Absence of Ribadu, General Musa, others stall Senate’s interface with security chiefs

The Absence of National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and others, stalled planned interface of the Senate with the service chiefs and heads of security agencies on Wednesday. The Senate had on Tuesday last week through resolution adopted from collective motion on insecurity, summoned the Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies for grilling in plenary. The planned interface, as announced by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, on Tuesday was specifically fixed for Wednesday and Thursday this week. But the Senate in plenary on Wednesday announced that the interface could not hold due to the absence of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa . President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio, who made the announcement said apology, was received from Ribadu on his absence but that he and the Chief of Defence Staff, must be present at the very important session. He added that aside Ribadu and General Musa, the Senate has also resolved to add other security heads to the planned interface session. Those included at the planned session now postponed to Tuesday next week, are the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Ibrahim, Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun and Director General of National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar Akpabio in his remarks, thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoheed Lagbaja , Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and Director General of Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, for honouring the Senate’s invitation. “We thank you all for honouring our invitation for the very important interface on way out of the lingering security crisis at hand. But due to the absence of the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff, the interactive session will no longer hold today. “Besides, the Senate in its wisdom, has decided to add other public officers whose offices are connected to security matters, to be part of the interactive session . “Clerk of the Senate , has been directed to write them ahead of Tuesday next week , now fixed for the session. “We need their presence along with those of you here today , for holistic and comprehensive brainstorming on the problem at hand and required solution “, he said .

22 killed in twin blasts on Pakistan election eve

At least 22 people were killed Wednesday in two separate bomb blasts outside poll candidate offices in southwestern Pakistan, officials said, on the eve of an election marred by violence and allegations of poll rigging. The first attack occurred near the office of an independent candidate in the Pishin district, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the city of Quetta and around 100 kilometres from the border with Afghanistan. Caretaker information minister for Balochistan province Jan Achakzai and Quetta police both put the death toll from that blast at a dozen, with 25 more wounded. A second blast hit near the election office of a candidate for the Islamist Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party in the city of Killa Saifullah — about 120 kilometres (75 miles) east — according to Achakzai. “At least 10 people were killed and 12 others injured,” he told AFP. “The incident took place in the main bazaar of the city area, where the election office of the JUI-F was targeted,” a senior police official told AFP. In July last year, 44 people were killed by a suicide bomber at a political gathering of the right-wing JUI-F party in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. More than half a million security officers began deploying Wednesday on the eve of the election, with authorities distributing ballot papers to more than 90,000 polling stations. The election has been marred by allegations of pre-poll rigging following a crackdown on the party of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, winner of the 2018 poll, but booted out of power by a national assembly vote of no-confidence four years later. There have also been multiple security incidents in the run-in to Thursday’s vote, with at least two candidates shot dead and dozens more targeted in attacks across the country. Campaigning officially ended on Tuesday night and voting is due to begin at 8:00 am local time (0300 GMT) on Thursday, closing at 5:00 pm. The figures are staggering in a country of 240 million people — the world’s fifth most populous — with around 128 million eligible to vote. Nearly 18,000 candidates are standing for seats in the national and four provincial assemblies, with 266 seats directly contested in the former – an additional 70 reserved for women and minorities – and 749 places in the regional parliaments. “We must ensure security measures at every level,” Sindh provincial police chief Rafat Mukhtar told a news briefing Wednesday in the port city of Karachi.

LinkedIn Unveils “Catch Up” Feature

LinkedIn is set to enhance user engagement with the introduction of a fresh feature called “Catch Up” in the revamped My Network section.  This new tab aims to bridge the gap in communication among users by highlighting significant updates from their connections, such as new jobs, work anniversaries, or job postings. Users can easily interact by liking posts with a single tap or initiating a direct message using automatically generated prompts, fostering more meaningful connections. The redesign doesn’t stop there; LinkedIn is relocating options like connection requests, newsletter invites, events, and connection recommendations to a designated tab named “Grow.”  This strategic move aims to streamline user interactions and provide a more organized and efficient networking experience. Additionally, LinkedIn is rolling out an AI-powered messaging feature for premium users, assisting them in crafting compelling first messages to individuals not yet in their network.  Leveraging data from both profiles, the feature offers ready prompts for introductions, seeking advice, or discussing work experiences.  Users maintain the flexibility to customize these messages before sending, enhancing the personal touch in professional communication. This innovation follows LinkedIn’s previous initiatives in integrating AI across its platform.  From AI-assisted writing features for profiles, ads, and collaborative articles to an AI assistant for learning and soft skills advice, LinkedIn continues to leverage technology to cater to the evolving needs of its user base. With a keen eye on the job market, LinkedIn aims to be a central hub for job-related activities.  Recent tools like “Job Collections,” released in January, allow users to explore job openings through various filters.

