I Will Never Lobby President To Sign Any Bill National Assembly Passes, Senate President Vows

November 23, 2021

Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan has made it clear that he would never lobby the President to sign any bill which the National Assembly passes into law and transmitted for Presidential assent.

Answering reporters’ questions yesterday, November 22, at the Presidential villa, Abuja shortly after an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Ahmed said: “You see, there is no need for you to lobby for any bill to be signed. “Ashe chairman of the National Assembly, you are simply a presiding officer, and you coordinate the views of your colleagues.

“The majority of my colleagues in the Senate and in the House of Representatives say this is where they want the bill to go.

“This is the provision they want in Section 52, 3 rather. So I don’t have to come and say Mr. President sign this.”

The Senate President, who spoke on the new amended electoral law, especially the direct primaries in the choice of party’s flag bearer for election, stressed that the President has his own processes when a bill is sent to him from the National Assembly.

“I’m sure he has the Attorney General and others to advise him. So why should I stress myself to say, just sign?

“We expect that he will sign, but how he does that is his calling. And I think we should allow him to just follow the processes he is used to, but the expectation of members of National Assembly is that the bill is signed.

He observed that it is normal in politics to have disagreement on issues tabled for discussion, but that the best way to resolve it is for people to engage.

“I always believe, and I have conversed for this, that National Assembly members are major stakeholders, governors of APC, major stakeholders. ” And in fact, the presidency is a major stakeholder: it is the biggest stakeholder because it runs the administration, and our party must always try to bring everybody together.

“I don’t think there will be any day that you will have a political issue that everybody will say the same thing about it that agrees with you without any amendment.

“So when we have any section of a party disagreeing with something we should be engaging that’s why we are politicians, we must have that kind of a platform where we discuss the issues. ” Let’s understand each other, and then we make whatever it is that will make this disagreement minimized. Or maybe where possible, eliminate it completely. “So I don’t think it is right to say that governors have disagreed. Maybe some governor’s might have said they don’t like it this way. But that’s normal. So it’s for us to engage and engage and engage.”

On whether he thought direct primaries is the best way to go, Senator Ahmed said: “I don’t have a personal opinion here, because I’m not here alone. So I don’t have a personal opinion.

“My opinion is that of the National Assembly Members.”

Preacher Scares Davido To Pay Tithe From His N200 Million If He Wants To Make Heaven

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

A preacher who goes by the name, Goodheart Val Aloysius has must have scared singer Davido to pay tithe from the N200 million donated to him by his friends if he wants to make heaven.

The preacher, in a recent Facebook post, said: “Brother Davido, if you don’t pay tithe from that money given to you by your friends, I’m afraid you won’t make heaven.”

Davido had earlier announced that he is donating N200 million raised from his N1m challenge started a few days ago on social media to orphanages, motherless babies homes and foundations, including Paroche Foundation, across Nigeria.

The singer, who has a new song titled ‘Champion Sound’, said in a statement dated November 19 and posted to Instagram on Saturday that he would be adding N50 million of his personal money to bring the total to N250 million.

On Monday, November 22, the pop star shared a screenshot of his N50 million donation on Instagram.

Abuja Council Chairman In “Soup” For Allegedly Receiving N10 Million Bribe From Contractor

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

Alhaji-Adamu-Mustapha | Photo by Daily Trust

Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Adamu Mustapha Danze, has entered the trap of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which charged him in court for allegedly receiving N10 million bribe from a contractor handling construction projects in the area council.

Adamu Danze was arraigned by the Commission before Justice U. P. Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 4, sitting in Abuja, on allegations of corruption bordering on abuse of office and gratification.

ICPC had filed a six-count charge before the court in which it accused the council chairman of demanding and receiving N10 million bribe from the director of Remotosh Construction Ltd, Engr. Aremu Omotosho, in exchange for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert in Paiko-Kore.

