The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service (SSS) have resolved to strengthen collaboration to tackle financial crimes.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the collaboration would be particularly in the area of intelligence to tackle economic and financial crimes and corruption.

According to him, the two agencies made the resolution when Paul Akugbo, the new director of Base Command Liaison, Lagos, paid a courtesy visit to Michael Wetkas, acting director of the Lagos directorate of the EFCC.

Meanwhile, Mr Akugbo described the visit as necessary to strengthen the existing collaboration between the SSS and the EFCC.

He commended the EFCC for its unrelenting efforts to curb corruption, saying the visit was a proactive measure to meet the people on ground and familiarise with them for better collaboration.

“Security is not a one-man business, so cooperation and collaboration are needed.

We are here for national security, and we have to work better. This is because the criminals are bonding too. I can assure you our cooperation will be robust, and our support will not be hindered,” he said.

Responding, Mr Wetkas expressed delight in receiving Mr Akugbo and his team, adding that the SSS and the EFCC had always worked together.

“On several occasions, we have written letters to you for certain people on our watch list, and you have intercepted them and handed them over to us. We thank you for this.

“The success of our various services is our joint success. Lagos is a challenging place, and we are here to support you in any way we can,” he said.

He said the visit demonstrated that the SSS was ready to work and partner with the EFCC to achieve overall success for Nigeria.

“There is always a need to collaborate and build better relationships to make this country a success,” he said.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the award of a contract worth $117.83 million and N28.43 billion for the procurement of tractors, machinery, spare parts and other agricultural equipment for the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM).

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari disclosed this in a post on his official X handle.

According to him, the execution of the contract by selected firms will be divided into two stages- the supply of ready-made tractors, and other machinery and the transition to local assembly of agricultural machinery.

He noted that $117.83 million and N28.4 billion included the cost of clearing by the customs service and 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) with the delivery timeline set at 60 to 360 days.

The statement reads, “I am pleased to announce that the Federal Executive Council has approved a memo I presented as the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for the award of a contract to procure tractors, machinery, implements, vehicles, equipment, and spare parts for the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM).”

“The total contract sum stands at $117,830,783.00 plus N28,439,777,100.00 to cover the cost of clearing, customs duties, levies, and delivery to locations across the country, with a delivery timeline of 60 to 360 days, inclusive of 7.5% VAT.”

The Minister added that the initiativewas designed to bolster national food security and reduce reliance on imports. It will promote national development across both public and private sectors by improving agricultural productivity, boosting profitability, and optimizing land use for a wider

Last year, during the Vice President’s visit to the United States, a U.S tractor company in a meeting with the Nigerian contingent led by the V.P disclosed plans to invest in a tractor manufacturing company in Nigeria.

According to press releases from Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity in the Office of the Vice President, the meeting between the Federal Government and representatives of the American tractor manufacturing firm was arranged by Mr. John Coumantaros, Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) cleared over 204,332 backlog of passports in 10 months.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known while reeling out his ministry’s achievements in the last year, at a media event organised by the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

He assured Nigerians that never again will there be backlogs of passports in Nigeria, with the reform measure in place.

“In the last year, we introduced advanced border management technologies, including GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and other surveillance tools and infrastructure, to enhance national security.

“This technology allows for better monitoring and control of Nigeria’s extensive borders, ensuring that our immigration services are prepared to face modern security challenges.

‘As you are aware, we embarked on a comprehensive overhaul of the passport issuance process, addressing long-standing issues that have frustrated millions of Nigerians.

“One of our key accomplishments was clearing a massive backlog of 204,332 passport applications, a backlog that had left many citizens stranded for months if not years,” he said.

He said,” Today, I can proudly say that we have not only addressed this challenge but we have introduced home delivery services for passports.”

Tunji-Ojo said that the innovation was to ensure that Nigerians no longer have to endure the stress of traveling long distances or waiting in long queues all in the name passport.

“Passports are now delivered directly to the homes of applicants, a service that has brought immense relief to thousands.

“The NIS has also implemented contactless technology, streamlining the passport application process and improving overall efficiency.

“The days of bottlenecks and endless paperwork are behind us. Today, Nigerians experience a faster, more transparent, and seamless passport issuance process.

“We have also established a cutting-edge data center at the NIS with an impressive storage capacity of 1.4 petabytes.

