Buhari Gives Marching Order To Minister On National Space Policy’s Update

June 24, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu to prepare and submit to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for consideration and approval, a revised 25-year roadmap for the implementation of the National Space Policy.

The President, who spoke today, June 24 at a meeting with members of the National Space Council of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) at the Presidential villa, expressed a renewed commitment to the space sector, describing it as the foundation of cyber security and a vibrant digital economy.

“Today therefore, marks another milestone in our resolve to effectively utilize Space Science and Technology in tackling some of our critical challenges.

“No doubt Space is providing a new frontier for human development. As a stimulus for increased technological advancement and economic innovation, outer space offers a unique challenge and platform for effective exploration and exploitation of our natural resources and the protection of our environment.

“Moreover, space technology remains the foundation for cyber security and a vibrant digital economy.”

Buhari acknowledged the huge human resources already acquired by Nigeria in the field of Space Science and Technology over the last twenty-one years and the need for the country to put in place the necessary infrastructure required for the actualization of the goals and objectives of our National Space Policy and Programme.

“Being the recipient of very strong government support, I also must task you with the mandate of working with other agencies and components of government on how you could best utilize the tools at your disposal in resolving some of those critical issues that confront us as a country; issues regarding security, improved communication and digital penetration and importantly, agriculture.

“In line with the implementation of the National Space Policy and Programme, I hereby also direct that the revised 25-year Roadmap for the implementation of the National Space Policy be reviewed and updated and then forwarded to Federal Executive Council, for consideration and approval.”

The President urged the Agency to engage in partnerships with other relevant stakeholders and the private sector to achieve its objectives:

“Additionally, you should seek to explore useful collaboration with the Private Sector on how you can best commercialize some of your output in furtherance of our objectives.

“The present administration is committed to developing our society by engaging relevant human resources for the socio-economic improvement of our nation. We shall be steadfast in providing the required support towards the success of the space programme; as well as relevant resources needed for its growth and successful realization of the mandates of the Nation’s Space Agency.”

Hevcommended NARSDA for the satellites already launched, even as he charged the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency to do more.

“I am very proud of the strides we have achieved with the launch of NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-2, Nigcomsat-1R and NigeriaSat-X. Of tremendous interest to me is NigeriaSat-X which was designed and built to flight standards by our engineers and scientist.

“I expect you to drive your team towards the attainment of these goals which deepens your relevance in our national construct, while inspiring millions of our Youth to explore the opportunities in this field.”

The Chief Executive Officer/ Director General of NASRDA, Dr Halilu Ahmed Shaba who updated the meeting on the status of the NigeriaSat-2 and the progress made on building and launching of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (Nigeria SAR-1) and on Optical Earth Observation Satellite (NigeriaSat-3) craved for intensified funding of the agency’s activities in order to achieve the set objectives.

He also gave a detailed briefing on the agency’s support to the Military in their fight against terrorists, the “geovisualisation “ of terrorist activities; providing digital support for agriculture and several other capabilities in population activities, distribution of infrastructure and projects monitoring.

Buhari Leaves For London Tomorrow For 3-Week Medical Follow-Up

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari will proceed to London, the United Kingdom tomorrow, June 25, for a scheduled medical follow-up.

A two-paragraph statement today, June 24 by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that the President is expected back in the country during the second week of July, 2021.

INEC Kills Soludo’s Guber Ambition As It Rules Out APGA In Anambra Election

Editorial staff

June 24, 2021

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out the ruling Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6, 2021 Anambra State election for violating the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

By this decision, hope of Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who emerged as the party’s governorship candidate yesterday, June 23 has been dashed.

According to the INEC, APGA’s disqualification followed the party’s failure to comply with Section 85 of the Electoral Act.

The commission disclosed that APGA did not notify it when it purportedly held its ad hoc congress to elect delegates for the party’s governorship primary election.

INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Publicity and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement, insisted that parties must act within the confines of the law in the conduct of their congresses and primaries if they are to avoid issues and challenges that might complicate the conduct of elections.

