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

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.”

UNICEF Wades Into Poor Education System In Benue IDP Centre; To Provide Schools For 3,000 Kids

Editorial staff

November 20, 2021

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has waded into the poor education system in a Benue State Internationally Displaced People’s (IDP) centre, as there is virtually no school to take care of the out-of-school children in them.

The UN children education body said that it is therefore working towards providing a befitting learning centre for such children, numbering over 3,000.

UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh, who spoke today, November 20 in Ukpam while fielding questions from newsmen after a monitoring visit of the two IDP camps at Daudu and Ukpam, in Guma LGA of the state, regretted the absence of a school structure to accommodate the children at the camp.

He added that children are being taught under trees, which, according to him, is not good for learning.

He made it clear that without education and the provision of basic learning materials, the future of the children would be bleak.

He assured that UNICEF would collaborate with the Benue State Government and other stakeholders in the education sector to ensure the construction of a structure for the children.

He said that there are gaps in the provision of all basic services at the camps, but that those that are of prime concern to them is education, health and sanitation.

The UNICEF chief also inaugurated four units of VIP toilets comprising 20 rooms, which it built for the Ukpam camp.

He said that the health of the IDPs is of utmost importance to the organisation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that while at the Daudu 1 solar powered water project, Conteh told the committee members to take ownership of the project and protect it against vandals.

He advised them to ensure minor repairs of the facility while the Benue State Water and Sanitation Agency, which collaborated with them to provide the facility should intervene in major repairs.

UNICEF Consultant, Mr Toyin Adisa, told the visiting UNICEF chief that the water scheme also served the IDP camp at Daudu.

Mr Orkaa Cyprian, a resident of Mbayongo community, where the project is situated commended UNICEF for the provision of the water scheme adding that their search for potable water had ended.

Source: NAN.

EFCC Accuses Kogi Govt Of Telling Lies About N19.3 Billion Hidden In Sterling Bank

Editorial staff

November 19, 2021

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused the Yahaya Bello government in Kogi of telling lies about N19.3 billion bailout fund hidden in an account at Sterling Bank.

In a statement today, November 19, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren said that the Central Bank of Nigeria has already acknowledged the receipt of of N19.3 billion recovered by the agency from the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc.

“This effectively puts to rest the campaign of misinformation and unconscionable denials by the Kogi State Government that no fund was recovered from its bail out account,”Uwujaren said.

The apex bank, in a letter referenced, DFD/DIR/CON/EXT/01/099 and dated 9th November, 2021 informed the Executive Chairman, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa that it has received the money.

The letter reads in part: “We refer to your letter dated November 5, 2021 with Ref. No: CR:3000/EFCC/LS/CMU/REC-STE/VOL.4/047 on the above subject and wish to confirm the details of the receipt of the amount as stated below: Bank: Sterling Bank Plc; Amount: N19, 333, 333,333.36; Date of receipt: 04 November, 2021”

Uwujaren’s statement is reproduced here:

The return of the money to the apex bank is in compliance with the October 15, 2021 Order of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos directing the unfreezing of the Kogi State Salary Bail-out account to enable Sterling Bank to remit the balance in the account to the Central Ban of Nigeria. Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke gave the Order pursuant to an application filed by the EFCC.

The Commission had told the court that the management of Sterling Bank Plc, where the account was domiciled had acknowledged the existence of the said account with the staggering sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 in its books.

The Commission further brought to the attention of the court that “The sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 is still standing in the credit of the account frozen”, adding that “the management of Sterling Bank PIc, has, pursuant to a letter dated 15 September, 2021, signed by its Managing Director, indicated intention to return the total sum of N19, 333,333,333.36 back to the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

The EFCC prayed The court that it “is expedient for the instant suit to be discontinued and the account unfrozen to enable the management of Sterling Bank PIc effect the transfer/ return of the sum of the sum of N19, 333, 333, 333.36 back to the coffer of the Central Bank of Nigeria , where the said bailout funds was disbursed.”

The transfer has put paid to any further controversy regarding source and ownership of the funds and most importantly, aborted the funds dissipation.

On August 31, 2021, Justice Tijani Garba Ringim, a vacation Judge, had ordered the freezing of the account, following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC.

The EFCC, in a 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte application, had stated that it received a credible and direct intelligence, which led to the tracing of the funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in account No. 0073572696 domiciled in Sterling Bank, Plc with the name Kogi State Salary Bailout Account.

After listening to the EFCC application, Justice Ringim on August 31, 2021, ordered the freezing of the account and directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper by the EFCC.

I Was Told My Brother Was Going To Die In An Hour – Aliko Dangote

Editorial staff

November 19, 2021

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said that he and family members were told that his younger brother, Alhaji Sani Dangote was going to die in an hour.

“The most painful thing is when you are told that your brother will be passing on in about an hour.

“And you stand by watching as the machine is going down until it stopped working. It was very tormenting.”

Dangote spoke today, November 19 when the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu paid him a condolence visit in Kano.

Aliko Dangote said bitterly: ” having a brother like him; once you lose him it is really very painful. He died in front of myself, our mother and all his children.”

“We have always known that when there is life there is death. We, as Muslims, don’t know who is next and it can be today, tomorrow or even now.

“That is why it is good to be good, so that when you get there you can bid for whatever you were asked to do on earth.

“Your excellency, you are our host because you are the governor of all of us and we really thank you for taking almost the whole week struggling with the crowds, its not easy.

“I thank you all for all your prayers and your support.

“This will actually help us to reduce the pain that we are going through.”

Sani Dangote, who was the Vice President of Dangote Group died recently and was buried in Kano on Thursday.

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