“This state-of-the-art facility is designed to securely house and manage a vast array of critical national information, including the biometric data and personal records of Nigerian citizens,” he added.

The minister explained that the efforts were to ensure the safe storage and retrieval of sensitive information and enhance the efficiency of national security operations, identity management, and service delivery across the country.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has appointed Dr. Udo Samuel Atang as Senior Special Assistant on Administration.

A statement signed by Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, described Atang as a seasoned administrator with a wealth of experience in public service, governance and administration.

According to the statement, he was, until his new appointment, the Head of Service of the FCT Administration.

The appointee was born on the 27th of March 1964, and hails from Eket local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History obtained from the University of Calabar in 1987 and began his working career in the defunct Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory in 1989.

He has held various senior administrative positions over 35 years in the FCT Administration culminating in his appointment as the pioneer Head of Service of the FCTA in March 2024.

His tenure as Head of Service was extended for six months by President Bola Tinubu on his reaching the retirement age of 60 on March 27, 2024.

“DrAtang’sexpertise, has been instrumental in driving various reforms and initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations,” the statement added.

“In his new role as Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Dr. Atang, who is a fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria, will work closely with the FCT Minister in overseeing key administrative functions within the administration, ensuring seamless coordination of activities, and providing strategic advisory support to the Minister.

“His appointment is effective immediately.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed allegations that $49.8 billion went missing during his tenure as the President of Nigeria.

Jonathan made this statement in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at the launch of a book by Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, the former Minister of Finance and National Planning, who served in his administration.

Jonathan acknowledged his respect for the views of the author but expressed disagreement with certain contributions made by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), now Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

Specifically, he refuted Sanusi’s claims that approximately $50 billion went missing from the CBN during his administration.

“Let me mention that I did not agree completely with some issues raised by one of the contributors. But I don’t intend to join issues because he is our royal father, and he is here.

“The one he raised that he was sacked because he blew a whistle that the Federal Government lost $49.8billion is not quite correct.

“He was not sacked, he was suspended because the Financial Reporting Council queried the expenditure of CBN.

“There were serious infractions that needed to be looked at. That was the reason, but somehow, the time was short. So before we finished, his tenure elapsed. Probably, he would have been called back.

“On the issue of $49.8 billion, till today I am not convinced that the Federal Government lost $49.8 billion,” he said.

Forensic Audit on the Allegations

Jonathan further explained that a forensic audit had proven the allegations to be baseless, and the figures quoted by the former CBN governor were inaccurate.

He noted that the budget for that year was around $13 billion, making it implausible for such a large sum to go missing without detection.

Jonathan added that the independent forensic report found that $1.48 billion was unaccounted for, and recommended that the NNPC should deposit the amount into the Federation Account.

“That year, our budget was $31.6 billion. So for a country that had a budget of $31.6 billion to lose about $50 billion and salaries were paid, nobody felt anything. The researchers that wrote this book need to do further research.

“More so, when our revered royal father came up with the figures, first $49.8 billion, later $20 billion and later $12 billion. I don’t even know the correct one.

“Immediately that happened, we commissioned Price Water Coopers (PWC) to do a forensic audit.

“The report they came up with was that $1.48 billion that they couldn’t provide an account for and NNPC should pay that money into the Federation Account.

“They did not say we lost $12 billion, $20 billion or $49.8 billion,” Jonathan added.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has warned Nigerians about the risks of flash floods and river overflows due to ongoing heavy rains.

In a statement released on Friday, the NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, urged citizens to take immediate actions to mitigate the impact of potential flooding.

Umar emphasised the importance of public cooperation, stating, “We must heed the agency’s warning by doing the needful — clearing our drainages and gutters as well as making way for water run-off.”

He noted that the prolonged rainfall across the country has already led to devastating flash floods in several regions.

Highlighting the agency’s commitment, Umar reiterated NIHSA’s mandate for effective water resource management.

“NIHSA will continue to monitor daily the water levels of our major rivers and tributaries, issuing flood warnings and alerts along with providing flood predictions,” he said.

The DG also revealed data on the water levels in key rivers, noting that the “steady rise in the water levels of River Niger and Benue has gotten to the red mark.”

He urged residents living along riverbanks to take precautions, advising them to “relocate to safe locations and secure their lives and property.”

