Tag: federal government

8Apr By dthataNo Comments

Education

FG Gives Licences To 20 New Private Universities

The Federal Government has presented provisional licences to the 20 new private universities recently approved by Federal Executive Council. The licences, which were presented to the universities on Thursday in Abuja, brings the total number of private universities to 99. ‘A scattered family can’t fix Nigeria’, Nigerians react as Aisha Buhari launches book The Federal Executive Council in February 2021, approved the establishment of 20 new private universities. Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the approval for the establishment of these universities is a testament to the continued partnership of the federal government with the private sector towards widening access and quality of university education in Nigeria. Represented by the Mi...

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8Apr By MosesianNo Comments

Sport

Organizers End Edo 2020 Sports Festival Over Lack of Funds, Support from govt

  The Local Organising Committee for Edo 2020 sports fiesta has announced that the national sports festival billed to end on the 14th of this month will now end on Thursday, 8 April due to lack of support from the federal government. According to the Project Manager, Media & Communications, Edo 2020, Ebomhiana Musa in a statement to DAILY POST, the LOC regrets to announce that it will end the games abruptly tomorrow, Thursday, April 8, 2021 for lack of funds. “Rising from an emergency meeting on Wednesday evening, the LOC says it has to take this hard decision due to lack of funds having expended its reserves to kick-start the games. “Regrettably, the FG is yet to redeem its pledge to support us as the host state financially for the cost of postponements. So, we ar...

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7Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

Over 80 Inmates Voluntarily Return to Imo Custodial Center

Over 80 inmates of the Owerri Correctional center in Imo state have returned to the center. Recall that armed men attacked the correctional center on Monday, March 5, and freed 1844 of the inmates. During a visit to the center on Tuesday, April 6, the Minister of Interior Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, promised that the Federal government will grant any returnee inmate amnesty. In an interview with DailyTrust on Wednesday, April 7, the Public Relations Officer of the Centre, Mr. Joe Madugba, said over 80 inmates have returned between Tuesday and Wednesday. “We have a total of 82 inmates right now. Remember that we have 36 that refused to escape and six that returned. Presently 40 others have joined them. They might have heeded the advice of the honourable minister to grant them am...

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2Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

There are 30,000 Armed Bandits in Zamfara and Five Other Northern States – Governor Matawalle

Governor Bello Matawalle has disclosed that there are 30,000 armed bandits in Zamfara and five other northern states. Speaking through the newly appointed State Commissioner for information Alhaji Ibrahim Magaji Dosara at a news briefing in Kaduna on Friday April 2, Matawalle said there are over 100 bandits camps in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger, and each camp has no fewer than 300 members. The Governor who noted that the Federal Government does not have adequate troops to fight the bandits across the region, revealed that there are less than 6000 troops operating across North-West states.

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1Apr By dthataNo Comments

News

Strike: FG, Doctors Reach Agreement

The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Action (MOA) with the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to avert the union’s planned nationwide strike. NAN reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the end of a meeting with NARD on Thursday in Abuja. NARD had threatened to commence a nationwide strike on April 1, accusing the Federal Government of reneging on the agreements it reached with the union. The doctors’ grievances include the non-payment of salaries of between three to five months to some house officers and the non-recruitment of house officers. Others are the abolishment of the bench fees for doctors undergoing training in other hospitals, and the non-payment of National Minimu...

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1Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

Doctors Commence Strike Despite Signing Agreement with FG

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) on Thursday April 1 commenced an indefinite strike despite holding a meeting and reportedly signing an agreement with the federal government on Wednesday March 31. It was gathered that an agreement was signed after a 7-hour meeting between the Government and the leadership of NARD at the office of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige. Issues raised by the aggrieved doctors in their Notice of Trade Dispute including the non-payment of salaries of some house officers, non-recruitment of house officers, abolishment of the bench fees for doctors undergoing training in other hospitals, non-payment of National Minimum Wage and hazard allowances were discussed at the meeting. Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Ngige...