The offence, which was allegedly committed in March 2018, when Adamu Danze directed the contractor to transfer the money to his lawyer handling his election tribunal case, violated Sections 8 (1)(a), 10 (a)(i), 18 (b) and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under relevant Sections of the same Act.

One of the charges reads: “That you, Adamu Mustapha Danze on or about the month of March, 2018 at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while being a public officer as the Executive Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council received the sum of N10 million from Engineer Aremu Omotosho, the director of Remotosh Construction Limited for approving payment for the construction of double cell culvert at Paiko-Kore awarded to Remotosh Construction Limited by Gwagwalada Area Council, the sum you asked the contractor to transfer to your counsel defending you in the election tribunal and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 (a)(i) and punishable under Section 10 (a)(ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Adamu Danze, who had a bench warrant issued on him, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

The warrant was subsequently dismissed by the trial judge after a plea by the defense Counsel, Abdul Mohammed (SAN).

Mohammed tendered an apology to the judge for failing to attend proceedings on two previous dates fixed by the court, as he blamed it on recent kidnapping activities in Gwagwalada area council.

He told the court that the defendant was coordinating rescue operations in the area council following the spate of kidnappings and other criminal activities in recent times.

He then moved a motion praying that the accused be admitted to bail at the discretion of the court pending trial.

Counsel to ICPC, Michael Adesola, in his counter argument averred that the accused was very deliberate in his actions of ignoring court sittings as he was duly served of all proceedings since last year, 2020.

Adesola, who also opposed the bail application prayed the court to remand the accused in a correctional facility to prevent him from interfering and intimidating witnesses, some of whom were employees in the area council.

Justice Kekemeke, having listened to both counsel, held that the defendant cannot jump bail based on his current position.

“The defendant who is the current Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council cannot evade his trial. He has nowhere to hide as I give him the benefit of doubt. The application therefore subsists. Bail is therefore granted to the defendant.”

The court admitted him to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum.

The surety should be an owner of a landed property with statutory right of occupancy within the jurisdiction of the court or a Federal Civil Servant in the rank of an Assistant Director and above. The matter was then adjourned to 1st March, 2022 for trial.

The trial judge at the end of the sitting warned the accused not to take the court for granted, saying.

“Mr. Chairman, that is what you called yourself. We just gave you the benefit of the doubt. You don’t play with the court. You don’t take the court for levity, if you do that, you will find yourself in trouble.”

FCT Minister Appoints Mandate Secretaries, Heads Of Agencies, Personal Aides

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

FCT MInister, Muhammed Musa Bello and some officials

Based on the recommendation of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, President Muhammadu Buhari

has approved the appointment of Mandate Secretaries, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Heads of Agencies and others into relevant positions in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Those who were so appointed as announced in a statement today, November 22, are as follows:

1 Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat

2 Abubakar Ibrahim Secretary, Agricultural & Rural Development Secretariat

3 Sani Dahir El-Katazu Secretary, Education

4 Dr. Abubakar Tafida Secretary, Health & Human Services Secretariat

5 Muhammad B. Umar Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat

6 Hadiza Mahammed Kabir Secretary, Social Development Secretariat

7 Zakari Angulu Dobi Secretary, Transportation Secretariat

8 Agboola Lukman Dabiri Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and PPP

9 Obinna Francis Ogwuegbu Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development. Department

10 Umar Shuaibu Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council

11 Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmed Executive Secretary, FCDA

12 Ibrahim Damisa MD, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation

13 Dr. Muhammed B. Kawu General Manager, Hospital Management Board

B . Office of the Minister, FCT

1 Mohammed Bashir Mai-Bornu Chief of Staff (wef 21.8.19)

2 Abubakar Sani Senior Special Assistant (Media) (wef 21.8.19)

3 Abuzarri Suleiman Ribadu Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties)

(wef 21.8.19)