Umar further stressed the collaborative efforts between NIHSA, emergency response agencies, and the media to safeguard lives and property across the nation.

He stated, “It is an effort to help save lives and property of Nigerians, in order to abate flood impact, enhance food security, promote national resilience to flood, thereby fostering sustainable water resources management.”

With the rainy season in full swing, the need for vigilance is paramount. The NIHSA is encouraging all citizens to stay informed and prepared as they monitor the evolving situation.

By Jude Onyenedogha & Jennifer John

Imo State Government says it is rolling out the drums for the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.

The state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy Hon. Declan Emelumba made this disclosure during a press briefing at the conference hall of the Ministry of Information, Owerri, yesterday.

He listed the events lined up for the celebration to include; Jumat prayer, already held yesterday at the state Central Mosque, Church Service to be held at the Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Tomorrow, Sunday September 29, by 9:30am and to be officiated by the Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji.

The grand finale of the celebration, according to the Commissioner will be on Tuesday, October 1st, at the Ndubuisi Kanu Square (former Heroes Square) Owerri, with Iwejuru, distinguished Imo personalities from various field of endeavor in attendance.

Emelumba said: “As you know, it is not easy to attain 64 years of age, even as a person, not to talk of a nation. So the government sees it that this is worth celebrating and we are rolling out the drums to celebrate it.

The grand finale according to the Commissioner will feature military parade and match past by school pupils/students, workers, as well as various volunteer groups. He added that the governor will at the end address Imo people.

The Commissioner used the opportunity to invite Imo people to fully participate in all the events listed above, which he said the whole idea is to make this year’s celebration, exceptional and memorable.

No fewer than 200 women from four banditry-ravaged local government areas of Katsina State and civil society organizations (CSOs) have brainstormed and re-strategized on how to strengthen peace and security in the state.

The women drawn from the four local governments of Batsari, Jibia, Danmusa and Kankara, through the Women Peace and Security (WPS) initiative of Mercy Corps, converged on Katsina, the state capital, where they deliberated on ways of fostering peace.

The two-day women dialogue was organised by Mercy Corps in collaboration with the Katsina State Ministry of Women Affairs with support from International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Under its Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation in North-west Nigeria (CMCR-NW) project, funded by the European Union (EU), Mercy Corps and partners seek to build the capacity of women and CSOs in peace-building and peaceful co-existence in the state.

One of the participants from Jibia, Amina Mohammed, said the dialogue would assist all women to work harmoniously towards achieving cohesion in the peace-building process in communities rather than working at cross-purposes due to duplicity of activities.

She said Mercy Corps and its partners have empowered them with fresh insights and recommended better ways of working together to ensure peaceful coexistence among communities affected by banditry in Kankara, Jibia, Batsari, Danmusa and other parts of the state.

Another participant, Zainab Aliyu-Kankara, explained that the women’s dialogue served as a veritable platform for them to collectively deliberate on innovative strategies for peace-building in the state, especially in communities ravaged by insecurity.

In her remarks, the Senior Programme Officer of Mercy Corps, Lynda Nkechi Emmanuel, said the two-day women peace and security dialogue was aimed at developing collaborative strategies for promoting peace and security in the state.

According to her, the WPS initiative was a significant step taken by Mercy Corps and partners towards empowering women to play a critical role in promoting peace and security across communities in Katsina State.

She said: “We have over 200 women here who have been selected from Danmusa, Jibia, Batsari and Kankara to discuss the role of women in peacebuilding, identify challenges and opportunities and develop collaborative strategies for promoting peace and security.”

While emphasising the importance of women’s participation in peace-building, the Mercy Corps programme officer encouraged them to take ownership of the initiative by reciprocating the gesture in their respective communities.

In her opening remarks, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Yar’adua, reiterated the state government’s commitment in tackling security challenges and improving the welfare of women and children affected by conflict.

She assured the participants that the state government under the leadership of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda would continue to prioritise their needs and work towards creating a better living environment for women in the state.

SIMON EBEGBULEM…

The most recent victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the national level, at the sub national off season governorship election in Edo State, once again brings to the fore, the untiring efforts of notable individuals of the party, towards expanding the frontiers and making it the party of first choice by Nigerians.

