Management
AGF queries NDDC over non-payment of over N70 billion unremitted tax, revenue
The last is yet to be heard about the entrenched corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as the office of the Auditor General of the Federation (oAuGF) queried the Commission over N70 billion and secrecy shrouded in the multi-million dollar revenues paid by oil firms into the coffers of the Commission since inception. The query was part of numerous audit query issued by the oAuGF including the sum of N31.453 billion ‘some payment of 2012 not verified due to non-presentation of payment vouchers and bank mandates; non-remittance of N29 billion before 2008; N5.69 billion payment vouchers from Access Bank Account Number 0015078045 not presented for audit, and payments by unrecognized oil companies into the Commission’s final accounts to the tune of N3,280,818,832, among oth...
NAHCON begins refund of 2020 Hajj fares to intending pilgrims
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced the refund of the 2020 Hajj fares to intending pilgrims who wish get their deposits back. The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja. Hassan said that the development became necessary following the decision of the Government of Saudi Arabia not to entertain any external pilgrim at Mecca this year as part of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that pilgrims who wish to rollover their deposits to the 2021 Hajj will be permitted to do so. He said that registration for the 2021 Hajj will commence in September this year. Hassan said: “Any intending pilgrim who desires to recover his/her deposit from the State Pilgrims ...
Coronavirus may reach peak in Lagos by August – commissioner
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said on Thursday that the state may experience the peak of coronavirus by August. Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Abayomi said that the COVID-19 prediction model of the state holds that the pandemic will soon reach its peak, followed by the flattening of the curve and a gradual decline in the number of cases. “We believe that in the next week or two, we are going to see an increase in both the private sector testing and public laboratory testing. “We are still seeing a gentle increase in the number of cases overtime cumulatively. Lagos will theoretically peak in the month of August, it will flatten out and over some time, we will see a decline,” Abayomi said. The commissioner earlier said the state will record between 90,000 ...
Benue university pro-chancellor, other staffers test positive for coronavirus
Juju Films/File Photo The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Benue State University, Makurdi, Prof. Zacharys Gundu has tested positive for COVID-19. Prof. Gundu made his status known in a letter he wrote to the Vice Chancellor of the institution and university community. This came after the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Msugh Kembe last week announced he tested positive while the Deputy Vice Chancellor, DVC, Administration, Prof. Godwin Achinge lost his life to the virus. In the said letter the Pro-Chancellor wrote “This is to write and inform you that samples collected from me and sent to Abuja for COVID-19 testing returned a positive test result to me on July 9, 2020. “A few days after the samples were taken and sent to Abuja, I went into one of the isolation facilities ...
FCE Osiele shuts down after a health worker dies of coronavirus
The management of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta has shut down the institution for two weeks after a medical personnel at the school’s health centre died as a result of complications arising from coronavirus. According to a report, two other workers of the institution’s Medical Centre have also tested positive for the virus. While announcing the closure of the school in a statement on Friday, July 3, 2020, the institution’s Registrar, Adedayo Adebayo, said, a report carried out “attributed the cause of death of one of the medical personnel that transited to immortality lately to complications that arose from COVID-19. “Regrettably, the two other staff of the medical centre similarly tested positive to the viral infection and have been placed on isolation and undergoing ...
Nigerian stocks down by N1.14 trillion in first half
Nigerian stocks closed the first half down with average loss of 8.80 per cent, equivalent to net capital depreciation of N1.14 trillion as investors struggled with a threesome of domestic macroeconomic uncertainties, global decline in crude oil price and trade wars and the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. Benchmark indices at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), which are generally regarded as sovereign equity indices for Nigeria, showed that Nigerian stocks swiveled through steep decline in first quarter and a major recovery in early months of the second quarter, closing the six-month period with net loss of N1.14 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), a common value-based index that tracks all share prices at the Exchange, closed first half at 24,479.22 points as against 26,842.07 points recorded...
