The Navy Headquarters in Abuja has declared 43 personnel wanted and requested anyone with useful information that could lead to their arrest to report to the nearest Naval facility or police station.
A circular containing the names and photographs of the deserters also mandated all naval personnel with information on the whereabouts of the missing personnel to arrest them “or be dealt with as an accomplice.”
Although no reason was given for the disappearance of the officers, it was gathered that most of the officers, who were serving on Naval Vessels on foreign missions absconded when their ships berthed in Europe.
The circular read: “Above are the Nigerian Navy personnel who have deserted from Service recently.
“Accordingly, you are pleased requested to assist in providing useful information that will lead to their arrest or you may apprehend any one of them when seen and handover to the nearest Nigerian Navy base or security station.”
The memo also provided contact telephone numbers, where information relating to the movement of the wanted officers could be relayed.
The Senate has expressed worry over the loss of over $9 Billion estimated revenue loss as a result of illegal mining and smuggling of gold from Nigeria and wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to probe it.
The Senate, today, December, also mandated the Committee on Solid Minerals, Mines, Steel Development and Metallurgy to investigate all such illegal mining and revenue leakages associated with the illegal mining activities.
The resolutions were made sequel to a motion sponsored by former Abia state governor and Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
The Senator, representing Abia North, in his motion said: “Nigeria lost close to $54billion from 2012-2018 due to illegal smuggling of gold. The country is said to be losing about $9billion yearly to illegal mining and gold exportation, a huge amount of money unaccounted for through under the radar sales of the expensive commodity.”
The Abia North senator maintained that “the activities of unlicensed miners were becoming prevalent within the industry and the incessant smuggling of solid minerals out of the country by middlemen and smugglers, is leading to loss of government revenue.”
According to him, gold mining operations in the country is capable of providing over 250, 000 jobs and over $500million annually in royalties and taxes to the federal government and as mineral resources.
He further submitted that the mining sector, if well harnessed could boost the nation foreign exchange earnings.
“Given our current estimated gold reserves of over 200million ounces, most of which have not been exploited, developing sustainable programmes that will catalyse increased investment in the extraction and refining of gold sourced from mines in Nigeria, is indeed vital.”
The former Abia state expressed reservations over the illegal mining operations in certain states in the country which he noted was a breach of the Constitution which placed mining in the exclusive legislative list.
In his contribution, Senator representing Kogi west, Smart Adeyemi also stressed the need for government to seal up illegal mining activities since it also undermines national security.
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari has vowed that the Corporation will bring down the unit cost of oil production in the country to $10 per barrel, so as to remain competitive in the Industry and deliver value to all Nigerians.
A statement from the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, quoted Mele Kyari as making the pledge during the 20th Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference (NOG) themed: “Fortifying the Nigerian Oil & Gas Industry for Economic Stability & Growth” which held virtually.
The Group Managing Director projected that the global demand in the oil and gas industry will remain suppressed substantially till the end of 2020 but, however, noted that despite all the forecasts, oil will continue to play a significant role in the energy mix till 2050.
“So, it doesn’t mean oil will vanish. What it means is that in terms of its significance, in terms of the volumes of contribution, it will reduce as the years go by. It is also true that many countries have made significant business decisions in the use of fossil fuel, including the United Kingdom, which has said that no car will run on fossil fuel in the next 10 years. This portends a huge change in the way we consume fuel and as we progress, many countries may follow suit.”
The NNPC boss observed that the ensuing global oil challenge will have an impact on NNPC’s production, which means that the Corporation must become more cost-efficient and be quick to the market.
“As a National Oil Company (NOC), looking forward to 2021 means we have to be more resilient and efficient in our operations. As a country, we have decided to bring down the cost of our oil production so as to remain competitive, be able to get to market earlier and remain in this game and ultimately, return value to our shareholders.”
He said that the NNPC is already working hard to deepen domestic gas utilisation by emplacing the right fiscal environment and the right infrastructure in order to generate more employment and broaden Nigeria’s economy.
According to the GMD, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is the key enabler that would ensure NNPC’s fiscal environment becomes more competitive and transparent, where investors can project into the next 30 years.
