Ten elite Nigerian Navy warships have been deployed to take part in a special sea exercise aimed at tackling oil theft and other maritime crimes in the nation’s territorial waters.

Rear Adm. Saheed Akinwande, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, disclosed this to journalists during the flag-off of Exercise ‘Sea Guard 2024’ on Thursday in Onne, Rivers.

He explained that the Federal Government had been combating oil theft, sea robbery, sea piracy, and illegal foreign fishing, among others, for years with several successes recorded.

The flag officer noted that despite concerted efforts to completely curb maritime threats, they had persisted and had significantly undermined economic activities in the country.

“The consequences of this prevailing insecurity prompted the Central Naval Command (CNC) and Eastern Naval Command (ENC) to initiate a joint, coordinated, and decisive action.

“This operation, tagged: Exercise Sea Guard 2024, aimed to deny criminals and economic saboteurs the freedom of action, thereby securing our maritime environment.

“Although maritime insecurity persists on a low scale, the Nigerian Navy believes it could escalate if not deliberately addressed with a resolute stance,” he said.

Akinwande stated that 10 warships, two helicopters, Maritime Domain Awareness assets, and naval special forces drawn from the CNC and ENC would participate in the three-day exercise.

“This sea exercise, scheduled from Sept. 26 to 28, aims to secure the nation’s maritime environment through a sustained credible presence at sea for national prosperity.

“It will be used to assess the operational readiness of assigned ships in conducting evolutions such as, anti-piracy and anti-crude oil theft operations, emergency drills, and fleet manoeuvres,” he added.

He explained that the Nigerian Navy would conduct the drill within Nigeria’s territorial waters under the CNC and ENC coverage areas.

The navy officer expressed confidence that the naval expedition would directly or indirectly contribute to the much-needed economic recovery of the country.

According to him, the nation’s maritime space, with its vast oil and gas reserves, aquatic resources, and the Blue Economy initiative, remained a critical avenue for national prosperity.

“As such, the Nigerian Navy is doing everything within its mandate to eliminate all forms of threats within Nigeria’s maritime space,” he said.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is set to swear in 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday, September 30, 2024.

The Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, in a press statement made on Thursday, stated that the ceremony will take place in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court, marking the official start of the 2024/2025 legal year.

Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as CJN was confirmed on Wednesday, September 25, by the Nigerian Senate, and this ceremony will mark her first official event of this kind in her new role.

The Supreme Court, which went on its annual vacation on July 22, resumed sessions on September 23.

The formal legal year ceremony is slated to commence at 10:00 AM in the main courtroom, with all stakeholders invited to participate in this significant event.

“In line with our age-old tradition, during the special court session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria will deliver a state-of-the-judiciary address, highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular and the Nigerian judiciary in general during the 2023/2024 legal year,” the statement read.

Additionally, other prominent figures in the justice sector, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, will also present speeches regarding the current state of justice in the country.

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, on July 2, released the names of a total of 98 lawyers to be considered for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

On July 30, the LPPC, at its 164th plenary session under the leadership of the immediate past CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, elevated 87 out of the 98 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The SAN title is an honorific designation conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria with not less than ten years standing who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, either as courtroom advocates or in legal academia

The Federal Government has said that plans were underway towards ensuring that former Nigerian presidents establish functional libraries in schools across the country while also encouraging library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mammanahir Mamman, who made this known in Abuja also revealed that the National Policy on Library and Information System would be reviewed.

He spoke during the flag-off of 2024 national readership promotion campaign, noting that the Education for Renewed Hope Roadmap places emphasis on promoting literacy, fostering love for reading in schools, and establishing a strong foundation for future generations.

He stated in specific terms that the education roadmap articulated clear strategies for addressing library services in Nigeria which translates into improvement in reading culture of Nigerians.

According to him, some of these strategies were to encourage library endowment by private citizens and corporate bodies, including former presidents to establish functional library in all schools.

He said the government would also encourage and engage authors and publishers to comply with standards and criteria for quality assurance and assessment of educational resources among other strategies.

