A Federal High Court sitting in Kano, on Tuesday, stopped Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission from investigating alleged missing N100 billion from Local Government Council accounts.

The court presided over by Justice S.A. Amobeda, also halted the Kano Anti-graft Commission and its agents from inviting, investigating, arresting, and intimidating Local Government chairmen in the state, pending the determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

The applicants before the Court are 15 LG chairmen in the state from Dawakin Tofa, Ungogo, Dambatta, Kunchi, Rimin Gado, Karate, Bichi, Tsanyawa, Gwarzo, Tarauni, Dala, Turun Wada, Kano Municipal and Shanono; while the respondents are Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission and Bar. Muhuyi Gado.

The Court granted Interim Injunction, “restraining the Respondents jointly and severally, personally or through their agents, servants, privies and/or assigns, arresting whomever and however from inviting, investigating, arresting, detaining, harassing and/or intimidating the Applicants in respect of Local Governments accounts, their personal accounts, vouchers and cash books of Local Governments herein, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.”

The court also stopped the respondents from taking any further steps in connection with, or relating to, or arising from the invitation by the Respondents against the Applicants, as communicated in the 1st Respondent’s letters, dated 7th and 10th July 2023 respectively, pending the determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

The Court also granted an accelerated hearing of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice and directed the Respondents to maintain the status quo in respect of the subject matter of the suit, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants’ Motion on Notice.

There was drama on Tuesday at the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Birnin Kebbi as the principal of Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto said the Kebbi State deputy governor did not graduate from the school.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar, claimed he finished from Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto in 1979. But the principal of the school disowned the deputy governor by tendering 15 documents before the governorship election petitions tribunal.

The principal, Muhammed Zayyanu Umar, while being cross examined by counsels to the Governor and Deputy Governor insisted that there was no records in the school to support the testimonial allegedly given to him from the college because his name was not in the list of the 1979 graduands of Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate, Maj General Aminu Bande (rtd) is challenging the victory of the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Nasiru Idris and his Deputy Umar Abubakar in the last general election in Kebbi State .

The principal is the first subpoenaed witness to be cross examined by the respondent’s counsels after the tribunal admitted the 15 documents he presented to it.

While giving his testimonies and answering questions from the respondent counsels, Barrister Wale Agunbiade SAN, Yakubu Maikyau SAN and others, the principal insisted that based on the documents he submitted to the tribunal, the results of 1979,1980,1981 and 1982 did not carry the name Umar Abubakar alleged to be a graduand of the college within the period, particularly in 1979.

He insisted that based on the available records in his office as principal of Sultan Abubakar College, Sokoto, the deputy governor did not finish from the school in 1979.

A director in Sokoto State Ministry of Education , Abdulsamad Hamzat Yisa who was subpoeaned to testify at the tribunal said the ministry set up a committee to investigate the principal but they found that the principal was right .

Earlier, the counsels to the respondent had objected to the continuation of the hearing on the grounds that the list of witnesses were served on them around 8pm. They argued that report of pretrial indicated that parties should be served list of witnesses within 24 hours.

But the petitioner’s counsels told the tribunal that apart from the list of 15 witnesses scheduled to testify, there are other subpoenaed witnesses which are court witnesses not petitioners witnesses.

On that ground the tribunal chairman, Justice Ofem I. Ofem ruled that, on one part, agreed with the respondent counsels that since the notice served them was not within 24 hours, the tribunal will not proceed to take the witnesses but on the other hand subpoenaed witnesses which notice was served to the respondent since 12th of July to be heard.

The petitioners had called 21 witnesses,15 of them are normal witnesses while six are subpoenaed witnesses from government agencies and departments.

The Abia State government has confirmed the sacking of about 7000 workers from the state civil service who were employed by the immediate past administration between January and March 2023.

The names of the affected people have also been removed from the state payroll.

The sacking of the workers said to have been illegally employed was disclosed by Prince Okey Kanu, the state Commissioner for information during a press briefing after the Executive Council meeting in Umuahia on Tuesday.

The information boss revealed that about N600 million has been saved with the sacking.

According to Kanu, over 2,300 ghost workers had been discovered through the on-going biometric verification of workers in the state, which has helped to save over N220 million monthly.

He restated the commitment of the Otti-led government to improve the welfare of workers and pay their salaries regularly.

The Government’s spokesman charged workers to reciprocate Government gestures with rededication to duty, stressing that Government would no longer tolerate nonchalant attitude.