Aviation unions warn NAMA over proposed salary cut
NIGERIAN AIRSPACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY Aviation industry unions on Wednesday warned the Management of Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA) not to embark on its planned payment of incomplete salaries to staff, predicting dire consequences for the action. Newsmen report that the unions are National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN). Others are the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE). The unions gave the warning in a letter jointly signed by Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Frances Akinjole; General Secretary, NUATE, Ocheme Aba; General Secretary, ANAP, Abdulrasaq Saidu; and...
UCH denies receiving N118 million coronavirus donation from Oyo
The University College Hospital has denied receiving any money from the Oyo State Government in its fight against COVID-19 in the state. The Public Relations Officer of the hospital, Toye Akinrinlola, made this known in a press statement on Wednesday. Newsmen report that Oyo had claimed that over N2.7 billion had been spent on the fight against COVID-19 in the state. While giving the breakdown, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo, said a total of N900.5 million was spent on procurement of the COVID-19 palliatives and seedlings; N370.6 million was spent on the upgrade of the Infectious Diseases Centre at Olodo; N453.7 million on securing borders, security trucks and personnel; N118 million as support to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for COVID-19 tests. But the hospital s...
FRSC spokesman, others decorated with new ranks
File Photo The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has decorated spokesman Mr Bisi Kazeem and others with the new rank of Assistant Corps Marshal. The decoration ceremony followed the just concluded promotion of senior officers on 30 May by the FRSC board. According to Oyeyemi it has been the culture of the Corps since 2014, not to delay the seasons of reward or let go without due recognition of individuals. “These are for those who have continued to strive to make FRSC a best global practice sustainable corporate organisation,’’ he said. Oyeyemi congratulated the newly promoted officers for the deserved elevation and implored them to be happy and proud of their success. He said that the promotion was an indication of their hard work. Kazeem thanked th...
Ekiti polytechnic produces hand washing and sanitiding machines
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has produced machines for hand washing and sanitiser as part of its contribution to governments’ efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Speaking at the inauguration of the hand-free and pedal-operated equipment on Saturday, the Rector, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye, commended the efforts of the Department of Mechanical Engineering on the initiative. Oladebeye also applauded the functionality of the machine saying that, “it is efficient to use and it is smooth, without any friction.” The rector said that aside the hand washing and sanitising machine products, the Polytechnic has other initiatives that will attract patronages from across the country. “The Polytechnic is already making contacts to present the pedal-operated handwashing and sanitising ...
Official: ICPC investigating cases of coronavirus fraud
File Photo The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it is investigating alleged cases of corruption in the management of COVID-19 funds and palliatives. The commission’s Director of Operations, Mr Akeem Lawal, disclosed this during a virtual meeting of stakeholders on the topic, “COVID-19 Funds Management and Monitoring”, on Thursday. In a presentation titled, “ICPC Monitoring Obligation and Strategy Re: COVID-19 Emergency”, Lawal said the cases include alleged fraud by some participating public institution in the release and distribution of grains from strategic food reserve. Others, according to him, include alleged infractions in the procurement of COVID-19 palliatives and logistics and community enlightenment activities. The ICPC official, who...
Nigeria invites bid for monitoring of spending of Abacha loot
File Photo The Federal Ministry of Justice on Thursday opened technical bids for Consultancy Service to monitor the implementation of Abacha loot III. Newsmen that the Consultancy Service is to undertake the monitoring of the implementation of the tripartite agreement on the Sharing, Transfer, Disposition, Repatriation and Management of the Abacha Forfeited Assets. Mrs Ladidi Mohammed, Head, Asset Recovery and Management Unit, Ministry of justice declared open the bidding process. Mohammed said the process is in tandem with the Asset Return Agreement of Feb. 3 by the Nigeria government, the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey. ‘`This Agreement is based on international law and cooperation measures that set out the procedures for the repatriation, transfer, disposition and management ...
