The 2023 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), for students in both Public and Private Junior Secondary Schools in Ogun State, has been scheduled for Monday, June 19 to Monday, June 26, 2023.
A release signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye indicated that any candidate who did not register online for the exercise would not be allowed to write the examination.
The release stated that the Ministry had put necessary machinery in place to ensure hitch-free conduct of the examination, urging the principals to make adequate arrangements for the successful conduct of the examination in their various schools.
It enjoined the candidates to comport themselves during the period of the examination.
The nation’s number anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has reportedly invited eight former ministers, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sources disclosed that the eight former minister were all invited for questioning over allegations bordering on corruption.
The invitation letters, according to sources, requested the former top government officials to come and explain how they spent funds allocated to their ministries on some designated projects when they held sway at their respective positions.
Daily Trust reports that the letter were extended to the former ministers before the suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa as chairman of the commission. The anti-graft agency had commenced investigations.
The source said apart from the former minister of Women’s Affairs, Pauline Tallen, who was invited last week over alleged N2bn fraud and “part of the money allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project,” about seven others have also been invited.
It would be recalled that Sale Mamman, also a former minister of power under former President Buhari, was last month arrested and detained by the commission in connection with an alleged N22 billion fraud related to power projects.
Also, it was learnt that the immediate past minister of police affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has also been summoned over how the Police Trust Fund was handled.
Speaking further on condition of anonymity, the source said Dingyadi would provide answers to allegations of purchasing refurbished vehicles for the Nigeria Police as new.
“Well, I’m not aware of the letter, I’ve not seen it. Maybe they sent it to the office, I will inquire from the office”, the minister of police affairs, Dingyadi, said in a phone conversation with the aforementioned platform.
The former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, were also invited by the anti-graft agency.
A former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has denied reports of an invitation extended to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes punctured (EFCC), saying he would honour such an invitation.
Reports had emerged claiming Malami fled the country to evade arrest and investigation following the suspension of the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Bawa’s suspension had raised dust about the stewardship of Malami, with the former Minister highly recommending the suspension anti-corruption agency boss.
A source at the EFCC told Daily Trust that the anti-graft agency was interested in finding out from Malami the alleged loss of over $2.4 billion in revenue from the illegal sale of 48 million barrels of crude oil export in 2015, including all crude oil exports and sales by Nigeria from 2014 till date.
While disclosing that the former minister has been invited, the source added that there are other issues the former attorney-general of the federation would respond to when he finally honours the invitation.
But in an exclusive interview last night, Malami swiftly denied receiving any invitation from the EFCC.
He said, “I have not been invited by the EFCC or any other anti-corruption agency in Nigeria. I’m available in Nigeria and attending a wedding Fatiha slated for 2.30 at Sheikh Isiyaka Rabi’u Mosque, Kano, tomorrow (today).
“I have no plan of leaving Nigeria, and I will gladly honour any invitation extended to me by any agency of government. I’m a true Nigerian, and I believe in the Nigerian project.
“I will make myself available to Nigeria and its institutions on demand.”
A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reforms since his assumption of office.
Saniu gave the commendation on Thursday while speaking with State House Correspondents after a paid a courtesy visit to the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The former Emir of Kano, who said he was on a solidarity mission to the State House, asserted that the economic decisions taken so far by the President are long overdue.
Sanusi also commended the President for solving the double-hedged problems of fuel subsidy and multiple exchange rate regimes, among other reforms.
He said: “The first reason was to come and congratulate him formally, but also because I wear many caps, I wear the cap of an economist so I came to thank him for the steps he has taken to put this economy on course.
“As you know many of the issues that we’ve been talking about; the subsidy that has cause a hemorrhage on the fiscal’s, the multiple exchange rates regime and on. These are issues that I have personally been talking about for a long time and I’m happy that on his very first day, he has addressed these issues and the markets are happy.
“It’s important when the government does the right thing for us to give them feedback. It’s not always when they do the wrong thing that we complain. So, he has started on such a strong footing and as far as the economy is concerned, we have to come and support and encourage that we continue along that path and be advocates for the policies he has pursued.”
Naija News reports that Sanusi stated this hours after the apex bank announced some immediate changes to operations in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Market.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Director of the Financial NarketsDepartment, Angela Sere-Ejembi, the CBN announced the cessation of the RT200 rebate scheme and the Naira4Dollar remittance scheme, with effect from June 30.
The statement also included new guidelines for the operation of the foreign exchange market in the country.
