News About Return Of Fuel Subsidy Is Fake – NNPCL Boss

October 9, 2023

The Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari has described as fake, news making the rounds that the government has returned the fuel subsidy.

Answering Reporters’ questions at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, October 9, Mele Kyari said: “no subsidy whatsoever.

“We are recovering our full cost from the products that we import. “We sell to the market. We understand why the marketers are unable to import. We hope that they do so very quick and this are some of the interventions government is doing; there is no subsidy.”

The NNPCL Boss reacted to the seeming fuel scarcity now being experienced in some parts of the country, saying that there is no cause to panic.

“We have seen in very few states with pockets of very low queues. This is not unconnected with the road situation that we are seeing the number of blockades on our road, crossing products from the Southern depots into the Northern part of the country and it takes them a much longer time than they do now.

“They have to rerouted the trucks around many locations for them to be able to reach and that created delays and some supply gaps.

“But that has been filled and we do not see any of such problems again. “And secondly, because of the full deregulation that we have in this sector, marketers are now competing amongst themselves.

“So you must have noticed some fuel stations will reduced price by two Naira and three Naira so customers will naturally run to the places where you have that reduction in prices. “And that creates panic, because for those who don’t know why they are doing it, they will think that there’s something wrong happening, or there’s an ominous sign of scarcity or people start queuing up in the fuel stations.

“Otherwise, there is no challenge. Supply is robust. We have over 1.4 billion litres of product in our hands both marine and land.

“Also there are no issues around delivery of those products into the land. “So there is no fear, nothing to bother about. “But we are also happy that the market forces are now playing out and marketers are competing and of course there are a few issues we’re engaging them to resolve alongside other agencies of government and critical issues around access to foreign exchange.

“And as you all know, government is doing so much to ensure supply of FX into the market.

“We know that this FX markets will stabilize current I&E window is around 770.

“And we know that those inputs that’s already happening, the inputs of government today will crystallize and also they will come to an equilibrium position in the FX market and this is a dream of this country.

“So they will have a stable FX market, stable product market where the prices of product will also speak to prices of other commodities. And this is already manifesting and we think this is the economic revolution that this country needs.”

EU Ambassador Disowns Report Of EU Election Observation Mission On Nigeria’s 2023 Polls

Editorial staff

October 9, 2023

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi has disowned the report of the European Union Election Observation Mission on the outcome of the 2023 elections in Nigeria.

According to the Ambassador, the Election Observation Mission was an independent observation mission deployed by the European Union at the request of the Nigerian government.

The Ambassador, who was reacting to the complaints laid by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyeson Wike, when he received her in audience in Abuja today, October 9, said that the purpose of the mission and many other missions in other countries, is to assess the process of the elections against international agreements and treaties signed and ratified by Nigeria.

She said that the mission was not to determine whether the elections were legitimate or not but to analyze the process and afterwards make recommendations.

According to her, the controversial report offered 26 recommendations.

She told the minister that EU is currently refocusing its cooperation towards improving agricultural value chains to assist with the economic diversification agenda of Nigeria and that it is also working on renewable energy projects in the country.

Nyeson Wike had expressed his reservation on the actions of the EU for what he termed interference with the internal affairs of Nigeria.

The Minister who observed that the Mission did not have adequate personnel in the country to cover the elections, particularly in Rivers State, said that EU Mission’s position that the government stifled the opposition in the State was inaccurate.

“Even though we have passed that era, but I think that I sincerely do not agree with the European Union on their stand on the past election in Nigeria.

“I do seriously take exception to their stand because we thought there is no need for you to interfere in Nigeria. “Rather, you observe and make a recommendation. And your interference came when there were electoral tribunals going on.

“Like in Rivers State, I asked how many of you were in Rivers State to visit the 6,886 or thereabout number of polling units.

“Sometimes, you send in one or two persons and I ask you, how do you know. So, if you have seen some infractions in about 20 polling units, is that enough to make a general conclusion? I felt that as a sitting Governor, you were trying to indict me of not allowing the State to have a free democratic process. That is not correct.”

The Minister however stressed that the priority now is how the EU can support Nigeria to grow her economy and create jobs to positively impact the lives of the citizens.

Tinubu To His Media Team: Uphold Highest Standards Of Decorum, Decency In Dealing With Public

Editorial staff

October 9, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has asked members of the constituted Media & Publicity Directorate to uphold the highest standards of decorum and decency in engagements with all members of the public.

The President, who approved the appointment of five more members into the Directorate, insisted that they must advance the cause of his determined bid to renew the hope of Nigerians in a restructured economy and unified society.

He wanted the economy that caters sufficiently to the needs of all, regardless of any differences.

