Police Draft In Personnel To Control Traffic Ahead Of APC National Convention

 

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has drafted its personnel to control traffic in the city center of Abuja in order to ensure maximum safety as well as the continuation of economic activities which largely depends on road traffic,

According to a statement from the FCT police public relations officer, DSP Josephine Adeh said the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Convention is scheduled to hold from 25th to 27th March 2022 at the Eagle Square Abuja hence after critically and considerably drafting an operational order to maximize the deployment of human and material resources for the success of the convention, have deemed it fit to intimate members of the public about a few traffic diversions.

“The convention is usually greeted with a heavy influx of the Politicos from every part of the country and will be graced by the attendance of The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari( GCFR), The Vice president, and other notable party stakeholders.

In the light of the above, FCT police, therefore, diverted traffic from the following major roads

Good luck Ebele Jonathan By the Court of appeal

2. Behind Court of Appeal

3. Ecowas by Women Affairs

4. Finance junction

5. Behind Foreign Affairs

6. Kur Mohammed by National Mosque

7. Benue Plaza

8. Nitel junction

9. Phase 3

10. NNPC Tower

11. Ceddi Plaza bridge

12. Gana by Transcorp

13. DSS Headquarters

14. Phase 1

15. NASS Junction

16. Bullet

17. Bayelsa House.

“The FCT Commissioner of Police CP Babaji Sunday PSC while expressing confidence in the revamped security architecture of the Territory, urges members of the public to cooperate with the Police and consider the use of alternative routes. He also noted that the arrangement was emplaced for security optimization and ease of transportation.

“Finally, the Command urges the good people of the FCT to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police through the following emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883, While the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) desk, could be reached on: 0902 222 2352,”

 

Osun NSCDC Boss Warns Teachers Against Child Abuse

 

Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja's love for children could not be hidden as the pupils of Stallion Academy, Ring Road Osogbo paid a courtesy visit to Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command Headquarters, Ilesha Road, Osogbo on 24th March, 2022, while welcoming the pupils, Commandant Ocheja charged teachers against child abuse.

According to a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer Nigeria Security and Civll Defence Corps Osun State Command, ASCII Atanda Olabisi, she said that he further urged teachers and school owners to prioritize education of pupils and students in the care so as to assist them to achieve their full potential in life, be good citizens and contribute positively to nation building. The Commandant reiterated the mandates of the Corps in providing security for students while in school and ensuring that no child is abused.

Commandant Ocheja warned teachers who may be engaging in child abuse to desist from such act, stating the Child Right Act that has been domesticated in the state has enough provisions to prosecute anyone found guilty of any form of child abuse.

He also enjoined the pupils to always speak out anytime they are abused by anyone. He advised pupils to "report any form of abuse to your teachers and parents and be rest assured that NSCDC will not spare any one that abuses you, I will make sure the person face the full wrath of the law".

The Osun NSCDC boss also took the time to explain the core mandates of NSCDC to the pupils. With an emphasis on the protection of lives and property, Commandant Ocheja enlightened them on the importance of proactive intelligence information and safety measures. He told the pupils they were not too young to contribute to the security of the country by giving relevant information to security agencies.

In order to encourage the visiting pupils, Miss Ayomikun Omotola, a seven-year-old emerged as a 2-minute Osun State Commandant. She was privileged to sit on the Commandant's seat, give orders to other pupils in attendance amongst other entertainment activities.

In her appreciation remarks on behalf of the children, the school coordinator, Mrs. Oladayo Adekoya commended Commandant Ocheja for his passion for children, She said the school remained resolute in ensuring the provision of quality education and protection of its students.

NCC’s Experiences at ITU Bolstering Nigeria’s Digital Transformation - Danbatta

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FG Launches Capacity Building Programme For Indigenous Startups

Representative of the Director General National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Engr Salisu Kaka flanked by some of the Participants of the Capacity Building Workshop on Lean and Agile Products with DevOps organized by the Agency.

The National Information Technology Development Agency NITDA through one of its subsidiaries, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), in collaboration with Lotus Beta Analytics Nigeria Limited has commenced a Capacity Building Program for Vibrant Startups with the aim of supporting their Innovative capacities.

