The Government of the Federation on Thursday said it has so far released N288billion from the N2.3trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.
Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba made this known on the sidelines of the National Steering Committee meeting of the Nigeria Open Government Partnership in Abuja.
Commenting on measures adopted to salvage the economy from collapsing as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister said the N2.3trillion stimulus package was earmarked and deployed in various sectors of the economy.
His words; “And there are basically two sources of funding the N2.3trillion.
“The first N500bn had to come from special accounts, which were embedded in the revised budget.”
“And then the other N1.8tn, which has programmes that were set up to be financed through the financial institutions.
“And we had negotiated a five per cent interest rates with a one year moratorium just to ensure that we are able to grow agriculture, look after the MSMEs, support the aviation sector”, he stated.
The minister said the Federal Government also made provisions for the states, as it stopped the repayment of loans collected by the states.
According to him, “We also made some provisions for the states for their survival. Like you know the states had some bailout funds that they got from borrowings.
“We had to stop the repayment, both the principal and the interest for a year. These are measures that had to be taken to get the economy going.”
Agba said the measures eventually paid off, as the country posted a positive GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Commenting on how much of the N2.3trillion stimulus package had so far been injected into the economy, the minister replied, “For the N500bn which came from the budget, we have released about N288bn to deal with those issues.
“Some of it revolves around infrastructure and they are not things you do in a day. It is when the work is completed that you make the balance payment.”
Gunmen suspected to be robbers on Thursday killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) guarding the University of Benin Bursar’s private residence at Ogheghe Community, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state.
The incident reportedly occurred at about 2.45am in the early hours of Thursday at the presidential area of the community.
A community source who pleaded annonymity said the gunmen were suspected to be fleeing from a robbery scene in the area when they inadvertently landed in the Bursar’s residence after scaling through a nearby fence.
He said; “Upon landing in the Bursar’s compound, the gunmen met the NSCDC officer identified as Alex Osaghae sleeping- and the hoodlums immediately opened fire on him and thereafter made away with the officer’s riffle.
Neither Mr. Victor Imagbe the Uniben Bursar nor Dr. Benedicta Ehanire- the institution’s spokesperson had responded to inquiries as at the time of filing this report.
However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Edo State Command, NSCDC, Mr. Ogbebor Efosa confirmed the incident.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again insisted on state and community policy, following the unabated insecurity ravaging the nation.
Lamenting the Tuesday night’s massacre of no fewer than 30 compatriots in simultaneous bandit attacks on four villages in two local government areas of Zamfara state, the party expressed concern that bandits and terrorist elements are now holding the nation to ransom.
The party, which also bemoans the killing of a staff as well as abduction of unknown number of students of Greenfield University in Kaduna state, the same Tuesday night, pointed out that the situation is getting worse due to the manifest lack of commitment by the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to decisively confront the situation and secure the country.
This was contained in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan which was made available to newsmen in Abuja ,stating that, “today, under President Muhammadu Buhari, our nation has become an expansive killing field where bandits, terrorist, kidnappers and invaders are having a field day despoiling our communities and killing our compatriots.
The statement read in bits; “This is completely unacceptable! “Our party recalls that we had advised President Buhari to conduct a holistic rejigging of our national security architecture but Mr. President only replaced the faces of the service chiefs, without any attention to serious operational issues, as if the replacement of commanders were the exclusive magic wand for the security challenges facing our nation.
“In the same vein, our party had demanded for the decentralization of the police structure in a manner that will allow for effective state and community policing in the country.
“Rather than implement such, the Buhari presidency as well as the APC are toying with constabulary system of policing even when it is clear that such cannot be a direct response to the level of banditry and insecurity pervading our nation today.”
The PDP noted that the situation in the nation today has become too critical and demanding a surgical approach, including amendment to the constitution and other statutes that will allow for an effective community police system.
