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Fear Of Third Waves: Intense Lobbying To Acquire More COVID-19 Vaccines From Donors Ongoing, Health Minister

Toyin Adebayo
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Fear Of Third Waves: Intense Lobbying To Acquire More COVID-19 Vaccines From Donors Ongoing, Health Minister

The Nigerian government has strengthen its lobbying to foreign partners to inoculate more citizens in the days ahead with the COVID-19 vaccines due to the effects of the third wave of COVID-19 in a number of countries around the world.

Speaking to this, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire on Thursday in Abuja during the weekly briefing organised by the Presidential Media Team, said Nigeria is ready to accept any brand of Covid vaccines from benevolent countries, after the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC must have verified its efficacy.

While adding that , already the Nigerian government is exploring available windows with the United Nations UN, the World Trade Organization WTO, the World Bank among others, to see how it can get more supplies to boost vaccination, especially its 70percent vaccination target by 2022.

According to the Minister, Nigeria has not gotten out of the woods yet, as only 2percent (2,000,000) citizens have so far been vaccinated.

He disclosed that about 29million Johnson and Johnson vaccines are being expected in the country between June and July this year, noting that India which supplied the first dose of Astra- Zeneca vaccine has reneged on further supplies owing to its dire constraints.

Ehanire also noted that over 10,000 persons who received the first dose of vaccines complained of mild reactions like head ache, feverish conditions, some degrees of body pains among others.

According to him, such mild incidences were not enough to write-off the AstraZeneca vaccine as ineffective.

NECO Governing Board Appoints John Ogborodi Acting As Registrar

Shehu Danladi
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NECO Governing Board Appoints John Ogborodi Acting As Registrar

The Governing Board of the National Examinations Council (NECO) has approved the appointment of Mr. Ebikibina John Ogborodi as the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive of the Council.

This was contained in a statement by the Head Information and Public Relations Division of NECO, Azeez Sani, noting that the appointment followed the death of the Registrar, Professor Godswill Obioma on Monday, 1st June, 2021 after a brief illness.

Until his appointment, Mr. Ogborodi was the Director Special Duties in the Council.

A Circular issued by the Director, Human Resource Management, Mr. Mustapha K. Abdul, explained that the Acting Registrar’s appointment was endorsed by the Governing Board at its emergency meeting held on 2nd June, 2021.

The Circular explained that Mr. Ogborodi’s appointment was as a result of his being the most Senior Director in the Council.

The Circular stated that all activities of the Council are to continue unabated as earlier planned.

Mr. Ogborodi hails from Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He obtained his first Degree from University of Jos in 1986 and a Master Degree in Learning Disability from the same university in 1999.

The Acting Registrar joined the services of NECO in 1999 and had served in different capacities.

He was a former Acting Director, Examination Development Department; Acting Director, Office of the Registrar; Director, General Services and Director, Human Resource Management among others.

He is married and blessed with children.

Holy Ka’aba’s Imam Visits Zulum, Says We Monitor Your Achievements From A Far

Saladin Babagana
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Holy Ka’aba’s Imam Visits Zulum, Says We Monitor Your Achievements From A Far

Prof. Hassan Abdulhamid Bukhari, a Saudi academic and one of the Imams leading congregational prayers at the Holy Ka’ba (masjid Al-Haram) in Makkah, has paid a courtesy visit on Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The visit held on Wednesday evening at the Government House, Maiduguri.

Imam Bukhari, who is the Dean, faculty of Arabic Studies for non natives at Ummul Qura University in Makkah, was in Maiduguri on the invitation of Dr. Mohammed Kyari Dikwa, President of Al-ansar Foundation that is currently building Borno’s first private university, at a site in Maiduguri.

The holy Ka’aba Imam, while meeting Zulum, said he was highly impressed with Borno’s hospitality and age long history of Quranic knowledge. He noted that the state is known for it’s numerous Quran reciters all over the world.

Professor Bukhari, whose message was translated into English by his host, Dr Dikwa, noted that he was happy to associate with Zulum’s administration having monitored all his achievements in far away Saudi Arabia.

“Professor Bukhari has particularly shown interest in you, having monitored your activities over the last few years and indeed happy to associate with you and your government over the development that has carried out under your stewardship” Dr. Dikwa noted.

In his response, Governor Zulum noted that Borno has a long standing relationship with the government and people of Saudi Arabia, particularly the custodian of the two holy mosques. He expressed appreciation for their visit.

He said, “Indeed, one of the Imams of the holy Mosque, Masjid Alharam visiting Maiduguri is pleasing to the entire Muslim community in the state” Zulum said.