According to the CBN, further guidance on the changes will be communicated in due course but all market participants and the general public are enjoined to abide by the rules.
Media
The details of the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, have emerged.
The former Nigerian leader arrived at the President Villa around 12:15 pm on Thursday and was received by President Tinubu after which both leaders moved to the president’s office for a meeting.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Abubakar called on Nigerians to support the President in his effort to rid the country of the burden of fuel subsidy.
The former head of state also appealed to Nigerians to work together for the growth and development of the country and give peace a chance.
He said: “Let us all give peace a chance, it’s absolutely necessary because if there’s no peace, there’s no country. In Nigeria, there’s enough for everybody, I will like us to try to be each other’s keepers, to put our hands on the deck to move the country forward.”
Speaking further, Abubakar commended President Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy and asked Nigerians to help him to make sure that he succeeds.
He added: “This subsidy issue has been on and off, but Mr. President has taken a decision to remove it and I hope we’ll all see how to help him to make sure that he succeeds.”
The federal government has described the redeployment of some permanent secretaries shortly before former President Muhammadu Buhari handed over to President Bola Tinubu as a routine exercise.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan made this known in a reaction to trending rumours that the redeployment was secretly done for some ulterior motives, particularly at a time there was going to be a change in government.
Naija News gathered that there have been complaints from some quarters that the HoCSF carried out a secret redeployment of some federal permanent secretaries a few days before the end of the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Those affected included Dr Shuaib Belgore who was redeployed from the Ministry of Interior to Niger Delta Affairs; Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade redeployed from Mines and Steel Development to the Ministry of Interior; and Mr James Sule, redeployed from Cabinet Affairs Office to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“The fact that the exercise was not announced, kept a secret, and those affected were simply invited to the office of the HoCSF to receive their letters,” Daily Trust quoted a senior government official to have said.
But reacting to the development, the Director, Press and Public Relations in the Office of the HoCSF, Mr Mohammed Ahmed, said it is not compulsory to issue press releases on such re-deployment, adding that what happened was purely a routine administrative work and has nothing to do with a change in government.
“It is not every time that we issue press releases on such re-deployment, is it not a routine administrative work? This is a rumour. Does the re-deployment of permanent secretaries have anything to do with the change in government?
“It is a routine administrative exercise. Permanent secretaries were appointed at the twilight of the previous administration. This has nothing to do with change in government,” he said.
The former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has told Nigerians to expect good governance and a rejigging of the APC from President Bola Tinubu.
The elder statesman made the declaration on Thursday while speaking with state house correspondents shortly after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
In his words, “People will expect the rejigging of our party, the APC, and the re-establishment of good governance in Nigeria. And it should go on record that the APC brings good governance to Nigeria.”
Asked by the newsmen to assess the performance of the Tinubu government in office within the few days of assuming power, Akande gave a thumbs up, saying the people are happy and that’s why he can visit the President during the day time.
He said: “Oh! I merely watch the perception of the country, very excellent. People are happy with him. And that is why I boldly come during day time (smile).”
On his advice to the President, the APC chieftain submitted that it is not yet time for advice.
“It’s not yet time for advice. We are watching him do good. Nigerians are happy. By the time we hear any complaint, the time will be ripe enough for giving president advice,” Chief Akande said.
On what transpired between him and the president, Akande said he came to say hello and during the visit, he noticed that the President’s schedule can be quite busy.
According to him, they joked, chatted, and prayed for Nigeria.
“I am a village man from Osun State. Now that the president is in the city, I think I should come and see the way he lives. When I got to his house, they said he is in the office and I decided to come and say hello to him. I see that he can be very busy.
“I asked him, when will they create a Camp David in Nigeria where President will go to rest. I met him. We joked, chatted and prayed for Nigeria,” he submitted.
Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC) have disclosed that the party can not influence President Bola Tinubu’s choice of ministerial nominees.
Naija News earlier reported that the jostle for ministerial appointments had heightened despite the President’s assurance that none would be left out, even those who were not endorsed by the ruling APC.
Recall that the President on June 7 during his meeting with the Senators had said ‘’The elephant is big enough for all members, and indeed Nigerians, to have a share of the renewed hope in due course.”
But despite the President’s assurance, there were indications on Thursday that the APC bigwigs had started jostling for appointments after Tinubu appointed eight special advisors.
This platform gathered that state chapters of the ruling party await directives to forward names of nominees for ministerial appointments while some names in the various states have come up.
However, speaking with The Punch in separate interviews, both the Director of Publicity for APC, Bala Ibrahim, and Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Nze Chidi Duru, said they doubt if the party would be able to influence Tinubu on his choice of ministerial nominees.
