Oyo Gov Vows To Deal With Those Promoting Ethnic Tension By Giving Quit Notice To Fulanis

January 22, 2021

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that he would not allow anyone hiding under the guise of protecting Yoruba interests to cause ethnic tension and perpetrate crisis in the state, vowing to deal with such person or persons.

The governor, who had already ordered the Police to arrest Sunday Igboho and others that have been causing tension in the state, stressed that the war Oyo and security agencies need to wage is not against any particular ethnic group but against criminal elements, irrespective of their tribes, religions, or creed.

The governor said that his administration would not allow anyone to threaten the peace of the state by acting unlawfully and saying things that are alien to the Nigerian constitution.

He told the new Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko, that his administration would continue to synergise with law enforcement organs fight criminals, hoodlums and bandits irrespective of their tribe or religion.

“For people stoking ethnic tension, they are criminals and once you get them, they should be arrested and treated like common criminals.

“I am sure that since you came in, you must have heard about some things happening at Ibarapa axis of the state. I will still say it here that we are not after Hausa-Fulani. We are after criminals.”

Only today, January 22, the wanted Igboho went to Igangan, a community in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State to restate his ultimatum to Fulanis to leave the state, after accusing them of perpetrating murders and kidnappings.

Stop Frequent Borrowing From Central Bank To Avoid Dangers Ahead, Fitch Warns Buhari Govt

Editorial staff

January 22, 2021

Fitch Rating Agency has warned Muhammadu Buhari led federal government to halt the constant borrowing from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to finance the economy to avoid what it called “far reaching economic consequences” to the country.

In a statement today, January 22, Fitch said that the constant running to the apex bank to get funds “could raise risks to macroeconomic stability.”

Fitch said it “views the Nigerian government’s fiscal revenue and expenditure projections for 2021 as broadly realistic, which should preclude further significant borrowing by the sovereign from the CBN facility this year.

“The government may nonetheless use the facility more extensively if the deficit proves wider than forecast or if external financing falls short of planned amounts.

“Monetary financing of the fiscal deficit raises challenges to monetary policy implementation, as tight management of domestic liquidity is a key tool under the CBN’s policy of prioritizing the stability of the Naira. It could also complicate official efforts to bring inflation back under control.”

It said that unlike the government, “we include this balance in our metrics for Nigeria’s government debt. Borrowing from the facility accounted for 30 per cent of the FGN’s debt at end-2019, on our estimates.”

The rating agency warned Nigeria to reduce its use of the facility in 2021 because of its weaknesses in public finance management and the current weak institutional safeguards, adding that normally, the limit for the use of the Ways and Means Financing facility by the government should be five per cent of the previous year’s fiscal revenues.

It said however that the recent borrowing from the CBN has repeatedly exceeded that limit in recent years, and reached around 80 per cent of the FGN’s 2019 revenues in 2020.

Already inflation rate has risen to above 15 per cent as prices of goods and services have hit the roof top of recent.

You’re The Unseen Heroes Of Coronavirus Pandemic, Osinbajo Tells Health Workers

Editorial staff

January 22, 2021

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described Nigeria’s public and private healthcare specialists and workers as the unseen heroes of the current coronavirus pandemic.

