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ICPC uncovers N5.17 billion fraud in education, agric ministries
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has uncovered diversion of part of the N2.67 billion payments made to some Federal Colleges for school feeding during lockdown. The Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who stated this at the 2nd National Summit on Diminishing Corruption with the theme: “Together Against Corruption and Launch of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy”, said preliminary investigation had indicated that part of the N2.67billion was diverted to private accounts. The event, presided over President Muhammadu Buhari, was held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. The ICPC boss said: “We observed that transfer to sub-Treasury Single Account was to prevent disbursement from being monitored. ...
TUC begs Nigerians not to lose faith in labour movement
File Photo The Lagos State Council, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has urged people not to despair or lose faith in the labour movement over suspension of the much publicised nationwide industrial action. The state Chairman, Mr Gbenga Ekundayo, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Lagos. “Quite expectedly, Lagosians would feel disappointed; however, they should not despair or lose faith in our labour. “When labour leaders go into a negotiation, it is for a purpose, and when that purpose is not served, we press home the demands of our own by withdrawing services of our members. “Our national leaders went into further negotiations last night, which lasted till early hours of today. An understanding has been reached and the strike was called off,” he said. Ekunday...
Governor Bagudu: President Buhari’s policies yielding fruitful results
Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State says President Muhammadu Buhari’s policies have began to yield the desired results in the country. The governor made this known during a visit to a private rice mill, owned by a business mogul, Alhaji Sahabi Lolo in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state on Sunday. Newsmen report that Bagudu was accompanied by Gov. Muhammed Badaru of Jigawa on the visit. He expressed delight that the policies of the administration were putting the country on a more formidable economic footing. According to Bagudu, the investment derive of the president in the rice value chain in the last few years is also bearing fruits on the economy. ”What you saw here today is one of the so many that have come-up in the last few years under president Muhammad Buhari’s r...
Nigerian government inaugurates infectious disease centre in Abuja
The Federal Government on Friday inaugurated the first Infectious Disease Centre (IDC), in the Federal Capital Territory, and handed it over to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). Speaking at the inauguration of the 40-bed centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said that the centre would improve Nigeria’s capacity to respond to all infectious diseases. “With laboratory testing and case management in one location, there is a much shorter time between sample collection and infection confirmation. ”This will ensures early initiation of treatment and thus mitigate mortality during infectious disease outbreaks. “I am very proud that today, we now have an international standard centre where we can manage highly pathogenic infectious disease cases, i...
APC nullifies Governor Fayemi’s ‘suspension’
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has nullified the purported suspension of Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State by the party’s state chapter. Mr Yekini Nabena, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja, while reacting to the development. “The attention of the APC national secretariat has been drawn to a purported and widely reported suspension of Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, as well as an earlier reported indefinite suspension of some other party members in the state. “The actions are a nullity as the party’s national secretariat is yet to receive communication from the state chapter on the purported suspensions,” he said. Nabena, therefore, advised all members of the party to adhere to its Constitution, adding that Fayemi remains the ...
Ogun pensioners protest, demand immediate payment of gratuities
Pensioners in Ogun State on Tuesday demanded immediate payment of gratuities of State and Local Government retirees from 2014 and 2011 to date. Newsmen learnt that the state government pensioners are owed from 2014 while local government pensioners are owed from 2011. The pensioners who protested around Abiola Way in Abeokuta, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Repeal the obnoxious pension bill now”, ”Mr Governor, please don’t deprive us our legitimate pension and gratuities”. Others are “Severance to politicians are paid at exit”, ”Pay our gratuities now” among others. Addressing journalists after the protest, Mr Waheed Oloyede, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, in the state, said that the proposal by government to release every quarter, the sum of N500 million from January ...
Cross River workers protest removal of names from payroll
Some civil servants whose names were removed from the payroll of the Cross River Government on Monday in Calabar picketed the state secretariat complex, demanding reinstatement. The protesters carried placards with various inscription such as “Ayade pay us our salaries, “No Trade Union in Cross River”, “We will protest until we are reinstated”, among others. It would be recalled that the state government in August 2019 removed the names of no fewer than 2,500 civil servants from its payroll. One of the protesting civil servants, Mr James Obeten, told newsmen that the situation had caused untold hardships in his families. “We were duly employed in 2015, and were given employment letters, it is very shocking that the government stopped our salaries since August 2019. “Without any reason, our...
Survival Fund: Nigerian government releases registration schedule as portal opens Monday
As the portal for the registration of prospective beneficiaries for the Survival Fund opens on Monday, the Federal Government has released the timetable for categories of businesses to register. A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Project Delivery Office stated that the portal which opens at 10 PM, will have educational institutions as the first category of beneficiaries to register. “Nigerians interested in the Payroll Support scheme are to note that the site for registration will be open from 10 pm Monday, September 21, 2020. “In order to ensure a seamless registration process, the Project Delivery Office (PDO) has designed a registration schedule. “Registration for Payroll Support will start with educational institutions on Monday and will be followed with businesses in the hos...
Edo election: FCT residents commend INEC innovations, performance
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on its performance at the just concluded Sept. 19, governorship election in Edo state. Some of the residents who spoke with newsmen, in Abuja expressed their joy that the election was relatively peaceful and that INEC deserved commendation for its innovations. A businessman, Mr Christopher Chidi, said although there were logistics challenges in few places, INEC’s performance was an improvement over previous elections. Chidi said that one of the innovations that made the election success was the introduction of the election “Result Viewing Portal” recently launched by INEC. “The portal has made it difficult for politicians to alter election results at the collation war...
Sultan turbans 15 district heads in Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Saturday turbaned 15 new District Heads in Sokoto State. Newsmen report that the ceremony followed the demise of the District Heads of the respective areas. Mr Abubakar congratulated the newly turbaned Heads and urged them to ensure the best representation for their communities in the Sultanate Council. “Your turbanning is an added responsibility and opportunity to serve the society, as such I urge all of you to remain focused in ensuring sustainable development to the people. “You are all expected to continue to work closely with your community in ensuring sustainable peace and unity in the state,” he said. The Sultan further prayed for the new district heads and for peace and prosperity in the country. Newsmen report that those turbaned includ...
Edo election: Presiding officers, observer commend electoral process
Some Presiding Officers in the Sept.19, governorship election in Edo and an international Observer team, Centre for Strategic Conflict Management, have commended the peaceful electoral process in Oredo Ward 4. They gave the commendation at the on-going governorship election on Saturday in Benin. Newsmen report that the Oredo Ward 4 is the voting point of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki. A presiding officer in the Ward 4 polling unit 25, Jonathan Ayo, commended the electorate for conducting themselves peacefully and in an orderly manner during accreditation and voting. According to him, the process so far has been smooth, with everything working well. ”The card readers are working perfectly well today; we have not had any issue of failure of card reader today. “The voters are conduct...
Zamfara APC expels Sirajo Garba, 125 others for violating NEC order
The Seven-Man Disciplinary Committee Set up by Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expelled Sirajo Garba and 125 others for violating National Executive Council resolution of the party and anti-party activities. Garba, with membership registration 01002642 from Dodo Ward, Gusau Local Government Area, is the Chairman, Marafa’s faction of APC. Newsmen report that the National Secretariat of the APC had earlier directed the State Chapter of the party to set up a disciplinary committee to sanction any member who violated the directive of its NEC. The directive was for the withdrawal of all subsisting court cases by the members and Garba was among the 140 members who took party to court after the NEC directives. A statement signed by the Chairman of the committee, ...