Senate Summons Service Chiefs Amidst Security Concerns; Economic Meeting Postponed

In response to the escalating security challenges gripping the nation, the Senate has called for a crucial meeting with the Service Chiefs, scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday. This decision has prompted the postponement of another significant meeting – a session with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Yemi Cardoso, and the economic team, initially slated for Tuesday, February 6, 2024. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance, and other Financial Institutions, Senator Tokumbo Abiru, clarified the rationale behind the rescheduling. He elucidated that the delay stemmed from the House of Representatives’ consultations with the CBN Governor concerning the country’s economic status. Senator Abiru emphasized the importance of understanding and cooperation among legislative counterparts, underscoring the need for patience. Consequently, the meeting with the economic team has been deferred to Friday, February 9, 2024, at 9 am. This adjustment aims to allow ample time for discussions with both the Service Chiefs and the economic experts. Postponing the meeting, the Chairman Banking Committee, Senator Tokumbo Abiru said “our plan today is to have a session with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and the essence of the meeting is well known to all of us, which has to do with the economic situation in the country. But some how, the CBN governor has been held back in the House of Representatives as the House tries to do consultations with him regarding the situation of the economy as well. He said that was why the meeting was initially delayed, adding that their part “we should be rational in trying to see reasons with our brothers and sisters in the House of Representatives and the CBN governor. “To that extent, on our part we have to adjourn our own to Friday February 9, 2024. Another reason according to Senator Abiru, which he deemed proper to explain, was the meeting of the Senate with the Service Chiefs. “Tomorrow, we have a session with the Service Chiefs and that may extend to Thursday because they are issues of very serious concern to us. In order to play safe, to have enough time to interact properly with the economic team, which means we will extend the invitation beyond the governor to also include the economic team”, he added.

‘Open Food Reserve, There Is Hunger In Nigeria’ – Reps Urge FG

The House of Representatives has decried the state of hunger currently in Nigeria, appealing to the Federal Government to promptly unlock the food reserves and allocate grains to impoverished citizens. Doing so, the lawmakers believe, will address the prevailing hunger crisis in the country. The call was after the approval of a motion of utmost national significance, put forth by the elected representative of Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency in Ogun State, Ibrahim Isiaka. Isiaka, taking charge of the discussion, highlighted the challenging nature of the cost of living for Nigerians. He expressed his concern over the escalating price of cement, despite having access to all the necessary raw materials for its production. He said, “The House resolves to urge the Federal Government and stakeholders to immediately open the food reserves to address the hunger in our country,” the Lawmaker said. He also called on the apex government to boost food production and distribution.