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1Apr By MosesianNo Comments

News

FG proposes to spend N396bn on COVID19 vaccination – Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed

The Federal Government says it is proposing to spend the sum of N396 billion for the COVID19 vaccination exercise across the country between the years of 2021 and 2022. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed disclosed this after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday, March 31. Ahmed explained that the figure may significantly reduce as the Federal Government receives more donations of the vaccines from the private sector. She added that the Ministry of Health is working on details of the gap that the Federal Government will be required to fill in the vaccination exercise. She also explains that the size of the proposed supplementary budget agreed by the executive and legislative ar...

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31Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

Court Bars FG from Blocking SIM Cards not Linked to NIN by April

A Federal High Court in Lagos State has barred the Federal Government from blocking SIM cards not linked to National Identity Numbers (NIN), come April. The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, asked operators to block all SIM cards not linked to NIN by April 9, 2021. This resulted in people disregarding Covid-19 protocols as they trooped to offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to get registered. However, a former second National Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association and human rights lawyer, Mr Monday Ubani, filed an originating motion and asked the court to stop the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) from disconnecting all SIM Cards not linked to NINs, Punch reports. The ...

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29Mar By dthataNo Comments

News

Fresh Fuel Supply Crisis Looms As Tanker Drivers Threaten Strike

Tanker drivers, at the weekend, threatened to cause fresh fuel supply crisis with another industrial action if the Federal Government fails to enforce the compulsory installation of safety valves in all petroleum trucks to protect the inflammable contents from spilling over in the event of road mishap. Rising under the auspices of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the tanker drivers also threatened to withdraw services of its members if the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) failed to negotiate the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for new working conditions for petroleum tanker drivers. PTD, in a communiqué signed by its National Chairman, Comrade Salmon Akanni Olad...

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29Mar By dthataNo Comments

Health

Resident Doctors To Begin Indefinite Strike April 1

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors has resolved to commence “a total and indefinite strike” on April 1 2021, by 8am, if the Federal Government refuses to accede to its demands. This was the outcome of its Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting held on Saturday March 27 2021 at the Trauma Center of National Hospital Abuja to review its earlier ultimatum and deliberate on burning issues affecting residency training, healthcare delivery and the welfare. The communique of the NEC attended by over 50 chapters of NARD was signed by its President, Dr. Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi; Secretary-General, Dr. Jerry Isogun and Publicity/Social Secretary, Dr. Dotun Osikoya and obtained by journalists on Sunday evening. The document reads, The NEC unanimously agreed that NARD shou...

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27Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

FG Raises Alarm Over Fake COVID19 Vaccines From China

The Federal Government has raised alarm over three thousand doses of fake COVID19 vaccines sent to Africa from China. The Director of Hospital Services of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), Dr. Adebimpe Adebiyi, made this known in a letter dated March 26, 2021, to the Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions. The letter in part reads “The Ministry is in receipt of a letter from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 regarding the arrest of about 3,000 doses of fake COVID-19 vaccines which were Africa-bound from China. The report further indicates that the fake COVID-19 vaccines are already in circulation in Africa. To prevent the importation of fake vaccines, kindly note that the Nigeria Customs Service has designated Nna...

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25Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

Nigeria Spent N120b on Petrol Subsidy Monthly – NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari

General Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari has hinted on Premium Motor Spirit also known as Petrol selling between N211 and N234 per litre. Kyari who spoke at the ministerial briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday March 25, said the NNPC can no longer bear the burden of underpriced sales of premium motor spirit (PMS). The NNPC GMD also disclosed that the federal government is working to deepen the auto-gas programme which will serve as alternative to petrol. He said; “The price could have been anywhere between N211 and N234 to the litre. The meaning of this is that consumers are not paying for the full value of the PMS that we are consuming and therefore someone is paying that cost. “As we speak today,...

