By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
8th September, 2023
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu, has said that the ongoing humanitarian assistance across vulnerable groups in the country will no longer be business as usual, as the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is poised to end duplication of efforts and bring about durable solutions to poorest of the poor in the society.
To this end, the Minister said the federal government is set to cover fifteen million households under its upscaled social safety net project, aimed at teaching them how to fish and not to hand them fish to eat.
Edu disclosed this during an official visit to Maiduguri on Thursday where she visited Muna Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Bulumkutu Rehabilitation Centre, Shehu of Borno’s palace, Government House Maiduguri among other places, and interface with people affected by the over decade Boko Haram crisis, including repentant Boko Haram members and their wives, as well as some rescued Chibok school girls and their children.
She said the social safety net fund to be provided “is not a giveaway money as usual.
“We’ll begin an expanded upscale social safety net program which will be reaching out to at least 15 million households in Nigeria.
“We are putting conditions to it, these are funds to start up businesses, these are funds that put you back on track, so it is not government giveaways as usual, she said.
Edu warned that, “any money given by the government to anybody, there must be criteria attached to it and you will be held accountable for what you use government money to do”.
She noted that her ministry would work with the Borno State government on the expansion of the social register to accommodate more persons.
“Presently we have 15.7 million households on the social register and we have about 62 million individuals on the social register. But, this is completely inadequate compared to the number of persons that require intervention by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation” she said.
She explained that the register would be updated through immediate verification of people on the register to know whether they deserve it or not.
Governor Malam Dikko Radda has ordered the payment of the medical expenses of the victims of the terrorist attack in Katsina.
By Musa Abdulhakim Magam
8th September
Due to the terrorism that has afflicted some parts of Katsina State, Governor Dikko Radda has taken urgent measures including bringing aid to the victims of the terrorism.
The first thing the Governor did was to bring emergency aid to those who were wounded by gunfire when the terrorists attacked. Among the patients is Malam Aliyu Kabiru of Salihawa town in Fulani village, under Matazu local government, who suffered a dislocation of his spine as a result of shooting.
It is for this reason that His Excellency Governor Dikko Radda has given an urgent order to do the work for Malam Aliyu to get better, and the help will be done until he gets better.
Ibrahim Kaula Muhammad, the Governor’s spokesperson in the Government House, published this news in the Wednesday program, saying that the Governor’s efforts are not limited to the health of the patients, it is based on the people of Katsina as a whole. .
For a long time, Governor Radda has given support to the brave soldiers who were injured in the fight against the terrorists. Currently, the wounded soldiers are receiving treatment at Amadi Rimi, a special hospital in Katsina, according to Kaula.
Also, according to Kaila, one of the soldiers lost his life on Jibia-Batsari road after Gurbin Magarya road. The governor expressed his condolences to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the family of L/Cpl Mohammed Tijjani.
Customs boss removes defaulting banks from duties collection
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
8th September
The Acting Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has removed defaulting banks from the Customs Duty Collection System.The National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada (CSC) disclosed this in a statement, in Abuja, yesterday.
Although the NCS did not give details of the affected banks, it was learnt that they included some very large first and second generation banks that have refused to remit duties collected on behalf of the Customs Service to the designated banks.He stated: “The Acting Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has taken decisive action in response to selected Authorized Dealer Banks failing to meet Service-Level Agreements (SLAs) related to Customs Duty and statutory charge remittances.
“This decision follows a thorough audit and due process, aligning with the NCS’s commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection.”Accord to him, the primary objective was to ensure the accurate and timely remittance of Customs duties and other essential funds for national development.He said despite the deactivation of these banks, the Comptroller General has implemented measures to minimize disruptions for importers and stakeholders within the trading ecosystem.According to him, the trading community has been assured that all pending assessments will undergo clearance processes in line with international best practices.
He stated further: “Importers who previously relied on the deactivated banks for duty payments are advised to utilize other Authorized Dealer Banks that comply with NCS regulations.“Stakeholders encountering challenges with a particular bank are encouraged to use alternatives that function appropriately
DSS operative kills fashion designer
By Abba Batholomew Adikwu
8th September
Officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, on Thursday night, quelled a violent protest that erupted following the alleged killing of a fashion designer by an operative of the Department of State Services who shot intermittently and injured several people.