Revenue Target: Senate Urges Customs to Aim Higher

Worried by the dire state of the Nigerian economy, the Senate has ordered the Customs Service to jack up its revenue target currently at N5.079 trillion to a higher value by mid-2024. Members of the upper legislative chamber insisted that this measure must be adhered to if the federal government hopes to wean itself of further borrowing. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs, Isah Jibrin stated this, Monday at a crucial meeting with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi and top management of the revenue agency. He said, “first of all, Nigeria is saddled with a lot of debt obligations, and we need to wriggle ourselves out of that trap, and one of the ways to do that is internally generated revenue. Customs is one of the major providers of internally generated revenue, and as it is today, we expect them to play one of the major roles in this drive to reduce our debt burden. “We need to pay off what we are owing now and minimize additional loans we are going to take. Customs is in a very good position, if they are able to block all perceived leakages, they should be able to generate significant amount of income that will enable Nigeria get out of debt, at least partially. On concessions given to some sectors of the economy for example, agriculture, the Kogi East senator said it is for those who are into agricultural services, those who are into solid minerals and those whose services have direct impact on the economy. “If somebody is bringing agricultural equipment into the economy and you try to take something out of that person in a way of import duty, that will discourage the person, and that is what we are saying. It is not that anybody took that money or custom compromised in the course of their services. “Concessions were in the interest of Nigeria to encourage importers who are going into specific areas in the economy. There is a trade-off here between importers and the country, particularly the things you think you are generating. Talking about the rate of unemployment in Nigeria, which he described as “very high”, Senator Jibrin said “Customs is not the only employer of Labour. They can only employ the number they believe they can adequately take care of, and we are putting them under pressure to exceed the 1,600 benchmark. “We may not get beyond 2000, but for sure, we will get 1,6000 and like we all know, there are so many unemployed Nigerians out there, I will always say, it is difficult for the Nigeria Customs Service to absorb all unemployed Nigerians, but they can only employ those they can. Answering questions from the law makers, the CG, NCS also disclosed that the service is seeking approval from government to allow them give waivers to owners of smuggled cars to allow them regularise their payment of Customs duties. He said the approval is given they could say that within a window, say within 3 months, if you are in possession of vehicles that were illegally imported into the country or that have not paid duties, you have this opportunity to go to Customs House for assessment and payment of duties. This he said will be done after adequate publicity so that those who find themselves in such a situation can get their vehicles regularise through payment of duties. On the naira exchange rate, Adeniyi said he is equally pained by the volatility in the exchange rate regime. In fact, even if it stays high and people can predict that this is what it will take me to clear, perhaps it is not particularly too bad, but when it is so volatile, today it is X, tomorrow it is X+10, X+20, it does not make for adequate planning and things like that. “Correctly, it 8s the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN to fix the rate, either the one we use during Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF or the one we use for importation or the one used for payment of Customs duties. I have been in discussions with my minister. Perhaps what you are going to advocate is that there would be a meeting point between authorities of government that are in charge of monetary policy and those in charge of fiscal policies. “Personally, what I think we can do is to get a spot rate for a period of time. We can agree that for Q,Y 2024, this will be the spot rate for payment of Customs duties; we could say for the first half of the year”, he said.

Youths and Social Devpt Minister calls for Staff Welfare

Dr Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, Youth Development Minister has appealed to the Permanent Secretary and the top management of the ministry to prioritize the welfare of the staff, ensure that all allowances are paid on time and ensure that workers are enabled to work at optimal level. The minister made the call this Monday, Abuja, while conducting the ministry’s first top management monthly statutory meeting. She said the ministry is one family working together for a common goal, which is to ensure that the interest of the Nigerian Youths are protected and their needs provided. Speaking further, she said, “One philosopher said that if you want to go far, you go together, but if you want to go fast, then you go alone. “We understand the importance of teamwork, and we want to foster the spirit of it here in our ministry,” she admonished. Speaking further, she said, “We are expecting a periodic update from all the departments on progress of their activities, while at that we should always know that our day to day actions here will determine the fate and future of this country”. Earlier, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayojide Olawale, expressed his appreciation to the staff for their co-oporation so far and prayed that their efforts shall be crowned with resounding success. He enjoined them to always try as much as possible and, to the best of their ability, do the right thing at the right time. Dr Dunoma Ahmed Umar, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry explained that the reason for the management monthly statutory meeting is to bring together the implementors of the ministry’s policies to synergize in ways to achieve success. He stated further that the purpose of the meeting is to review ministry’s activities, keep track of the programs that it is implementing, rate staff members’ performances and ensure that they undertake the programs of government, especially the inline with the government’s vision especially the renewed hope agenda. He said “we have competent and experienced staff who are always available to undertake and implement the programs of this administration and with the direction and support of our honourable minister and minister of state we are going to deliver. “We are going to ensure that we pursue our policies in line with the Federal Civil Service implementation plan 2025, focusing on its six pillars and synchronized them with the nation’s National Development plan. ” Among the the six pillars are capabilities building and talent management, we are going to train and retrain our staff to achieve high performance. We will also use performance management system to access our staff’s day to day activities to ensure quality performance. We will pursue paperless office as well as enhancing the welfare of our staff” he said.