He however warned workers who had converted their offices into business centres to discontinue with such attitude as it would no longer be allowed.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it will soon meet with stakeholders in the broadcasting industry to review the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, this is as the commission revealed that it is considering upward review of television and radio stations licence fees.

NBC’s Director General Malam, Balareba Shehu Ilelah disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.

Though the press conference was called to announce the hosting of this year’s African broadcast exhibition (Africast) slated for October 24 to 26 in Lagos, Ilelah however disclosed that the broadcast code would be reviewed after all the stakeholders in the industry had made their inputs into it.

“We will seek contributions from all stakeholders in the industry to review the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. We also considering upward review of the broadcast licence for TV and radio stations”, the NBC DG said.

He said the NBC as a regulator would ensure that the broadcast media performed their roles as required by the law.

But in his contribution during the press conference, the Executive Secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Dr Yemisi Bamgbose advised NBC against hiking broadcast licence fees now.

Bamgbose said it was a known fact that the broadcast industry in the country is in dire need of a lifeline, adding that increasing licence fees or any other fees might kill many of the stations.

“Let me appeal to the DG and of course the NBC not to increase the licence fee now. Broadcasters are already going through a very difficult time so I don’t think this is the best time to increase their licence fee or any other fees at all”, the BON scribe said.

Daily Trust reports that the current Nigeria Broadcast Code which was issued in 2016 and amended in 2020 contains rules and regulations guiding the industry and its practitioners in the country.

You will agree with me that it has become part of the culture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to constantly dialogue with Nigerians who voted him into office. The President covenanted with Nigerians that their welfare and security will be topmost in the Renewed Hope Agenda of his government.

In the last few days, the conventional and new media platforms have become awash with stories of the government intending to embark on conditional cash transfer to vulnerable households mostly affected by the painful but necessary decision to remove subsidy from petrol.

The story has been widely reported that the Federal Government is proposing to give 12 million households from the poorest of the poor N8,000 monthly for a period of six months as government palliative to reduce the discomfort being experienced by Nigerians consequent upon subsidy removal.

A lot of ill-informed imputations have been read into the programme by not a few naysayers. The Administration believes in the maxim that when there is prohibition, there must be provision. Since subsidy, the hydra-headed monster threatening to kill the economy, has been stopped, government has emplaced a broad spectrum of reliefs to bring help to Nigerians.

While it should be noted that cash programme is not the only item in the whole gamut of relief package of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a listening leader who has vowed to always put Nigerians at the heart of his policy and programme, the President has directed as follows:-

1. That the N8,000 conditional cash transfer programmed envisaged to bring succour to most vulnerable households be reviewed immediately. This is in deference to the views expressed by Nigerians against it.

2. That the whole gamut of palliative package of government be unveiled to Nigerians.

3. Immediate release of fertilisers and grains to approximately 50 million farmers and households respectively in all the 36 states and the FCT.  

The President further assures Nigerians that the N500 billion approved by parliament to cushion the pain occasioned by the end of subsidy regime will be judiciously utilised. The beneficiaries of the reliefs shall be Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation.

President Bola Tinubu has promised to always prioritize the wellbeing of Nigerians and he is irrevocably committed to the vow. A number of decisions taken so far by this Administration have buttressed this stance.

You will recall that the President took a similar decision after listening to complaints from the business community/stakeholders about burdensome taxes, particularly multiplicity of taxes they are made to experience. This warranted the signing of four (4) Executive Orders cancelling some classes of taxes, while suspending the implementation dates of others.

In addition, the President has also set up a Tax Reform/Fiscal Policy Committee to bring up recommendations that will engender a wholesome fiscal environment for the country and remove anti-business barriers.

I wish to assure Nigerians that President Tinubu will continue to be a listening leader whose ears will not be dull to the views expressed by the citizenry. The President believes government exists to cater for the interest of the people and he has demonstrated this so clearly.

Thank you all.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

(Special Duties, Communications and Strategy)

July 18, 2023

The Nigerian Government announced it has ensured the sum of the disbursement of N308.45 billion promissory notes to 199 Nigerian exporting companies.

They also added that in a bid to boost the promotion of non-oil exports in Nigeria, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is in the works with the National Universities Commission (NUC), to teach export promotion in Nigerian Universities.

This was disclosed on Monday by The Executive Director of NEPC, Dr Ezra Yakusak, in Abuja at the presentation of the first half-year progress report on the non-oil export performance for 2023.

Food processing

Dr Yakusak revealed that NEPC has concluded plans for the establishment of a cashew processing plant in Ogbomosho, Oyo State.

