Samson Siasia and Emmanuel Amuneke were among those who met the deadline for submitting application letters to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the vacant post of head coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles.

Naija News reports that the Super Eagles coaching job application was open until yesterday, March 12th.

Recall that the NFF had publicized an advert seeking a passionate and experienced coach with a winning mentality.

The ideal candidate would have experience managing at the highest level, with a proven track record of success. Knowledge of African football was a plus, but not mandatory.

The Super Eagles coaching position was declared vacant just last week following former gaffer, Jose Peseiro‘s contract expiration at the end of February 2024.

Reports emerging on Wednesday morning revealed that at least twelve coaches beat the deadline for submitting application letters yesterday.

According to Vanguard, among those who successfully submitted their applications to the NFF are the former head coach of Tanzania’s senior men’s team, Taifa Stars, and the ex-coach of the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, Emmanuel Amuneke. Finidi George, who was Peseiro’s assistant coach, and former Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh also submitted applications.

Others who filed their applications before the deadline are Samson Siasia, former Super Eagles head coach whose FIFA ban will soon be lifted, Sylvanus Okpala, ex-Super Eagles assistant coach under the late Stephen Keshi, and Michael Nsien, ex-USA U-16 team coach of Nigerian descent.

The Federal Government has invited memoranda from the public as it begins the probe of private universities established in the last 15 years.

The Federal Government initiated the probe following an investigative report by Daily Nigerian journalist, Umar Audu, uncovering certificate racketeering in neighbouring Benin Republic and Togo.

Checks by The PUNCH showed that no fewer than 107 private universities were established in the last 15 years.

The Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling set up by the Federal Government would be examining “whether or not private universities established in the last 15 years have in place prescribed facilities, appropriate management structure, adequate funding of programmes, requisite state, and nature of the staff – full-time, contract, adjunct, visiting and other types.”

The committee, in an advertorial published in The PUNCH of Tuesday, noted that the probe was “without prejudice to the periodic accreditation exercise of the National Universities Commission.”

“Memoranda from the general public are, therefore, solicited to provide information to the committee to help it make appropriate recommendations to address the menace in line with its terms of reference,” the committee said.

In his investigative report published late last year, Daily Nigerian journalist Audu had narrated how he obtained a degree within six weeks from Benin Republic and even proceeded to embark on the mandatory youth service under the National Youth Service Corps scheme in the country.

Reacting, the Federal Government, on January 9, 2024, said it would launch an investigation into private universities established in the last 15 years.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, made this known in Abuja while inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee on fake degrees and activities of degree mills in the country.

The Committee Chairman, Jibrila Amin, noted that the inter-ministerial committee would “Review the role of any MDA or its officials (including identifying such officials) in the facilitation of the recognition and procurement of the fake certificate in question.”

The committee will also”examine the rules, procedures and processes for recognition and accreditation of foreign universities and programmes by the Federal Ministry of Education; Establish if unapproved foreign institutions (Degree Mills) exist or not in Nigeria in whatever form with their identities and locations if any.”

It is expected to “make appropriate recommendations for review of any rules, procedures, and processes to prevent re-occurrence and sanctions for identified erring officials.

“Make other recommendations that will strengthen the system of recognition, accreditations and quality assurance of degrees in Nigeria and examine the extant rules, procedures and processes for granting provisional licenses to new universities by the National Universities Commission.”

President Bola Tinubu joined the Muslim faithful at the State House mosque for the Ramadan Tafsir (translation of the Holy Qur’an) on Tuesday, appealing to Nigerians to pray for peace and stability in the country.

Declaring open the annual Tafsir, President Tinubu advised the Muslim faithful to demonstrate kindness to one another and their neighbours while also supporting the less privileged in society.

”We thank Almighty Allah for sparing us to see another holy month of Ramadan. We thank Allah for sparing us through the elections and giving us the opportunity to be Nigerians.

”Yes, things are tough, but Allah has ordained us to make sacrifices, to discipline ourselves, help others, and be kind to ourselves.

”May Almighty God, that gave us this opportunity, strengthen our resolve; help us change our country, and extend our love to our neighbours.

”We face challenges of kidnapping, banditry, and others. May Allah show mercy on all of us, the dead, and accept our good deeds.