According to Duru the President as a party man ought to consult the APC before making any moves but he is not obligated to.
He noted that “It is the prerogative of the man himself and that may include involving the party, which is expected. But as of now, I am not aware of any nomination list emanating from the party. The President has the right to appoint his ministers whether he decides to consult the party or not. It is expected that he should consult the party but if he chooses not to, it is his prerogative to appoint them himself.
“Although I agree with you that it is tradition to allow the party to call for ministerial nominees, it is not cast in stones. What if the President changes his mind and says I am calling one or two stakeholders who are not party members?”
Bala also noted that Tinubu was likely to have a consultation with the party hierarchy before making the pronouncement.
He also submitted that “I believe it is the prerogative of the president. In exercising that prerogative, he is likely to contact the party. But that will be at the political level and not at the bureaucratic level where I belong.”
Meanwhile Tinubu on Thursday appointed eight Special Advisers, a development that came eight days after he requested the Senate’s approval for the appointment of 20 special advisers to run his administration.
The new appointees include Dele Alake as Special Adviser, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, as Special Adviser on Security and Mr Wale Edun as Special Adviser, Monetary Policies.
Others Special Advisers appointed by the President include Yau Darazo (Political and Intergovernmental Affairs); Olu Verheijen (Energy), Zachaeus Adedeji (Revenue), John Uwajumogu (Industry, Trade and Investment) and Dr Salma Anas (Health).
VIDEO: ‘Something New Is About To Happen’ – Pastor Adefarasin Speaks On Tinubu’s Administration
AdminSenior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has applauded President Bola Tinubu, for the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Naija News reports that the clergy spoke at the church’s recent programme in a video making the rounds online.
Recall that Emefiele was suspended as the apex bank boss by President Tinubu last week Friday, and was subsequently arrested by operatives of the DSS in Lagos and flown to Abuja in a private jet on Saturday.
Speaking on this, Adefarasin declared that the arrest is the greatest news in recent times, stressing that Emefiele has misguided and misused the wealth of the nation.
According to him, the latest development is a sign that something new is about to happen in Nigeria and urged Christians to be sensitive about the new thing which is about to happen.
Media
As INEC Chairman produces BVAS report for 36 states, FCT
Following a summon issued on him, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, yesterday produced before the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, a document that contained President Bola Tinubu’s age.
The document, known as Form EC9, was an affidavit of personal particulars which President Tinubu submitted to the INEC in aid of his qualification to contest the 2023 presidential election.
Former Vice President and candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging the outcome of the presidential election that held on February 25, had in an application filed through his legal team, persuaded the court to summon the INEC boss to, among other exhibits he requested for, produce the document containing Tinubu’s bio-data.
Atiku, in a joint petition filed with his party, insisted that President Tinubu had “demonstrated inconsistency as to his actual date of birth, secondary schools he attended (Government College Ibadan); his state of origin, gender, actual name; certificates evidencing universities attended (Chicago State University).
“The purported degree Certificate of the 2nd Respondent allegedly acquired at the Chicago State University did not belong to him but to a female (F) described as “F” in the Certificate bearing the name Bola Tinubu.
“The 2nd Respondent did not disclose to the 1st Respondent (INEC) his voluntary acquisition of the citizenship of Republic of Guinea with Guinean Passport No. D00001551, in addition to his Nigerian citizenship. The 2nd Respondent is hereby given notice to produce the original copies of his said two passports.’’
Sequel to an application by the petitioners, the Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five-member panel on May 26, issued a subpoena for the INEC chairman to produce 11 sets of exhibits.
Consequently, at the resumed proceedings in the case yesterday, though Prof. Yakubu was not physically present in court, he sent a senior official of the commission to tender four of the requested exhibits.
His representative, Mrs. Moronkeji Tairu, told the court that she is a Deputy Director, Certification & Complaints, Legal Drafting and Clearance Department at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Specifically, Mrs. Tairu, who mounted the witness box, told the court that she brought Forms EC8D series, which were results of the presidential election from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
The second exhibit she tendered before the court was a Form EC8D(A), which was the final declaration of result of the presidential election by INEC.
Prof. Yakubu’s representative further tendered reports of extracts from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines in respect of Rivers State, as well as certified copies of accreditation data from the BVAS, relating to the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Lastly, the witness tendered the certified true copy of the Form EC9 President Tinubu submitted to INEC and it was admitted in evidence and marked as Exhibit PAJ 40.