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25Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Rescue Our Daughter, We’ll Accept Her In Any Condition – Leah Sharibu’s Parents To Buhari

Sharibu, Nathan and Rebecca, have decried the abandonment of their daughter, Leah, with her abductors by the Federal Government, saying her continued captivity is a sad situation. Although the teenager is said to be nursing her second child in captivity, her parents said Nigeria had failed Leah and pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to accept the American offer of assistance to secure the release of their daughter. The parents in a statement by their spokesperson, Dr Gloria Puldu, demanded that President Buhari brings back their daughter with or without children because Leah remains their child and they will take her back no matter the situation or the condition she comes out with. The statement reads in part: “Morning of March 23 was another very difficult day as we woke...

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21Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Hold FG Responsible If Ortom Is Assassinated – Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has warned that the Federal Government will be held responsible if his counterpart in Benue State, Samuel Ortom, is assassinated. He insisted that if Ortom was killed, the country would be plunged into another civil war. Wike spoke while reacting to attempt on Governor Ortom’s life by 15 gunmen, who reportedly trailed him to a river bank in Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday. Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said: “If you kill Ortom, then be prepared to bury Nigeria. If anything happens to Governor Ortom, the Federal Government will be held responsible and they should be prepared that there will be no more Nigeria.” Wike recalled how a former G...

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21Mar By dthataNo Comments

Education, Politics

Some ASUU Demands Can’t Be Met Now, Says FG

The Federal Government has faulted the fresh notice by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to embark on a fresh strike barely four months after calling off a 10-month industrial action. The government said any person conceiving a strike after close to one year of downing tools would be doing a disservice to students “because government is a continuum.” The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who stated this in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said it had been difficult for the government to run the lives of over 200 million people with less than $70m a day in earnings. He said, “Whoever is conceiving a strike after being on a strike for close to one year is damaging the studentship because government is a continuum. Even if we are not in power today, ano...

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21Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s $26.5 Billion Maintenance Cost Enough To Build Three New Refineries

The whopping sum of $26.5b, which the Federal Government has so far spent on the maintenance of its loss-making 445, 000 barrels/day capacity refineries, is capable of building three new refineries of the same size going by the cost analysis of refinery projects across the world. Besides, the latest approval granted by President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the Minister of Petroleum Resources for the rehabilitation of the 210, 000 barrels per day Port Harcourt Refinery is higher than the total capital allocation to the health sector by successive governments from 2009 to 2018. Costing close to the $2b proposed refinery expected to be built in Katsina, Nigeria’s spending on refinery maintenance is, in fact, three times higher than the entire budgetary allocation to education betw...

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21Mar By dthataNo Comments

News

FG Begins Recovery Of ₦100 Billion From Lottery Operators

In a bid to ensure balance and fairness in the operations of games in the lottery industry, the federal government is set to begin recovering the N100 billion that it’s being owed by lottery operators. This, it intends to do by setting up a road map to enable the industry play its role in the economy of the country. In a meeting held with operators in Abuja, the minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, said the federal government is set to setup an Extra Ministerial Committee constituted to recover the N100 billion revenue owed it by lottery operators. He said that the committee would be activated within two weeks and the government would not hesitate to do the needful against any operator that is not meeting up in its statutory obligations. Akum...

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19Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Banditry Will Not End In Nigeria Since They’ve Politicised Security – Wike

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, says, by politicising insecurity, the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government plunged the security troubled states into an unimaginable scale of banditry that may not end soon. The governor was speaking when he received the Board of Editors of Independent Newspapers Limited, led by the company’s Managing Director and Editor- in -chief, Steve Omanufeme, at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday. Governor Wike said when Rivers experienced issues of insecurity in 2015, he ran to the Federal Government but rather than offering support, they dismissed it as politics out of hatred for the State and desire to see the remain ungovernable. “They didn’t send special forces to Rivers as they’re sending to other states now....