He said that they have been on duty day and night to ensure the safety, cure and prevention of majority of Nigerians from coronavirus, “sometimes under extremely challenging circumstances.
“Thousands of health professionals have been working tirelessly on Nigeria’s COVID-19 public health response. From the people across sample collection sites and laboratories ensuring testing, and our dedicated physicians, nurses and other health workers in treatment centres providing care to the sick, to our medical scientists that are conducting research on various aspects of this plague. We also have State Public Health Teams working hard to ensure data reporting and analysis, contact tracing, risk communications and so much more.
“Within this period, you have all worked extremely hard to activate testing in all states of our country, you have increased our knowledge of this disease, grown our capacity to swiftly identify those infected by the plague and render aid to them.
“I know that the work you do can often seem thankless and the long hours you put in unnoticed and unappreciated. Often it happens in the background and in the shadows, away from public attention and it will not often grab the headlines. But it only seems this way. In truth, this is the sort of work that builds nations and saves lives.
“When the record of our response to this unprecedented threat to our public health is written, the efforts of our healthcare professionals will occupy a significant place with the thanks of a grateful nation.”
Professor Osinbajo spoke today, January 22 at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Reference Laboratory, Gaduwa, Abuja, where he underwent a facility tour, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora and the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu.
The Vice-President also gave special commendation to NCDC, saying: “the excellent work I have witnessed today at the NCDC Reference Laboratory, is one of the best examples of how this pandemic has produced at least one silver lining, a showcasing of the remarkable skills and talents of our public health experts, here at NCDC and across the health sector.
“It is fair to say that the staff of the NCDC and all those engaged in Nigeria’s COVID-19 public health response, represent public service at its very best in Nigeria, and are an example of the type of public sector that we all want.
“So, to all staff of the NCDC and Public Health Teams across the states, thank you for the excellent work that you do. I want you all to know that your country is extremely proud of you. Incredible as it may sound, you are indeed making history every single day.”
The Vice President spoke on the ground-breaking research of several Nigerians towards creating a cure for the COVID-19 virus, saying: “last week I was in briefing meetings, listening to the landmark research of a team of Professors from LUTH who are investigating the efficacy” of some of the drugs in the therapeutic management of Covid-19 and are researching its prophylactic use.
“A few days later I was listening to Professor Christian Happi and his team who have produced a ground-breaking COVID-19 rapid test, but more remarkably, are developing a Nigerian anti Covid-19 vaccine.”
The Vice-President advised Nigerians to continue to comply with COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical measures, urging all Nigerians to comply with the advice of the scientists and healthcare professionals and to continue to take every measure to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Osinbajo assured that as a nation and people, “we will come through this period of our history as we have come through all previous seasons of adversity – by working together, protecting each other, believing in each other and committing to seeing better days ahead for our nation.”
The Vice President was taken round the laboratories and also interacted with a select group of staff even as he paid tribute to the memory of the late NCDC staff, Uche Njoku, who died in the course of service.

Polaris Bank Offers Business Loan To Small And Medium Enterprises

Editorial staff

January 22, 2021

Polaris Bank has announced the introduction of a cash flow lending product to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) tagged; Polaris Business Loan.

In statement today, January 22, the band said that the loan facility offers both existing and new SME customers of the Bank the opportunity to access quick loans for stock replacement, equipment finance, working capital and business expansion to sustain and scale up in the business.

“This forms part of the lender’s continuous efforts to support the growth of small and medium scale businesses.

The loans, according to the statement, can be used for a wide range of purposes such as stock replacement and purchase of raw materials, renovation and expansion, Asset acquisition etc.

It said that those who take the SMEs business loans are also eligible to access free tailor-made capacity building trainings which is offered periodically by the Polaris Business Advisory Academy.

The statement quoted the Bank’s Group Head, Products & Market Development, Mrs. Adebimpe Ihekuna, as saying: “the difficulty which used to characterize one of the challenges faced by SMEs in accessing funding for their business is now a thing of the past, adding that the Bank do not only offer loans but financial advisory; as well as empowerment programs on business intelligence.”

The statement directed both the existing and new customers of the Bank to visit any Polaris Bank branch to complete the loan application process or send an email to smebusiness@polarisbanklimited.com for assistance.

Nigerian Universities In The News Again: Workers Threaten Strike From February 5

Greenbarge Reporters

January 22, 2021

Nigerian universities are back in the news again after 10 months of closure as a result of nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). This time, the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Non- Academic Staff of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), threatening to go on an “indefinite, comprehensive and total strike,” with effect from Friday, 5th February 2021.

The proposed strike is coming about a month after ASUU called off its strike, which paralyzed all academic activities in the university system for over 10 months.

Speaking to news men today, January 22 in Abuja, the leadership of the unions, warned that if the government failed to address all the issues in contention, the strike would commence from the midnight of February 5.

The General Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peters Adeyemi, who spoke on behalf of JAC leadership said the decision to declared the strike was based on the resolutions of the congress held across the branches.

Giving details of the congress resolution, Comrade Adeyemi explained that 90 per cent of NASU members in all its branches across the country were in support of strike; while only 10 per cent were against strike.

Equally, he explained that 83 per cent of SSANU members were clearly in support of strike, while 11 per cent were against strike, and 6 per cent indifferent.

“It is in line with the resolution of our members nationwide, that the leadership of the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU hereby resolve as follows: That members of NASU and SSANU shall embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike with effect from midnight of Friday, 5th February 2021.

“That two weeks’ notice effective from today, Friday 22nd January 2021, is hereby given to Government and relevant stakeholders of this development.”

