Federal Govt May Back Down On Power Privatization, Says It Had Pumped N1.7 Trillion In 3 Years

January 23, 2020

The Federal Government of Nigeria, tired of funding power in the country and still not getting good results, may back down on privatization of the sector soon.
The position of the government, which emanated from a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) today, January 23, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was backgrounded on the government’s complain that despite the privatization, it has pumped N1. 7 Trillion into the sector in the last three years.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting at the presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State said that the way the privatization was done is an issue to many, adding: “what we have agreed on is that there are fundamental problem in the electronic supply industry, and that you cannot privatize an industry and then over three years since privatization, you pump in N1.7 trillion of government into it. That is not privatization.
“The federal government has supported the electricity sector with N1.7 trillion in the last three years and this is not sustainable. So, solutions must be found. Those solutions are not going to be nice. They maybe painful but the only way to solve the structural problems in the industry is to take some very difficult decisions.
“There are many issues including the ones you have observed in Kano DISCO. Our hope is that when we must have presented our report, we would have identified issues and isolated these issues and would present options to the government that would will have costs and benefits, because, we cannot continue to spend N1.7 trillion every try years. The question is if we continue like this are we going to get electricity?
“We can also look at other options and have cost and benefits attached to it for the consideration of the economic council of government.
“So, my appeal is that let’s not be quick to pass judgement. Right now we are listening to all the stakeholders. Of course, there is a lot of blame game. At the end of the day, we must have an honest conversation as Nigerians and know that unless we fix electricity we cannot make progress.
“And this electricity is required not only in the cities but in every home, every rural area. How do we fix the structural problem in the industry so that it doesn’t cost the government this much to cover the whole of the country.
“Today, there are 80 million Nigerians that do not have access to electricity. We cannot continue like this.
“So, we will ask all these questions, look at everything you have observed and even those that you have not observed. But we want to listen to Nigerians and get their own views and incorporate those views in every solution that we proposed.”

Federal Govt, Southwest Govs Agree To Structure Amotekun Along Community Policing System

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

Controversies over the proposed Southwest security network known as Amotekun may have been laid to rest today, January 23 as the federal government and the concerned governors resolved to structure it along community policing system.
Rising from a meeting today at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the governors of the six states in the Southwest and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stressed the need to provide legal backing to the Amotekun.
The meeting, which was also attended by the nation’s Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as well as the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, was, according to a presidential spokesman, Laolu Akande, very fruitful.
“Unanimous resolutions were made on the way forward.
“Having regard to the need for all hands to be on deck in addressing the security concerns across the country, it was agreed that the structure of Amotekun should also align with the Community Policing strategy of the Federal Government.
“It was also agreed that necessary legal instruments will be put in place by each of the States to give legal backing to the initiative and address all issues concerning the regulation of the security structure.”
Answering questions from newsmen after the meeting, the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu confirmed that Amoketun will be structured along community policing system and that a legal framework will be made to accommodate it.
He said that those at the meeting agreed on the way forward, adding that the most important one is that “we are going to have legal framework to back this Amotekun. And this legal framework is going to be one which we all are going to look at and will be sure to go without any hinderance.”
Governor Akeredolu also confirmed Amotekan will be part of the Federal government’s community policing.
“In essence really, it is about community. So, we are going to work together to see the community policing and Amotekan work in a way.”

CBN Redeploys Directors, Appoints New One

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

The Management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the redeployment of Yusuf Philip Yila, a Director with the Bank and the Managing Director, NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB), to the position of Director in the Development Finance Department, with effect from Friday, January 24, 2020.

Yila succeeds Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan who retires from the bank on January 26, 2020, having reached the statutory retirement age.

Born on November 20, 1972, Yila, joined the services of the Central Bank of Nigeria in June 2011 from Oando Plc where he was General Manager Operations for the downstream business. He holds a Bachelors of Engineering Degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) and is an Alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School, Boston. He has also attended several executive courses at Oxford, Harvard Kennedy and Northwestern University. He is married with Children.