Try as it may, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) baseless attempts to exonerate itself from the hardship confronting Nigerians, the effects of which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has frontally taken on to reverse, via the Renewed Hope Agenda, will ever be to the utter shame and regret of PDP.

Assuredly, and in the not too distant, as more of the gains of the re-engineering matrix of  the administration bear more fruits, then would the true meaning of the fabled 60-years-rule by the PDP and the juggernauts that touted it, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dawn on Nigerians. Their plan being to put Nigerians under perpetual and everlasting bondage, misery and suffering.

Nigerians are now wiser, and nothing encapsulates this more than the APC’s thumping that brought a well deserving end to the Godwin Obaseki eight years of maladministration in Edo State, and back into the fold of the forward looking APC.
Under the instruction of the leadership of the APC led by President Bola Tinubu, that Edo State should be salvaged and recovered back to the fold of the party, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State was beckoned on to lead other Progressives governors in ensuring that the mission is accomplished, applying all democratic principles.

Governor Uzodimma is one of the silent heroes that worked day and night to make this come to reality, and once again ensure that democracy flourishes in Edo and its dividends cascade down to the good people of the state, under the leadership of the Governor-Elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, beginning November 12 and beyond.

Senator Hope Uzodimma, fondly called ONWA by teeming supporters and admirers comes with lots of Democratic antecedents predating his mounting of the saddle as Imo State Governor, in 2020.

A former member of the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly, he, not unlike President Tinubu, who he holds in the highest of regards and esteem, has joined in expanding the frontiers of the party, ensuring notable spread across the Niger and far beyond the Heartland state, where he has continued to endear the ruling party to all and sundry.

With sterling performance in Imo, which has expectedly rubbed off on Ndi Imo at the federal levels, through appointments, added to the glaring Federal presence in the state and coupled with his administration’s unsurpassed infrastructural and economic development strides, Governor Uzodimma has continued to garner accolades from far and wide, several of which has translated into more recognition and added responsibilities.

Into his first tenure in office, colleagues from the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, in recognition of his leadership qualities made Senator Hope Uzodimma Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, while President Bola Tinubu, even from before coming into office, has chosen to work with him, charging him with the most sensitive of assignments, of which he has creditably discharged and delivered on.

In the process and along the ways, the APC has gained and continues to add, a windfall of notable and heavyweight defectors from the major opposition parties in the geo-political zone, into its fold.

The landmark APC victory in Edo
Right from the beginning, Governor Uzodimma has been in the tick of the battle to rightfully return Edo State, back to the fold, working assiduously with others, including the leader of the APC in the state, Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, a former two-term governor, to make this manifest.

It is therefore no surprise that following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as winner of the September 21 election, on Sunday, congratulatory messages poured in from high, far and near. Uzodimma being a loyal party leader may not understand what he and others have achieved in getting Edo back to the APC fold, but those who have followed the political history of the state will better understand.

After Comrade Oshiomhole left the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as its President , people from all walks of life, advised him to contest for the Presidency of this nation. But Oshiomhole opted to run for the governorship after the masses of Edo State persuaded him to come and lead them out of the PDP conundrum. That was how Oshiomhole joined in the governorship race in 2007, under the umbrella of the then Action Congress, with alliance with the Labour movement. However he was rigged out by the PDP and Edo people cried foul. The current President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu mobilised resources for Oshiomhole and recruited forensic experts who deployed the most modern of techniques, including recounting the ballot papers used for the election. That was how, on March 20, 2008 the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal nullified the election of Prof. Osarhiemen Osunbor and declared Oshiomhole the authentic winner of the poll. And, on 11 November, 2008, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the state election petition tribunal declaring Oshiomhole winner. Therefore, Governor Obaseki made one of his too numerous blunders, when he and his cohorts came with their usual rhetoric that, “Edo is not Lagos.”

Sadly, after the efforts made by the now President Tinubu and Oshiomhole to bring Edo into the APC, Governor Obaseki who was handed the ticket of the party by the latter, against all odds, took the state back to PDP to the chagrin of many, including President Tinubu and Oshiomhole.
It is therefore understood, why President Tinubu deployed his political ally in the South East, the political strategist, Governor Hope Uzodimma, to return Edo back to the APC fold.