Mrs. Tairu told the court that owing to the bulky nature of some of the requested documents, the commission extracted 10 copies from each state and packaged the remaining details in flash drives she also handed over to the panel.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu, through his team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, opposed the admissibility of all the documents in evidence.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, through its legal team, led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, equally raised its objection against all the exhibits tendered by representative of the INEC chairman.
The Respondents said they would in their final written address, adduce reasons behind their objections.
On its part, INEC, through its lead counsel, Mr. Abubakar Mahmood, SAN, said though it was not opposed to the admissibility of the documents which it described as irrelevant to the case before the court, it, however, contended that the petitioners did not pay the necessary fees.
Responding, the petitioners’ lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that contrary to the position of INEC’s lawyer, his clients, paid N6.7million for the certification of all the documents they requested from INEC.
Earlier in the proceedings, a statistician, Mr. Samuel Oduntan, who testified as the 21st witness in the matter, told the court that based on his analysis, Atiku and the PDP won the presidential election.
The witness told the court that he inspected and analysed electoral materials used for conduct of the election, especially the Forms EC8A, which were polling unit results in 26 states of the federation.
Answering questions under cross-examination, the statistician said he carried out quality checks before he reached conclusions on data he presented in the reports he tendered in evidence before the court.
While being cross examined by President Tinubu’s lawyer, Chief Olanipekun, SAN, the witness said he had in the past analysed electoral materials in many election-related disputes.
He, however, admitted that no pictorial evidence of the electoral materials he inspected at INEC’s headquarters at the behest of Atiku and the PDP was attached to his report before the court.
According to the witness, the process of his analysis involved the deduction of votes credited to the three major political parties, in polling units where the election was marred by irregularities.
He told the court that he was not equally satisfied with results from both Adamawa and Kano states, which were won by the PDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, adding that he had in his report, also called for deduction of “irregularities votes” in the states Labour Party won.
Answering questions from APC’s lawyer, Prince Fagbemi, SAN, the witness, said: “I have been following INEC’s activities since 1999. I am aware that the chairman of INEC had in the buildup to the 2023 general elections, stated that results of the election would be electronically transmitted and in real time.
“I, however, did not hear at any time before the election when he said that owing to the issue of security and cash crunch, the commission could no longer transmit results of the election electronically.”
Asked if he extracted information from the BVAS machines before packaging his report, the witness, said: “As at the time of preparing the report, the BVAS machines had already been reconfigured for another round of elections. So they were not available for me to extract information from them.
“I am aware that the laid down rule was that the BVAS machines were to be used for the accreditation of voters,” he added.
He told the court that from results of 26 states he analysed with his team, comprising six members, Atiku secured majority votes in 12 states.
“I was the only one that signed the report because I was the team leader,” he added.
However, the APC drew the attention of the court to the fact that while the witness in a page in his report, claimed he analysed results in 28 states, on another page, he claimed the analysis was with respect to all the 36 states of the federation.
The Justice Tsammani-led panel adjourned further hearing on the case till today.
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In a recent development, the National Economic Council has disclosed that it has received recommendations from the National Salaries, Income, and Wages Commission regarding the payment of N702 billion as cost of living allowance to civil servants. This move is believed to be part of the intervention plans aimed at mitigating the effects of the discontinuance of petroleum subsidies, which was announced on May 29, 2023.
Following the inaugural National Economic Council meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Thursday, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, revealed this information to State House correspondents.
According to Mohammed, there was an intervention that involved a suggested amount of money for civil servants as a petroleum allowance. The recommended sum ranged from N23.5 billion to N45 billion per month.
Following President Bola Tinubu's directive to the governors to establish palliative structures to alleviate the difficulties resulting from the discontinuation of petrol subsidies, Thursday's announcement was made. This announcement was made just two weeks after the directive was given.
In an exclusive interview, he revealed that the National Economic Council (NEC) had been presented with recommendations on how to utilise any revenue increases to alleviate the potential negative effects on the workforce.
Following recent developments, it has been recommended that a consequential adjustment be made to the allowances given to workers. The estimated amount of this adjustment is N702.92bn, and it is proposed that it be given as a petroleum allowance to all workers. Additionally, there is a suggestion to provide a monthly offer of either N23bn or N25bn to help alleviate the impact on workers.
Upon returning, the governor made a statement regarding the council's review of salaries and wages, indicating that there were additional suggestions presented for consideration.
