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FG Launches Power Outages Reporting App For Consumers

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Adebayo Adelabu - Minister of Power

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has launched a special application through which electricity consumers in the country can report power outages and other problems to their respective electricity distribution firms.

The application is known as the Power Outage Reporting System, PORS.

The application, NERC said will lead to the improvement of electricity services in the country, as well as assist electricity Distribution Companies and discos in their relationship with customers.

Speaking at an event on Monday, NERC commissioner of consumer affairs, Aisha Mahmud, said the application was a product of partnership with Discos in the country.

She explained that Abuja has been used as a pilotage for the application, noting that it will soon be introduced across the country for electricity consumers to benefit.

According to her, consumers would not have to go to Disco’s offices to report any problems regarding power disruption once they start using the app.

She said, “So, as all of you know, the commission over the years has developed and come up with several initiatives all to make sure that customers are satisfied, get value for money and get the services that they truly deserve from the distribution company.

“The power outage reporting system is one of those initiatives developed by the commission just to make sure that our customers are well-protected.

“It utilises a multi-channel approach. A lot of hard work and effort went into developing this app. We liaised with the different distribution companies and obtained a lot of data on their customers.

“So if you are a customer of a DisCo and you are being supplied by the DisCo, your information is already stored in that app.

“If you have a complaint on any outage, there are multiple channels. There is a web app and a mobile app, so you can download it on your phone through Apple or Google store. You just need your meter number,” she added.

“If you have a complaint, what you need to do is download the app, input your meter number and then after that, log in with your complaint, the app will automatically send a confirmation to the customer on that particular feeder of yours by notifying if there is really an outage.

“If there is, then we need about two to three customers to confirm that there’s an outage on that particular feeder. As soon as they confirm that, the App will send the confirmation to the DisCos with a resolution timeline and as soon as the DisCo resolves this complaint, then the DisCo will update the app saying We’ve resolved this complaint and the app will automatically send another confirmation request to those customers on that particular feeder.

“Now, the customer can easily reach out to the DisCos and of course, we are trying to fulfil our regulatory obligation here to make sure that customers get the best service that they need.

“With this App that we are launching today, customers don’t have to walk or drive down to the distribution company to report an outage,” she added.

“As of today we are starting with pilot “Abuja as pilot” and we intend to extend it to all other DisCos within the next couple of months.

“I urge all customers of AEDC to please utilise this opportunity, make use of this App and report any case of outage if there is any. And know that the commission is here to protect you to make sure you get value for your money and get the services that you truly deserve from the distribution company,” she said.

I Was Fully Prepared For Gov Akeredolu’s Arrival, Resumption – Ondo DGov

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Lucky Aiyedatiwa - Deputy Governor of Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has again told those that are attempting to create unnecessary acrimony between him and his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, that they have failed.

The Deputy Governor led a delegation of the State Executive Members to Ibadan, Oyo state to welcome the Governor on his arrival from medical trip abroad and has been part of various State events undertaken by the governor.

A statement by Media Aide to the Deputy Governor, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, on Tuesday, stated that some fabricated lies  were aimed at denting the reputation of  Aiyedatiwa, by some faceless individuals and groups.

He pointed out that the sole intention of those behind the lied is to soil the image of the man who they see as a threat to their political interests.

“We need to remind the public that this is a continuation of the blackmail started by these same characters some months ago. However, since those lies did not yield the result they envisaged, the blackmailers have returned with fake stories about disloyalty, aimed at causing disaffection between him and the Governor.

“These faceless individuals, who have been hiding their identities because what they are putting out are pure fabrications, are being sponsored by those who are threatened by the profile of the Deputy Governor, his relationship with his boss and the goodwill he enjoys with the people.

“Many stakeholders have commended the Deputy Governor for the way he handled State affairs while he was Acting Governor, despite all his detractors did to provoke him into taking drastic actions. He avoided their booby traps and they tripped on their own banana peels.

“Against their expectations, the Deputy Governor was in constant touch with his principal on official State matters, so there was no gap between them.

“How can the man who was constantly in touch with his boss and had prepared for his arrival to attend some other critical state matters, including the signing of the LCDA Law after passage by the State Assembly be surprised by that same arrival?