Uzodimma did just that, applying all democratic tenets. He campaigned to the Igbo community in Edo vigorously and reminded them of all the anti democratic actions of Governor Obaseki, which includes his refusal to swear-in 14 elected members of the state House of Assembly. He rallied his colleague governors to ensure that the dream of Mr President is achieved in Edo.

By reclaiming Edo State to the APC, Governor Uzodimma is already galvanizing support for President Tinubu’s 2027 second term bid, which is well expected; clearing all hurdles and expanding the political horizon of the APC come 2027.

It is not surprising that today he is refered to as the “Lion” of the South East. As chairman of the South East Governors, Uzodimma has been able to propagate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, and today we are witnessing the influx of people into the APC in the South East.

The APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, while congratulating Senator Monday Okpebholo, commended the political sagacity of Uzodimma and other progressive governors.

“We look forward to a prosperous new chapter for Edo state,” said Ganduje.
There was wild jubilation in the ancient of Benin, when the Returning Officer (RO) for the Edo State governorship election and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the keenly-contested election at 9:26 p.m. on Sunday, September 22.
He announced that Okpebholo, representing the Edo Central Senatorial District, secured 291,667 votes to defeat the PDP candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, who got 247,274 votes.

The Labour Party’s (LP) Olumide Akpata, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), came a distant third, securing 22,763 votes. This declaration ended the plot by governor Obaseki to continue to keep Edo under the stranglehold of his factional PDP. And thanks to Governor Uzodimma whose superior political dexterity rescued the state from that stranglehold. For sure, President Tinubu can now relax, that his APC has made a major in-road into the South South ahead 2027.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has sounded the alarm over the high number of lives lost to boat accidents in the state, with a staggering 182 casualties recorded in the past three years.

The governor, through his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, spoke at the 2024 World Maritime Day celebration and distribution of 33 Fiber Glass Boats, held at the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) headquarters in Minna on Thursday.

Decrying the situation, he noted, “The huge number of loss we have incurred as a result of boat mishaps in the state is unacceptable

“From the available data, the state lost a total of 95 lives in 2022, 68 lives in 2023 and so far this year ( 2024) 19 casualties have been recorded. No life is worthy more than the other, we should all walk the talk to halt the menace.”

Bago also commended N-HYPPADEC for their timely intervention, acknowledging that the gesture will greatly alleviate the suffering of riverine communities while reiterating the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of inland waterways for year-round transportation.

Earlier, the Managing director of N- HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, explained that the 2024 World Maritime Day coincided with the commissioning of fibre glass boats to be distributed to riverine communities along the rivers and lakes of hydroelectric dams across N-HYPPADEC member states.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’, he explained that the Commission decided to procure the fibre glass boats to enhance marine transportation and mitigate the recurrence of boat mishaps, which have plagued the communities for many years.

Yelwa also recalled the painful loss of several lives in boat accidents, a development which caused untold hardship in the communities neighboring the Kainji Lake between the vicinity of Shagunu of Borgu Emirate in Niger State and Warrah of Yauri Emirate in Kebbi State.

According to him, “Recognising the dangers posed by water snags, we collaborated with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to carry out a water snags clearing project.

“Together, we removed a considerable number of tree logs from parts of the Kainji and Shiroro Lakes, significantly reducing the likelihood of boat accidents caused by the snags.”

The House of Representatives has told Aliko Dangote, the owner Dangote Refinery, to disclose the cost he is selling petroleum from his refinery to NNPC Limited and other major marketers.

The lawmakers also asked NNPC to disclose the amounts the refinery is paying for crude oil.

This resolution followed a motion moved by Oboku Oforji on Thursday during plenary.

DAILY POST reports that there has been dispute between NNPC Limited and Dangote Refinery over the cost per litre of petrol from the refinery.

NNPC Limited has claimed to be buying petrol at N898/litre from Dangote, however, the refiner disputed the figure, stating that it is selling less than the amount.

To address challenges surrounding the distribution of its products, the lawmakers urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner to get Tank Farms or depot across the geo-political zones in the country.

In the motion, Oforji commended the refinery for its impact on energy sovereignty of the country.

“Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels, attraction of foreign capital investment, generation of Forex through export of finished product,” he said.

To achieve sustainability, Oforji said Dangote Refinery should sell products directly to the independent marketers.

The motion was adopted unanimously by the lawmakers.

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.