Tinubu will address infrastructural deficit, youth restiveness —Shettima

Vice President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government will address the challenges of infrastructural deficit, youth unemployment and restiveness in Borno and around the country. Shettima spoke with newsmen shortly after paying Sallah homage to the Shehu of Borno,  Alhaji Abubakar El-Kanemi, on Wednesday in Maiduguri. The vice president is in Maiduguri for the Eid-ul-Adha celebration. “In a nutshell, we went with the governor to pay homage to the Shehu of Borno; he raised some very poignant challenges facing the society, especially with regard to infrastructure deficit. “We conveyed to him the best wishes from President Bola Tinubu and that the challenges would be vigorously addressed, especially the issues of the Dikwa-Gambolu-Ngala Road. “It will certainly be addressed; that of youth unemployment and youth restiveness will also be addressed. “By and large, I am here to reassure of the maximum support of President Tinubu on all challenges confronting us as a society and as a people,’’ he said. On his part, Sen. Tahir Monguno, (APC-Borno) said that the vice president’s visit to his home state was a homecoming as indicated by the massive reception he got. “Well, you know, the visit of the vice president to Borno, being his first official visit for Sallah festivities, is a homecoming. “Home coming in the sense that the vice president was the governor of Borno for eight years and he represented a senatorial district for four years. “So, his coming is homecoming and a celebration of his various attainments in life as clearly manifested by the outpouring of support. “The massive support from all corners as we entered Maiduguri and the testimony of the Shehu of Borno to the fact that he is one of us.’’ Monguno said that the Shehu of Borno raised concerns about some challenges bedeviling the state like roads, agriculture, and security. He said that the vice president assured that the Federal Government would find solutions to the problems highlighted by the traditional ruler. “So, all in all, the coming of the vice president to Borno today for the Sallah festivities is homecoming and the massive show of support is a clear manifestation of the fact that he is a grassroots politician. “A politician that is loved by his people; a politician that has really paid his dues to his people before he finally became the vice president of Nigeria,’’ he said.

557,626 candidates admitted into tertiary institutions -JAMB

The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede says 557,626 candidates from 1.8 million applications have been admitted into tertiary institutions across the country in its 2022 admission processes. Oloyede said this at the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions in Abuja Saturday. Oloyede said that the 2022 admission process is still ongoing due to opportunities given to some key players in the sector to conduct admissions. The registrar, who discredited notions from the public that admissions were given by JAMB, said admission depended on the availability of candidates five 0’level requirements as UTME was only meant for admission ranking. ”As at June 19, tertiary institutions have admitted 557,626 candidates but as we speak today, the admission is up to 600,000 as we target about 700,000. This is because admission is still ongoing. ”We hear about cut-off marks by JAMB but the truth is, that is not the best candidate who scored the highest mark in UTME that is the best candidate. ”Admission is based on the five O’level results that a candidate possesses because we only make use of UTME for admission ranking. JAMB has not initiated admissions since 2016,” he said. Speaking on gaps in admission vacancies and why candidates were not admitted, Oloyede said rigidity of programme choice and mismatch of demand and supply were responsible. He also listed lack of interest for existing vacancies and trail-candidates (No o’level results or awaiting results) as responsible for admission gaps in the tertiary institutions. He, therefore, said that the onus lied with institutions to determine the National Minimum Tolerable UTME score, often called the ‘Cut-off marks’. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, urged the stakeholders to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the admission processes which determined the fate of millions of students. Adejo called on admission stakeholders to ensure credibility in the process so that no candidate would be denied admission as well as no deserving candidate was given admission. ”The Federal Ministry of Education has resolved that the fundamental principle of the ministry is openness and this has been provided by JAMB through inclusiveness in the UTME. ”JAMB must ensure sanity and integrity of exams and admission must be based on agreed guidelines to deepen accountability, transparency and fairness. ” Criteria for admissions remained critical by JAMB and all institutions must abide by them as we need to stick to the approved quota for admission,” he said. The policy meeting had in attendance representatives from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Vice Chancellors of Universities and Rectors of Polytechnics. Others are Provosts of Colleges of Education (COE), Registrars and Admission Officers of tertiary institutions, Heads of Federal Agencies, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