Mamman, who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abdullahi Zubairu, observed that the act of reading transcends the pages of a book, saying it is the gateway to lifelong learning, to acquiring the knowledge and skills that can prepare citizens to meet the challenges of the modern world.

National Librarian/CEO, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Professor Veronica Anunobi, said the campaign will be conducted in 34 states across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She noted that while NLN continues the advocacy on all inclusive form of reading, it will be donating books and educational materials to primary and secondary schools, as well as to vulnerable groups, in support of their reading and learning journey.

“In a bid to “Catch Them Young,” this campaign prioritises pupils and students in secondary and primary schools, as well as those in Hard-to-Reach Communities.

She added: “In previous campaigns, we have reached Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, Nigerian Correctional Centers, artisans, market groups, hospitals, and motor parks, underscoring our commitment to making reading accessible to every segments of the society thereby engendering inclusivity.

“Our efforts in reinvigorating reading among Nigerians are multi-faceted. We are advocating for the institution of a National Reading Day and the reintroduction of reading hours into the timetables of all basic and secondary schools across the country.

“Additionally, our state branches are actively establishing reading clubs nationwide. Specifically, 94 reading clubs are already active with more coming before the end of the year.”

We are also modernising the outlook of our branches to create inviting and attractive reading environments, implementing new prototype buildings while renovating the existing ones.

“These branches are not only stocked with Nigeria’s intellectual heritages through legal deposit publications but also with resources tailored to the needs of their host communities, based on thorough community needs assessments.

“Furthermore, our branches serve as reading hubs, both physically and virtually, with access to a wide range of online resources available 24/7, ensuring that Nigerians can engage with reading materials at any time while reading beyond boundaries,” Anunobi said.

By Sampson Uhuegbu…

The founder and Managing Director of AgriCodeExpo, Miss Tchegnelene Suzy Tresor, has described the platform as one designed to enhance creativity, improve food production, nutrition security, create jobs for the youths, as well as to end hunger and poverty.

The Cameroon born US- based technocrat who made this known while addressing countries Coordinators of the AgriCodeExpo, drawn from the Twenty One (21) countries, through zoom, last week Sunday, September 7, 2024, also noted, that her vision was to bring the youths back to the farm and, transform the agricultural landscape across the African continent by empowering the next generation of farmers, innovators, andleaders.

According to founder, “Agriculture is not just the backbone of Africa’s economy, but also the

vital key to addressing issues, such as food security, unemployment, and sustainable

development and others”, she said.

She further explained, that AgriCodeExpo Africa seeks to reignite the passion for farming and land stewardship among African people, regretting, that youths had steadily drifted away from farming for years as a result of lack of encouragement from the government.

At the zoom session, the founder talked about AgriCodeExpo School of Purpose, wherein, she said, they provide tools, mentorship and experimental learning opportunities that

allow young leaders to flourish.

Through our programmes in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and social

impact, we ensure that every individual can unleash their full potential, grow into visionary leaders, and become agents of meaningful change in the world”.

In her speech, the Director, Human Resources, MrsOnahChukwunonso, commended the Managing Director, Miss Tresor for establishing the AgriCodeExpo which, according to her, would go a long way in opening the eyes of today’s youths on the need to embrace Agriculture.

The Nigerian coordinator of the AgriCodeExpo was also in attendance at the meeting.

By Henrietta Ashikodi

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has paid the first trench of the arrears of workers salaries owed by the immediate past administration.

The governor earmarked N1.5 Billion monthly to instalmentally offset the N17,.6 Billion arrears of salaries within 12 Months.

The Commissioner for Information Prince OkeyKanu revealed this.

He said Government wishes to state that the payment will follow a 12- month armortization plan with the first batch already disbursed to the affected institutions.

He disclosed that the office of the Accountant General has commenced the payment of the arrears to all verified workers amounting to N17, 629,767,342,09 (Seventeen billion, six hundred and twenty nine million, ,seven hundred and sixty seven thousand, three hundred and forty two, nine Kobo only ).

