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Fire Guts WAEC Headquarters; Many Feared Trapped

By
Akinwale Kasali
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WAEC Yaba Office

By Akinwale Kasali

There is pandemonium at the National Headquarters of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, as Fire has gutted the 12-Storey Building located in Yaba, Lagos.

The early morning fire outbreak led to hundreds of people  scampering for safety.

Many people are feared trapped in the building as the fire rages.

The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. However, emergency responders are at the scene and the fire was being put off.

Firefighters from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) have arrived the scene of the incident to extinguish the fire as of the time of filing this report.

A staff of the Council believed to have been trapped in between some floors was observed attempting to jump through the window of the 12-floor in a bid to escape being suffocated.

NNPC, CBN Workers Earn More Than CJN; RMAFC Says Salary Review Due For Political Office Holders, Judges

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

After waiting for almost 15 years, it is hope rekindled for political office holders and judicial officers as Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) announced possible increase in their remuneration.

The commission raised the hope that it has concluded arrangements to start the process of reviewing the packages for political, public and judicial office holders in the country.

Chairman of the Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, (NGF) Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in his office in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday,  Mohammed Bello pointed out that pursuant to the functions of RMAFC in paragraph 32(D) of part 1 to the third schedule of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, empowers the commission to determine the remuneration appropriate to political, Public and Judicial office holders in the country.

He revealed that the last time the review was carried out was 2008, which makes it even overdue for review.

The RMAFC boss lamented what he described as the poor remuneration of public, political and judicial office holders which has exposed them to corrupt tendencies.

“The salary of members of the House is even worse, but because they claim they are independent they packaged all sorts of allowances.

“There is a need for that review. I have seen a magistrate that earns N150,000 a month. That is a magistrate, somebody who passes judgement.

“Ask around, it will shock you, they are all over Nigeria, they don’t have housing, they don’t have transportation, they have very difficult conditions of service.

“I think it’s about time this is reviewed for national good because we have to be able to take care of judicial officers apart from the ministers and permanent secretaries.”

He reiterated that the review is long overdue saying “We have a middle level worker in NNPC, in CBN who earns more that a judge, that’s the reality. In some places like the NCC, no one even knows. Anybody working in NCC will never disclose their salary to you.

“The salary of a serving minister is N500,000, housing allowance is 200 percent of the basic. I know of a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, when he left, his gratuity was N500 million. That is a life time pension”.

The RMAFC boss promised to produce a fair and credible remuneration for the affected officers.

Those whose remuneration will be affected and earn: The President N14,058,820 per annum (p.a.); the Vice President N12,126,290p.a.; Ministers, SGF, HoS, Chairmen of Constitutional bodies N7,801,640:00 p.a.; Ministers of State and members of Constitutional bodies N7,536,683 p.a.; Special Advisers including speech writers N7,091,493p.a. Special Advisers including speech writers N7,091,493p.a.

“These figures are the annual basic salaries of these office holders excluding their entitled allowances like accommodation, furniture, duty tour allowance, estacode, medicals, severance gratuity, leave and motor vehicle loan.”

The annual basic salary and regular allowances like vehicle fueling and maintenance, Special assistant, Personal assistant, domestic staff, entertainment, utility, security, monitoring and newspapers for Director-General/Auditor General, Permanent Secretaries, Accountant General/Executive Secretaries/Chief Executives of Parastatals, Agencies and Government Companies, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners is N7,414,580:25.

The annual basic salary and regular allowances of the Chief Justice of Nigeria is N6,727,944:99; Justices of the Supreme Court/President, Court of Appeal is N10,899,284; The Senate President N8,694,848:75; Deputy Senate President N8,082,083:65; Senator N12,766,320:00; Speaker House of Representatives N4,954,220:00; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives N4,574,068:50; Members, House of Representatives N9,529,038:06; State Governors N7,782,967:50 and Deputy Governors.

In his speech, Governor Tambuwal congratulated Bello Shehu on his new appointment as RMAFC Chairman while pointing out that the commission, as one of the constitutional bodies in the country, has been underfunded over the years.

This, he said, has made it difficult for the Commission to function properly in monitoring all the revenue accruals into and from the revenue account noting that the Commission should rather be funded on a first line charge.

“This will possibly help the commission go into digital monitoring and tracking of all accruable revenues into the Federation account thereby increasing revenues for sharing among the three tiers of government.”

Governor Tambuwal further lauded the readiness of RMAFC to commence the process for the review of remuneration exercise, while pointing out that the salaries of judges in the country, particularly is one of the least in Public service.

India 2022: Flamingoes Set To Scale Colombian Hurdle, Eye Finals

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Nigeria Flamingoes at Indian U17 World Cup

By Akinwale Kasali

The Flamingoes of Nigeria will trade tackles with South American Country, Colombia in their quest to book a place In their first ever finals of the Under-17 Female FIFA World Cup.