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16Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

8,000 Nigerians have been Vaccinated with no adverse effect – FG allays fears over AstraZeneca vaccine

The federal government of Nigeria said 8,000 Nigerians have been given the Covid-19 vaccine so far, including President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and none has reported any adverse effect since the vaccination began last week. A number of countries have suspended the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to concerns over reported negative effects. However, the federal government yesterday, March 15, assured Nigerians of its safety. It said no case of side effects of the vaccine such as blood clotting has so far been reported in the country. The number of countries that have suspended AstraZeneca vaccine increased yesterday with France, Germany, Spain and Italy joining the long list. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised countries using ...

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11Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Bandits Feel Everyone Is Against Them – Sheikh Gumi

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Wednesday suggested ways the Federal Government can resolve the challenge of banditry in the North. Gumi said the Federal Government should adopt the non-kinetic approach in tackling banditry and insecurity in the Northern part of the country. In an exclusive interview with DAILY POST, the cleric explained that the use of kinetic force was responsible for the current insecurity issue in the North. He stressed that bandits feel, “everybody is against them,” hence they are vicious and aggressively fighting for survival. According to Gumi: “Honestly speaking, there has to be a synergy of armed forces acting towards tackling insecurity. They should adopt the non-kinetic approach which should be about 80 percent because these ...

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11Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Wike, Amaechi Trade Words Over Corruption

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of shielding the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, from prosecution for allegedly misappropriating proceeds from the sales of some the state assets. The Governor said it was disingenuous for the Federal Government to commission the rehabilitation of a narrow gauge railway from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri at a time when the rest of the world was building a standard gauge railway. Wike spoke during the inauguration of 6.1km long, 7.3m wide Omuihuechi-Omuoko-Omokiri link Road in Aluu Ikwerre Local Government Area on Wednesday. The Governor said it was appalling that the Federal Government had continued to protect Amaechi from prosecution for his alleged inability to acc...

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10Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Over ₦527 Billion Ibori Loot Still Being Expected – Malami

The Federal Government says over £100m (N527bn), allegedly stolen by a former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, and his associates is still being expected. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today’ programme on Tuesday. Malami, who is also the Minister of Justice, said apart from the Ibori loot, $100m traced to the late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, was also being expected. He said, “As it is we have succeeded in recovering £4.2m from the UK. We are still pursuing other assets even as it relates to the Ibori assets. “The quantum of the amount involved was within the region of over £100m (N2.2bn) and it is out of it that we have succeeded in recovering a fraction of £4.2m and we are still pursuing ...

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10Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Government Had No Plan To Execute Bonny Deep Seaport Project – Wike

Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, says Federal Government, FG, was never willing to executive the Bonny Deep Sea Port it conceived for Rivers state and was only deceiving the people from the outset. Wike expressed the feeling on Monday, March 8, 2021, at the inauguration of Rumuji -Ibaa-Obelle-Isiopko Road in Rivers state performed by former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido who also bashed the All Progressives Congress, APC, as ruling without vision and feeling for the people. Wike declared, “Let them (FG) tell us what they had done for Rivers state. I hear they want to flag off railways narrow gauge from here (Rivers) to Maiduguri. Is that what we need? “They want to do Bonny Deep Sea Port, for how many years now? Before the drawings will come out, has the g...

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8Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Buhari Will Resolve Nigeria’s Challenges – APC Governors

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has expressed optimism that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government will resolve all the country’s challenges. PGF expressed confidence in a statement by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State in Abuja, while congratulating Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on his 64th birthday, NAN reports. “We join all Nigerians to celebrate this special day with you and your family, we commend your leadership, vision, commitment and loyalty to our nation and to Buhari. “We are confident that we will be able to resolve our national challenges and move our country forward with your dedicated service to our APC-led federal government under the leadership of Buhari. “We wish you a happy birthday and also say a big thank you for yo...