He said  that the development was in line with the council’s mandate and efforts to strengthen its value-addition campaign, adding:

• “NEPC under its export development programme for priority products has concluded plans for the establishment of a cashew processing plant in Ogbomosho, Oyo State on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.”

The NEPC chief noted that Ogbomosho cashew is globally acknowledged as a brand for good quality and thereby highly sought after in the international market, adding they havesince commenced processes towards setting up the processing plant.

University curriculum

Yakusak said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed between NEPC and the National Universities Commission (NUC), to promote export promotion in Nigerian universities.

He added that when introduced would go a long way in enabling undergraduates to become employers of labour and be self-reliant after graduation.

• “This initiative will further complement the efforts of NEPC at promoting the “Export4Survival Campaign’’ which is targeted at increasing the export of Nigeria’s non-oil product.”

Other developments

The NEPC revealed it inaugurated an Export Trade House (ETH) in Hunan Province, China in April 19, 2023.

Yakusak noted that this is part of NEPC’s efforts to increase the export of Made-in-Nigeria products to China.

• “The establishment of the ETH is a collaborative effort between the NEPC and Zeenab Foods Limited under a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement.
• “With the opening of the China ETH, the Council has launched and operationalised a total number of four ETHs which are located in Cairo, Egypt, Lome in Togo, Nairobi in Kenya and China.
• “Plans are underway to establish another ETH in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)”.

Promissory notes

They revealed that they have ensured the disbursement of N308.45billion promissory notes to 199 Nigeria exporting companies, as non-oil exports in the first half of 2023 generated 2.539 billion dollars adding:

• “Following the approval of the Federal Government, the disbursement to 199 exporting companies under the Export Expansion Grant (EEG) Scheme has since been completed.”

The Federal Government said the risk assessment conducted by the human health sector showed that the likelihood of an outbreak of anthrax disease in the country is high.

The FG also said that the potential impact of the disease on humans is high.

These were made known on Monday night in a joint press statement signed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Columba Vakuru, and the Director General of NCDC, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa.

The government, however, noted that it has activated the incident management system at level two with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response.

Earlier, FMARD confirmed one case of Anthrax disease in a mixed livestock farm in Niger State.

This is the first animal case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the West Africa outbreak in Ghana in June 2023.

FMARD said on July 13, 2023, the sudden deaths of livestock in this farm with eight mortality was reported and the animals who died were observed to have been bleeding from external orifices without blood clotting.

Following this report, samples were collected on July 14, 2023, from multiple species in this livestock farm and transported to the National Veterinary Research Institute, VOM, Plateau State for testing and the results were positive for anthrax.

The statement read in part, “Further investigation is also ongoing to trace the source of the infection and to identify the spread to other farms and humans. Though human exposure has been reported, there are no reports so far of human symptoms or mortality.

“The FMARD and the NCDC are currently working closely with the Niger State Ministries of Health and Agriculture to identify, isolate and follow up all exposed persons. The NCDC has activated the incident management system at level two today with an incident manager appointed for effective coordination of the response. The risk assessment conducted by the human health sector today remained HIGH for the likelihood of an outbreak and its potential impact on humans.

“The FMARD was able to diagnose anthrax and provide early intervention within 48 hours of notification of suspected animal deaths. The Government of Nigeria, through the FMARD and NCDC and other one-health stakeholders, have put measures in place to ensure any outbreak of Anthrax in Nigeria is quickly detected, controlled, and contained.”

Anthrax is a severe disease caused by the bacteria – Bacillus anthracis. It can affect both humans and animals, including wild animals and livestock such as cows, pigs, camels, sheep, goats, etc.

The bacteria, which exist as spores, can be found in the soil, wool, or hair of infected animals. Anthrax spores are resistant to extreme conditions and can survive in the soil or environment for decades, making controlling or eradicating the disease very difficult. The spores are brought to the surface by wet weather, by deep digging, or when eaten by livestock or wild animals when they graze.

Anthrax affects humans through skin infection, gastrointestinal, and inhalation.

[Punch]

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants who enter Canada annually are required to take a language test. But their scores expire within the next two years — one of many problems critics have with the test. 

The Canadian government invited 431,645 permanent residents into the country last year — a record high. Most are required to be proficient in either English or French. 

Applicants can attempt either of the two tests recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Both cost more than $250 and the results are only valid for two years. There are also French tests that have the same validity period and cost about the same.

Results from a language test are also sometimes required when immigrants enrol in university or apply for work permits. 

The price of the exam, and potentially having to pay to take it multiple times, is just one issue advocates and prospective residents have with the test. Some see it as an insufficient way of assessing someone's candidacy for residence in Canada. 