He noted that the structured payment is meant to ensure that other areas of governance do not suffer from lack of attention due to limited financial resources.

“By this development , the Dr Alex Otti- led administration has once more demonstrated its commitment to the promotion and sustenance of the welfare of Abia State civil servants at all times”.

In a joyous mood, the rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Dr C.K Okoro and staff went into jubilation mood, thanked the governor for keeping to his promise stating that they have started receiving payment.

NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday that the seizures followed intelligence processed by the agency on the movement of the shipments from their port of origin in India, leading to a demand for a 100 per cent joint examination of the watch-listed containers.

Mr Babafemi said a breakdown of the seizures showed that 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from two containers at Tincan port in Lagos on Thursday, August 29, and Friday, August 30.

He said each of the two containers had 175,000 bottles of the opioid, adding that at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg.

The NDLEA spokesman added that the cartons, which contained 29,840,000 pills of the opioid and 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup, were from three containers intercepted on Thursday, August 29.

The tramadol shipments came under different brand names such as Royal Tapetadol, Carisoprodol 225mg and Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.

The following day, Friday, August 30, another set of three containers watch-listed by NDLEA were subjected to joint examination.

At the end of the exercise, a total of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup containing 554,600 bottles of the opioid were recovered from them.

This brings the total bottles of codeine seized at Onne, Rivers and Tincan in Lagos to 1,284,600 bottles worth N8,992,200,000 in street value while the combined seizure of tramadol stood at 29,840,000 pills valued at N8,940,000,000, he said.

Mr Babafemi quoted the NDLEA chairman, Buba Marwa, as commending all the officers and men of PHPC, Tincan and the special operations unit of the agency that had been working on the targeted containers for their vigilance and professionalism.

Mr Marwa equally praised the support from other stakeholders at the ports, which enabled seamless and successful operations while targeting the shipments.

The Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has approved the payment of N70,000 minimum wage to civil servants under the employ of the state.

Nwifuru announced this on Saturday at the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival.

“I have directed relevant government authorities to draft out modalities for the payment of the new minimum wage commencing in September”, he said.

The governor, however, frowned at the lackadaisical manner by which government projects awarded as contracts to prominent leaders of the state were handled, especially the housing estates at Izo autonomous community in the Ishielu Local Government Area.

He gave a marching order to the Commissioner for Housing to ensure the painting of the houses immediately.

He further called on residents of the state not to hesitate to report government projects being delayed by contractors.

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has reiterated his concerns about the growing radicalization of bandits in Nigeria.

On Saturday, the influential cleric took to his Facebook page to share a disturbing video that showcases bandits celebrating and chanting in Arabic, underlining the dangers he had consistently warned about.

In the video, the bandits appear jubilant, chanting religious slogans that Sheikh Gumi suggests could indicate their increasing radicalization.

The cleric, who has previously advocated for dialogue and negotiation with the bandits as a means to address the security crisis in the North, emphasized the urgent need for the government to intervene before the situation escalates further.

Sheikh Gumi has long been a controversial figure in the discussions around Nigerias security challenges, particularly regarding his stance on engaging with bandits.

Sheikh Gumi wrote, Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened.

He noted the shift in the nature of the conflict, emphasising the complexities of ideological warfare.

The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is almost intractable; Boko Haram (BH) is an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy, he added.

This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the increasing radicalisation of bandits in Nigeria.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

The lawsuit, filed against the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, challenges the alleged unlawful practice of the National Assembly setting its own allowances and running costs without transparency or accountability.

The lawsuit follows allegations made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that lawmakers have been fixing their own salaries and allowances, disregarding the recommendations of the Revenue Mobilisation Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC).

In the suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1289/2024 and filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP was seeking an order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to end the practice of the National Assembly determining its remuneration and allowances, termed as running costs. The organization is also calling for the disclosure of the exact amount of monthly running costs paid to lawmakers and a detailed account of how these funds are spent. SERAP argues that the practice of paying running costs into the personal accounts of lawmakers violates Rule 713 of the Federal Government Financial Regulations, which prohibits the payment of public money into private bank accounts.