Those who were appointed, with full respect for the tenets of Nigeria’s federal character principle and the supremacy of merit are Fela Durotoye as Senior Special Assistant to the President — National Values & Social Justice); Fredrick Nwabufo as Senior Special Assistant to the President — Public Engagement and Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe as Senior Special Assistant to the President — Strategic Communications.

Others Aliyu Audu as Special Assistant to the President — Public Affairs and Francis Adah Abah as Personal Assistant to the President — Special Duties.

Also approved is the secondment of Mrs. Linda Nwabuwa Akhigbe to serve as the Communications Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS Commission.

Senate President, Akpabio Visits Family Of Late Tribune Reporter, Tijani Adeyemi

Greenbarge Reporters

October 9, 2023

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has paid a condolence visit to the family of late Alhaji Tijani Adeyemi, who until his death last week, was the Senate Correspondent of the Tribune Newspapers in the National Assembly.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President described the late Adeyemi as “cool headed and quiet man who did his job diligently and most professionally.”
He commiserated with the wife and children and enjoined them to be strong and not to despair reminding them that It is only God that gives life and takes it when He wants.
According to Eyiboh, the Senate President had wanted to come personally but due to exigencies of work, he could not make it.

He promised to convey the request made by the family to the Senate President.
Responding on behalf of the family, Ade Mutiu thanked the Senate President for his kind gesture for finding time to visit and mourn with the family.
He said that the late Tijani left behind four daughters, two undergraduates, one school leaver and a JSS 3 student.
Those who accompanied Hon. Eyiboh on the condolence visit were the Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Senate President, Aniete Ekong; the Special Assistant on New Media, Ahmed Tijani as well as representatives of the Senate Press Corps, Taiwo Amodu of Tribune Newspapers and Azimazi Jimoh of the Guardian Newspapers, among others.

Senate, Under Akpabio, Retools For Strength, By Ken Harris

October 9, 2023

The screening of President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial nominees came to a conclusion last Wednesday amid high drama when one of the last three nominees collapsed during his screening before the Committee of the Whole of the Senate.

The three nominees screened on that day were Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Kwara) Balarabe Lawal (Kaduna) and Ayodele Olawande (Ondo).

Incidentally, expectations on that day were fixed on the two youthful nominees earmarked to handle the Youth ministry.

Miss Bio Ibrahim, 37 and Olawande, 34 are about the youngest to have been nominated as ministers and join the league of the minister of humanitarian development, Dr Betta Edu to marking out the Tinubu administration as about the most youthful administration in the country’s history.

However, the third nominee, Lawal was, however, a contrast and came as a chip from the old bloc who at 65 years is about twice the age of each of the other two ministerial nominees screened on that day.

As the screening proceeded last Wednesday with Dr Bio many who were watching the event on television were gripped with the confidence, carriage and capacity of the lady.

She had actually come prepared. Her father about 12 years ago also passed through the Senate to be confirmed as a minister during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Senator Goodswill Akpabio who was presiding also showed his ability despite being of the older generation to guide the Senate to connect with the verve and vibrancy that came from Dr Bio.

Following her, Lawal who showed more maturity came to the dais. Lawal was nominated to replace Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State. Lawal had served as Secretary to the State Government and he is reputed to have held that office the longest in recent history.

Following his introduction of himself as Senator Sunday Katung from Kaduna South stood up to speak on the nominee who was born in his constituency, the nominee collapsed setting everyone in confusion.

Senator Akpabio, however, took charge giving instructions first for the revival of the nominee. Within minutes the nominee was revived and was back on his feet as he blamed the collapse on exhaustion.

The fact that nothing untoward happened to the nominee goes a long way to show that the National Assembly is itself well kitted for such emergencies. Indeed, Dr Jamilia Bio remarkably had during her screening disclosed that she served in the National Assembly Clinic passing her service there as satisfactory.

Another remarkable takeaway from the unfortunate incident was the instruction by Akpabio to the media to turn off their cameras, giving the human side of Doctor Akpabio as he took charge with calmness during the rowdy minutes while the nominee was on the floor.

Meanwhile, a school of thought is of the opinion that the unfortunate incident put a lie to the claim by some that Senate ministerial screening is a walk in the park.

As the nominee himself said his slump had to do with exhaustion.

“I’m alright now. I’ve been treated and I’m alright now. It was basically exhaustion,” underlining the fact that appearing before the Senate on anything is surely not a walk in the park.

The Senate in the last week also strengthened its rules with the amendment of its standing rules to allow only senators with cognate experience in the legislative body to be elected as presiding officers; to wit, as Senate President or Deputy President of Senate.

