“Nobody wants MTN to die. Nobody wants MTN to shut down.”
These were the words of the new minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu when he spoke to Reuters in an interview today.
He emphasized that Nigeria would not want MTN to quit the country because of a $5.2bn fine imposed last month, just as the deadline for paying the money falls on next Monday.
The minister said that the period for the enforcement of the judgment has not yet passed, adding that the company has sent top executives to Abuja to try to negotiate a way out.
On the level of the talks so far between the African mobile phone giant and the government, Shittu simply said: “nothing before me”.
“If any new thing would happen, there must be initiative from concerned quarters. It is up to MTN.”
The fine, if fully enforced, would amount to more than the past two years of profit for MTN in its biggest market.
The fine is based on $1,000 per outstanding unregistered SIM card, as stipulated by Nigerian telecommunications laws, although most analysts expect some sort of a reduction.
Nigeria accounts for 37% of revenues for MTN, which operates in more than 20 countries in Africa and the Middle East. Since the announcement of the fine, its shares have lost nearly 25% of their value.
Nigeria has been pushing telecom operators to verify the identity of subscribers due to concerns that unregistered SIM cards are being used for criminal activity or even by Boko Haram militants waging an Islamist insurgency in the northeast. [myad]
Kogi State Government has started refunding N276,769,400 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees to 24,172 parents across the State.
The exercise, which started today with the issuance of cheque leaves to concerned students of St. Augustine Grammar School, Kabba, was in line with an earlier promise of the state government to refund the fees.
Chairman of Verification and Reconciliation Committee set up by the state government, Professor Mathew Ajibero, said that the refund was for students who sat for 2014/2015 WAEC examinations.
He said that the committee was able to establish that only 24,172 sat for that the examinations in the state, adding that each of them will receive N11,500 being the amount paid by their parents as WAEC fee.
He added that through the verification, the committee was able to save over N200 million from N515 million initially brought forward for payment.
Ajibero said that the committee, in the course of its assignment, engaged officials of the Ministry of Education and Teaching Service Commission for adequate fact finding.
Other members of the committee are Hajia Ladi Ibrahim and Ibrahim Odoma.
Speaking on behalf of the benefitting students, Master Ayo Michael described the development as a surprise, and commended Wada for being a man of his words.
“Wada has proven to the younger generations that he is truly a leader that keeps promise and lead with the fear of God.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear to the new federal permanent secretaries that this is not a good time for Nigeria in terms of socio-economic well-being.
“This at a time when the nation’s economy and revenue base are very low will task the capability and capacity of any Government. This is why you have been chosen and you should all regard your appointments as an emergency call to duty.”
President Buhari, who spoke while swearing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the 18 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, reminded them that expectations of Nigerians from the government were high, restating his resolve to create jobs and diversify the economy.
“Permanent Secretaries are the Chief Advisers to their respective Ministers and are responsible for safeguarding public funds and ensuring the propriety of expenditures under their control. They are also responsible for coordinating their respective bureaucracies, as well as, ensuring effective implementation of all approved Government programmes and policies.
“I must, however, sound a note of warning. It is within public domain that Ministers as Chief Executives of their Ministries as well as other Government officials involved in policy formulation and implementation often complain of the intolerable levels of incompetence, indifference or even suspected sabotage by some of the top echelon of the Civil Service.
“Even where Permanent Secretaries, in some instances, are exempted from these accusations, they are still responsible and liable for failing to provide the required leadership, control and direction.
“This Administration will not condone any excesses, indifference, incompetence, and corrupt practices in any form. Permanent Secretaries are therefore advised to note these words of caution and disseminate them to all Civil Servants accordingly.
“I am sure the Permanent Secretaries and all other Civil Servants appreciate the fact that I have always considered the Civil Service as an indispensable reservoir of experience, expertise and loyalty. I, therefore, consider the Service as a dependable ally in my quest to change this country for the better.”
The president who congratulated the permanent secretaries on their appointments also tasked them on financial prudence.