According to Mohammed, the government has taken a comprehensive approach to address the issues, challenges, and problems related to the palliative. To achieve this, a small committee of the council was established to review and develop a term of reference. The aim of this committee is to identify specific areas where the palliative can be sourced and determine how it will be distributed to alleviate the suffering of workers and other vulnerable groups.
The committee was comprised of a select group of individuals, each representing a specific geopolitical zone within Nigeria. The Governor of Kebbi State was appointed as the chairman, with other members including the Governors of Anambra, Benue, Kaduna, Cross River, Oyo, and Bauchi. It remains to be seen what decisions this committee will make and how they will impact the country as a whole.
Who are the key players in the committee? Apart from the obvious ones, such as the Budget Office and the Central Bank of Nigeria, who else is involved? What role do they play in the committee's decision-making process? And who is Rukayat El-Rufai and what is her involvement in the committee? These are all questions that need to be answered in order to fully understand the workings of this committee.
Oil marketers under the aegis of Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) have called on the federal government to pay them their outstanding petroleum equalisation fund (PEF) to enable them get money for fuel importation.
The marketers also called on the NNPC to release the petrol that they paid for three months before President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy
National president of NOGASA, Mr. Bennett Korie, who disclosed these yesterday in Abuja, insisted that there is need to also consider the problems associated with the subsidy removal.
Korie, while speaking with journalists decried that its members now spent as much as N25 million to purchase a 45,000 litres truck of Premium Motor Spirit popularly referred to as petrol.
Before the subsidy was withdrawn, a fuel tanker was purchased for N7 million.
According to NOGASA, the situation has made it impossible for its members to cough out the differentials.
He however assured the federal government that they are completely in support of the subsidy removal.
“We are 100 per cent in support of subsidy removal, but you know that everybody is talking about subsidy removal but they don’t talk about the problem behind the subsidy removal. It is good to remove subsidies but there are things that people don’t know, for instance, some of the marketers don’t have the money to pay the differentials.
“This is because in less than an hour that Mr. President announced the removal of the subsidy, the price changed and that affected a lot of marketers. We are talking about millions of naira. Before the removal, a tanker of fuel was selling for about seven million, but in less than an hour, it went up to 25 million naira, where is the money?
Korie said that Nigeria’s high interest rate of 30 per cent was making it difficult for marketers to make profits. According to him, where would marketers get money from to continue the distribution of petroleum products across the country.
He urged the federal government to pay marketers their outstanding of the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) to boost their capital and enable them to stay in business.
“Subsidy was removed without considering some of these problems. At the same time, before now, we have this PEF. But they are not paying the marketers. There is no money, where do we get the money?
“Therefore, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the government to please pay marketers their PEF, so that they will continue in business, if it is not paid, we would not get fuel to sell,” he said.
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, unanimously voted against a motion seeking to make the Federal Government address the issues causing Nigerian professionals to migrate to other countries en masse, in search of greener pastures.
A new member of the House, Philip Agbese, had moved a motion titled ‘Need to Declare Emigration of Young Nigerians Abroad A.K.A Japa Syndrome a National Emergency,’ urging the government to “convene a national summit with key stakeholders to effectively address the ‘Japa Syndrome.’
The phenomenon is popularly known as ‘Japa,’ a Yoruba word that simply means to go away from a problem or trouble.
Agbese also prayed the House to “declare a state of Emergency on the factors that predispose young Nigerians to give up on Nigeria in preference for other nations.”
The lawmaker cited statistics from the Nigerian Economic Summit, which says a growing number of young Nigerians are relocating abroad. He also said recent reports by the African Polling Institute indicate that 69 per cent of young people would opt to relocate abroad if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.
He added that there is a 40 per cent increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the nation, compared to the number captured in 2019, as the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs reported that international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 total 1.7million, which is a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.
Agbese said, “The House is concerned that the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from economic to intellectual and social aspects.
“The House is also concerned that the Nigerian population is made of two-thirds of persons under the age of 30 and a good number of these persons are already afflicted with what today is acceptably referred to as the ‘Japa Syndrome,’ as estimates indicate a staggering tens of thousands have relocated to the USA, Canada, South Africa and, even, Gambia over the last two years;
“The House is worried that the eagerness to migrate to countries that offer hope seems to have a compelling influence. The House is also worried that those leaving Nigeria are not just the poor but middle class who possess skills/workforce, including bankers, lecturers, health care practitioners, doctors, nurses, and trained manpower, all of whom were trained in Nigeria and emigrating at a time when their services are needed to build a strong and vibrant economy in Nigeria.
