The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • Mass exodus of teachers from Nigeria looms, as UK begins teachers employment next year

    Mass exodus of teachers from Nigeria looms, as UK begins teachers employment next year

    AS Nigeria grapples with mass migration of medical personnel to Europe and North America, the same may soon be witnessed in the education sector as the United Kingdom begins employment of qualified Nigerian teachers from February next year.

    Currently, 350,000 Nigerian teachers are qualified for such employment from a pool of 1.5 million.

    Already, the move is spiking mixed feelings with some critical stakeholders opining that the UK was only looking for cheap labour to employ, while others say the development should not be seen as another type of brain-drain.

    Specifically, teachers certificated and assessed qualified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, will from February 1, 2023, be exempted from sitting for qualifying courses with the Teaching Regulation Agency, TRA, and thereby be given Qualified Teaching Status, QTS, in England.

    QTS is England’s equivalent of Nigeria’s teaching licence issued by the TRCN.

    Other countries where the UK is expecting teachers to take advantage of the new policy are Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

    Number of certificated Nigerian teachers

    According to figures from the TRCN, about 350,000 teachers in the country have taken the qualifying examinations of the council out of the estimated 1.5 million teachers on the payroll of governments across the federation.

    Being on the Concurrent List in the constitution, local, state and Federal Governments are allowed to set up schools and employ teachers.

    UK looking for cheap labour – NUT

    Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Akintoye Hassan, said Nigerian teachers have always discharged themselves creditably when it comes to professionalism.

    His words: “Yes, the truth is that Nigerian teachers are good and great and they deserve commendation for performing under conditions that are not conducive. It is not that Nigerians are not good, the atmosphere is simply hostile.

    “The British Government recognises this and has listed our country among those whose services are needed in that sector.

    “Unfortunately, what value do we place on teachers here? I see what the UK government wants to do as a business decision, as far as I am concerned, they just want to minimize cost and get cheap labour.

    “Few days ago, nurses in that country went on strike because of poor remuneration. When they get new intakes for the job, they will start them at lower levels and pay them less.

    “For those coming from Nigeria for instance, the situation will still be seen as better than what obtains here. We must note that the situation portends danger for Nigeria.

    “The reason is that when countries such as Britain balance up regarding workforce, they will shut their doors. It is not that our own people are not good, are they appreciated and recognised?

    It is not brain drain – TRCN

    Registrar of TRCN, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, in his view, said it shows the high quality of Nigerian teachers.

    “When we started these innovations in the teaching profession, we stated that our qualifying examinations would be of global standards and the UK has confirmed that with this policy.

    “It is not only there, but even from Canada, the United States and many other countries, we get inquiries on daily basis.

    “I don’t see it as a kind of brain-drain. The world has become a global village and people even work for firms in Europe while living here in Nigeria.

    “Moreover, our people will gain some insight there and which could positively rub off on our society later,” he stated.

    Teachers deserve better treatment – ADAMOLEKUN

    On her part, Convener of Enough is Enough, EIE, Project, Ms Yemi Adamolekun, noted that Nigerian teachers ought to be given better treatment than what they are experiencing now.

    “Even before the British government came out with this policy, are our compatriots not going to sleep at embassies?

    “Initially, I used to discourage people who want to leave the country for overseas to stay, but with the way things are being run, can anyone stop another person from leaving for greener pastures somewhere else?

    “Even if it is going to be seen as a sort of brain-drain, nobody can stop those who want to take advantage of it.

    We must improve on the welfare issues pertaining to our teachers and professionals generally.

    Government should fulfil its obligations to workers,” she said.

    (Vanguard)

  • FG reacts to allegations of Nigerian Army’s involvement in mass abortion programme

    FG reacts to allegations of Nigerian Army’s involvement in mass abortion programme

    The Federal Government has berated an international media organisation, Reuters, over a report about the Nigerian Army’s involvement in a mass abortion programme.

    According to Reuters, the Nigerian Army operated an unlawful, systematic, and covert abortion operation since at least 2013.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, while speaking at an event in Abuja on Monday intended to present the scorecard of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation under Buhari, claimed that the study lacked sufficient proof to establish its veracity.

    A minimum of 10,000 pregnancies among women and girls, many of whom had been abducted and raped by terrorists, had been forcibly terminated, according to the research.

    Following the Reuters probe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the Nigerian government to look into complaints made by the news outlet.