“This Government was voted into power by popular mandate to implement clearly articulated programmes and policies to re-generate and re-invigorate the national economy. The main focus is to create employment for the youth, fight corruption, tackle insecurity, and diversify our economic base with emphasis on agricultural development, solid minerals exploitation, as well as provision of infrastructural services.
“In keeping with the change mantra of this Administration the process for your selection as Permanent Secretaries was a departure from the previous practice of administering written and oral examinations. Instead, a more rigorous selection process, entailing vigorous screening of candidates’ past records, potential and capacity for holding the office, integrity, honesty and sense of commitment was adopted
“I believe this new selection technique will have, hopefully brought up to light some of the best, dedicated, patriotic and hardworking Civil Servants to hold this position of trust. It is my hope that your subsequent conduct and performance will not prove this Administration wrong”, he said.
Meanwhile, 16 out of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries took the oath of office. They were Ayotunde Adesugba, Taiwo Abidogun, Dr. Bukar Hassan, Mrs. Wakama Belema Asifieka, Mr. Jalal Ahmad Arabi, Mr. Sabiu Zakar, Mrs. Obiageli Phyllis Nwokedi, Mr. Aminu Nabegu,
Others were Mr. Alo Williams Nwankwo, Dr. Shehu Ahmed, Mr. Ogbonnaya Innocent Kalu, Mrs. Nuratu Jimoh Batagarawa, Mr. Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, Mr. Bassey Apkanyung, Mr. Louis Edozien, Dr. Ugo Roy
However, two other Permanent Secretaries who were absent at the inauguration were said to have travelled out of the country on official capacity. They were Mr. Bamgbose Olukunle Oladele and Alhaji Mahmoud Isa-Dutse. [myad]
Governor Nyesom Wike could not but hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s federal government for continuing with the amnesty programme which he confessed has been responsible for the peace in the Niger Delta region,
The governor, who spoke at the Government House in Port Harcourt when the Special adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the amnesty programme , Brigadier General Paul Boroh (rtd) paid him a courtesy visit, said that his government will assist the federal government to ensure continued success of the programme in the state and region,
He promised that he would set up an office in Government House, Port Harcourt to interface with the amnesty office to know what support it needs from the state government,
“For us as a government, we will give you all the necessary support. An office will be created here in Government House with a staff who will interface with you from time to time to know what support your office needs.
“It is important and I say it today, that the peace we are enjoying now is largely because of the Niger Delta Amnesty programme.
“There must be cooperation from the Federal, State, and Local Government levels. This is important because Rivers State and the Niger Delta are key, there is need for peace for Nigeria to move forward. Be assured that we are going to cooperate with you to move this programme to a success point beyond where you met it.”
The Special Adviser on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brigadier Boroh (rtd), said the urgent need before the amnesty office was to reintegrate beneficiaries of the programs.
He said that 4,310 have gone through one programme or the other, adding that the state government should assist in managing some of the beneficiaries of the program,
“What we want to achieve is to ensure that we have the beneficiaries of these Amnesty programme well managed by the state.” [myad]
Elder statesmen and leaders of Rivers State have declared that the people of the state are not Biafrans even as they asked Igbos from neighbouring states to stop protesting in Port Harcourt and other parts of Rivers state. This was even as they declared their support for the ban on street protests by the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.
The elders, under the aegis of Rivers Elders and Leaders Council (RELEC ), were reacting to recent protests on the streets of Port Harcourt by the Indigenous People of Biafra.
A statement issued in Port Harcourt today by the Chairman of RELEC, Albert Horsfall, and the Secretary, Lawrence Ibiayemie, warned that people of the state might be forced to confront the protesters if they continued to disturb the peace of the state. The statement read: “The Rivers Elders and Leaders Council has been rather disturbed over the recent developments concerning the feelings of some youths and their political elements for the resurgence of the issue of Biafra and entrap the peace loving people of Rivers state and in their sentiment have chosen to transport trailer and bus loads of demonstrators from neighbouring states into Port Harcourt. To say the least, this amounts to the display of bad political fate across our neighbouring borders.
