The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajero, has noted that the N5bn palliative package per state as announced by the Federal Government won’t amount to N1500 per person when shared among over 133 million Nigerians who are multi-dimensionally poor.
Ajero, who made this known on Friday in an interview on the Politics Today show on Channels Television, argued that there was no way N185bn would amount to something impactful, when shared among 133 million Nigerians who are multi-dimensionally poor, according to statistics he got from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The Labour Union leader maintained that even if the funds were converted to the value of six trailers of rice, it wouldn’t amount to a cup of rice per individual when shared.
He added that from the time of the first increment of pump price for petroleum to the last one, more Nigerians had gone beyond the borderline and had slid into a very high level of poverty.
“Let us assume that it is a palliative and not a loan, you will agree that it is difficult to feel the impact of such an amount at a time like this when the Bureau of Statistics has come up to say that over 133 million Nigerians are multi-dimensionally poor.
“You start to wonder about the impact of N185bn to 133 million people by their admittance, who are multi-dimensionally poor.
“In fact from the first increase in pump price of petrol and the last one, a lot of people moved from the borderline to a very high level of poverty. If you calculate and do an arithmetic on that, you will discover that it won’t amount to N1500 per person and you ask if that’s the impact that we want to achieve,” he said.
The Edo State House of Assembly, on Friday, called on residents of the state to disregard the purported impeachment plan by the lawmakers against the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.
The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, who disclosed when the 24 members of the House of Assembly visited Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City, said he never received a directive from Obaseki to commence an impeachment of Shaibu.
“We are here to clear the air on the insinuation of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Edo State. I want to let the people of Edo State know that there was nothing of such in the State House of Assembly.
“There was no time that the governor called me and instructed me that there must be an impeachment against the deputy governor. The rumour of impeachment is from the pit of hell.
“When I approached the governor, he asked if there’s anything like that. I told him there is no such plan. Nothing of such is going on. On my own, I called the deputy governor to tell him that there was nothing like an impeachment plan by the Assembly and what he heard was rumour.”
The Speaker further said that the visit by the lawmakers to the governor to reassure him of their support to enable him to finish well.
“The 24 members of the EDHA are all here to let you know that we will join you to finish strong as Edo people must live a good life and you are already setting the pace,” Agbebaku added.
Responding, Obaseki said the focus of his administration was to continue with its developmental strides in the state as he would not be distracted from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State.
He said having done “so much” in Edo, the state should be noted for positive developments.
He added, “There is no crisis in Edo. No crisis in the government. No crisis in EDHA and those who benefit from crises, creating crises, or reporting crises should not be given the opportunity here.
“What should be of concern to us today is the failure of federal roads in the state which have almost incapacitated the State as the people are unable to move. That should be a crucial concern to us as Edo people.”
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has said the federal government was secretly paying subsidy on petrol to maintain the current pump price.
Naija News reports that presently, petrol sells for between N568 and N617 in different parts of the country, and the ex-depot price of petrol stood at N580 per litre in Lagos on Thursday.
After adding the cost of conveying it to filling stations and the marketers’ profit margin, it ought to sell for between N620 and N630 per litre.
It was gathered that the difference, however, represents the subsidy that the government is surreptitiously bearing despite the fact that there is no budget for that.
In a chat with The Punch on Friday, IPMAN National Secretary, Chief John Kekeocha, said the decision of the government to put a cap on petrol prices meant that subsidy on the product had been reinstated.
He said, “The government is not being very transparent with this issue. When you say you have removed fuel subsidy, you don’t come again and moderate prices. It is like speaking with the two sides of the mouth.
“Removal of subsidy means you have removed your hands, and the prices have to follow demand and supply. So if the NNPC says it is getting forex (foreign exchange) to import products and reduce prices for marketers, are they going to do the same for other importers? Remember that the government gave import licences to about seven marketers?
“Are they still going to moderate prices for those people when they bring in the product? No! You don’t blow hot and cold at the same time. There is no way they can bring in the product and reduce the price and peg it for marketers to sell at a certain level; it means they are indirectly bringing back subsidy.
“If they want to bring back subsidy, let them say it openly that we are going to come back to subsidy because of the pains the country generally is going through. This is because the initial things they are supposed to do they did not do. We have always been clamouring; let the refineries work.”
Also speaking, IPMAN Spokesman, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, insisted that the subsidy on petrol was being returned gradually.
He said, “You can also see the analysis that the Presidency made with the cost of the product in neighbouring countries, as well as in the international market. It said no country is selling non-subsidised petrol at N617/litre.
