President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that investment in gas remains a top priority of his government in view of the huge benefits in terms of returns and utility.
The President, who received in France today, November 11, the Chief Executive Officer of Total, Patrick Pouyanne, said that Nigeria had made huge investments in gas, and will continue to create enabling opportunities for expansion, while looking at improving alternatives for renewable energy.
President Buhari said that Nigeria is mindful of the target of zero emission by 2060, and has already started putting in place necessary natural structures that will ensure balance and safety for citizens and the global community.
This was even as the Chief Executive Officer of Total said that the French company has been greatly encouraged by the interest and support for investors in the country.
He said that the company will continue to explore and pursue opportunities of mutual interest.
Pouyanne noted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), headed by Mele Kyari, has provided a strong support base and partnership for growth.
He assured President Buhari that investments in the gas sector will be sustained with consideration for renewable energy.
The Federal Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that no fewer than 2.7 international passports have been issued out by his ministry in the last two years.
Speaking today, November 11 at a ministerial briefing, held at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the Minister said that there has been growing demand for the Nigerian passport both locally and by Nigerians in diaspora.
“A total of 2,742,207 passports of different categories were issued between 2019 to date.
“The year-on-year increasing growth rate is however putting a lot of pressure on the current processing structure and resources and further justifies the need for a reform in the passport application and processing system in line with the current reality.”
The Minister said that the Ministry is aware of the challenges faced by Nigerians in securing the Passports, saying that effort is being put in place to make it a thing of the past.
“The Ministry is aware of the challenges faced by applicants for processing and reissue of passports. I want to use this unique opportunity to assure Nigerians that the current experience will soon be a thing of the past.
“New production and capture centres will be opened in the next few weeks to ease access by Nigerians all over the world.
“I am pleased to inform Nigerians that the Ministry has taken substantial measures to address the issue of shortages of the e-passport booklets. “This year alone, the ministry approved a special deployment of over 600,000 passport booklets, the largest of its kind ever done, to cushion the effects of shortages being experienced.”
The Minister highlighted the recent sting operation carried out by the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Isa Jere, at the Ikoyi passport office, saying that many reforms such as a new appointment management system, amongst others are taking place to reduce corruption to the barest minimum.
“You may wish to recall the recent sting operation carried out by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration. This is in line with the initiatives we have adopted to clean up the system of bad eggs.
“To limit human interference and corruption, we are streamlining the whole passport application and production processes to increase efficiency.
“In the coming days, a new and digital appointment management system will be launched to optimize the passport application experience for Nigerians, limit physical visits to passport offices and check the inconveniences that Nigerians suffer in booking appointments for biometric data capture.”
The Minister spoke on recent jailbreaks and escaped inmates from the Nigerian Correctional Service, saying that fleeing inmates have nowhere to hide as those still on the run cannot fully reintegrate into the society.
He said that all their biometric data have been captured and all other critical information needed to exist as a full citizen has been digitally secured.
“I will like to inform Nigerians that we have captured the biometric information of all inmates in the facilities of NCoS working in partnership with the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
“Therefore, we have the capacity and are tracking all escapees from our facilities. In addition, we are working with and have shared the details of escapees with INTERPOL, to check the risks of cross border movements.”
The minister revealed said that there are 465 inmates running different degree programmes at the National Open University of Nigeria, adding that this is one of the ways towards rehabilitating the inmates.
“There are various ongoing reformation and education programmes for inmates in our custodial facilities. The Service, in partnership with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), has increased the number of Study Centers to 10 across Correctional formations (Abeokuta, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna, Keffi, Kuje, Lafia, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Umuahia).
“There are currently about 465 inmates running various Degree programmes, 85 of the inmates are running Post – Graduate Degree programs, while four are running PhD programmes within the custodial facilities.
“A total of 560 inmates have been enrolled for WAEC/NECO Examinations, and 2,300 for Adult Literacy Classes in several Custodial Centers. Additional Borstal Training Institutions for young offenders, male and female, are to be established in each State of the Federation.”
Ogbeni Aregbesola said that 174,000 jobs have been created for Nigerians through the administration of Expatriate Quotas and Business Permits.
“Between 2019 and October 2021, over 87,000 expatriate quotas were granted, 951 business permits were granted and 598 licenses were issued to public places of worship for the conduct of statutory marriages.
“In addition, 174,000 understudy jobs have been created through the expatriate quota administration system. We recently inaugurated a Ministerial Task Force on the Monitoring of Expatriate Quota.