The organization further contends that this practice wais a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a signatory. The suit also emphasizes the constitutional oath of office taken by lawmakers, which requires them to act transparently and accountably, ensuring that their actions serve the public interest rather than personal gain.

SERAP asserts that the reported practice of lawmakers fixing their own salaries and allowances undermines public trust in the National Assembly and is inconsistent with the principles of good governance.

SERAP is also calling for any misused or mismanaged running costs to be accounted for and returned, arguing that such actions would restore public confidence in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

The organization was seeking an order to compel Akpabio and Abbas to refer allegations of misuse of running costs to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.

The lawsuit highlights the need for public officials, including lawmakers, to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the management of public resources. It also stresses the importance of transparency in the use of taxpayer money, arguing that Nigerians have a right to scrutinize how their lawmakers spend public funds. The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Andrew Nwankwo, and Ms Blessing Ogwuche, read in part: Directing and compelling the lawmakers to account for and return any misused or mismanaged running costs they collected would build trust in democratic institutions and strengthen the rule of law.

SERAP is seeking: an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio and Mr Abbas to refer the allegations on the misuse of the running costs received by members to appropriate anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution where there is relevant admissible evidence.

Strong indications have emerged that President Bola Tinubu was planning to rejig his cabinet to ease out underperforming ministers.

Tinubu has been facing increasing pressure from within and outside his party, the All Progressives Congress, to sack ministers, some of whom appeared to have been inactive.

The President had last year set up the Result and Delivery Unit, headed by the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Mrs Hadiza Bala-Usman, to measure the performance of ministers and other top government officials serving in his administration. He warned that any minister or aide that underperformed would be sacked.

Last week, Tinubu replaced the directors-general of the National Intelligence Agency and the Department of State Services after the heads of the agencies resigned their appointments.

Sources in the Presidency told Our correspondent that a cabinet reshuffle was imminent. The officials, who requested revealed that some ministers would be dismissed, while others would be reassigned to other ministries for improved effectiveness.

However, the sources did not disclose the ministers likely to be affected.

What I can tell you is some (ministers) will go. A few will swap positions, then new people will be brought on board. But the President will be focused more on capacity now; on people who can easily add value to his government, a source stated.

Another source disclosed that Tinubus close associates agreed that the President required a stronger cabinet to implement his policies effectively.

The source stated, The general concern among some of his aides, friends, and even the public is that the cabinet can be far better than this. There is a consensus among his (Tinubu) close friends that he needs a stronger cabinet to push through with his policies. It is one thing to announce policies and it is another thing for your ministers to deliver the outcomes you want. Oftentimes, it is the capacity of your cabinet members and heads of agencies that determines how you will deliver on those outcomes.
If you look at the editorial by Financial Times earlier this week, it was not palatable at all. And what they were saying is that, yes, he has taken bold decisions, the reforms are good, but he has a weak cabinet that cannot help him to deliver on those reforms. That is why it appears like we are wobbling. So, he needs to bring in people with more energy and expertise, who are more patriotic and willing to roll up their sleeves and work for Nigeria and turn things around.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Head of the Legal Services Department of the apex bank to appear before it with specific documents on Monday, September 2, the new date fixed for the continuation of the trial in the money laundering case brought against Binance Holdings Limited and its executives.

At the previous court sitting, the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, had adjourned the matter to October 11, but the defence counsel had approached the court for a date change, which the court granted by bringing the trial forward a month early.

Binance USAs Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigan Gambaryan, and the exchanges British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, are facing money laundering charges to the tune of $35m brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were initially both detained in the custody of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Anjarwalla, however, fled lawful custody on March 22, 2024, while his counterpart, Gambaryan, was moved from ONSA custody to EFCC custody and afterwards to Kuje Correctional Facility, where he is currently detained.

In the document titled Subpoena Duces Tecum, with charge number: FHC/ABCR/138/2024, between the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Binance Holdings Limited and Tigran Gambaryan, the court asked the apex banks heads to appear before it or delegate someone to do so.

