Buhari To Media: My Silence Over Infractions Does Not Mean Acceptance

May 2, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked media professionals in Nigeria to be wary of publishing news items that are capable of aggravating the bad situation in the country.

He said that the fact that his government had not been complaining over many infractions capable of dividing the country does not mean acceptance.

“That everything is permitted does not mean that there are no rules of correctness, particularly in a polity seriously challenged as ours now.”

President Buhari, in a message to mark the World Press Freedom Day, observed globally every May 3, said: “the media must be sensitive to what we are going through as a country, and anything that would exacerbate the situation, and further inflame passions and emotions, should be avoided.

“The media needs to ensure that while informing, educating, entertaining and setting agenda for public discourse, it does not encourage incendiary words and actions that could further hurt our unity in diversity.”

The President insisted that freedom of the press is an irreducible minimum in a democracy that would flourish, and that freedom must be used responsibly.

According to him, licentious freedom is different from freedom with responsibility and charged the Nigerian media to embrace the latter, rather than the former.

President Buhari pledged greater cooperation with the media to discharge its duties, in line with the theme of this year’s World Press Freedom Day: ‘Information as a Public Good.’

He asked those who manage information for government to do everything in public interest, even as he encouraging the media to use the Freedom of Information Act available to make its jobs easier.

President Buhari said that it is very vital to have access to reliable information in an era of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech, all to cause discord in society.

How I Picked Gani Adams To Be Aare Onakakanfo Of Yoruba Land – Alaafin Of Oyo

Editorial staff

May 1, 2021

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has given details of what he went through to make Gani Adams the Aare Onakakanfo (war general) of Yoruba land.

Speaking today, May 1, at the 51^st birthday of Gani Adams in Lagos, Oba lamidi Adeyemi said: “Aare Gani Adams’ appointment is divine and based on merit.

“It took me over five years to consult widely and seek the support of the gods in the spiritual realms before he was appointed.”

The Oba commended Adams for his courage, steadfastness and doggedness in the struggle for the liberation of the Yoruba race.

I Will Motivate Abuja Workers, Minister Declares, On May Day

Editorial staff

May 1, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has declared that his administration will motivate the workers in the territory to give their best for the development of the city.

In his goodwill message to all workers in the territory today, May 1, on the occasion of the 2021 Workers’ Day celebration, reassured the workers of his commitment to the promotion of the welfare and wellbeing being of the workers, even as he called for their cooperation and dedication to service.

Muhammad Bello assured that the FCT Administration will take all necessary steps to ensure workers would be able to deliver the best possible services to the residents of the territory.

The minister noted that the city in particular, and the nation in general, cannot reach its full potentials without a committed, dedicated and patriotic workforce

He advised trade union leaders to work with the government and embrace dialogue in settling trade disagreements, even as acknowledged the role played by workers in the development of FCT over the years and saluted the efforts of the pioneer workers who made the sacrifices that were essential in laying the foundation of what has grown to become a beautiful capital city.

The minister applauded the efforts of all the frontline and essential workers who worked tirelessly over the last one year as the nation fought the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I acknowledge and applaud the efforts of all the frontline health workers comprising of the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory officers, cleaners, drivers, administrative officers and all others who risked it all so that the rest of us are safe”.

“I salute also, the other essential workers who functioned in public utility organisations such as electricity, water supply, telecommunications, environmental sanitation and not forgetting our security operatives.”

The Minister paid tribute to those who lost their lives while fighting the pandemic and prayed that they rest in peace, even as he called on members of the public not to be complacent because the pandemic is not yet over.

He further advised that they should continue to observe all non-pharmaceutical protocols and prevent the spread of the disease.

According to him, preventing the spread of COVID-19 will honour the memory of the workers who had paid the ultimate price while fighting the pandemic.

Dangote Cement Pays N40.39 Billion Corporate Tax To Nigerian Govt For 2021

Editorial staff

May 1, 2021

Nigeria’s Dangote Cement Plc is expected to pay a total of N40.39 billion in taxation to the nation’s treasury from its operational result in the first quarter of 2021.