Held at the Public Service Institute (PSIN) Kubwa, Abuja, the training centered on Modernization of Legacy Solutions, Migration of On-Premises Business Solutions to the Cloud, Development of Cloud Applications and driving exponential revenue growth.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE said the Capacity Building will help the Agency achieve its goal of creating more Innovation Driven Enterprises (IDEs) in line with the objectives of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Pillar.

Represented by the Acting Director of Digital Economy Development Department, NITDA, Engr Salisu Kaka,noted that it was borne out of the Agency's desire of ensuring the successful implementation of the Present Administration's National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS) within the stipulated period.

Adding that, "the sudden increase in demand for software and online web-based applications among businesses as necessitated by the COVID-19 outbreak had a positive impact on the growth of DevOps market and led to the growing need of DevOps solution among businesses to streamline the process of software application development by promoting collaboration between various entities of software development lifecycle. 

Additionally, the rise in need for continuous and fast application delivery and increase in focus on reducing Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) and Operating Expenses (OPEX) drive the growth of the DevOps market. The global DevOps market size was valued at US$6.78 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach US$57.9 billion by 2030. Therefore,this collaboration is apt and timely in ensuring that our startups benefit from the DevOps market growth” he explained.

He urged participants to make the best use of the opportunity to tap into the growing DevOps market by ensuring that all learnings are translated into meaningful use to scale their businesses and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.

On his part, the Managing Director, Lotus Analytics, Mr Ademola Akinbode, who featured virtually said the programme will serve as a springboard to groom tech startups,is also expected to develop Nigeria's Tech ecosystem.

Also in her goodwill message,representative of Nigeria Country Director Microsoft, Mrs Edu-Abasi Chukunweike,lauded the initiative,while pledging Microsoft's readiness to providing the platform required to develop indigenous startups.

NNPC Supplies 995 million Of Premium Motor Spirit To States

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Claims Of Alleged Plot To Stop Boms From Participating In APC Nat’l Convention, A Warped Strategy To Compensate For The Imminent Failure That Awaits A Perfidious, Valueless Clown - Eze

 

....Counsels Abe to Desist From Dragging Amaechi into Irrelevant Matters

...Commends the South South Stakeholders for rejecting Boms as his election as a none member of APC would have spelled doom for the party

... Urges Delegates to vote Giadom as the National Zonal Vice Chairman SS

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has cautioned the former lawmaker who represented Rivers South-East at the red chambers, Sen. Magnus Abe, and his band of irking saboteurs to desist from dragging the Transportation Minister into the dirty waters of their private political merchandise in their bid to curry undue relevance from their deeply hypnotized and ambitious political victims ahead of the scheduled March 26 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress.

Sen. Magnus Abe had claimed that an alleged plot to stop the election of a birdbrain, Barr. Worgu Boms, as National Vice Chairman, South-South, of the All Progressives Congress,  at the forth coming convention by the  Minister of Transportation, had been uncovered.

Abe, in his mindless claim contained in a statement he issued Sunday night through his media assistant, Parry Saroh Benson, averred that Rt. Hon. Amaechi was shopping for a judge that would grant him a restraining order barring Worgu Boms from contesting in the said election.

Reacting to Sen. Abe's snobbery, Chief Eze, an erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People's Democratic Party (nPDP), said the claim by the former lawmaker is simply part of a scheme to vulgarly decorate Boms and his inconsequential aspiration with some relevance, using the towering personality and status of the Minister of Transportation.

Having seen the imminent failure that awaits Boms' pimping Deputy National Chairmanship crave at the convention, Chief Eze said the perfidious clown and political merchant and his helpers resorted to a vulgar and tasteless publicity stunt to announce their ambition.

Chief Eze called on members of the public to disregard Abe's careless claim, noting that Wogu Boms’ inordinate ambition is driven by pride, greed, and avarice and therefore has nothing to do with the very ultimate interest of the APC and her teeming supporters.