The amendment according to a Senate source is to give the legislative body the best leadership at every opportunity.

“In the media you don’t appoint a reporter as editor-in-chief, do you? So in the Senate the body is being equipped that henceforth that only senators who have served at least once in the Senate aspire to be Senate President or Deputy Senate President.”

Though the Constitution through Section 50 allows the Senate to regulate itself, the legislative body through Rule 3 sub section 2 had created a lacuna that allowed first timers to aspire for the office of Senate President.

While some may link this to the bid by Senator Abdulazziz Yari against Akpabio during the leadership election, few, however, believe that it was essentially targeted at Yari given the fact that the former Zamfara State governor had already pledged loyalty to Akpabio and may well have buried his dream at least for now.

Ken Harris is a public affairs commentator in Abuja.

Yobe Govt Seeks More Partnership With Online Publishers

Editorial staff

October 8, 2023

The Yobe State Government has sought for more robust partnership with the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), to further boost information dissemination about the programmes and activities of the state government across the online media platforms.

The State Commissioner for Information, Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni at the 7th Annual Conference of GOCOP in Abuja on Thursday, said that very little is being reported on activities in Yobe State despite the various strides by the Buni administration on good governance and democracy dividends.

“Governor Mai Mala Buni is doing a great job in all key sectors of Yobe’s economy under very tight fiscal circumstances, including in healthcare, roads construction, water supply and sanitation, electrification, education, humanitarian intervention, amongst others.

“Yobe state government is extending a hand of fellowship and partnership to the Guild to ensure that, through GOCOP as well as through other channels, the people of Yobe State and the rest of the country get to know more about what the governor is doing on behalf of the people of the state.”

The Commissioner described the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers as a credible and experienced association of seasoned and career journalists who have had decades of experience in the print and broadcast sectors of the media industry before they ventured into online publishing.

Responding, the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, expressed delight for the participation by the Yobe state government pledging their support for the development of the state under Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Other dignitaries who attended the conference include the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Secretary General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU), Prof. Yakubu A. Ochefu; Special Adviser to the President (Policy Coordination), Hajia Hadiza Bala-Usman, and Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Join Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede who presided over the conference.

The Commissioner was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Communication and Strategy, Yusuf Ali and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) Media and Public Engagement, Ibrahim Baba Saleh.

Ajaokuta Steel Project To Commence Operation Soon, To Generate .5 Million Jobs – Federal Govt

Editorial staff

October 8, 2023

The Nigeria Federal Government has given indication that the abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex will soon be completed and become operational with capacity to employ 500,000 Nigerians once designated as a free trade zone.

The government promised to fully harness the potentials of the Complex once it is completed, as it would boost Nigeria’s foreign direct investment and provide avenue for the creation of the much-needed conducive business environment for all sectors to thrive.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who spoke as representative of President Bola Tinubu at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, said that the government is also committed to completing the constructions of the River Niger, the Kabba-Lokoja and the Abuja-Lokoja roads.

He said that the government is determined to reposition the nation to its rightful place, especially as it borders on restructuring and stimulating the Nigerian economy.

“Given Mr. President’s commitment to the development of Kogi State and indeed the entirety of Nigeria, Kogi in particular being a confluence state, cannot afford to have a governor who is hostile to the center. We must be partners in progress and work hand in hand to develop this great nation,” the Vice President said.

He gave a hint of plans by the Tinubu administration to make the Itakpe crop processing project a dream come true, just as he promised jobs and affordable education under the present government.

He made it clear that the welfare of the citizenry would never be willfully compromised, even as he called on Kogi citizens to come out en masse on November 11 to vote for the candidate of the APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo, in order to consolidate on the achievements of the APC government in the state.

He said that the natural endowments of Kogi State would be harnessed for the development of the state and the nation at large, adding that President Tinubu had further given his nod for the rehabilitation of Obajana-Okene road in Kogi State.

Earlier, the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello thanked President Tinubu for accepting to flag off the governorship campaign in his state, disclosing that his administration has achieved a lot, and it is time for consolidation in order to move the state forward.

“We have done a lot in the area of security, education and health, among others. We want to consolidate on that. I am, therefore, calling on the people of our dear state to vote for our candidate in order to move Kogi State forward.”

The APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje said that because Governor Yahaya Bello has provided good governance to the people of Kogi, the state cannot afford to be left behind by giving power to another party different from the one at the center.

Also, the Chairman of the APC Campaign Council for Kogi State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, enjoined the people of Kogi State to clean up their voter cards and turn out in numbers to vote for the candidate of the APC in the November 11 governorship election.

