193 Universities Not Enough For Nigeria – Education Minister, Adamu

April 8, 2021

Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has advocated for more private sector investment in University education in the country, saying that Nigeria needed more universities to cater for its teeming education hungry populace.

Presenting operational licenses to the 20 new private Universities recently approved by the Federal Government provisional in Abuja today, April 8, said that the total of current 193 universities are not enough.

“The Government is also well aware that countries that are consistently well-ranked in Human Development indices have, in recognition of the important role of Universities in human capital development, sustained a respectable number of Universities relative to their population.

In relation to Nigeria’s population of over 200 million, the current 193 Universities is quite low when compared to those of other economies such as Brazil (209 million) 441 Universities, Mexico (126million) 375 Universities, Russia (1445 million) 741 Universities.

The Education Minister, Adamu Adamu was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

The recent certification now brings the number of the nation’s private institutions to 99 and 193 Universities in total.

Recall that the Federal Executive Council approved the universities in February 2021.

Restore Dignity, High Repute To Police Job, Osinbajo Orders New IGP

Editorial staff

April 7, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that one of the major challenges facing the new Acting Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman is the restoration of the dignity and high repute of the policing profession.

“In short, your mission is nothing less than the restoration of dignity and high repute of the policing professional and the continuous oiling of that machinery of the police force that enables it to be one that is respected by the populace and by the international community.”

Professor Osinbajo, who decorated the new police boss today, April 7, at the Presidential villa, Abuja, reminded the new helmsman that he is assuming office at a very turbulent time in the life of our people.

“There are multiple threats to law, order and public safety. The role of law enforcement and particular that of the police force as primary agency charged with maintaining law and order has never been more important.

“The police is our institution of first resort, the first line of defence against crime and anarchy and the first sign of the strength of the state.”

Osinbajo recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the new police act last, describing it as the first police reform legislation to be enacted in almost 50 years.

“The Act is the centrepiece of our commitment to reinventing the police as an institution that we can all be proud of. It articulates this administration’s vision of the modern competent police force as an institution committed to the preservation of human rights and human dignity and protection of the public against all criminal threats.”

He stressed that the challenges before the new IGP are onerous and will test his mettle, the organisation he leads “and one that is itself facing several challenges.

“Your officers work still in extremely difficult conditions. And some face the threat of physical harm by terrorists, hostile non state actors while in the line of duty but they have lived up to expectations.

“There is no question at all that there is a lot that needs to be done. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. Under your leadership. The police must now rebuild in some ways also the broken bridges of trust to the public and regain the confidence of the citizenry.

“This is an ongoing challenge is an ongoing task that the police force and all of the senior members of the police force must take on as a responsibility, that of the continual process of building trust to the Nigerian people.

“One of the ways you can do this is by implementing the community policing policy which had already taken off and reconceptualizing policing as a task carried out in partnership with local communities and by officers who are members of these localities.

“Under your leadership, the force must live up to all of the highest standards of professional conduct and compliance with the rule of law.

“It must significantly improve the welfare and working conditions of its officers. While rapidly scaling on its forensic, logistical, logistical and operational capacities.

“To meet today’s challenges. You must stamp out the excesses and abuses and the culture of impunity, demonstrated by some elements of the force which provoke public outrage against institution.”

Vice President emphasized that President Buhari appointed Baba Usman after a rigorous process where all eligible Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of police were considered.

“The president then appointed you as the most senior qualified and eligible officer. This is a departure from the past when the selection of the new Inspector General of Police often meant the immediate retirement of a cohort of senior police officers whose vast experience and training would no longer be available to the country.

“This appointment, which is largely on the basis of seniority and competence, will ensure that you have access to professional and experienced officers to support you in your new role.

“The testimony of your pedigree and your career thus far is that you are up to the task. The administration stands ready to work with you to reposition the NPF and take it to unprecedented height of professionalism, competence and excellence.”

The Vice President welcomed Baba Usman as a key partner to this administration’s comprehensive programme of reform aimed at repositioning the Nigeria police force as a modern, responsive and citizen centred law enforcement service.

“We all expect that you will justify the confidence that Mr. President has repose in you, to enable you to lead the force in these times.

