Federal Government has given approval for the establishment of nine new private universities in the country. The approval brings the number of private universities in the country to 59.
The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who briefed newsmen today shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Aso Villa listed nine new universities as Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State; Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Hallmark University, Ijebu Itele, Ogun State; Kings University, Ode Omu, Osun State; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Prose, Delta State; Mountain Top University, Ogun State, Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State and Summit University, Offa, Kwara State.
Asked if the federal government will step in to curtail the exorbitant fees being charged in the private universities, Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau said: “As far as government is concerned, all Federal Government universities are tuition-free. Whatever the universities are charging are so minimal for some day-to-day activities: games fees, union fees and some other fees.
“Of recent, I had cause to ask the NUC to regulate kind of minimum because there is a university that is charging as low as N20,000, N15,000. Some charge N30,000 to N80,000 or so which is a composition of a number of different kinds of fees. But basically, no university owned by government is charging tuition fee.
“But the private universities are like any other private institutions: private primary school, private secondary school. All that is the responsibility of government is to ensure that the standards are maintained. [myad]
All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted international community about moves being made by agents of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to embarrass its Presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari when he begins to speak tomorrow at Chatham House in London.
General Buhari is scheduled to speak at 10 a.m. local time on the subject, “Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s Transition.”
A statement from the Director of media and publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Garba Shehu today said that Femi Fani-Kayode, the spokesman of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential campaign organizing and other members of PDP members have organized some people in London to stage a protest against Buhari tomorrow when he appears for his Chatham House engagement.
The mission of the organizers of the protest, Garba Shehu said, is to create the impression that Nigerians are happy with President Goodluck Jonathan, and to indicate that Buhari is not welcome to rule Nigeria before the international community.
The former Minister of Aviation, who was until recently a member of the APC, has made many disparaging remarks about General Buhari since he emerged President Jonathan’s principal spokesman. [myad]
The Senate has reduced petrol subsidy from N200 billion to N100 billion and that of kerosene from N91.08 billion to N45.52 billion for the Ministry of Finance the Medium Term Expenditure Framework for 2015 – 2017.
The Kerosene subsidy is the first proposed in the last few years, after criticisms that the government spends hundreds of billions on kerosene subsidy annually without any appropriation.
Chairman of the Joint Committee on Finance and National Planning; Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ahmed Makarfi, said the reduction was due to the fall in oil prices at the international market.
“The relevant committees of the National Assembly should through oversight, ensure the full implementation of the proposed kerosene subsidy and the availability and of the product.”
Makarfi also said the reduction in the subsidy allocations to petrol reflected government’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the entire oil and gas sector.
The Senate President, David Mark, said there is need for a budget cut across the three arms of government in view of the current economic reality.
Mark said that the government must continue with its reform policy in order to promote the growth of the non-oil sector. He expressed delight on the expeditious passage of the MTEF, adding that “this is the kind of cooperation required to build our nation.”
The Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said the country must learn from wasteful spending of the past, adding “we must engage in prudent spending in order to build our foreign reserve.”
He said that many countries had survived with fewer resources, adding that “Nigeria must look away from relying on oil and spending on oil wistfully.’’ [myad]
Three Al Jazeera journalists have reportedly been detained in Paris for operating a drone in an urban area. The arrests follow sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles at sensitive locations in the French capital this week. “The first was piloting the drone, the second was filming and the third (was) watching,” a judicial source told AFP news agency. Associated Press reported that the journalists, found near the Bois de Boulogne woodland in western Paris, were foreign nationals aged 70, 54 and 36. The source said there has been no evidence that the journalists were involved in the drone appearances near the Eiffel Tower and the US embassy over the past two nights.