It read, The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja FCT.

You or any other officer you may delegate are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E. Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at 9 oclock in the forenoon, and from day to day until the above cause is tried, to bring with you and produce at the time and place mentioned the following documents.

Certified True Copy of the excel spreadsheet captioned Export Exchange Rate Results published on the Central Bank of Nigerias website for the period from 1 June 2024 to 16 August 2024.

In a separate document but with similar wording, the court summoned, The Head, Legal Services Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Plot 33, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Way, Central Business District, Abuja FCT.

You or any other officer you may delegate are commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend before the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by the Honourable Justice E. Nwite, on the 2nd day of September 2024 at the hour of 9 oclock in the forenoon, and from day to day until the above cause is tried, to bring with you and produce at the time and place mentioned the following documents, part of the subpoena read.

Aloy Ejimakor, lead Counsel of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has accused President Bola Tinubu of tolerating selective injustice against Igbos.

He claimed that Igbos suffered less of selective injustice under the past administration of former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan but peaked in Muhammadu Buharis time.

Posting on X: Ejimakor wrote: What is now emerging in the open (thanks to social media) as institutionalized selective injustice against #Ndigbo has always been there.

It reduced slightly under OBJ & GEJ, peaked to a new high under PMB & has attained genocidal proportions. Shocking that TINUBU tolerates it. People of the Southeast have severally alleged marginalization, a situation that fuelled the agitation for Biafra.

Tragedy struck in the Makwarari quarters in the Kano metropolis on Friday when a one-storey building collapsed, killing a 35-year-old woman, Balarabe Tijjani and injuring two of her children.

It was gathered that the building collapsed following a downpour in the area which lasted for many hours from Thursday night through Friday morning.

According to a resident, the mother and her two children, Abdulnasir and Abdallah, aged 11 and 13, were rescued and rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital but the mother succumbed to her injuries.

“After rescuing the victims from the debris, they were transported to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital. Unfortunately, Tijjani succumbed to her injuries while the children are currently receiving treatment,” the resident said.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, said the one-storey building collapsed at about 9:30 am on Friday.

“Therefore, the building crushed three people, mother, Balaraba Abba about 35 years old and two children, Abdulnasir Jilani about 12 years old and Abdullahi Jilani about 9 years old.

“With the effort of the people around the area all victims were rescued alive and taken to Murtala Muhammad hospital on the arrival of the brigade,” Abdullahi said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps on Saturday said four lives were lost in multiple road accidents that occurred in Ikeji-Arakeji, a town along the Ilesa/Akure expressway in Osun State.

Also, 20 other commuters were said to have been injured in the accidents which involved three vehicles.

In a 2-minute 5-second video recorded at the scene of the accident obtained by our correspondent, it was observed that one of the affected vehicles was burning, as some of the injured passengers lay in different locations close to the burning vehicle.

Also, about three of the injured passengers were in the uniform of the National Youth Service Corps. Many of the injured passengers could be observed in blood-drenched clothes.

Contacted for confirmation and other details about the crash, the FRSC Osun Sector Commander, Mr Taofeek Sokunbi, said the accident was caused by speeding.

Sokunbi, who said three female and one male passenger died in the crash, further explained, “The accident involved three vehicles and four people died. Twenty people were injured. Those who died include three female adults and one male adult.

“The cause of the accident is excessive speed. The vehicles involved include two buses and one truck. The accident occurred where Bumps is located at Ikeji-Arakeji (Osun State).

The accident happened about three days ago (Thursday) We have cleared the crash.

I want to urge drivers to drive carefully on the road because it is overspeeding. The accident was carelessness on the path of the drivers.”

A 35-year-old man named Emmanuel Urhobocha has been found dead in his house on Alafia Street, Sango-Ota, in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The deceased was found face down with a container of insecticide next to his body.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident to newsmen yesterday, said it happened at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday.

Odutola disclosed that the roommate of the deceased, Obabiyi David, had gone to the Sango-Ota Police Division to report that his flatmate was acting odd and had even attacked him with a knife, which he managed to escape.

