SUVs Remain Property Of N’Assembly, Except Members Pay For It After Their Tenure Expires — Reps

 

The House of Representatives, on Sunday, reacted to reports on the procurement of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for the 360 members of the lower chamber.

Recently, reports appeared on social media that the leadership of the green chamber purchased SUVs for all members of the house valued at N160 million each, totalling N57.6 billion for the purchase of the vehicles.

Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the House, confirmed via a statement that the green chamber is in the “phased process of procuring and distributing operational vehicles to honourable members.”

He said reports on the vehicle procurement “carry varying exaggerations.”

While adding that the vehicles are not personal gifts to the lawmakers, he said that the vehicles remain the property of the National Assembly within the four-year tenure of members of the house.

“It is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles to be allocated to the offices of honourable members are utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees.

“They are not personal vehicles gifted to honourable members. For the duration of the 10th assembly (2023 – 2027), the vehicles shall remain the property of the national assembly.

“At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, honourable members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the national assembly.

“No matter how remote the location is, as long as there are Nigerian citizens living there, they deserve highly mobile representatives who can see first-hand what they are going through, and ensure government interventions, programmes, and policies are carried out effectively. This can only be possible with functional and reliable off-road vehicles.

“The vehicles are work tools and not status symbols — honourable members are diligent and patriotic elected representatives and not entitled.

“The anticipated allocation of vehicles will contribute to improved representation, constituency outreach and oversight functions,” the statement read.

Don’t Sell Donated Food Items — FG Appeals To IDPs

 

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a heartfelt plea to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), urging them not to sell the food items distributed to them.

This appeal was made during a food distribution event held in Kwara State, where over 100 affected households received essential supplies, including rice, garri, semo, spaghetti, vegetable oil, and salt, among other items.

The food distribution ceremony took place at the Federal Secretariat in Ilorin, with the Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, expressing deep concern for the plight of the IDPs.

He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the “renewed hope agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has supported providing meaningful assistance to displaced individuals equally.

Represented by Tunde Oyasanya, the Deputy Director of Communications and Strategy of the commission, Aliyu urged the beneficiaries not to sell the provided items, as they are intended to serve their basic needs.

In addition to the immediate relief, he noted that the the government’s long-term goal is to empower displaced individuals through livelihood programs that enable them to become self-sufficient and generate income.

He stressed, “The commission has committed a huge sum of money to purchase these items and support you. We beg you not to sell them. This is just one of our programmes and very soon we will go into a livelihood programme to empower each one of you.

“We do not need to keep bringing food items to you. We are interested in what you can do for yourselves and how to make a living.”

Commissioner for Special Duties, John Bello, acknowledged the significant challenge that internally displaced persons pose to governments at all levels.

He reiterated the administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by IDPs and other vulnerable members of society.

CBN Lifts Ban On 43 Items After Eight Years (Full List)

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria has finally lifted the foreign exchange restrictions it placed on importers of 43 items eight years ago.

In a statement signed by CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin on Thursday, the bank said this is a significant change to the foreign exchange market policy.

According to the central bank, this action will boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market and intervene from time to time, stating that interventions will decrease as liquidity improves.

It added that it is working towards an FX backlog with existing participants and will continue dialogue with stakeholders to address the issue.

According to the statement, “Importers of all the 43 items previously restricted by the 2015 Circular referenced TED/FEM/FPC/GEN/01/010, and its addendums are now allowed to purchase foreign exchange in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will continue to promote orderliness and professional conduct by all participants in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market to ensure market forces determine exchange rates on a Willing Buyer – Willing Seller principle.

“The CBN reiterates that the prevailing Foreign Exchange (FX) rates should be referenced from platforms such as the CBN website, FMDQ, and other recognised or appointed trading systems to promote price discovery, transparency, and credibility in the FX rates.

“As part of its responsibility to ensure price stability, the CBN will boost liquidity in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market by interventions from time to time. As market liquidity improves, these CBN interventions will gradually decrease.

“The CBN is committed to accelerating efforts to clear the FX backlog with existing participants and will continue dialogue with stakeholders to address the issue.

“The CBN has set as one of its goals the attainment of a single FX market. Consultation is ongoing with market participants to achieve this goal. Participants and the general public are to be guided by the above,” it stated.