    However, Mohammed accused the media organization of peddling fallacious information.

    “A foreign news agency recently released a report on the military. They made these allegations without a piece of singular evidence, citing only anonymous sources and a review of phantom documents.

    “The writers deserve an award in fiction writing,” he noted.

    “The agency claimed that its investigation was based on interviews with 33 women and girls.

    “How do they use interviews with 33 women and girls to arrive at the bogus claim of 10,000 abortions?

    “And in a further indication that the figure of abortions quoted was arbitrary or possibly conjured, the agency first put the figure at 12,000 before settling for 10,000,” he said.

    Mohammed also said the federal government had given its military a clean bill of health over the allegations stressing that they had served meritoriously at home, and at regional and global peacekeeping operations from 1960 to date.

    “We know that military operations in the North-East are not arbitrary but based on the military’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Rules of Engagement (ROE), among others.

    “Where any proven infraction or criminal act has been committed by any soldier, the law has always taken its course.

    “But it is beyond the pale and downright dangerous to accuse a nation’s military, without any verifiable evidence, of massive illegal abortions and infanticides,” he said.

    (Ripples)

  • FG lost $46.16bn to oil theft in 11 years –NEITI

    FG lost $46.16bn to oil theft in 11 years –NEITI

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has thrown its weight behind the decision of the federal government to set up a ‘Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft and Losses in Nigeria’, noting that oil theft has robbed the country a whopping $46.16 billion in revenue between 2009 and 2020.

    NEITI in a statement described the decision as bold, courageous and timely, considering the fact that oil theft has assumed a frightening dimension in recent times and has wreaked monumental havoc in oil production and the country’s revenue generation.

    “This information and data were provided by an average of eight companies audited over the years”, the statement noted.

    NEITI further lamented that it was regrettable that at a time Nigeria’s economy was largely dependent on oil revenues, some Nigerians would choose to collude with foreign nationals to steal and sabotage the main sources of revenue for the federation.

    The Agency particularly expressed delight over the collaboration between Offices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and that of the National Security Adviser in coordinating the investigations and its wisdom to appoint NEITI in this Special Panel in view of the Agency’s strategic relevance to guide the Panel with reliable information and data.

    NEITI in the statement also explained that as an agency with legitimate interests and mandates in enthroning transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector, it will seek technical support where necessary from 57 member countries of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to address the international dimension of oil theft in the work of the investigative panel.

    NEITI further disclosed that after a careful review of the Terms of Reference of the Panel on Oil Theft Investigation, it found the terms of reference of the Committee, comprehensive, incisive, and attainable.

    The Panel is among other things required to establish the ramifications of crude oil theft/losses in Nigeria; ascertain the causative factors immediate and remote of crude oil theft/ losses in the country; with the widest possible amplitude, identify persons/entities whether public, private or foreign, involved in the criminal enterprise; Ascertain the illegal insertion into the Trans Escravos Pipelines (TEP) around Yokri area in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Other recommendations in the Terms of Reference are to establish the level of culpability of identified persons/entities in the enterprise; Examine the specific roles of Regulatory Agencies; Security Agencies Tiers/Arms of Government and International Oil Companies(IOCs) in aiding and abating the criminal enterprise; Assess the efficacy of the security architecture/arrangement in tackling crude oil theft/losses and associated petroleum products and recommend appropriate, commensurate and sufficiently, deterrent sanctions on all those culpable. The Panel is also expected to recommend steps, procedures, and processes to be taken by the government to eliminate the enterprise in the industry to prevent future occurrences.

    NEITI gave assurances that, working with other members of the Panel who have been carefully selected to carry out the oil theft investigation, the agency will rely more on its multi-stakeholders to support the work of the Committee.

    NEITI, therefore, appealed to civil society, the media, development partners and extractive companies to devote time, energy, and resources to provide reliable information and data to the panel through the open call for submission of Memoranda from individuals and as groups to the Panel.

    In a related development, NEITI has renewed its call to the Federal Government to establish a similar Special Investigation Panel on the Glencore Bribery Scandal.

    Glencore is one of Nigeria’s oil traders that was convicted in the United States and Britain for paying bribes in various sums to some government officials in Nigeria, Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Brazil, and Venezuela over a period of ten years.

    The global public disclosure about Glencore was made by the United States Department of Justice which later convicted Glencore of the said crime. Glencore has pleaded guilty to the charges and agreed to pay over $1.1 billion to the United States Government.