Culture of financial impunity gradually ending, says FRC boss

Barr. Victor Muruako, the Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC), says the culture of financial impunity in the country is gradually disappearing. Muruako made the remark while receiving the Nigerian Economics Students Association (NESA), University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in a courtesy visit and study tour to the Commission on Friday in Abuja. Muruako said the Commission which was set up by the Fiscal Responsibility Act No. 31 of 2007 and started operation in 2009, had recorded giant strides since its inception. “We have indeed made some landmark achievements from when we first began as a Commission to where we are today. “First and foremost, the culture of impunity is definitely disappearing. Although corruption cannot just evaporate like that, but you can see today that, unlike before, people are now being held accountable for whatever they do. “If you think you have gotten away with any wrongdoing, you might be surprised, what you have done will just appear on the social media and definitely one way or the other you must answer for it. “So, I can tell you that from that perspective, people are more responsible,” he said. He noted that in terms of budget implementation, the situation is far better than what used to obtain before now. “In the past, Mr President would just release his budget speech few days to the end of the year and that is it. “But now, with the Act and the Commission as well as our engagements with relevant stakeholders, including Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and the National Assembly, we now have series of activities that carefully culminate in the federal appropriations act. “Examples include the engagements with Civil Society Groups, the alignment with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, the public hearings that are carried out, and alot of other processes. “All these are definite steps towards planning in such a way that the budget is no more the way that it used to be. So, there are lots of gains in that area. “There must be careful planning because if you fail to plan, then you have already planned to fail,” he said. The FRC boss said that the Commission had also made alot of giant strides in the aspect of revenue generation. He explained that the ability of the Commission to come up with the template for the calculation of operating surplus which was quite acceptable, had really yielded alot of revenue. “Earnings to the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federal Government have greatly increased. I can tell you that year upon year, we have continued to improve in that area. “We have been working in collaboration with other stakeholders, particularly the National Assembly, the Office of the Budget Office of the Federation, Ministry of Finance and Accountant General of the Federation. “So, you check the quantum of remitances. For the first time ever, in 2021, the Independent Revenue of the Federal Government hit the trillion Naira mark. “This can obviously be traced to a lot of activities by the Commission – and we are still counting. “Also, our project verification exercise, which is based on the Budget Implementation Report (BIR) which we receive from the Budget office of the Federation is used to verify some of these projects and, in the process, we find our reports have greatly improved with regards to some of the Federal Government projects. “On, the issue of public debts, which is part of the challenge we face in the country, we have tried a lot in improving, through our monitoring exercises at the subnational level. “I can assure you that today, it won’t be easy for any government just to walk in and obtain loan just like before, without any checks and balances because the Fiscal Responsibility Act clearly outlines the conditions you must fulfil before you can borrow and on what terms and for what. “Yes, it is not yet uhuru and we still have some challenges along that line, but definitely, it is a work in progress,” he said. Speaking on the study tour of the Commission by UNN Economic Students, Barr Muruako remarked that there is a need to continue to embark on youth sensitization so as to help in instilling the culture of fiscal discipline in the lives of the leaders of tomorrow. He noted that the Commission had been embarking on sensitization programmes for quite sometime. “This is because one of the problems we identified with issues of instilling fiscal discipline in public officials is that it is very difficult to change adults, as bad habits die hard. “So, at the Commission, one of our key strategies is to reach out to the “leaders of tomorrow”; the public-officials-to-be. “We want to catch them young while they are still at that early stage and we started this by setting up what we call ‘Army of Fiscal Responsibility Enthusiasts’, ” he said. He added that the Commission had an understanding with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to transverse all the orientation camps across the country and carry out enlightenment and sensitization programmes. “We engage the Corp members and distribute our flyers and literatures so as to make them understand what we are doing. “We also explain to them on the need for them to buy into it because fighting corruption is not as simple as it may look. It is something that you have to deliberately plan for. “So, we continue these youth programmes in such a way that we have to reach out even to some educational institutions. “The essence is to put the students through with what we are doing here and explain to them in detail what it means to be fiscally responsible. “These students you are seeing today will obviously be in positions of responsibility tomorrow. They will be involved in the managing of public finance in the country, either in the private or public sector. “What they will learn will also help them even in personal finance management. “So, fiscal responsibility is not only