“Those behind the falsehoods being peddled around had planned that these concocted lies about disloyalty and impeachment would irritate Mr. Governor and his family so as to land a devastating blow on the Deputy Governor ahead of the coming governorship election in the State.

“Now that Mr. Governor is back and has started working, the Deputy Governor remains calm and committed to the duties of his office and unruffled by the lies of desperate politicians and their agents. The Deputy Governor remains loyal to his Principal and no amount of fabricated lies will change that.”

Eze Owere, Hon Justice Fred Njemanze, Rtd, Embarks On A Long Journey To Commune With Ancestors

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By Charles Igbo

The Traditional Ruler of Owere, Imo State,  Rtd. Honourable Justice Ezeohiri Fred Njemanze,  has embarked on a very long journey to commune with his ancestors. He was the  Ozuruigbo the 6th of Owere.

The announcement of the King’s journey to his Ancestors, was made by the  Kingmakers of Owere and the Eke-na-Okorie Traditional Council.

It was, however, silent on the date the Eze embarked on the journey of no return, or the ailment which sent him on the journey. But sources close to the Palace said he embarked on it journey long before the disclosure as required by tradition.

Titled “Special Announcement” and released on Monday, September 11, 2023, it read in part: “The Eke-na-Okorie Traditional Council of Owere, the King Makers of Owere, announce to Nde Owere and the general public, that the Paramount Ruler of Owere (Eze Owere), Rtd Hon. Justice Ezeohiri Fred Njemanze, Ozuruigbo the 6th, has embarked on a long trip to consult and confer with his ancestors.”

It was signed by five people representing various stakeholders.

The include:

*Elder Gibson Ofoegbu, Chairman Umuekeonunwa Kindred.

*Omeze Sir Odinaka Osuji, Chairman Umuokorie Kindred.

*Elder Reginald C. Eberle, Member of Traditional Council.

*Elder Prince Donald A Njemanze, Head of Njemanze Royal Kindred.

*Prince Declan O. Njemanze, Chairman, Umunjemanze Royal Kindred.

The Traditional Ruler retired from the High Court of Imo State as a Judge in September, 2021.

Tribunal: How Samdadday Caused The Sack Of PDP Reps Members

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Collins Opurozor

By Collins Opurozor

In one fell swoop, the Election Petitions Tribunal in Nasarawa, on Sunday, September 10, sacked two members of the House of Representatives from Imo State. They are Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South and Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere for Ideato.

The summary of the setback of these two Lawmakers is that the primaries on May 27, 2023 at Aladimma Mall in Owerri which produced them as PDP candidates should have held within their respective constituencies.

We, therefore, have it on the Court’s authority that their nominations were a nullity, given that the extant provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly on the question of appropriate venue for primaries as stipulated in Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act, were grossly violated.

If this law had been applied stricto sensu, the PDP in Imo State ought to have only three validly-nominated candidates in the last General Elections, namely Uche Onyeagocha for Imo East (Owerri) Senatorial District, Ikenna Elezieanya for Owerri Federal Constituency and Solomon Anukam for Owerri Municipal State Constituency, in view of the fact that the thirty-seven (37) other candidates were, in patent breach of the Electoral Act, elected at a single location in Owerri.

Recall that on the strength of the above, the Supreme Court had on January 13, 2023, nullified the primary election that produced Jones Onyereri as the PDP candidate for Imo West (Orlu) Senatorial District.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu - Sam Daddy
Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu

Similarly, on January 20, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja also sacked Albert Chibuzo Agulanna, PDP candidate for Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency. The same reason of improper venue was adduced by all these courts.

What should necessarily agitate the public is the reason that PDP in Imo State railroaded itself into a legal booby trap by bypassing the unambiguous provisions of the Electoral Act and organizing all of its Primaries at one central location.

To properly explain this, it is important to understand the events of April 30, 2022 and the chaos, violence, theft, brutality and abuse of power brought upon the ill-fated party in Imo by agents of the National Secretary, Senator Samdaddy Anyanwu.

