Board Backs Onochie’s Move To Cut Financial Waste In NDDC

January 20, 2023

The Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has given its Chairman, Lauretta Onochie, the go ahead to cut financial waste and implement other measures aimed at ensuring the smooth running of the Commission.
The Board gave its nod at the end of its meeting after an exhaustive deliberation on the proposal tabled before it by the Chairman.
This development is coming against the backdrop of report by an online newspaper platform, Sahara Reporter, alleging that there were moves by members of the Board to oppose Onochie’s plan to sanitize the NDDC.
The report, according to some stakeholders, shows attempts by some vested interests to return to old ways in the NDDC.

It also shows some forces trying to gang up against the Chairman of the board in her desire to ensure that wastes in the system are reduced.
A member of the Board described the story as “a tissue of lies” designed to sow a seed of discord among members of the Board who are united in their resolve to make a difference in the Niger Delta.
According to the member who preferred not to be identified: “we have always reported the various submissions by the Board members on their being united to work for the Niger Delta.
“The truth is that the Chairman insisted on a drastic reduction in the number of aides attached to Board members, in line with extant rules and regulations of the Federal Government.
“That this falsehood is being perpetrated by Sahara Reporters is a ploy to misinform the public in a bid to distract the Board.
“We assure that the Board will neither be distracted nor divided in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta.”
Commenting on the allegation that Onochie asked for 18 Special Assistants, the source said that the story was one of the attempts to blackmail the Board Chairman.
“The office of the secretary to the Federal government (SGF), has set out guidelines for the number of aides the chairman, managing director and other members of the board can have.”
Maintaining that the guidelines have been put in place and, approved before the board came into being, the source insisted that the new Chairperson has brought hope to the Commission.
“With her insistence that things cannot be done in old ways and expecting new result, she has put her foot on ground and ready to turn the NDDC around,” said the Board member.
Reacting to the development, Onochie said, in a post on her verified Twitter handle, @Laurestar, said: “On NDDC, I stand, with the laws of our land.”
“I will continue to insist that the NDDC Board, follow the laws that set it up. Our Plans are to serve5# The PeopleOfNigerDelta. Its a Board, not a Sole Administration. We are doing things differently. We will continue to do that.
“God Bless the Niger Delta. God bless Nigeria.”

Ganduje’s Daughter Seeks Divorce From Husband After 16 Years, With 4 Kids

Editorial staff

January 19, 2023

Asiya Ganduje, a daughter to Kano State Governor is seeking a divorce from her husband, Inuwa Uba, after 16-year with four children.

She told an Upper Shari’a Court in Kano today, January 19 that she is ready to return the N50,000 dowry her husband paid on her.

At the resumed sitting, the Plaintiff Counsel, Ibrahim Aliyu-Nassarawa, told the court that his client insists on returning the N50,000 bride price received from her husband in exchange for divorce.

“Every woman who is living under strange condition has a right under Islamic law to approach the court and seek for her marriage to be dissolved with the condition to return the dowry.

“My client is ready to return the N50,000 bride price received from her husband in exchange for divorce.”

Aliyu-Nassarawa said his client is not willing to relinquish her rights and will not abide by conditions set by the respondent.

“The conditions are subject matter of dispute that should be subjected to another suit before another court.”

Earlier, Counsel to the respondent, Mr Umar I. Umar, said the issue is beyond the payment of N50,000 dowry.

“My client has two conditions regarding some of his belongings, before coming to the issue of divorce.

“The respondent has four kids with the plaintiff, but all efforts to reconcile them proved abortive.

“The plaintiff should return all his credentials, house certificates, cars and relinquish her rights in their joint rice company.”

The presiding judge, Malam Halliru Abdullahi, after listening to the submission of both parties, adjourned the matter until Feb. 2 for judgement.

NAN reports that the court had on Jan. 12, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by counsel to the respondent, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

Source: NAN.

I Won’t Join Those With Character Deficiencies To Launch Personal Attacks – Atiku

Editorial staff

January 19, 2023

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has described those who he said have been attacking him as “those who, in an attempt to cover their character deficiencies resort to mudslinging and gutter language, in a desperate attempt to disparage their fellow contestants.”

In a statement today, January 19, which he personally signed, Atiku said: “I have since resolved not to descend to the low level of personal attacks and lies being peddled by my opponents. Nor will I join issues with those who, in an attempt to cover their character deficiencies, resort to mudslinging and gutter language, in a desperate attempt to disparage their fellow contestants.”