Nigerians to pay more for petrol as ex-depot price hits N490/litre

As the ex-depot prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), rises to N490 per litre, some independent fuel marketers in Lagos are already selling the product at prices higher than the fixed rate of N488 per litre. According to unconfirmed reports, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited depot sells to major marketers at N466.52 per litre, private depots are however selling at N490 per litre. NNPCL stations are selling fuel at the fixed rate of N488 per litre, while major marketers sell fuel between N488 and N492 per litre. Independent marketers who purchase from private depots at N490 per litre are selling fuel to consumers at prices above N500 per litre. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech declared that the controversial petroleum subsidy regime was gone. He said rather the funds saved from the subsidies would be channeled to other critical areas.    The federal government for several decades, subsidised fuel and fixed retail prices of petroleum products. The payment has, however, threatened the nation’s fiscal position and impacted the government’s ability to fund developmental projects across the country.

IPOB: Kanu needs ear surgery, Ozekhome tells court

The detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Tuesday said he requires urgent ear surgery amidst reported failing health. The embattled Kanu is before the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, seeking an order granting him unhindered access to his personal doctor.  At the resumed hearing of the matter, the lead counsel to the IPOB leader, Mike Ozekhome SAN, informed the court that the DSS medical team has confirmed that his client needs urgent ear surgery. Ozekhome told the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako that the DSS has repeatedly refused to grant Nnamdi Kanu access to his personal doctor, and has also refused to release his medical records of the pro-Biafra agitator. He stressed that the action of the prosecution indicates that it is not willing to allow his client access to proper medical attention. He insisted that Mazi Kanu is being treated like a guinea pig in their custody, in breach of Section 7 of the Anti-torture Act.  Reacting, counsel to the DSS, A.M. Danlami informed the Court that Kanu is being given proper feeding and medical attention while in DSS custody.  Therefore, he prayed the Court to dismiss Nnamdi Kanu’s case on allowing him access to his doctor, stating that will be in the interest of justice and national security. Meanwhile, Justice Binta Nyako has adjourned the suit to 20th July for judgment.

I’m ready to fight all of Nigeria’s enemies, says new IGP Egbetokun

*As Vice President Shettima decorates him with new rank Enthusiastic new Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has said that he feels like a tiger inside of and is ready to chase away all criminals and enemies of Nigeria. The new IGP made the remark after he was decorated by Vice-President Kashim Shettima with his new rank. Shettima performed the decoration on Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “Now, I have just been decorated and looking forward to taking over tomorrow (Wednesday) at 11 am. “I really can’t describe how I feel presently; but if have to say anything, I will tell you that right now, I feel like a tiger inside of me, ready to chase away all the criminals in Nigeria. “And at another time, I feel like a lion in me, ready to devour all the internal enemies of Nigeria. That’s my feeling right now,’’ he said. President Bola Tinubu had, on Monday, appointed new service chiefs, acting inspector-general of police and acting Comptroller-General of Customs. The decoration was witnessed by Egbetokun’s wife, Elizabeth, outgone IGP, Usman Alkali and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. Also present at the occasion were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma and the newly-appointed National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Speaking with State House correspondents after the decoration, former IGP Alkali said it was a significant event for the Nigeria Police. “It is a stage; you come; you work and you go. I am happy I am handing over to somebody I know that will carry the mantle of leadership from where I have stopped. “We grew up together in the job; I was his boss; he worked under me twice; we have been working together and I know he can champion the cause of the Nigeria police from where I stopped,’’ he said. On his part, Egbetokun said he was enthusiastic and ready to handle the new task with dedication.