INEC’s clarification came on the heels of the declaration of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, as the winner of the factional primary, organised by the Chief Victor Oye-led faction of the party.

Meanwhile, Soludo had been suspended by another faction of the party.

The Chief Jude Okeke-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party said that Soludo was suspended from APGA for anti-party activities, saying that the NWC arrived at the decision after its meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.

The acting National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, who disclosed this to journalists in Abuja, said the party leadership applauded the peaceful and successful “Special Delegate Ward Congresses, where three-member Ward Delegates were elected for the July 1, governorship primaries of the party.”

NNPC Rallies EFCC, Others To Curb Petroleum Products Smuggling, Crude Oil Theft

Greenbarge Reporters

June 24, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to curb the twin menace of petroleum products smuggling and crude oil theft which are negatively impacting the nation’s economy.

Others to be similarly involved are the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant downstream and upstream stakeholders in the petroleum industry.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, who dropped this hint today, June 24, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, said that the move is at the instance of President Muhammadu Buhari who mandated the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the NNPC, the EFCC and all other security agencies to do everything possible to stop crude oil theft and illicit truck-out of petroleum products which he described as major economic crimes that have hindered Nigerians from enjoying the benefit of subsidized petroleum products.

He urged all industry stakeholders to collaborate with the Corporation to ensure that the daily national petroleum products consumption which shot up to 102million litres in the month of May is brought down to realistic levels around 60million litres, stressing that it was obvious to all that that volume of premium motor spirit (PMS) was not consumed by Nigerians alone.

“We all agree that smuggling is not a business that should be condoned because even for deregulated petroleum products it brings extra cost burden on this country both in terms of safety and security of supply and in securing of foreign exchange. It even constitutes more burden to this country when the product involved is a regulated product like Premium Motor Spirit (PMS),” Mallam Kyari said.

The GMD explained that with the increasing price of crude oil at the global market and the OPEC+ production cuts, the country cannot afford to shoulder the cost of smuggling.

“We all know that our daily consumption is not up to 60million litres. We all know that, and that is why we have to pull it down. We will pull it down by every means necessary.”

He said that NNPC would emplace Advanced Cargo Declaration in line with global best practices to tackle the issue of crude oil theft in the country.

This was even as the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, expressed the readiness of the Commission to work with the NNPC to ensure that all those involved in the economic sabotage were brought to book.

The Major Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) and all the other stakeholders also expressed readiness to partner the NNPC to bring an end to petroleum products smuggling.

Nigerian Army To Sheikh Gumi: Stop Aiding Enemies Of State Or Face Consequences

Editorial staff

June 23, 2021

The Nigerian Army has warned Sheikh Ahmad Gumi to stop aiding and assisting the nation’s enemies, including Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and others or it would not hesitate to apply appropriate legal authorities on him.

The army also stressed that it would as well not hesitate to apply Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 on any of its officers found wanting in any way.

Reacting to Gumi’s allegation on ARISE TV to the fact that its personnel are colluding with bandits who had been responsible for various crimes and atrocities in the country, the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement today, June 23, said that Nigerian Army remained a symbol of national unity that had discharged its constitutional responsibilities in the most professional manner in line with global best practices.

He described the allegation by the scholar as not only sad and unfortunate but a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.

The statement said that the Army will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, but that it will also not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel, as provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are stipulated in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

It enjoined Opinion leaders to demonstrate patriotism in building peace, rather than being agents of destabilization and aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.

Ex CBN Governor, Soludo Emerges APGA Governorship Candidate In Anambra

Editorial staff

June 23, 2021

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo has emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State. This came few hours after a facton of the party in Anambra suspended him from the party for anti-party activities.

Professor Soludo emerged winner in a keenly contested primary election in Awka, Anambra State and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Soludo scored a total of 740 votes out of 792 valid votes cast by delegates.

Declaring the results of the exercise, Samson Olalere, the Returning Officer, said that Professor Soludo fulfilled the provisions of Electoral Act and APGA guidelines.