Some correspondents gathered that a customer brought the DSS official to the victim’s shop for allegedly failing to deliver some clothes on an agreed date.
A trader in the market, who did not want her name in print for fear of being victimised, said some of the fashion designer’s colleagues, who learnt about the incident, intervened but their interference did not go down well with the DSS operative.
She noted that the operative was arrested and detained by the police after he allegedly shot and killed the fashion designer.
Troops neutralise 814 terrorists over thieves,IPOB/ESN element in 3 months.
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
8th September
The military, yesterday, disclosed that a total of 814 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, IPOB/ESN miltants as well as oil theft, were neutralised between the month of June and August 2023 in operations to rid the country of criminal elements and economic sabotage.
Also, across the six geopolitical zones, troops arrested 1,326 criminals made up of 42 kidnappers, 231 collaborators, 33 armed robbers, 80 cattle rustlers, 325 militias, 27 rails vandals, 73 gunrunners, 191 suspected oil thieves and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, who briefed newsmen, said 4,560 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops within the period (June to August 2023).
According to him, “In Niger Delta, troops denied oil theft perpetrators/thieves the stealing of crude oil and allied products amounting to an estimated sum of N4 billion.
“During the operations, troops recovered a total number of 501 weapons, 3,577 livestock, 3,269 assorted ammunition and 674 other equipment, including 117 AK-47 rifles, 28 fabricated rifles, among others
NSCDC:SEVEN SUSPECTS ARRESTS FOR VANDALIZING CABLES IN KANO
By Khadijat Abdulfatai
8th September
The Operatives of Kano State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, have captured seven suspects alleged to have vandalized cables at different locations in the State.
DSC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, spokesman of the command, confirmed the arrest of the suspects to newsmen on Thursday in Kano.According to him, the arrest followed a surveillance by a team from the Command, in conjunction with vigilante officials.
The spokesman explained, in his statement “Investigations into the cases have been done since and completed and the suspects will be charged to court with conspiracy, vandalisation, as well as collecting stolen property.”
HEADQUARTERS 35 ARTILLERY BRIGADE CONCLUDES 81 DIVISION COMMAND POST EXERCISE 2023 ON HIGH NOTE
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
8th September
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman has on Friday 8 September, 2023 declared Command Post Exercise (CPX) 2023 closed after a week-long rigorous exercise in Alamala Barracks Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Exercise which was declared open on behalf of the GOC on Monday, 4 September, 2023 by the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Mohammed Tajudeen Aminu was aimed at refreshing troops on the rudiments of battle map marking, radio communication,operational briefings and watchkeeping amongst others as part of Army Headquarters Training Directives 2023.
The Director of Training, Army Headquarters Department of Training (AHQ DAT) Major General MA Etsu-Ndagi as well as observer from Headquarters 81 Division paid a visit to the Brigade to assess the overall conduct of the exercise. General Etsu-Ndagi applauded the Brigade for the level of preparation, zeal and proficiency exhibited during the planning and conduct of the exercise.
The CPX is in fulfilment of the Nigerian Army 2023 Forecast of Event which is in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja Command Philosophy which is *”To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-Trained,equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving Our Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint Environment”.
GOV.DIKKO APPROVES 600 MILLION NAIRA FOR SCHOLARSHIP
By Khadijat Abdulfatai
8th September
The executive Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda PhD, has approved the sum of 600 Million Naira to settle the outstanding scholarship payments for the 2021/2022 academic year, both for fresh and returning students.
In Addition, he also address the outstanding scholarship payments, for fresh students for the 2020/2021 academic session, of over 50,000 students for the great benefit of Katsina state students.
Gov. Dikko made this statement after a meeting with him this Morning lead by Hon.Commissioner Ministry for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmad, Executive Secretary of Scholarship Board Dr. Aminu Tsauri and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
Ukraine Condemns ‘sham’ elections in Russians occupied regions
By Abdurrahman Nasir Sa’ad
8th September
The election are taking place in regions of ukraine that Russia claimed as its own last year.
Ukraine’s foreign minister called
the polls a “sham”, saying the votes would not have any legal standing.
Candidate are all either Russian or pro- Russian and include governors hand-picked by Moscow.