He said that he would rather take the high road of dignity and statesmanship to continue to advance our manifesto, “as we continue to inform the Nigerian people of how the Atiku-Okowa government intends to stop the slip into the abyss by a country that is so blessed with human and natural resources.

“I will remind them about our past success when I served Nigeria meritoriously as the Vice President in the government that has been adjudged as the best so far since our return to democracy in 1999.

“I want to share our dreams and achievable development plans for our today and our future.

“We shall assemble a team of some of the brightest and best Nigerians that abound within the country and in the Diaspora to assist in rebuilding our country. This is my commitment and my contract with the Nigerian people.

“To this end, my priorities shall include but not limited to unifying the nation to give every citizen that is a Nigerian, every state and every gender, religion and ethnicity a sense of justice, inclusion, equity and trust.

“We shall not only ensure that all Nigerians are treated equally, but that they feel safe and secure as opposed to the regime of pervasive insecurity that has gripped the entire country for too long.

“We shall also be preoccupied with resetting Nigeria’s battered economy, especially finding sustainable solutions to the recurring issues of debt management, deficits, subsidies and the flagging value of the Naira.

“The boosting of crude oil production, stoppage of oil theft and ramping up of non-oil exports to improve earnings are also top on my priorities.

“The reset of our education, to drive our development agenda, and the restructuring of our socio-economic and political structures will be defining efforts of my administration.

“In addition, Diaspora remittances will be given serious attention, particularly now that it has exceeded Nigeria’s earnings from crude oil to shore up our much-needed foreign exchange needs.”

Army Admits Involvement Of Officers In Robbery, Kidnapping; Vows To Take Drastic Action

Editorial staff

January 19, 2023

The authorities of the Nigerian military have admitted that officers have been found to be involved in violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping in recent times.
It was gathered that the military hierarchy is now contemplating a drastic action to deter officers and men, whose ‘unprofessional’ conducts are smearing the image of the Nigerian Armed Forces
The development followed a report that a soldier was caught in an alleged robbery operation at PHDL, phase one Estate in Kurudu, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) this week.
Also, Sunday last week , an Airman was apprehended by some soldiers at PHDL Phase 5 Estate, Kurudu, while assisting two civilians to kidnap a resident of the estate
A military intelligence operative said that after the armed robbers attempted to infiltrate into PHDL phase one estate, Kurudu, through the nearby NAOWA College, troops of AHQ Gar deployed for guard duty in the school premises challenged the armed robbers upon sighting their movement in the dark.
He said: “…but the robbers opened fire on the guards who also returned fire, hitting one of the armed robbers on the shoulder while the other fled and escaped.
“Own soldiers on guard at the PHDL phase one estate swiftly dashed under cover of darkness to the school to beef up the guards upon hearing gunshots. The armed robber who was hit had one X AK47 rifle, 26 rounds of 7.62mm (special), a knife, a black mask, and a mobile phone.
“However, close observation of the robber confirmed that he is a soldier of the AHQ Gar Admin Bn currently on guard duty at a retired military General’s residence at Saidu Isa close, Katampe extension, Abuja”.
On the airman involved in a foiled kidnapping operation, the military operative said: “the NAF personnel was apprehended by AHQ Gar soldiers on guard duty at PHDL Phase 5 estate, Kurudu in AMAC while assisting two civilians to kidnap a resident of house on Gen AB Dambazau Street in the estate.
“Preliminary investigation confirmed that the Airman and his civilian accomplices stormed the victim’s house dressed in black suits, claiming they were DSS personnel.
“The Airman led abductors immediately seized the mobile phones belonging to the victim and his wife including a laptop and ordered the victim into a waiting Ash-coloured Toyota tc saloon vehicle with Registration Number (ABUJA) ABJ 755 LD.
“Following a tip-off by the victim’s wife who raised alarm as the abductors were zooming off, own soldiers on duty swiftly engaged the abductors in a pursuit using motorcycles and eventually apprehended the Airman and the vehicle with the assistance of passerby while his civilian accomplices fled and escaped.
“The victim was rescued unharmed while the Airman is currently in custody of AHQ Gar Prov Gp for further action.”
Source: By PRNigeria.