He explained that JAC of NASU and SSANU reached an understanding with the Federal Government and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday 20 October, last year on all the contentious issues affecting the university system and the welfare of their members.

The issues involved are: Inconsistencies in IPPIS payment; Non- payment of Earned Allowances; Non- payment of arrears of National Minimum Wage; Delay in renegotiation of FGN/ NASU and SSANU 2009 Agreements.

They also include Non- payment of Retirement benefits of outgone members; Teaching staff usurping Headship of Non-Teaching units in clear violation of Conditions of Service and Establishment procedures; Neglect and poor funding of state universities; and Non-constitution of Visitation Panels for Universities.

He regretted that out of the items upon which agreements were reached, only one item- constitution of Visitation Panels has been implemented.

“Our friends in the media, having painstakingly taken you through all the issues as agreed upon in the October 2020 Memorandum of Understanding with Government, it should be easy for you to deduce that out of the seven items upon which agreements were reached, only one item- constitution of Visitation Panels has been implemented. Even that item was not implemented within the time-line as agreed upon and is still only partially implemented.

“It was against this background that the national protests were embarked on the January 12 to 14, 2021, with a view to drawing the attention of necessary stakeholders to the issues and seeking redress as appropriate. Sadly, till date, no response has been gotten and it would seem that the government played deaf to our protests and lamentations.

“As stated earlier, the Joint Action Committee of NASU and SSANU had been very circumspect about embarking on strike action. It has never been our style to undertake strike actions at the drop of a hat. Sadly, it would appear that our non-belligerent modes of engagement have been taken for weakness and our belief in civil engagement and dialogue has been taken for granted.

“It is against this backdrop and in a democratic spirit that the leadership of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU threw back the decision after the three- day protests to the various memberships across branches on the way forward and the resolutions have been overwhelming.

“The resolutions across the Branches have been overwhelming and convey the disenchantment of members over the sorry state of affairs.”

Boko Haram Regroup In Nasarawa, Causing Havoc, Gov Sule Alerts President Buhari

Editorial staff

January 22, 2021

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has ran to President Muhammadu Buhari, asking him to do something urgent against members of the outlawed Book Haram who are currently regrouping in borders with Benue State.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a private audience with the President today, January 22 at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Governor Sule said that his state after the challenge with a team of Boko Haram who settled at the border with the FCT was addressed then as they were dislodged by the security forces, “now, they have gone back and gathered at our border with Benue. And they are causing a lot of havoc.”

The Governor said that his government confirmed their status as Boko Haram fighters from the families of those who were killed during their first appearance in the state.

“If you remember, they used to gather at a place called Utu in Toto Local Government Area. When I came here the last time, I appealed to Mr President. Then, the department of State Services (DSS), the Police, the Air Force, and the Army had a joint operation. And they were able to dislodge them. When they dislodged them, a lot of them were killed. “Some of them ran away and left members of their families. We took hostage of about 900 members of their families in Lafia, including children and wives.

“The Special Forces which we have in Doma, Nasarawa State, took the hostages. A lot of interrogations were done and most of them confirmed that they were indeed Boko Haram.

“In fact, they gave us the name of the person who used to be like the second-in-command to Shekau. So, during the interrogation, they confirmed themselves that they were indeed Boko Haram. Some of them said they were remnants of Darussalam group that were dislodged from Niger.

“They came, merged, and became Boko Haram. That is how we got our confirmation that they were indeed Boko Haram. They said it themselves.”

Lagos Revenue Service Advises Employers To File Their Annual Tax Returns To Avoid Penalties

Greenbarge Reporters

January 22, 2021

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has advised all employers of labour in the State to file their Company’s Annual Tax Returns on or before the statutory deadline of January 31, 2021 to avoid penalties.

The Revenue Service, in a statement today, January 22, by Head of its Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, said that the call for the submission of the annual tax returns is in line with the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) Cap P8 LFN 2011 (as amended).

The statement said that the Agency’s eTax platform, launched in October, 2019 gives taxpayers the opportunity to comply with all COVID-19 protocols, by filing their tax returns from the comfort of their offices or homes.

“In addition, all digital platforms and tax portals are available for taxpayers’ use and convenience.”

The statement explained that the Annual Tax Returns, which show each employee’s emoluments and tax paid in year 2020, are to be filed via LIRS online portals only, as manual filing is no longer acceptable.