”May Almighty Allah give us strength and good life to see the month of Ramadan through and to continue in good faith to worship him. I advise all of us to continue to pray for our country,” the President said.

President Tinubu told the Ulamas that God has given them the wisdom, knowledge, and the heart to teach others, emphasizing the importance of teaching forgiveness, patience, and endurance to the faithful, as well as sharing their blessings with others.

”It is in our hearts to make sacrifices and share whatever little we have with our brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble enough. The sacrifice that this period teaches us is enough.

”May Almighty Allah grant us the privilege and the strength; not the strength of hunger but the strength of character and attitude to love our country and make Nigeria great. As-Salaam-Alaikum,” the President prayed.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has deactivated 6,409 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta region.

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr Mele Kyari, made the disclosure at an interactive session with the EFCC’s chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, which was held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

Speaking about the efforts by NNPC Ltd to eradicate corruption from its system; stem the crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, Kyari contended that going by the volume of oil stolen daily and the brazenness with which the perpetrators operate, crude oil theft was the most humongous and virulent economic crime in Nigeria that must attract the attention of the EFCC.

He said: “Today, we have disconnected up to 4,846 illegal pipes connected to our pipelines, that is out of 5,543 such illegal connection points. That means there are a vast number of such connections that we have not removed.

“As we continue to do our best to deepen transparency and stamp out corruption from the system, there is one big challenge that you will need to help us with, Mr Chairman. That challenge is crude theft. It fits into everything you have said – the people, the asset, the opportunity and the absence of deterrence.

“I believe, personally, that the very purpose of your commission is to curtail economic crimes, and there is no bigger economic crime of this scale anywhere else than what is happening in this area.”

On corruption within the system, Kyari explained that by law, NNPC Ltd is required to maintain high ethical standards and has put in place structures and measures to curb discretionary actions which fuel corruption, stressing that most processes in the company have been fully automated to discourage arbitrary actions.

In his presentation, the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, expressed satisfaction with NNPC Ltd’s commitment to issues of ethics and code of conduct.

He, however, challenged the management to ensure that the codes of ethics and regulations are complemented with monitoring and enforcement to enhance deterrence.

Justice Peter Kekemeke of an FCT High Court on Tuesday sentenced a fake investigator, Mohammed Momoh, to seven years imprisonment for duping Mrs Mario Al-Makura, wife of the former governor of Nasarawa State.

Kekemeke sentenced Momoh based on the charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, bordering on false pretences.

Momoh after his counsel, Godwin Omagbogu, pleaded on his behalf.

Omagbogu had pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client, saying he was a first-time offender and father to three little children and a young wife.

The prosecution counsel, Diana Nkwap, however, urged the court to use its discretion in sentencing the convict.

The judge held that the punishment under which the defendant is charged attracts 20 years imprisonment maximum and seven years minimum.

Justice Kekemeke thereafter sentenced Momoh to seven years imprisonment.

The judge had earlier on February 27, 2024, convicted Momoh when he held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Momoh was arrested in December 2017 by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for attempting to defraud Mairo Al makura.

The EFCC alleged that the suspect, while posing as a private investigator from the “Villa,” approached the wife of the Nasarawa governor with a proposal to help stop a purported investigation of two accounts belonging to her husband.

The anti-graft agency said Momoh claimed that he came across information regarding the two accounts in 2011.

The EFCC said the defendant requested for N8 million but was offered N6 million. Not clear about the proposal, the governor’s family contacted the EFCC and were asked to play along with the defendant.

The defendant was arrested during a sting operation after he collected marked N2 million from Al Makura.

According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to coordinate intelligence and security operations in the country, particularly in Kaduna State, following last week’s abduction of over 200 students in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by suspected bandits.

The lawmakers also expressed worry that in spite of the N3.25tn security and defence spending approved by the National Assembly, the security situation in the country was far from the expectations of Nigerians.

This was just as the lawmakers in the Green Chamber called for the control of small and light weapons amid worsening insecurity in some parts of the country.

The House’s resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on matters of urgent public importance titled, “Urgent need to tackle the abhorrent abduction of over 200 students in Kuriga community of Chikun and secure lives and property in Kaduna State.”

The motion was moved by the member representing Lere Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, Ahmed Munir.

The PUNCH had reported that on March 7, 2024, gunmen stormed the Local Education Authority Primary School and Government Secondary School in Kuriga Community, taking into captivity over 200 pupils and students.