Drone owners require municipal permits to fly UAVs over densely-populated areas, and rule breakers face punishments of a year in prison or a €75,000 ($85,000). [myad]
Federal Government, today, approved series of foreign loans worth a total of about $400 Million (about N800 Billion) to finance various projects in Lagos, Ogun, Osun and Rivers states. The approvals for the loans were given today by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) made up mainly ministers, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Head of the nation’s Civil Service and others. The FEC meeting today was presided over by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo. Briefing newsmen shortly after the FEC meeting, the minister of state for finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda said that FEC approved the President’s anticipatory approval to obtain $100 million credit from the French Development Agency in support of Lagos Integrated Urban Development Project (Eko-UP). The minister, who addressed newsmen along with minister of Aviation, Osite Chidoka, minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe and minister of Education, Ibrahim Shakarau said that payment period for the $100 million loan is 20 years, including 7 years moratorium, commitment fee of 0.25 per cent per annum and an appraisal fee of 0.25 per cent. He said that the objectives of the project are to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable urban population of metropolitan Lagos; improve the management and treatment of solid waste, strengthen the capacity of Lagos State and implement urban developments. The projects, he said, has three major components which include slum upgrading in the two local council development authorities (LCDAS) of Ifelodun and Bariga by the Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority (LASURA); construction of solid waste management facilities in Lagos State by Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and providing capacity building and technical assistance for LASURA, LAWMA, Project Management Unit and the two LCDAs. Yuguda said that th second loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) of $200 million is for the proposed Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation project and an African Development Fund ( ADF) credit of $5million to support Urban Water Sector Reform Project. The objective of the project, he explained, is to provide sustainable access to safe driving water and sanitation to the residents of Port Harcourt; Strengthen the Federal Government’s capacity to reform the Urban Water and Sanitation Sector and improve service delivery across the country “The project has five major components including water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Port Harcourt, Institutional support to Port Harcourt water corporation, hygiene, sanitation and environment in Port Harcourt, Urban Water Reform at the Federal Level and project management. “The credit facility will be secured from ADB with a repayment period of 15 years, 5 years moratorium, the interest is enhanced variable spread loan with lending spread of 0.60 per cent per annum which translate to 1.56 per cent “For the ADF, the Principal shall be repaid over a period of 22 years, with 8 years grace period, interest rate of1 per cent per annum “The project is captured in the approved 2012-2014 External Borrowing Plan of Federal Government The finance minister listed other loans as detailed below: An approval for a multi-Donor credits from the international bank for reconstruction and development of world bank, Africa development bank, Germany and French development agency in the sums of 500 million US dollars ,450 million US dollars, 200 million US dollars and 130 million US dollars . This is for the establishment of the proposed development bank of Nigeria . The proposed bank is to give lending credit facilities to micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. World bank version of the loan which is 500 million US dollars has a 21 years maturity period with five years grace period and on 4.25% interest rate. The ADF version attracts 1% interest rate and 30 yrs maturity period. Ratification of the presidents anticipatory approval to obtain USD70 million credit facility from the international development Association for the proposed Africa Higher education Center of Excellence project. The proposed project is meant to build on the efforts made under the previous world Bank Assisted science and technology education in post-Basic projects. One of the components under that project was the centers of excellence,with tremendously improved research and exchange programmes within the Nigerian university system. The proposed ACE project is therefore designed to enhance the effective use of exchange programmes and applied research within the African regional universities and in partnership with international academic institutions,relevant employers and industries. The main project development objective is to support the recipient countries to promote regional specialization among participating universities in areas that address regional challenges and strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver quality training and applied research.The credit is concessional with a service charge of 0.75 percent, commitment charge of 0.5 percent and 1.2 percent interest rate per annum with repayment period of 25 years and a five year moratorium. Approval to obtain $33.174million credit from the French Development Agency in support of the Ogun State Water supply project. The objectives of the project are to increase the coverage, continuity and quality of service in the state capital, increase the financial viability of existing water utility through increase in revenue collection, providing financing to rehabilitate and build infrastructure needed to increase access to water supply services in the state capital and improve the governance of water sector in the state. The facility will be secured from the FDA on blend terms with an interest rate of six months libor plus margin, a repayment period of 20 years, including seven years moratorium, commitment fee of 0.25 per cent per annum and an appraisal fee of 0.25 per cent. The credit would be on-lend to Ogun State on the same terms and conditions offered by the FDA to the Federal Government. Council approved the anticipatory approval of an Islamic Development Bank