He also sought for the support from Saudi Arabia’s Government in areas of Teaching Arabic and Islamic Education.

Zulum also sought support in combating violent extremist ideologies in attempt to restore peace in Borno state.

The Governor explained that Kanuris were originally from the Arab nations before migrating to Borno.

Gunmen Hijack School Bus In Ondo

Roland Edet
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Gunmen Hijack School Bus In Ondo

Gunmen numbering about eight on Thursday morning hijacked a school bus with the inscription Chimola School, at Oba-Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident, which happened around 6:45am in Oba-Ile Housing Estate, has caused serious panic in the little town.

An eyewitness account to newsmen that the hijackers who were armed with guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons, rode on motorbikes and surrounded the vehicle with registration numberr Lagos LSD 853 FJ which forced the driver to stop.

The driver was dragged down from the bus while one of the gunmen jumped into the driver’s seat and they all zoomed off.

But it could not be ascertained as at the time of filling this report if the attendant who was with the driver in the bus got down from the bus or was driven away with the bus as her whereabouts is not known.

The driver and the attendant had just set out to begin to pick pupils from their homes when the criminals struck.

Fortunately, no pupil had been picked before the incident happened.

Spokesman to the state Police Command, Tee-Leo Ìkorò, a Superintendent of Police, told newsmen he’s yet to be briefed about the incident.

Onion Traders Suspend Supply to South-east Over Insecurity

Roland Edet
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Onion Traders Suspend Supply to South-east Over Insecurity

The Onion Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (OPMAN) has announced its decision to suspend onion supply to the South-east over insecurity.

The National President of OPMAN, Mr. Aliyu Isah, made the announcement on Wednesday, saying, the association’s decision was based on the recent hijack of two of their members’ trucks by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State.

The farmers and marketers said they lost onions worth N2.4 billion to fire in Sokoto State.

The cause of the fire was still unknown but one of the victims, Umaru Aliyu Gidan Fadama, said that the fire started from Yan doya market otherwise known as Ramin Kura.

According to him, it started around 12:30 am yesterday.

“We were told that it started from a Golf vehicle that was offloading yams at the market and later spread to other places including where our storage facilities are.

“I personally lost 60 bags of onion and I know some that have lost more than 100 bags,” he said.

The National President of OPMAN told our reporter that 200,000 bags of onion worth N2 billion were lost to the fire.

“We are only praying to God to bring succour to them but it was a terrible and unfortunate incident,” he said.

He noted that the problem could lead to a serious onion crisis in the country because most of the affected producers and marketers had lost their investment.

“Some of the farmers sell their produce to buy input for the upcoming season and with this development, they cannot go back to the farm,” he said.

Airport Concession Won’t Affect $500m China Loan Payment’

Ola Akinola
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Airport Concession Won’t Affect $500m China Loan Payment’

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The federal government on Wednesday said that the concession of four international airports would not affect the repayment of the $500 million loan taken from the China Exim Bank for the airports’ terminals.

In a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), the federal government document said there is no conflict with the China Exim Bank over the concession.

Besides, the government envisages a 30-year tenure for the concession which can be extended.

The document said, “China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) was contracted to deliver a number of infrastructure projects throughout Nigeria in 2013. The Passenger Terminal development works are a small part of this, and the federal government has every intention to service its obligation.”

The government further explained that it was “looking for partners who have the financial, technical and operational capabilities to manage these assets profitably and responsibly.”

The document said the concession of the airports would relieve the federal government of the burden of funding the airport as the responsibility becomes that of the concessionaire.

It also said the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would remain the manager of the airports, even as it said other aviation agencies continue to play their roles at the airports.

NNPC Says $40bn Investments Needed for Nigeria’s Gas Plan

Nnenna Nwankwo
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NNPC Says $40bn Investments Needed for Nigeria’s Gas Plan

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has hinted that the Nigerian oil and gas industry will require at least $40 billion in direct investments in basic infrastructure to achieve the federal government’s much talked-about about “Decade of Gas.”

Similarly , the Secretary General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, said the cartel’s latest assessment showed that capital investments in the upstream of the oil and gas industry fell by 30 per cent in 2020.

NNPC said on Wednesday that it was targeting between 7.4 billion cubic feet to 10 billion cubit feet of gas in the next couple of years, compared to its current 1.6 bcf supply capacity.

Speaking at a virtual forum organised by the Association of Local Distributors of Gas (ALDG), tagged “The Decade of Gas: Unlocking Opportunities in the Domestic Gas Market,” the Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, NNPC, Mr Yusuf Usman, stated that a major constraint in achieving local content through the programme is the difficult conditions placed by foreign lenders.