He said the Transportation Minister is constantly preoccupied with the concerns of his office viz, providing quality services for the comfort of Nigerians and cannot stoop so low to engage in an issue as trivial as the valueless political interest of Sen. Abe and Worgu Boms, both of whom are nosy-pokers, having faked to revalidate their membership of the All Progressives Congress as lawfully directed.

Eze expressed shock that Magnus Abe who claims to love Ogoni and her people very much to work against the aspiration of a true son of Ogoni in the person of Chief Victor Giadom to represent the South-South zone of the country as the National Zonal Vice Chairman of the party. This simply demonstrates his level of impunity and selfishness

Eze commends the South South APC Stakeholders for rejecting Worgu a none APC member and endorsing Giadom whose antecedents as a patriotic leader of the party are well known to all and sundry.

From the report based on the Unity list as signed by the stakeholders has former APC Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom (National Vice Chairman S/S); Dr. Betty Edu (National Women Leader) and Dr Felix Morka (National Publicity Secretary) to represent the Zone at the National Working Committee of the party.

I am convinced that with the calibre of leaders endorsed to represent the zone the zone will be properly represented.

The fact remains if characters like Boms who have done so much to destroy the party were elected that would have spelled doom for the party in the zone

The party chief appealed to party faithful and especially convention delegates, to ensure that only the right people in the right frame of mind, perception, mentality and most importantly with the fear of God would emerge to lead the party to victory in 2023.

He finally appealed to delegates to vote in Chief Victor Giadom, erstwhile Acting National Chairman and former National Assistant Secretary of APC, as the National Zonal Vice Chairman for South-South region seeing that he has the capacity to represent the zone accordingly.

Digital Transformation: Nigeria To Experience Drastic Surge - NITDA

 

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has expressed optimism that in the coming years, there would be a drastic surge in Nigeria’s digital transformation projects in the public sector.

The Agency said this would be occasioned by the “sudden digital shift the world is currently expressing” which would make the digital transformation global spending to 1.78 trillion USD before the end of the year 2022. 

The NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa disclosed this in Abuja during a Breakfast Session tagged “Journey to the Cloud,” the event organised by MainOne in partnership with NITDA is aimed at sharing industry trends and experience towards accelerating digital transformation in the public sector.  

Inuwa, who was represented by the Acting Director, Digital Economy Department, Engr Salisu Kaka quoted research conducted by the International Data Corporation that predicts digital transformation investment would total 6.8 trillion USD between 2022 to 2023, adding that the world's GDP is set to be digitalized by 2022 and 70% of organizations globally will have to accelerate their use of digital technologies, transforming existing business processes and models to drive customer engagement, employee productivity, and business resiliency. 

He attributed the digital transformation’s growth to several contributing factors that are awakening the consciousness of the world and reemphasizing the importance of digital technologies. 

According to the DG, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic was one of the reasons for the growth. He added that, “the pandemic necessitated the need to create a new workspace, work culture, and new competencies and capabilities; this has considerably increased the digital transformation tempo around the globe in 2020.”

He observed that, as part of its Digital Transformation efforts in the last five years, NITDA has embarked on a series of initiatives to drive government-wide adoption of e-Government, digitization of Government processes, and improvement in the maturity of the country's digital capabilities to match the realities of the global digital economy. 

He noted that “the efforts are regulatory and developmental in nature and are ultimately geared towards building a strong foundation for digital economy development and a proudly Digital Nigeria of our dreams adding that having a continuous interaction with the private sector which are the large supplier and the public sector the large consumers would enhance meeting the expectation of the sector".

While acknowledging that the establishment of the Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups in the Federal Public Institutions was necessitated by the approval and the launch of the Nigeria e-Government Master Plan by the Federal Executive Council and the launching of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, Inuwa maintained that the two documents have provided “clear directions for the government’s digital transformation of the economy and the society for a digital Nigeria.”   

He said, “We at NITDA believe that realizing the objectives of these two documents required building appropriate human capabilities, partnerships, co-creating, and knowledge-sharing environments. This belief puts the competence and capability of professional public servants at the forefront of NITDA's effort on the digital transformation agenda and drives the Agency to continually seek partnerships that can further enrich our digital transformation Journey for a digital Nigeria.”