“The primary objective is to audit, monitor and enforce the conditions for the approval of expatriate quota and foreign business permit.
“Nigerians may wish to note that one of the conditions for the approval of Expatriate Quota is that for every expatriate position, the company must employ two Nigerians to understudy the expatriate.”
At the briefing were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaibu Belgore; Comptroller General of the Federal Fire Service, FFS, CG Ibrahim Liman; Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, CG Abubakar Audi; Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, CG Haliru Nababa; Ag. Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, DCG Isa Jere; all directors from the ministry and other aides of the Minister.
Nigeria’s Federal Government has officially declared a state of emergency on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, in a keynote address at the official declaration of the state of emergency on WASH in FCT in Abuja, said that 39.4 per cent of the FCT population and a total of 47 million people in the country still actively practice open defecation.
According to her, the unhealthy practice is at an alarming rate and totally unacceptable.
She maintained that achieving a more healthy environment devoid of open defecation in the FCT is everybody’s decision and responsibility.
“All hands must be on deck in all sectors. The children, the youth, women and the elderly, all have important roles to play.
‘’Community-based Organisations, religious and traditional leaders, organised private sector, entities and development partners alongside all government agencies should work in synergy to fight this menace.”
Dr. Ramatu called on the area council chairmen to sign and demonstrate their commitment towards ending open defecation by creating WASH departments in the area councils.
This was even as the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, advised the institutions at the area councils and around the communities to champion the campaign through providing adequate resources.
According to him, the country is already making steady progress in meeting the objectives of ending open defecation by 2025 and improving sustainable access to good sanitation and hygiene.
“As part of the efforts being made in the battle against open defecation, this administration has established the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) as the coordinating body for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the FCT.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has inaugurated Nigerian Brown Revolution to boost wheat value chain under its Anchor Borrower Scheme.
The scheme was Inaugurated on November 9 in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. It is aimed also at enhancing food security generally.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who inaugurated the Brown Revolution, expressed pride that Agricultural sector has been one of the critical non-oil sectors which made significant contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Buhari, who was represented by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State said: “agricultural sector was one of the critical non-oil sectors which have made significant contributions to the GDP accounting for a 22.35 and 23.78 per cent.
“This is contribution to the overall GDP in the first and second quarters of 2021 respectively.
“It was also instrumental in supporting the emergence of our economy from the recession in the second half of 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ensuring food security means ensuring availability and access across all demographics in the country.”
The president said that the inauguration is coming at a time the 2021/2022 dry season farming is commencing, which he described as significant.
He said food security cannot be attained if farmers are not encouraged and adequately equipped with access to the best inputs and opportunities to learn effective agronomic practices for improved yield.
He said that as a country, Nigeria had relied on the proceeds of oil exports for so long with the volatility of oil prices and its implications on foreign reserves.
“There was no other choice but to work towards the diversification of the Nigerian economy by investing in other productive sectors of the economy.”
Earlier the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, represented by his Deputy Governor and Head, Corporate Services, Edward Adamu, said that wheat is the third most widely consumed grain in Nigeria after maize and rice.
Emefiele said that it is estimated that the country only produced about one per cent (63,000 metric tons) of the 5-6 million metric tons of the commodity consumed annually in the country.
“Hence the enormous demand-supply gap is bridged with more than 2 billion dollars spent annually on wheat importation.”
He said that the intervention is necessary as wheat is the second highest contributor to the country’s food import bill and given the high growth rate of the country’s population.
He pointed out that the demand for wheat is projected to continue to rise, even as he lamented that over the years, the availability of low-yielding seeds variety and poor agronomic practices had hampered successful cultivation of wheat in the country.
He added that this had led to low productivity and wheat production unappealing to farmers and the private sector.
He said that the strategy for the wheat value chain involved ensuring availability of high-yield seeds by financing seed multiplication and establishment of seed ripple centre.
Others, Emefiele said, are expanding land under cultivation for wheat to a capacity that could meet total national demand.
He said the strategy sought to reduce wheat importation by 60 per cent in two years and ultimately eliminate wheat importation or reduce it to an insignificant contributor to the country’s total food import bill.
The Deputy Director and Head, Anchor Borrowers Programme, Chika Nnwaja, said that there are more than 500 farmers working on the wheat farm.
Nnwaja said that the programme had added value to the local community, created job opportunities and reduced poverty in the local community we operate. Source: NAN.
