Police Boss To Officers: Tighten Your Belts As Christmas, New Year Festivities Approach

November 27, 2020

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed A Adamu has ordered Commissioners of Police across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the 17 Zonal Commands, to revamp the security architecture in their Area of Responsibilities ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities.

The IGP who gave the order today, November 27 at a meeting with Strategic Police Officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, directed the officers to ensure optimal deployment to cover all vulnerable areas toward a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Mohammed Adamu said that the meeting was convened to review the general security situation in the country particularly in the aftermath of the EnedSARS protest and deliberate on challenges impinging on effective policing and internal security management concerns in the country.

He commended the officers for the leadership they provided at the field level during the EndSARS crisis and for their roles in guaranteeing a stable security order across the country.

The IGP assured the citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force towards ensuring their safety and security especially as the Christmas season approaches even as he called for their continuous understanding, support and encouragement to the Police.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, who addressed the meeting, assured the Strategic Officers of the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the interest of the Police and providing adequate logistics to meet the operational needs of the Force.

According to him, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning et.al, is evolving special funding interventions to aid optimal performances by the Police.

Why All Igbos Should Join APC – Gov Uzodinma Of Imo State

Editorial staff

November 27, 2020

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has asked all Igbo speaking people in the southeast to join en-mass, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain relevant in the nation’s scheme of things.

Governor Uzodimna, who spoke to newsmen today, November 27, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja said: “I think if it’s possible for all of us to belong to the APC since the APC as I speak to you now has the best political manifesto, programmes and government in power, I see nothing wrong in all of us joining APC based on conviction not that you are coerced into joining APC.

“Everybody that is not in the APC now in the southeast is a target. It’s not only governors. It includes those who are not governors, the entire political class. The whole idea is making the ideology of the party known to the people, allaying their fears, and encouraging them to come.

“Once you believe in Nigeria and you have a pan-Nigeria attitude, of course, you will go for a national party. There is no gainsaying that if you are not with the national party, and you choose to be in opposition, of course, you will continue to fast (go hungry) until God answers your prayers.

“But we that are in the ruling, of course, what it will take us to solve certain problems may be different from what it will take somebody who is not very close to the source of authority to solve his own problems.”

“But if you voluntarily come into APC, our dream is to have every citizens of Nigeria become a member of our party because we have to be ambitious.”

The Imo state governor said that the APC’s desire is to have as many as possible politicians within its rank as a national party to encourage national unity and cohesion.

“Well, I must count myself very lucky. After I emerged as APC governor, I used to be an orphan. You will agree with me I have a brother now, who is also in APC.

“My hope is that the region will see the reason and the wisdom in coming over to the ruling party because the ruling party is a national party.

“There is no way you can compare what your people will get in an opposition party to what they will get from the ruling party. APC is the ruling party which has access to the federal government. And because our preaching and gospel has always been how to unite Nigeria, how to encourage national unity, national integration, and national cohesion.

“It will be more cost effective to have my people, the people of southeast see reason and join APC, the national party. I’m very optimistic that gradually, we will get there. It’s a matter of convincing our people, which we are doing.”

Asked whether the APC’s drive for opposition politicians is to achieve a one-party state, he said: “I don’t think so. if you recall our history from 1999 till date, you will agreee with me that at a time PDP had 28 states and they were still looking to remove the very few states of the other parties.

“Now how many states do we have as APC? And the whole thing about politics is like evangelism. Every serious political party must have an expansionist mentality to expand their membership.

“I think we will continue to encourage our people because the whole idea is that once the idealogy is right, the system is working, nobody wants to go to a war that he will lose. So, you join those who are winning.

“What we are doing in the south East as a party is carrying the message of the party. Before this time some of us beloved that we should have marketed the ideologies and policies better than the past leadership did.

“What we are trying to do is to explain to our people the need to see that this Nigerian project belongs to all of us and if you jump out of the train, don’t accuse anybody of pushing you out of the train.

“It is not about whether you want to be president now or not. You don’t get presidential ticket by the market square, it is the decision of the political party, you must be loyal to your political party.