Having defeated the highly rated United States of America in a Penalty Shootout at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in India to book a place in their first ever semi final berth in the competition, the Flamingoes Coach, Bankole Olowookere had told his fans and the world that they should be prepared for more surprises as he has a lot of it in his sleeves.

As the Flamingoes file out against the Colombians who had earlier defeated another African nation, Tanzania in the Quarter Finals 3-0, the Colombians say it is battle ready to face the African powerhouse in their quest to also book a place in the finals.

But the Nigerian girls had disclosed that they feel even more motivated to reach the Championship finals at the expense of Colombia  play  first semi-final on Wednesday.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday arrived the Indian city of Goa, where he will lead the cheers as Africa’s best team seeks to extend their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup record by reaching Sunday’s final.

In the history of Female Football, Nigeria is the only African country to have played in the Final of the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. The first time was in Germany in 2010, when the Falconets lost 2-0 to Germany after an early goal by Player of the Tournament Alexander Popp and an unfortunate own goal by defender Osinachi Ohale in Bielefeld.

The second time was in Canada in 2014, when the Germans again prevailed courtesy of a 1-0 victory after extra time in Montreal, Canada.

As the team file out, the history-making Coach Olowookere will again bank on goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Miracle Usani, Tumininu Adeshina, Comfort Folorunsho and Blessing Emmanuel, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi, Alvine Dah-Zossu and Blessing Sunday, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Edidiong Etim and Aminat Omowunmi Bello to deliver the final ticket.

The Flamingoes fire-power is not in doubt, having scored a total of eight goals in open play, conceding four. They have put a total of 36 shots on target, making them the side that has created the most opportunities of the four teams left in the competition.

The semi final match against Colombia comes up by 12pm Nigerian time on Wednesday, 26th October, 2022

Emergency: Over 3m Nigerians Displaced By Flood, Hungry

By
James Orji
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More than three million Nigerian have been rendered homeless due to the recent flooding that has affected most states across the country, according to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar.

The minister made the revelations less than 48 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari directed some ministers in his cabinet to liaise with state governments on how to respond to the disaster.

Casualties have risen to more than 600 Nigerians, with close to 400, 000 hectares of farmlands totally damaged, according to checks by the magazine.

States like Kogi, Bayelsa, Benue, Anambra, Kano have been worst hit due to the torrential rains that have been falling for weeks, and fear has mounted among not a few Nigerians after meteorologists predict that the worst is yet to come.

Farouq disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the federal government is trying to bring relief to those that have been affected, noting that the government has distributed relief in 21 states so far.

The minister said the military and other para-military bodies are already working with emergency workers to ensure that relief materials get to areas where people are most at risk.

The statement said, “More than 1.4 million persons have been internally displaced; 2,776 persons were injured, 612 people lost their lives while 181,600 houses were partially damaged. Number of totally damaged houses was 123,807; 176,852 hectares of farmlands were partially damaged, while 392,399 hectares of farmlands have been totally damaged.

“A total of 21 states have received relief materials so far. They are Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, and the FCT. Others are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe. Specialised teams are on the ground. There are some states and local governments that are inaccessible and hard to reach.

“Others are materials to assist with temporary shelters for displaced communities. These include roofing sheets, cement, nails, ceiling boards, blankets, nylon mats, and zinc.

“The operations are ongoing and I urge communities at risk to adhere to warnings and instructions issued by the teams as they work to protect and save lives. We hope that government organs such as Water Resources, Health, Works and Housing, Agriculture, and Environment ministries will give their own updates on operations to resolve the emergency.”

Vote On Trust And Proven Track Record, Obi Tells Women; Says ‘Don’t Accept Us On What We Tell You’

By
The Source
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Peter Obi with Nigerian Women

The presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi on Tuesday in Abuja counselled Nigeria women on what to look out for before casting their votes in the forthcoming Presidential election in the country in 2023.

Obi who spoke to Nigerian Women from across the country at the Voice of Women VO2022 conference at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) conference center in Abuja said that “it is good for the women to listen to what we have to say and then look at what we did before now – our respective antecedents – when we had the opportunity to bring them to the leadership table.

According to the LP standard bearer, Women need to vote right, looking at antecedents on inclusivity agenda. Beyond that, they must vote for candidates they can trust on the scales of capacity, competence, character and proven commitment to the yearnings of Nigerian women.

The former Anambra state Governor who remarked that the country cannot make sustainable progress if it continues to leave 50% of the population, which are women behind, urged them not to accept the candidates based on what they tell them they would do but should rather ask if they had proven it before now?