    Some Nigerian government officials in the oil and gas industry were among those who were alleged to have received the bribe payments to facilitate and secure crude oil contracts and other business advantages for Glencore.

    Following NEITI’s request to the Federal Government to launch investigation into the Glencore Bribery Scandal, the assurances were received by NEITI that matter is under investigation.

    NEITI in the statement strongly believed that a special investigative panel on Glencore Bribery Scandal will fast-track the investigations towards apprehending the culprits in view of the huge implications to the country’s investment drive and global image.

    (Sun)

  • Filling Station owners dismiss DSS order, task Govt to do the needful

    Filling Station owners dismiss DSS order, task Govt to do the needful

    The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has dismissed the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Department of State Services (DSS) for oil marketers to make petrol available for Nigerians as inconsequential.

    PETROAN Chairman, System 2E, Eastern Zone, Sunny Nkpe, who said this during Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday, tasked the government to do the needful.

    The DSS through its spokesperson, Peter Afunaya, had on Thursday ordered petrol marketers to make the product available in order to solve the crisis of long queues in many parts of the country.

    Hours after the order, there were reports that the crisis of fuel scarcity had been mitigated.

    However, IPMAN Chairman, Ibadan Depot, in-charge of Oyo and Osun states, Bukola Butiu, said some private depot owners were profiteering from the current situation.

    Nkpe in the Monday interview said the problem would persist until the cartel operating among private depot are effectively handled.

    He said: “Let me make it categorically clear here: there is no amount of threat by DSS that is going to change anything. If it must change, they must start from the source; they should go to the private depot operators to find out where for now we are getting products from.

    “Until the cartel or cabal in that area is handled or taken care of, we can never get any reduction or fairness in the distribution of the product.”

    (Ripples)

  • Enugu Assembly commends Govt, alleges sabotage on security efforts

    Enugu Assembly commends Govt, alleges sabotage on security efforts

    The Enugu State House of Assembly has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for rising to the task of routing pockets of insecurity situations in the state.

    The Assembly also alleged that there was possible sabotage from external factors against the efforts of the state government in tackling traces of insecurity in the state, and urged the state residents to synergize with the state government in dealing with the matter.

    The Chairman of House Committee on Information, Jeff Mba who made the commendation stated that Enugu State is one of the safest states in the country as acknowledged by the Nigeria Police.

    Mba said that the security synergy became necessary following the inability of the federal forces to counter all the challenges confronting the country, hence both community policing and other forms of security apparatus became necessary to continue in the task of protection of lives and properties of citizens.

    He noted that Governor Ugwuanyi has invested so much in the security of the state such as in the establishment of the 5200 neighbourhood personnel, the highest state government-funded vigilante in the 260 wards of the state, noting also that the state government has 1,700 Forest Guards, covering communities in the state, which no other state has beaten in such security apparatus.

    According to Mbah: “My motion mainly called on stakeholders of every community to support the effort of His Excellency in tackling insecurity considering the enormous resources he has invested already.

    “We can no longer rely wholly on federal security agencies because we have seen sabotage and compromises here and there. What we are saying is that the insecurity in the state is no longer what we will leave for the state government alone or the regular security apparatus. Because of the skirmishes here and there and suspects within the federal security agencies, we want our communities to own their security apparatus.”

    in these few months turn everything upside down.

    “The communities and stakeholders need to be part of the security. To sensitize people so that if they hear anything they can report it. If you have people in the community who are contributing to the insecurity in the community, you let certain quarters know so that it will be easy for the government, with all the effort, to be able to achieve results.

    “It’s more like initiating an all-inclusive method to ensure that there is peace, especially this Christmas period. So, we are not calling on the Governor as if the Governor has failed. No, that is not the issue.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Protesters ground NASS, task lawmakers to back CBN cashless policy

    Protesters ground NASS, task lawmakers to back CBN cashless policy

    Protesters, yesterday, barricaded the entrance of the National Assembly and called on lawmakers to support the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy and currency redesign.

    The agitators under the umbrella of Initiatives for Patriotic Nigerians argued that the new policy would stabilise exchange rate and promote free and fair elections.

    The Convener, Abubakar Kurawa, who spoke in Abuja, said it was not in dispute that proliferation of liquid cash in the hands of many create more damage than good to the country, be it economic, political or security.