On that day, the scheduled ward congresses of the party to elect the 3-man adhoc delegates in the 305 wards of the State could not hold because those who were sent from Abuja for the exercise by the National Secretary willfully stole and made away with the result sheets for Ideato North and South LGAs. This was the most audacious move by Wadata to impose an anointed candidate on the party in Ideato. And war broke out at the Secretariat of the party in Owerri.

The Samdaddy-induced war was so dirty and so total that it took the intervention of the officials of the Department of State Services to arrest the situation. The retrieved result sheets for twenty-five LGAs were taken by the DSS for safety. And the crisis continued thereafter.

This incident was reported in Vanguard Newspaper of May 1, 2022 under the caption: “Imo PDP Ward Congress:  Tension as angry youths capture panel over missing result sheets”.

Scared of the imminent recurrence of the disappearance of result sheets, the leadership of the party in Imo came up with the idea of holding all the party’s primaries at one venue in Owerri. They reasoned that such arrangement would make for a better control over the process. They had no illusion about the fact that allowing any panel to  move out of Owerri for any other location would mean that the panel would simply disappear and resurface in Samdaddy’s office with results already written.

So, they wrote INEC, stating that they were not sure that the materials and personnel for their primaries would be safe if deployed to the appropriate constituencies. It could now be understood how unsafe and insecure Samdaddy has made everything and everyone in Imo PDP.

Initially, Kanu Nwankwo Sports Center in Owerri was selected, but eventually the party settled for Aladimma Mall. Unknown to them, they were running from one danger only to fall into another.

What is deeply mischievous is for anyone to ignore Samdaddy and blame this tragedy that has befallen Imo PDP on anyone else. That will be the depth of self-deceit. In short, it would mean telling a story from the middle.

Those who speak ill of the Judiciary over these issues and suggest any form of compromise on the side of the Courts, know they are only grandstanding. Without interrogating the circumstances that laid the foundation for the catastrophic disqualification of PDP candidates, whatever anyone is saying is mere gossip, nothing more.

The misadventure of Samdaddy in PDP is the next most cruel thing in history after Cain murdered Abel. Those, though very few, who still lend any support to him must always remember the saying, that he who rides on the back of a tiger will end up in the belly of the tiger.

It may interest everyone to know that when Samdaddy finally became the Governorship Candidate of the PDP in Imo State, he visited the Secretariat of his party in Owerri for a reconciliatory meeting with members of the State Working Committee. The long and short of every thing he could say in the meeting was to ask for forgiveness, explaining that all the atrocities, brigandage, bellicosity and ravages visited on the Party through his unbridled quest for domination, including the looming disqualification of about thirty-seven candidates of his party, were a “survival strategy”.

This clearly speaks to the real character of Samdaddy: a man who will never give a hoot about destroying everything in pursuit of personal survival. This is a complete reversal to everything a leader should be. Leaders are altruistic. Leaders are compassionate. Leaders are not selfish survivalists.

Essentially, democracy itself faces grave danger if people of Samdaddy’s ilk are allowed to gain some significance in the political firmament.

To be sure, the revolution that has now engulfed Imo PDP is as a result of the determination of the leaders and stakeholders of the party to resist the authority of Samdaddy who they all know as the architect of the Party’s doom.

The constituencies affected by these verdicts, as well as the supporters of the affected candidates, should therefore pick themselves up, dust themselves off and prepare to repay Samdaddy in his own coin on November 11, 2023. They must never allow anyone to deceive them. Samdaddy is the aggressor. He is the bringer of every calamity that has befallen them. If the sweat of your brow and the strength of your brawn had gone into building Imo PDP, it is against natural justice for you to sit by and watch. You must stand and be counted among your party men and women who have resolved to chant on election day: “Never Shall Our Common Enemy, Samdaddy, Rule Over Us!”

A man that could ruin an institution like Imo PDP just to be called “Governorship Candidate”, what do you think he will spare in his morbid quest for vainglory? Is there anything he will fail to destroy to keep Imo to himself and convert it to his personal fiefdom if by mistake (God forbid!) he is allowed to govern? Nothing!