Many taking part in early polling have been asked to cast their votes in the presence of armed Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian officials have warned people not to perticipate. They say any Ukrainian citizens involved in organizing the elections can expect to be punished in the future.
The council of Europe, a human Rights body, condemned the move in the “illegally annexed Ukrainian territories as a flagrant violation of international law, which
Russia continues to disregard”.
Two Zamfara hospitals get new CMDs
By waliyat Abdulsalam
September 8th
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has approved the appointments of Medical Directors at the Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital and the General Hospital, Gusau.
The state governor also approved the appointments of special advisors, senior special assistants and senior assistants.
The new appointments align with Lawal’s commitment to provide efficient service delivery and bringing the most capable individuals on board, according to a statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris.
“In the Ministry of Health, the governor approved the appointment of Dr. Aminu Muhammad as the Medical Director of Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital and Dr. Amina Hassan as the Medical Director of General Hospital, Gusau.
Furthermore, His Excellency approved the appointment of the following Special Advisers: Muhammed Anka, Special Adviser, Community Engagement; Nura Almajir, Special Adviser, Job Creation; and Bala Chafe, Special Adviser, Intergovernmental Relations”
“The other appointments are Nura Gusau, Senior Special Assistant, Human Capital Development; Ajiya Ajiya, Senior Special Assistant, Legal Matters; Musa M, Senior Special Assistant, Legal; Ibrahim Isma’il, Senior Special Assistant, Intergovernmental Affairs; Amina Danjuma, Senior Special Assistant, Donor Coordination; Ishaku James, Special Assistant, Youth & Sports, and Abdul Sidi (Special Assistant, Governor’s Office).”
In January 2023, the Joint Health Sector Unions in the state issued a one-week ultimatum to the government to pay their members’ salaries arrears and resolve the half salaries paid to some of them or else, they will shut down the hospital and withdraw their services.
However, the state government announced that it would start the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage in November 2022.
OSUN GOVT READS RIOT ACT TO DOG OWNER
By Ogbemudia Christian Aimwonmwan
8th September
Worried by the death of a baby from dog attack in Osogbo, the state capital recently, Osun State government has warned dog owners to tame their dogs or face prosecution.The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Tola Faseru, disclosed this while meeting with dog breeders, owners and veterinary outfits in the state.
A publication in the state bulleting on Friday stated that Faseru said the state would not condone dogs unleashing terror on residents.“Henceforth, dog owners will face necessary disciplinary action in line with the dictates of the law if any of their dogs is found culpable.“The rate at which unlicensed dogs roam the streets aimlessly is unfortunate.“It is now compulsory for all veterinary outfits to ensure that they are registered with the state government.“Similarly, all dogs must get anti-rabies vaccination certificate, which must be duly signed by a certified veterinarian,” he said.
The Commissioner also consoled with the family of a dog bite victim in Hallelujah Estate Area, Osogbo, where a dog killed a five month-old baby and injured the mother.
This is right time to invest in Nigeria’ — Elumelu tells Indian investors
By Olasukanmi Temitope
September 8th
Elumelu spoke at the Nigeria-India presidential roundtable and conference on Wednesday, in New Delhi, India, according to a statement by Heirs Holdings.
The meeting was jointly organised by the Nigeria high commission to India, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Nigeria-India Business Council (NIBC).
Elumelu, who was in Delhi for the Group 20 (G20) summit, invited India’s private sector leaders to join him and other global investors in accessing the rapidly evolving Nigerian economy.
This is the time to invest in Nigeria. I speak as a private sector investor in Nigeria, the companies in our Group’s investment portfolio demonstrate the opportunity. I believe you also can take advantage of our track record and Success,” Elumelu said in his keynote address.
“Nigeria is a huge market; over 200 million people with the largest economy on the continent.”
Most importantly, the businessman said the population is not just over 200 million people but “the demography of the population is exciting”.
We have a cohort of young people who are there to consume, and we also have people who are intelligent, energetic, hardworking, who provide the human capital that investors need to drive their businesses,” the business tycoon said.
Recently, Elumelu, was named co-chair of the Business 20 (B20) Action Council focusing on African economic integration, alongside Sunil Mittal, founder of Bharti Enterprises (owners of Airtel).
Established in 2010 within the G20, and the B20 comprise corporate business enterprises and organisations and serves as the official platform for dialogue between the G20 and the global business community.