4 Imolehin Akintunde Babatope Senior Special Assistant (Environment & Waste Management.)

5 Ikharo Attah Senior Special Assistant (Monitoring, Inspection & Enforcement) (wef 19.9.19)

6 Ibrahim Ismaila Senior Special Assistant (Lands, Urban & Regional Planning)

7 Isiyaku Tanko Yamawo Senior Special Assistant (Community Relations)

8 Abu Salihu Muhammed Senior Special Assistant (Security)

9 Barr. Lawal Yusuf Senior Special Assistant (legal & Multi-lateral Cooperation)

10 Dr. Ejike Oji Senior Special Assistant (Health & Hospital Management)

11 Chika Alexander Nwatu Senior Special Assistant (Community Relations)

12 Ardo Hassan JIbo Special Assistant (Community Relations)

13 Abdullahi Danladi Galadima Special Assistant (Community Relations)

14 Musa Dikko Bwari Special Assistant (Community Relations)

15 Barr. Zainab Marwa Abubakar Special Assistant (Community Relations)

16 Hailmary Ogolo Aipoh Special Assistant (Community Relations)

17 Isaac David Special Assistant (Youth Matters)

C. Office of the Minister of State

1 Prof. M. T Usman Senior Special Assistant (Administration)

(wef 21.8.19)

2 Barr. Muhammad S. Sidi Aliyu Special Assistant (Project Implementation/ General Services) (wef 21.8.19)

3 Alh. Abubakar Ibrahim Special Assistant (Special Duties) (wef 21.8.19)

4 Mrs. Atika Ajanah Special Assistant (Logistics & Communication) (wef 21.8.19)

5 Mal. Ibrahim Yahaya Special Assistant (Religious Affairs)

(wef 21.8.19)

6 Alh. Muhammad Saba Special Assistant (Area Councils) (wef 21.8.19)

7 Abdul Agbadu Special Assistant (Agriculture and Rural Development)

(wef 21.8.19)

8 Mr Austine Elemue Special Assistant (Media) (wef 21.8.19)

9 Mrs. Simisola Ayoade Special Assistant (Social Development Services) (wef 21.8.19)

10 Abdulmalik Baba Ajanah Principal Private Secretary (wef 21.8.19)

In the statement, the Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye said that 26 of the appointees are new, while the 14 earlier appointed by the FCTA were ratified by the President.

He said that arrangements for the swearing-in of the appointees will be announced in due course.

Federal Agric Ministry Moves Towards Boosting Egg Production In Nigeria

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

The Federal Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has inaugurated the National Egg Production (NEGPRO) Scheme in Kogi to boost poultry farming in the country.

The National Poultry Desk Officer, the Department of Animal and Husbandry Services of the ministry, Mrs Vivian Ibe, who made this known at the inauguration in Lokoja, said that the scheme is aimed at creating awareness and boosting egg productions nationwide.

“The essence of the scheme is to create awareness aimed at strengthening egg production, its marketing and utilisation capacity of poultry products in Nigeria.’’

The desk officer said that the national egg production scheme is a five-year programme targeted at promoting economic development, income, livestock and job opportunity in the country.

She said that scheme is expected to produce about 500,000 table eggs daily for local consumption, export and processing into egg powder for use in confectionery and pharmaceutical industry.

Vivian Ibe said that the scheme would equally focus on the stakeholders’ engagement toward piloting, facilitating and coordinating egg production.

The state Coordinator of the ministry, Shekamang Ayuba, expressed the hope that the national egg production scheme would impact positively on agriculturists and farmers in the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, David Apeh, commended the Federal Government’s initiative for the establishment of scheme to boost poultry farming in the country.

Apeh, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Sani Abdulganiyu, thanked the Federal Government for choosing Kogi as one of the first states in the country to benefit from the scheme.

The commissioner stressed that the project would also boost the nation’s economy, food security and job creation for the unemployed youths in the state.

He urged farmers in the state to avail themselves of the opportunity to key into the scheme.

The state anchors of National Egg Production (NEGPRO) scheme and some poultry farmers across the local government areas of Kogi were present at the inauguration.

They expressed their readiness to implement the programme in the state.

Source: NAN.

