DR
Bayelsa government resolves crisis at Niger Delta University
The mediatory meeting covered Wednesday at the instance of the Bayelsa State Government between the Governing Council of the Niger Delta University, NDU, students’ representatives and other stakeholders has restored normalcy to the state-owned university. Students of the university had been protesting against the closure of the institution’s portal for payment of school fees and alleged enforcement of compulsory wearing of school uniform by the university authorities. But rising from the last round of meetings directed by Governor Douye Diri which were presided over by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the Government House, Yenagoa, it was agreed that the portal for the payment of school fees be reopened. A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara At...
NCDC: Confirmed case of Delta variant of coronavirus detected in Nigeria
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on Thursday, said it had detected a confirmed case with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, also known as lineage B.1.617.2. The variant was detected in a traveller to Nigeria following the routine travel test required of all international travelers and genomic sequencing at the NCDC National Reference Laboratory, Abuja. The Delta variant is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a variant of concern, given its increased transmissibility. Facts indicated that the variant has been detected in over 90 countries and is expected to spread to more countries. The variant has also been linked to a surge in cases in countries where it is the dominant strain in circulation. According to NCDC, “there are ongoing studies to understand the impact ...
Head of Service warns of fake Facebook, LinkedIn accounts
The Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, has warned the general public to be aware of Fake Facebook and LinkedIn Accounts opened in her name by fraudsters. The statement released by the media office titled “Fake Facebook and LinkedIn Accounts”, read thus: “The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation wishes to draw the attention of the public to fake Facebook and LinkedIn accounts setup using names similar to those of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, alongside her photographs, and which are being promoted with the purpose of deceiving and defrauding unsuspecting individuals. “Unfortunately, despite frequent warnings and disclaimers and in some cases, the apprehending and parading of some of these devious elements...
NSITF raises N180 billion from employers’ enrollment in 10 years
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Dr. Michael Akabogu, has revealed that the agency has raised N180 billion from employers’ enrollment from July 2011-May 30, 2021. He also said that plans were afoot to plug revenue leakages, even as he warned the public to be wary of fraudsters masquerading as agents of NSITF. At an interactive session with Finance Journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Akabogu also stated that the scheme has registered almost 200,000 employers. Out of this number, 170,000 employers are actively involved in the scheme by making their contributions steadfastly. He added: “We have collected both from the private sector who have contributed about 80% of the total revenue and we have collected from the government and all other agencies, so we...
Mass defection: House member asks PDP national chairman to resign
Rep Rimamnde Shawulu (PDP-Taraba), has urged the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Uche Secondus, to resign following mass defection from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Shawulu said this a letter addressed to the chairman and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday. He decried the rate at which the party was losing members to the ruling APC in recent times. Shawulu also urged members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to resign. “Today, unexpectedly, four members of the House of Representatives from Zamfara defected from the PDP to APC,” he said. He said unlike before, when leaders of the party at the House usually put up a form of protest, not a whisper was heard or a hand raised in protest against the defection. “Dear...
Anambra election: Group hails APC panel for confirming Senator Andy Uba as party’s guber candidate
A group, under the umbrella of All Progressive Congress (APC), Concerned House of Assembly 2019 Candidates, has hailed Governor Inuwa Yahaya, of Gombe State, led Anambra APC Primary Election Committee, for confirming Senator Andy Uba, as the standard-bearer of the party, for the November 6th, 2021 Anambra governorship election. Tribune Online gathered that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, shortly after the June 26, 2021, APC Primary election, held across the 21 local governments of Anambra State, set up a reconciliatory committee, headed by Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, to address other 11 aspirants that called for the cancellation of the process, including the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige. The group, in a statement, signed and made available to Newsmen ...
Imo council chairs petition President Buhari over ‘lopsided appointments’ in NDDC
The Oil Producing Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Imo State under the auspices of Urashi Peoples’ Congress (UPC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse what it described as persistent lopsided appointment in the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In an open letter addressed to the president, which was signed by the Coordinator, Mr. Reginald Uwakwe, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday, the group lamented that the appointments into key positions i.e. the managing director of the NDDC, have been allegedly skewed in favour of only four states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta, out of the nine member states that made up the commission. It said between 2001 and 2021, the list of managing directors and their states included Dr. God...
#EndSARS: VP Osinbajo urges States to send judicial panels’ progress reports
As plans for next year’s budget begins to gather pace, the National Economic Council (NEC) has endorsed the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) which was presented to it at an emergency meeting of the Council today. Besides the MTEF presentation, the NEC also updated its focus on the reports of the State Judicial Panels set up across the country after last year’s #EndSARS protests. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged States where the panels are still sitting to also send interim reports so as to measure progress. According to the Vice President, in a statement by his media aide Laolu Akande, the reports are now being received ahead of a Council meeting where presentations would be made on them, both for States where the panels have conclude...
DSS asks Sunday Igboho to surrender
The Department of State Services (DSS) has asked Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho to surrender to the nearest security agency. The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, gave the advice at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja. He said 13 people were arrested in a raid on the Ibadan home of the activist early on Thursday. “Consequently, ADEYEMO/IGBOHO is advised to turn himself in to the nearest security agency. “Those cheering and eulogising him may appeal to or advise him to do the needful. He should surrender himself to the appropriate authorities. “He or anyone can never be above the law”, Afunanya said. He said those arrested will be charged accordingly. He said the operation was based on intelligence report that Igboho had stockpiled arms...
President Buhari approves 22 3-bedroom bungalows to 1994 Super Eagles squad
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the allocation of 22 3-bedroom houses to the Super Eagles Squad that won the African Cup of Nations in Tunis, Tunisia, in 1994, in fulfilment of an earlier promise by the Federal Government. This was sequel to a memo by Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, leading to the President approving the allocations in their states of preference. A release on Thursday by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, noted that six players and three technical crews had already received their houses. The benefitting players are: Peter Rufai, Alloy Agu, Ike Shorounmu, Uche Okechukwu, Samson Siasia, Efan Ekoku, Sunday Oliseh, Benedict Iroha, Isaac Semitoje, Mutiu Adepoju, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Eguavoen and Wilfred Agbonavbare (Deceased)....
Total targets more renewable electricity, LNG production by 2030
Total Companies in Nigeria has unveiled its corporate vision in line with the change of the Total Group to TotalEnergies. The organisation aims to produce more renewable electricity and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by 2030. The oil major also outlined its broad energy lineup that includes oil, gas, electricity, hydrogen, biomass, wind and solar. TotalEnergies is committing $60 billion to investment in renewable energy in the next 10 years, with 10 per cent of that investment expected to come to Nigeria. Speaking at a virtual parley with journalists, the Executive General Manager, Total Country Services, Mrs. Bunmi Popoola-Mordi, highlighted steps that would help in adapting the new name, logo and visual identity of the company. THISDAY had reported that the shareholders of Total Group, had ...
Senator Ayogu Eze not suspended – APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the purported suspension of former senator representing Enugu North senatorial district, Senator Ayogu Eze, describing it as a ruse. A former chairman of Ward 7, Mr. Nwokedi Ugwuoke, had circulated information on alleged suspension of Sen. Eze. Reacting to this, APC State Caretaker Chairman, Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, in a letter to the party’s National Chairman and governor of Yobe State, Buni Mai Mala, said the former chairman of Senator Eze’s Ward 7 had no power to suspend anybody. While asking the APC and the general public to ignore the purported suspension of Eze, he said the APC was investigating Ugwuoke and will soon apply appropriate sanction against him. He said the alleged suspension of the former senator was laughable and of no...