Inuwa, however noted that digital transformation has rendered countries and organizations more agile in responding to unknown changing phenomena making them more resilient adding that adoption of emerging technologies such as cloud services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes imperative. 

Describing NITDA as the apex IT regulatory Agency and the leading driver of the digital economy, the NITDA boss assured that the Agency would continue to prepare the FPIs for digital transformation journey. 

He said, “We are preparing the Digital Transformation Technical Working Groups (DTTWGs) to lead the journey in their organizations. The DTTWG was formed and inaugurated in about 100 FPIs by the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, on Thursday 27th August 2020. Composition of the membership cut across personnel from Technical, Procurement, Admin, and the Directorate cadres. All members inaugurated so far were enlightened on their basic roles and responsibilities.” 

“Today, we have achieved another milestone by creating a platform to facilitate the coming together of the DTTWG chairmen and one of our key players in the technology industry is to share experience and discuss critical issues that could accelerate or be clogged in the wheel of our digital transformation agenda,” Inuwa disclosed. 

The DG, who was optimistic that the platform created by the breakfast session would encourage constructive stakeholders’ input and the buy-in for driving local data domiciliation and cloud-first policies maintained that continuous co-creation engagement with the DT-TWGs chairmen and key technology industry players and service providers will enable the sharing of experience, successes and challenges,       

In her welcome remarks, MainOne Chief Executive Officer, Dr Funke Opeke who was represented by the company’s Head, Enterprise and Regional Business, Olubunmi Ogun disclosed the company has developed a reputation for providing highly reliable services. 

She said the company today has provided Microsoft services for client which involves creation of applications to aid ease operations adding that the acquisition of the company by Equinix would ensure more values are derived from the services of the company.        

Sylva, CDS Irabor, And Komolafe Speak Out, Saying Criminality In The Oil Sector Must Stop Now.

.....Kyari Optimistic of Containment

The Federal Government has warned that it would no longer condone any form of criminality on the nation's oil and gas facilities and installatjons, saying that crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal refiners have their days numbered.

According  to  a press release on Thursday 24th March, 2022 signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC Ltd, Garba Deen Muhammad, he said that the warning came from the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, during an on the-spot-assessment of some pipelines damaged by pipeline vandals and other criminals in some areas and communities of Rivers State, on Wednesday.

At Ibaa Community in Emeoha Local Government of Rivers State where the powerful FG delegation witnessed an illegal refinery burnt down by the Military, Sylva said apart from causing huge losses for the country, the criminals were also destroying livelihoods of locals and the environment.

To solve the problem, Sylva said "the community must be involved, the security arm must be involved and the third arm which is the operating publics must also be involved. I want to let everybody know that these criminals have their days numbered because the country has lost so much from their activities.

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor said in carrying out Mr.

President's directives to contain losses from these criminalities, the Military will deploy a different strategy and a new drive by pursuing not only the criminals, but also their sponsors.

"We are not only zeroing in on the criminals, but also on those who are supporting them."

In his remarks, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe described the acts of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism as "a national disaster and the perpetrators as criminals."

"For those who want to do legitimate business, there are clear government regulationson how that is done. But what we've seen here today are criminals and their activities will no longer be tolerated.

On his part, the GMD/CEO NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari explained that the scale of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism seen in the community was beyond explanation, adding that all hands must be on deck to contain the spate of crude oil losses in the country.

While appreciating the curent leadership of the Military, Kyari expressed confidence that through a collaborative effort of government security agencies, host communities and oil companies operating in the area and with the deployment of the right technology, the menace would be contained.

Nigeria’s Pantami Advocates For A Secure Africa Cyberspace At GISEC 2022

Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has called on African governments to ensure the safety and security of the continent’s cyberspace through actionable policies, strategies and initiatives that support and drive cybersecurity.

