest Of Kidnapper Of UBEC Chairman And His Daughter

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

The police force headquarters in Abuja has announced the arrest of one of suspects responsible for the kidnapping of the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar and his daughter, Yesmin Mohammed.

The father and daughter who were kidnapped yesterday, Monday along the Abuja-Kaduna highway have since been released and undergoing medical investigations in an undisclosed hospital.

In a statement today, Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping, while investigations aree ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

Frank Mba said that one AK-47 riffle was recovered from the suspect who is currently in custody.

“Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar, the Chairman of UBEC and his daughter, Yesmin Mohammed, who were kidnapped along Abuja-Kaduna expressway have been released.

“Meanwhile, one male suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime. One AK 47 rifle also recovered. Investigation into the incident is on-going.”

Mahmood’s driver was killed in the operation along Kaduna-Abuja road.

There has been no information about other commuters who were abducted by the bandits.
Armed bandits have taken over the Kaduna – Abuja Expressway which has been deserted by travellers following the deadly activities of the criminals which include kidnapping and armed robbery.

Despite the massive deployment of security personnel along the highway, bandits have continued to operate in the most daring manner, killing and abducting people plying the road.

The road has been deserted by many commuters who now travel to and from Kaduna by train.

Nigeria, UK Hold First Economic Development Forum

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari and Theresa May at the state house Abuja.

For the first time, Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK), today, Tuesday, held Economic Development Forum, during which Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced that investor-interest is on the rise in Nigeria based on the tracking of investment.

The Economic Development Forum was signed in August 2018 by President Muhammadu Buhari and Prime Minister Theresa May in London as a platform to foster economic and development ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Addressing the Forum which held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Professor Osinbajo said that the tracking showed a 37 percent increase from 2017 to 2018.
The Vice President said: “we have seen increased investor interest in Nigeria by the investment announcements that we track, with $90.9 billion of investment announcements in 2018, a 37 percent increase over the $66.4 billion tracked in 2017. We are interested in these announcements because we know that if we nurture them correctly, we can turn them into actual investments.
“There is also a steady rise in investor confidence, with an increase in the number of significant deal announcements. 18 days ago, Jumia, an online marketplace company that started in Nigeria, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the first African start-up to do so. It received such a warm investor response, that it has since appreciated over 125 percent!”
The Vice President said that already, there are four Nigerian companies listed on the main board of The London Stock Exchange, adding that only one Nigerian company, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc is listed in both Nigeria and the UK.

“It is also fascinating that about half of the companies on the FTSE 100 have exposure to Nigeria.
“By leveraging the EDF, I hope that we will continue to build on the existing foundation and work together on recording increased trade and investment flows, particularly in the areas where we have comparative advantages.”
He said that in trying to boost investors’ confidence the Buhari administration is fully aware of the challenges that have hindered the business and investment environment in the country.
“We have taken these challenges as opportunities and have made the extensive build-out of modern infrastructure (both hard and soft) as the main thrust of our Administration.
“In the last three years, the government has allocated and disbursed over N3.5 trillion from the National budgets to infrastructure.
“The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has made significant progress in reducing bottlenecks, eliminating redundancies and increasing transparency across government ministries, departments and agencies.
“There is undeniable evidence that the Buhari administration is repositioning the Nigerian economy for true growth and shared prosperity.”

UBEC Chairman Pays Kidnappers N13 Million For His, And Daughter’s Release

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Alhaji Mohammed Mahmood, who was kidnapped alongside his daughter, Yasmin, by unidentified gunmen along the Kaduna-Abuja express-way yesterday, Monday, have been released after the family raised the sum of N13 million ransom for the kidnappers.

Information reaching us indicated that the chairman and his daughter were freed by their captors today, Tuesday, following his directive to the family members through audio recording that they should quickly raise the fund before it was too late as he was given one hour to get the fund.

The audio recording was done through phone conversation between Alhaji Mahmood and his relation called Saleh, yesterday, Monday night.

In the recording, Alhaji Mahmood said: “Saleh, please be hurry, time is not on our side. It would take some time before we decide on the collection point, and we have planned to resolve this issue within one hour. Let them go anywhere and get the money within one hour.”