“Tax assessments, payments and other tax administration matters can also be carried out on the same platforms. The LIRS customer care hotline: 0700 CALL LIRS (0700-2255-5477), website: www.lirs.gov.ng, chat rooms and the various social media platforms @lirsgovng are available for enquiries.

The statement quoted the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair as saying that in the face of the prevailing realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on businesses, penalties and fines might be an additional burden on companies’ finances.

He therefore advised all employers of labour to file their returns within the period stipulated by law.

“The essence of the ongoing media campaign and numerous reminders and appeals to companies on this statutory obligation, is to ensure they file early, to avoid sanctions.

“The steps to file are available on all our communication channels, however, taxpayers with difficulties filing are also welcome to seek assistance with specially designated staff at our tax stations.

“We have made the process simple, quick, secure and reliable for our esteemed taxpayers. We are also available on various digital platforms to assist taxpayers on the process of e-filing.”

The Revenue Service reminded all Lagos State residents and businesses the need for them to stay safe and obey all Covid-19 guidelines as stipulated by the relevant health authorities and the Lagos State Government.

Federal Govt Blames Conornavirus, #EndSARS Protests For Rising Cement Prices

Editorial staff

January 21, 2021

The Federal Government has attributed last year’s #EndSARS protests and coronavirus pandemic to rising prices of cement in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who said this at an event in Abuja, explained that the development affected the volume of stock levels in the supply chain due to reduction of cash flow of major distributors and high cost of transportation.

Market surveys show that prices of cement and associated products, such as blocks, in many states, including Abuja, have continued to rise.

For instance, the price of a 50-kilogramme bag now goes for N3, 700 in Lagos and Cross River states; N4,000 in Enugu and Imo states; Rivers state N4,300; Abuja N3,700; Kano and Oyo states N3,500.

Until the last quarter of the year, cement was sold for between N2,400 and N2,500 in many of the states. While nine-inch block in Enugu is sold at N200, and six-inch block goes for N160 per block, in Abuja, nine inches block sells for N180 and six inches for N160 as against the previous N150 and N130 respectively.

Speaking on the development, Sani-Gwarzo cautioned the general public against panic purchase of cement due to the recent price increase of products in some parts of the country.

He said that the Ministry has been working assiduously to engage all the relevant stakeholders in the cement manufacturing sector to address the lingering situation.

The Permanent Secretary said that there has been a massive build-up of demand from public works contractors as they are in a hurry to meet milestones and deadlines on projects across the country.

He said that to address the situation, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, would be engaging with relevant stakeholders in the cement industry with a view to meeting the increased demand of the commodity.

“We urge the public not to embark on panic buying and storage of the product as the current market price is temporary.”

He assured the general public that government will continue to be on the alert to its responsibility of ensuring goods and services are available at reasonable prices.

He said that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation while encouraging them to support market intelligence efforts by making relevant information available on the product.

18 Kids Rescued From Traffickers Yet To Be Claimed By Parents 2 Years After – Police

Editorial staff

January 21, 2021

The Anambra State Police Command has said that no fewer than 18 children it rescued from traffickers remained unclaimed two years after.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement in Awka, the state capital, said that the command had arrested four women allegedly involved in the trafficking of the children.

“It will be recalled that on October 22, 2019, following an intelligence report, police operatives attached to the Anambra State Police Command arrested three female suspects at the Nkpor Market/Tarzan junction in the Idemili North LGA of Anambra State with three children suspected to have been stolen.

“Investigations revealed that the children were stolen from Gombe State by one Hauwa Usman on the October 20, 2019 and brought to her accomplices in Anambra State.

“Following the public announcement by the command on October 27, 2019, the parents of two of the kids from Gombe State came to Awka and identified their children.

“The children have since been reunited with their parents and the suspects were handed over to the Gombe State Police Command for discreet investigation and prosecution.

“Upon interrogation by the police in Gombe State, the suspects voluntarily confessed that they usually steal the children and bring them to their sponsor, one Mrs Nkechi Odinye, here in Anambra State, who buys each child at the rate of between N200,000 and N400,000, depending on their age and gender.

“Following voluntary confession by the suspects and while acting on a tip-off, police detectives attached to the 3-3 Division, in Collaboration with operatives attached to the command’s Special Anti-Cult Section, stormed the hideout of the principal suspect, one Mrs Nkechi Odinye, aged 55, and effected her arrest at Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“The suspect had hitherto evaded arrest for over three years by changing locations until her arrest.