President Buhari participates at the African Finance Summit in Paris
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended an invitation to French Investors and business community to Nigeria as quickly as possible.
“Let me finally stress that Nigeria is open for partnership and cooperation. I invite the French business community to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities in Africa’s largest economy.
“As our development partners, rest assured that we will stand together with you throughout our partnership journey to guarantee our mutual interest.’’
President Buhari in a keynote remarks today, November 10, at the Nigeria International Partnership Forum, with focus on “Beyond the Pandemic,” said that outlook on Nigerian economy remains bright, with sustained investments in infrastructure, particularly ICT, that favour global businesses and a friendly regulatory environment that supports Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).
The President assured that the Nigerian economy is being re-engineered and re-positioned to be globally more competitive, favouring business and entrepreneurship to drive growth and development.
“For us in Nigeria, lessons drawn from the pandemic prompted us to redouble efforts to mitigate its socio-economic effects. Despite prevailing uncertainties, our equitable and sustainable reform initiatives resulted in substantial economic gains and steady recovery.
“I can assure you that our administration is on the right path to achieving multi-sectoral progress. We have revitalized the economy by increasing investments in capacity building, health, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, climate change, and food security.
“Today, these actions are yielding self-employment, expanding our human resource pool and strengthening our national productivity for sustainable development.”
The President told a gathering of French and Nigerian businessmen that the government recognized the nation’s risk profile and decided to re-assess and update the National Security Strategy in 2019.
“The implementation of this multi-sectoral strategy has contributed to the progress we have made in fighting insurgents and terrorists in the North East of the country. Working closely with international partners, we are firmly addressing the root causes of crimes, and taking measures to prevent and counter violent extremism.
“As I said at the 5th edition of the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, investing in humanity is investing in our collective survival. With this in mind, we have incorporated the Public-Private Partnership model into our economic recovery plan, to attract private sector participation in the financing and operations of critical economic and social infrastructure. This measure is already helping to mitigate COVID-19 triggered capital flight and decline in grant and development financing.
“Also, at the just concluded COP26 in Glasgow, I stressed the link between modern infrastructure and the overall economic development of a nation. Hence, the massive infrastructure expansion programme, we have been executing in various sectors since the beginning of this administration. 1.5 trillion Dollars is the cumulative amount estimated to be spent within a period of ten years from 2015.
“So far, we have made significant investments in railways, seaports, roads, renewable energy, housing, and many others attractive to prospective investors. Institutions such as the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and the recently created Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria run as independent world class institutions to support and facilitate investments in the country.”
President Buhari said that opportunities in the mining sector had been expanded, with simplified licensing process, extensive investments in transportation of raw materials, equipment and other mining elements by road and by rail.
“To keep the progress in the digital economy, the fastest growing sector in Nigeria in both 2020 and 2021 on track, we recently approved the national policy on Fifth Generation (5G) network.
“Our ultimate goal is to leverage ICT platforms to spur further investments and create jobs, while diversifying support to other emerging sectors. Already, several foreign investors are taking advantage of our recent ranking as the leading start-up ecosystem in Africa.
“Over a week ago, I launched the E-Naira, the electronic version of our national currency. When fully operationalized, this innovation will increase participation in fin-tech within Nigeria, increase efficiency in the banking sector, and boost our capacity to combat illicit flow of funds.”
The President said that the oil sector is also getting more attention to expand opportunities with the signing of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
‘’In the oil and gas sector, I recently signed the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The legislation, which is expected to serve as a liberalizing force in the industry, introduced incentives such as tax holidays, zero-interest loans, and easy repatriation of profits.
“Our plan is to increase Liquefied Natural Gas exports and expand our domestic market. Partnerships in textile and leather processing, tourism, and health sectors are also areas we can explore.”
The President noted that the agricultural sector, through Anchor Borrowers Programme, provided loans and technical support to small holder farmers, leading to the expansion in the number of rice mills in Nigeria from ten in 2014 to forty today.
“The country has also increased the number of active fertilizer blending plants to more than forty-six, from fewer than five in 2014.
“Similarly, we have set aside several million hectares of available arable land for agriculture, and have embarked on the creation of Special Agriculture Processing Zones across the country.’’
President Buhari assured the investors of the country’s willingness to create a win-win situation at every point.
“I am proud to reiterate our resolve to reduce and ultimately eliminate obstacles to access and retention of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Our investment-friendly policies are backed by the rule of law, practical security policies and a resilient population.”