“I had 40% women in my cabinet in Anambra because I have found out that women were far more committed and trustworthy. When you need to have work done and done satisfactorily, get a woman to do it and you will not be disappointed”, he remarked.

Obi told the women that he is committed to making sure that women will be carried along by, “bringing them to the leadership table where decisions are being made, and also allowing them to utilize their potentials for the betterment of Nigeria.”

Imo: How Father Beat Two-Month Old Son with Hanger, Broke Baby’s Arm, Leading To Amputation

By
The Source
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Two Month Old Baby Amputated in Imo

By Charles Igbo

The unbelievable has just happened in Imo State. For disturbing his sleep, a father used a hanger to beat his two-month old son repeatedly. The beating was so hard, and so serious that it broke the baby’s arm. And, finally, led to the amputation of baby Miracle’s right arm.

“This is the most cruel incident I have seen in all my adult life”,  a Nurse at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri where the baby was rushed to proclaimed.

Perhaps, the beating couldn’t have led to an amputation if the wicked father, 31- year old Mr Confidence Amatobi, did not prevent help to the baby.

He locked baby and mother up, confiscated the mother’s phone, to stop her from any contact with neighbours.

Anger has risen to high heavens. The devastated mother, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC and the Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists are screaming blue murder. They are asking for the immediate arrest of the cruel father who hails from Amurie, Isu Local Government Area of Imo State.

He had, initially, been arrested by the local vigilante, but he bolted away,   and has been on the run since then.

A shocked Dr Dorothy Nnaji, Chairperson, Imo NAWOJ, who briefed the Press on the  cruel act after visiting the baby and her mother in the hospital said: “The perpetrator, Mr Confidence Amatobi, who hails from Amurie in Isu LGA used a plastic hanger on the baby simply because he was crying when the 20-year-old mother left to ease herself.

“He used wood and elastic bands to tie the baby’s hand when he saw that the hand was broken and swollen.

“He locked the mother and baby up to prevent her from talking to neighbours or seeking help. He also took her phone from her. After two days she found her way out and sought help from her neighbours. The guy was arrested by a vigilante but he escaped. By the time help came, the baby’s hand was already decayed. The only option was to cut off baby Miracle’s right hand from his shoulder.”

There has been no statement from either the State Government or the Police. But the clarion call is that this wicked father be arrested to face the full wrath of the law.

Baby Miracle is at the Pediatrics Ward of the FMC, Owerri.

Review Your Position On Kanu, Nwodo Advises Buhari, FG

By
The Source
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0

The former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and two time Minister of the Federal Republic, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has advised President Muhammadu Buhari and other relevant Federal Government officials to reconsider their stand on the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Chief Nwodo said in a statement on Tuesday that the continuous detention of the IPOB leader after the Appeal Court ruling does nobody especially the federal Government any good.

‘A critical review of the Government’s position on this matter is very important because of the far reaching implications keeping the IPOB leader after the court ruling will have on the much desired peace and stability in the country.

‘If the honorable Justices of the Court of Appeal reviewed the situation and arrived at their decision, going outside the ruling of the court could be provocative and injurious to the federal Government’s image on the rule of law and respect for the judiciary.

Any other reason being adduced to warrant keeping Kanu incarcerated is most likely going to be inferior to the respecting the ruling of the court and also the sensibilities of some Nigerians particularly Ndigbo who hailed and celebrated the ruling.

My candid advice therefore is for the President  to have a rethink on his position and follow the path of justice and rule of law which is a groundnorm for liberal democracies all over the World.

Access Holdings ‘A Formidable’ Pension Funds Administrator-Wigwe

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Group Chief Executive of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wiwge has disclosed that the corporation is ready to provide pension contributors in the country with world-class services.

Wigwe made the comment after the bank said it has secured the approval of regulatory authorities in the country to bring Sigma Pensions Ltd under the corporation’s control.

The deal will make the corporation the owner of Nigeria’s fourth-biggest pension fund administrator and a formidable player in the sector.

The group’s CEO said, “Having concluded our divestment from the pension funds custody sector and our recent acquisition of the FGPL, we are pleased with the progress we are making regarding our diversification and growth into the pension funds administration sector.

“We are particularly pleased to have reached this agreement with Actis. Our plan is to consolidate these entities to create a formidable pension funds administration business.

“The proposed consolidation will leverage the corporation’s expansive distribution network, strong risk management culture and best-in-class governance standards to provide contributors with sustainable world class pension funds administration services.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Access announced that the National Pension Commission and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission had granted their approvals to the proposed acquisition by First Guarantee Pension Limited and First Ally Asset Management Ltd of the entire issued shares of Actis Golf Nigeria Ltd, and by extension, Sigma Pensions Ltd.

The corporation had recently acquired AGNL the sole shareholder of Sigma.