Professor Osinbajo appreciated the outgoing Inspector General of Police for his services to this nation and for his innovative work carried on through his years as the Inspector-General of Police.

Our Best So Far Is Not Enough, New Police Boss Admits

Editorial staff

April 7, 2021

The new acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Baba Usman has admitted that men and officers of the Force have done their best in the current security challenges in Nigeria but that such efforts are not enough.

Speaking to newsmen today, April 7, shortly after he was ushered into the new position with decoration by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Baba Usman vowed to improve from where his predecessor left.

“I came in at a very challenging time. I know it. I recognise it and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor has left.

” I have been a member of the management team. We have tried to do our best, but it’s not enough. There is room for improvement.”

He promised to rejig the Force’s operational strategies, adding: “we have the blessings of Mr. President and we are hoping to get more of what we have requested through the Police Trust Fund very quickly.”

Baba Usman wanted Nigerians to expect improvement on the security situation, even as he appealed to them to collaborate and cooperate with them.

“With all the inadequacies we have, we still require everybody to be part of policing in this country. And that is why the emphasis on community policing will continue and the emphasis of collaborating with all other sister agencies will continue and we hope to have a better situation very soon.

“We will continue to practicalise it. My predecessor has left at the theoretical stage. We have started practicalising it but we have not gone far and therefore, all the methods of practicalising it have been put in place and we are going to continue with it in collaboration with other stakeholders.”

NNPC Signs $1.5 Billion Contract For Rehabilitation Of Port Harcourt Refinery

Editorial staff

April 6, 2021

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) contract for the rehabilitation of the 210,000 barrels per day capacity Port Harcourt Refinery in Alesa-Eleme, Rivers State.

The rehabilitation project, which has a completion timeline of between 18 and 44 months under a three-phase arrangement, according to a statement today, Pril 6, was awarded to Milan based Tecnimont SpA at a lump sum contract price of US$1.5 billion, inclusive of VAT and other statutory payments.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, described the PHRC rehabilitation project as a dream come true, saying that the project was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to the Nigerian people to make the refineries work.

Mallam Kyari reiterated that in arriving at the choice of Tecnimont SpA, the Corporation embarked on a transparent tender process which can withstand any forensic audit, noting that NNPC was ready and open to answer any question pertaining to the project.

He assured that the same transparent process has been emplaced for the rehabilitation of the Warri and Kaduna Refineries whose EPCIC contracts would be awarded in June 2021.

The GMD explained that the rehabilitation exercise is very different from a routine Turn-Around Maintenance as it would entail a total retrofitting of the plant with major part and equipment replaced with new ones.

Providing further insight into the project, Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Engr. Ahmed Dikko, explained that Phases 1 and 2 of the project would get the refinery ready to receive hydrocarbon, while Phase 3 will focus on the start-up the refinery for operation, stressing that the entire work shall be delivered in 44 months from today.

In his remarks, Vice President, Sub-Saharan Africa Region of Tecnimont SpA, Davide Pelizzola, pledged the readiness of his company to work assiduously with the NNPC to comply with the terms and obligations of the contract.

The signing ceremony of the PHRC rehabilitation project was witnessed by the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers NUPENG amongst others.

Dangote Cement Company Introduces Drug Test For Drivers To Curb Auto Crashes

Editorial staff

April 6, 2021

The Dangote Cement Plc has introduced drug test for its drivers, vehicle tracking devices and other measures aimed at curbing frequent road accidents.

Other efforts by the Dangote Cement Plc to curb crashes, according to a statement by one of the company’s spokesmen, Jibril Abubakar include the recertification of drivers, pre-trip and post-trip inspections, Onboard Camera, Root Cause Analysis, engaging behavioral psychologists and Clerics, convoy movement, checkpoint policy and sanctions.

These measures came to light today, April 6, at the launching of a Drivers’ Training Centre located at the Dangote Cement Plant (DCP), Obajana, Kogi State. The new Centre is charged with the responsibility of attending to all training needs of the Dangote Cement Plc’s drivers.

