Tinubu Nominates Hajj Commission Leadership, asks Senate to Scrutinize for Compliance
President Bola Tinubu has submitted nominations for the leadership of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCOM) to the Senate for confirmation. The announcement, conveyed through a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpiabio and read during a plenary session in Abuja, listed the nominees for key positions of the commission. The letter, which cited provisions of the National Hajj Commission Act 2006, outlined the proposed appointments as follows: – Jalal Alabi for Chairman – Aliyu Abdulrazaq for Commissioner of Policy, Personnel, and Finance – Mr. Anofi Elegushi for Commissioner of Operations – Prof. Abubakar Yagawal for Commissioner of Planning and Research Acknowledging the importance of adherence to the Act, Senate President Akpiabio underscored the requirement for commission members to represent all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. He indicated that further communication with the President’s Chief of Staff would be initiated to ensure compliance with this provision. Subsequently, the Senate referred President Tinubu’s request to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for meticulous examination and legislative recommendations. The committee has been tasked with providing a comprehensive report within 10 days, ensuring that the nominees meet the necessary criteria and represent the diversity of Nigeria’s regions.
Tinubu Rewards Super Eagles With National Awards, Flats, Lands
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday honoured the Super Eagles of Nigeria with the national award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), presenting them with flats in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and parcels of land. The announcement was made during a reception for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delegation, led by the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. The president praised the team, coach, crew, and management for their dedication and perseverance throughout the Africa Cup of Nations, where they secured the runner-up position. Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stay positive, highlighting the team’s remarkable journey and calling for unity and continued effort towards national success. “Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love. “To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true,” the president said.
Any Government That Refuses To Implement N35,000 Wage Increment Does Not Deserve Peace – Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole is urging all levels of government to enforce the Federal Government’s N35,000 grant, emphasizing that no government at the state or local level should experience peace if they fail to implement the grant. President Bola Tinubu’s administration had approved the N35,000 provisional wage to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal, applicable to all treasury-paid federal government workers for six months. Expressing his concern on Channels Television, Oshiomhole questioned why no Nigerian state government has implemented the wage increase despite federal approval, asserting that it should be applied universally across federal, state, and local levels, as well as in the private sector. According to him, “The Federal Government approved N35,000 increase on top of current wage levels. But I’m yet to understand why any Nigerian state government or governor is not implementing that agreement. “I don’t agree that the money was for only federal employees. Federal employees don’t have different markets from state employees and the struggle that was mobilised, workers in Nigeria were mobilised both public and private sectors in what we called a general strike before that money was awarded. “By extension, therefore, all state governments, local governments, federal government and private sector employers should implement it. I don’t think NLC business is to lament it. “They should fight for the implementation of their rights. Any government that refuses to implement the N35,000 is not entitled to peace. That’s my view.”
Why New Minimum Wage May Be N1 Million – NLC President Ajaero
The National Labour Congress (NLC) has indicated that its minimum wage demands might increase to N1 million per month if economic challenges persist. NLC President Joe Ajaero mentioned during an interview on Arise TV that worsening inflation and currency depreciation are significant factors contributing to this potential escalation. He emphasized that the demand for a higher wage is closely tied to economic conditions, citing the impact of rising exchange rates and the cost of living, including the soaring prices of essential items like rice. He said: “This N1 million may be relevant if the value of the Naira continues to depreciate; if the inflation continues to depreciate. The demand of Labour is equally dependent on what is happening in the society. “You will remember that by the time we were contemplating N200,000, the exchange rate was about N900. As we talk today, the exchange rate is about N1,400 or even more. “Those are the issues that determine the demand and it is equally affecting the cost of living and we have always said it that our demand will be based on the cost of living index. Ajaero’s remarks come amid looming strike threats as organized labour are engaging in discussions with the federal government regarding previous agreements and wage issues.
FG’s Student Loan Gets New Kick Off Date
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is poised to officially launch the national student loan scheme in Abuja on February 21. The initiative aims to support Nigerian students in higher institutions with a flexible repayment plan beginning two years after completing the national youth service. The program is inclusive, extending its benefits to qualified Nigerians with informal education and those enrolled in private universities, as directed by President Tinubu. The initial phase will focus on students currently enrolled in universities. According to The Cable, the delay in the launch was attributed to the meticulous fine-tuning of administrative and logistical infrastructure. Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), confirmed the launch date and emphasized the fully technology-driven application process to eliminate potential biases. Eligibility criteria include Nigerian citizenship, enrollment in a higher institution, financial inclusion qualification, and acceptable academic performance. The application portal, set to be unveiled at the launch, will require basic personal data, such as the National Identification Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), and JAMB number for seamless verification. Loan disbursement will occur directly to schools through NELFUND’s single treasury account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, bypassing commercial banks and finance houses. A special committee of NELFUND, comprising key stakeholders, is expected to be inaugurated soon, as stipulated by the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act passed by the National Assembly in 2023 and signed into law by President Tinubu on June 13, 2023.