“The attempt by these elements to focus on Port Harcourt for their political rascality is totally unacceptable and is hereby condemned by Rivers Elders and Leaders Council. The action so far taken by the Biafra protesters in Port Harcourt is highly provocative to all genuine sons and daughters of Rivers state who have so far restrained themselves from confronting the demonstrators in Port Harcourt. We ask that the choice of Port Harcourt may be adeliberate ploy to make Port Harcourt the battle ground for any fracas that may follow their rascality. We reject these moves in its entirety and hereby repeat our warnings of those concerned to desist forthwith.” [myad]
Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Tsav has made it known to the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom that probing the government of his predecessor, Gabriel Suswam amounts to playing with fire and laying of a very dangerous precedence in governance.
Tsav, who was responding to the current probe, in a statement, lamented that people who should caution and advise the governor are not doing so but rather clapping for, and praising Ortom.
He made it clear that the situation may repeat itself when the governor also leaves office.
“Tomorrow the situation may boomerang and the same people may desert and abandon him like caterpillar for a greener tree with fresh leafs. Some of our Elders don’t even think of the future. To them, the present is more exacting; why think of the future? But that future must come.”
Tsav described the current probe as ignorance and over-excitement of being a Governor, adding that people who should talk are not talking because of the benefits they are deriving from the probe.
“Tomorrow the hunter may be hunted and there may be gnashing of teeth.”
While acknowledging the evils of corruption, the former Lagos State police Commissioner however appealed that the fight should be fought with a human face.
“In fighting corruption however, we should apply human face. Let us emulate President Buhari in his fight against corruption. The other day, former President Jonathan visited Buhari in Aso Rock. After a closed door meeting, they came out beaming with smiles while Buhari saw Jonathan off. This did not stop the President from probing Jonathan’s government. That is how we expect Ortom to behave; after all, Suswam did not commit the alleged offences against Ortom as a person. Why then should Suswam become a nightmare to Gov Ortom?” [myad]
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service retired Colonel Hameed Ali has advised smugglers operating in the country to, in their own best interest, change business.
Ali who gave the warning at a meeting with traders and other stakeholders in Kano stressed: “smuggling is one of the dangerous activities which affect the nation’s economy, so, smugglers should change business because it is an illegal business.”
According to him, there is the need for people, especially those who have the impression that smuggling is a legal source of livelihood, to have a change of mind.
“Many people are of the belief that smuggling is a legal source of livelihood, but it is not; it an illegal business.”
On rice importation, the CG said the Service would not reduce duty being charged on imported rice until when the Federal Government directed it to do so and asked importers in the country to ensure that they pay duty only at the approved rates to avoid any inconvenience.
According to him, the country cannot afford to continue to import rice if farmers are to be encouraged to produce the commodity.
“By 2017, rice importation will stop to give our local farmers opportunity to produce the commodity for our consumption and export,” he said.
He assured the traders that the Service would establish effective channel of communication with stakeholders.
“One of our mandates is trade facilitation to ensure that the legitimate aspects of your businesses are entertained.” [myad]
Guinness Nigeria has said that it had being fined 1 billion Naira ($5 million) by the National Agebcy for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over alleged infractions relating to the destruction and re-validation of expired raw materials without prior approval.
Guinness Nigeria said it did not fully understand the basis for the fine, nor the particular regulations infringed, but was in talks with the NAFDAC to resolve the matter. [myad]
The management of World Bank has rated the State of Osun as the best among its peers in the implementation, management and maintenance of Rural Access and Mobility Projects (RAMP) being financed by the institution across the states of the federation. The global financial institution gave this commendation through its team, led by Engineer Olatunji Hammed during a second phase project presentation to the state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. Engineer Hammed said that Osun State has put up an exemplary performance in the quality of its unprecedented developmental projects that centred on the lives of the generality of its populace, especially the rural dwellers. Engineer Hammed said that the state has been able to stand out as the first state that has successfully maintained it roads to enhance productivity and as well as improve the economy of the state through accessible and motor able roads, linking communities, villages, towns as well as cities. He said that the state has maintained its pacesetting standard for its counterparts in terms of rural based road maintenance which according to him, has prompted other states to come to learn rural access roads maintenance skills from the state. Hammed said that in spite of the fact that the state is blessed with multitude of villages, towns and cities, it has emerged as the best roads connectivity in the country.