“So, I know that my brother Umahi is politically strong in the southeast and joining APC would add to the value of the party in my region, but he never told me he is coming because he will be president.

“So, I want the people who want to cause confusion and create bad name for Governor Umahi to run run away from that point and then encourage our people who have decided to align with the ruling party.”

Bankers Committee Raises N39 Billion For, Spends N43 Billion On Coronavirus Palliative

Editorial staff

November 25, 2020

The Bankers Committee, made up of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Deposit Money Banks as well as key stakeholders in the private sector have collectively raised a total sum of N39,646,100,039.00 to support work with the government in providing support in areas that would result in improved health and societal outcomes following the outbreak of coronavirus.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who briefed news men today, November 25 on the efforts of the Bankers Committee, in Coalition Alliance Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), said that the sum of N43,272,562,831 had so far been spent on the acquisition of , not only medical equipment and supplies , but also Food palliatives for the vulnerable.

He said that the Coalition was formed in view of the funding challenge faced by Federal and State governments and the need to improve the capacity of the health institutions to deal with emerging cases of COVID-19 in the country.

“We sought to aid the governments in improving testing capability, and management office positive cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. In addition, CACOVID was expected to provide palliatives to vulnerable members of our society, particularly those who earn daily incomes, and had been severely affected by the lockdown.

“As a result of these objectives, CACOVID requested and indeed received an outpouring of support from over 200 well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organizations, who provided in kind donations, as well as funds to the tune of N39,646,100,039.00 billion in support of the fight against COVID-19.

“In order to ensure that these funds were judiciously utilized, a transparent and accountable framework was put in place by highly rated firms of chartered accountants. We engaged KPMG Professional Services as book keepers and MessrsEnrst and Young as Auditors.Ladies and Gentlemen , in Line with our promise to be open and Transparent in the utilization of the funds donated by our partners, CACOVID has today decided to provide the general public with full details relating to the procurement of goods and services along with the disbursement schedule of procured items. These details will be posted on our websitein due course.

“The funds raised by CACOVID was used to support3 key priorities. These priorities include;

“MedicalFacilities and Equipment – Working with other stakeholders, CACOVID developed39 fully equipped isolation centers across the 36 States of the Country including the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT) . The sum of N4,194,262,899 was spent in Building Isolation Centers. In addition, medical equipments such as PCR test kits for suspected cases of COVID-19were procured along with other required medical items at a cost of N9,017,561,723. This support by CACOVIDenabledmany states to deal with an unexpected surge in cases of COVID-19.

“Food relief programs – As part of our efforts to cushion the effects of the lockdown onvulnerable Nigerians affected by the restrictions in movement, CACOVID provided palliatives in the form of essential food items to 1.7m households, which is equivalent to supporting 8 million Nigerians. A total of N28,767,590,517 was spent procuring these Food supplies.These palliatives were acknowledged and disbursed by various state governments; and a schedule showing the various quantities and dates of delivery will also be posted on our website for public scrutiny. “Our intention for distributing these items through the State Government , just like in the case of the isolation centers was based on the thinking that the state governments has the closest contacts with the most vulnerable in our society for whom these support were meant.

“Communication Plans –CACOVID also worked to improve awareness in rural communities on the COVID-19 virus, and the measures community health workers and other members of society should take when someone in the community is suspected of having symptoms similar to that of COVID-19. Print, TV, radio and social media were leveraged as part of CACOVID communication plans.

“We would like to use this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to well-meaning Nigerians and businesses, who supported CACOVID in its effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria, as well as in the support provided to vulnerable Nigerians.”

Court Commences Trial Of Nnamdi Kanu In Absentai For Treasonable Felony

Editorial staff

November 25, 2020

The Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed tomorrow, November 26 for the commencement of the trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu in absentia for treasonable felony.

Copies of the hearing notice were served on the prosecution team today, November 25, in the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor.

The Federal Government has lined up five prosecution witnesses to testify against Kanu who fled the country in 2017.

The IPOB leader was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) in November 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, criminal conspiracy, intimidation and membership of an illegal organization.

