Nasarawa Governor Suspends Senior Aide Over Alleged Forgery, Impersonation

October 14, 2020

Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule has approved the suspension of his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development Control, Arch. Stanley Buba, over alleged forgery and impersonation.

The indefinite suspension order was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu dated 9th September, 2020.

The letter said that the suspension was based on the recommendation of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, which Ad-hoc committee is currently investigating alleged receipt forgery, impersonation.

The Governor asked the SSA to step down, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The letter reads thus: “We are in receipt of a letter NSHA/ ADM/123/ VOL.1/ 124 dated 9th September, 2020. forwarding a resolution of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly suspending you from office as the SSA to the governor on Development Control.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, Engr Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State has approved that you proceed on indefinite suspension pending the outcome of the committee constituted by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to investigate the activities of your office.

” You are also requested to hand over all government properties in your possession to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nasarawa State Urban Development Board ( NUDB).”

Nigeria Contributes $2 Million To West African Power Pool

Editorial staff

October 14, 2020

Nigeria is set to contribute the sum of $2 million from the 2020 budget to the West African Power Pool (WAPP), which covers 14 out of the 15 countries of the regional economic community.

They include Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra.

The West African Power Pool (WAPP) was created by a decision at the 22nd Summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government in 1999.

At the 29th Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Niamey, in 2006, it adopted the Articles of Agreement for WAPP organization and functions.

Minister of Power, Saleh Mamma, who briefed newsmen today, October 14, shortly after the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC)at the presidential villa, Abuja, said that participation in the regional market will generate immediate foreign exchange for Nigeria as oil revenue is dwindling.

“The pool is about having synergy within the West African region. The decision has been taken by ECOWAS, it’s for the generation of electricity of the region, so as to have more constant and steady power supply. It’s like the national grid in Nigeria, so we are going to have regional grid. It means in case there is a failure in one country, another can supplement. The $2 million is a contribution.”

The minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who was at the briefing said: “the West African power pool is made up of all west African countries because each member state contributes annually to the cost of power transmission across the pool. Because, the consequence is that if there is a problem in one country it could inadvertently affect the other country.

“This was created in 1999 by authorities of the West African Heads of State. It’s a common pool and every country has its own section and our contribution for this year is $2 million. It’s not as if we are giving $2 million to ECOWAS, we are simply paying our own contribution for the transmission from Nigeria to other wear African countries and viz-visa.”

The Minister said that the council approved over N83 billion for roads in Kano and Lagos, presented by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

It approved the sum of N22,247,332,000 for the award of contract for the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oworonsoki-Ojota Phase Section II, an 8.1kilometer stretch road.

It also approved N8 billion augmentation for the award of contract for the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road (about 560 kilometers).

“I want to report that he presented a memo which was approved in council today for the award of a contract for the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oworonsoki-Ojota Phase Section II, which is bit land Interchange, 8.1 kilometer stretch. You will recall that in 2018, the Federal Government approved an award of contract to Dangote Industry for the sum of N72 billion. By the time the award was made, there was this Section of the road that was in fairly good condition. But with the construction of the Oworonsoki project coming to an end, it now makes better sense to include that section which was fairly good.

“This contract was awarded today for the sum of N22,247,332,000. But you must know that this is one of the projects being awarded under Infrastructural Tax Credit Scheme. In other words, it is awarded to Dangote and Dangote will will construct it and over the years, it will be deducted from the tax payable by the group. It is one of various means of PPP that this administration has embraced. It is not only restricted to Oworonsoki-Apapa road, it is the same system that is being used in Obajana-Kaba road. Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) is also using the same formula for the bridge to link Bonny and Boro in Rivers State.

“Another memo which he presented was for the award of contract for the dualisation of Kano-Maiduguri road. That is Section One. That is Kano-Wudil-Shuarin section. This is about 560 kilometers contract between Kano and Maiduguri. The section awarded today is actually more of approval for an estimated total cost. They found out that at the time of the award of the contract, certain conditions have to be known. He sought for a revision and an increment in the sum of N8 billion which will bring the total cost of the contract to N63 billion. It was approved by council today.”

Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, said that the sum of N1,208,335,464.60, inclusive of 7.5% tax for the supply, deployment, installation, testing and commissioning of security equipment for seven railway stations.

The stations are mainly Idu, Rigasa, Jere, Kubwa, Kaduna and Kano in favour of Messrs Avonics Services Nigeria Limited, with a completion period of 12 months.

The Director General for Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Mamman Ahmadu, said that the council approved the sum of N1.6 billion for e-government procurement.

“E-government procurement has the potential of improving procurement process, eliminate corruption and reduce the leak time in the procurement process itself. There have been a lot of complaints about the long time it takes to go through the due process. With the establishment of this, we will reduce that time.

“It also removes subjectivity from the process. There have been lots of complaints about subjectivity in the approval process, that will be dealt with squarely when it is eventually launched.

“E-government procurement is a global trend and from the research carried out by the World Bank, it had been established that countries that have taken off with e-government procurement have witnessed exponential economic growth and and they have stimulated ICT in those countries.

“It will reduce corruption to the barest minimum because it will reduce the human interface within the process.”