“It is clear to all, that no matter the number of the Inspector Generals that are replaced, the policing structure of our nation will remain ineffective if left under the prevailing statutory framework,” the party said.
The PDP, has, however, charged President Buhari to wake up from slumber, stop his unnecessary rhetoric, blame games and lame marching orders and take bold steps to rejig the national security architecture to guarantee the protection of lives and property in the country.
“Our party holds that President Buhari, as the commander-in-chief, who promised to lead from the front, cannot be sleeping on duty or having penchant for overseas trips when our nation is on the edge,” the party said.
Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Wednesday launched three separate attacks on some communities in Makurdi, Guma and Agatu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue state, killing a traditional ruler, five others and left several others with various degree of injuries.
The traditional ruler, Zaki Hyacinth Ajon and Benjamin Anakula were butchered to death in Tse-Zoola village, Agan, Makurdi LGA of the state, while the herdsmen killed another two in Mbayer-Yandev council ward of Guma LGA, injuring three other persons in the process.
The other attack took place in Odugbeho council ward, Agatu LGA of the state, where two persons where shot to death by rampaging herdsmen.
In the attack on Tse-Zoola, the state Governor Samuel Ortom made a brief stop over while returning from another function, sued for calm, even as he assured the community that government would do everything within it’s powers to ensure their safety.
The oldest man in the community, Elder Aho Zoola, who narrated the incident, told the governor that “The militia herdsmen attacked our village around 2am when the people were asleep, and killed Zaki Ajon and Benjamin Anakula.”
“We have never had any issues with herdsmen even when their herds graze on our crops we watch helplessly because we do not want any problems but despite our disposition they still came and killed our Zaki and our son.”, he lamented.
Confirming the attack on Mbayer-Yandev community in Guma LGA on Thursday, the Chairman, Caleb Aba said the incident occurred at about 8pm on Wednesday.
According to him, “It happened at about 8pm though my attention was drawn to the incident at about 9pm that Fulani herdsmen invaded Mbayer-Yandev council ward, killing two persons and injuring three others who have been moved to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), for treatment.”
On the other hand, the Deputy Leader, Agatu Legislative Council, Julius Abu who confirmed the attack in Odugbeho said the herdsmen attacked and murdered two persons in his constituency, even as he condemned the killings, describing it as unprovoked.
The Deputy Leader who is also the Councillor representing Odugbeho council ward observed that those killed by the marauding herdsmen had killed Joseph Babayo and Simon Idewu both natives of Odugbeho and Ayila communities along Odugbeho road.
He appealed to government to deploy military personnel to the area to check the incessant killings and mounting tension in area, insisting that people were deserting their homes for fear of more invasion and attacks on their community.
Abi further observed that, “We have appeal to our people to remain calm and avoid the temptation of taking the law into their hands.”
However, efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue state command, DSP, Sewuese Anene to confirm the reports proved abortive, as calls put through to her were rebuffed.
The Senate Committee has expressed commitment to upgrade the Yaba College of Technology and the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro to Universities of Technology.
The committee led by Senator Ahmad Baba-Kaita (APC Katsina North) revealed through a public hearing on the three bills proposing the legislation.
While adding that the move to upgrade the institution and the Nigeria French Language Village in Ajara Badagry, Lagos State to an Inter – University Centre for French Language Studies is to expand opportunities for the country’s teeming youths to gain technology-base knowledge.
In his presentation on the bills at the Public Hearing, the Sponsor, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola stated that, “Permit me to state clearly that these three bills namely: (1) “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Yaba ; and for other matters Connected therewith” (SB. 85) 2021; (2) “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ilaro; to Make Comprehensive Provisions for its due Management and Administration and for Other Matters Connected therewith” (SB. 84) 2021 and (3) “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of the Nigerian French Language Village as an interuniversity Centre for French Studies and for Other Matters Connected therewith (58.483), are all pursuant of one of my legislative agenda to enhance and develop educational institutions as well as human resources development in Nigeria.