“But that is not a qualitative analysis. You will talk about the purchasing power of your own currency, as it were. In Ghana, a bottle of Coke is about N400, but it is about N200 in Nigeria. You won’t say because it is N400 in Ghana, Nigerians should also buy it at N400.
“So, that analogy by the Presidency in stating that petrol is cheaper here is not entirely correct. This takes us to the importance of domestic refining, which will enable us to check the demand for dollars and importation of petroleum products.
“If we actually want full deregulation, there must be local production that will check the rise in dollar. For once the dollar is rising, there’s nothing you can do to stop the simultaneous rise in petrol price.
“If not, it means the Federal Government is subsidising petroleum products, which implies that subsidy has indirectly returned.”
Veteran journalist, television host and newspaper columnist, Dr Reuben Abati was one of 102 people inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) on Thursday.
The Institute's 2023 Awards, Fellows, and Spouses' Day Luncheon was held at the MUSON Centre's spacious Shell Hall in Onikan, Lagos, with the customary pomp, pageantry, frills, and thrills.
Several prominent Nigerians attended the event, which had the theme "The Leadership Imperative for Managers in a Rapidly Changing World" and was widely attended by them.
The President of NIM, Dr. Christiana Atako stated at the Nigerian Institute of Management Chartered (NIMC) 2023 Awards, Fellows, and Spouses' Day Luncheon in Lagos that the institute's process of upgrading members to Fellows has always been thorough, which is why only those who are truly deserving of the award are honoured yearly.
The fellowship upgrade, according to her, is a call to greater responsibility and contribution to the institute, the management profession, and the country rather than a goal or an aim in and of itself.
In order to help NIM in its varied missions, Atako urged the inductees to put their skills and areas of expertise at its disposal.
In an acceptance speech on behalf of the other inductees, Abati said that receiving the fellowship from the top professional institute was a source of tremendous pleasure and delight.
Mr. Anthony Arabome, former Director, Corporate Services, African Finance Corporation, and past President, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), presented The Leadership Imperatives for All Managers in a Rapidly Changing World.
In a dynamic, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, Arabome highlighted four traits that successful corporate leaders must exhibit.
The four habits were defined by the former president of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management as making decisions quickly and firmly, engaging for impact, adapting proactively, and delivering consistently.
He contends that high-performing CEOs and C-suite leaders are distinguished more by their increased decisiveness than by their constant ability to make excellent decisions.
"Once a clear course for the business has been set, chief executive officers and top leaders should secure buy-in among their employees and other stakeholders," he said.
The expert noted that leadership demanded initiative and calculated risk-taking to try new ideas, and management should deliver best practises to assure quality and customer satisfaction.
"Strong performers balance keen insight into their stakeholders’ priorities with an unrelenting focus on delivering business results.
"Chief executive officer candidates who scored high on reliability are twice as likely to be selected for the role and 15 times more likely to succeed in it because boards and investors love a steady hand and employees trust predictable leaders.
"Companies and individuals need to develop leadership and management capabilities and become adept at assessing when and how to use them.
"Whether you are in the public or private sector, if you are going to be influential and impactful, you need to have and deploy good management and leadership skills," he said.
See Pictures Below:
The Police Service Commission has said that police authorities have yet to bring before it the case of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, for further action.
A Commissioner representing the media in the PSC board, Austin Braimoh, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent on Friday.
Kyari’s troubles started in July 2021 when he was indicted by Raman Abbas, widely known as Hushpuppi.
The Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates had in June 2020 arrested Hushpuppi and his gang. They were later extradited to the US for prosecution by the FBI.
The FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, alleged that Hushpuppi contracted Kyari after a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, threatened to expose the alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
In July 2021, the former Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered ‘an internal review of the allegations’ against Abba Kyari.
In August 2021, Baba recommended Kyari’s immediate suspension.
The Police Service Commission ordered a fresh probe into the allegations against Kyari in January 2022, while in February of the same year, the PSC ordered further investigation of Kyari.
On February 14, 2022, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency declared Kyari wanted.
The NDLEA accused him of being a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline.
On the same day, the police arrested Kyari and four others and handed them over to the NDLEA for prosecution.
Braimoh added that the details of Kyari’s alleged involvement in the case should have been forwarded to the commission for further action.
He said, “No report of him has reached the PSC. All that the PSC received from the former IGP was that he has a case to answer and should be suspended which is an interim thing when someone is being investigated.
“The police hierarchy has not forwarded his case to the commission. The only thing that was done is that when he was arrested, they informed us that he has breached the law and should be suspended.