The Kogi State APC governorship candidate, Ahmed Ododo, promised to carry the people of the state along if elected, saying he remained committed to the development agenda of Kogi State.

“We will build on the legacies of my mentor, Governor Yahaya Bello. We will give attention to security, education, agriculture and health. Our women will also be empowered.”

Other dignitaries at the campaign rally were the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq; Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, and members of the National Working Committee of the APC, among others.

Organized Online Publishers Re-Elects Maureen Chigbo As President, 14 Others

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2023

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has re-elected Maureen Chigbo, the publisher of Realnews as president, alongside 14 other members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) for another two years.
Chigbo was initially elected in 2021 and took over from the publisher of The Eagle Online, Dotun Oladipo, who completed his two terms of four years in office as President.
Maureen Chigbo has become the fifth President of GOCOP after a successful 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 4, in Abuja.
Also re-elected were Danlami Nmodu, mni as the Deputy President, Ken Ugbechie as Vice President, South and Tom Chaiheman as the Vice President, North even as Collins Edomaruse returned as General Secretary, while Olumide Iyanda was re-elected Deputy General-Secretary.
Re-elected also were Remmy Nweke as Publicity Secretary, Azuh Arinze as Financial Secretary and Mrs Yemisi Izuora as the Treasurer.
At the AGM, Messrs Max Amuchie, Horatius Egua, James Ume, Akeem Oyetunji, Raymond Ukaegbu and Tony Edike were elected Zonal Coordinators for the North Central, North East, North West, South West, South-South and South East in that order.
Speaking after being re-elected unopposed on behalf of her NEC, Maureen Chigbo appreciated GOCOP members for the confidence on her team, pledging that they would strive to deliberately position GOCOP for continuous growth and recognition in the market place.
The 2023 GOCOP Election Committee was chaired by Yusuf Ozi-Usman, Editor-in-chief of Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper, while Victoria Ibanga of NewEdition was the Secretary. Other members of the electoral committee include Dr. Monday Ashibogwu of QuickNews, Kemi Yesufu of Frontline News Online, and Barr. Afolabi Odeyemi of YouNews as Legal Adviser.
GOCOP, a registered non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit organisation, comprises owners of online publications.
The newly re-elected members of NEC were sworn-in on October 5, 2023 in Abuja at the ceremony witnessed by the chairman of this year’s conference, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who is the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Lack Of Media Support For Air Force Endangers National Security – Air Chief

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2023

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has complained that the lack of empathy and support for the Air Force by both the new and traditional media is dangerous to the national security.
More dangerous, he said, is the misuse of the social media on matters that bordered on security.
The Air Chief spoke at the 7th Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Abuja.
He said: “Social media, which incidentally has become the medium of choice for online publishers, is now an avenue where fake news thrives and information is weaponized, hence the need to guard against such through stringent measures to erring publishers.”
Represented by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Air Marshal Abubakar commended GOCOP for choosing the theme of the Conference: “Roadmap for socio-economic recovery and sustainability.”
According to him, the theme can be achieved only when investors are convinced that the security of lives and properties are assured.
The Air Chief buttressed his point by quoting Peter Singer and Emerson Brooking in their book: “LikeWar: The Weaponization of the Social Media,” that, “Social media has created a new environment for conflict as it has transformed the speed, spread, and accessibility of information, thereby changing the very nature of secrecy. Yet, while the truth is more widely available, it can be buried in a sea of “likes” and lies.”
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar described online publishers as critical elements in the fight against all forms of criminality in Nigeria by virtue of their advantage of reach, penetration, speed and resilience narrated his philosophy and developmental plans for the NAF.

Yobe Gov, Buni, Approves Scholarship Payment To 15, 503 Students

Greenbarge Reporters

October 8, 2023

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has approved the outstanding payment of domestic scholarships for 15,503 students who did not receive their payment in the first phase of the exercise.
A statement by Tijjani Chiroma, the Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Scholarship Board, Tijjani Chiroma said that the payments will be made to the following institutions; University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Federal College Education Technical Potiskum (FCE-TP), Umar Suleiman College of Education Gashua (USCOEGA), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi (ATBU), Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU) and all other schools that were not paid.
He said that the exercise will commence tomorrow, October 9, with the University of Maiduguri.
According to him, another team will be at FCE (Tech) Potiskum from Thursday 13th October.
“Simultaneously, all the schools will be reached and paid from now till end of October this year Insha Allah.
“A calendar of schedules and stations will be released on the Board’s media page, over the weekend.
“As it was done with other schools, the names, ID number and other relevant details of all beneficiaries will be shared on the Boards’ media pages and on notice boards across the schools prior to the beginning of the exercise.”

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