Gunmen kidnap Oba, wife in Kogi

Gunmen on Monday night kidnapped the Oba of Idofin and his wife in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi. It was gathered that the traditional ruler, Shedrack Durojaye Obibeni, and wife were abducted along Makutu-Idofin Road in the evening. Yagba East Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Abdulrasak Asiru, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, described it as “very shocking” and “sad”. The Asiru said that he was still in shock over the incident which had not happened in the area for almost two years. “I as the council chairman and the people of Yagba East are in great shock over the kidnap of our respected Oba and his wife this evening. “This is because we in this LGA have a very robust security architecture keeping vigil and warding off criminal elements away from us. “This incident was well planned by the kidnappers because from what I learnt, the Oba and his wife only moved out to see something and in less than 10 minutes that incident happened. “We smell a rat over this sad incident and we are not resting until we get to the criminal elements who did this dastardly act and rescue our traditional ruler and his wife,” he said. The council boss said that already alerts and messages have been sent to all the traditional rulers and community leaders in Okun land to be vigilant and conduct thorough search for the rescue of the couple. Asiru said: “As we speak, our hunters and vigilante group are already out into the bushes searching for the criminals so as to rescue our Oba and his wife as soon as possible.” However, the Kogi Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said he was yet to be briefed by the DPO of the affected area on the incident. Ovye-Aya promised to keep the media abreast on developments as soon he got details.

President Tinubu sacks all Service Chiefs

President Bola Tinubu on Monday removed all service chiefs in Nigeria. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect,” said Willie Bassey, the Director of Information on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. See statement below: OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATIONPRESS & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT June 19, 2023 PRESS RELEASEPRESIDENT TINUBU RETIRES ALL SERVICE CHIEFS, ADVISERS, COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF CUSTOMS, APPOINTS NEW ONES President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service as well as their replacements with immediate effect. The newly appointed Officers are:S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS1 Mallam Nuhu Ribadu National Security Adviser2 Maj. Gen. C.G Musa Chief of Defence Staff3 Maj. T. A Lagbaja Chief of Army Staff4 Rear Admirral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff5 AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff6 DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police7 Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence Mr President has also approved the following appointments:S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS1 Col. Adebisi Onasanya Brigade of Guards Commander2 Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro, Abuja3 Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa State4 Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger5 Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada, Abuja Similarly, the President has approved the appointments of other Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as follows:S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS1 Maj. Isa Farouk Audu(N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery2 Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-in-Command, State House Artillery3 Maj. Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence4 Maj. TS Adeola (N/12860) Commanding Officer, State House Armament5 Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) Second-in- Command, State House Armament Mr. President has also approved the appointments of two (2) additional Special Advisers, and two (2) Senior Assistants, namely: S/N NAME APPOINTMENTS1 Hadiza Bala Usman Special Adviser, Policy Coordination2 Hannatu Musa Musawa Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy3 Sen. Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel Senior Special Assistant , National Assembly Matters (Senate)4 Hon. (Barr) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Finally, the President has approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs. It is to be noted that the appointed Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs are to act in their positions, pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Willie BasseyDirector, InformationFor: Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Airtel launches 5G service in Lagos, 3 other cities