Also in attendance at the event were some prominent Oil Industry personalities which include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mr. Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo; the Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwalu; Managing Director, Nigeria LNG, Mr Tony Attah and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote.
In his remarks at the occasion, Chief Timipre Sylva, assessed the state of the sector, agreeing that urgent steps must be taken to ensure its survival.
“For us in the Ministry of Petroleum, we are looking at the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), which will boost the use of natural gas in the short and medium terms. It is also part of the plan by the federal government to shift from crude oil to gas. We have initiated actions to improve gas accessibility and availability, and promote gas-based industrialisation as well as economic diversification.”
This was even as the OPEC scribe Barkindo said that in the last couple of months, the oil and gas industry in Nigeria has rebounded by over 116 per cent due to the robust decisions taken by key stakeholders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said played a pivotal role in the OPEC Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) document.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has stopped President Muhammadu Buhari from appearing before the joint session of the National Assembly to speak on the state of the security in the country.
In a statement today, December 9, titled: ‘Buhari’s Summon: NASS Operates Outside Constitutional Bounds,’ Malami insisted that the National Assembly has no power to invite President Buhari., adding that the NASS lacks the constitutional powers to invite the President as he is not answerable to them.
In the statement, Malami said: “the management and control of the security sector is exclusively vested in the President by Section 218 (1) of the Constitution as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces including the power to determine the operational use of the Armed Forces.
“An invitation that seeks to put the operational use of the Armed Forces to a public interrogation is indeed taking the constitutional rights of law-making beyond bounds.
“As the Commander-in-Chief, the President has exclusivity on security and has confidentiality over security. These powers and rights, he does not share.
“So, by summoning the President on national security operational matters, the House of Representative operated outside constitutional bounds.
“The President’s exclusivity of constitutional confidentiality investiture within the context of the constitution remains sacrosanct.”
Malami insisted that though the President could freely address the National Assembly if, and anytime he wants, the House has no constitutional power to summon him to do so.
“Mr. President has enjoyed Constitutional privileges attached to the office of the President including exclusivity and confidentiality investiture in security operational matters, which remains sacrosanct.
“The National Assembly has no constitutional power to envisage or contemplate a situation where the President would be summoned on the operational use of the Armed Forces.
“The right of the President to engage the National Assembly and appear before it is inherently discretionary in the President and not at the behest of the National Assembly.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has recorded tremendous success in containing the hitherto incessant bombing, colossal killings, wanton destruction of lives and property that bedeviled the country before attaining the helm of affairs of the country in 2015.
“The confidentiality of strategies employed by the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not open for public exposure in view of security implications in probable undermining of the war against terror.
“The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental to the reclaiming of over 14 local governments previously controlled by the Boko Haram in North East is an open secret; the strategies for such achievement are not open for public expose.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives had, last week, invited Buhari to appear before a joint session of the National Assembly over the rising insecurity in the country following the killing of rice farmers in Zabarmari community in Jere local government area of Borno State on Saturday, November 28.
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Garba Shehu, had confirmed that the President would honour the invitation of the National Assembly on Thursday, December 10, to address the joint session.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has said that there is freedom of religion in Nigeria contrary to the feeling expressed by the United States, which made it to place Nigeria on religious freedom blacklist.
Reacting to the US position, in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the CAN President, Adebayo Oladeji, the Association expressed reservation on the position of the US, adding that the implication of such religious freedom blacklist could result in possible sanctions.
It said though that there are other religious persecutions in most of the states of the federation, especially in the Northern part of the country, alleging that in many states like Kano and Jigawa, Christians are denied the Certificate of Occupancy and churches are not allowed to purchase lands and they have to go through individuals and even if that is done, they will be denied the Certificate of Occupancy.
The statement described such policy as discriminatory policies, adding that as religious persecutions, mosques are built wherever they desire and no government dares to ask for any document.
”In education, Christians are not allowed to study courses like Medicine and Law in some universities in the North and in most federal owned universities in the North, Christians are not allowed to become the Vice-Chancellor even if they are qualified.