“The team equally recovered from her custody 16 other children of various age brackets, comprising 10 boys and six girls, reasonably suspected to have been stolen from different parts of the country.

“Both the suspect and the found children were handed over to the Gombe State Police Command; four of the children were identified and reunited with their biological parents after exhaustive investigation and forensic analysis, including DNA tests. Also, one of them was handed over to the parents in Asaba, Delta State.

“However, on January 18, 2021, the Gombe State Police Command returned 11 unclaimed children, comprising seven boys and four girls, to Anambra State, where the children were originally found.

“They were subsequently handed over to the Anambra State Ministry for Social Welfare, Women and Children’s Affairs for safe keeping until their biological parents emerge.

“Meanwhile, the command now has a total of 18 unclaimed children rescued from suspected child traffickers.”

While calling on members of the public to disseminate the message to enable the parents and close relatives of the children to come out, identify and collect them, Mohammed appealed to anyone with useful information about the kids to report at the Area Command, Onitsha; the 3-3 Divisional Police Station, Nkwelle Ezunaka, or contact the PPRO, Anambra State Police Command.

Source: The Punch.

President Biden Ends Travel Ban On Muslim Nations, Withdrawal From WHO, Others

Editorial staff

January 21, 2021

The new President of the United States of America, Joe Biden has signed executive orders to end ex President Donald Trump’s travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, including Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria, and Sudan, and also halt Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).

The American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit civil rights organization, applauded the move, describing the travel policy a “cruel Muslim ban that targeted Africans.”

Critics had called the policy – one of the first moves by Donald Trump when he became president in 2017 – a “Muslim ban.”

However, the ban was changed, in part due to legal challenges, and included some non majority-Muslim nations. This even as President Biden described the policy as discriminatory and an affront to the country’s values.

President Biden, in his first day in office, in the 17 executive orders he signed yesterday, January 2o, restored the right of the US to rejoin the Paris climate accord, saying: “there’s no time to waste. These are just all starting points.”

President Biden made rejoining the climate agreement a key point of his presidential campaign, vowing to undo former president Donald Trump’s policy.

United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres welcomed the U.S. president’s move.

“Following last year’s Climate Ambition Summit, countries producing half of global carbon pollution had committed to carbon neutrality,” Guterres said.

“Today’s commitment by President Biden brings that figure to two-thirds,” the UN chief added.

Ex President Trump, who long railed against the global agreement signed by almost every country, notified the UN of his intent to exit the deal in 2019 and the U.S. formally left in November 2020.

The move also led to a sharp decrease in U.S. contributions to a fund to help poorer nations cope with climate change.

President Biden submitted a letter to UN Chief Guterres saying the U.S. intended to stay in the WHO, halting Trump’s withdrawal, which was scheduled for July of this year.

The U.S. will be a “full participant and a global leader” in confronting the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and other public health threats, Biden said in a letter to UN chief Guterres that rescinded U.S’s. withdrawal from WHO.

President Biden also issued an executive order halting construction of a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico, dealing a blow to one of Trump’s signature policy goals meant to keep South American immigrants out of the US.

The president also signed an executive order mandating that people wear masks in all federal buildings and on federal lands in an effort to fight the spread of the coronavirus.

“Wearing masks isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a patriotic act that can save countless lives.

“It’s time to mask up, America,” Biden wrote on the official presidential Twitter account.

Ex President Trump had long downplayed the need to wear masks and avoided wearing masks in public even as COVID-19 pandemic killed over 400,000 people during his tenure as president.

As part of his executive order, Biden asked everyone in the U.S. to wear a mask when in public for at least the next 100 days.

Biden’s transition team said earlier that the executive orders were meant to reverse “the gravest damages of the Trump administration.”

The Democrat made the policies cornerstones of his presidential election campaign, seeking to reverse tougher immigration rules, a lax attitude on public health and an aversion to international cooperation on climate change seen under his predecessor.

The president has also sent a bill to Congress to overhaul the country’s immigration system, his team said earlier.

The legislation aims to provide pathways to U.S. citizenship for undocumented people, address the root causes of migration and speed up the reunification of families after children were separated from parents at the U.S. border with Mexico.

Biden has already made it clear he aims to push for another 1.9 trillion dollars in relief and stimulus to help the economy through the coming months of the pandemic.

This will involve working with Congress, where he is likely to meet some resistance to more spending, after the U.S. government has already pumped trillions into the economy since March.

However, jobless data is worrying and businesses are suffering.

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