He was granted bail by Justice Binta Nyako on health reasons on April 25, 2017.

However, the judge on March 28, 2019, revoked the bail granted Kanu and ordered his arrest.

She directed that his trial on charges of a treasonable felony would proceed in his absence.

But the court had not had any sitting on the case since then.

Niger Govt Offers To Pay Workers 70 Percent Of Their Monthly Salaries

Editorial staff

November 25, 2020

Niger State Government has said that it will henceforth be paying its workers 70 per cent of their salaries as a result of a reduction in its federal allocation.

Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, in a statement today, November 25, said that the reduction in salaries was not a slash but the state’s inability to meet 100 per cent salaries.

“What we discussed with the organized Labuor was that because of the recession, our FAAC allocation has dropped to a level where we would not be able to pay 100 percent of the salary.

“We called their attention to this; we opened our books in terms of how much we received, the existing commitments and what is left over.”

Matane said that there will be a meeting with Labour leaders tomorrow, November 26 to discuss the next steps to take.

How Diego Maradona Died 2 Weeks After Surgery In His Brain

Editorial staff

November 25, 2020

Soccer legend, Diego Maradona, has died at 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to multiple Argentine media outlets.

The football legend had a heart attack at his home just two weeks after leaving hospital where he underwent surgery on a blot clot in his brain.

Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986, the pinnacle of an illustrious career.

He played for Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona among others and was adored by millions for his brilliant skills.

The Argentine news outlet Clarin broke the news on Wednesday afternoon UK time, describing the news of Maradona’s passing as having a ‘worldwide impact’.

Soon, tributes were pouring in from all over the world of football.

Maradona left hospital on November 11 just eight days after being admitted for emergency brain surgery.

The legend former Argentinian footballer was driven away from the private Olivos Clinic just before 6pm on Wednesday as hundreds of fans of photographers tried to get a glimpse of him.

Maradona was hospitalised the previous week and had to have an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from his brain.

Lekki Shooting: CNN Got Its News From Questionable Social Media – Information Minister

Editorial staff

November 25, 2020

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has accused international news channel, CNN of getting its news on EndSARS shooting at Lekki in Lagos mainly from questionable social media.

He said: “we are accusing them (CNN) of basing their stories on videos sourced on social media. CNN has been inconsistent. It also doctored the video it got. We are confident in our position.”

The Minister, who reacted to the release of the second ‘investigative report’ on the shootings at Lekki toll plaza during the #EndSARS protests depite threats of sanction from the Federal Government, while speaking on NTA today, November 25, said: “they (CNN) did the story without contacting the Federal Government for its own side. They relied on second and third parties narratives.

“What we are asking CNN is that where is your evidence? The military has been consistent. CNN contravenes the basic principles of journalism – fairness, and balance. They (CNN) were caught spreading fake news and they are trying to escape.”

When asked about the second CNN’s report, Mohammed said: “it shows that they (CNN) are desperate. The so-called recent development has been seen before. There is nothing new. If there is anything new, it is a contradiction of CNN’s position.”

Speaking on the protest letter written to CNN, the minister said: “We have received an acknowledgment and we were told that the letter has been passed to the editorial team.”

CBN Determines To End Recession Before End Of 2020

Editorial staff

November 24, 2020

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed determination to end the current recession by the end of the year as it holds its benchmark interest rate to allow previous cuts to flow through the economy.

All 10 members of the monetary policy committee who attended the two-day meeting today, November 24, voted to keep the rate at 11.5%.

The apex bank’s Governor, Godwin Emefiele said in a virtual news briefing from the nation’s capital, Abuja, emphasized that the pause following two cuts of 100 basis points each in 2020 signaled that the nation’s second recession in less than four years will be short-lived.

Emefiele said that holding rates “will allow current policy measures to permeate the economy.”

The twin impact of coronavirus lockdowns and the plunge in the price of oil hit the West African economy harder than most on the continent. That came on top of land borders that have been closed since last August in an attempt to curb smuggling and boost local production. This has weighed on Nigerian exports and on the supply of some food products, adding to inflation.

