President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a 40 year old female activist, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), with effect from July 11.
She takes over from Alhaji Habib Abdullahi, who was reinstated by Buhari in August 2015 as the managing director of NPA, after he was sacked by former President Goodluck Jonathan in April 2015.
Hadiza Bala Usman is the founder of Bring Back Our Girls Campaign, with hash tag: #BringBackOurGirls. She is coming in as the first female chief executive of a top tier federal government agency and of the NPA.
The new Managing Director had earlier, in July 2015, been appointed by Governor Nasiru Ahmed el-Rufai of Kaduna state as his Chief of Staff, a position she held until her new appointment.
Buhari also appointed Mohammed Bello-Koko as the Executive Director (Finance), Professor Idris Abubakar as Executive Director (Engineering) and Dr. Sekonte Davies as Executive Director (Marine Operations) in the same NPA. [myad]
The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has virtually declared war against Nigeria with a call on Christians to defend themselves against the background of the alleged killing of Christians across some states especially the recent one in Abuja.
A statement issued in Abuja by the General Secretary CAN, Rev. Musa Asake: “The unprovoked attacks on Christians and the authority’s inaction is becoming unbearable and may not be tolerated anymore, inasmuch as we will continue to call on Christians to remain tolerant and law abiding, it is becoming inevitable to also call on them to buckle up and be ready to defend themselves against these incessant unprovoked and mindless attacks.”
CAN said: “authority’s inaction is becoming unbearable and may not be tolerated anymore,” and asked all the Christians to always be ready to defend themselves against further attacks.
“The National leadership and the entire members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have received with rude shock and disbelief the report of yet another religious hatred murder of a dedicated 42 year old Christian mother of seven children, Mrs. Eunice Elisha, who on Saturday 9th July, 2016, was brutally killed while doing Christian evangelism.
“Mrs. Eunice Elisha was murdered in Kubwa area of Abuja, FCT, in the early hours of the day. Her neck was slashed and she was also stabbed in the stomach. About a month ago in Kano, Mrs. Bridget Agbaheme, a 74 year old Christian was murdered at Wambai market due to an altercation with a Muslim man who came to the front of her shop to perform ablution. Her offence was that she objected to the Islamic washing rite in front of her shop.
“Just last week a clergyman of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Reverend Zakariya was killed by attackers suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen in Obi LGA of Nasarawa state. They attacked him on his farm, cut off his arms and legs, then they chopped his head with a machete. Another fresh but sad news reaching us is that of the Fulani herdsmen militia that is back on rampage killing 81 people in multiple attacks in Logo and Ukum local government areas of Benue state in central Nigeria.
“In recent times, there have been multiple cases of attacks by Fulani herdsmen on various Christian communities, all over the nation. In the South East and in the South South zones, there have been gruesome attacks on IPOB members and on Christian communities in the Niger Delta. All these are in addition to the relentless attacks of Boko Haram and Fulani herdsmen in the Middle Belt and southern Borno.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria commiserates with the families affected by these mindless orgies of death and destruction as well as with the entire Christian community in Nigeria. We pray that God in His mercy shall comfort and strengthen the families of all the Nigerians affected in these unwarranted murders unleashed upon the nation by religious extremists.
“The recurring decimal of violence and murder of innocent Nigerian citizens on the basis of religious intolerance demands specific and relevant response from all concerned citizens in the country more so when the government in power seems to have adopted an attitude of lukewarm response to the evils being perpetrated in Nigeria in the name of religion.
“The discrimination against non-Muslims in Nigeria under the Buhari Administration is assuming a dangerous dimension that should not be left to the vagaries of time and circumstance to resolve.
“You will agree with me that with these happenings and the lukewarm attitude by the authorities concern toward putting an end to it, Nigeria is dancing a macabre dance of death, both for the nation and for its citizens. It is time to stop the beat and let common sense guide the nation out of the present quagmire. A stitch in time saves nine.
“Before the situation escalates into an unmanageable national crisis, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is calling on the authorities both at the states and federal to do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice if the confidence of Christians on this government must be maintained.” [myad]
AfricaWorking, a new private sector initiative committed to impacting Africa on employability and entrepreneurship skills has concluded plans to support 200,000 youth and 50,000 entrepreneurs in Nigeria, dovetailing to 2020.