    “There is no gainsaying that criminals such as kidnappers, drug dealers, oil thieves and so many others not mentioned, always makes use of cash to achieve their illicit goals.

    “Given this fact, coupled with the present security challenges across the country, all hands must be on deck to ensure that necessary support is provided to curb the menace. In the case of CBN, the support it can give in this regard is to curtail the money in circulation, hence this policy can’t be more timely.

    “Also, this is an election period. Due to amendments of Electoral Acts which makes open manipulation of election results practically impossible, some politicians are likely planning to indulge in massive vote buying (we witnessed what happened in the recently concluded Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial election).

    “To this end, CBN is playing its corporate social responsibility by making sure that huge cash withdrawals is made very difficult or impossible. By this, it helps in ensuring free and fair elections.”

    Meanwhile, House of Representatives has rescheduled the appearance of the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, before the parliament for Tuesday next week.

    Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, who disclosed this at plenary, said Emefiele, who was scheduled to appear yesterday had written to say he was out of the country.

    The House had last week summoned the CBN governor to appear before him over the new cash withdrawal limit approved by the apex bank. The CBN pegged the maximum cash withdrawal by individual per week at N100,000 and N500,000 for corporate organisations. Also, the maximum daily limit for individuals at N20,000, effective from January 9, 2023.

    Regardless, lawmakers, while debating a motion on the propriety of the new cashless policy, had argued that the policy if allowed to stand would strangulate the economy, as well as impose hardship on the people.

    According to them, contrary to Section 8(4)(5) of the CBN Act, which mandates the apex bank to brief the National Assembly on monetary policies, at intervals, Emefiele has allegedly kept the parliament in the dark on major policies by the CBN.

    However, the CBN governor, in a letter to the House, informed the lawmakers that he was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation to the Washington DC, and would not be available.

    However, a high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has refused to stop the new cash withdrawal policy of CBN.

    Rather, Justice Chizoba Oriji granted an order for accelerated hearing of the motion on notice filed on behalf of 20 million unbanked Nigerian citizens.

    Those who filed the suit marked FCT/HC/CV/724/2022 for themselves and on behalf of 20 million unbanked Nigerian citizens are, Adamu Sarki, Shekwoyi Gaza; Philip Tanko; Victor Okoro and Ismaila Ibrahim.

    The rest are Mohammed Rabo; Yunusa Musa Gani; Helen Luka; Suleiman Yusuf and Adamu Gaidam Asu.

    Listed as respondents are the president, the Attorney General of the Federation, CBN and the governor of the apex bank.

    In an exparte motion moved by their counsel, P. A Obu, the applicants prayed the Court to grant injunctions restraining the Respondents from proceeding with the January 31, 2023 deadline of the use of the current N200, N500 and N1,000 notes as it affects the applicants without any realistic plans or workable guidelines to cover the over 20 million unbanked Nigerians who are vulnerable to information and the use of technologically driven platform without the possibility of financial inclusion.

    They prayed for another injunction restraining the Respondents from implementing the revised cash withdrawal limiting the maximum cash withdrawal over the counter (OTC) by individuals and corporate organisations per week to N100, 000 and N500, 000 respectively which is a violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2002 which also constitutes a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights of the applicants as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

    Furthermore they asked the Court to grant an order for accelerated hearing to the Suit and also an order for substituted service on the parties while also praying for the order of court mandating the CBN to produce a detailed plan and guidelines covering the over 20 million unbanked citizens who are vulnerable to the use of telecommunication and technologically driven money platforms.

    Justice Oriji having listened to the counsel to the applicants refused the prayers for injunction but rather directed that all the respondents be put on notice to come and show cause why the order for injunction should not be granted against them.

    The judge thereafter adjourned the matter to January 10, 2023 after granting orders for accelerated hearing and substituted service.

  • 2023: We are investigating petitions against top politicians –Bawa

    2023: We are investigating petitions against top politicians –Bawa

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating petitions against top Nigerian politicians.

    Chairman of the agency, Abdulrasheed Bawa, stated this when he appeared on the Ministerial Media Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

    He said the Petitions Vetting Desk/Committee of EFCC made up of experienced officers from the legal department as well as those trained to investigate such petitions were reviewing petitions to see whether they have merits that would warrant prosecution.

    He assured that the commission was out to work for the interest of Nigerians as it is determined to carry out its duties without fear or favour.