To know how Imo State under Samdaddy will certainly be, take a look at Imo PDP which has been damaged beyond redemption, now heading irreversibly to its terminus.

But the God of Imo State will not allow such to befall His people.


Opurozor, until recently, a member of Imo PDP State Working Committee, is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Strategic Communications.

Imo: Traditional Ruler’s Palace Burnt Down By Hoodlums; “We’ve Reduced Him To Online King”, They Mock

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Imo Traditional Ruler Palace Burnt

By Gideon Njoku

The sprawling Palace of a Traditional Ruler in Orlu, Imo State, has been vandalised and burnt down by hoodlums.

The Traditional Ruler whose name was not mentioned was simply identified as the “Eze nd’Eze na Orlu”, meaning “the king of Kings in Orlu.” However, Orlu Zone does not have one Traditional Ruler as the Zone is made up scores of autonomous Communities each of which has a Traditional Ruler.

In the video uploaded on WhatsApp Monday, a narrator explained why the Traditional Ruler’s Palace was destroyed.

While he  mocked him, he said that the Traditional Ruler was punished for leading other Traditional Rulers in Orlu Zone to endorse Governor Hope Uzodinma for a second term in office, and for putting a curse on any Orlu son or daughter who refuses to vote for the Governor. The Governor is from Orlu Zone.

A few days ago, a story  sources dismissed as fake, had made the rounds that all Traditional Rulers in the Orlu area had ran away because Lions, sent by Zone’s angry ancestors have invaded the area, in pursuit of the Traditional Rulers who poured libation and cursed anybody from Orlu who would vote against Governor Uzodinma.

A couple of weeks ago, the Traditional Ruler of Amaifeke, Orlu, who doubles  as the Chairman of the Imo State Council of  Traditional Rulers, His Royal Highness Eze (Dr) E. C. Okeke,  led Traditional Rulers  from Orlu Zone to endorse the Governor’s second term bid where they poured libation and put a curse on those who would not vote for Governor Uzodinma in the November 11 Governorship election.

The commentator in the video said that the response by hoodlums to the Eze’s curse is to burn down his Palace. He also said that they would do the same to the other Traditional Rulers who took part in pouring libation and put a curse on those who would vote against Uzodinma.

While he mocked the Traditional Ruler, the commentator said the hoodlums who attacked his Palace, has reduced him to an “Online Traditional Ruler”, adding that he no longer has a Palace to return to, and would remain in exile. The best the Traditional Ruler could do, he said, is to lodge in a hotel. However, he threatened that any such hotel would also be given the same treatment as the Eze’s Palace.

At the time of filing this report, neither the Police nor the Palace has commented on the sad incident.

Clampdown On Firearms; IGP Constitutes Review Committee

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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to curb insecurity and take stock of firearms in circulation, the Nigeria Police Force has begun the process of reviewing firearms licensing and regulations in the country in line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws.

To this end, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has  constituted an ad hoc committee tasked with the responsibility of carrying out a comprehensive review.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi who disclosed this, said the review is in the interest of public safety and general security.

According to him, “The Committee’s mandate will encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations, with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

“The Police will engage with relevant stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organizations, and experts in the field, to ensure a holistic and well-informed review.

“Similarly, in furtherance of his zeal to tackle all forms of insecurity in the country, the IGP has issued a stern warning to all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons.”

The IGP reiterated that illegal proliferation of firearms and light weapons poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our nation.

“In light of this, the Nigeria Police Force is resolutely determined to combat the illegal fabrication, sales, possession and use of arms.

“The IGP emphasized that possessing firearms without the appropriate licenses and permits is not only a violation of the law, but also a grave danger to society.

“He assured that the Nigeria Police Force will spare no effort in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in these illegal activities to the full extent of the law.

“The Inspector General of Police consequently charged all State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, and tactical squads to commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sale, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country.

“He equally urged all Nigerians to report suspicious activities related to firearms to their local police divisions or via the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response.”

Imo PDP Trades Blames Over Sack Of Ikenga, Okeke By Tribunal; Some Hold Anyanwu Responsible

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Anyanwu and Ikenga

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is in trouble. The Party which has been engulfed in internal crisis since the months leading to the Governorship Primary, does not seem to putting its differences behind it.