According to the financial result published by the country’s largest cement manufacturer on Friday, April 30, the amount is due from corporate tax for the period ended March 31, 2021. The amount of corporate tax due from Dangote Cement in the first three months of this year is higher by 47.3 percent compared with the N27.42 billion paid in the corresponding period of 2020 financial year.

The report said that aprt from the fact that the company currently pays over N240 million Value Added Tax (VAT) daily to the government, making DCP one of the biggest private sector tax payers in the country, it is also carrying out its corporate social responsibility, in line with the government’s quest to boost infrastructural development in the country.

It said that the Dangote Cement had opted to provide funding for the constructions of major roads in Lagos and Kogi States,adding that the roads are the critical Lagos Apapa Port road leading to the old toll gate and the Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba road straddling Kogi and Kwara states.

The financial report said that the company had ramped up production capacity in the Obajana Line 5 and resumed production at the Gboko plant to meet increased demand for its products.

Dangote Cement also increased total volume of cement sold in the first three months of the year from its Nigerian operations to 4.9Mt compared to the 4.0Mt sold in the first quarter of 2020.

Pan-African operations sold 2.6Mt of cement in the period under review compared to 2.3Mt sold in the corresponding period in 2020.

The company that it is making efforts to start the Okpella Plant before the end of June in order to meet the increasing demand for cement in the country and help to moderate prices in the market.

Speaking on the financial result, Dangote Cement GMD/Chief Executive Officer, Michel Puchercos, said that the company started the first quarter of 2021 on a positive note and recorded increases in revenue and profitability.

He said that the cement company posted a profit after tax N89.7 billion.

“We took the strategic decision to pause our clinker exports to ensure we meet the rapid volume growth in the Nigerian domestic market. We are improving the output of our existing and new assets and aim to recommence clinker exports in the second quarter.

“Our Pan-Africa operations have reached new heights, with an EBITDA margin of 25.5 percent and volume growth of 12.8 percent reported during the quarter.

“One of our priorities in 2021 is to strengthen our alternative fuel initiative. It focuses on leveraging the circular economy business model, optimising costs and reducing exposure of our cost base to foreign currency fluctuations.

“As ever, we are committed to keeping our staff and communities safe by being fully compliant with health and safety measures in all our territories of operation.”

Benue Govt Arrests, Whisks To Makurdi, Abuja Journalist

Greenbarge Reporters

May 1, 2021

Benue government has arrested and taken to Makurdi, Benue State capital, a senior journalist with Peoples Daily newspaper, Sunday Ode over an alleged offensive statement he issued on behalf of the Association of Igede Media. Professionals.
Ode, who is the President of the association, was picked up yesterday, May 1, on the order of Governor Samuel Ortom.
A statement today, May 1 by Egah Egiri for the association, said that Ode was arrested yesterday, April 30, at Karu by armed policemen and DSS operatives.
The association said that the security operatives said that they were acting at the behest of the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom.
“They told Odeh that the Governor wanted to see him in connection with his press statements.
“The Igede Media Professionals Association of which Mr. Odeh is President, has been critical of the way Dr. Ortom has handled security issues in Benue State, especially between the Bonta Tiv (where 12 soldiers were killed in cold blood) in Konshisha Local Government and Ukpute (the Igede) in Oju Local Government.
“Dr. Ortom had reportedly threatened to deal with Mr Sunday Odeh over the association’s criticism, adding that in his heyday, he would have since sent an assasination squad to take care of Sunday Egena Odeh.
“Mr Odeh shared this information with not a few confidants.
“He was arrested this evening with his cousin, Johnson Ubeh who was later released when Sunday Egena Odeh showed up.
“The fellows that arrested him said they were police and DSS personnel. They said they were taking him to Governor Ortom in Makurdi.
“We are worried that harm may befall Sunday Egena Odeh given the fury of the Governor and his self-professed/confessed past.
“As stated earlier, his arrest is not unconnected with the group’s views on the sloppy handling of the crisis between Bonta in Konshisha and Ukpute in Oju Local Governments area of Benue which snowballed into the killing of twelve soldiers.
“Please do all that is necessary to forestall any harm coming to Mr Sunday Egena Odeh.
“We wonder on whose order Mr Sunday Egena Odeh was arrested in the first place given the fact that the courts have been on strike!”