Olalere said that Soludo beat his rivals, Rep Okwudili Ezenwakwo, who scored 41 votes, Damian Okolo seven votes and Thankgod Ibeh who scored 4 votes. He said a total of 812 delegates were registered out of which 795 accredited and 792 voted.

The returning officer issued the APGA candidate Certificate of Return after Governor Willie Obiano, raised up Soludo’s hand as the duly elected candidate of the party in the forthcoming election.

In his remark, Governor Obiano congratulated Soludo for his victory while calling on party faithful to continue to support the party.

In his acceptance speech, the former CBN governor said that he welcomed the nomination of APGA to fly their banner in the forthcoming governorship election.

“I accept your nomination in the November 6 governorship election. I am proud that I came from Anambra. I offer nothing but statement of gratitude, thank you for the mandate to fly our flag. I assure INEC that APGA is a law-abiding party.

“I salute the other aspirants. I salute you. This is the time to unite. We won the primary by over 80 percent, but let us come together. The coming election is consequential for the state. It will determine our match for progression of retrogression.”

Soludo commended previous governors of Anambra for transforming the state, but noted that Governor Willy Obiano had taken the state to the next level.

He said there is no state government in Nigeria with comparable revenue like Anambra State that is doing well than the present administration, saying there is no need to change a winning team.

“We need continuity, consolidation and transformation; we need to build on what is on ground. We will unveil our campaign manifesto in August. I am a poor boy whom God has raised to serve. I have been decorated with over 200 awards.

“I believe it is now time for me to serve my people. I have decided to give back to the people.”

I Have Lot Of Respect For Buhari, Gov Obaseki Confesses; Vows To Remain His Friend

Editorial staff

June 23, 2021

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has confessed to have a lot of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari despite that he is in a different political party with him.

Answering reporters’ questions today, June 23 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Obaseki said: “you know, for a man who did so much for me, how can I not ever be friends with him?

“You know, he is someone I admire. And you know, he is someone I have a lot of respect for.”

I Spent Last 6 Months Without Commissioners To Redefine Govt Structures- Edo Gov

Editorial staff

June 23, 2021

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has said that he had not appointed commissioners to form State Executive Council in the last six months of his second tenure because he has been redefining the structure of governance.

“in the last six months, we have tried to redefine the structures of governance, working through every layer of the civil service, define the roles, the responsibilities; trying to understand the resources available, and put in place key performance indicators and scorecards for every MDA in government.

“And this we did, such that the civil servants have no excuse to say they couldn’t do what they are doing because of political interference.

“So we hae tried to keep politics out of government in the last seven months, to redefine the processes; to define the structures and define the service delivery criteria for government.”

Governor Obaseki, who spoke to newsmen today, June 23 after a private audience with Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja, stressed that no matter how great a cabinet is, if the government and the functions of government are not operating properly, the executive cannot function optimally.

“Now that we have done that, we now hired a whole crop of civil and public servants. We have about 1500 of them. We have hired, and we are introducing technology. We have, perhaps one of the best training facilities in the country. And we are now ready for the political class for the commissioners, to now step in to government and do what they are supposed to do and give political direction to the process of government.”

On the appointment of commissioners, Governor Obaseki said that he had already mandated wards, local and governments heads to give him nominations and that the nominations are coming in from the wards and the local governments.

According the governor, the selection team is being put in place to screen these candidates for submission to the state House of Assembly.

Publisher, Yushau, Sues Ex Military Apologist For Referring To Him As Boko Haram’s Spy Proxy

Greenbarge Reporters

June 23, 2021

The publisher of PRNigeria, Mallam Yushau Shuaib has slammed a libel suit, before Justice Suleman Bolaji Belgore of an Abuja Federal High Court, claiming total damages of N500 million from a former military apologist, Mr. Terrence Kuanum.

Yushau is claiming the N500 million from the defendant as general and exemplary damages for defamation of his character through publications in several online media on February 1, 2020.