Speaking at the convocation of the centre’s first graduates of 50 Trainee Drivers, Head of the Dangote Drivers Training Centre, Harisson Pepple, said that the training is in line with the company’s zero tolerance policy for auto crashes.

People said that the trainee drivers were drawn from the existing motor boys and were trained for six months.

He expressed optimism that the “days of crashes involving Dangote trucks are numbered”.

“The Trainee Drivers Programme is all encompassing.The first twelve weeks is theoretical. Then there is three months attachment.”

He said that the idea for the new Drivers Training Centre was conceived in June 2020, with the aim of training, retraining and constantly engaging the Dangote drivers.

He announced that the company is engaging another set of qualified drivers with Class G licenses, stressing that the company is doing everything possible to rid itself of crashes.

According to him, the company is collaborating with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in most of its activities, adding that the Trainee Drivers were also taught Defensive Driving Techniques which involves driving to save lives, time and property.

He recalled that Dangote Group has been taking stringent measures to minimize auto crashes, and that the new training centre is a continuation of its innovative efforts.

Buhari Picks Usman Baba To Head Nigeria Police As Inspector General

Editorial staff

April 6, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has picked a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of Police.

The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi who spoke to news men today, April 6, at the Presidential villa, said that the appointment is with immediate effect.

Buhari had on February 4, extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for three months. Adamu has spent two months and three days.

The newly appointed acting inspector general of police born on the 1st of March 1963 and hails from Yobe state, bags a Masters in public administration from the University of Maiduguri, Borno state in 1997 and a Bachelor of Arts from the Bayero Usman University, Kano in 1985.

It’s UnIslam To Make Covid-19 Vaccination Conditional For Hajj – Islamic Scholar

Greenbarge Reporters

April 6, 2021

A prominent Islamic scholar in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sheikh Moosa Yousuf Onogu has described as unislam, moves by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to make Covid-19 vaccination as a condition for external pilgrims going for hajj this year.

Sheikh Onogu, in a short statement today, said that to make vaccination compulsory for intending external pilgrims for admittance into the Kingdom for the purpose of performing hajj is haram.

“It is only the sick people that should be prevented from entering the mosque. “What they should do is to ask intending pilgrims to perform fitness test not compulsory Coronavirus vaccination.”

The Sheikh described the idea of compulsory vaccination as evil plan, with Muslim mostly to be affected.

“If they insist on going ahead with ” this evil plan” Muslims have ways out, suggesting prayer to be said before any Muslim present himself or herself for the vaccination.

Attack On Police, Others In Imo Is Attack On The Soul Of Our Nation, IGP Declares: Fingers IPOB

Editorial staff

April 5, 2021

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has described the attack today, April 5 on police headquarters in Imo state and freeing of over 1,000 inmates of the correctional centre in the state as an attack on the soul of the nation.

The IGP, who fingered members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the attack, described “the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation.

“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).”

He said that attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.

“The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder.”

The IGP, who ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other Police Tactical Squads to Imo State to strengthen security in the State and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State, directed the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command and a new Special Investigation Team (specifically set up to deal with cases of incessant attacks on security formation/operatives in the region), to carry out holistic investigations into the incident with a view to fishing-out the perpetrators and bringing them to justice.

The CP vowed to harness the security reinforcement squads and other operational assets at his disposal to take the battle to the door-steps of the attackers and prevent any further attack anywhere within the State and its environs.

He enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality. The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals. He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-ecomomic wellbeing of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations.

As Southeast Boils, Abia Gov Imposes Curfew In Aba, Umuahia

Editorial staff

April 5, 2021

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, April 5 till further notice.

A statement from the state commissioner of information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu said that the curfew had become inevitable following security reports received from multiple sources, which brought the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.

The statement said that security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive, adding that only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.

“We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.”

The state government advised all law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety.

Go After Imo Terrorists, Buhari Orders Security Operatives

Editorial staff

April 5, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security operatives to hunt for terrorists who launched what he called “deadly insurgent attack” that took place on the Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Facility in Owerri, Imo State, today, April 5.

In a statement today, by his spokesman, Garba Shehu reacting to the incident President Buhari praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property.

He directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.

He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.

President Buhari appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.

He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists while the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy.

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