“The House is disturbed that if this scenario continues with our able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into a grave crisis in our critical sectors from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse.”
The lawmaker pointed out that the young population remains one of our greatest assets. “Though the prospects of a growing Nigerians in the Diaspora could be beneficial in a way, it should not be at the expense of our needed manpower,” he added, stressing that it bothers on national pride “when our young bright minds leave the country in droves, conveying an impression that ‘Nigeria is a sinking ship that everyone is rushing to get out of.’”
Agbese also stated that life-changing decisions, whether to stay in one’s country or emigrate, should not be anchored on challenges ranging from insecurity to poor health sector, poor educational system and poor economy, among others.
However, after a ranking member of the House, Dennis Idahosa, seconded the motion, another ranking member, Sada Soli, raised a constitutional point of order to say that the motion would infringe on the fundamental rights of Nigerians if adopted by the chamber.
Soli said, “Chapter 4 of the Constitution is talking about the fundamental rights; and go to Section 35 talking about the personal liberty of an individual. This motion, as it is, looks nationalistic but it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution.
“It is the liberty of a Nigerian if he is qualified and he is normal, and he has all the granted right of movement (to) anywhere he wants. It is the right of a Nigerian if he has the right qualifications, to go anywhere to source for a living. The Constitution of Nigeria allows even dual citizenship, talk less of moving somewhere to earn a living. If we allow this motion on this floor, it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Opposing Soli, another ranking member of the House, Ahmad Jaha, argued that the motion was more about the factors causing mass exodus from Nigeria and not a restriction of exit from the country. He urged the lawmakers to “be mindful of the prayers of the motion before killing it.”
Jaha partly said, “The mover of the motion is not praying that everybody should be stopped from going abroad. We should take this into consideration. But it is advising because we have to tell each other the truth; the factors enumerated, which are the actual factors or reasons behind people leaving this country to seek greener pastures somewhere (else).
“What he is trying to say in a nutshell is that the international community has identified the reasons why Nigerians are compelled to go outside the country. What he is saying now is ‘let there be a national summit so that all these factors will be given priority, so that at the end of the day Nigerians will be discouraged from going abroad. So, as far as I am concerned, this motion is apt and it should be considered.”
The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House, Ahmed Wase, said “As good as the motion may be, first the fundamental issue raised in the Constitution; no law, including our motions and bills…if you go to Section 1(3) of the Constitution, it says any law that is inconsistent with the Constitution to the extent of that inconsistency is best null and void. So, as far as I am concerned, we have to rule on the point of order (raised by Soli) before we can proceed, otherwise, we will be contributing to the contravention of our own constitution.”
When the Speaker eventually put adoption of the motion to voice vote, the lawmakers unanimously voted against it.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has been accused of fraudulent activities by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).
Oil marketers have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and put an end to the purported exploitation that is taking place in the distribution of petroleum products.
During a protest in Apapa, Lagos, reporters were addressed by Folalu Ebenezer, the Secretary of the IPMAN/NNPC PDO Forum, on Thursday.
In a surprising turn of events, Ebenezer has come out in support of the removal of fuel subsidies. However, this support comes with a caveat as they are urging the President to investigate the alleged racketeering that has been reportedly perpetrated by NNPCL officials. What could be the motive behind Ebenezer's sudden change of stance? Is there more to this story than meets the eye?
According to his statement, it appears that IPMAN was obligated to make payment in advance for the products supplied by NNPCL through the Authority to Pay (ATP) system, in order to facilitate the loading of said products at the designated Private Depot (PDO).
Months after payments were made through the NNPCL portal, marketers are still unable to access the product, according to Ebenezer's lament.
According to a member of the group, several individuals have claimed to possess tickets dating back as far as nine months prior to the fuel subsidy removal, yet they have allegedly been unable to load any products.
In a recent interview, Ebenezer revealed that there was a significant increase in ticket prices in January 2023. According to him, marketers were required to pay an extra N1,072,000 naira per ticket. This raises questions about the reasons behind the sudden price hike and the impact it had on the industry. Further investigation is necessary to uncover the full story.
Despite making the payment, it appears that the members have not yet retrieved the products. With over 4,500 tickets still unreleased on the portal, including a staggering 500 dynamic tickets, one can't help but wonder what could be causing the delay.
The informant has reported that NNPCL is allegedly demanding IPMAN members, who have already purchased tickets for their products, to pay an extra N13,702,000 per ticket.
The accusations made by the scribe suggest that the national oil firm may have been involved in diverting the product that was paid for by its members to private companies and personal tank farms.