It is elementary to state that all aspects of development in modern world are premised on the level of education obtainable in the society.”
He argued that the country was in dire need of more tertiary institutions that cater for the country’s growing population as current available spaces in existing universities cannot meet national demand for University education.
He said, “With the massive explosion in our population estimated at over 200 million and the youthful segment consisting of over half of that figure, there is no doubt that the number and available admission spaces in our existing universities are quite limited in absorbing the number of our people desiring higher education at the university level.
With about 170 public and private universities in Nigeria with a capacity for about 700,000 students at any point in time, it is clear that in Nigeria we are yet to get to the point where we have enough admission spaces in universities for our youths in Nigeria.
The need to expand opportunities for our teeming youth in gaining admission into universities for good education, particularly technology-based education, informed my sponsorship of the bills to upgrade two major existing polytechnics to full-blown universities of technology”.
Adeola also explained that the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos State proposed to be upgraded to Federal University of Technology, Yaba is one of the oldest tertiary educational institution in Nigeria.
According to him, “The need for the establishment of this university of technology is informed mostly by historical imperatives as well as the expansion and development of the Yaba College of Technology since its establishment in 1947 as a successor to the Yaba Higher College way back during the colonial era. Indeed, it is undisputable that Yaba College of Technology is the “cradle of higher education in Nigeria”.
“The mandate of the school is to provide full-time and part-time courses of instruction and training in technology, applied science, commerce, management and in such other fields of applied learning relevant to the needs of the development of Nigeria in the areas of industrial and agricultural production and distribution; and for research in the development and adaptation of techniques.
“The institution to a large extent has fulfilled this mandate over the years with many of its graduates playing key roles in our industry and the economy.
“The establishment of this university of technology will go a long way in addressing the challenge of the huge demand for requisite educational institution for the Mega City of Lagos State. From all estimates, projections and demographic studies, Lagos State population of over 20 million will continue to grow as a mega city.
“At present, Yaba College of Technology have Schools of (1) Arts, Design &Printing (2) Engineering (3) Environmental Studies, (4) Liberal Studies (5) Management and Business Studies (6) Science (7) Technical Education (8) Technology, with over 50 specialized departments.”, he said.
Making similar presentation on the bill for the upgrade of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro to a Federal University of Technology, Senator Adeola said : “The imperative for the establishment of this university of technology is informed mostly by the expansion and development of the Polytechnic from its inception in 1979, some 42 years ago.
“The institution presently has ample latitude for massive expansion in term of land space spanning several square kilometers of land. It is also worthy of note that the Polytechnic like Yaba College of Technology has many infrastructural facilities, which many state-owned universities and privately-owned universities cannot boast of.
“At present it has fully developed Schools of: (1) Applied Science (2) Engineering (3) Environmental Studies, (4) Information &Technology (5) Management Studies with over 40 Departments in different areas of specialization in the schools. The Polytechnic at Ilaro also have a Radio Station serving as training centre as well as public enlightenment for host and neighbouring communities.
“The establishment of Federal University of Technology, Ilaro in Ogun State will also go a long way in balancing the spread of educational infrastructure in the state and other parts of our nation. Among the three Senatorial Districts of Ogun State, the Senatorial District where this proposed University is cited, is the only one without a state or Federal Government owned university with the two other Senatorial Districts having upward of two State/Federal Government owned universities located therein”.
He added that for the bill on the establishment of Nigeria French Language Village, Ajara Badagry, Lagos State, as an Inter-University Centre for French Language Studies, its passage and eventual enactment into law, will cure the anomaly of the institution’s existence in Nigeria since 1991 (29 years) without a legislation.
According to him, in our on-going drive for holistic development, Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in French Language proficiency among the comity of Nations at the international level.
Virtually all the Stakeholders who attended the public hearing like representative of the National Universities Commission (NUC), management and staffers from the affected Institutions, supported the legislative proposals.