Former Yobe gov, Bukar Ibrahim buried in Saudi Arabia

The remains of former governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, have been laid to rest on Monday in Saudi Arabia. The funeral ceremony was held at the Grand Mosque, Masjid Al Haram, after the dawn prayers, according to Yusuf Ali, Senior Special Assistant, Communications and Strategy to Governor Mai Mala Buni. About 20 deceased were said to have been prayed upon after the dawn prayers at the Grand Mosque. The funeral prayers took place twice after the Fajr prayers. Ibrahim, who governed Yobe State from 1991-1992 and 1999-2007 before serving three terms in the Senate, died on Sunday while receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia, at the age of 75. Buni expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a statement by the Director General of Press and Media Affairs, Buni spoke of the impact Ibrahim had on the state and its people, describing his passing as a “huge loss.” He called on the citizens of Yobe and friends of the state to offer prayers for the eternal repose of the Senator’s soul. “The late senator’s death is not only a loss to Yobe but to Nigeria as a whole, as he was a key figure in the country’s political landscape for many years. His tenure as governor and senator was marked by efforts to improve the lives of his constituents and to foster stability and growth in the region”, Buni said.

No plan to increase NYSC’ Allowance-FG

The Federal Government has said it is not certain there will be an increase in the monthly allowance of serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). The Minister of Youth Development, Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, made this known on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics. Bio-Ibrahim said there are no immediate plans to increase the monthly allowance of corps members following the food inflation and increasing cost of living in the nation. The minister stated that the government would find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is well taken of. She said, “We can’t say for sure, we all understand that resources are dwindling, even oil revenues are not as they used to be but we will find innovative ways of ensuring that corps members’ welfare is taken of. ” Recall that former President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2020, raised allowance for corps members from N19,000 to N33,000, about a year after he signed the new minimum wage bill into law in April 2019. Speaking further, the minister said the government has announced a reform of the NYSC scheme and is planning to make it a revenue-generating scheme and agency. She said, “When it comes to remuneration and looking totally at the holistic funding of the NYSC, we have announced a reform of the NYSC scheme itself. So, we want the scheme to go beyond that social programme of government to be that revenue-generating scheme and agency. “The reforms which transform the NYSC into a revenue-generating agency and prepare the corps members for the job market and to be decently and gainfully employed or to be employers of labour through entrepreneurship and of course, perfect matching into primary assignment and all the support they need in that career path.”

Police Intercepts Vehicle Loaded with Political Thugs in Yobe

The Yobe State Police Command says, working in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, it has interpreted an 18-seater bus boarded with political thugs in Gashua Local Government Area on mission to arrive at Damaturu to disrupt the electoral process. DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Yobe Police Command, Damaturu revealed in a statement made available to Nigerian Anchor in Damaturu. According to him “On 3rd February 2024 at about 0700hrs Military Checkpoint intercepted the bus while conveying thugs to Damaturu Metropolitan Council to cause mayhem in the electoral process but made their Waterloo, the police took them into custody for a district investigation and subsequent prosecution. The following are some of the suspects arrested: Abu Bakar Garba Bololo, aged 25, Habu Mato, aged 35, Suleman Musa, aged 50, Yusuf Danjuma, aged 33, Abdullahi Haruna, aged 45. Others are Zanab Mohammed, aged 25 of Unguwan Lawan and Rachael Bitrus, aged 23 and seven other syndicate members of Jakusko and Gashua LGA”. “The suspects claimed they were recruited to serve as agents of one of the opposition parties. Meanwhile, the investigation is swift to unravel the criminal implications of the matter”. “In this regard, the Commissioner of police in the state, Garba Ahmed, reiterated the commitment of the Police and sister Security Agencies to ensure the security and safety of the electorate and relative peace enjoyed in the State.  “However, calls on the good members of the public to remain resolute and shun violence, thuggery as security is firm to act on any untoward deviation”.