Recall that the crisis led to the sudden withdrawal of the Party’s most potent Governorship candidate, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, who was removed after seven months from office as Governor of the State. Ihedioha’s withdrawal gave room for Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the National Secretary of the Party to pick the ticket as a sole candidate.

The crisis, which led to legal actions, atimes, divided the Party into two factions, and has remained so till date. It also led to a run in the membership of the party. The worst was the resignation from their offices and membership of the Party by seven members of the State Executive Council. The run continues till date.

On Sunday, the 10th of September, the Party was dealt another political blow. Two PDP members of the Federal House of Assembly, Ikenga Ugochinyere and Jonas Okeke, were sacked by the Imo State National Assembly Election Petition sitting at Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

The suit which sacked Ugochinyere, was filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC Abazi Chika Benson.

Ugochinyere, the most visible and voracious of the sacked two, was not only sacked, his Party was barred from participating in a supplementary election which the Tribunal ordered to to take place within 90 days.

Ugochinyere and the PDP were sacked  because the Primary election which produced him, according to the Tribunal, was illegal.

In the unanimous judgement, the three-member Tribunal, led by Anthony Olotu Akpovi, held that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated to contest the February 25 election.

It, therefore, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to, within 90 days, conduct a supplementary election in 53 units of the constituency where elections were not held, on February 25th, 2023 due to alleged insecurity, and barred  Ugochinyere and his political party, PDP, from participation.

The respondents were the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  which declared Ugochinyere winner, Ugochinyere and his Party, the PDP, and the Candidate of the  Labour Party, Obi Paschal Chigozie and his Party, the LP.

Abazu’s grouse was that the Primary which produced Ugochinyere was held outside  his Constituency – Ideato North/South, against the Electoral Act.

Pleading insecurity, the PDP had held the Primary in Owerri Town. The three-man Tribunal, headed by the Honourable Justice Anthony  Akpoyi who read the judgment, unanimously agreed that Ugochinyere’s victory during the Primary was illegal since it held at an illegal venue. And so, agreed with Abazi that the votes which was cast for Ugochinyere on February 25 are void.

In the case of Ehime/Mbano Federal Constituency, Okeke was sacked in favour of Deacon Chika Okafor who was the incumbent.

Members of the Tribunal, as in the case of Ugochinyere, unanimously agreed that Okafor won the election.

However while the sack of Okafor is not generating much noise and controversy, that of Ugochinyere is. Aside from the fact that Ugochinyere is always usually in the news for one reason or the other, he had been in out of the Courts fighting to keep his candidacy. He fought upto the Supreme Court where he secured victory. He is, also, the Director General of the Governorship Candidate of PDP, Anyanwu, Incidentally, Anyanwu is the man who, allegedly, according to the Imo PDP, which is fighting itself, did everything to deny him of the ticket.

With the sack of Ugochinyere, accusations and counter accusations are raging as to who was responsible for his sack.

While Ugochinyere and some PDP members hold, as usual, Governor Hope Uzodinma, responsible, some other PDP members have placed it at the feet of Anyanwu. They allege that far from insecurity being the reason why the Party held its Federal Constituency Primary in Owerri instead of the Local Government Headquarters, it was for  the fear that Anyanwu’s loyalists were allegedly primed to disrupt the process, and stuff the ballot boxes for their choice aspirant.

In a post, one of them decried the holding of Governor Uzodinma responsible, and dismissed it as unfair. He insisted  post Anyanwu should be held responsible.

“I hate that we blame Hope for our own undoing. What is politics? It is simply taking advantage of your opponents weakness.

“The history of PDP’s  last primaries is known to all of us. Normally the party would have done its primaries at the various LGAs. But one man used a position that would have benefited Ndi Imo PDP, to fight them to death.

“It was the fear of having materials hijacked at various LGAs by those loyal to the National Secretary, Samdaddy, that made the party take the decision of having their primaries in a central venue.

