Group Threatens Buhari With Court Action Over 300 Percent Increase In Electric Tariff

January 8, 2023

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has given seven days to President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse the recent 300 percent increase in electric tariff across the country.

SERAP said that the increase would further create more hardship for Nigerians who are already battling survival following the current harsh economic realities

In the letter dated 7 January 2023 and signed by the Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP described the increase which took effect from December 2022 as unlawful, unjust and unreasonable.

“The increase in electricity tariff failed to follow due process. It is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the Electric Power Sector Reform Act and the country’s international human rights obligations.”
SERAP asked the President to “direct the minister of power, Goddy Jedy-Agba and the Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Professor James Momoh to immediately reverse the unlawful, unjust and unreasonable increase in electricity tariff, which reportedly occurred in December 2022.”

“The increase in electricity tariff would exacerbate the extreme poverty across the country, and undermine the ability of millions of Nigerians to satisfy basic human needs.”

“Millions of Nigerians continue to live in darkness despite the spending by successive governments of trillions of naira as investments and bailouts to electricity companies.“The increase is unjustified, especially given the unreliable, inefficient and poor quality of electricity in the country.

“Rather than providing electricity discounts to poor Nigerians, successive governments continue to give bailouts to electricity companies.”

Fear Of Atiku, Tinubu Made Obasanjo To Endorse Peter Obi – Sule Lamido

Editorial staff

January 8, 2023

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has ascribed the recent endorsement of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to the fear of the strong personality of both the Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinuu and that of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Lamido. who spoke on Friday, in his hometown, Bamaina in Birninkudu Local Council of the State, described the endorsement of Peter Obi by his former boss, Obasanjo, as coming from the fact that Obasanjo is being haunted by the strong character and personality of Tinubu and Atiku.

“Obasanjo is my boss. I believe in him. He made a mistake to endorse another candidate outside the party that made him what he is; a party which gave him the importance, the relevance and the image to be able to do that.

“He is doing it because he is angry with Tinubu and Atiku. What is their crime? Tinubu has a strong character and personality, so also Atiku. The fear of having people, who are very strong in character, is what is haunting him. With Atiku or Tinubu, he will not have the monopoly he is having over Nigeria.

“The problem is people fail to realise that when a party honours you, and dignifies you, and makes you what you are, you need to be more circumspect. For me, Obasanjo is talking because he was a president.

“If he was not, will he talk like this? Whatever he is saying now is because he was a president under which party? PDP.

“PDP honoured him and dignified him. This is a leader, who should be more inspiring, who should set agenda for Nigeria so that his disciples can follow, which is what we call legacy in life.”

“I have a very clear political history. I have my own belief and conviction, and those who share this belief and aspiration came together to form the PDP. PDP formed a government in Nigeria. Today, if you remove PDP from the Nigerian history of 25 years, what will you have?”

Peter Obi’s Running Mate, Datti, Sheds Tears, Says “They’re Insulting My Late Father”

Editorial staff

January 8, 2023

Labour Party Vice Presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, broke down in tears today, January 8 during ‘The People’s Townhall’ organized by Channels Television.

Yusuf Datti, who together with the party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi featured live on the television’s Town Hall series to discuss their plans for the country if elected as president and vice president of Nigeria, complained: “35 years ago at least, our Dad of blessed memory passed away. No one has ever insulted him until I joined elections for the presidency.

“No one has ever doesn’t it? It doesn’t happen anywhere in the world. You don’t insult people’s parents or families. It’s a huge price for anyone to pay.”

According to the Vice Presidential candidate, he and members of his family have been paying the price in his attempt to rescue Nigeria.

He complained that all sorts of people are now after him, adding: “I would have been a lot happier if only they stopped at me as an individual.

“But you know, the thing that I was able to sort with the presidential and vice presidential candidate, I ended up suffering from a much lesser level.”

Having gotten over his emotions, Yusuf Datti reassured Nigerians that if elected, he and Obi will tackle the inflation of government contracts and unite Nigerians.

NIMASA Boss Recommends Standardized Digitalization For Effective Communication

Editorial staff

January 8, 2023

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has recommended standardized digitalization for Maritime Administrations across the world.

He said advised all stakeholders in the maritime sector to effectively communicate in line with provisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities, IALA.

Dr. Jamoh who spoke today, January 8 at the launch of Denmark’s first commercial satellite, Sternula-1, in Aalborg, Denmark, said that NIMASA is participating in the testing stage of an international satellite system that would improve communication channels for vessels at sea as part of the current Management’s quest to ensure adoption of global best practices in the Nigerian maritime sector.

He said that the IMO set the requirements for the e-Navigation strategy implementation plan while, IALA develops the technical solutions such as AIS as part of measures to ease and promote digital communication in the Maritime Industry.

“Ultimately, seaborne transport depends on a secure and trustworthy flow of information. In this new reality, access to quality data is essential for ship managers to make decisions, act on market opportunities, and meet new requirements. A well digitalized system leads to faster access to information, improved customer experience, increased productivity, lower operational costs, improved decision making, improved information security, higher mobility, and automation of business processes amongst others.”