“Rural Access and Mobility Project has helped significantly in harnessing and exploring the agricultural potentiality of the rural dwellers in the area of transportation of farm produce to urban cities as roads rural/urban roads are being aggressively linked and exposed for easier accessibility. “There is no doubt about the fact that many states in the country are jealous of Osun in terms of its rapid developmental projects which aims at improving the general well being of its populace as the state ever remained the best in implementation, management and maintenance of community based roads across the length and breadth of the state. “This wouldn’t have been impossible if not for the support of Governor Aregbesola towards the Rural Access and Mobility Project which has impacted meaningfully in the teeming lives of the citizenry. Governor Aregbesola told the visitor that Osun is keen on the project because the state has been wrongly tagged “Civil Service State” which in reality, is a peasant agrarian state. Governor Aregbesola said that the entire resources of the state even at the best of time, were N4.6 billion at a period when the state received its highest allocation, adding that the last chunk of this statutory allocation amounts to the sum of N3.6 billion, dedicated to payment of civil servants’ salary arrears, gratuity, pensions and other emoluments. “We engaged in Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) because we know that it is through this provision that we can support the economy of this state by meeting the core needs of rural dwellers, access and support the evacuation of their farm produce to the markets. “It is because of our genuine commitment to energize the rural dwellers in their onerous duty of producing agricultural commodity that we are passionate and aggressively committed to RAMP. “Though financially, we are highly constrained but even in spite of that constraint, we are committed to RAMP and I pledge that we will quickly mobilize our counterpart fund to usher in the commencement of the RAMP2.”[myad]
The Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited has scheduled its Third Anniversary Lecture for Thursday, November 19.
According to information, Realnews will be focusing attention on the economy which is currently in the doldrums. It noted that all the economic indices in the country now ranging from depleting foreign reserve, depreciating value of the naira, the double digit interest rates, high rate of unemployment, especially amongst youth, to inflation rate which is now on the increase show that there is need for a rethink of the economic direction Nigeria is heading.
The lecture entitled: “It’s the Nigerian Economy, Stupid,” which will be delivered by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, a renowned Economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will take place at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos, by 10 am prompt.
Members of the panellists who are expected to discuss various socio-economic issues and the way forward are, Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Remi Ogunmefun, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Abraham Nwankwo, Director General, Debt Management Office. Both the lecturer and all of the panellists have confirmed their attendance at the event.
The Special Guest of Honour is Senator Chris Ngige, former Governor of Anambra State and now minister of Labour and Productivity, while the chairman of the occasion is Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Alpine Investments Services Limited. Hayatu-Deen, former managing director of the defunct FSB International Bank is one of the moving spirits behind the Nigerian Economic Summit. They have also confirmed their attendance.
The event would also witness investiture of prominent Nigerians into the prestigious Realnews Hall of Fame, exclusively reserved for only Guest Speakers, Discussants, Book Reviewers and Chairpersons at our Anniversary Lecture Series.
Those to be inducted into the Realnews Hall of Fame are Professor Maurice Iwu, former chairman of INEC, Mr. Roberts Orya, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Dr. Ngozi Anyaegbunam, President, Media World, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Professor Joe. I. Ezigbo, Managing Director, Falcon Corporation Limited.
“They (inductees) all played key roles during our second anniversary Lecture and the induction into the Realnews Hall of Fame is just a token of our appreciation for the honour they did to Realnews Magazine and Publications Limited last year,” said Maureen Chigbo, publisher/editor of Realnews.
Chigbo also said that the Second Volume of the Paragon of Journalism, co-edited by her and the late Mike Akpan, publisher/editor and editor-in-chief of Realnews magazine, respectively, will be presented at the event.
Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication which thrives on investigative journalism debuted November 19, 2012. It focuses on oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges as well as issues relating to business and economy, politics, power, health, women and youth. Its aim is to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they are facing in their day-to-day activities. It does this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, its objective is to use its investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors it focuses on and produce an unbiased report which will actually influence the government and decision makers to take actions that will make the society better. [myad]
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