She noted that based on this information, a team from the division was sent to question Urhobocha regarding the alleged attack, but upon arrival, they found the room locked from the inside.

The spokesperson said the officers, who eventually forced the door open, discovered the suspect lying dead.

Odutola said, “He was discovered dead in the apartment, with a container of insecticide found next to his body.

“He was promptly transported to a local hospital for medical attention, but the attending doctor confirmed him dead. His body has been placed in the morgue for an autopsy.”

She maintained that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death.

the incident happened just a day after a 32-year-old man, Oluwaseun Shorinola, died by suicide in the Kémta area of Abeokuta.’

LG Election rescheduled to October 26

Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has announced the local government council election will hold on October 26 instead of the November 30 date.

KANSIEC Chairman, Prof. Sani Malumfashi, who briefed reporters on the change of itinerary for the election at the commission’s office, asked relevant stakeholders to understand the situation and accord the electoral body the needed cooperation.

“In recognition and conformity with the recent Supreme Court’s decision, the nature of agreement between the state and federal governments, and the open expression of October deadline for local government autonomy given by the Supreme Court and federal government, as well as other extraneous variables, the commission is impaired to reschedule the electoral activities from the already scheduled election date to October 26 2024, as against November 30, 2024,” Malumfashi said.

He noted that the decision was pursuant to the power conferred on the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission by paragraph 3(4) (a) of part 11 of the third schedule of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Section 3(1) of the Kano State Local Government Election Law 2004.

According to the new timetable, political parties will begin electioneering campaigns on September 1 and end midnight (12am) of September October 26.

From September 3 to 14, party primaries and submission of names of successful candidates to the commission will hold.

Sale of forms by KANSIEC will commence on September 15 and end September 26, while submission of completed forms will end on October October 8.

Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has announced November 01,2024 as the burial date for late President General of OhanaezeNdigbo, Worldwide, Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

In a statement he personally signed, Gov Uzodimma disclosed that the date was arrived at after due consultation with the Iwuanyanwu’s family .

The Imo State Governor, who recently inaugurated the burial committee at Abuja, announced that further details concerning the burial will be made public soon.

The Nigeria Police Force has released the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Joe Ajaero after a “short interview”.

Recall that the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team, (IRT), in Abuja had invited Mr Ajaero over allegations of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy, and treasonable felony.

A letter from the IRT, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police Adamu Muazu, directed Mr Ajaero to appear for an interview at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the IRT complex located at Guzape Junction in Abuja.

However, the NLC’s legal team replied to the police, saying Mr Ajaero could not honour the invitation as scheduled.

But the NLC president honoured the invitation today (Thursday) in company of Human Rights activists, Femi Falana, SAN, Maxwell Opara, Deji Adeyanju, among other lawyers.

Mr Ajaero was allowed to leave immediately.

A member of the team of lawyers disclosed that there was no need to detain or request for bail as the interview lasted very short.

The National Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, (NOGASA) has urged the Federal Government to end multiple taxation on gas supplies, saying it’s frustrating business activities in the country.

The association handed down the appeal to the Federal Government at a press conference in Abuja.

President of NOGAS, Benneth Korie lamented the impact of excessive and double taxation on businesses in the country, explaining that there was a need for government intervention to encourage and strengthen businesses in the country.

Korie further maintained that multiple taxation on gas is worrisome, particularly as various arms of government are laying claims to having the power to impose taxes, thereby making it critical and difficult to have seamless operations.

He emphasized that the association’s concerns extend beyond taxation, touching on other pressing issues such as the availability of refined petroleum products, agricultural development, transportation infrastructure, and the fight against smuggling.

Speaking on Dangote Refinery, he expressed the belief that the Refinery would boost oil and gas supply, and encourage healthy competition in the overall interest of the economy.

“I urge that Dangote’s refined products be made available to a broader range of stakeholders, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Trading, NNPC Retail, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria,

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria and the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria. This inclusivity will facilitate sustainable and widespread distribution across the country,” Korie said.