Loan of $65 Million for financing the water supply and sanitation project in Osun state. The loan is to be financed under the manufacturing financing. The overall approval of the project is to amongst other things provide safe water, reduce waterborne diseases, improve agricultural output and tackle sanitation and environmental challenges. The terms and conditions of the loan as negotiated and agreed between the ID. And the Nigerian officials comprising ministry of finance and Osun State Government in October 2014 and consequently approved by the IDB Board of Directors as follow: manufacturing financing (IStisna’a): Amount $65 million, repayment period 15 years, gestation period 4 years and markup Libor + 155bps which currently translates to 1.5% per annum. The Project was approved in the 2012-2014 external borrowing plan of the federal government. Council also approved the President’s anticipatory approval to obtain additional financing of $140million credit from the international Development Association in support of the community and social development project being implemented in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. The Federal Government had in 2009 requested for an initial credit facility of $200million for the community and social development project (CSDP) from the world bank. As at October 2013 98% of the loan amount was disbursed, however the closing date was extended from December 2013 to December 2014 to allow for utilization of the loan. The overall project development objective of the proposed additional credit is to increase access to improved social and natural resource infrastructure services in a sustainable manner throughout the country. The project which will be implemented over a three year period has four components namely: Federal Level coordination and program support, LGA / Sectoral Ministries’ Capacity and a Partnership Building, Community- Driven investment and target on vulnerable group of households and individual in the poor communities . Ratification of the President’s anticipatory approval to obtain $70 million credit facility, associated grants of $15million and $0.48 million in support of the climate change adaptation and agribusiness support programme from International Fund for Agricultural Development The objective of the programme is to increase incomes, enhanced food security and reduce poverty and vulnerability for small holder farmers, particularly women and youth, as well as create jobs and accelerate economic growth on a sustainable basis. The project has four major coo nets namely: Productivity Enhancement and Climate Resilience, Enterprise Development for Women and Youth, Institutional Debelopment, Programme Coordinating and Management.
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has called for new security strategies in the battle against Boko Haram, especially in the North East and North Central region of the country even as he condemned the recent attack by the sect on Kano and Yobe states where many people lost their lives. A statement from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisatin quoted General Buhar as commending the efforts and sacrifices of the nation’s counter-terrorism forces, but that there is the need for greater vigilance and new strategies. General Buhari recognised the complexity of terrorism and its peculiar challenges but called for more and tougher strategies, adding that a situation where the criminals outsmart the system is disturbing. He further advised the Federal Government to take proactive steps to stem the frequency with which the terrorists or suicide bombers penetrate security cordon and checkpoints with maximum ease and strike their targets with extreme cruelty. The APC Presidential candidate said that it is concerned about the effects of frequent terrorists’ attacks on the psyche of the ordinary citizens, who may give in to despair that the government lacks the capacity to protect them. General Buhari regretted the latest Yobe bomb blast which came on the eve of the first anniversary of the Buni Yadi terrorist attack which killed dozens of innocent students of a Federal Government College in their sleep. The General commended the heroic exploits of the officers and men and women of the Armed Forces on their fight against the Boko Haram terrorists that have for several years made life a living hell for many Nigerians while creating the greatest security nightmare ever known by the country, since the end of the Civil war. Buhari of expressed delight with the speed and efficiency with which several towns and villages in the North east region of the country, namely Baga, Konduga, Dikwa etc., hitherto overrun by the terrorists or under their control, have been liberated by the Nigerian troops. According to him, it is refreshing to realize as patriotic Nigerians that indeed we have a military that can hold its own in combat and by so doing be an inspiration, and complement the efforts of friendly forces fighting alongside them. “While we have noted the full display of professionalism and courage in combat exhibited by the gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Armed forces, we also pay tribute to their allies from Cameroun, Chad and Niger who are fighting alongside them. Terrorism being the scourge of today’s world requires the collective effort and resolve of the international community and relevant regional forces to deal with. “As we celebrate the triumph of our forces and look forward to the eventual weakening and possible annihilation of the terrorists from our territory and the sub-region, we urge the Armed forces to do more and ensure that territories already re-captured do not fall again to the terrorists and that reasonable security is provided to encourage the displaced population to return to their homelands. “We want to use this opportunity to remind the entire rank and file of the Armed Forces that under an APC government to be headed by General Buhari, the Armed Forces as an institution would be encouraged and given all it requires to continue to excel and fulfil its Constitutional role of providing reliable and sound security for the nation.” [myad]
The Court of Appeal sitting in Benin Edo State has affirmed a seven year jail term for Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Temple Nwankwoala without option of fine secured by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) for demanding and receiving bribe.