The new group consists private companies like Microsoft, Barclays, Africa, Emerging World, FranklinCovey, Knod, Safal and Syngeta, have the objective of channeling their collective powers to create job opportunities across Africa.
Dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy, Lutz Ziob, explained in a statement that most large corporations are looking at youth skills development in one form or another, because it’s important to their business.
“The idea behind AfricaWorking is to bring these corporations together, align their efforts, share their learnings and build human capital on a pan-Africa scale.”
General Manager, Enterprise Development: Citizenship for Barclays Africa, Mr. Charles Reed, projected that by 2045, Africa’s labour market would be the biggest in the world, pointing out that it presented a huge opportunity for the group to engage the youth, help them develop relevant skills and find meaningful employment opportunities.
Reed said key to the effort to realize the agenda was for members of AfricaWorkingto collaborate and leverage technology where it makes sense to do so.
ReStraL Ltd, a company founded in 1996 by a former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ifueko Omogui-Okauru, represents FranklinCovey in Nigeria and other parts of English speaking Africa. [myad]
A pro- Biafra group, Biafra Liberation Council (BLC) has accused the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) of hiding under Nnamdi kanu’s detention and struggle to liberate the Niger Delta region, to perpetrate criminal activities.
In a statement signed by Mr. Austin Ndukwu and Dom Offornwoke, the group said that the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers are not in tandem with the aspiration of Biafra agitation, stressing that they have brought hardship and sufferings to the same people they seek to liberate.
“They should stop hiding under support for Biafra cause and Nnamdi Kanu’s detention to carry out criminal activities. The Niger Delta Avengers are yet to categorically state what they want. “They should know that the time to hoodwink people is over. Biafra people should shine their eyes before jumping into conclusions and alliances with group whose only interest is to negotiate contracts. Soon, they will seek amnesty, to satisfy the interest of their slave masters from the North; forgetting the people they claim to be fighting.”
The group accused Tompolo and other ex militants of using the Niger Delta struggle to enrich themselves at the detriment of the people they claimed to be fighting for.
“Where are the Tompolos, Asaris Dokubo, Boyloafs, Egberipapas and others of the resource control struggle? What became of them after the amnesty was granted and during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan? Today, they are stinking rich while the Niger Delta is still under the clutches of the parasites from the North of Nigeria. It is time we call a spade its name and stop dancing to the gallery.”
They challenged the Avengers to agitate for the release of other prisoners of conscience, including MEND leader, Henry Okah, who is languishing in South African prison, if they are sincerely fighting for Kanu’s release. [myad]
Embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has joined his colleagues in the red chamber of the National Assembly to insist that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, should appear before the senate committee in respect of the allegations of forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Rules preferred against Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
Saraki, who spoke after the Senate Committee Report on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters was presented by Senator David Umaru(APC), Niger North Senatorial District, wondered if the Chief Law Officer of the Federation could undermine the Senate as to shun in citronella.
“The Constitution is very clear on the issue of Powers of the Senate in dealing with Public Officers and I cannot fathom the Chief Law Officer who should know to turn down Senate invitation. He should be given time within one week to appear and if he refuses again, the Senate will sanction him accordingly,” Saraki maintained.
Earlier while moving the motion through Order 43 of 2015 Standing Rules, David Umaru submitted that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami had turned down the invitation on two consecutive times.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, I want oblige the Senate to consider the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the imminent threat to Nigerian Democracy.”
Senator Umaru explained that on the 21st June, 2016, the Chamber resolved that the AGF be mandated to explain the cause behind his decision to prosecute Saraki and 3 others for Senate Standing Rules, which made the Committee to invite him on 23rd June, 2016, but he wrote asking for extension, but did not honour the meeting of 30th July, 2016, a situation he said, was undermining Nigeria democracy.
He said that the AGF sent an Aide, Mr. Obono Oba, who he said was walked out even as he said that Senior Special Assistant (Senate), Ita Enang while reaching out to the Committee on the issue, had apologized on behalf of the AGF.
The AGF had failed to honour the invitation extended to him by the senate committee to explain the rationale behind the prosecution of Principal Officers of the senate at the FCT High Court, over alleged forgery.