The Federal Executive Council has approved contracts for the emergency rehabilitation/improvement of access road to the Idu Screening and Isolation Center and Gosa Solid Waste disposal site in Abuja.
The rehabilitation is at a contract sum of N3,524,524,912.81 (Three Billion, Five Hundred and Twenty Four Million, Five Hundred and Twenty Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twelve Naira, Eighty One Kobo) to Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd.
The Council also approved the contract for the Emergency Rehabilitation /Improvement of Access Road to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) Reference Laboratory in the Gaduwa District of Abuja at the sum of N2,493,389,942.88 (Two Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety Three Million, Three Hundred and Eighty Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Two Naira and Eighty Eight Kobo) to Messrs CBC Global Civil and Building Construction Nig Ltd
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye stated that these approvals were based on memos presented to the Federal Executive Council by the minister.
Speaking on the significance of the projects, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin revealed that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the site currently housing the Idu Screening and Isolation Center was identified as the best suited place for the establishment of such a facility out of several that were considered for the fight against the virus. However, the access road to the Idu Isolation Center was unmotorable, hence the need for its rehabilitation.
On the construction of the access road to the NCDC at the Gaduwa District, Engr Jibrin said that in a similar vein, at the onset of the pandemic the access road to the NCDC facility at Gaduwa was equally unmotorable leading to the decision to embark on an emergency procurement process to rehabilitate it
The Executive Secretary said that the rehabilitation works are substantially completed and include the installation of standalone solar streetlights.
He also revealed that in the course of rehabilitating the access road to the NCDC, access road to the Nigerian Medical Dental Council facility also located within the Gaduwa District was also rehabilitated.
According to the Executive Secretary, these projects are essential to the FCT Administration in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funding for these projects are sourced from the Revised FCT Year 2020 Statutory Budget.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through it Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DTRS) on Thursday raided illegal motor parks and garages along corridors of both sides of Area 1 roundabout through Area 3 junction and Apo roundabout, in the nation’s capital city.
This is to ensure free flow of traffic on Abuja roads, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Officials of DRTS in collaboration with FCTA Command and Control Taskteam on City Sanitation led by Shehu Adams stormed the area at about 8:30 o’clock in the morning for the enforcement exercise, which resulted in confiscation of the forty-six vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles.
Newsfocusng.com observed that the Taskteam repeatedly went round the area, as the motorists kept returning to the cleared spots to continue their business.
Our correspondent reports confiscated vehicles will be released to their owners upon payment of fines ranging from N25,000 to N40,000 respectively, in order to serve as deterrent to others.
Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations and Enlightenment, DTRS, Mr. Kalu Emetu said the parks were raided, to rid them of all the activities that obstruct traffic on roads in the city.
Emetu hinted that the penalty for the offence depends on the kind of vehicle involved and offence committed. So they are N25,000 and some are up to N40, 000, adding that the main thing is for it to serve as deterrent.
According to him; “We have been at Area 1 &3, Apo Legislative bridge, Apo Roundabout; but we will stillgo to Berger. We don’t stop, because we have a Taskforce, whose primary function is to move round the city daily, to make sure that we clear these kind of obstructions.
“The DTRS is responsible for this activity, so every day we go to the streets to make sure that all those illegal activities on the roads are cleared. That was exactly what we did this morning (yesterday).
“And so far, forty-six (46) vehicles, one tricycle and four motorcycles have been impounded. It’s not right for you to stop in the middle of the road to pick passengers, because when Abuja is clean, is for all of us.
He continued; “We want every residents of Abuja to know there are alternatives- let them go to the approved garages to board vehicles, and refrain from boarding vehicles loading on the road corridors.
” It’s part of the effort been made to ensure that there is free flow of traffic, which affects aspects of life. For instance if the roads are not free, it affects the economy adversely, so every government makes concerted efforts to ensure that there is always free flow of traffic.
“The other effort we are making is to intensive sensitisation campaign to ensure that people must obey traffic laws”.