He , however, stated that the corporation expects to grow about 10 gas-based industries as it works towards the 10-year target.

He added that the figure on the quantum of funds needed is based on the submissions NNPC has received from potential investors.

In addition, he stated that about 39 thermal power plants were being targeted as opposed to the current 33.

According to him, “by the end of this year, the NNPC is projecting an added gas sales of about 600 mmscfd, compared to its current 1.6 bcf to hit 2.2 bcf by the end of 2021.

“In terms of benefits, we will generate 45,000 megawatts of power in terms of gas use, creating massive employment and import substitution.

“There are changes we need to look at to actualise the decade of gas. We see the huge amount of investment, both Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) that will come into the country upward of $40 billion or much more than that in order to achieve all the aggressive plans that that are outlined in the decade of gas.

This investment will come in the upstream, midstream and downstream, but there are challenges as well because there have been a lot of announcements around funding for fossil fuels and these are some of the things we have to look at as we go forward and we need to figure out the announcement vis-a-vis the foreign estimate that we expect.”

He added that the corporation has a supply plan to deliver up to 4.5 bcf of gas into the market, while going forward, the country expects 7.4 bcf of gas.

According to Usman, there are urgent plans to complete ongoing gas projects in the country, including the AKK project , which he described as one of the most aggressive and biggest pipeline infrastructure ever embarked upon by the country. The pipeline spans 614 km.

He said all the gas activities going on around the country were being handled by local construction companies and local providers of services due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

“Going forward into 10 years, we expect to do another big pipeline that will take up gas from south, all the way into Ajaokuta and possibly we extend it all the way to Maiduguri,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will be passed this year, noting that the corporation is ready to adjust to the changes that the law will impose.

Usman stated that by the corporation’s projection, demand for gas to generate electricity in the country will consume between 60 to 70 per cent of the entire commodity produced, with the ongoing plan to generate 45,000MW.

“The other challenge we have is the liquidity in the power sector, and there’s a lot of work going on because it is a very huge market. If you see the demand projections that we have done, it is going to consume 60 to 70 per cent of the gas that we have.

Not only that; without power, all the development programmes we are thinking of will be a mirage. It is an inevitable equation that we have to solve to move towards development and issues around it have to be resolved,” he stated.

Usman urged policy makers to answer the questions surrounding gas pricing, since Nigeria is interested in using gas as a source of revenue as well as balancing between investment and local content drive.

“All these FDI come with conditionality before taking the money. That will put a limit to our local content drive. As you all know, the restrictions by itself affect the kind of projections that we look at,” he added.

He stated that if Nigeria will achieve the decade of gas, it must transit to a willing-buyer willing-seller market.

Besides, there must be a document with timelines as well as defined investment strategies on the announcement that is being made about the restriction for fossil fuel to achieve the decade of gas.

Tax Forms 70% Of FACC Allocations, Says Nami

Mosali Edunosa
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Tax Forms 70% Of FACC Allocations, Says Nami

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Muhammad Mamman Nami, has said that 60 to 70 per cent of the funds shared monthly by the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FACC) among the three tiers of government, come from tax generated by the Service.

Nami said this when he received the management of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) in his office in Abuja Wednesday.

The FIRS boss noted that taxes were the primary source of revenue to governments all over the world and as such the FIRS has been generating the bulk of funds distributed by FAAC.

The Director General of NLRC, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, however, expressed readiness to collaborate with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on all areas of mutual interest in fostering increased revenue generation for the Federal Government.

The development came ahead of its planned National Gaming Conference, slated for July 2021.

“Scope of operations has grown, just as the entire industry is witnessing astronomical growth. We seek out sister Federal Government agencies relevant in our actualising our mandate for concrete collaborations,” he said.

He also identified issues of double regulation and double taxation as areas of challenges for the operators of lottery business in Nigeria.

Expressing his appreciation for the visit, Nami said, “We are not taking the visit lightly as it will assist us to meet our target. We are always interested in meeting our critical partners in progress and together we will be able to block all revenue leakages in the country. The visit is very important and appreciated,” he said.

Nami accepted the participation invitation as he committed to sustaining collaborations in other areas with NLRC initiated before his tenure.

I’m A Pro-Constitutional Democrat, Malami

Grace Itodu
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I’m A Pro-Constitutional Democrat, Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has dismissed as untrue the recent report of a “fictitious memo” allegedly emanating from him to the Presidency on the need to suspend the constitution .