    Asked if EFCC has received any petition against any of the 18 presidential candidates angling to succeed President Buhari, Bawa said some top politicians were on the watchlist of the agency

    “On the question of if we received petitions against top politicians contesting for office, my question is, at this hour do you want to start inviting all the presidential candidates to come and make statements? The same media will say it’s politically motivated. So, we are not. We are working behind the scene in all the petitions we received to see those that have merits, so that’s why we are not politicising it.

    “And that’s why we have what we call Petitions Vetting Desk/Committee made up of experienced officers from the legal department as well as those trained to investigate that will review these petitions to see whether they are in line with our own mandate before they will recommend whether they will be prosecuted by the EFCC.

    “We have benchmark for it that we can follow, that guides us, you know, in terms of accepting or rejecting petitions, you know, as we also have a criteria which have even been publicised to guide petitioners on the requirements to make a petition to have merit. Hope this question is not politically motivated?”

    During the briefing, the EFCC chairman provided updates and strides being made by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the of anti-corruption as well as the innovations that have been introduced by the Commission to curb financial crimes and money laundering.

    Bawa also disclosed that the commission is working in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restrict vote buying and other corrupt tendencies during the election.

    “We are doing quite a lot on this. We are working with INEC and a lot of people but ultimately we want to work with Nigerians. They should know the implications of selling their votes or accepting that their votes should be bought by these individuals.

    “We hope and pray that our modest effort will be able to curtail this issue of vote buying when it comes to the elections in February and March.”

    The EFCC chairman also stated that some top politicians were on the watchlist of the anti-graft agency.

    “Certainly we are watching a lot of them and a lot of Nigerians have also provided us with information here and there and we are watching, you can also help us with any piece of information you have,” he appealed.

  • Army Council promotes122 Generals

    Army Council promotes122 Generals

    The Army Council Thursday approved the promotion of 122 officers to the ranks of Brigadier Generals and Major Generals. The council after it’s sitting in Abuja, ratified the promotion of seventy Colonels to the ranks of Brigadier General and 52, Brigadier Generals to the ranks of Major Generals.

    Director army public relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement said their promotion was in recognition of their meritorious service to the nation.

    Nwachukwu’s statement reads; “In recognition of their meritorious service to the nation, the Army Council has on Thursday 15 December 2022, approved the promotion of senior officers to the ranks of Major General and Brigadier General.

    In the promotion signed and released by the Military Secretary (Army), a total of 122 senior officers of the ranks of Brigadier General and Colonels were elevated to the next higher rank.

    While a total of 52 Brigadier Generals were meritoriously promoted to the rank of Major General, 70 colonels were also elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.

    Amongst those promoted to the rank of Major General are Brigadier Generals AA Ayanuga of the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, EH Akpan of Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, NM Jega of the Defence Headquarters, JO Ugwuoke of the Department of Army Logistics, PAO Okoye of the Department of Army Operations, EF Oyinlola of the Department of Special Services and Programmes, AA Adekeye of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, AE Edet of Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, AB Mohammed of Army Headquarters Operations Monitoring Team, and MT Usman of the Headquarters Guards Brigade.

    Other beneficiaries include Brigadier Generals IM Abdullahi of Headquarters 35 Brigade, AO Agboola of the Department of Army Training, EE Emekah of Nigerian Defence Academy, HE Nzan of Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, LA Lebo of Department of Army Training, UT Otaru of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and AU Obiwulu of 1 Base Workshop, amongst others.

    Some of the colonels elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are, Colonels AO Ajagbe, JO Ogbobe, MG Hammawa, SS Bello, SOG Aremu, NG Mohammed, OI Odigie, CA Osuagwu, MO Eteng and ED Idima amongst others.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya congratulates all the promoted officers and their families. He has also charged them to remain focused, selfless and loyal in their service to the nation to justify the confidence and trust reposed in them by the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army and indeed all Nigerians”.

    (Sun)

  • FG approves new whistle blower bill

    FG approves new whistle blower bill

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has lamented that the whistle-blowing policy launched on December 21, 2016 by the Federal Government has lost momentum.

    The policy facilitated through the Federal Ministry of Finance sought to encourage people to voluntarily disclose information about fraud, bribery, looted government funds, financial misconduct, government assets and any other form of corruption or theft to relevant anti-graft agencies. It also included a reward for the whistle blower that provide information about financial mismanagement or tips about stolen funds with 2.5 – 5 per cent from the recovered funds.

    Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, after the FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said government had noticed how the whittle blower policy had lost momentum as people were scared to report graft fearing for their safety.

    She said to strengthen the fight against corruption, the council approved a new whistle blower draft bill which would protect whistleblowers that provide information for use by government.

    “The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning presented a number of memos today. The first is the draft whistleblower bill for 2022. This memo has been reviewed by council and approved with a provision to ensure alignment with the Evidence Act.

    “The purpose of operationalising and putting in place a whistleblower bill is to strengthen the fight against corruption and to also enable protection for whistleblowers that provide information for use by government.

    “As you know since 2016, the council had approved the setting up of the Presidential Initiative of Continuous Audit (PICA). PICA has been working in partnership with EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU as well as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

    “We noticed that the whistleblower policy response has lost momentum. We embarked on engagements in the six geo-political zones and one of the main outcome that we found is that people are concerned about their safety as a result of providing information. So this bill is critical to ensure the effectiveness of the retention of the whistle policy.”

    The minister also said the council approved N9.24 billion for the 2022/2023 Group Life Insurance cover for public servants.

    Ahmed, who said the memo was presented to council by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, explained that the insurance policy was meant to cover all government officials.

    “Council approved the total sum of N9.24 billion for the insurance cover for 2022 to 2023.This is an insurance cover that is covering officials in all government agencies, military and intelligence agencies.

    “As you know, the insurance will take effect from the date of payment and in Nigeria, by our laws, the insurance cover is 30 per cent of the annual emolument of any staff of government that is deceased and this cover is paid by the insurance company to the beneficiaries of the deceased staff,” she said.

    Council also approved the Finance Bill 2022 designed to support the implementation of the 2023 budget.

    Ahmed said the council also approved the memo for the design, construction and supply of nine numbers Ballistic Riverian assault boats, as well as nine numbers patrol boats with all associated accessories in favor of Messers Sewa West African limited in the sum of N689, 722, 681 inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT for the Nigerian customs service.

    Minister of State for Budget, Clem Agba, said the council also approved the revised National Social Protection Policy presented by the Minister of Finance and Budget and National Planning.

    Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu said council approved the contract for procurement of 20 number transformer tons ratio analyses awarded to Segulu Stembek Global Services Ltd, at the sum of N564,231,854.08 with 7.5 per cent VAT with a completion new period of four months.

    He said the transformer tons, ratio analysers were state-of-the-art testing devices for reliable testing and diagnosing of power transformers, noting that the device being used before now was an old device.

    (Sun)

  • South East loses N4trn over sit-at-home

    South East loses N4trn over sit-at-home

    A new report has said insecurity and the sit-at-home protest in the South East geopolitical zone have led to economic losses estimated at almost N4 trillion.

    The report was made available to the public by DevEast Foundation, a non-profit, issue-based policy and business advocacy organisation with emphasis on the development of Eastern Nigeria, by SBM Intelligence, a leading research firm.

    The study which focused on two categories of businesses – transporters and traders/artisans – also found that trading ventures lost between N655 billion and N3.8 trillion over 24 months.

    It said large-scale losses can be traced to specific factors including loss of between four and five working days per week; job losses due to cutbacks by business owners in response to the reduced working hours as well as other lost opportunities; loss of clients and customers who find alternatives because of the unstable business environment in the South East; increased cost of service delivery because of extra logistical costs, etc.

    “The obvious negative impact of insecurity in the zone which was escalated by the enforcement of the sit-at-home protest has been the subject of much discussion and speculation for a long time, but this is the first investigation of the phenomenon.

    “In addition to the activities of official and non-state actors of various stripes – “Unknown Gunmen”, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and Ebube Agu and military operations in the zone, agitations by IPOB as well as the #EndSARS protests of 2020 – have also worsened the security situation in the region and contributed to the losses.

    “But perhaps the most dramatic finding is the revelation that transporters plying inter and intra highways and other roads in the five states of the South-East Nigeria lose between N10 billion and N13 billion EVERY day of the sit-at-home protest.

    “Although all the states are affected by violence and threats of violence, the study found that Ebonyi is the most impacted by violence.

    “Another notable finding is that, despite the many complaints by businesses, nongovernmental organizations and individuals regarding the losses occasioned by the situation, there has been no government intervention or support of any kind to help those impacted.

    “The study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methods including surveys, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.