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7Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

No-Fly Zone: Ganduje Warns Against Politicizing Security Matters

The governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has cautioned politicians not to toy with security matters, saying negative reactions from states can undermine the efforts of the federal government in securing the nation. He described the declaration of Zamfara a no-fly zone as a well thought-out security strategy by the National Security Council that will help to overcome security challenges not only in Zamfara but other neighbouring states. Reacting to the declaration, the governor, who spoke to journalists at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, noted that politicians should at least wait and see how the strategy works before making comments that are capable of undercutting the efforts of our security services to keep the country safe. Mr Ganduje’s comments, whi...

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7Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

₦10.6 Billion COVID-19 Vaccine Logistics Cost Claim Is False – FG

The Federal Government has debunked media report claiming that not less than N10.6 billion had been earmarked for the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines across the country. A national daily had on Saturday, in its report, claimed to have cited a document put together by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and presented to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), which set the budget for the logistics distribution of vaccines to the states and council areas at N10.6 billion. However, reacting to the said report on Saturday, the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, described the quoted figure as incredulous, explaining that the responsibility of distribution of vaccines across the country had been taken over by the Coalition Against COVID-19 (C...

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6Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

FG Budgets N10.6bn For Transportation Of COVID-19 Vaccine Across Nigeria

The Federal Government has budgeted N10.6 billion for the transportation of COVID-19 vaccines to the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory. According to a document seen by PUNCH, a total of N12.7 billion was budgeted as cost of transportation for the vaccine, procurement of PPE and AEFI kits. In the document containing the budget details, Kano state has the highest budgetary allocation with N685.4million, while Lagos state, the epicenter of the pandemic, earmarked N558.6million for the transportation of the vaccine. Bayelsa state has the lowest budgetary allocation for transportation with N121 million. The budget was presented to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) alongside representatives of the federal ministry of health, on Thursday, in a meeting...

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4Mar By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Northern Traders Call-Off Strike, Say FG Agreed To Pay N4.75bn Compensation

The Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers in Nigeria (AUFCDN) has called off its nationwide strike after the Federal Government agreed to pay them N4.75 billion to them. President of AUFCDN, Comrade Muhammad Tahir, disclosed this after a meeting with the Federal Government presided over by Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello on Wednesday in Abuja. The Northern traders had blocked food supply to the South to demand the payment of N475 billion compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #ENDSARS protest and Shasha market chaos. The traders had also demanded the dismantling of all road blocks on federal highways and an agreement with state governments to withdraw services anytime their members were subjected to attack. Addressing reporters, Tahir said ...

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3Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

NIN: Buhari govt takes fresh steps on enrolment

The Federal Government has approved the establishment of Sim swap centres by Mobile Network Operators, MNOs, across the local government areas of the country. The approval was disclosed during a meeting of the ministerial Task Force on the NIN-SIM registration chaired by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami. During the meeting, the federal government also approved the extension of the tenure of National Identity Number, NIN, enrolment Agent Licenses for MNOs from 1 to 5 years. A statement jointly signed by Ikechukwu Adinde, Kayode Adegoke, Director, Public Affairs Head, Corporate Communications, Nigerian Communications Commission and Nigeria Identify Management Commission, respectively, said the steps were to simplify the enrolment process...

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1Mar By MosesianNo Comments

News

Nigeria to Receive about 3.92 Million Doses of AstraZeneca COVID19 Vaccine  on Tuesday

The Federal government has announced that Nigeria is scheduled to take delivery of 3.92 million doses of the COVID19 vaccine on Tuesday, March 2. The delivery will mark the first arrival of COVID19 vaccine in the country and make Nigeria the next West African country to benefit from the COVAX Facility after Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire. A statement from Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and Chief Executive of the NPHCDA, reads in part “The arrival of this vaccine is the result of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Muhammandu Buhari, the support of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the guidance of the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire. We are fully prepared to receive and deliver the ...