Actress Shyngle, Recently Divorced By Husband, Attempts Suicide; Lands In Hospital

Editorial staff

April 30, 2021

A controversial Gambian-born Ghanaian actress, Princess Shyngle, who recently divorced her husband because of domestic violence, attempted to take her life but was saved and now in a hospital in the United States.

The movie star recently announced that she was getting divorced from her husband, Gibou Bala Gaye, three months after their marriage.

According to her, she was leaving her husband over domestic violence allegation.

The actress had in 2018, attempted another suicide, was quoted as saying: “depression is real. I gat this,” in a video clip which has now been deleted off her Instagram insta story.

In 2018, the actress was rescued by a neighbour and rushed to a hospital in Lekki, Lagos, after taking an overdose of a medication. She reportedly also drank bleach.

Though in an Insta-story post back then, Princess Shyngle who debunked the suicide attempt report, stated that she had a nervous breakdown which landed her in the hospital.

She also admitted that she has been battling depression, as she thanked those who stood by her during her stay in the hospital.

She also shared receipts and audio recordings of her estranged husband confessing to domestically abusing her.

Source: The Nation/Agency.

Nigeria Drug Regulatory Body, NAFDAC, Approves Pfizer Vaccine For Covid19

Editorial staff

April 30, 2021

Nigeria’s drug regulatory body, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has announced that it has approved the Pfizer Biotech Vaccine for emergency use authorization for COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The Director-General of the Agency, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, who made this known today, April 30 in a live/zoom media briefing in Lagos, said: “We have approved Pfizer Biotech Vaccine for possible use in the country.

“Our COVID-19 vaccine team must carefully review it to make sure that the science behind it is well understood, and also in accordance with our own regulation.”

She said that the vaccine is approved based on different mechanisms known to the agency.

“We used different mechanisms to approve COVID-19 vaccine, and one of it is called reliance, meaning that a more matured regulatory agency across the globe has already approved such vaccine.

“We can use that as a basis for our own review by getting the assessment report, know the peculiarities and our COVID Vaccine Committee will then do their job.

“We also can go ahead to review, if the World Health Organisation (WHO) has given emergency use lifting, meaning they have done their job.

“For Pfizer biotech vaccine, both cases are through, because more matured agencies have approved the vaccine.

“The approval is not a full approval, it is within the period of getting people vaccinated and gathering of data about the adverse effect following immunisation,” she said.

Adeyeye said that data gathering on vaccine is not limited to NAFDAC, adding that the agency belonged to an organization called International Coalition of Medicine Regulatory Authorities( ICMRA).

“We belong to ICMRA, which is a global gathering of regulatory agencies across the country, where we share our experiences, like that of Oxford Astrazeneca Vaccine.”

NAFDAC director-general said that the agency’s COVID-19 Vaccine Committee has worked to ensure that post vaccination regulation is put in place.

“Our committee started their work to ensure all the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed to ensure that post vaccination regulatory activities such as pharmacology vigilance or safety monitoring is put in place.

“So, it is not just the vaccination alone, it is what happens after that.”

On the storage of the Pfizer Biotech Vaccine, Adeyeye said the country has what it took to store the vaccine effectively.

“We have the capability because the freezer temperature is now -30 degrees unlike when it was -80 to -60 degrees temperature. So, the storage is not an issue in Nigeria.”

The director-general also disclosed that the agency was reviewing the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine.

What Federal Capital Has Gained From University Of Abuja, Minister Narrates

Editorial staff

April 30, 2021

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has itemized some of the gains the capital city has made from the siting of a university at its backyard.