The National Security Adviser to the President, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, Nigeria’s Special Envoy on Chad and Lake Chad Basin, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama also gave an overview on key sectors of the Nigerian economy.
Some business leaders from Nigeria at the event were Founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources, Mohammed Indimi, Founder/ Chairman of Nigeria’s BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, who also heads France-Nigeria Business Council, Founder/Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA, Tony Elumelu and Chairman/Editor-In-Chief of ThisDay Group and Arise News Channel, Nduka Obiagbena.
File Photo of President Buhari and Gov Elect, Chukwuma Soludo
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Charles Soludo, has confessed that his victory in the Anambra State governorship election over the weekend humbled him.
Reacting today, November 10 to the result of the election in his acceptance speech shortly after he was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the governor-elect, Professor Soludo described the feat as the will of God.
“Let me say that with utmost humility and gratitude to God, I accept the result of the 2021 Anambra governorship election, as declared by INEC,” said Soludo who contested the election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“And this reflects the supreme will of the Almighty God and the overwhelming sacred mandate of the people.”
He thanked his wife and children for encouraging him despite their reservations at some point, saying his victory in the election was a result of his perseverance in the last 12 years.
The former CBN governor also thanked the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano; the leadership of APGA, party faithful, as well as the residents of the state for their love and support all through the events that lead to his victory in the poll.
While remembering the three policemen killed by gunmen in the period of the campaign, he extended a hand of fellowship to his co-contenders in the election to move the state forward.
Almost four days after the keenly contested election and a supplementary poll that ensued, INEC finally returned Soludo elected as the winner.
Soludo polled a total of112,229 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 53, 807 to emerge second.
Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate got a total of 43,285 votes to emerge the third position.
Prof. Florence Obi, Returning Officer for 2021 Anambra Governorship election announced this in the early hours of today, November 10 at INEC headquarters, Awka.
INEC suspended collation of results late Sunday night and declared the exercise inconclusive following non conduct of election in Ihiala local Government area.
The commission however, fixed Tuesday November 9 for supplementary election in Ihiala.
Announcing the final result, Obi noted that after adding up the results collated from Ihiala, Soludo continued his lead in the election.
She said that Soludo won in 19 out of the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.
Obi listed the areas where Soludo won to include; Dunukofia, Awka South, Oyi, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Anambra East, Idemili South and Onitsha South.
She also stated that the APGA candidate also won in Njikoka, Orumba South, Onitsha North, Idemili North, Ekwusigo, Aguata, and Nnewi South, Orumba North and Ihiala Local Government Areas.
The PDP candidate won in Ogbaru with 3,445 votes, APGA scored second while APC came third in the same council.
Senator Ifeanyi Uba of thee Young Progressive Party (YPP) won in his home Local Government, Nnewi North in spite of coming a distant fourth in the overall score card with 21,261 votes.
The returning officer, who doubles as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, said: “Prof. Chukwuma Soludo having scored the highest number of valid votes was declared winner of the election”.
Soludo was born on July 28, 1960 and hails from Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He obtained a first in Economics at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and worked in many National and international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for West Africa and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Prof Soludo was the Economic Adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Chief Executive Officer of the National Planning Commission among other achievements.
Nigeria Federal Government has indicated its plan to involve Nigerians in all categories of farming in its drive for “Operation Feed Yourself,” as one of the three major plans arising from the UN-backed Food Systems Dialogues, to advance the fight against malnutrition.
Others are providing support to farmers across the country, especially by providing useful weather and soil pattern information that will improve farming yields, and also encouraging State Governments to ensure prompt release of budget for nutrition and related activities.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made these known at a meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed. The meeting was convened by the Oyo State government which already has an integrated farming model, and the Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on how weather information can be helpful to farmers.
According to the Vice President, “there are practical steps that can be taken by the States and Federal Government in the next 12 months.
“I think that some of the suggestions are important, especially those that have come from the UN Food System Dialogue.”
The Vice President listed the different stages to include the establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements; the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens by individuals and schools; the adoption of weather information to support farming; leveraging the support of the UN agencies and other partners for nutrition activities, and the call on MDAs and States to release funding for nutrition activities.
“States and the Federal Government of Nigeria will promote what the convener has described as “Operation Feed Yourself..
“This is more of the establishment of urban farms and homestead gardens. This is simply something that we think should be a mass appeal to citizens in the States, and the encouragement we can give them so that individuals and schools develop their own farms or homestead gardens.