“If his case comes to the commission, the commission will weigh them. As of now, details of his involvement in the alleged crime ought to be before the commission for the commission to act on the areas he breached professional ethics while the court handles the criminal aspects.”
Asked if the commission had reached out to the police authorities on the matter, he said, “You don’t go asking; it is automatic. It will look as if we have a secondary interest in the matter. As we speak, there is nothing before the commission to adjudicate on.”
However, efforts to get the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, to react on the matter proved abortive as he did not pick up calls to his line.
He has also yet to respond to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk has said that there was no legal basis for Niger’s military junta to prosecute deposed president Mohamed Bazoum for high treason.
Turk, also stated that the very notion of freedom in Niger was at stake.
On August 13 2023, the Niger junta said it will prosecute ousted Bazoum for high treason over his exchanges with foreign heads of state and international organisations.
Junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane said the military authorities had “gathered the necessary evidence to prosecute the ousted president…for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger.”
Reacting, the UN human rights chief as quoted by Reuters on Friday said, “This decision is not only politically motivated against a democratically elected President but has no legal basis as the normal functioning of democratic institutions has been cast aside.
“The very notion of freedoms in Niger is at stake.
“Generals cannot take it upon themselves to defy – at a whim – the will of the people. Rule-by-gun has no place in today’s world.”
The coup leaders have imprisoned Bazoum and dissolved the elected government of Niger, a major uranium producer and a Western ally in the fight against an Islamist insurgency.
The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has redeployed the Permanent Secretary of the State Sports Commission, Mrs Sabina Chikere, to the Central Admin Department, Government House in Benin City.
Chikere, who is an in-law to the state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, until her recent redeployment, was the General Coordinator of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin.
The former Insurance general coordinator is the elder sister to Maryann Philip-Shaibu, wife of the deputy governor.
A source who confirmed the development to the Saturday PUNCH and said it was not unconnected with the rift between Obaseki and his deputy.
The development is coming barely 24 hours to Bendel Insurance crucial CAF Confederation Cup first round preliminary match against ASO Chief of Algeria, billed for Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on Saturday.
The source said, “Mrs. Chikere’s rise to the position of Permanent Secretary was allegedly influenced by the embattled deputy governor as she (Sabina) was not a core civil servant in Edo and should not have been given the position.”
Shaibu had approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking amongst others, an order rrestraining Obaseki, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from commencing alleged impeachment process against him.
This governor refuted the claim but the relationship between the two men had degenerated.
The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered States Commissioners of Police to establish Complaint Response Units in their respective command, noting that the new development was due to his zeal to sanitize and standardise the police system for accountability and transparency in line with his commitment to fortify the complaints response mechanisms of the Force.
Egbetokun also approved the appointment of CSP El-Mustapha Sani as the Head, CRU, following the posting of DCP Markus Basiran, as DC Homicide, Force Criminal Investigations Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
This is coming on the heels of the recent visit of the Chief Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Abimbola Ayo-Yusuf and his team to the Force Headquarters, where the IG and the delegation discussed extensively issues of mutual interest and areas of collaboration.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the development known in a Friday night correspondence obtained by our correspondent.
Adejobi said, “El-Mustapha Sani, a seasoned officer with an exemplary record of service, brings a wealth of experience to this crucial role. His extensive background in complaint resolution in the Public Complaint Bureau of the Force Public Relations Department, coupled with his dedication to justice and fairness, makes him a fitting choice to lead the Complaint Response Unit.
“In the same vein, the IG reiterates his order that all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands should establish Complaint Response Unit Offices in their respective State Commands Headquarters to boost the IG’s unwavering zeal to fight corruption and unprofessionalism.
“The IG encourages all stakeholders, the public, civil society organisations, and other law enforcement agencies, to collaborate closely with Police Complaint Response Units and aid the smooth execution of their responsibilities of curbing misconducts, excesses, and unprofessionalism among police officers nationwide.
“He similarly stressed that the Force remains resolute in its pursuit of transparency, accountability, and the protection of citizens’ rights toward building public trust and fostering a harmonious relationship between the police and the people.”
The University of Lagos has explicitly debunked the claim that the institution has added extra charges to its earlier increased tuition fees.
Recall that the institution in July, increased their fees from N19,000 to N190,250 for students studying medicine and N140,250 for students whose courses require laboratory and studio use.
In a press statement made available on Friday, the Head of the communication Unit, Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, explained that the information making the rounds that the University has added additional unauthorised charges to its earlier increments is untrue and meant to misinform the public.
Alaga-Ibraheeem added that the institution did not issue any other notice of increment apart from the “Adjusted Obligatory Fees” for New and Returning Undergraduate Students.