Other movements announced by the management include the redeployment of Mr. Kofo Salam-Alada from the Consumer Protection Department to the Legal Services Department as well as the movement of Mr. Samuel Okojere from the Payment System Management to the banking Services Department, to replace Mr. Dipo Fatokun, who retired from the services of the Bank in December 2019.

The CBN Management also approved the appointment of Mr. Clement Buari as Director, Strategy Management Department; Haruna Mustafa, Director, Consumer Protection; Bello Hassan, Director, Other Financial Institutions’ Supervision Department; Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji, Director, Trade and Exchange Department and Mr. Musa Itopa Jimoh as Director, Payment System Management.

Meanwhile, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kure has also been appointed Director and Acting Managing Director of the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank.

Nigeria’s Justice Minister Insists Amotekun Is Illegal, Says Sentiment Won’t Work

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has insisted that Operation of Amotekun, a security outfit launched by Southwest governors, is illegal.
Malami, in a statement today, January 23, by his Special Assistant on Media, Umar Gwandu, said that no amount of sentiments would make the Federal Government abandon the path of rule of law in governing the country.
Malami’s statement comes a day after a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, called for dialogue, saying that Amotekun is not dangerous to Nigeria’s unity.
The AGF also addressed human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who told Southwest governors to ignore Malami and make laws to back Amotekun.
“No amount of effort to hide the truth will work. People could be carried away by sentimental or emotional inclinations, but truth remains apparently palpable. The bottom line is that the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not accommodate formation of regional security architecture,” the statement said.
“This is a fact which is indisputable and undeniable. Mr. Falana was prevaricating and circumlocuting using evasive techniques when he was asked by the media to justify the presence of lacuna within the law which could establish or protect the concept of regionalism in any operation in the country.
“This arrangement called Amotekun is not backed by any law neither at the State nor at the Federal Government level. Amotekun, therefore, remains unconstitutional and illegal as already indicated.
“The Federal Government appreciates that legally-minded Nigerians have started to eschew emotions by offering legal comments on the matter as against being carried away by other inclinations.
“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is committed to the rule of law and a constitutional democratic Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Those Trying To Tamper with 2 Holy Mosques Face The Wrath Of Allah – Saudi Authority

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

The General President for the affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais has invited the wrath of Allah on those he called bandits that have been trying to tamper with the two monuments.
According to a statement from Riyadh, the country’s federal capital, Dr. Al Sudais insisted that those who are exposing the two Holy Mosques either by theft or assault are bandits that are spreading corruption on the earth.
He enphasized that “whoever tries to breach the security of the Two Holy Mosques will find strict deterrence that pre-empting his attempts, and will lead to complete failure.
“Allah willing, and by His power – then by the vigilant of the loyal security forces of this country, who we have witnessed on their sacrifices with several gaps of this blessed land.
“The Two Holy Mosques have sanctity, so whoever wants to corrupt them or was subjected them in any way will suffer of his inevitable fate, because Allah Almighty guarantees their protection.”
Dr. Al-Sudais was quoted as saying that the state would continue to take care of the Two Holy Mosques and their great islamic monuments, adding: “we will continue to maintain and restore them, and established exhibitions for them.”

Why I Parted Ways With Kwankwaso, Gov Ganduje Of Kano Opens Up

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has said that he and other supporters of his predecessor, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso left him because of what he called his ‘selfishness.’
The governor, who formally welcomed some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that apart from being selfish, Kwankwaso is also an unrepentant person.
“It is natural to be a bit selfish but I have never seen anyone as selfish as Kwankwaso. It was such that he imposed his whims and caprices on all and exploited (all) for his personal benefit, as against the collective interest of all.
“All of us seated here were with him in the past and we made him what he is politically but had to withdraw from his persistent self-conceit.
“We had initiated reconciliations in the past but Kwankwaso is not the repentant type, it is either his bid that is done or he destroys everything.”
Chairman of the PDP in Kano, Rabi’u Sulaiman-Bichi, was part of the defectors alongside many Kwankwasiyya supporters, local government coordinators and former commissioners who served under Kwankwaso.
Governor Ganduje called on them to join hands with him in developing the state.
He assured them that they would be carried along in the development of the state.
“Those who took us to Election Petition Tribunal, to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, had only exercised their constitutional rights, as simple as that, hence our decision to invite the opposition to come and join hands with us for the development of the state.”