“Recall that Gorge Igbo from Ideato who was serving as Samdaddy’s PA at that time, did everything possible to stop Ugochinyere and among his plans was to hijack the materials of Ideato North and South and submit the fake result sheets.

“Today, Imo PDP have (sic) forgotten that majority of the Excos who conducted and signed documents for the primaries are now working with Uzodinma. That means the PDP is vulnerable more than ever.

“I keep saying it that Samdaddy did Imo PDP shege. We may not understand now but will understand later. I’m sure the idea of becoming serious in the race was an afterthought. Samdaddy was clearly on a mission to destroy the pdp. Sadly, the child he intended to kill has died in his hands.

“Imo pdp be courageous to talk. Be courageous to say the truth. No body will kill you. Attacking Collins Opuruzor, Ray Emeana or Martin Ejiogu will not save u. Focus on the man who destroyed the PDP, That’s Samdaddy.”

Another PDP member agrees. In his own post, he said:

“Samdaddy is the number one problem Imo PDP, Ikenga, and other PDP House of Reps members are facing today. The issues of pre election is caused by Samdaddy with all the petitions and court cases against Ikenga and other PDP candidates challenging their victories at the primaries. Today the APC  has used the pre election cases and petitions filed by Samdaddy to witch-hunt all our PDP House of Reps members. The same way Samdaddy challenged His Excellency Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha’s victory after PDP 2018 to 2019 primaries with a lot of petitions and court cases that gave  Uzodimma and APC opportunity to sack or removed (sic) him as governor of Imo State. Samdaddy is not supposed to allow (sic) to remain or celebrate in PDP at all.”

The PDP, surely is going into the November 11 election a very divided house. Said one of them: “With a divided house, with Ihedioha’s loud silence, it is easy to know what the outcome of November 11 Governorship election will be. To me, it looks like there will be no serious contestant against the incumbent unless the PDP wakes up. Time seems very short for that.”

Ugochinyere holds Uzodinma responsible for his sack. But he has sworn to appeal his sack from the Tribunal, and declared that he would defeat Uzodinma.

Time will tell.

UAE Lifts Air Travel Ban, Visa Restriction On Nigeria

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United Arabs Emirate

By Ayodele Oni

Air travelers from Nigeria to the United Arabs Emirate, (UAE) have cause to rejoice following resumption of operations by airlines operating along the route.

Some airlines operating along the route suspended operation recently following a disagreement between them and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

While the suspension lasted, the country also suspended issuance of visa to Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu after attending the international seminar in India made a detour to UAE on Sunday where he was joined by the minister of aviation, Festus Keyamo for discussion with UAE authority.

However, a statement on Monday by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said all issues have become past following a meeting with the President of UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahya by his Nigeria’s counterpart.

The statement stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday in Abu Dhabi, finalized an agreement, which has resulted in the immediate cessation of the visa ban placed on Nigerian travelers.

“Furthermore, by this historic agreement, both Etihad Airlines and Emirates Airlines are to immediately resume flight schedules into and out of Nigeria, without any further delay.

“As negotiated between the two Heads of State, this immediate restoration of flight activity, through these two airlines and between the two countries, does not involve any immediate payment by the Nigerian government.

“In recognition of President Tinubu’s economic development diplomacy drive and proposals today presented by President Tinubu to his counterpart, an agreed framework has been established, which will involve several billions of U.S. dollars worth of new investments into the Nigerian economy across multiple sectors, including defense, agriculture and others, by the investment arms of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

“Additionally, President Tinubu is pleased to have successfully negotiated a joint, new foreign exchange liquidity programme between the two Governments, which will be announced in detail in the coming weeks.

“In conclusion, the President wishes to commend the UAE President, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his unalloyed friendship and his determined effort to join hands with him to fully normalize and reset to excellence, the standard of relations between the two important countries.”

Boost For Education As FG Plans To Increase Budgetary Allocation By 25 Percent

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Prof Tahir Mamman - Minister for Education

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to introduce measures to improve the quality of education in the country as well as guarantee security of students.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said on Monday in Abuja that part of the measures is to increase by 25 percent budgetary allocation to education and put in place right policies.