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28Feb By MosesianNo Comments

Health

Nigerian Govt Gives Update on Arrival of COVID-19 Vaccines

  The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, has confirmed that Nigeria will on Tuesday, March 2, receive the first batch of the coronavirus vaccines. Mustapha, who is also the chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, made the disclosure to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, NAN reports. “Nigeria is set to receive its first four million shipment of COVID-19 vaccines from COVAX. “The vaccines should depart India on March 1, 2021 in the night and arrive Abuja on the 2nd of March, 2021, ” he said. Recall that the Federal government had earlier announced that the first four million doses of the vaccines would arrive the country by the end of February. Mustapha, while evaluating the county’s response to COVID-19 in the past one year said the...

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25Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

Cattle Traders Begin Strike Today

Cattle and Foodstuff dealers under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) on Thursday February 25, began a nationwide strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the federal government to attend to their demands. The union had demanded payment of N475 billion compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and Shasa market chaos, and dismantling of all road blocks on federal highways due to problems its members get subjected to when carrying out their duties. Grand Matron of AUFCDN, Hajia Hauwa Kabir Usman who announced commencement of the strike asked the police not to disturb task force of the union who will carry out enforcement of the strike by ensuring that no food and cattle ...

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24Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Abductions: Senate Probes FG’s $20m Safe School Initiative Fund

The Senate urged the Federal Government to collaborate with states and local governments to urgently design and implement a workable arrangement to deploy well-armed security teams around all schools in Nigeria. It also mandated its Committees on Basic and Tertiary Education to investigate the use of the $20m Safe School Initiative Fund launched in 2014 during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This was sequel to a motion on “Urgent need for the Restoration and Revalidation of the Safe School Initiative in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Adi Odey Stephen (Cross River North). The Safe School Initiative was launched with support from the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown to ensure schools are protected and spaces safe for childr...

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22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nothing Wrong In Dialoguing With Bandits – FG

The federal government has maintained that there is nothing wrong in dialoguing with bandits. Last Wednesday, gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the Government Science College (GSC) Kagara, Rafi LGA of Niger state, and kidnapped several students, members of staff, and some members of their families. Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, had noted that his government is doing everything to rescue the victims, including facilitating negotiations with the bandits. While speaking during a radio programme monitored by NAN on Sunday, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, responded to Nigerians who had spoken against the strategy of dialoguing with criminals. Lai stated that nothing is wrong in dialoguing with bandits, as long as the ultimate objective is to make pea...

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22Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Insecurity: Niger State Governor, Sani Bello Calls For Recruitment Of More Security Personnel

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to expedite actions on recruitment of more security personnel. Governor Sani Bello made the call when he received the Niger State caucus in the National Assembly on a visit to commiserate with the Government over rising cases of banditry in the State. The Governor expressed concern with the insecurity in the State in particular and the country in general despite concerted efforts to stop it, pointing out that security agencies have been overstretched, inadequate and abscence of sufficient surveilance equipment to manage security challenges very well. "We have being making all efforts to see that it is being curtailed but it's been extremely difficult mostly because of man...

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21Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Atiku Supports Proposed Privatisation Of Refineries, Assets

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has supported decision by the Federal Government to privatise some of its assets. The assets include refineries, the International Conference Centre in Abuja, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, Zungeru Hydro Power, Tafawa Belewa Square, among others. A total of N493.4bn is expected to be earned from the sale of the assets which were classified under energy assets, industries and communication department as well as development institutions and natural resources. In a statement titled ‘Privatisation of Refineries and Other Assets: Better Late Than Never,’ Atiku however demanded transparency in the process. He expressed delight that the privatisation of public assets which he once championed and was scorned for by the All Progressives C...