Senator Saraki warned that the Senate would the AGF will be sanctioned in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, if he refuses Committee’s invitation yet again.
He urged the Committee to quickly invite him and revert within one week. [myad]
A medical doctor, Dr. Moses Alao, has listed some of the things Nigerian journalists should be doing to live well and long.
He said that the first thing is for them to maintain a balanced lifestyle by engaging in physical exercise as well as working and eating to live. Alao, who is a staff of the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, spoke at the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists South-West Zonal lecture in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday. Speaking on the theme: “Work-Life Balance,” Alao advised journalists to always see life from the perspective of success.
“One needs balance in life in spite of life’s challenges. Always do periodic health check up, find ways to distance yourself from the things that cause stress, learn to manage time and avoid procrastination. “Share your load; get your partner or other family members to help you with personal and family responsibilities. Also, always find a way to simplify your life. “Learn to choose less taskful works; take little things to do at a time, prioritize ruthlessly, always do daily database, etc.” The Oyo State NUJ Chairman, Gbenga Opadotun, said that most journalists are more engrossed in their assignments than in paying attention to their health. “I will, therefore, urge you to learn from the lecture on how to manage stress and avoid unnecessary death,” Opadotun said. Earlier, the NAWOJ Vice President for Zone B, Fola Ade-Adeniji, called on journalists to care for their lives even as they take their work to heart. Ade-Adeniji promised to always support the Oyo NAWOJ as her own zone. In her address, Lola Foluso, the Oyo State NAWOJ Chairperson, appealed to members to partner in building a great association. “We should come together as one; the association is beyond individuals and we need to support the leaders no matter our differences,” Foluso said. The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, represented by High Chief Lekan Alabi, challenged journalists to be disciplined and to always uphold the noble profession. “Always wait for your time in life; whatever will be will be,” Adetunji said. Highlights of the event included investiture of matrons and patrons and the presentation of awards of recognition to Alao and the Iyalode of Remoland, Kessington Adebutu. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he would never forget the role the United States of America played in stabilizing the Nigeria’s democracy, with emphasis on the 2015 general elections.
Receiving the outgoing Ambassador of the U.S, Mr. James Entwistle, at the Presidential Aso Villa, Abuja on Tuesday, President Buhari said the U.S insistence on free, fair and violent-free elections largely contributed to the deepening of democracy in the country.
“The U.S support before, during and after the 2015 elections was vital to Nigeria’s stability and I will never forget the role they played in the stability of Nigeria. We were lucky to have had an INEC Chairman who was competent and courageous.
“Mr. Ambassador, you occupied a position at a very strategic time in Nigeria’s history and I hope our historians will record this because it meant so much for our stability.
“I hope you write a book on your experience in Nigeria. The commitment of U.S in supporting Nigeria has been unprecedented”
President Buhari also thanked the Americans for their military, intelligence and humanitarian support to Nigeria on the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency.
He said that Nigeria valued U.S contributions to promoting regional peace and stability through the instrumentality of the G7.
President Buhari also received in audience, the outgoing High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Ambassador Perry Calderwood.
The President commended the Government of Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Nigerians displaced by the insurgency in the North East, and their commitment to polio eradication in the country.
He highlighted the Federal Government’s effort to facilitate voluntary return of displaced persons in addition to ensuring that conditions in North-eastern Nigeria improve significantly before the next farming season.
In their separate remarks, Ambassadors Entwistle and Calderwood had expressed concern on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the North East with looming reports of food crisis and malnutrition.
Entwistle said the bilateral relationship between both countries had remained very vibrant and cordial.
“I had a marvelous three-and-half years in Nigeria and I am grateful to have been involved in the memorable elections in 2015.”
On his part, Calderwood conveyed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s desire to strengthen ties with Nigeria in Canada’s quest for partnership on international engagements, including its bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, 2021-2022. [myad]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has asked Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (NIAF), to consider satellite towns in the territory in the plans for massive railway transportation system now in the offing.
He asked the body to carry out a study with a view to according attention to the satellite towns to better the lives of residents dwelling in such areas, adding that he gives priority attention to the provision of basic infrastructure in these areas because a large number of population resident in them.
The minister spoke on Tuesday when a delegation of the NIAF, led by its Technical Team Leader, Mr. Michael Mutter, paid him a visit in his office, to make presentation on public transportation in the Territory.