Below is the list of the times:

Rice
Cement
Margarine
Palm kernel
Palm oil products
Vegetable oils
Meat and processed meat products
Vegetables and processed vegetable products
Poultry and processed poultry products
Tinned fish in sauce (Geisha)/sardine
Cold rolled steel sheets
Galvanized steel sheets
Roofing sheets
Wheelbarrows
Head pans
Metal boxes and containers
Enamelware
Steel drums
Steel pipes
Wire rods (deformed and not deformed)
Iron rods
Reinforcing bars
Wire mesh
Steel nails
Security and razor fencing and poles
Wood particle boards and panels
Wood fiberboards and panels
Plywood boards and panels
Wooden doors
Toothpicks
Glass and glassware
Kitchen utensils
Tableware
Tiles-vitrified and ceramic
Gas cylinders
Woven fabrics
Clothes
Plastic and rubber products
Polypropylene granules
Cellophane wrappers and bags
Soap and cosmetics
Tomatoes/tomato pastes
Eurobond/foreign currency bond/ share purchases

Ex-UNIJOS Professor Caught In Examination Fraud Fails To Make SAN Final List As 58 Gets Elevated

 

Law professor, Benedicta Daudu, who was caught cheating in an examination at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) and subsequently suspended by the institution, has failed to make the 2023 final list of recipients of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank.

Last month, Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee (LPPC), shortlisted Daudu’s name alongside 68 other lawyers for the prestigious SAN rank.

Daudu’s shortlist however caused an uproar on the online space.

But in a Thursday development, the committee elevated 58 lawyers to the rank of SAN, of which Daudu’s name was missing.

In a statement, Hajo Bello, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, said the promotion of the 58 lawyers was approved at the 159th plenary session of the committee chaired by Olukayode Ariwoola, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

“The rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics,” the statement reads.

The Chief Registrar also said four petitions against some of the applicants were considered during the meeting.

He, however, said each of the petitions lacked merit and was dismissed.

Bello said the swearing-in ceremony of the successful applicants will be held on November 27.

Kayode Ajulo, a human rights activist; Funmi Falana, wife of Femi Falana and Folashade Alli, daughter of Afe Babalola and Adeola Adedipe, a constitutional lawyer, are among the lawyers who are elevated to the rank of SAN.

Find the full list below:

1.Felix Ota Offia, Esq

2.Lawrence Bankole Falade, Esq

3.Kingsley Osabuohein Obamogie, Esq

4. Folashade Abosede Alli, Esq

5.Abiola Isiaq Oyebanji, Esq

6.Bomo Olakunle Agbebi, Esq

7.Daniel Osinach Uruakpa, Esq

8.Oseloka Godwin Osuigwe, Esq

9.Babatund E Adeoye, Esq

10.Babseyi Sigismund Joseph, Esq

11. Emmanuel Moses Enoidem, Esq

12.Kehinde Olufemi Aina, Esq

13.Ngozi Chido Olehi, Esq

14. Aaron Chileokwu Okoroma, Esq

15.Ibrahim Dalhatu Angulu, Esq

16.Olayiwola Emmanue L Afolabi, Esq

17. Sule Shu’aibu, Esq

18.Abiodun Olanrewaju Olaleru, Esq

19.Alfred Olufemi Atteh, Esq

20.Kazeem Adekunl E Sobaloju, Esq

21.Shehu Wadaabdullahi, Esq

22.Bamidele Ibironke Olawoye,Esq

23. Oluwaseyilayo Akinkunmi Ojo, Esq

24. Funmi Falana, Esq

25. Felix Tamara Udenke Mefa Okorotie, Esq

26. Oluwagbenga Seun Ajayi, Esq

27. Friday Ramses Aku Onoja, Esq

28. John Agada Elachi, Esq

29. Bola Razaq Gold, Esq

30. Paul Kasimanu Wamad Uemene, Esq

31. Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun, Esq

32. Oluwole Aladedoye, Esq

33. Paul Yn Osobhase Abhulimen, Esq

34. Jonathan Taidi Gunu, Esq

35. Tochukwu Jude Onyiuke, Esq

36. Olukayode Abraham Ajulo, Esq

37. Christpher Adapar Umar , Esq

38. Chibueze Ogechi Ogbonna,Esq

39. Yemi Adewale M’sbaudeen Adesina, Esq

40. Omoyemi Lateef Akangbe, Esq

41. Olumide Akin Wale Olujinmi , Esq

42. Musa Adamu Aliyu, Esq

43. Fidelis Chuk Wunonye Mbadugha, Esq

44.Onyemaechi Chkwudi Adiukwu, Esq

45.Kechukwu Philip Onuoma, Esq

46. Yakubu Philemon, Esq

47. Johnny Ugwugwaye Agim, Esq

48. Aliyu Lemu Ibrahim, Esq

49 . Isaiah Bozimo, Esq

50. Prisca Ozoiloesike, Esq

51. Yahaya Dan’asabe Dangana, Esq

52. Adeola Oluwaseun Adedipe, Esq

53. Adedayo Samue Ladedeji, Esq

54. Chikaosolu Ojukwu, Esq

55. Musaahmed Attah, Esq

56. Ayotunde Foluso Ogunleye, Esq

57. Olayemi Badewole, Esq

58. Babatunde Adetunji Oni Esq (the lone successful academic applicant for the rank)

We Supply Electricity To Nations That Don’t Pay Us – Shettima

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday assured investors of his administration’s determination to ensure adequate power supply across the country especially in industrial clusters, with no strings attached.

Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, during the Agbara Business Roundtable held in Agbara, Ado-Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, said there was the need to ensure investors in the country were provided adequate power supply to sustain their operations.

According to him, the power needs of the industry would be met even as he observed that some other nations Nigeria is supplying electricity to don’t pay.

Note that Nigeria supplies electricity to some of its neighbours like Niger, Benin Republic, Togo, among others.

The roundtable was convened by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under its Light Up Nigeria Programme to supply dedicated, steady, and quality power to major industrial and commercial clusters in Nigeria.

Shettima who said that it is embarrassing that the Agbara Cluster relies on other sources of power supply aside from the national grid, assured that Federal Government through the NDPHC is committed to ensuring that clusters like Agbara benefit from a cheaper means of generating power in their various factories.

The Vice President, who is the chairman of Board of Directors of NDPHC promised that the Agbara Industrial Estate will have a steady power supply in the next four months.

He said: “Be rest assured, we are going to supply your power needs and with no strings attached. We are giving power to Togo, I think we are giving 100 megawatts to Togo, and some of these nations are not even paying us. Why can’t we give to businesses that will pay us? It is just simple arithmetic; it is a matter of economics.”

Bill To Raise Retirement Age Of Military Personnel To 65 Passes Second Reading

 

A bill seeking to raise the retirement age of members of the armed forces, has passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

Gaza Gbefwi, a lawmaker from Nasarawa State and seven other lawmakers sponsored, the bill which proposes to raise the retirement age of members of the armed forces from 60 to 65 and — from 35 to 40 years in service.

The bill also seeks to amend section 18 of the Arm Forces Act 2004 as well as insert a new subsection 4 to section 30.

The proposed legislation will make it mandatory for service chiefs; army staff, air staff, and naval staff, to be appointed from among the respective services, while the Chief of Defence staff can be picked from any of the armed forces.

Information Nigeria understands that generals are often forced to retire if their juniors are appointed as service chiefs.

To ensure that they still render their services to the nation, the bill will make it mandatory for military officers “compulsorily” retired following the appointment of their subordinates as service chiefs — to be engaged by the chief of defence staff as senior technical consultants for the training of officers in defence college, armed forces staff college or any related institution.

During a debate on the bill on Thursday, Gbefwi said: “The objective of the bill is to ensure that serving military officers learn from the wealth of experience of senior military officers compulsorily retired as a result of the appointment of their juniors as chief of defence staff or service chiefs.

“It also aims to provide for 40 years of service or 65 years of age, whichever comes first, as the new retirement age for members of the armed forces.”

The bill, however, excludes those who are retired as a result of a disciplinary measures or on health grounds.

93 Unexploded Bombs Recovered In Lagos — Army

 

The Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal, Nigeria Army has recovered 93 unexploded bombs (ordnance) at the Ikeja Military Cantonment, Lagos, in the ongoing ‘Exercise Clean Sweep.’

The exercise was flagged off on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, to disinfect the epicenter of the 2002 bomb blast at the cantonment.

The recovered bombs, according to the Army, were in various calibers and descriptions.

The Director at the Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal, Nigeria Army Engineers / Coordinator of the Exercise, Colonel Abdulrazaq Kazeem, who made the disclosure at his maiden brief on the update of the exercise, on Thursday, said among others, “So far, a total of 93 unexploded ordnance have been recovered from the site.

Despite past clearance and disposal exercises at the site, there have been several reports of the discovery of remnants of (Unexploded Ordnance) UXOs within and around the vicinity of the bomb blast much to the detriment of the safety and security of the inhabitants of the Cantonment and environment.