In the writ of summons with reference number CV/1705/2020, dated June 3, 2020, and issued against the defendant, the plaintiff claimed that the libellous words against his reputation and public image were contained in a rejoinder entitled: “A Rejoinder to An Impenitent Boko Haram Empathizer, Yushau Shuaib, Spleen in Memo to President Buhari on Service Chiefs” published on many online media.
The plaintiff claimed that on January 28, 2020, he wrote a widely published article entitled: “Memo to President Buhari on Service Chiefs.” In the said article, Shuaib claimed that he had argued for the present Service Chiefs to be let go when the ovation is still audible and after giving the best of their skills to the nation while also allowing a smooth progression in service through promotion of other competent military officers, adding that his position was anchored on the necessity of enabling a new cadre of officers to come through in the national security architecture if the war on terror must be won.

However, the plaintiff further claimed that to his surprise, a few days after, he came across several online publications where he found the offending article targeted at him by Terrence.
He said that the publications damaged his professional reputation and caused him considerable distress, embarrassment and also exposed him to hatred, odium, contempt, scorn and isolation by colleagues and associates.

He said that his name was directly mentioned and described as terrorist empathizer and terrorist spy proxy, adding that the information in the defendants’ publications was false, malicious and defamation with the sole aim of maligning and destroying his hard-earned reputation, goodwill and good standing in the Nigerian media community.

Besides, the plaintiff averred that he has suffered irreparable personal and economic injury in his business because the defendant maliciously referred to him as “Shuaib is only a quack reporter.”
The plaintiff asked the court to grant him all his reliefs and against the defendant as he pleaded several documents including the printout of the offending publications to be relied upon during the hearing of the case.

Meanwhile, the court has issued the order for the substituted service following complaints by a lawyer to the plaintiff, Barrister Yunus Abdulsalam that the military apologist has been evading service of the court process.

The lawyer had informed Justice Belgore in an application that the defendant could not be reached since the matter against him was filed in June 2020.

He, therefore, sought the court order that the court process and the hearing notice be served on the defendant by pasting at his last known address or vie his WhatsApp Number or email address.
After listening to the counsel, the Judge granted the requests and ordered that the defendant be served with the originating summon and the hearing notice.

Justice Belgore subsequently fixed July 14, 2021, as the return date for the report of service on the defendant.

How Current FIRS Board “Cleansed Out” Corrupt Elements It Inherited – Spokesman

Greenbarge Reporters

June 23, 2021

The Director of Communications and Liaison Department in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad has narrated how the current Board of the Service took prompt action to address the issue of alleged corruption levelled against some ex directors and staff at the assumption of office of the new management, headed by Dr. Muhammad Nami.

In a statement today, June 23, Dr. Abdullahi said that the alleged violation being tried now at the federal high court in Abuja, took place between January 2017 and December 2018, before the appointment of Dr. Nami as the Director-General of the FIRS.

“The case concerns Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) approved by the former management for travels that were allegedly not undertaken.

“However, on the assumption of office by the new management, the Board of the Service promptly directed it to take the matter before the Staff and Management Disciplinary Committee for necessary disciplinary processes to be activated to deal with the situation. In line with this directive, the Human Capital Management Department of the FIRS subsequently investigated the matter and thereafter issued queries to the concerned members of staff to give the serving officers a fair hearing.

The Service had since completed the internal administrative processes as provided in its Human Resources Policies handbook as it relates to the officers still in service. The outcome of this procedure has been kept in abeyance pending the outcome of the ongoing court trial.”

Dr. Abdullahi confirmed that the ex-directors and staff are currently answering charges concerning embezzling Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) approved by the erstwhile management.

“They were arraigned on a 42-count charge bordering on corruption, fraud and criminal misappropriation of funds punishable under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012).”

He said that the ongoing trial followed a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) about the alleged fraudulent practices which the accused allegedly committed between 2017 and 2018.

Saying that at the latest hearing of the matter today, June 23, the court fixed the trial date for the case on September 28, 2021, Dr. Abdullahi appealed to the taxpayers and stakeholders on behalf of the management “to continue to have confidence in its capacity to deal with internal issues while not also lose sight of its mandate of generating tax revenue for the government.”

1...645646647...2,495 Page 646 of 2,495