Police Hands Out N13 Billion To 7,000 Officers Who Lost Lives, Disabled

Editorial staff

January 19, 2023

The Nigeria Police has started the distribution of the initial sum of N13 Billion to 7,000 deceased officers and those injured or rendered disabled in the line of duty between 2012 and 2020.

The money is the Insurance benefits of the affected officers who lost their lives while in service, as well as those who suffered various forms of life-threatening injuries while on active duty.

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, who handed the cheques to the families of the affected officers today, January 19, emphasized the value of human life and wholeness, saying that the prompt payment of insurance and other benefits due to officers who have met with some misfortunes due to the risky nature of policing in the contemporary environment and unforeseen hazards of policing, would greatly boost their morale and ensure they put in their best in service to the nation.

He promised better welfare packages for members of the police family either serving, retired, or slain in the line of duty, so as to cement the already existing esprit de corps amongst the components of the police family.

The backlog payments, according a statement by the spokesman of the Force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, were made possible through the passionate drive by the Inspector General to ensure that Police Officers are adequately catered for in the event of injury or permanent disability due to the risks associated with policing.

Federal Govt Approves N1.9 Trillion For NNPC To Reconstruct 44 Federal Roads

Greenbarge Reporters

January 19, 2023

The Federal Government has approved for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, to invest N1.9 trillion in reconstruction of 44 federal roads under the tax credit policy.

According to a statement by Laolu Akande, senior special assistant to the President in the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the approval fell under the Federal Government Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Policy Phase 2 to be executed by NNPCL and its subsidiaries.

“The Council approved the proposal by the Ministry of Works and Housing for the reconstruction of 44 proposed federal roads with a total length of 4,554 kilometres in the total sum of N1.9 trillion.”

The approval is coming 15 months after NNPCL expressed interest in investing in the reconstruction of selected federal roads to sustain smooth supply and distribution of petroleum products across the federation.

On January 25, 2019, President Buhari had signed the Executive Order 007, which birthed the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, geared at unlocking funding from the private sector to critical road infrastructure in the country.

The presidential order was to empower private companies to finance construction or refurbishment of federal roads designated as: “Eligible Roads” under the scheme and recoup their investments through deduction from their yearly Companies Income Tax.

The programme is a public-private partnership (PPP) intervention that enables the Federal Government to leverage private sector’s capital and efficiency for construction and refurbishment of critical road infrastructure in key economic areas in Nigeria.

Under the initial programme, the NNPC is constructing a total of 1,804.6 kilometres of roads at a total cost of N621,237,143,897.35.

A breakdown of the funding showed that the North Central geo-political zone, made up of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states, got the highest share of N244.87 billion for construction of 791.1 kilometres of road.

The South-South region, comprising Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states, emerged second highest beneficiary, with N172.02 billion for a total of 81.9 kilometres of road.

The Southwest, consisting of Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Ogun and Oyo states, followed with a total allocation of N81.87 billion for construction of 252.7 kilometres of roads.

The NNPCL allocated N56.12 billion to North East, comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, for construction of 273.35 kilometres of roads under the scheme.

The Southeast geo-political zone, made up of five states, including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, got N43.28 billion allocation for construction/rehabilitation of 122 kilometres of road.

The national oil company allocated N23.05 billion for rehabilitation of 283.5 kilometres of road to Northwest geo-political zone, consisting of Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa and Zamfara states.

The road projects are being funded by NNPC and the amount is deducted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIR) from the NNPCL’s tax obligations.

Source: The Guardian.

NCC Moves To Stop Unapproved Lottery On Telecomm Platforms, Renews MoU

Editorial staff

January 18, 2023

In its determination to stop unapproved lottery and gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, said today, January 18, at the signing of the MoU, that it will impact the gaming industry, adding that it is in tandem with the Commission’s Strategic Vision Plan (SVP) “and is in a bid to promote fair practices in the industry for the protection of telecommunications consumers in relation to lottery and gaming activities.

He said that the collaboration is also in line with the provisions of Commission’s SVP, 2021-2025, which provides for facilitation of strategic partnership and collaboration with other bodies to enhance service delivery.

“The initial MoU expired in 2022, amendments and modifications have been made since no MoU is cast in stone, especially given the industry’s dynamic nature.”

This was even as the Director General of NLRC, Lanre Gbajabiamila expressed confidence that the MoU will yield favourable outcomes in curbing illegal online gambling as he shared his hope that NCC and NLRC will achieve their intentions in the interest of gaming stakeholders.