The statement said that in the University of Ilorin, in the last 25 years or more, no Christian has been allowed to be its Vice-Chancellor.
”About 95 percent of those who head security agencies are sharing the same faith with the President, pointing out that some agencies, Christians are replaced with Muslims. This is what we witness every day.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Communications Commission has announced a suspension of sale and registration of SIM cards.
A statement today, December 9, quoted the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, as having directed the NCC to order suspension and activation of new SIM cards, to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database.
The Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, who said the statement, said that the suspension of the sales and registration of new SIM cards is in line with Federal Government’s desire to consolidate the achievement of September 2019 SIM card registration.
The statement said that the objective of the audit was to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements as issued by the ministry and the commission.
“Accordingly, Mobile Network Operators are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM cards until the audit is concluded, and government has conveyed the new direction.
“Where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the commission, following approval from the government.
“MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating licence,” he said.
The statement called on Nigerians to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators as the minister earlier directed in January.
Below is a statement from the commission on the directive:
“In line with the Federal Government desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September, 2019, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to embark on another audit of the Subscriber Registration Database again.”
“The objective of the audit exercise is to verify and ensure compliance by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) with the set quality standards and requirements of SIM Card Registration as issued by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Commission.”
“Accordingly, MNOs are hereby directed to immediately suspend the sale, registration and activation of new SIM Cards until the audit exercise is concluded, and Government has conveyed the new direction. However, where it is absolutely necessary, exemption may be granted in writing by the Commission following approval from the Federal Government.”
“MNOs are to please note that non-compliance with this directive will be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.”
“As the Minister has earlier directed in January, 2020, all citizens are urged to immediately secure Digital Identification from the National Identity Management Commission and submit it to the Network Operators.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan Argungu
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, his sack took effect
from yes, December 7th, 2020.
There was no reason given for the sudden sack but the President has asked the Supervising Minister of the Agency, the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, to nominate an Acting DG from amongst the most Senior Directors based on competencies and seniority to take over from Dr. Argungu until a substantive holder of the post is appointed by Mr. President.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered officers of Ebonyi State Police Command to shoot anybody that put their lives into danger.
“When your life is danger, you use your fire arm. You are meant to maim and not to kill that person.”
The Inspector General, who spoke today, December 8 at the Command Headquarters, Abakaliki, during a one-day working visit to the State, said that Police officers are special breed of Nigerians charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and properties of citizens of the country.
He expressed displeasure in the huge number of police that were killed and destruction of police stations during the last EndSars protests, adding that such violent protests will never be allowed to happen again in the country.
Mohammed Adamu directed men and officers of the Nigerian Police to use maximum force to suppress any form of violent protests and to follow laid down rules of engagement.
He called on Police officers not to be demoralized as a result of the negative impact that occasioned the EndSars protests as the police high Command had put modalities in place to ensure improvement in the welfare of all serving and retired officers.
“When your life is danger you, use your fire arm. You are not meant to kill but to maim. Shot the suspect on the leg not on the heart. “Endsars protests created a lot of problems for the Nigerian Police and the country. This protest came as a result of what many people have yearning about.
“The Endsars started as a result of fake news provided by the social media. There have been lots of reforms has been putting in place.
“The Endsars protests started from Delta, to Lagos and other parts of the country. The motive behind the protests was not endsars but attack on government. Police provided them cover.
“Their aim was not peaceful protest as it turned violence few days after. The reason was to attack the police that can protect the citizens and corporate offices in the country. “Police has the capability to prevent loss of lives. We are meant to protect and not to destroy lives. It was through maximum restraint we saved the country from anarchy. We proved that during the protests, the police can be trusted.
“The President supported the police and the Governor’s forum, saying that we love our police. What happened because of attack on police, has the tendency for the police to be demoralized as Banks, companies, private and public properties were destroyed.
“Other sectors were attacked; police was not only the worse hit. Nigeria police will never again accept such type of violent protest. If you want to protest we will provide security but it should be within the law. “We shall suppress violent protests with maximum force and follow the rules of engagement. Police officers are special breed of Nigerians specially trained.