In the Port Sector, Jamoh said that Digitalization is the foundation of Smart Ports and Digital Twins, both technological tools and solutions that can transform real-time data into accurate and more precise business decisions, rendering port operations extremely effective as it interconnects all sectors of the maritime supply chain.

He said that digitalization transforms organizations from reactive to being proactive in areas such as safety and safety reporting, adding that there are massive untapped potentials for the shipping industry to improve its operational efficiency through harnessing ship-to shore data flows that can positively impact commercial, environmental and safety performance reporting processes.

Recall that NIMASA, in the third quarter of 2022, had signed a Letter-of-Intent with the Danish telecoms company Sternula, on participation in the Worldwide AIS 2.0 Demo Project that will allow for early testing of digital services over the satellite-based AIS 2.0 at the beginning of 2023. Sternula-1 and the built-in AIS 2.0 technology, also called VDES, is a new communication solution to implementing a global e-Navigation strategy. AIS 2.0 is an extension to AIS, adding two-way data channels over VHF by using special satellite channels which means that every ship with a VHF antenna will be able to communicate globally.

How I Will Tackle Boko Haram, Other Insecurity In Nigeria – Tinubu

Editorial staff

January 8, 2023

The Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that dealing with Boko Haram insurgence, kidnapping and other criminal activities that threaten the security of Nigeria will be his priority if he is voted President of the country in February.

“I will give priority to confronting security, making the economy one of widely shared prosperity and paying special attention to agriculture like the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“On security, my policy is not an artificial created to sound good for this campaign. Our security policy is based on dedicated study and long conversations with experts in this field.

“I used the same approach to tackle the bad security situation that faced me when I became governor of Lagos. I created programs and institutions to solve the real and dangerous challenges Lagos faced.

“I shall increase security personnel and better equip them. Advanced air and ground surveillance technology will identify, track and attack the criminals until they are utterly defeated.”

Tinubu, who spoke today, January 8 at an endorsement rally organized by the Arewa Community in Lagos, ahead of next month’s presidential election, promised to provide jobs for the nation’s youths, while also ensuring that electricity generation is improved to allow more people to start up small businesses to feed their families.

He said that great attention would be given to agriculture, to ensure that there is increased food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes, thus returning farming to its prominent position.

He said that massive investments would be made in road and rail infrastructure to ensure easy movement of goods and products while also strengthening the education sector to guarantee the future and guide the youth toward better lives.

“We will invest in the Kolmani Oil Wells Project inaugurated by President Buhari and indeed in all vital infrastructural projects such as the Mambilla Power Project, the AKK gas pipeline projects.

“We shall revive our inland waterways through the dredging of the River Niger and make sure we cut down on our steel import bill by making the Ajaokuta Steel Company work.”

Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje said that Nigeria is a country of diversity and that Asíwájú has demonstrated that he could utilise the country’s diversity for development and prosperity.

“He is a symbol of unity, a product of unity in diversity. He is the right person to be endorsed by Arewa and the best for the presidency,” he said.

The Chairman Arewa Community APC, Alhaji Saadu Yusuf Gulma Dandare, said that Asíwájú Tinubu had done a lot for Lagos and Nigeria, adding that if the country has more of him in each geopolitical zones, it will be a better place and people will not be flocking Lagos.

Group To Kogi Gov, Yahaya Bello: Let Us Maintain Peace In Ebiraland

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2023

A sociocultural Non-Governmental Organization, De Noble Club 10, Kogi Central, has advised the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to maintain the tempo of security and peace he has already established by not allowing distraction in whatever form.

The Club, in a statement by its President, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Onivehu Leramoh further advised the Governor to consider the peace, security and stability of the community above other matters in his actions.

The Club was reacting to a letter of query issued to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland by the State Government for not coming out to receive President Muhammadu Buhari to Okene to commission some legacy projects of Governor Yahaya Bello.

The Club President said that the situation in the country, particularly now that campaigns are hotting up toward the February/March general elections, calls for caution and vigilance by all stakeholders.

“We understand the feelings of His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, but appeal that he avoids anything that may truncate the peace and security which he has painstakingly established and for which he has been getting applause across the country and beyond.

“It is not about who is wrong but what should be done to maintain the stability of our community.

“We appeal to the Governor and the Royal father to resolve the misunderstanding within themselves amicably, which we believe will even earn the two leaders great respect from the people of the state.

“We appeal to the Governor and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland to remember the saying: you may know when the trouble starts but cannot predict how and when it would end.”

The Club drew the attention of all the parties involved to miscreants that are likely to hide under the rift to launch mayhem on the relatively peaceful Ebira land and even the State as a whole.

How To Handle Domestic Violence, Abusive Marriage – Ghanaian Actress

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2023

Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, has offered advised to young ladies on how to handle abuses in their marriages, even as she asked them to always speak up and walk out of abusive unions.

Juliet Ibrahim said she was once a victim of an abusive and domestic violence in her marriage but forced her way out of it.

The actress was in a relationship with Nigerian singer, Iceberg Slim, for some years before their relationship hit the rocks in 2018 with both parties accusing each other of infidelity and physical abuses.