The Lagos State police Command on Thursday has arrested a popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James popularly known as Baba Ijesha for alleged defilement of a minor for seven years.
The case was reported to the Minister police 19th April, 2021 by Princess Adekola Adekanya.
In a statement made available to newsmen by the spokesperson for the Command, SP Adejobi Olumuyiwa stated that : “The case of defilement was reported on 19th April, 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘f’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation
The statement stated that, “Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was 7 year old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.
The Commissioner of Police,Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter.
The national leadership of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has told the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad reasons why they would not suspend its on going industrial action.
This is as the CJN met with officials of JUSUN wherein he pleaded the union to call off the strike.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hadjia Hadiza Uwani Mustapha was in attendance at the meeting with the CJN.
Recall that the CJN had, at an earlier meeting with JUSUN leaders on April 6, asked the union to call-off the strike in view of its adverse effect on the justice system in the country.
But at Wednesday’s meeting, the JUSUN officials, led by its Deputy National President, Emmanuel Abioye and Jimoh Musa Alonge (Treasurer) explained why the union found it difficult to heed the CJN’s demand to call off the strike.
Abiyoye told the CJN that the state governors must begin to demonstrate some level of seriousness by putting in place some measures precedent to the implementation of financial autonomy for judiciary in their respective states.
‘’Though there’s financial autonomy for the judiciary already in some states while some are assuring that they would comply, but others have to take steps in readiness for compliance,’’ Abioye said.
According to him, the union expect each state to start implementing its self-accounting law to deal with the Internally Generated Revenue in line with Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and that states without such law should put it in place.
Abioye said it is his union’s position that there must be some level of seriousness from all quarters and as such, the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary from the monthly federal allocation should be deducted directly from the source by the Accountant General of the Federation and remit same to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for onward transmission to heads of courts.
He said, for the Federation Consolidated Account also known as Federal Allocation, the budget of each state judiciary submitted to the implementation committee (received) on October 2, 2020) should be implemented by deducting the amount due to the state judiciary directly from source by Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) in line with Sections 81(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) for the states.
In other words, the AGF should deduct from the monthly Federal Allocation and remit it to NJC for onward transmission of the fund to the Heads of Courts at the State Judiciary. Until this is done, there is no going back, the strike would go on.’’
However, the CJN said it has become difficult to fault the idea of the strike since the rights of the union and its members which are clearly defined in the Constitution are being denied especially at state level.
This was contained in a statement by Ahuraka Isah, Senior Special Assistant (on media), the CJN was quoted as saying, ‘’I can’t fault your reasons for embarking on this protest because the union wants its rights restored in line with the provisions of the Constitution. I commend you for following due process so far to protest against the injustice,’’ the CJN said.
President Muhammadu Buhari was forced to invite some state governors from the Northern part of the country on Thursday to a meeting over the alarming rate of especially kidnapping and banditry in the country
The meeting which was held inside the Presidential Villa in Abuja saw Mr President reiterating his assurance to end insecurity in the country.
The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
The governors were led by the chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong.
According to a source at the meeting, the Governors took turns to narrate their experiences, individual efforts at finding lasting solutions as well as expectations from the Federal Government.
Others in the delegation were governors of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu; Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai; Yobe Mai Mala Buni, Niger, Abubakar Bello, and Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule.
In an interview with State House correspondent, Lalong said, “Well, this meeting is in respect of some of the common features of insecurity that we have within our states. You’ll recall that many of the states have some of the insecurities that are very similar. So we put them together and see how to address some of those issues. And we felt that we must also meet Mr. President about it since it’s about the insecurity.”
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, he said “I think they are not to be disclosed because these are about security. But the take away I say is that the meeting with the President was very fruitful and we are also very committed, and we have seen a lot of commitment, so we are waiting for implementation.
“The assurance I will give you is that based on this meeting, we will also wait to see the commitment, and Mr. President has given us that assurance.”