Although inflation has been above the central bank’s target band of 6% to 9% for more than five years, and quickened for a 14th straight month in October, this should start moderating in the medium term, according to the MPC. Food-price growth, that has been a key driver, is expected to ease, Emefiele said.

The committee kept the cash reserve requirement at 27.5%, held the liquidity ratio at 30% and retained the asymmetric corridor, which means the cost at which lenders borrow is at 100 basis points above the monetary policy rate and the return on their deposits at 700 basis points below the benchmark.

How My Government Planned To Make Nigeria Net Exporter Of Fuel – Buhari

Editorial staff

November 24, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his government has set in motion, plans towards making Nigeria net exporter of petroleum product.

Speaking today, November 24 at the virtual inauguration of the 5,000 barrels per day Waltersmith modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State, as well as the Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the Phase-2 works to expand the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels/day, Buhari said that the deployment of modular refineries is one of the four key elements of his administration’s Refinery Roadmap rolled out in 2018.

According to the President, “the realization of the Refinery Roadmap will ultimately lead us to becoming a net exporter of petroleum products not only to our neighbouring countries but to the worldwide market.”

He expressed delight that Waltersmith refinery in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State was coming on stream within two years of the commencement of the Roadmap, after many years of granting licenses for the establishment of modular refineries with nothing to show for it.

”Furthermore, there is increased momentum in the other three focus areas under the Roadmap covering the Rehabilitation of existing refineries, Co-location of new refineries, and Construction of greenfield refineries.

“This modular refinery is the largest commissioned modular refinery in the country today.

“The role played by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in going into collaboration with Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company is novel in concept and superb in delivery,” he said.

The President described plans to commence the expansion of the capacity of the refinery to 50,000 barrels per day to refine crude oil and condensates as an important part of economic reforms the country is undergoing.

“I look forward to seeing this new phase completed within the target timeframe,” the President said, even as he directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), NNPC, as well as all relevant Government Agencies to provide Waltersmith Company all the necessary support to access crude oil and condensate feedstock for the timely delivery of the additional capacity.

In line with his administration’s agenda on jobs creation, the President said he was pleased to note that hundreds of direct and indirect jobs were created during the construction of the first phase of the project in addition to the various business opportunities.

He expressed hope that the construction of the second phase of the project will create bigger additional employment opportunities.

President Buhari thanked the local community and the people of Imo State for hosting the refinery, which, he stressed, will bring prosperity and economic development to the area.

The President commended the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Chairman and members of the Governing Council, and the management and staff of the Nigerian Content Development Board for making the public-private partnership a success.

He also commended the Chairman, Board, Management and Staff of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Limited for their professionalism and focus in getting the project completed.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and the Minister of State, Petroleum, cut the tape on behalf of the President at the event which was also attended by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kyari, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote and the Chairman of WalterSmith, Abdulrazaq Isa.

Economy: We’re Doing Some Things As Game-Changers – Osinbajo

Editorial staff

November 24, 2020

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Muhammadu Buhari saw the negative effects of Coronavirus coming and worked on a few things as game-changers in the nation’s economy.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, November 24 at a webinar with some French business leaders under the auspices of the Franco-Nigeria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that part of what the Buhari administration had done in its response to Coronavirus pandemic was to build a business environment that will be supportive of domestic and foreign investors.

“It is important to recognize that the pandemic, which really is the cause of the downturn, not just in the Nigerian economy, but practically all of our economies, all over the world, except perhaps China, also provides incredible opportunities for doing all manner of very innovative, and creative things.

“And I think that we are in a season where we are ready to experiment and ready to do a lot more. And if you look at our Economic Sustainability Plan, which is our response to the pandemic, what we tried to do was to do a few things that we thought would be game changing.

“For example, one of the important things that we are trying to do with respect to renewable energy is with solar power. We are collaborating with several solar power companies to provide, within the next 12 months, 5 million Nigerian households with solar home systems.

“This is partly to address the issues with the national grid by providing more off-grid capacity and provide more opportunities in the renewable energy space. What we are doing is to get the financing through the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan.”

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