But Saleh responded that they were able to raised N13 million and if the kidnappers demanded the money in Dollars, they would have given the ransom money to them.

Saleh said: “We are on it and we were able to raised N13 million. The challenge we are having now is night and somebody told me if it would reach in the morning, he would give us N50 million and if they demanded the money in dollars, we would give them this night.”

The UBEC Chairman then said that the kidnappers were taking good care of them even though his daughter was wounded on her leg during the operation.

He said: “I understand, but if you can get it (money), then go and get it anywhere. We don’t want it to pass one hour, these people are taking good care of us, Yasmin was wounded on her leg, but they are assisting her. Please go anywhere and get the money.”

Alhaji Mahmood was abducted alongside his daughter while travelling from Kaduna to Abuja yesterday, Monday. During the incident that took place around Katari village, his driver was shot dead.

Defection: Saraki, Dogara Describe Those Who Want Court To Sack Them As Interlopers, Busybody

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have described those who went to court, asking that they and others who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should be sacked from the National Assembly as meddle-some interlopers, busybody and strangers in the matter.

Saraki, Dogara and other lawmakers asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to therefore dismiss the suit which was instituted against them and 52 others on account of their defection from their various political parties in 2018.

They claimed that an advocacy body, Legal Defense and Assistant Project (LEDAP) which instituted the suit against them and praying for their removal from the National Assembly had no locus standi to institute the case.

Saraki, Dogara and the 52 national lawmakers averred that the advocacy body was neither a political party nor a voter from their various constituencies and as such has no legal basis to press that their seats be declared vacant.

LEDAP, through its counsel, Jubrin Okutekpa had approached the court praying for an order to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant on the reason that there was no division in their parties when the defections were made.

The body also asked the court to invoke section 251 of the 1999 constitution to compel the lawmakers to refund all monies collected since the defections.

However, Saraki and the defected senators in their preliminary objection argued by Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), prayed Justice Okon Abang to dismiss the suit of the plaintiff on the grounds that it disclosed no cause of action against them.

Magaji submitted that the advocacy body did not stand for either the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any registered political party in the country or claimed to be a voter and as such has no legal status to have filed the case against them.

The senior lawyer, told the court to hold that the advocacy body is a meddle-some interloper, busybody and stranger in the matter.

Magaji further argued that the failure of the plaintiff to join the political parties in the suit was fatal to the case, adding that in all the processes they filed in the court, there was no where they claimed to be acting for any political party, voter or member of their various constituencies where they lawmakers were elected and as such have no power to litigate over the issue or than claiming to be a mere Non-Governmental Organization.

Embarrassed Police Boss Moves To Establish Anti-Terrorism Unit In Kaduna

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

Embarrassed by the dare devil operation of kidnappers after declaring Kaduna-Abuja road safe for motorists, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has moved fast to establish Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) Based in Kaduna State, aimed at confronting the kidnappers and other criminals.

An enraged police boss, who spoke at a meeting with the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru Ahmed el-Rufai in the Government House today, Tuesday, said that the establishment of a new Counter Terrorism Unit in Kaduna State will provide additional manpower and firepower in the reinvigorated fight against criminal elements, especially along the Abuja-Kaduna Express way.

This was even as Governor Nasir El-Rufai commended the IGP on the achievements of Operation Puff Adder even as he promised to support the Police in the establishment of the CTU Base and assist in the acquisition of the needed modern crime fighting technology to fight crimes in the State.

The police boss, who also addressed Northern traditional rulers that gathered in Kaduna today, Tuesday to look into the rising cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities, stressed the need for the adoption of a potent crime management strategy modelled on the concept of community policing in which policing functions are citizens-centered and community driven.

He said that although the Police have achieved major successes in addressing security and safety threats in recent times, especially since the launch of ‘Operation Puff Adder’, a citizens-centered and community policing approach will lead to more sustainable successes in the management of internal safety and security threats.

The IGP stressed the importance of Community Policing Model, which he said should involve the establishment and utilization of the Special Constables, as provided for in Sec. 50 (1) of the Police Act Cap P19 LFN 2004).