DSP Temple was, in January 2012, convicted of demanding for N1million and receiving N500,000 from a suspect in a case he was investigating when he was serving in the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in Benin. The act was in violation of Sections 19 and 23 of the ICPC Act 2000 which earned Nwankwoala seven years imprisonment with hard labour. Dissatisfied with the judgment, the police officer filed an appeal through his counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), seeking to determine whether the case against him was proved beyond reasonable doubt and whether the ICPC Act under which he was tried is a valid law. In the lead judgment delivered by Justice H A Barka on Monday, the Appeal Court resolved both issues in favour of the respondent ICPC and ordered the appellant to complete his sentence. The other two judges on the appeal Court panel, Justice E A Ogakwu and Justice I M Saulawa concurred with the lead Judgement. [myad]
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is broke and is being forced to reduce the fee of coach Stephen Keshi from five million to three million in the new deal which has been prepared by the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF.
“The new contract that has been finalized by the Nigeria Football Federation will see Keshi earn far less than he received in his first contract,” a top source disclosed, admitting: “the federation is broke and would not want to promise what it cannot pay.”
Initial media reports had suggested that Keshi could get a pay rise and earn seven million Naira a month with the coach himself insisting he deserves to be paid a lot more.
Keshi’s initial three-year contract ran out after he led the Super Eagles to the Round of 16 at last year’s World Cup in Brazil and he has since been working without a contract.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick told reporters he expects Keshi to resume work as Eagles coach this week after he would have agreed to the new contract.
“We have concluded on the contract of Keshi and if he is fine with it, he would begin work as early as Wednesday,” declared Pinnick.
Keshi has also been linked with the Burkina Faso top coaching post after Belgian Paul Put was fired following a disappointing showing by the Stallions at the recent AFCON in Equatorial Guinea. [myad]
Gunmen have reportedly kidnapped an American woman who is a missionary at the Free Methodist Church in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital. The kidnappers have already put forward, the demand for $300,000 ransom from the authority.
The woman, whose name is being withheld for her safety at the request of the State Department, was working as a financial administrator for a religious academy in Kogi state.
The Kogi state commissioner of police, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi confirmed that five gunmen entered the Hope Academy compound where she was staying, firied warning shots before putting her in a vehicle.
He also confirmed that the gunmen are “a criminal gang, not affiliated with any terrorist plan or group. They have requested a ransom payment this afternoon, of 60 million Nigerian naira.”
The amount is equivalent to about $300,000.
The police have not begun ransom negotiations, even as officials of the Free Methodist Church declined to comment on whether it would pay the amount for her release.
There are strong indications that the FBI and the U.S. Embassy have become involved in the search for the hostage.
“The welfare of U.S. citizens is one of the department’s highest priorities,” a U.S. State Department spokesman said, adding: “in cases where U.S. citizens are confirmed missing, the U.S. Embassy works closely with those involved, supporting local authorities in their search efforts and providing all appropriate consular assistance.”
The Kogi state police boss said that local authorities believe the missionary is still in Kogi and being held in a “largely forested area.”
They are seeking assistance from the Nigerian military in their investigation. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the reversion by Boko Haram to the callous bombing of soft targets in parts of Nigeria even as he gave assurance that the days of Boko Haram will soon come to pass. The President hinged his renewed confidence for the total defeat of the sect on what he called, “the ongoing rapid recovery by gallant Nigerian troops and their multinational allies of areas formerly controlled by the sect.” In a statement by special adviser on media and publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President further assured Nigerians and the people of the North-Eastern states that “the days of mourning victims of incessant terrorist attacks in the country will soon be over as the tide has now definitely turned against Boko Haram.” He is sure that “the gallant, courageous and patriotic officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces, supported with new platforms, equipment and logistics provided by the Federal Government will carry the ongoing operations against the terrorists through to a successful conclusion in the shortest possible time.” Jonathan stressed that his administration will continue to take all necessary action to guarantee the success of ongoing military operations against the terrorist group and drastically reduce its ability to take and hold territory or recruit, groom and brainwash young persons to undertake suicide bombing attacks on soft targets. The President commiserated with all families who have lost loved ones in the bombings which continued today with attacks on Kano and Potiskum. The President said that he shared the grief of all the bereaved families and that he is deeply saddened by the continued loss of many innocent lives at the hands of misguided and desperate fanatics who are now feeling the heat of the intense counter –insurgency operation by the Nigerian Armed Forces. [myad]
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