Language abilities 'being called into question'

Ukwori Ejibe, now an Alberta-resident, moved to Canada from Nigeria in 2020. She holds an undergraduate degree from the U.S. and two master's degrees — one from Paris and one from Singapore.

But before moving to Canada, she attempted the IELTS test twice in Nigeria, where English is the official language.

Language test scores are assigned a point value. Applicants also get points for things like education and work experience. The more points an applicant has, the greater their chances of becoming a permanent resident.

Ejibe's first scores in 2016 were not high enough to gain permanent residency. After her second attempt, she was invited to immigrate.

She says she was "quite upset" to learn she'd have to take the test a third time to gain admission to the university program she wanted to attend in B.C. 

"It's definitely an expensive process to move to Canada, and one of the reasons why it's so expensive is because the IELTS is not like other processes, that you, hopefully, just do once," she said.

When Ejibe took the test for the third time, she said she didn't prepare as much as she had before, but still got a great score. 

"You feel like you've gone through all the hurdles and your English abilities are being called into question, and this is for someone who went to school in the U.S. and got educated in Nigeria in English." 

Concern about validity period

Syed Hussan, the executive director of the advocacy group Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, says most people they work with have difficulty passing the test on their first try, even if English is their first and only language. 

"It is a massive money-making machine," he said, noting the fact that the tests have a two-year expiry date before they have to be taken again makes it apparent that the exams are cash grabs. 

"It just goes to show it's just a way to get money out of people and not really assess people's ability to work or live in Canada," he said. 

The application for permanent residency costs $1,365. Ejibe says she has spent roughly $1,000 on tests alone, and says they just add onto an already expensive process. 

Unlike permanent resident applicants, those seeking citizenship don't need to take the test again if they've passed it once. They can submit their test results even if they've expired. 

Ejibe wonders about the rationale behind this.

"If they can do this for citizenship, they should consider it for immigration purposes, too," she said. 

Elena Ashford, an Ontario-based immigration lawyer, says these English language test scores play a significant role in a person's eligibility to move to Canada and considers the cost of the tests to be an issue. 

"Many individuals have to retake the test and that's a lot of money. I don't understand why the test expires within two years," she said. 

Maintaining proficiency 'critical': IRCC

British Council, the U.K.-based organization that offers IELTS, recommends test results remain valid for a period of two years. IRCC says it has followed this recommendation in its policy since it first began using third-party language testing.

IRCC said via email that the two-year validity period is meant to take into consideration factors like how often people actually speak the language they're supposed to be proficient in, how recently they've had instruction in the language and if they've maintained their level of language proficiency.

"It is critical to ensure that their language proficiency does not deteriorate over time, prior to landing," the email said. 

In its emailed response, IRCC said language proficiency is strongly associated with positive economic outcomes and has been shown to have a direct impact on increased earnings and finding suitable employment. 

But some still say the language tests aren't a reliable indicator of how well a person will do after immigrating to Canada. 

When the temporary resident to permanent residency pathway was introduced in 2021, Hussan says traffic on the language testing sites was so heavy the websites crashed. 

He says using the language tests to determine a person's ability to thrive in a new country is baseless and thinks it would be better to update the assessment system entirely.

"If you've been working in Canada already, that should be proof enough, if you've been studying here, that should be proof enough."

[cbc]

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has lost his spot as the most valuable football player in the world, according to the latest report by Football Benchmark.

The 24-year-old has already topped the list of previous editions released by the renowned football business portal.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is now occupying the position.

Mbappe and Haaland are widely regarded as the two main dominant forces in European football at the moment, following the departure of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the continent.

Haaland is now valued at an estimated €194.2 million, and this figure puts him on top as the world’s most valuable player.

Haaland scored an astonishing 53 goals in a single season to help Manchester City win the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup last season.

Mbappe, the Frenchman, who is now placed second on the list, reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup final with France and helped PSG win last season’s Ligue 1 title.

He currently has an estimated value of €181.6 million.

Sheriff’s authorities on Tuesday reported that a three-year-old baby shot and killed a one-year-old sibling with a handgun that had been left unsecured in a home in San Diego, California.

It was not immediately clear who reported the shooting or where the children’s parents were at the time of the incident.

Authorities said deputies in Fallbrook arrived and found the one-year-old girl, who had sustained “head injury.’’

The child was taken to Palomar Hospital where she died an hour later. The Sheriff’s department did not release the name of the child who was fatally injured.

Investigators, however, said the department’s Homicide Unit was working to gather more information about the incident.

NAN