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19Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Give us state police, decentralize judiciary now and allow states to control resources – El-Rufai tells FG

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has renewed calls for devolution of power between the Federal Government and 36 states in the country.   The Governor who was one of the speakers at a programme called ‘Radio Now’s Urgent Conversation’ which aired on Channels Television on Friday February 19, stated that centralised police for the country has not worked.   El-Rufai said; “I will dwell on three of the issues that I believe are critical to the immediate needs of the country to pull back from the brink. “The first, it is imperative for Federal, state, and community policing. We do not have enough police. One centralised police for the country just has not worked."   He also called for state control of resources and a less unitary judiciary. El-Rufa...

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17Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Kagara Students’ Abduction: FG Delegation, IGP Adamu, Others In Niger State

A Federal Government delegation including National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Babagana Monguno and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu are currently in Minna, Niger State capital. Also part of the delegation is the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; and the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi. The delegation is in Niger State as efforts to rescue the abducted students of the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, intensify. President Muhammadu Buhari has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a delegation team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College. Some gunmen had...

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16Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

DG-WTO: President Buhari, Atiku Abubakar, Others Congratulate Okonjo-Iweala

On behalf of the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari warmly felicitates with former Minister of Finance and Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on her election as Director General of the World Trade Organisation, bringing joy and more honour to the country. As the Harvard-educated and renowned economist takes up another onerous task of service to the world and humanity, the President believes her track record of integrity, diligence and passion for development will continue to yield positive results and rewards to mankind. President Buhari affirms that Dr Okonjo-Iweala, who over the years set major records of economic reforms in Nigeria as Minister of Finance, and later Minister of Foreign Affairs, will excel in her new position and validate the global mand...

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13Feb By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Release Macaroni, Others Or Be Ready To Arrest Millions Of Us – Dino Melaye To FG

Federal Government must release Debo Macaroni and others immediately or be ready to arrest millions of us across the country. Peaceful protest is one of the inalienable rights we enjoy as enshrined in our constitution, The Africa chatter on People's right and United Nation....SDM

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13Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

Stop Giving Ethnic Colouration to Crimes – FG

The federal government has asked Nigerians to stop giving ethnic colouration to crimes. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola who said this as he received a delegation from the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 14 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Friday February 12, averred that crime is evil to the nation and the morality of the African race and Nigeria in particular, abhors all forms of criminal activities. Aregbesola further asked the institute to think of how it could help Nigerians change the narrative of crime tied to a particular ethnic group and stop prioritising tension and heating up the polity unnecessarily. The statement read;   FG URGES NIGERIANS TO STOP ETHNOCISING CRIMES The Federal Government has called on Niger...

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5Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

FG suspends Emirate outbound flights from Nigeria

The Federal Government has placed a 72-hour suspension on outbound Emirates flights from Nigeria.   The suspension was announced in a circular issued on February 4 by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).   The circular states that the suspension followed a violation of guidelines placed by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.   According to the circular signed by Musa Nuhu, NCAA director-general, the airline has been airlifting passengers from Nigeria using rapid antigen tests conducted by laboratories not approved by regulatory authorities.   The circular read, “Based on the foregoing and to enable the Nigerian government to put in place the needed infrastructure and logistics for COVID-19 RDT testing for departing passengers, the P...

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1Feb By MosesianNo Comments

News

Third Mainland Bridge Reopened by FG

The federal government has reopened the Third Mainland Bridge which was closed down for maintenance days ago. Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola said the bridge was reopened after they completed the maintenance work by midnight of January 31. Popoola also disclosed that the Lagos State Government and other relevant agencies have been notified of the reopening. “The casting of the expansion joints was completed on Saturday. Therefore, the Third Mainland Bridge will be opened by 12 midnight of January 31. “Motorists can start plying the bridge as from 12 midnight."

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27Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of ₦284 Million Belonging To Ex-Gov Yari To FG

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ordered a final forfeiture of about N284, 306, 294.04 linked to a former governor of Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, to the Federal Government. The money was said to have been lodged with Zenith Bank Plc and Polaris Bank. Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the FHC who gave the final forfeiture order said that Yari could not show how he made the huge sum of monies while or before serving as governor of the state (between May 29, 2011, and May 29, 2019). Yari and two companies belonging to him (Kayatawa Nig. Ltd and B.T. Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd) were indicted for alleged fraud and were dragged to the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission. Justice Taiwo Taiwo, who had granted an interim order on those monies on Au...