“The moment we reach maximum limits of explosives within our holding area, such ordinances will be moved to the range. If we get to the explosive limits today, I will move to the range today. We would not exceed a kilogram above the explosive limits because it is measured in kilogram. We wouldn’t cross that line. At 93, we have not yet reached the limits,” he reiterated.

On his part, the Safety Officer, Lt Col Oluseyi Oladapo Bamikole said necessary measures had been put in place “for the safety of personnel as they have made adequate equipment available including demarcations and trained personnel to identify UXO before recovery from the site.”

Court Acquits Seven IPOB Supporters, Fines Police N130 Million As Damages

 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged some supporters of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The court, in different suits, discharged about seven of Kanu’s supporters and also awarded fines amounting to N130 million to security operatives as damages.

According to Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, in the charge marked ‘FHC/ABJ/CR/475/2021, Justice M.O. Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged Maria Ezediaro “of all frivolous criminal allegations/charge brought against her before the court.”

Ejiofor, in a statement, said, “She was arrested on February 26, 2021, when she visited the State CID, Owerri, Imo State Command to give food and medication to her friend who was detained there, and was subsequently transferred to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team detention facility in ‘Abattoir,’ Abuja, where she was subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment, severe torture and degradation.

“However, following the refusal of the police to release her or charge her to court, we filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit on her behalf before the Federal High Court Abuja.

“Still on our application, she was granted bail by the court on April 21, 2022, and consequently released to us upon perfection of the bail conditions.

“On October 10, 2023, following our application and submissions before the court, the Federal High Court, Abuja, per Hon. Justice M.O. Olajuwon, struck out the four counts of terrorism filed against Mrs Maria Ezediaro and consequently discharged her.”

According to him, Justice V.S. Gaba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja discharged the Pastor of the Holy Trinity Sabbath Church, Orlu Imo State, Cletus Nwachukwu Egole; his wife, Ifeyinwa Egole, a prophet of Jewish Faith, Michael Uba, Ugochukwu Samuel; and Raphael Idang.

He said, “The court also granted them N100m compensatory damages against the police.”

Narrating the circumstances around their arrest, Ejiofor noted that they were arrested and subsequently paraded by the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police on March 21, 2021, and later transferred to the IGP Intelligence Response Team detention facility in “Abattoir,” Abuja.

“Justice Z.B. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Abuja also ordered the release of Ngozichukwu Ada-Dav and awarded N30m compensatory damages in her favour.

“Ada-Dav was arrested in June 2021 by a team of fully-armed operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and, after that, taken to the IGP/IRT located in Ikeja GRA, where she was detained in unlawful custody till July 3, 2021, when she was transferred to the Garki Command of the Nigeria Police, notoriously known as the Abattoir,” he added.

Tinubu Appoints New CEOs For CAC, ITF, SON, 11 Others

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday approved the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of several agencies and parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) including the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement said the appointments are in line with Tinubu’s resolve to base Nigeria’s economic revival on the foundation of trade expansion through small, medium and large-scale industry facilitation in the country.

The appointments are as follows: CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji; ITF, Afiz Ogun Oluwatoyin; National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Kamar Bakrin; Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Olufemi Ogunyemi; Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nonye Ayeni; Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi; Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Usman Jada.

Others are the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii; SON, Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke; Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Rabiu Olowo; Nigeria Commodities Exchange (NCE), Anthony Atuche, CFA; Lagos International Trade Fair Complex (LITFCMB), Veronica Safiya Ndanusa; Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board (TBSMB), Lucia Shittu and National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Oluwemimo Joseph Osanipin.

According to Ngelale, President Tinubu expects all new appointees in this critical sector to optimally deliver in accordance with new key performance indicating benchmarks as established by FMITI.

He added that by this directive of the President, all of the above-listed appointments take immediate effect.

Too Much Jealousy, Envy Amongst Igbos – Yul Edochie

 Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has expressed disappointment with the high rate of jealousy among Igbos.

The controversial actor made this known in a post on his Instagram page on Wednesday where he questioned the reason for their hatred among themselves.

Yul Edochie also mentioned how some Igbos who are succeeding have their family members as their biggest critics and urged them to do better.

He said, “Too much jealousy and envy amongst Igbos.

“Why??, If you’re doing well as an Igbo person, your biggest haters are your fellow Igbo person.

“Sometimes even your family members. Igbos we need to do better. We’re great.

“Stop the envy. Stop the competition. Things change when we address them”.