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said council approved the national policy on virtual engagements in federal public institutions.

“It’s a joint memorandum between Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

Pantami said: “In January 2020 as we all know, the world had been taken by surprise with the emergence of COVID-19 in which the World Health Organization declared it as a global health challenge. By 11th March 2020, WHO declared it as a pandemic and that COVID-19 has disrupted the world and the way we conduct our activities and now virtual engagements are becoming the new normal.

“It is because of this that we came up with a memo that will institutionalize virtual engagements in federal public institutions in order to make sure that even after COVID, virtual engagement is recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a medium of communication. It is because of this we came up with this memo.”

Minister Vows To Wage War On Land Thieves That Encroach University Of Abuja

Editorial staff

October 14, 2020

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Mohammed Musa Bello, has vowed to wage relentless war against land thieves that have encroached the University of Abuja.

The Minister, who spoke today, October 14 when the management of the University paid him a courtesy visit in his office, said that since the FCT had set up a small technical team to frontally confront the challenges of encroachment in the University, his administration would now work out achievable goals to carry out the assignment.

“We had before now marked some points for demolition, what we will do now is to revisit them, work with relevant departments and units including town planning and carry out the exercise in line with the Abuja Master Plan.”

Muhammad Musa Bello said that he would soon pay a visit to the University to physically assess the structures and developments on the campuses.

The Minister noted that the University and the Ministry had a long standing relationship that had been mutually beneficial to the two parties.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, said that he was at the Minister’s office to solicit for cooperation to end the encroachment on the University’s land.

“We need assistance with the Development Control to demolish all illegal structures already marked for demolition without action. We need the cooperation of the Honorable Minister to reclaim the other University land from further encroachment by whatever way the Ministry might assist, including resettlement of legitimate and yet to be resettled natives.

“As the University intends to embark on zero –tolerant illegal settlement campaign, we solicit for the cooperation and understanding of the federal capital territory, the development control and the FCT police command in ensuring a hitch-free exercise.”

Professor Na’Allah said that the University is also in need of basic infrastructure such as rehabilitation of the road and drainage networks in Giri staff quarters and Main campus as well as provision of street lights.

IPPIS: FG To Consider University Union’s Payment Platform– Ngige

Editorial staff

October 13, 2020

Minister of Labour and employment, Chris Ngigi

Federal Government has said it will consider the University Transparency Account System (UTAS), a payment platform developed by the academic Union of the Unicversity (ASUU) as an alternative to government’s IPPIS.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told journalists today, October 13 after about two and half hours closed-door meeting with the Senate leadership.

He said the alternative platform presented by ASUU is home grown and worth given thorough assessment test.

“We agreed at the meeting to give required consideration to the UTAS alternative they came up with as a way of finding lasting solution to the lingering crisis over Implementation of IPPIS.

“We have neither jettisoned the implementation of the IPPIS nor fully accepted UTAS . The level we moved to now, is to subject ASUU’s UTAS to integrity test and in doing so, it will be presented to users like the office of Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday .

“After that it will be sent to National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) and from there to the office of the National Security Adviser for second look .

“The platform is an option grown device that requires stage by stage consideration and from the look of things is good “, he said

Confirming the head way achieved at the meeting , the Chairman , Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tetfund, Senator Ahmed Baba Kaita, said the interface had not ended but a stage of compromise is getting closer between the two parties .

“The meeting brokered by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan among the various stakeholders, achieved a lot today with agreement on the need to subject the UTAS alternative brought forward by ASUU for integrity test by all relevant departments of the government,” he said.

The ASUU leadership though refused to speak to the press after the closed door meeting but were in good mood apparently due to consideration being given their alternative platform.

All Officers Of Disbanded Anti Robbery Squad To Undergo Psychological, Medical Tests

Editorial staff

October 13, 2020

All personnel of the defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have been directed to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

According to a statement by the Force Headquarters spokesman, Frank Mba, the officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.

The medical examination, according to the statement, will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counselling and Support Unit (PCSU), a Unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.

“The Unit, which is domiciled with the Force Medical Department and coordinated by the Force Medical Officer, has its membership drawn from amongst psychiatrists, psychologists, medics, pastors and imams, Public Relations practitioners, Civil Society and other Human Rights groups with relevant qualifications and expertise.

The statement said that the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has set up a new Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team that will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS.

It said that prospective members of this new team will also undergo psychological and medical examination to ascertain their fitness and eligibility for the new assignment.

“They are to commence training at the different Police tactical training institutions nationwide, next week. While personnel from the Police Commands in the South-East and the South-South will be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, those from the Police Commands from the North and the South-West will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.”

The statement said that the police boss affirmed his irrevocable commitment towards the successful and holistic implementation of the Police reforms, even as he enjoined members of the public, particularly protesting citizens to exercise restraint and allow measures being put in place to come to fruition and engender a Police Force that would meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry.

Coronavirus Strikes Juventus Striker, Cristiano Rinaldo

Editorial staff

October 13, 2020

Coronavirus has struck the Juventus attacker, Cristiano Ronaldo and may lead to his missing Juve’s Champions League group stage opening game away to Dynamo Kiev next Tuesday.