Receiving members of the Presidential Visitation Panel to the University who paid courtesy visit today, April 30 in his office, the minister said that the institution has been closely linked with the FCT Administration as well as the growth and development of the city.

According to the Minister, the presence of the University and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada had enhanced the growth and development of the Satellite town to the benefit of the host community.

He said that the University has also partnered with the Administration to solve specific matters such as the seismic issues regarding some rock formations in some parts of the FCT.

Malam Muhammad Musa Bello added that the University has contributed to the manpower development of the Administration as many of its staff have taken advantage of the proximity of the University to improve on their academic and professional qualifications.

The minister said that judging from the caliber and antecedents of the members of the Visitation Panel, he is confident that they will carry out a very good job of reviewing the situation in the university and guiding its administration properly in the management of the university.

He advised the Panel to ensure that town planning and development control regulations in the university are met and that they fit into the overall FCT Masterplan.

Earlier, Chairman of the Visitation Panel, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji said that the visitation exercise is a fact finding one as part of a statutory responsibility that happens every five years and a critical part of its assignment includes an objective examination of the affairs of the University.

He said that its terms of reference includes examining issues relating to governance, accountability, evaluation of the progress made in the university after the last visitation exercise as well as looking into the working relationship between the host community and the University.

Other members of the Panel present for the courtesy visit were Professor Ahmed Ali Yakassai, Dr Ibinag Oden Ewa, Col. Danladi N. Adamu (Rtd), Engr Abubakar A, Matazu and Arc Samuel Ikani who is the Secretary.

Presidency Describes Father Mbaka As Fake, Looking For Contracts

Editorial staff

April 30, 2021

The Presidency has described Father Ejike Mbaka as fake, in search of contracts from those he claimed to have supported to power.

A statement today, April 30 by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that Mbaka is claiming to be what he is not.

“An outsiders distilling the avalanche of verbiage, will be surprised that after supporting the President two times to win the Presidency, Father Mbaka has made a complete U-Turn, preposterously asking President Buhari to resign or be impeached.

“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of Presidential Aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support.

“Anyone familiar with President Buhari knows that he doesn’t break the laid down rules in dealing with contracts or any other government business for that matter. He requested the appropriate authorities to deal with the matter in accordance with laid down rules.

Inside the Villa, discretion prevailed, that if those pictures and requests were made public, the followers will turn against the religious leader. None of it was released. Now, this is what is eating Father Mbaka.”

We’re Not In Any Financial Stress, NNPC Faults Media Report

Editorial staff

April 30, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has made it clear that it is not in any form of financial stress as reported in the media.

It explained that the revenue projection contained in the letter to the Accountant General of the Federation being cited in the media pertains only to the Federation revenue stream being managed by the Corporation and not a reflection of the overall financial performance of the Corporation.

A statement today, April 30 by the Corporation’s spokesman, Dr. Kennie Obateru, said that the clarification became necessary in the light of media reports insinuating that the Corporation is in financial straits.

NNPC maintained that it is conscious of its role and is doing everything possible to shore up revenues and support the Federation at all times.

“The shortfall will be remedied by the Corporation as it relates only to the Federation revenue stream being managed by the NNPC and does not reflect the overall financial performance of the Corporation. The NNPC remains in positive financial trajectory for the period in question.”

The Corporation pledged to continue to pursue and observe its cost optimization process with a view to maximizing remittances to the Federation Account.

It would be recalled that NNPC, in a letter to the Accountant General of the Federation entitled: Re: Impact of Hike in Crude Oil Prices on the Deregulated Downstream Sector: Projected Remittance to the Federation Account for April to June 2021, which was inappropriately shared by unscrupulous persons, had projected that it would deduct the sum of N112bn from Oil and Gas proceeds for the month of April 2021 to ensure continuous supply of petroleum products to the country and guarantee energy security.

This has fueled reports of impending revenue shortfalls with dire consequences for the various tiers of government.

NNPC, however, assured that it would continue to meet its financial obligations to the Federation.

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