The budgetary increase for education may be a welcome development for Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) as this has been one of members demands while on strike.

The minister disclosed these while declaring open the 2021 and 2022 Nigeria Annual Education Conference (NAEC) with the theme “Implementation of Education 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”.

He also pledged his commitment to bridge the gaps between education policy statements and its actualisation outcomes.

Mamman noted that the country has a lot of good policies on what was required to do in the best interest of the nation, but that those policies were not bringing values to the sector.

”President Tinubu has directed the return of the 10.5million out-of-school children to school at the expiration of his tenure.

”We still have a long way to go. We are not matching the children in the country with the desired education and this is because our policies are not producing the values we need.

“What we need is the action on ground and not the policy declaration. This is where I can tell you we intend to come in. We want to bridge the gaps between policy statements and actualisation of outcomes.

“This is to give them future training that will enable them to live their lives and make them employers of labour. Everybody deserves to live a life of dignity for the well-being of their family.”

He said that the responsibilities of government was to provide government was to provide opportunities for Nigerians to be empowered adding that now is the time to make the policies reality.

The Minister also said that the basic and secondary schools must be equipped by developing appropriate skills template for creativity and research.

“We know that society that had benefitted from education are known for nurturing of creativity and research which starts from the lower levels.”

He stated further that there was need for implementation strategies to provide mechanisms for constant monitoring and evaluation of policies, to ensure the SDG goals were achieved.

The Minister expressed concern over the state of insecurity in the schools and nation at large, lamenting the recent killing of one Miss Deborah Atanda, a nursing student of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti few days ago.

He, however, directed Vice-Chancellor of the institution, in concerted efforts with the security, to uncover the perpetrators of the killing

Mamman charged stakeholders to work with the Federal Ministry of Education and agencies as well as State Ministries of education to identify innovative approaches for improved funding and ensuring inclusive equitable, quality education and life-long opportunities.

Delta Releases Palliatives Guidelines, Guarantees N40 Billion Pension For LG Workers, Teachers

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By Ayodele Oni

Delta State Government has guaranteed N40bn for payment of pensions for Local Government workers and retired primary school teachers in the state.  Payment begins this month – September.

Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, State Subsidy Palliative Committee, Kingsley Emu, disclosed this in Asaba on Monday, while outlining the procedure it would adopt in the distribution of palliatives to its citizens to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on petrol by the Federal Government.

“As a State we have commenced the process of distribution of palliatives for a long time by embarking on the payment of N5.522 billion promotion arrears to workers which commenced since August.

“We have also commenced the payment of N10,000 for over 50,196 workers since August and the recruitment of 2,000 primary school teaching and non-teaching staff across the state.

He said that the state would adopt a distribution model of 40 percent to 500 Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, (DSIEC) Wards in the state with 10 percent reserved to shore up urban wards.

He explained that 25 percent would be distributed to heavily impacted people consisting Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) and widows while 20 percent for poor and vulnerable households and five percent left for contingency for the LGAs.

According to the SSG, every local government would receive 696 bags of rice of 50kg while maize would also be distributed to poultry farmers across the state.

The government scribe disclosed that the food item to be distributed across the state was facilitated by the Federal Government which had extended a loan to the states repayable in 20 months.

“Governor Oborevwori also approved the commencement of three working days rotational scheme for civil servants on Salary Grade leve 1-14, while staff on SGL 15 and above are to work out what is convenient for them in their respective MDAs while ensuring that essential services remain uninterrupted.

“We are also working on purchasing tricycles (Keke) bi-fuel engine (petrol and gas) to be distributed across the three senatorial districts.

“Finally we are also in discussion with several organisations to provide CNG and EV powered inter and intra city commuter buses through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option.”

He however assured that with the measures taken by the State Government in the selection of the palliative distribution Committee at various levels, the process of distribution would be seamless across the state.

He said the Local Government Monitoring Team would consist of a non-patisan and trusted leader as Chairman with representation from traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of NULGE, women and youth.

He explained that the Ward Committees is made up of a non-partisan and trusted leaders as Chairmen, representative of the traditional rulers, President-General or representatives of the communities or quarters and a credible NGO representative.