Ex Justice Minister, Adoke, Appears In Abuja Court Over $1.09 Billion On Malabu Oil Block

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke has appeared, along with six others over the controversial $1.09 billion settlement agreement on Malabu oil block.
Adoke who was arraigned today, January 23 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada, pleaded not guilty to 42 counts of fraud and money laundering.
Other defendants in the charge are Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie, Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that Adoke was connected with the controversial $1.09 billion settlement agreement on Malabu Oil Block.
The former AGF had been away from the country for four years after being part of the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The anti-graft agency accused the former justice minister of fraudulently allocating OPL 245.
Adoke was arrested on December 19, 2019, by the EFCC on arrival in Nigeria from Dubai.

I Will Run Wealth Creation Govt, Anambra Governorship Aspirant Promises

Greenbarge Reporters

January 23, 2020

Governorship aspirant for the Anambra governorship election, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke
has said that if elected, he will tap from the best brains in the state to run the first knowledge driven state in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria and the third world having missed the industrial revolution, would rely on Anambra state for new primary source of wealth creation.
Chief Okeke said that Anambra state is blessed with some of the finest brains in the information and technology world and that if he is elected, he will harness these brains to provide better life for the people of Anambra.
He said that there is no limit to human imagination even as he expressed joy that the state is richly blessed with men and women.
Chief Okeke said that the state must cheetah-pole-vault to reap the benefits of ICT and human resources that abound in the state.
Chief Okeke who plans to run on the ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), asked his people to keep hopes alive in spite of the ruinous cloud of bad governance that has enveloped the state over the past few years, leaving critical infrastructure in tatters and rural communities in adverse neglect, that the state can still be redeemed.
“Perhaps there has never been anytime in the history of this state that the consequences of our decision to choose who to lead us as governor will be weightier, more dramatic and consequential. Our State is standing on the threshold of history, we are on the verge and all socioeconomic indicators have taken a huge plunge amidst the huge potentials our State is endowed with.
“We cannot afford to gamble with the choice of who picks the ticket of our party as the task of redeeming our State from the present quagmire is an arduous one. It therefore behooves on our party to build a workable consensus and effective synergy to tackle the chronic leadership failure that has befallen us.”

Amotekun: Afenifere Opens Fire On Tinubu, Says His Statement Is A Pile Of Waffle

Editorial staff

January 22, 2020

The Yoruba central cultural organization, Afenifere has condemned a statement credited to the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the proposed Southwest security network, known as Amotekun.

In a statement today, January 22, Afenifere said: “Asiwaju’s statement is a pile of waffle, a dubious exercise in self-seeking sophistry and equivocation.”

The statement, which was signed by Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, accused Tinubu of playing “political neutrality” at the detriment of security and unity of Yorubas in the South-West.

Afenifere said that it expected the APC national leader to be categorical in his statement by condemning the position of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who had earlier declared Operation Amotekun illegal, and lacking constitutional backing.

Afenifere said: “His Excellency, Asiwaju’s statement is what is called political correctness. Leaders should talk boldly on a precarious situation.

“Asiwaju refused to comment on other para-military forces like Hisbah and civilian JTF in the north.

“He did not read between the lines that the AGF’s statement is that of panic. Panic in the sense that the Amotekun phenomena unify the Yoruba Nation, regardless of political affiliations.

“It has the total and absolute support of all the children of Oduduwa and also other nationalities apart from the Fulanis.

“It is a unity that is dangerous for a government that is nepotic and whose agenda on true federalism is not clear.

“The Yoruba Nation is an utterly and incredibly resilient one. We are focused and not dissuaded by any statement by one million Bola Ahmed Tinubu when we know we are just and sincere.”