Leading the debate, the lawmaker noted that just two months ago, a school principal, Abu Sufyan, was killed and his wife and baby abducted, adding that the wife and baby were later rescued in a successful joint security operation on February 3, 2024.

He said, “The House is aware that on Friday, March 8, 2024, gunmen attacked worshippers in a mosque at Angwar Makera, Kwasakwasa Community in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, with two persons declared dead.

“This worrisome trend of violence is seeping into other parts of the state affecting persons of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.”

He expressed concern that despite “The N3.25trn allocated to the defence and security sector on drones and other military equipment that could have tracked, located and rescued victims, there has been no respite as the bulk of the actions by security personnel are reactionary rather than proactive.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated the Office of the National Security Officer to “coordinate and galvanize all security and intelligence networks to develop and execute a proactive master plan to restore security with defined plans on coordinating with neighbouring countries.

“The plan must include boots on ground land and aerial sweep of locations that include but not limited to Kuyambana forest in Zamfara, Kamuka forest in Kaduna, Falgore forest in Kano, Borgu and Zugurma forests in Niger State.”

The lawmakers also urged the Office of the NSA to “revisit and optimise fully the Acts passed for the National Counter-Terrorism Centre as well as the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, and ensure that they fully serve the purpose of their establishment.”

Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday, sought government’s permission to approach and have talks with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The Islamic cleric insisted that dialogue was the way to go, calling on President Bola Tinubu to take a different approach from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who rejected the dialogue.

The PUNCH reports that bandits invaded the Kuriga area of the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.

The incident occurred barely 24 hours after insurgents abducted 200 internally displaced women in Borno State.

The women were kidnapped in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno State, while fetching firewood in the bush.

Penultimate Thursday, bandits invaded the Gonin-Gora in the same Chikun LGA, prompting residents to barricade the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in protest against the abduction of an unspecified number of people in the area.

Meanwhile, the government of the affected state has refused to dialogue with the bandits to release the schoolchildren and has also refuted claims that it had hired a private negotiator to facilitate the release of the victims.

However, reacting to the development, Gumi said in a statement, “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should dialogue with the bandits not only for these Kuriga school children’s abductions but all cases.

“Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on the Abuja–Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga school children and others.

“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is my religious duty to do so for peace.

“I hope the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will listen by dialoguing with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.”

Gumi had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to free abducted people by bandits.

In May 2021, one of the parents of the kidnapped students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, said rather than point an accusing finger at Gumi for being complicit in the banditry ravaging the country, Nigerians should commend the cleric for his interventions in seeking the release of abducted persons in the country.

President Tinubu has admitted that things are really tough for Nigerians amidst the economic hardship in the country.

Tinubu made the admission on Tuesday at the Aso Villa mosque in Abuja at the first Tafsir, marking the beginning of Ramadan.

President Tinubu advised Nigerians to make sacrifices, discipline themselves, and demonstrate kindness to one another and their neighbours while also supporting the less privileged in society.

He said, “We thank Almighty Allah for sparing us to see another holy month of Ramadan. We thank Allah for sparing us through the elections and giving us the opportunity to be Nigerians.

”Yes, things are tough, but Allah has ordained us to make sacrifices, to discipline ourselves, help others, and be kind to ourselves.

”May Almighty God, that gave us this opportunity, strengthen our resolve; help us change our country, and extend our love to our neighbours.

”We face challenges of kidnapping, banditry, and others. May Allah show mercy on all of us, the dead, and accept our good deeds.

”May Almighty Allah give us strength and good life to see the month of Ramadan through and to continue in good faith to worship him. I advise all of us to continue to pray for our country.”

President Tinubu told the Ulamas that God has given them the wisdom, knowledge, and heart to teach others, emphasizing the importance of teaching forgiveness, patience, and endurance to the faithful, as well as sharing their blessings with others.

”It is in our hearts to make sacrifices and share whatever little we have with our brothers and sisters. Be kind and humble enough. The sacrifice that this period teaches us is enough.

”May Almighty Allah grant us the privilege and the strength; not the strength of hunger but the strength of character and attitude to love our country and make Nigeria great. As-Salaam-Alaikum,” the President prayed.