More Females Pass 2021 WAEC Examination Than Males, As Results Are Released

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the results of the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates.

The exam had taken place simultaneously throughout the five-member countries of the council – The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

The final result showed that 1,560,261 SS3 candidates sat for the examination while 1,274,784 achieved the minimum benchmark needed for admission into the university.

Out of the number, 630,138 (49.43 per cent) were male, while 644,646 (50.57 percent) were female.

Head of the Nigeria national office, Patrick Areghan said at the council headquarters in Yaba, Lagos today, November 22, debunked the notion that WAEC delayed the result.

“It is not true, as you can see, that WAEC delayed the release of the results of the WASSCE (SC) 2021 as being speculated in some quarters. We have kept to our promise, in spite of all odds.

“We should be praised rather than being vilified. Nothing can be faster or earlier than what we have done.

“We do not release results without marking the scripts and processing the scores. We are grateful to the examiners for doing a good job within the stipulated period.

“This is a record time, taking into consideration the fact that we lost a week to insecurity, during the marking exercise in the South East, occasioned by the heightened tension before and during the Anambra Gubernatorial election.”

The release of the results is coming 45 days after the exanimation was concluded on October 8, 2021.

Premium Times Launches Book On Sokoto Caliphate Tomorrow

Editorial staff

November 22, 2021

Premium Times Books has announced the launching of the Nigerian edition of a book “The Sokoto Caliphate” at a presentation event scheduled for tomorrow, November 23.

In a statement today, November 22, the

Organisers said that the event will be held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, to be chaired by the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamali.

The statement said that Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, will be the special guest of honour while the Chairman of Casiva Limited, Nasiru Danu, will, in his role as chief presenter, unveil the book.

It hinted that Editor-in-Chief of 21st Century Chronicle, Professor Mahmud Jega, will review the book after which there will be a panel discussion on the topic: “The relevance of the history of the Sokoto caliphate to present-day Nigeria.”

The statement said that the trio of Professor Mukhtar Umar Bunza, Kebbi State higher education commissioner; Professor Mohammed Junaid of the department of education, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; and Professor Jega are slated to discuss the topic.

It said that a former Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Ohi Alegbe, will moderate the panel, and will compere the entire book presentation event.

It recalled that a mini presentation of the book was earlier held on November 1 in Sokoto as a part of events commemorating the 15th anniversary of the installation of the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad.

The book was first published by Longmans, Green Co in 1967, titled: “The Sokoto Caliphate” from the groundbreaking research by Professor Denis Murray Last when he was a PhD student at the University of Ibadan.

The book’s subject is the 19th century Sokoto Caliphate, the state that evolved out of the jihad led by Uthman dan Fodio.

At the height of its growth, the Caliphate stretched east-west from present-day Cameroon to Burkina Faso, and north-south, from Agadez to Ilorin.

European colonialists, especially British and French administrators, referred to the state back then as the Fulani Empire.

Airstrikes Eliminate Leaders Of Bandits, Footsoldiers In Sokoto

Editorial staff

November 21, 2021

Nigeria Air Force struck the camp of bandits at Dangwandi and Tsakai areas of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, eliminating key bandits’ leaders and their foot soldiers.

Airstrikes conducted yesterday, November 20, by aircraft of the Operation Hadarin Daji Air Component also covered parts of Zamfara State.

Sources said that the air bombardment destroyed the logistics facilities and properties of the bandits.

It was confirmed by people around the areas that bodies of the killed bandits were seen all over the camps, even as their means of economic sustenance were destroyed.

According to the sources, fleeing bandits were also trailed and killed by ground troops.

“Specifically, the locations of bandit kingpins, Bello Guda Turji, and his subordinate commander, Bello Buzu, along with their cohorts operating within Sokoto and some parts of Zamfara State have been struck by the military aircraft,” a military intelligence officer said.

“The successes being recorded, especially through air strikes by NAF aircraft in the Northwest as well as in the Northeast Theatres of Operation is indicative that new strategies adopted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria are beginning to yield requisite results.

