Vice Chancellors and other stakeholders have forced the federal government, through protest, to shift to next academic year, the decision to stop universities from admitting candidates that are below 18 years old. At the 2024 Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) policy meeting in Abuja today, July 18, the stakeholders’ protest led to the suspension of the earlier position of the federal government which was announced by the Minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman The stakeholders agreed that candidates who are 16 years old would be considered for admission into tertiary institutions for the 2024 academic year. They agreed that the entry age would be 18 years from the next academic year. Professor Mamman had said that the decision to peg 18 years as minimum age for admission is in line with Nigeria’s law, which prohibits the admission of underage students to tertiary institutions. He said that no one should recommend anyone less than 18 years old for admission and that this guideline must be strictly followed.
Members of the House of Representatives have agreed to cut their salaries by 50 percent for six months as part of their solidarity and sacrifice to support the economic hardship and hunger ravaging homes in Nigeria now. This followed the adoption of an amendment to a motion’s prayer moved by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on the need for lawmakers to sacrifice 50 Percent of their N600,000 monthly salaries to support Nigerians in view of the hardship in the land. Kalu’s amended prayer was to a motion by Rep Isiaka Ayokunle calling on proponents of the planned nationwide protests to jettison the idea and engage the government in dialogue. The deputy Speaker said that the salary cut is to be used to support federal government’s efforts to address rising cost of food stuffs in the country with the view to ameliorating the hardship Nigerians are going through. The calculation is that through this measure, the 360 lawmakers will be sacrificing N108 million monthly for the next six months. The motion was adopted and referred to the committees on Humanitarian Affairs, Finance and Budget for compliance. Source: Daily Trust.
Universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been directed to stop admitting candidates that are below 18 years old. The directive was given today, July 18, by the Minister of education, Professor Tahir Mamman, during the 2024 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board. He said: “JAMB is hereby notified that there is now a ban on underaged students, those under the age of 18 into our tertiary institutions from this 2024 admissions.” The minister said that the Federal Government was considering the adoption of 18 years as the entry age for admission into universities and other tertiary institutions of learning. This is coming as the University of Lagos pegged admission age at 17.
President Bola Tinubu has finally picked a seasoned administrator, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who hails from Bayelsa State as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, with effect from August 14. A presidency statement today, July 17 by Ajuri Ngilela said that Mrs. Walson-Jack will take over from the incumbent Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who is due to retire on August 13, 2024. The President tasks the new Head of Service to discharge her duties with innovative flair, integrity, and stringent adherence to the extant rules and regulations of the Civil Service of the Federation Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack is believed to have built a remarkable career in public service, spanning several decades. Her journey began as a State Counsel in the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, and she has held various significant positions across both state and federal levels. Her wealth of experience and dedication to public service are evident in her numerous roles and achievements. After the creation of Bayelsa State in October 1996, Mrs. Walson-Jack was among the pioneer staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Justice and the newly formed Bayelsa State Civil Service. She played a crucial role in establishing foundational legal and administrative structures in the state. As the only certified Legal Drafter in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Walson-Jack established and administered the Legal Drafting Department of the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Department of the State House of Assembly. She was responsible for drafting all edicts promulgated by Military Administrators from 1996 to 1999 and executive bills enacted as laws by the State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2002. In the Federal Civil Service, Mrs. Walson-Jack served as an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, where she was later promoted to Deputy Director. Her leadership and administrative skills were further demonstrated during her secondment to the Bayelsa State Government, where she held key positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff, pioneer Commissioner of Science, Technology and Manpower Development, and Chief of Staff, Government House. Mrs. Walson-Jack’s contributions to public service have earned her numerous accolades. She was named African Iconic Female Administrator of the Year (2024), received an Award of Excellence from the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs & the Wife of the Governor of Bayelsa State (2019), and was recognized as Public Administrator of the Year for Bayelsa State (2008). She is also a member of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Nigeria’s foremost public policy think tank. Beyond her public service career, Mrs. Walson-Jack is an accomplished author. Her best-selling autobiography, “Roses in the Thorns,” details her journey of resilience and triumph, offering insights into her personal and professional life.