“This obviously not only helps individuals and families but the excess can be sold to others and generally improve food security.
“The establishment of Agribusiness Investment Hubs or farm settlements or farm estates or any variety of those kinds of integrated farming arrangements will improve food and nutrition security. What we are recommending is the sort of model that Oyo State has or any of the variety that States have. That sort is obviously recommended because of the way that it is structured and the obviously good result that they have been getting.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello has presented before the National Assembly, a budget of N64,861,604,695.00 for 2022, boasting that the Internally Generated Revenue of the capital territory is now second only to that of Lagos State.
Presenting the FCT’s Budget to the Joint Senate and House Committees on the FCT at the National Assembly yesterday, November 9, the Minister stressed the need to increase the FCT’s budgetary allocation.
He emphasized that the FCT has been performing well in its revenue generation drive “as it is now only second to Lagos State in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”
The Minister, who did not give details of the amount of such Internally Generated Revenue said that the total figure in the 2022 budget also contained in the 2022 Appropriation Bill presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on 7th of October 2021.
According to Muhammad Musa Bello, the National Budget estimates of the FCT leveraged the 2021-2022 Medium Term National Plan (MTNDP) of the Federal Government.
Hevsaid that the priority of the of the MTNDP is the completion of on-going critical projects that will have the greatest impact on the citizenry and accordingly, the 2022 FCT budget estimates targets the sustained completion of 18 priority projects both within the Federal Capital City (FCC) and the satellite towns.
Some of these priority projects, he said, include the installation of solar street lights along various roads in the satellite towns; provision of roads, water and electricity supplies to the resettlement site of Galuwyi Shere (Phase II); Rehabilitation and upgrading of street lighting facilities within the FCC; Design/ construction of dam, treatment plant, tanks and other bulk water supply infrastructure to Karshi; Abuja Light Rail Transit Phase II Addendum 1-2 (2); and the Rehabilitation of Federal Government Buildings amongst others.
The Minister said that the construction of the Mpape –Shere Galuwyi road is a bold initiative of the Administration to ensure a successful resettlement process of original inhabitants in about 16 communities while the implementation of the Abuja Light rail Mass transit Phase II Addendum 1-2 (2) will fund the completion of a remaining 5.76km rail line thereby extending the rail line from Baizango to the Kubwa station.
The Minister said that the Greater Abuja Water supply project is a bilateral initiative to enhance water supply in the FCT and its implementation will extend the supply of potable water to 33 Districts covering Gwarimpa, 1 and 2, Utako, Dutse, Gudu Kaura, Wuye, Mabushi, Jahi, Kado , Karmo, Lokogoma, Kabusa, Dape amongst others.
On the performance of the 2021 National Budget, Muhammad Musa Bello said that the 2021 Appropriation Act had allocated the sum of N37, 430,762,421.00 for infrastructure development activities of the FCT Administration.
As of date, the Minister said, a total sum of N30,147,069,087.06 has been released, representing a budget performance of 81% while the actual utilization as at September 30 2021 stood at N18,350, 329,852.46 representing 60% of the sum released.
That was even as members of the Committee commended the FCT Administration for its 2021 national budget performance and its revenue generation performance.
It called for special funding to tackle security challenges in the FCT and also for the development of the satellite towns.