He said that unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices have been undermining the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets, “hence the collaboration with the Commission to arrest such tendencies.”

Earlier, the Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management), Barrister Adeleke Adewolu said that the MoU was designed to address recent technology information-sharing capabilities and consumer satisfaction as well as to enhance areas of co-regulation in line with the Federal Government’s digital economy mandate.

According to the NCC Chief spokesman, Reuben Mouka, the new MoU replaces one that was first signed by both organizations, which expired in 2022.

It provides complementary approaches to deter unapproved lottery/gaming practices on telecommunications platforms through information and intelligence sharing in recognition of how unapproved lottery and gaming activities and practices undermine the integrity of domestic and global gaming markets to the detriment of stakeholders in addition to undermining consumer confidence in these markets.

Under the agreement, following requests from NLRC, NCC shall endeavour to block or disable illegal lottery gaming operators on the telecommunications service providers’ platform in Nigeria and NLRC

The document was developed by a Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) comprising representatives of NCC and NLRC to implement the MoU and other matters that promote collaboration between both organizations in their regulatory functions.

Atiku To PDP Members: You Must Win Your Polling Units To Qualify For Job In My Govt

Editorial staff

January 18, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has asked members and supporters of the party to go back to their constituencies and work for the party to win the 2023 general elections as one of the conditions for appointment in his government.

“You are all members of the PDP and supporters of the PDP. You want PDP to return to power. Please, I beg of you, make sure you win your polling booths”

Atiku, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital today, January 18, stressed that individuals looking forward to any position in his government must win their polling units, adding that he is only concerned about the result a party member is able to deliver during the election.

He warned that following him about during the ongoing campaigns cannot guarantee an appointment or a contract whether at the local government level, state, or federal level.

“The only way, as far as I’m concerned, if I’m President, if you come and say you want a job or you want a contract, I will ask you, let me have the result of your polling booth and that is what I’m going to direct to everybody because unless we do that, we will not win the elections.

Peter Obi Displayed Ignorance Of Economic Matters At Chatham House – Group

Editorial staff

January 18, 2023

A group, Buhari Media Organization (BMO) has described Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi’s comments on the economy and the nation’s debt profile, as a public display of ignorance of economic matters.

In a statement today, January 18, the group’s Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke said that Peter Obi’s claim that all monies borrowed since 2015 were wasted, showed his tendency to play to the gallery with claims that have no basis in fact.

“It is shocking that a man who postures as one with an understanding of economics, with spurious statistics, would use the opportunity of a global stage to make an outlandish claim about the country’s debt stock under President Buhari.

“Yes, the Buhari administration has added to the debt he inherited in 2015, yet only the ignorant, or in some cases people with mischievous intentions, would carelessly say that all monies borrowed since 2015 were wasted.

“We wonder why Peter Obi was silent on PDP-era debt and what his former party used those monies for? That was an era where Nigeria’s public debt rose to $63bn with little or no infrastructure to show for it.

“But because of his penchant for grandstanding, a man who delights in quoting figures from far flung places to make unverifiable points, conveniently forgot that the Debt Management Office (DMO), the agency which manages the country’s debt, has a fact sheet on its website on what the Buhari era debt are used for.”

The group said that Peter Obi’s position on Nigeria’s debt in relation to that of other countries shows a lack of knowledge of economics.

“In one breath, the LP Presidential candidate said there was nothing wrong with borrowing and noted that more developed countries including US and Japan are owing 100 and 230% of their respective GDPs, yet in another breath, he sees a lot wrong with that of Nigeria which is owing less than 25% of its GDP because according to him, the other countries have ‘something to fall back on.’

“And for the records, most of the loans taken by the Buhari administration are not only tied directly to infrastructural projects including those abandoned by previous administrations, they also do not involve transfer of funds to Nigerian entities.

“The DMO website which Obi and his handlers did not even bother to check has a full list of ongoing road rehabilitation and construction works as well as rail projects and airport expansion being carried out with these loans. We urge them to take a proper look at what is there.

“When they do, they will find that what Obi described as nothing is what the agency termed as ‘projects that have the added benefits of job creation, not only by themselves, but through direct and indirect service providers, a number of which are Small and Medium Enterprises.’