The IGP explained that the Special Constables Model, mirrored after the Police Community Support Officers standard in the United Kingdom policing architecture, “will be tailored to align with the existing traditional security structure in Northern Nigeria.

“The Special Constables will be drawn from members of the community to serve as voluntary community police officers under the coordination of the Nigeria Police Force. This new drive is in line with the expressed desire and directives of the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

The IGP identified that our Traditional Rulers are strategic actors within the community policing architecture, and the traditional institutional structure present a unique framework which if properly engaged could enhance the attainment of community policing practices and address communal threats in the most cost-effective and inclusive manner.

The meeting was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar as the Chairman and other top traditional rulers from the Northern part of the Country.

Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, H.E Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, Minister of Defence, retired Brigadier General Mansur Muhammad Dan Ali and other top Government Functionaries.

Aisha Buhari Praises Qatar Charity For Caring For Visually Impaired Students

Editorial staff

April 30, 2019

Mrs. Aisha, Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari has commended Qatar Charity, an international humanitarian organization, for the love and care it had shown to visually impaired students, with the donation of Digital Braille Quran to them.

The President’s wife, who spoke today, Tuesday at the presentation of the item at the International Conference Center, Abuja, said that the Digital Braille Quran is an important innovation for visually impaired people.

She asked other charity and philanthropic organizations to do more in the area of promoting the use of digitized knowledge resources, so that there will be no limit to the knowledge accessible to the students as a result of their disability.

Mrs. Buhari said that the braille Quran is a great addition to the school library and another aid towards the teaching of Islam in particular and the provision of qualitative education in general.

She expressed her commitment to work with Qatar Charity to promote education in Nigeria through the Aisha Buhari Foundation.

The Executive Secretary of Qatar Charity, Dr. Hamdi Muhammad said that the charity had over the years, built mosques and boreholes, as well as cash to orphans across different faiths.

He said that the Digital Quran is meant to provide some inclusion for those with visual impairment and enable them to also learn to memorize the Quran at their own pace.

Senate Passes 2019 Budget With N10 Billion Added

Greenbarge Reporters

April 30, 2019

The Senate has passed the 2019 Appropriation Bill, adding N10 billion to the Service Wide Vote‎.

The national budget was consequently raised from N8.906 trillion to N8.916‎ trillion.

Details later.

BREAKING NEWS: Zainab Aliyu Released From Saudi Detention

Greenbarge Reporters

April 30, 2019

Zainab Habibu Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for alleged drug trafficking has been released.

According to a tweet from the special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on social media, Bashir Ahmed, her release was secured by the federal government of Nigeria.

He indicated that details of her release would be made soon by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

PDP Again, Accuses INEC Of Altering Original Servers Where Atiku Won Presidency

Editorial staff

April 29, 2019

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing all the servers at its headquarters in Abuja and all its offices in the 36 states of the federation in a bid to obliterate the authentic result of the elections that showed its candidate, Atiku Abubakar as winner of the Presidential election.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbodiyan, who made the accusation in a statement today, Monday, said “the PDP has been well briefed on how the INEC leadership and officials of the Buhari Presidency became jittery and resorted to the desperate measures, after they realised that the servers have information of Atiku Abubakar’s victory at the election.

“Our party also has details of how the INEC leadership and the Presidency agents procured and detailed computer experts to the commission’s offices to switch the servers, mutilate vital information in the system and attempt to erase all trails of transmitted results to the main server.
“Moreover, our party has been informed about how the INEC leadership, several weeks after the election, used some compromised officials of the commission to manipulate voter registers in some states by ticking names of individuals who did not participate in the presidential election as having voted.
“This is with the view to using such to cover the fictitious results it wrote for the APC. What INEC and the Buhari Presidency do not understand is that computer software and applications leave traces, signatures as well as footmark. Forensic investigation of the system will reveal the real votes transmitted from the polling centers, which show Atiku Abubakar as the winner of the election.
“The PDP therefore, insists on forensic examination of all relevant documents and equipment used for the presidential election.”

1...1,0601,0611,062...2,499 Page 1,061 of 2,499