The Edo State Government has filed a stay of execution on a court ruling today , July 17, that reinstated Philip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of the state. A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier in the day, nullified the impeachment of Phillip Shaibu as the Deputy Governor. Justice James Omotosho ordered his reinstatement to office on the grounds that the Edo State House of Assembly failed to comply with due process in purporting to impeach Shaibu. Justice Omotosho held that the allegation on which the House of Assembly based the impeachment proceedings was untenable in law and does not constitute a gross misconduct. The judge ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide him with needed security to enable him resume office and perform the functions of the office until the end of his tenure. However, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in reaction to the judgment said that for now, the new deputy governor, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins, will remain in his position pending the determination of the appeal filed by the government. “Following the Federal High Court, Abuja judgement that faulted the impeachment of the erstwhile deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, the Edo State Government has filed a stay of execution of the judgement. “Pending the hearing of the appeal of the judgement, the incumbent Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Omobayo Marvellous Godwins remains and continues to serve as the valid deputy Governor of Edo State. “He will continue to serve in this capacity and would be recognized as such. “The government hereby calls on the people of Edo State to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses.”
Three second class emirs have emerged in Kano State. They are for Rano, Gaya and Karaye Emirates. A statement by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Spokesperson to the State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf said that the new emirates would serve as second class while the Kano Emirate would remain first class. The newly appointed Emirs are: 1. Alhaji Muhammad Mahraz Karaye, as Emir of Karaye (who until his appointment was the District Head of Rogo) 2. Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umar, as Emir of Rano (who until his appointment, was the District Head of Bunkure) 3. Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya, as Emir of Gaya (who was the emir of the defunct Gaya emirate) The statement said that governor Abba asked the new emirs to be custodians of culture, peace and unity of the people in thier respective emirates. The Governor had yesterday, the 16th of July, 2024 signed into law, three second class emirates in the state with Rano covering Rano, Kibiya and Bunkure Local Government areas. Gaya covers Gaya, Ajingi and Albasu Local Government areas. Karaye covers Karaye and Rogo Local Government areas. The appointments are with immediate effect.
Following the Supreme Court judgment recently, local government Councils in Nigeria have received the sum of N337.019 billion for the first time, directly from the Federation Account as their share for the month of June. The Federal Government received N48.952 billion while the State Governments received N24.829 billion. These facts emerged today, July 16, after the meeting of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in Abuja, the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). A Communique emanating from the meeting said that a total amount of N1,354.371 billion was shared to the Federal Government, States and Local Government Councils in the country. The FAAC meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said that the N1,354.371 billion total distributable revenue comprised distributable statutory revenue of N 142.514 billion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N523.973 billion, Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) revenue of N15.692 billion, Exchange Difference revenue of N472.192 billion and Augmentation of N200.000 billion. Total revenue of N2,483.890 billion was available in the month of June 2024 whereas total deduction for cost of collection was N92.112 billion as total transfers, interventions and refunds was N1,037.407 billion. Gross statutory revenue of N1,432.667 billion was received for the month of June 2024. This was higher than the sum of N1,223.894 billion received in the month of May 2024 by N208.773 billion. The gross revenue of N562.685 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in June 2024. This was higher than the N497.665 billion available in the month of May 2024 by N65.020 billion. The communiqué said that from the N1,354.371 billion total distributable revenue, the Federal Government received total sum of N459.776 billion, the State Governments received total sum of N461.979 billion and the Local Government Councils received total sum of N337.019 billion. A total sum of N95.598 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. The sum of N49.591 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. The Federal Government received N78.596 billion, the State Governments received N261.987 billion and the Local Government Councils received N183.391 billion from the N523.973 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue. A total sum of N2.354 billion was received by the Federal Government from the N15.692 billion Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL). The State Governments received N7.846 billion and the Local Government Councils received N5.492 billion. From the N472.192 billion Exchange Difference revenue, the Federal Government received N224.514 billion, the State Governments received N113.877 billion and the Local Government Councils received N87.794 billion. A total sum of N46.007 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue. According to the communiqué, in the month of June 2024, Companies Income Tax Oil (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) increased significantly while Import and Excise Duties and Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL) increased marginally. Royalty Crude, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Rentals and CET Levies recorded considerable decreases. The balance in the ECA was $473,754.57.