“The officers that died did not die in vain. We have promoted them and look into the issue of compensation. Welfare issues will be addressed including myself. We have health insurance scheme. “In January, 2021, there will be renovation of barracks and new ones will be built. Let us not be demoralized.
“Follow the rules of engagement. Go out with the authority that backs you in line with the constitution. ” In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Philip Sule Maku stated that the Command lost four police officers, 11 police structures, a total of 20 vehicles as 14 police officers sustained varying degrees of injury in the cause of the Endsars protests in the country.”
President Muhammadu Buhari is talking tough on the moves by some people to return to the streets with EndSARS protest, saying that his government will not tolerate it.
President Buhari sounded a strong warning about reoccurrence of the EndSARS protest, saying that no responsible government will allow that to happen, stressing that violent demonstrations will no longer be allowed.
“Democracy does not mean confusion or lack of accountability.”
The President, who had a meeting with governors from the six geo-political zones in the country, said that the recent wave of ENDSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums to cause mayhem and destroy private and public property and that he would not want a repeat performance of the same thing again.
“We do not stop anyone from demonstrating, but you don’t set up roadblocks and smash windscreens. Which government will allow that?’’
President Buhari noted that the foreign press coverage of the EndSARS violence was not balanced, citing specifically the CNN and BBC, for omitting the number of policemen killed, police stations that were razed, and the prisons that were thrown open for inmates to escape.
“I was disgusted by the coverage, which did not give attention to the policemen that were killed, the stations that were burnt, and prisons that were opened. They said we are all at fault. We don’t have the sympathy of anyone. We are on our own.”
On the eight-month long strike by Academic Staff Union of Universities, the President said lecturers had not taken into consideration the larger challenges facing the country.
“Government conceded something. The problem is that they refused to look at the problem of the whole country. The Minister of Labour is working hard at it. It is amazing how ASUU will stay out of classrooms for so long. There’s a need for our elites to understand the challenges facing the country.”
The National Population Commission (NPC) has said that the current country’s population figure is officially 206 million.
Chairman of the Commission, Nasir Kwarra, briefing reporters today, December 8 in Abuja on the commencement of the next Enumeration Area Demarcation, said that since Nigeria had not been able to hold a census in the last 14 years, it would be difficult to know the exact population of the country.
“In the absence of actual census, we formally do projections and we have all along been doing our projections and we estimate that as of 2020, the estimated population of Nigeria 206 million.”
He said that the date for the holding of next census in the country can only be announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has the sole right to do so, saying however, that Buhari would do the needful soon.
According to him, the commission is working on getting Buhari to make the proclamation.
Buhari had last two months approved N10 billion for the NPC to enable the commission to continue its Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in 540 local government areas across the country.
The president also approved an additional N4. 5 billion to be included in the 2021 budget for the completion of preparation for the next census.
While announcing the commencement of the Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise, Kwarra said that about 260 local government areas out of the 774 in the country had been fully demarcated.
He said that the 11th phase of the exercise would begin on December 9, 2020, and end on January 20, 2011, adding: “planning for the census is anchored on the EAD as the basis for estimating both the human and material resources required for the census. In essence, the success of a credible and accurate census depends very much on the quality and reliability of the EAD.”
NPC boss said that the EAD exercise is not the enumeration of persons living in the country but a preparatory exercise before the census.
He said the NPC would be assisting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create digitised maps of INEC registration areas for the first time as part of the EAD.
He said this collaboration would positively affect future elections.
“It is important to state that the latest technology is being deployed for this EAD exercise, including the use of very high-resolution satellite imageries as the base map, the use of GPS for georeferencing and the use of GIS for data management.
“Also, personal data assistants (handheld devices/tablets) that include computer software for population estimation are being used for data capture.”
He said that data can also be used to tackle the security situation in the country.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr. Nasiru Mohammed Ladan Argungu
President Muhammadu Buhari is talking tough on the moves by some people to return to the streets with EndSARS protest, saying that his government will not tolerate it.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has said that the current country’s population figure is officially 206 million.