…Senate suspends Ningi, more controversies hit Upper Chamber

…We are all guilty, nobody has a right to accuse Ningi — Senator Jarigbe

Plenary for the Senate on Tuesday was coloured with rowdy session which further exposed the Upper Chamber to fiercer wind of confusion, particularly on controversies over budgetary imbalances.

The disclosure of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion made by Senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, who was the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, until his resignation on Tuesday after a suspension blow from the Senate, threw the upper chamber into the wind.

Motion to place punitive action on Ningi over his statement in an interview he granted to the BBC Hausa Service, on Saturday, that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion, took a divergent view among Senators on the floor of the red chamber, generating more controversies.

…Ningi suspended, resigns as NSF Chair

Ningi was suspended on Tuesday following his allegations that about N3.7 trillion in the budget is not tied to any project.

Ningi on Monday had insisted that a sum of N3.7trillion in the 2024 budget was not tied to any project.

After making allegations of padding the 2024 budget with N3.7trillion tied to no projects, Ningi a former Deputy Senate leader, was suspended for three months over his comments in the interview he granted to the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, where he alleged that the budget passed by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion.

After much controversy over the allegation, the Senate on Tuesday passed a resolution to suspend the lawmaker for three months after a heated atmosphere.

According to the Senate, there is no evidence proving that the 2024 budget was padded as alleged by Ningi.

Although Ningi’s resignation letter as Chairman of the NSF was dated March 11, a copy was released shortly after Ningi was suspended by the Senate for three months following his comments on the alleged padding of the 2024 budget.

The letter reads: “I would like to resign my position as the Chairman of the Northern Senators forum. This is of course necessitated by unfolding events in the National Assembly, the North and the Nation at large.

“I would like to specially thank members of the forum for the opportunity given to me for the last eight (8) months to spearhead this very important forum. I believe this forum is very important and fundamental to the progress and development of Northern Nigeria.”

Ningi on Monday had said he was not afraid of suspension by the Senate as he was prepared to carry his cross.

According to Ningi, if he is suspended at the end of the day, he would see it as an honour against the backdrop that he believes in one God.

He had said power is transient, explaining that he spoke for himself and not on behalf of the Northern Senator Forum, (NSF), where he is chairman.

Ningi had clarified that there was no time during the interview that he said the Federal Government was operating two budgets. He added that he only said that N25 trillion was traced to projects, but that N3.7 trillion was not traced to any project.

Ningi had said, “I said we have established beyond reasonable doubt that N25 trillion so far has a nexus in the budget. That means that there is money, there is a project, and then there is location.

“But we are yet to ascertain N3 trillion of that budget. We have established the N3 trillion of that budget, we have not established its location and the place.

“However, I said going forward, the budget evaluation is ongoing. And I said lastly, the intention of the northern senators, as regards budgetary allocation, was to meet the Senate President with our findings and subsequently meet President Bola Tinubu.

“I have never acted as a regional person. And I have never spoken as a regional person, but I’m proud to say I’m a very proud northerner.

“It wasn’t a budget matter, but a budget issue. I believe in one God, and I believe power is transient. I believe what we are doing is temporary. I’m not scared of whatever you hear, I am not scared of any issue like suspension.

“If because I said what I would say, then I will be suspended, so be it. It will be an honour.”

Prior to his suspension on Tuesday, drama ensued when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen Olamileken Adeola (Ogun West) stormed into the red chamber.

Sen. Adeola who was visibly angry in a high tone protested a closed door meeting to address the issue of claims of Ningi, while he kept saying, “No closed door, let’s do it open.”

In a later development, the Senate suspended Ningi for three months, asking him not to participate in all the activities of the 10th Senate.

The Senate also resolved that if Senator Ningi writes to apologise during the period, he shall be recalled to resume his legislative activities.

The resolution of the Senate on Tuesday was sequel to a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) on the allegations raised by Ningi of N3trn Budget Padding in the N28.7trn 2024 Appropriation Act and that the budget passed by the National Assembly for 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion, while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trn.

Earlier, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, APC, Ondo South, a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee, in an additional prayer had asked the Senate to suspend Ningi for an initial period of twelve months and seconded by Senator Edeh Dafinone, APC, Delta Cenchairman

An additional prayer was moved by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South that the suspension be reduced from twelve months to six months and his motion was seconded by Senator Barinada Mpigi, PDP, South East.