    “The research also found that the effect of the violence on all stakeholders has a compounding impact on businesspeople, traders, community leaders and similar groups. Another fallout is dwindling of public trust in political and community leaders due to their apparent helplessness,” the report signed by Ifeanyi Ikegwuani revealed.

    (Sun)

  • Cashless policy: Senators ask CBN to adjust withdrawal limit

    Cashless policy: Senators ask CBN to adjust withdrawal limit

    The Senate, on Wednesday, called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to make an upward adjustment of the proposed N100,000 per week for individuals and N500,000 per week for Corporate bodies in response to public outcry.

    The Senate also directed its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, to embark on aggressive oversight of CBN on its commitment to flexible adjustment of the withdrawal limit and periodically report outcomes to it.

    The Red Chamber however backed the CBN in its continuous implementation of transformational payments and financial industry initiatives.

    It adopted the resolutions after heated debate by senators on the proposed policy during consideration and adoption of report of its Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.

    Chairman of the Committee, Uba Sani, had in the report argued that the planned cash withdrawal limits, was well conceived by the CBN for transformation of the nation’s economy and that the action falls within the mandate of the apex bank as provided for, in section 2(d) and 47 of its extant Act.

    However, during general debate on the report and recommendations later adopted as resolutions, many of the senators kicked against the timing of the policy, warning that it may lead to mass revolt in the rural areas across the country.

    First to kick against it, was Ajibola Basiru, who said the proposed threshold of N100,000 and N500,000 withdrawal per week for individuals and corporate bodies respectively, was unrealistic.

    “Laws are made for people and not people made or created for law . If CBN is acting under section 2(d) and 47 of its extant Act to make life difficult for Nigerians through a policy, as representatives of the people, we need to intervene.

    “Such intervention from us is to make CBN realise that the proposed cash withdrawal limits policy is unrealistic and very injurious and detrimental to the well-being of rural dwellers, many of whom are our constituents.

    “Report of this committee recommending the policy to us and by extension, to Nigerians through suggestion of flexibility in implementation, is vague, nebulous and means nothing,” he said.

    Adamu Aliero, in his own contribution, the picture painted by the committee in its report on the proposed CBN policy, is nothing but an ideal picture of what the economy should be, which is a far cry from what economy is, in reality as far as Nigeria is concerned.

    “The proposed CBN policy does not capture the informal sector and very detrimental to the livelihood of rural dwellers who are not into e-banking…”

    “Public outcry against the policy is too much, requiring serious caution as far as implementation is concerned because Nigeria economy is predominantly rural,’ he said.

    Adamu Bulkachuwa, in his contribution, warned that the proposed policy, if not suspended, may trigger revolt from rural dwellers.

    (Sun)

  • President Buhari says he has done his best since 2015

    President Buhari says he has done his best since 2015

    President Muhammadu Buhari says despite the many challenges facing Nigeria, he has done his best since he assumed office in May 2015.

    He stated this on Tuesday in Washington while welcoming the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah and his deputy, Pastor Bob Roberts of the United States.

    The President also said there is the need to raise generations of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry.

    Read full statement:

    STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

    PRESIDENT BUHARI TO RECEIVE AWARD ON PEACE AND SECURITY, SAYS THE YOUTH MUST BE THE FOCUS

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday in Washington said the country’s youths are its promise for a better future and solving their problems is the priority of the government.

    Speaking while welcoming the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum, Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah and his deputy, Pastor Bob Roberts of the US who came on a visit to him, President Buhari said the work of the foundation in promoting multi-faith dialogue was as important to the world as it was to Nigeria.

    He spoke about the need to raise generations of youths devoid of religious extremism and bigotry, urging the group to continue to target the young people who are the promise of the future.

    “Your work is very important in helping, especially the youth, to understand one another and at the same time, to be proud of their heritage. This great initiative by you will help future generations to plan well and live together in peace. On our part, we will continue to solve our problems, especially as they relate to the youths. We are big in size and population, facing many challenges, but in many areas, we are trying. In seven-and-a-half years, I have done my best,” said the President.

    The Foundation Secretary General said they had come to inform the President, and to invite him to attend the conferment upon him, the Abu Dhabi Foundation’s award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in promoting peace and security.

    They said the conferment was in line with the Foundation’s work in fighting religious extremism and promoting peaceful coexistence and dialogue amongst all religions.

    Garba Shehu

    Senior Special Assistant to the President

    (Media & Publicity)

    December 13, 2022