A Lagos-based None Governmental Organization (NGO), Heritage for Life Foundation, has honoured the Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor. He was honoured for his “Invaluable contributions to the Nigerian energy sector and his service to humanity.” At a ceremony held in Lagos, a Director of the Foundation, and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tunde Lemo, handed out the award which he said was instituted to promote “moral qualities and attitudes pivotal to the growth of a stable and functional society” by recognising individuals who exbibit the virtues. This was even as Okunbor expressed gratitude for honour which he said, calls for greater commitment to the highest standards of leadership and service to humanity. “With the support of my colleagues and other stakeholders, I hope to continue to contribute to the development of our country.” The award from the foundation was the second one bestowed on the longest serving Country Chair of Shell companies in Nigeria in the past month. At the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations recently, Okunbor was conferred with the Diamond Ambassador of Brand Nigeria as part of NIPR’s Diamond Jubilee National Awards. At the award was the NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, who said that Okunbor earned the award having demonstrated exceptional leadership as Chairman of the largest energy company in Nigeria that had made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Nigeria in more than seven decades. Okunbor’s contributions to the energy sector are the highlights of a career in Shell which has seen him serve in Nigeria, the UK, Brunei and the Netherlands before his appointment as Managing Director, SPDC and Country Chair in 2015. In May this year, the executive council of the Nigerian Gas Association recognised Okunbor for “outstanding contributions towards the advancement of Nigeria’s gas sector.”
Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Port Harcourt Refinery, in Rivers State, is scheduled to begin a partial refining activities soon as it received a total of one million barrels of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL). The giant refinery has also obtained necessary refining license from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for the commencement of the business. This is coming on the heels of the mechanical completion of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery in December last year. Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the NNPCL is pushing for a phased commencement of refining activities, with August being considered as a possible date for the partial start of the refining operations. It was learnt that the one million barrels of crude oil were supplied to the refinery in two tranches, with the latest delivery made on July 10. Industry experts estimate that about 170 litres of refined petroleum products can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, meaning that the one million barrels supplied by the NNPCL can provide an estimated 170 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and other refined products. The Port Harcourt Refinery Rehabilitation Project, worth approximately $1.5 billion, covers the entire scope of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and commissioning phases.
Nigerian who intends to visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) would now have to first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN), with none refundable fee of N640,000 before applying for visa. Information on the Emirate’s verification website, said that the issued document verification number will be valid for only 14 days from issuance. “To visit the UAE with a Nigerian passport, it is mandatory to first obtain a Document Verification Number (DVN) before applying for your visa. In accordance with the new visa issuance guidelines established by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, this regulation ensures that all necessary documents are digitally verified and authenticated prior to visa issuance. Individuals below the age of 13 do not require a DVN for their visa applications. “Your issued document verification number will be valid for 14 days from issuance, or once your visa application has been processed by the visa application department (whichever of these come first). “You will be charged a total of ₦640 000 (six hundred forty thousand Nigerian Naira) excluding VAT for each application. Once paid, this fee is non-refundable,” it said. Nigerian government had announced that it had reached an agreement with the UAE to allow Nigerian passport holders to obtain visas for travel to the Arab nation, starting July 15, 2024. The announcement came more than two years after the UAE suspended visa issuance to Nigerians following protracted diplomatic row. Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, told newsmen after the weekly Federal Executive Council FEC meeting that following successful talks and extensive, mutually beneficial negotiations between the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “an agreement was reached allowing for the resumption of travel to the UAE for Nigerian passport holders. “This agreement includes updated controls and conditions to facilitate obtaining a UAE visa. “The resumption of visas will be effective from July 15, 2024.”
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