The additional prayer for suspension of a period of three months was raised by Senator Musa Garba Maidoki, PDP, Kebbi South and seconded by Senator Sani Musa, APC, Niger East.

The later additional prayer was put to vote by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio leading to Ningi’s suspension for three months.

…More controversies hit Senate, as revelation of ‘senior Senators’ who got N500m each from 2024 budget unfolds

However, more controversies set in for the Red Chamber as another issue of purported largesse to the tune of N500million set aside in the 2024 budget for each of some “senior Senators” was unravelled, amid debate on punitive measures to be meted on Ningi.

The development further threw the Upper Chamber into confusion.

On Tuesday, a Point of Order raised by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, was overtaken by event when Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe representing Cross River North, threw a bombshell when he revealed how some senior Senators got the sum of N500million from the 2024 budget.

Adeola, (APC Ogun West) raised a Point of Order against the allegation by Ningi.

The Senators were divided on the matter. However, as they took turns to speak on the floor of the Senate, more revelations confounded the matter, when Jarigbe, a PDP senator said some senators got N500 million each but he did not get it.

“All of us are culpable. Some so-called Senior Senators here got N500 million Naira each from the 2024 Budget, I am a ranking Senator and I didn’t get anything. No Senator has a right to accuse Senator Ningi,” Jarigbe said.

Controversies engulfed the Senate since last weekend when in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (Hausa Service) on Saturday, Senator Ningi said that the budget being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7 trillion, whereas the one approved by the National Assembly for the 2024 fiscal year is N25 trillion.

While the Senate refuted Ningi’s claim, the Presidency said the National Assembly is responsible for up-shooting the budget away from what President Bola Tinubu presented.

Although Ningi later clarified that his claim was that N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget was not tied to any project, he was suspended by the Senate at plenary on Tuesday for three months, just as he tendered a resignation as the Chairman of Northern Senators Forum.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu met behind closed doors with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday shortly after the chaotic session at the Senate.

While the details of the meeting held behind closed doors was undisclosed as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered it was not unconnected with the controversies which the Senate is presently engulfed in.

The Co-Founder of civic group Budgit, Seun Onigbinde has stated that Senator Abdul Ningi was right about his claims that there was no detailed project allocations for about N3.7trn of the N28.78trn 2024 Appropriation Act.

Onigbinde stated this during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.

However, he insisted that it was not true that Nigeria was running two concurrent budget

“There should be a detailed breakdown of the budget. On that point, Senator Ningi is right but to say that we are running two parallel budgets, I don’t think that is factual,” he said.

Recall that Ningi, had resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators’ Forum, after he was suspended by his colleagues in the red chamber on Tuesday over budget padding allegations.

Onigbinde said as the rowdy session by Senate was ongoing, the Budgit team fact-checked claims by Ningi.

According to him, “As the Senate rowdy session was going on, we were also fact-checking and one of the things we found out is that we were not able to lay hold to the claim by Senator Ningi. A budget of N28.7trn was passed into law and we were not able to see where N3.7trn (was missing).

“Historically, there are items in the budget that don’t have breakdown like statutory transfers but that does not means there is a certain level of capital projects by the Federal Government that was appropriated and does not have a breakdown.”

He said the entire capital project was around N9trn in the 2024 Appropriation Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu after the bill was reviewed upward from N27.5trn to N28.78trn.

“The budget we have now have the ministries, departments and agencies (MDA) and the government-owned enterprise budget.

“Around N2trn of the budget presented by the President is the government-owned enterprises budget. So, if Senator Ningi says there is a N25trn budget, yes, that is the MDA’s budget. It’s different from the government-owned enterprises budget whose budget was now added.

“It is factual that he says that but it doesn’t mean that we are running two concurrent budgets. There is a different conversation that those projects should be detailed. TETFUND should not just get an allocation. What are you spending money on? INEC is collecting huge chunk of funds but there is no public details about what the funds are used for.

“In the current budget, the National Assembly gave a very broad summary of its allocations but they are no detailed allocations on a granular level that everybody can understand.

“These are transparent issues and if you put all these together, that is around N3.5trn to N3.7trn. So, if that is what he (Ningi) wants to interrogate, that there are component of the budget where there are no breakdown, that is very factual,” he added