He said this in a statement signed by Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Public Relations and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

See full statement below :

“The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami,SAN has been drawn to a false and fictitious report alleging that there was a secret memo emanating from the Office to the Presidency.

“General publics are hereby asked to disregard the media report as fabrications of anti-constitutional democratic stability in Nigeria.

“Malami remains a true democrat who believes in rules of law and tenant of democracy and Constitutional order.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is a constitutionally recognised one with its role and responsibilities embedded in the constitution.

“It is antithetical to common sense to think that the holder of such coveted Office as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will stoop to what was printed by the media.

“The Government does not operate in secrecy as it is not a clandestine operation. Hence, Malami discharges his constitutionally recognized mandates in compliance with principles of transparency, openness and accountability.”

Police Arrests 84 Notorious Criminals In Special Operations

Gladys Phillip
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Police Arrests 84 Notorious Criminals In Special Operations

Following the ongoing implementation of a robust security action plan to protect citizens and critical national infrastructure across the country, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, have arrested a total of eighty-four (84) notorious criminal suspects within the past one month.

A total of forty-five (45) sophisticated firearms and ammunition including 1-GPMG, 1-LAR rifle, 17-AK47 rifles, 2-Pump Action rifles, 20- locally fabricated firearms, 3-single barrel guns, 9899- live ammunition of different calibres, 80-fake vehicle number plates, 1- Toyota Camry with Reg. No. AA 792 HJA and 1-Toyota Corolla LE with Reg. No. QAP 622 AA, were recovered from the suspects in the operations.

The suspects were arrested for their involvement in series of violent crimes including terrorism, banditry, kidnap for ransom, possession and proliferation of illegal weapons, armed robbery, unlawful production of vehicle number plates etc. While many of the suspects were arrested in follow-up on cases of violent crimes under investigations, many others were arrested after being subdued following gun duel with the police who took the battle to the doorsteps of the criminals.

Notably amongst the cases is the arrest of four (4) members of a notorious criminal gang responsible for carrying out some of the high-profile kidnap for ransom operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Bauchi, and Plateau States. The suspects are Umar Abdullahi ‘m’ 40yrs of kali Kura village, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State, Yusuf Tanimu ‘m’ 23yrs of Kurena, Zaria, Kaduna State, Mamuda Suleiman ‘m’ 40yrs of Barkin ladi, Plateau State and Abubakar Yaro ‘m’ 38yrs from Wase village, Plateau State. Investigations revealed that the gang are linked to series of kidnap for ransom crimes including the kidnapping of some senior staff of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, family members of notable political appointees and business entrepreneurs in Kaduna State and other contiguous State.

Investigations revealed that the suspects were at an advanced stage of operationalizing their plans to kidnap a Catholic Bishop in Zaria, when they were apprehended. Investigations further revealed that the gang, in addition to their kidnapping enterprise, also supply arms and ammunition to Bandits at Birnin Gwarri, kaduna State, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara States. One (1) General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two (2) AK47 rifles, six thousand, five hundred and nine (6,509) live ammunition were recovered from the syndicate during the operation.

Similarly, the Police team arrested a 7-man criminal syndicate that specializes in the manufacturing and supplies of locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and ammunition to bandits in forests along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway and funtua – kankara expressway in Katisina State. The suspects are; Dung Michael ‘m’ 26yrs, Dung James ‘m’ 29yrs, Bulus Iliya ‘m’ 25yrs, Markus Danladi ‘m’ 25yrs, Danjuma Dachu ‘m’ 25yrs all from Jos South and Samaila Abdullahi ‘m’ 45yrs from Toro in Bauchi State, Maek Danladi ‘m’ 30yrs from Chukum, Kaduna State. In a similar vein, one Abubakar Mohammed a.k.a Mallam Buzu from Mali who is a transnational gun-runner was arrested by the Police team in Tsamiya, a border town between Benin Republic and Nigeria. He was arrested with a GPMG ammunition chain drive with holding capacity of 1,600 rounds of ammunition.

In addition, three (3) suspects responsible for production of fake vehicle number plates including replica of number plates of government, diplomatic and security agencies were arrested. Investigations revealed that the suspects supply the number plates to criminal elements who use same to beat security checks during their operations. A total of eighty (80) fake number plates were recovered from the gang.

The Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc , while affirming that the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches targeted at re-ordering security in the country are already yielding positive results, reassures citizens of the renewed commitment of the Force to the fight against crimes and criminality. He calls for sustained support for the Police and the security community as efforts are intensified to enhance public safety, peace and security.

All the suspects will be charged to court on completion of investigations.

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