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25Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Nigeria’s Security Situation Better Than In 2015 – Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government on Monday said although the country was facing security challenges, the current situation is better than what the present regime met at its inception in 2015. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this while answering questions at a press conference in Abuja. He was joined at the briefing by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. “I can say without hesitation that, though Nigeria is facing security challenges, the situation is far better than what we met in 2015,” the minister said. He explained that before the inception of the present regime, bombings by Boko Haram members were being witnessed in about 12 states including Abuja. He said the situation has changed for the better. “There is no doubt that we are much bette...

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25Jan By dthataNo Comments

News

Despite Importation Ban, Foreign Rice Floods Nigerian Markets

Imported rice has flooded Nigerian markets despite the ban imposed on the product by the federal government to encourage local production and self-sufficiency, Daily Trust reports. Findings have revealed that the recent reopening of some land borders has aggravated the illegal importation of the commodity. Stakeholders in the value chain, including local processors and growers, have expressed dismay over the development, saying it would reverse the gains recorded in the last few years. However, some observers have blamed millers for mopping up paddy rice and processing it in piecemeal, to attract more profit, thereby sabotaging the effort of the federal government in making rice affordable to Nigerians. President Muhammadu Buhari had in December, 2020, directed that the four b...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Jonathan’s Government Offered Us 100 Billion, Buhari Should Honor It – Herdsmen

The National Secretary, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Mr Saleh Alhassan, has said his group indeed demanded from the Federal Government the payment of N100bn to herders but for the construction of ranches and not for amnesty as reported on social media. Alhassan made the clarification in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday. He claimed former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to give them the money and that was what informed their decision to support his re-election in 2015. The Miyetti Allah chief, however, said that after Jonathan left, the initiative was suspended, hence the decision of the group to present the matter to the President Muhammadu Buhari government. Asked why N100bn should be paid to violent herders to stop kidnappings, Alhassan said, “That is a mischiev...

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24Jan By BobbyNo Comments

News

Restructure, let Fulanis go their way – Miyetti Allah tells FG

The Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore herdsmen group has appealed to the Federal Government to consider the calls for restructuring of the country.   In an interview with Sunday Punch, the group's National Secretary Saleh Alhassan alleged that they are being marginalized in the country.   Alhassan further said if the calls for restructuring is heeded to, it will enable Fulanis go their way and also know what is theirs. He also wondered if Nigerians think there will be peace when they don't have access to lands to feed their animals.   He said;   “We don’t support crime. So, I’m not saying there are no Fulani that are criminals, there are, like other tribes, but don’t destroy their profession. It’s not good for the country. If everything busts, it’s to the ...

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24Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

“Treat South-West Issues With Utmost Caution” – Senator Dino Melaye Tells FG

Federal Government must treat the issue of the South West with utmost caution. It is not a time to show bravado or strength. A wrong move may end Nigeria. This Government is not popular enough to fight NOW. SDM

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22Jan By dthataNo Comments

Politics

Sani-Gwarzo Blames EndSARS Protest, COVID-19 For Rising Cement Price

The Federal Government says last year’s #ENDSARS protests and the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted production flows were responsible for the skyrocketing of cement price in Nigeria. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo said this at an event in Abuja adding that the development affected the volume of stock levels in the supply chain due to reduction of cash flow of major distributors and high cost of transportation. Market surveys show that prices of cement and associated products, such as blocks, in many states, including Abuja, have continued to rise. For instance, the price of a 50-kilogramme bag now goes for N3, 700 in Lagos and Cross River states; N4,000 in Enugu and Imo states; Rivers state N4,300; Abuja N3,700; Kano ...

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