Tinubu To Attend NDA 60th Anniversary
President Bola Tinubu has departed the nation’s capital, Abuja, to attend the grand finale of a week-long activities to mark the 60th anniversary of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. “President Bola Tinubu departs to attend NDA Anniversary in Kaduna,” read an update from the State House media office Saturday morning. On February 5, the Academy unveiled an emblem and a crest commemorating 60 years since its establishment, as part of activities marking its Diamond Jubilee celebrations which commenced three days earlier at the NDA Auditorium, Afaka. Present were graduates of the NDA, former Commandants, serving and retired military officers, operatives of other security and paramilitary organisations, as well as representatives of institutions including the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Rabiu Aliyu (retd.), who is a member of the pioneer Regular Course 1 of 1964. Tinubu is expected to return to Abuja the same day after which he is billed to proceed to Abidjan, the Ivorian capital, to witness the face-off between Nigeria and host Côte d’Ivoire at the AFCON final.
Court dismisses suspended Adamawa REC’s suit against IGP, others
Justice James Omotoso of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the suit filed by the suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner of Adamawa state, Hudu Yunusa-Ari for lacking in merit. Yunasa-Ari is before the court, seeking protection from media trial, arrest and harassment by security agencies following his controversial announcement of the All Progressives Congress(APC) governorship candidate, Senator Aisha Binani Dahiru, as winner of the last Adamawa governorship poll. Mentioned as Defendants in the suit are the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Nigeria Police Force,(NPF) the Attorney-General of Federation(AGF)and Minister of Justice, the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 5th respondents respectively. Yunasa-Ari,had announced Binani winner of the governorship poll against the due process but the declaration was annulled by the INEC leadership which eventually returned the incumbent governor, Umar Fintiri. In his argument, his counsel, Jibrin Okutepa said his decision to announce Binani was due to a tight security breach in Adamawa. He submitted that since the incident, the respondents kept issuing press statements against him when he had not been convicted by a law court. Justice James Omotosho while delivering Judgement on held that the only issue to determine in the case is whether the fundamental rights of Hudu were breached by any of the respondents. The trial judge noted that as fundamental as human rights are, there are exceptions. Justice Omotosho noted that the applicant filed this suit to hide himself from prosecution for the role he played in the Adamawa guber poll. The court therefore dismissed the suit for lacking in merit.
President Tinubu Directs Inclusion of National Pledge at Official Events
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the recitation of the National Pledge following the National Anthem during official and public engagements. The directive was issued during his address at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 3,112 housing-unit Renewed Hope City in Karsana, Abuja, on Thursday. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reaffirming commitment to the values, greatness, and hope of the nation. He stated, “It is our pledge to Nigeria, our country, to be faithful, loyal, and honest. To serve Nigeria with all your strength – we saw it on the field of play yesterday. We were all rejoicing.” The President highlighted the positive and hopeful mindset, expressing confidence that Nigeria will excel despite challenges. He concluded, “We will defend our unity and uphold Nigeria’s glory in every way possible because we are Nigerians, and we have no other country.”
Nwabali Faces Threats from South African Fans Following Heroic AFCON Performance
Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, currently playing for Chippa United in South Africa, has allegedly received threats from disgruntled South African fans after his stellar performance against the nation in the AFCON tournament. Former Super Eagles international Idah Peterside disclosed the threats on Channels Television, revealing that some fans warned Nwabali against returning to Chippa United post-AFCON. The goalkeeper has reportedly been cautioned not to go back to South Africa, with displeasure stemming from his pivotal role in preventing the host country’s team from reaching the finals. Although there haven’t been reports of actual violence, Peterside highlighted the concerning messages, stating, “People have sent messages to the goalkeeper threatening him. I hear some people are telling him not to come back to South Africa since you didn’t want us to score. We have not heard of any violence, but just threats. They have been threatening him and threatening some people.” Nwabali exhibited his goalkeeping prowess during the semi-final clash against Bafana Bafana, making crucial saves in regulation time and stopping two penalties during the shootout.
Tinubu Launches Renewed Hope Housing Project In Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, launched the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate project at Karsana, area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Tinubu flaged off the construction of 3,112 pilot housing project, which marks the commencement of a nationwide project aimed at delivering 100,000 housing units through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiated in December 2023. The partnership, forged between the Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Development (FMHUD) and a consortium of companies—Continental Civil and General Construction Limited, along with Ceezali Limited—embarks on the ambitious first phase to construct 20,000 housing units across the FCT, with Karsana hosting 3,112 of these units. This groundbreaking event, led by President Tinubu, heralds the official start of the “Renewed Hope Cities and Estates” programme, conceived by the FMHUD, to significantly boost the national housing stock and mitigate the pervasive housing shortfall. The programme envisions the establishment of Cities and Estates across all six geo-political zones of the country and the FCT, promising a minimum of 1,000 housing units per City site and at least 500 housing units per Estate site in the 30 states. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, highlighted that the project is designed to cater to various income brackets, offering a range of residential options. These include bedroom blocks of flats for low to medium income earners and more luxurious two to five-bedroom terraces and duplexes aimed at higher income earners, thereby promoting integrated living communities. The Karsana project, significantly financed by the developers who also procured the land, illustrates a novel approach to housing development in Nigeria.