The beautiful diva had a celebrated relationship with Iceberg and many people had thought they would go the whole hog but that was not to be.

However, in a recent engagement with some of her fans on Instagram, Juliet Ibrahim said that it is better to walk away from an abusive union than to fall victim of physical abuses and more.

” I have been a victim myself, no staying. I fought my way out of the situation and one has to be strategic about it as well.

“You have to have someone you can trust on the outside and plan your exit before it’s too late.”

Source: Per Seconds News.

I’m Proud Of FCT Minister, Buhari Pronounces As Minister Turns 64

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2023

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his pride on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello over the minister’s positive contribution to the success of his government.

In a message felicitating with the minister for clocking 64 years today, January 8, along with the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, the President acknowledged that the two ministers have meritoriously served the country.

The President said that Muhammad Musa Bello has restored stability and decency in allocations and predictability in the capital city, through hard work and collaboration with stakeholders, especially local communities.

He said that the FCT minister has also opened up places for more infrastructural development and attracted tourism opportunities for growth.

The President extolled minister Tallen for pushing and ensuring actualization of policies that favoured women and children, particularly the girl-child empowerment, and remaining a strong voice for the campaigns against domestic violence, exploitation of children and equal opportunities in work places.

The President acknowledged the noticeable and commendable differences the ministers have brought into their positions “with humility and focus,” thereby bringing government closer to the people.

The President prays for more of God’s blessings on Muhammad and Tallen.

CBN Warns: If You Don’t Spend Old Naira Notes Before January 31, It Will Be Useless

Greenbarge Reporters

January 8, 2023

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised Nigerians to spend the old naira notes in their possession before or on January 31, 2023 as after the date, the notes will not longer be useful.

The apex bank, in a social media post, said: “the current series of N200, N500 and N1,000 notes would remain legal tender until the deadline of January 31, 2023,”

Also, in its Twitter handle, CBN said that there will be no extension for the use of the old notes beyond January 31, advising Nigerians to ensure they deposited all the old N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes in their possession before the deadline of January 31, 2023.”

Meanwhile, 23 days to the deadline, Nigerians have continued to bemoan the manner the apex bank is handling the process of introducing the new naira notes.

Investigation showed that over the counter cash transactions within banking halls were still being done majorly with old notes, including withdrawals, instead of new notes, at a time the banks should be receiving old notes. Even the Automated Teller Machines (ATM) dispense old notes.

The CBN’s Deputy Governor in charge of financial system stability, Aisha Ahmad, told the House of Representatives during a public hearing on the implementation of CBN cashless policy and the new withdrawal limits, that the CBN had ordered the printing of 500 million pieces of new naira notes in the first contract.

The CBN on October 26, 2022 announced that higher denominations of the naira N200, N500 and N1,000 would be redesigned and introduced into the economy from December 15, 2022, while commercial banks were directed to return existing denominations to the CBN.

President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled the new naira on November 23, last year.

Source: The Guardian.

Ebira Umbrella Body Cautions Against Turning Kogi Gov’s Query To Ohinoyi Into Violence

Greenbarge Reporters

January 7, 2023

Umbrella body of Ebira people in Kogi State and Diaspora, Ebira Peoples Association (EPA) has appealed to Ebira people to maintain peace in the face of a query letter which the State Governor, Yahaya Bello issued to the Paramount king, Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Dr. Ado Ibrahim over the official visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the area on December 29.
In a statement today, January 7, the President-General of the Association, Dr. Godwin Oyibo assured that consultations are ongoing to resolve the rift between the State Government and Ohinoyi on the issue, which arose as a result of the alleged failure of the Ohinoyi to turn up to receive the President.
Dr. Oyibo said in the statement: “As a people well-aware of the susceptibility of our socio-political atmosphere to disturbance, we must guide against any acts, utterances and postures that could potentially snowball or precipitate semblance of such, as recorded in Ebira land in our not-too distant past.”
Dr. Oyibo, on behalf of EPA, appealed to the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland to resolve
whatever differences there may be, in the interest of peace and development of Ebiraland.
“We particularly appeal to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, whose preference for peace and security in Kogi State has earned him accolades from different quarters to re-examine this issue with a view to resolving the them amicably.
“As consultations and behind the scenes discussions are being intensified, we appeal to the public to avoid any public comments on the matter for now as peace is in the interest of everyone.”
He recalled the letter written by the Kogi State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs dated 5th January, 2023 and signed by a certain Enimola A. Eniola, querying His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim CON for an alleged refusal to come out to welcome the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, while he was in Okene for the commissioning of some legacy projects.
The President- General is worried that amidst the barrage of reactions trailing this development, as being circulated widely on
social media platforms, and consequent upon extensive consultations with some key stakeholders of the Ebira nation.

“I am compelled to call on all sons and daughters of Ebira to be circumspect in this seeming moment of perplexity.”
He reminded Ebira people the adage that says internal war amongst brothers and sisters (“irevu ini irehi”) does no one any good!

1...336337338...2,456 Page 337 of 2,456