The statement read, “The University of Lagos wishes to explicitly refute unsubstantiated claims making the rounds that the University has “slammed additional unauthorised charges to its earlier increments.”
“These completely untrue and misleading claims misrepresent the facts and aim to misinform the public into believing that there has been another adjustment of fees.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the University of Lagos Management hereby categorically states that this is not the case.”
She urged students and parents to disregard the information, adding that the management understands the economic situation of the nation.
She subsequently urged the public to avoid such misleading reports but to rely on the university’s official communication channels for announcements, updates regarding fees, and others.
“Management is not unmindful of the prevailing economic realities, and as of the date of this disclaimer, has not issued any other notice of increment apart from the “Adjusted Obligatory Fees for New and Returning Undergraduate Students” published in its Information Flash News Bulletin.
“The University Management understands the importance of accurate, verifiable and timely information, and views with utmost concern the attempt to spread false narratives that undermine its integrity.
“Members of the university community and general public, especially students and their families are, therefore, implored to rely on the official communication channels of the University for announcements, notice, or updates regarding fees, policies, or any other information relating to the University,” the statement read.
The United Nations Children’s Fund Representative in Nigeria has urged the federal and state governments to enhance their judicial systems to ensure proper prosecution of bandits for their various crimes before the courts of law.
The Representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, was addressing newsmen in Maiduguri, on Friday, preparatory to the commemoration of the World Humanitarian Day, Saturday.
Munduate lamented the absence of proper prosecution and punishment for bandits for the various crimes they perpetrate against humanity.
“It scares me that bandits are not taken to courts in spite of the fact that they have been assaulting and killing children and women; abducting and raping.
“It scares me that no laws are applied to prosecute and punish them,” the UNICEF Representative said, even as he added, “If there is any legal process, I think there is the need for proper punishment for these people legally.”
More...
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency has confirmed the first case of COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 in the country.
The UKHSA disclosed this on its website on Friday.
It said the case was confirmed in an individual with no recent travel history, which suggests a degree of community transmission within the UK.
The World Health Organisation and the US health authorities had on Thursday, said they were closely monitoring a new variant of Covid-19, although the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently unknown.
WHO designated the COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ due to the large number of mutations it carries.
So far, only a few sequences of the variant have been reported from a handful of countries.
The BA.2.86 variant has also been identified in Israel, Denmark, and the United States of America.
It has been designated as V-23AUG-01 for the purpose of UKHSA monitoring.
The newly identified variant has a high number of mutations and is gnomically distant from both its likely ancestor, BA.2, and from currently circulating XBB-derived variants.
There is currently insufficient data to assess the relative severity or degree of immune escape compared to other currently-circulating variants.
The Deputy Director, UKHSA, Dr Meera Chand said, “V-23AUG-01 was designated as a variant on the basis of international transmission and significant mutation of the viral genome. This designation allows us to monitor it through our routine surveillance processes.
“We are aware of one confirmed case in the UK. UKHSA is currently undertaking detailed assessment and will provide further information in due course.”
The PUNCH reports that all viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, change over time; most changes have little to no impact on the virus’s properties.
However, some changes may affect the virus’s properties, such as how easily it spreads, the associated disease severity, or the performance of vaccines, therapeutic medicines, diagnostic tools, or other public health and social measures.
Globally, as of August 16, 2023, there have been 769,774,646 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,955,141 deaths, reported to WHO.
As of August 13, 2023, a total of 13,498,472,794 vaccine doses have been administered.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, have been named peace icons in Africa by an international peace-based organisation, Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide.
Others on the list include Kenyan President, William Ruto, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adeshina; Chairman of United Bank of Africa Group, Tony Elumelu; Chairman Geregu Power PLC, Mr. Femi Otedola; President of LoveWorld Incorporated, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammadu Abubakar, among others.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday in Abuja during the unveiling of 100 personalities as “100 Most Notable Peace Icons In Africa,” the Project Director of the group, Ambassador Kingsley Amafibe, said the peace icons were being recognised due to their dedication to promoting peace and calm in the continent.
He said the beneficiaries have laboured continuously to reduce conflicts, advance social bonds, and establish connections amidst diverse communities in Africa.
Amafibe explained that among the notable peace icons in Africa, are economists, financial experts, sports personalities, religious leaders, industrialists, entertainment entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome challenges to leave in-erasable legacies.
“By sharing their narratives, we intend to amplify the ripples of their endeavours, and produce a collective resolve to foster a more calm and prosperous Africa,” Amafibe stated.