Muhammad Bello who appreciated the support the FCT Administration has been receiving from NIAF, assured that his administration would support the International Donor Agency to achieve more results. He assured that his government would avoid some of the pitfalls in the management of the bus system and that a lot of work has been done in the rail transportation policy with all the other related items captured in the draft paper that has been sent to the National Assembly. He asked NIAF to take a closer look at the operations of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) to give professional advice on how to improve its services, adding that efficient mass transportation is very significant to the smooth running of every municipality. The Minister said that maintenance of the Bus Rapid Transit system in the FCT has been quite stressful as result of the quality of the buses as well their suitability for the terrain they are operating. “Even if the buses were up and doing, we’ve realized that the way the company is structured now, their revenue stream cannot pay for their expenses. So, these are the challenges that we are facing. Especially on the Central Business District to Masaka corridor, I have read some reports from the FCT Engineering Department, from Federal Road Safety Commission as well as the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the general feeling is that the road as presently designed is not wide enough to meet up on the requirements of BRT operation. It’s not as wide as the 10 lanes that we have on the Kubwa and Airport Expressways. These are areas that people have raised concerns,” he stressed. “But, in overall, I’m so pleased that we are relating and partnering with a very reputable organization like yours, with the full support of the UK AID and also the government of the United Kingdom. I’m happy that you consider the FCT as one of your best clients.” [myad]
The Federal Ministry of Finance has organized a two-day National Retreat on Revenue generation to be held in Kano. It is aimed at evolving new ideas and strategies for boosting revenue generation to finance the 2016 budget and upgrade the country’s infrastructure.
A statement from the the Director of Information, Malam Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, said that the retreat is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 15.
The statement said that Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state would deliver the keynote address, while the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, would declare the Retreat open.
It said that experts on revenue generation and administration are said to have been invited to make presentations and contribute in articulating the way forward in revenue generation for Nigeria.
The statement said that eight state governors, ministers, Chief Executives of various government revenue-generating agencies, Directors of Accounts and Audit as well as Revenue Officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to participate in the Retreat to share their experiences and articulate new strategies on boosting revenue generation and prudent application of such resources to finance the implementation of various development projects.
It said that some of the presentations will focus on expanding Nigeria’s revenue base in which strategies and new sources would be discussed; another paper will address non-oil revenue and proffer the way forward for success, while the extraneous factors that could affect the implementation of the 2016 budget would also be dissected at the Retreat.
“The experts would also speak on continuous audit of independent revenue in the age of change and mechanisms for enhancing Internally Generated Revenue by States through non-tax revenue to finance their budgets.
“There would also be discussions on guidelines for domestic borrowing, techniques on improving revenue generation from Oil and Gas and how to fund a national budget under a dwindling mono-economy.
“At the end of plenary, participants would be broken into several syndicate groups to assemble and forward the ideas and new strategies that emerged from the presentations as recommendations to the Federal Government for consideration and implementation.” [myad]
Nigeria has sought greater Technical Cooperation with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) to enhance the performance of the country’s Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) system.
This request was made by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi when he visited the Director General of IMSO, Captain Moin Ahmed in London recently.
The minister, who expressed appreciation to the IMSO for its technical assistance to the country observed that as a member state of IMSO, Nigeria has a Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) data centre operated by Pole Star.
He said that Nigeria can benefit from greater collaboration with the IMSO to enhance the performance of the LRIT system.
The minister requested for further collaboration with the IMSO on the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre based in Nigeria and guidance on integrating Nigerian Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services.
In his remarks, the Director General of IMSO, Captain Moin Ahmed expressed his pleasure for hosting the minister and assured Nigeria of the cooperation of the IMSO.
Captain Ahmed promised to collaborate with the Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in terms of staff training and update on new technology and equipment.
He also pledged the commitment of IMSO to offer guidance on the integration of the Maritime and Aviation Search and Rescue services in Nigeria.
IMSO is the intergovernmental organization over sighting public satellite and security communication. It was appointed by the IMO to act as the International LRIT Coordinator to ensure the operation of the international system for the Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) worldwide, by auditing and reviewing the performance of the system. [myad]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a 40 year old female activist, Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman as Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), with effect from July 11.