The corporation further said in the statement that subject to the receipt of relevant regulatory approvals, the operations of the FGPL and Sigma would be merged to create Nigeria’s fourth-largest Pension Fund Administrator by assets under its management.

Also speaking on the transaction, the Non-Executive Director of Actis, Natalie Kolbe, said, “Sigma has transformed during our partnership, and we are delighted that Access, a well-respected operator, is set to support the company across its next phase of growth. The market Sigma operates in is ripe for consolidation and I have no doubt that with such a capable backer, they will go from strength to strength.”

Islamic Bank To Fund Nigeria/Morocco Gas Pipeline, Others With $1.8bn

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Saudi Arabia- based Islamic Development Bank, IDB has approved $1. 8 billion for various developmental projects across the country. The special intervention fund will be used for the Nigeria/Morocco gas pipeline and other projects according to details provided by the bank.

The Federal government has recently ramp up efforts to actualise an agreement it signed with the Kingdom of Morocco to build a trans-Sahara gas pipeline to transport gas to Europe, particularly amidst the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The bank is one of Nigeria’s development partners and has been involved in many life-changing projects in the country, by advancing loans and aid to the federal government.

The IDB said the fund will be used to fund key projects that will drive economic growth in the country.

This was disclosed by the President of the Saudi-based bank, Dr Mohamed Jasser, at a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in Abuja on Monday.

“The Islamic Development Bank has approved a total financing of $1.8bn for Nigeria. This includes $971m in project financing and $288m provided by our private sector affiliate and $477m in trade operation by our trade arm, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, and $90m by other Islamic Development Bank Group funds and operations,” Jasser said.

Last year, the Buhari administration obtained a $29 million loan from the bank and another $5 million from the Arab Bank as part of the government’s multilateral debt which at the time totaled $17 billion.

The debt has since hit the rooftop as many criticized the Buhari government for borrowing more than any administration in the country.

The government says it will continue to borrow in other to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the country.

”It is in our own interest that the government does some borrowing and spends it on investment because that sector contributes to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and contributes to employment,” Babatunde Raji Fashola told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN in his defense of the federal government.

“I do not support irresponsible borrowing so let us be clear; there has to be some sense to this.

“So long as you are borrowing to invest and you are investing in assets, then we can have this debate from morning till night and I don’t think I will come out unsuccessful. I agree everybody must keep their eyes open about how money is being borrowed, what it is being used for and whether the debt is sustainable,” the minister said.

BREAKING: Imo,  Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Elections Hold November 11, 2023

By
The Source
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Independent National Electoral Commission

By Adesina Soyooye

Three off-season Governorship Elections will hold on November 11, 2023.

The Elections are those of Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

While the Governors of  Imo, Senator Hope Uzodinma and that of Bayelsa, Senator Duoye Diri will be seeking a second term in office, that of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, will seek to install a successor having served two-terms in office.

The first tenure of Uzodinma will end on 14th January, 2024 while that of Bayelsa will end on February on 13th February 2024. Yahaya will leave office on January 24, 2024.

A Press Release issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to the effect, signed by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, dated Tuesday, October 25, reads:

“At its weekly meeting held today, Tuesday, 25th October, 2022, the Commission approved the Time Table and schedule of activities for the Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States’ Governorship Elections.

“This decision is in fulfillment of the requirements of Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which mandates the Commission to publish the notice of Elections not later than 360 days before the date fixed for tye elections. Similarly, Sections 178 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, mandates tye Commission to conduct such elections not earlier than 150 days, and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of the last holder of the office.

“The tenure of the incumbent Governor of Imo State ends on 14 January 2024, while those of Kogi and Bayelsa States ends on 26 January 2024 and 13 February 2024 respectively.

“Accordingly, the Commission has decided to  conduct the three elections on Saturday 11th November, 2023.

“The Statutory Notice for the elections will be published in the three States on 14th November, 2022. Party Primaries will be held from 27th March to 17th April 2023, while the online portal  for the submission of  nomination forms (EC9 and EC9B) by political parties opens at 9.00am on 24th April 2023, and closes at 6.00pm on 5th May, 2023. The final list of candidates will be published on 9th June, 2023, while Campaign  by political parties commences on 14th June 2023, and ends at midnight  on 6th November 2023.

“The full Timetable and Schedule of Activities  has been uploaded to the Commission’s  website and social media platforms.”

The story of Imo and Bayelsa is the same, almost. While the Supreme Court removed PDP’s The Rt Honourable Emeka Ihedioha for APC’s Senator Hope Uzodinma after Ihedioha’s seven months in office, the winner of the Bayelsa election, as declared by INEC, APC’s David Lyon, was removed 24 hours to his swearing-in ceremony by the Supreme Court, in favour of PDP’s Diri Duoye.

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