“Indeed, despite the loss of a senior military officer and some soldiers recently, it is clear that the military is living up to its promise to rid the north and the nation of all criminal elements and their activities.”

Source: PRNigeria.

Lagos Suspends Greater Lagos Fiesta As Fourth Wave Of COVID19 Sets In

Editorial staff

November 20, 2021

The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has announced the suspension of Greater Lagos Fiesta, due to the fourth wave of COVID-19 scare.

Akinbile-Yussuf said in a statement today, November 20 that the suspension is necessary just as Europe, the epi-centre of the COVID-19 pandemic, reintroduced restrictions to tackle the fourth wave of the pandemic.

She said that the Lagos State Government has considered it imperative to follow the latest proactive advice from health authorities to suspend all activities earlier announced for the Greater Lagos Fiesta 2021.

According to her, the suspension follows sound advisory from health authorities in respect of the mammoth crowd expected at some of the gatherings.

”This is as well as the dangers associated with attendance by members of the Diaspora community, who may be returning from Europe and other parts of the world now experiencing the fourth wave.

”We have seen Germany, Austria, and Greece reintroduce restrictions to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Germany is particularly a country in Europe with many Nigerians, who typically return home for the Christmas holidays.

”This is what science enables us to predict to forestall the tragic experience of last December, when scores of our citizens died during the pandemic around yuletide.

”Our emotions favour going ahead with the plans but we must, as a responsible government, submit our will to the predictive intelligence and overriding power of science”.

“The strategic intent of the state government in wanting to hold the fiesta was to accelerate the process of reflating the economy of Lagos State, by putting money in the hands of our people through the deluge of commercial activities planned to take place during the fiesta.

”But the imperatives of protecting the lives of our people clearly override all economic and commercial considerations.”

The commissioner expressed her profound appreciation to all the corporate sponsors who have so far indicated interest to support this year’s edition of the fiesta.

”We will not forget your rare demonstration of goodwill towards the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and, indeed, the people of Lagos State at a challenging time when businesses are battling with limited resources.

”You will remain our partners for this and similar initiatives that are in the works.”

She therefore, urged event organisers and owners of event centres with plans to host events in December to seek the guidance of the Lagos State Safety Commission, as well as the Ministry of Health.

She urged them to enforce strict adherence to all COVID-19 health safety protocols.

Source: NAN.

Nigerian Universities Are Being Treated As Political Enclaves – TETFund Boss

Editorial staff

November 20, 2021

Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Bogoro has regretted that universities in Nigeria are being treated as political enclaves rather than research centres

“Sadly we are treating universities as if they are political enclaves, rather than enclaves or platform for deepening knowledge, creating knowledge and innovation.

“Sometimes, you see square pegs not being placed in square holes, even within the university system and these are areas that bother us.

“If you do not have somebody that believes, promotes, encourages and supports problem-solving research presiding over a university, then that university is destroyed.”

Professor Bogoro spoke today, November 20 at the 12th Founder’s Day and 9th Convocation ceremonies of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ado-Ekiti. He spoke on: “University As Catalyst for Regional Economic Development.”

He stressed that investment in research is the best way to actualise radical development in the nation, adding that no country can develop or make headway in innovation without adequate investment and exploration in research.

Professor Bogoro advised university administrators to place high premium on research to make the desired difference, saying: “endowment, research foundations are the DNA of Ivory towers over time.

The TETFund boss said that the organisation had been striving to make Nigerian universities gain recognition globally.

He said TETFund has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with foreign universities as a way of promoting Nigerian universities to attain global reckoning.

“As part of the new paradigm at TETFund, we are committed to the internationalisation of our tertiary institutions, especially our universities.

“We are conversant with the ranking indices, metrics and parameters of universities globally.

“We are equally aware of the present status and positions of our universities on the parametric tables of global ranking of universities.

“TETfund under my leadership is committed to ensuring improvement and we are indeed changing the narratives in our universities.”

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