Tinubu had earlier in the day, issued a press statement detailing his views on Amotekun, days after coming under intense criticism for failing to speak on the matter.

In the statement, the former governor of Lagos State called for dialogue to resolve the issue, even as he said that regional security network cannot jeopardize national security.

Source: The Punch.

Center For Disease Control Alerts Nigerians On New Virus Discovered In China

Editorial staff

January 22, 2020

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has alerted Nigerians on a new viru, known as novel coronavirus (nCoV) that has emanated from China.

In a statement today, January 22, the NCDC said that the first case of a novel (new) coronavirus (2019nCoV) strain was confirmed in China on the 7th of January 2020.

The statement said that preliminary investigations showed that most patients either visited or worked in the Huanan Seafood wholesale market, Wuhan city.

It said that as at the 20th of January 2020, 278 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV infection, including six deaths have been reported to WHO globally since the first case was reported on the 31st of December 2019.

According to the statement many of the initial cases were thought to have contacted the virus through animal-to-human transmission from the market, but that human-to-human transmission has also been established.

“Global surveillance is being established and it is expected that more cases will be reported over the next weeks.

“Wuhan city is a major transport hub in China. Beyond Wuhan, cases have been confirmed in other cities in China; Guangdong, Beijing and Shanghai. As at the 21st of January, five cases have been confirmed in four other countries; Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States of America, all with a travel history to China.

“Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are normally transmitted between animals and people. A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain of the virus that has not been previously identified in humans. Some coronaviruses can be transmitted from person to person, usually after close contact with an infected patient, for example, in a householdor health care setting. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has convened its Emergency Committee today (22/01/20) to determine whether this outbreak should be declared a “Public Health Event of International Concern” (PHEIC).”

The statement went on to give details of the new viru, starting with the symptoms.

This new coronavirus 2019nCoV appears to cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like cough and breathing difficulties. From current evidence, it appears that death is a rare outcome, mostly in patients with underlying illness.

TREATMENT

There is no specific treatment for disease caused by the novel coronavirus yet. However, many of the symptoms can be treated. Therefore, treatment is based on the patient’s clinical condition. In addition, supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.

NIGERIA’S PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is currently coordinating a multisectoral technical group that is assessing and managing the risk of importation to Nigeria. NCDC is in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) who is closely monitoring the situation globally. WHO is in direct communication with the Government of China and other affected countries, and has released technical and travel guidance.

The Port Health Services unit of the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria has been placed on alert and has heightened screening measures at the points of entry. In China, exit screening measures have been enhanced for travellers from Wuhan city at the Points of Entry (PoE) (airports and ground transport stations) since the 14th of January 2020. This includes temperature checks, combined with provision of information and masks to passengers with fever, as well as directing symptomatic passengers to health facilities for follow up.

Nigerians are advised to remain calm. Travelers from Nigeria to Wuhan, China, are advised to avoid contact with sick people, animals (alive or dead), and animal markets.

Travelers from Wuhan to Nigeria, may be asked questions upon arrival by the Port Health Services unit at points of entry about symptoms of illness and travel history, and are advised to report immediately to NCDC, if they feel ill after a trip to Wuhan.

The Federal Ministry of Health through NCDC and its partners are fully committed to strengthening our preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks.

Information will be shared with the public as it becomes available.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

To reduce the risk of spread of coronavirus, members of the public are advised to adhere to the following measures:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water

• Cover your mouth and nose properly with handkerchief or tissue paper when sneezing and/or coughing. You may also cough into your elbow if a handkerchief is not available.

• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing

• Avoid self-medication, report to the nearest health facility when you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms

• Healthcare workers are always advised to observe standard infection prevention and control measures when attending to patients and take a travel history.

As the situation is evolving, this advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is the government agency with the mandate to lead the prevention, detection, and control of communicable diseases. Its functions are to prevent, detect, investigate and control communicable diseases of national and international public health importance.

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