“Let us add here that the same Peter Obi had been quoted on more than one occasion as saying that infrastructure cannot be used to stimulate economic growth, and then went on his usual trajectory of citing Bangladesh and Singapore as examples, when indeed it is widely accepted globally that investment in infrastructure is one of the most effective tools for achieving economic growth and development”.

The group urged Nigerians to continue to fact check Obi’s claims in order not to be misled by a smooth-talking average politician with no track record of performance in public office.

2023: We’re Prepared For Presidential Runoff – INEC Boss, Prof. Yakubu

Greenbarge Reporters

January 18, 2023

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has given a hint that there may be a presidential run-off after voters cast their ballot on February 25, 2023 for their preferred candidates and that the Commission is prepared for it.

Delivering a lecture yesterday, January 17, at London-based Chatham House, Professor Yakubu said: “the truth of the matter is that for every general election, the commission prepares. At least for some time now in the last three electoral cycles, we also prepare for that possibility.

“The reason is until the constitution was amended, there was only one week for a presidential run-off in case it happens.

“With the number of registered voters we have, it is almost impossible to print the ballot papers required and the result sheet and deliver them to locations and conduct the elections as required.”

Speaking on the topic: ‘Nigeria’s 2023 Elections: Preparations and Priorities for Electoral Integrity and Inclusion,’ INEC boss said: “every election since the last three electoral cycles, we also make provisions for the possibility of a presidential run-off in case it happens. If it happens, then we’ll have no issues, and this year is no exception.”

He said that with the amendment of the constitution, INEC now has three weeks between the presidential election date and the run-off date.

He said available data indicates that Nigeria has 16.7 million more voters than the rest of West Africa.

“Based on figures compiled from electoral commissions and interior ministries in West Africa, Nigeria’s current voter population is 16.7 million higher than the 76.7 million registered in all the other countries put together – and there are 14 other elections in the sub-region.

“This means that a general election in Nigeria is like conducting an election in the whole of West Africa and beyond.”

He dismissed any speculation of plans to put off the elections scheduled for February 25 and March 11, saying INEC is not contemplating, let alone planning, to postpone the 2023 general election.

He stressed that the commission is not considering the postponement of the presidential poll amid attacks on its offices nationwide.

“We are going ahead to conduct the election as scheduled,” he said, noting that though there are “tremendous” challenges and expectations of INEC, the commission is a beneficiary of “enormous” goodwill in Nigeria and beyond.

“We can surmount the challenges and ensure elections continue to get better,” he added.

Professor Yakubu reiterated the need for the establishment of a new commission to deal with electoral offenders.

He lamented previous attempts to pass the bill for the establishment of the commission, saying the failure to do so had frustrated efforts to get justice against offenders in Nigeria’s courts over the years.

Professor Yakubu said work on the country’s electoral process would remain incomplete if electoral offenders continue to walk freely.

He argued that via the powers given to the commission in the recently signed Electoral Act 2022, INEC can’t make an arrest or investigate offenders.

He said that the establishment of a new commission will help to enhance efforts to prosecute offenders.

INEC boss said that though the Senate has passed the bill, it is still before the House of Representatives Committee, adding that everybody in the queue by 2:30 pm on election day will vote.

On Diaspora voting, the INEC chairman was optimistic that the legal obstacles preventing foreign-based Nigerians from voting will be cleared eventually.

He said that Diaspora Voting by millions of Nigerians living outside the country remains a recurrent issue for the Commission, just as he added that Nigeria is said to have one of the largest diaspora communities in the world.

“Our quest for a fully inclusive extensive national deployment like we do in Nigeria will naturally come with challenges.

“We have worked closely with stakeholders and development partners to confront these challenges and we are satisfied with our preparations so far.

“Our commission does not take the pledge that we have repeatedly made to Nigerians lightly. We are leaving no stone unturned in our preparations.

“Our commitment remains only to Nigerians and not to any political party or candidate. That is what the law requires of us. We cherish the institutional independence and integrity of the Commission.

“With the enthusiasm of Nigerians, the goodwill of stakeholders and partners, and the commitment of the Commission, we believe that the 2023 general election will be among the best conducted in Nigeria.”

Professor Yakubu reassured voters that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has come to stay, saying there are plans to ensure it works perfectly.

He said that the 2023 election will be among the best polls in the country, insisting that only votes counted during the election will determine the winner of the elections.

Professor Yakubu said elections is a multi-stakeholders’ activity, adding that the commission has demonstrated it in previous elections.

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