He added, “Within this illustrious roster of 100 Most Notable Peace Icons in Africa, we encounter a rich shade of leaders, economists, financial experts, sports personalities, religious leaders, industrialists, entertainment entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, activists, thinkers, and creators who have transcended boundaries and overcome challenges to leave in-erasable legacies.
“Each narrative stands as a tribute to perseverance and determination, enclosing the cherished values of Africa: unity, harmony, and progress.”
He also announced plans by the organisation to provide scholarships to 20,000 indigent students across the continent.
He said the group will rely on the contributions and support of the peace icons to make it easier for it to achieve its aims and objectives.
He said, “This scholarship programme is designed to empower and nurture the forthcoming generation of African leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to propel the growth and stability of their respective nations.
“Acknowledging the youth as the vanguards of transformation, we are unwavering in our commitment to empower them through comprehensive training and skill enrichment initiatives.
“We will furnish the youth with the tools of success, we invest not only in their course but also in the collective ascension of Africa.
“These programme encompasses a diverse array of domains, spanning from entrepreneurship to technology, enabling the youth to steer innovation and constructive change.
“Additionally, we recognise the profound import of access to clean water in rural communities. Addressing this critical imperative, we are inaugurating the Pipe Borne Water Project, ‘CleanAqua4All.’
“It is an initiative aimed at ensuring clean and safe drinking water for underserved rural regions.
“By guaranteeing access to this foundational resource, we enhance the quality of life, bolster health and well-being, and engender progress in these communities,” he stated.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has called on residents of Edo State to help themselves by contributing to the development of the state, saying that the federal government has thrown the country into an economic crisis.
“The country is in crisis economically. We can’t continue to fold our hands and wait for a country that can’t help us. Rather, we will do all we can to help ourselves and our state,” Mr Obaseki said on Thursday in Benin at a workshop to discuss the implementation of the state’s new Land Use Charge Law, according to a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES by Crusoe Osagie, the special assistant on media project to the Edo State Government.
President Bola Tinubu’s reforms – removal of petroleum subsidies and forex exchange liberalistaion – have continued to push up the price of goods and services in Nigeria, with the high inflation rate and the economic hardship causing unease across the country.
The Edo State Governor, Mr Obaseki said the state government has resorted to “taking care of those who can’t feed themselves” in the state.
“From our revenue, we have decided to take money from our Internally Generated Revenue to look after those that can’t feed – the poorest of the poor. We are doing our best as an administration to make things easy in Edo State for our citizens who have trust in this government,” the governor said.
“If we are a truly thriving country, states will survive on their own, without relying on Abuja. Whether they give us or not, we would survive as a state. We have been surviving before now. Our administration is transparent and accountable, that is why the World Bank trusts us.”
Workers’ unions have kicked against the Nigerian government’s reforms, while Mr Tinubu has continued to appeal for understanding and calm, arguing that his actions are for the good of the country.
The federal government on Thursday announced N5 billion palliative to each of the 36 states to cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidy.
The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced measures to reintroduce Bureau de Change Operators in Nigeria into the foreign exchange market a few days after threatening speculators.
The bank announced its reintroduction in a circular addressed to BDCs and the public titled, ‘Operational Mechanism For Bureau De Change Operations In Nigeria.’
The development is coming amidst efforts for the naira to trade in fair value. The naira had traded around N955 per dollar on Monday before the CBN began the policy that crashed the price to N845 as of Friday.
In the new regime, the CBN said BDCs must submit periodic accounts of the activities through the Financial Institution Forex Rendition System (FIFX).
The CBN said, “In support of the drive to improve the efficiency of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, the Central Bank of Nigeria hereby announces the underlisted operational mechanism for the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market.
“The spread on buying and selling by BDC Operators shall be within an allowable limit of – 2.5% to +2.5% of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange market window weighted average rate of the previous day.
“Mandatory rendition by BDC Operators of the statutory periodic reports (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly) on the Financial Institution Forex Rendition System (FIFX) which has been upgraded to meet individual Operator’s requirements.
“Operators are to note that with effect from the date of this circular, non-rendition of returns would attract sanctions which may include withdrawal of operating license. Where Operators do not have any transaction within the period, they are expected to render nil returns.”
THE WHISTLER had reported that BDCs were terrified about the recent threat of the acting CBN governor, Folashodun Shonubi.
Bureau de Change dealers in Zone 4 in Abuja had told THE WHISTLER that the CBN had asked for their financial records and threatened to withdraw their licences.
The intervention would be possible with the $3bn dollars deal signed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd with the African Import-Export Bank.