The minister was accompanied by the Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Ag Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Barr. Abdullahi Kuyambana and other senior officials of the Administration.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has announced the discovery of a new Android malware, known as ‘AbstractEmu.’ According to Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, the Commission’s chief spokesman in a statement today, November 9, the malware can gain access to smartphones, take complete control of infected smartphones and silently modify device settings while simultaneously taking steps to evade detection. He said that the discovery was announced recently by the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), the national agency established by the Federal Government to manage the risks of cyber threats in the Nigeria, which also coordinates incident response and mitigation strategies to proactively prevent cyber-attacks against Nigeria Adinde said that AbstractEmu has been found to be distributed via Google Play Store and third-party stores such as the Amazon Appstore and the Samsung Galaxy Store, as well as other lesser-known marketplaces like Aptoide and APKPure. The advisory stated that a total of 19 Android applications that posed as utility apps and system tools like password managers, money managers, app launchers, and data saving apps have been reported to contain the rooting functionality of the malware. “The apps are said to have been prominently distributed via third-party stores such as the Amazon Appstore and the Samsung Galaxy Store, as well as other lesser-known marketplaces like Aptoide and APKPure. “The apps include All Passwords, Anti-ads Browser, Data Saver, Lite Launcher, My Phone, Night Light and Phone Plus, among others. “According to the report, rooting malware although rare, is very dangerous. By using the rooting process to gain privileged access to the Android operating system, the threat actor can silently grant itself dangerous permissions or install additional malware – steps that would normally require user interaction. Elevated privileges also give the malware access to other apps’ sensitive data, something not possible under normal circumstances. “The ngCERT advisory also captured the consequences of making their devices susceptible to AbstractEmu attack. Once installed, the attack chain is designed to leverage one of five exploits for older Android security flaws that would allow it to gain root permissions. It also takes over the device, installs additional malware, extracts sensitive data, and transmits to a remote attack-controlled server. “Additionally, the malware can modify the phone settings to give app ability to reset the device password, or lock the device, through device admin; draw over other windows; install other packages; access accessibility services; ignore battery optimisation; monitor notifications; capture screenshots; record device screen; disable Google Play Protect; as well as modify permissions that grant access to contacts, call logs, Short Messaging Service (SMS), Geographic Positioning System (GPS), camera, and microphone. “The ngCERT also asserts in the advisory that, while the malicious apps were removed from Google Play Store, the other app stores are likely distributing them. Consequently, the NCC wishes to reiterate a two-fold ngCERT advisory in order to mitigate the risks. The two-fold advisory include: 1. Users should be wary of installing unknown or unusual apps, and look out for different behaviours as they use their phones. 2. Reset your phone to factory settings when there is suspicion of unusual behaviours in your phone. “The NCC, in exercise of its mandate and obligation to the consumers, will continue to sensitise and educate telecoms consumers on any cyber threat capable of inflicting low or high-impact harms on their devices, whether discovered through the ngCERT or the telecom sector’s Centre for Computer Security Incident Response managed by the Commission.” It will be recalled that the NCC, in October 2021, alerted telecom consumers of the existence of new, high-risk and extremely-damaging, Android device-targeting Malware called Flubot and outlined steps to prevent the eir devices from being attacked by the virus.
Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigerian (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu has said that henceforth, any airport staff, of whatever category, found to be corrupt will be stripped of his right to work in the vicinity of the airport. Captain Yadudu, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, November 8 after the authority`s management meeting said: “we plan to have meeting with the airports regional managers and the Head of Departments (HODs). “After the meeting with the HODs, they will meet with their stakeholders then the agencies. “ Primarily, to inform them that henceforth any violator will lose his or her ODC (On Duty Card) which means you lose your access card to the terminal. “And we agreed that once you lose your ODC at the airport, you will not get it back. If it is a company, we will advise them to get a new staff. If it is an agency, we will advise them to get another personnel.” The Managing Director said that any staff that lost his ODC would permanently lose his right and privilege to come to the airport terminal. Captain Yadudu said that the management further agreed that all personnel working in the airport, either private or government, ought to boldly write his or her name on the chest of the uniform for ease of visibility. He said that those whose names are not boldly written henceforth would lose their jobs. The Managing Director said that the stakeholders would soon be properly informed about the new development regarding violator`s penalties. He advised all airport users to send messages of any wrong actions to a new WhatsApp number that would be available shortly. “If you see the name of the person (violator), put his name and the act of violation. We will get back to you through your number. “The sanction will be permanent. This is just the begining of our strategy. If anyone loses his or her job I, think he or she will not try evil again. “You can see we have the all relevant officers here, all the regional managers, security chiefs are here, and leaders of operation are here. So, the implementation is immediate.” Captain Yadudu said that the management would keep improving the rules and regulations at the airports to further strengthen safety and security of air transport system. This was even as the Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole who was at meeting, said that tackling extortion in the airport required holistic approach. Oduwole called on the airport users to make use of the new app that the presidency would also make available by downloading it. She said that anyone could easily pass urgent massages, either good or bad that emanated at any airports in Nigeria with immediate response. Oduwole said that there is need to have an accountability mechanism to strengthen the aviation system across the country. “Nigerians, public sectors , private sector, everybody including the media should help us by making the complaints. We need that feedbacks. “There is an app. You can download it, the app covers all the airports. All the airports are mentioned in that app. That information comes straight to the presidency and FAAN, among others. “Please get the name, and that specific agency of any one found extorting passengers. ”Several agencies are working at the airports, immigration, customs and NDLEA, among others.” According to her, it helps if one can get the name and the agency in order to go straight to where the matters are or the root of the problem.
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