Airtel Nigeria has joined MTN Nigeria and Mafab as the telecom giant officially launched services riding on the fifth generation (5G) technology in Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and the FCT. The launch brings to three the total number of operators offering services on the technology which promises to deliver super-fast data services and redefine services in other sectors of the economy including medicine, agric, and others. MTN Nigeria pioneered the launch of the service which was followed by Mafab Communications. Chief Commercial Officer at Airtel Nigeria, Femi Oshinlaja, said 5G services will be available in four major cities of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun and Rivers States, adding that services would be extended to other parts of the country subsequently. Airtel Nigeria, acquired the fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G) spectrums from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for a cumulative price of $316.7 million in January 2023. The telco purchased 100 MHz of spectrum in the 3500MHz band and 2x5MHz of 2600MHz from the NCC for a gross consideration of $316.7 million, “payable in local currency”. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said Nigeria is a market with enormous potential for future growth in mobile services. He said investment in new technologies and local infrastructure to enable “this growth is a strategic priority for the group and will ensure we are able to provide reliable and affordable services to local communities across the country”. In 2021, Airtel dropped out of the bidding process for 5G deployment while MTN and Mafab Communications emerged as winners of the 5G spectrum auction. However, in October 2022, the NCC put up another two slots in the 3.5GHz spectrum band for auction, to boost deployment of 5G services in Nigeria. NCC, in December 2022, confirmed Airtel as the sole bidder of the 5G licence after a payment of $27.36 million as an intention-to-bid deposit (IBD). In December 2021, after 11 rounds of bidding that lasted for eight hours, Mafab and MTN Nigeria emerged as the two successful winners of the 3,5gigahertz (GHz) spectrum auction for the deployment of 5G technology in Nigeria. Equity market opens week positive, gains N7bn Local equity market Monday opened on a positive note; gaining N7 billion amid investors profit taking activities. Market capitalisation of listed equities increased by 0.02 per cent to N32.133 trillion from N32.126 trillion reported the previous day.The NGX All Share Index also appreciated by 13.89 basis points to 59014.85 points from 59000.96 points it closed on Friday. Activities in the market were boosted by selloff in the shares of Jaiz Bank, Sterling Bank, GTCO Plc, UBA and others. A review of the investment during the day showed that Tantalizer and Universal insurance led gainers table during the day, gaining 10 per cent each to close at N0.22 per cent and N0.22 per cent respectively. Unuty Bank followed with a gain of 9.80 per cent to close at N1.12 per share, Mutual Benefits Assurance added 9.76 per cent to close at N0.45 per unit, FTN cocoa increased by 9.63 per cent to close at N1.48 per share. On the contrary  EllahLakes recorded the highest loss during the day with a drop of 10 per cent to close at N1.04 per share, JohnHolt trailed with a loss of 9.57 per cent to close at N1.80 per shares, Omatek and Regal insurance fell by 7.14 per cent each to close at N0.26 and N0.39 per share respectively. Volume of trades increased by 270.538 million, representing 43.47 per cent as Investors traded 892.954 million shares valued at N11.147 million in 9274 deals against 622.416 million shares valued at N6.510 billion in 9417 deals. Transactions in the shares of Jaiz Bank led activity during the day with 139.891 million shares valued at N244.317 million, Sterling Bank followed with 105.543 million shares worth N311.106 million, Universal insurance traded 95.115 million shares cost N19.253 million, GTCO Plc

Two gunmen killed in Anambra after attack on vigilantes

The Police in Anambra have confirmed the killing of two gunmen who attacked the camp of the  Anambra Vigilante Service on Monday in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. Ihiala LGA borders Imo and has witnessed many terror attacks by gunmen. A source said about 15 armed men attacked the camp of the vigilantes in the early hours of Monday and opened fire on them, but were quickly repelled by security agents. “Two of the gunmen were gunned down during a hot exchange of fire and two AK-47 riffles were recovered, while many fled the scene. “Many of the gunmen who fled as they could not withstand the superior firepower of the security operatives, sustained various degrees of injuries and bullet wounds,” the source said. He added that there was no casualty on the part of the vigilante. Confirming the incident, the Police spokesman in the state, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, called on private and public hospitals to report any patient with bullet wounds. Ikenga said a joint security team was mopping the area to arrest the fleeing gunmen, adding that no life was lost on the part of the vigilance operatives. Governor Charles Soludo said in a statement through his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, that the government would remain committed to saving and securing Anambra. He added that the security forces would continue to safeguard the lives and properties of travelers and residents of the state.