Portugal’s Football Federation confirmed today, October 13 that Rinaldo tested positive for Covid 19.

The 35-year-old is said to be “doing well, without symptoms, and in isolation” with no further positive tests reported in the squad ahead of Wednesday’s Uefa Nations League match against Sweden.

Ronaldo is now set to miss Juve’s Serie A trip to Crotone on Saturday and their Champions League group stage opening game away to Dynamo Kiev next Tuesday.

He is also not sure to take part in Juventus’ match with Barcelona on October 28, which was set to go head-to-head once again with his old rival Lionel Messi.

NEWSFLASH: Woman Gives Birth To 7 Set Of Babies In Abuja

Greenbarge Reporters

October 13, 2020

A middle aged woman has given birth to seven set of babies at the University Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters today, October 13, said that the babies, though one of them had died, are doing well in the hospital’s incubator.

The father, whose name was given simply as Emmanuel, would not speak to our reporter on phone, asking him to meet him in the hospital as at 9pm.

More details.

Contender To Position Of Emir Of Zazzau, Bashir Aminu, Sues Kaduna Governor

Editorial staff

October 12, 2020

The topmost contender in the race for Emirship of Zazzau, Alhaji Bashir Aminu, has dragged Kaduna Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, the newly appointed Emir, Ahmed Bamalli, and the Zazzau kingmakers to court over the appointment of Bamalli as Emir.

Prince Aminu, who holds the title of Iyan Zazzau today, October 12, filed a suit before the Kaduna State High Court, seeking the court to remove the newly appointed Emir Bamalli and declare him (Aminu) the 19th Emir of Zazzau.

“Having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast by the kingmakers and thus selected by the said kingmakers, he has thus acquired a vested right to the stool of the Emir of Zazzau from the date of his selection henceforth.”

The kingmakers had shortlisted three candidates with Bashir Aminu, Iyan Zazzau scoring the highest marks of 89 while Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau, and Aminu Shehu Idris, Turakin Karamin Zazzau scored 87 and 53 marks respectively.

Governor el-Rufai jettisoned the initial recommendation of the kingmakers and ordered a fresh process where 13 princes were screened by the kingmakers.

The Governor’s move was greeted with allegations that he was attempting to favour Bamalli, his alleged preferred candidate for the throne.

After the kingmakers repeated their recommendation of the initial three princes, El-Rufai appointed Prince Ahmed Nuhu-Bamalli as the new Emir.

A copy of the suit made available to newsmen in Kaduna seeks: “An order setting aside the purported appointment of the 10th defendant (Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli) as the Emir of Zazzau;

“A declaration that the plaintiff is still the Emir of Zazzau and is entitled to all rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

“An injunction restraining the 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th defendants from acting in the installation of the 10th defendant to the throne of the Emir of Zazzau or presenting to the 10th defendant with the staff of office until the final determination of this suit;

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, servants or through any person or persons howsoever from treating, presenting or dealing with or installing the 10th defendant as the Emir of Zazzau.”

Nigerians Cautioned On Second Wave Of Coronavirus

Editorial staff

October 12, 2020

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) coronavirus has charged Nigerians to anticipate a possible second wave of the outbreak of the virus.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, who said October 12, during a briefing in Abuja, there is no nation is guaranteed immunity against resurgence of the virus.

He advised Nigerians to be mindful of its possibility, pointing out the only cover is strict adherence to guidelines and protocols.

“The PTF is glad that the economy is opening up the more, but warns that as we continue to study developments in Europe and other parts of the world, no nation can be said to be immune to a possible second wave if the guidelines and protocols are not adhered to strictly. Nigerians need to anticipate this and prepare. Our hope and prayers are that it shall never happen.

“For our proper information and guidance, the picture from around the world can be summarised as follows. Over the last few days, global cases crossed the 37 million mark. In the UK, cases have been on the increase, and the 5th highest number of daily cases was recorded on Sunday 11th (12,872).

“Similarly, Brazil’s case load has also continued to increase with the registration of a daily case load of over 65,000 on the 11th of October.”

He announced the next steps in national response efforts would be made public during the week after findings of recommendations must have been presented to President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that the PTF and relevant MDAs have made appreciable progress in the discussions with the European Union (EU) over flight restrictions and entry of Nigerian nationals and holders of long-term Schengen visas into the territory, expressing hope that there would be a favourable announcement on this soon.

Rivers Gov Accuses Fed. Govt. Of Increasing Teachers’ Salaries Without Consulting States

Editorial staff

October 12, 2020

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the Federal Government of increasing teachers’ salaries across board without consulting with state governments, thereby creating fresh financial burdens on them.

Governor Wike, who spoke on the new salary scales approved for teachers by the Federal Government, admitted that it was good to give teachers special attention because of their strategic roles in the society, but that such policy should be properly implemented.

He insisted that the pronouncement on a new salary scale for teachers would create crisis for the educational system and wondered why the Federal Government refused to give attention to the clamour of states for a new revenue-sharing formula.

“While it is good to give teachers a new salary scale, it is also important not to politicise such a sensitive issue.”

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