According to  a press  release  signed by the Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs), she said that Professor Pantami made the call  Wednesday, 23rd March 2022 while delivering the opening address at the Global Africa Forum of the Gulf Information Security Expo and Conference (GISEC), holding at the World Trade Centre Dubai. In his detailed presentation, the Minister who quoted copiously from his book; CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVES FOR SECURING A COUNTRY, emphasised the need for a deliberate and inclusive plan centred around developing a National Digital Economy Policy to serve as the overarching policy for issues relating to cybersecurity, conducting a baseline study to identify the main cyber threats and the key elements of the cybersecurity ecosystem and developing a National cybersecurity policy or law.  He also talked about enhancing and protecting critical ICT national infrastructure, capacity building, establishing a national cybersecurity centre to include a shield to scan and provide  a safety score for government and critical websites, and the enhancement of data protection and privacy, among others.

The Minister who further harped on the importance of digital identity as an enabler for cybersecurity as acknowledged globally said “the international community through the agreement of target 16.9 of the Sustainable Development Goals, calls for all UN member states to provide legal identity for all including birth registration by the year 2030. This is in recognition of the role of digital identity systems in supporting multiple development goals”.

The Minister, who oversees the largest digital economy in Africa, illustrated the strategies to a secure continental cyberspace using Nigeria as an example as most of the strategies outlined have already been adopted or are in full effect in the country. As a Professor of cybersecurity with the Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO), the Minister also discussed the importance of the government-industry-academia triple helix model for promoting cybersecurity in Africa.

In attendance were Osai Bonsu Dickson, Chief Legal Adviser, Ministry of National Security Ghana, Ishaaq Jacobs Chief Cybersecurity Officer, South Africa, Kashif Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of Nigeria’s Information Technology and Development Agency, Engr Abdulaziz Aliyu, Director General of the nation’s Identity Management Commission and cybersecurity experts from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Kyari Moves Against Oil Bunkering, Pipeline Vandalism And Illegal Activities

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Gombe State Government Makes Presentation At Dubai Expo

.....showcases business potentials to investors

A delegation of Gombe Government led by the state’s Chairman of  Investment and Property Development Company (GSIPDC), Dr. Umaru Kwairanga (Sarkin Fulanin Gombe), has made a presentation at the ongoing World Expo hosted in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The presentation was done to showcase the potentials of the state in terms of business opportunities to attract direct foreign investments from participating countries and multi-national corporate entities.

In his presentation, Dr. Kwairanga outlined some of the competitive advantages of Gombe state being the commercial nerve centre of the northeast region, such as stretch of arable lands for agriculture, abundant mineral resources like uranium and gypsum and tourism potential among others.

The presentation also conveyed to the audience, the investment opportunities at the ongoing Gombe Industrial Park project which will upon completion, produce more jobs, improve the tax base of the state and business retention as well as create more developmental projects across the state. 

It could be recalled that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had while presenting the blueprint of the multi-billion naira project to President Muhammadu Buhari, explained that when completed and put in operation, it would facilitate the growth and development of small and medium businesses. He maintained that companies that would operate at the industrial park will provide a more sustainable, productive and growing economic environment in the state. 

Governor Inuwa had late last year visited the Nigerian Pavilion at the Dubai Expo where he interacted with the Nigerian officials as well as some prospective investors with Gombe State’s potentials in agripreneurship, agro-allied processing and marketing brought to the fore, especially with the establishment of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadinkowa, located within the vicinity of the completed hydropower plant, which already has 40 megawatts of power.

The project has been described as a big attraction for investors and industrialists, as the zone boasts of fertile agricultural land and other natural resources..

192 countries are currently participating in the Expo which began on 1st October, 2021 and will end 31st March, 2022.

Agro Rangers: Osun Nscdc Advocates Peaceful Dispute Resolution, Coexistence Amongst Farmers, Sawmillers And Herdsmen

Herders-farmers conflicts involve common  dispute over land resources across Nigeria amongst farmers, sawmillers and herdsmen, hence the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, Commandant Emmanuel Ocheja advocates for Alternative Dispute Resolution amongst Farmers. 

According  to a  press release signed by the Relations Office,  Nigeria Security and Civll Defence Corps, Osun State Command, ASCII Atanda Olabisi, she said that  the Head of Agro Rangers Unit of the NSCDC, Osun State Command, Deputy Commandant of Corps (DCC) Yaqeen Rafiu Olarenwaju who represented the Commandant made this known while featuring on a program ‘The Defender’ with the Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Corps II (ASC II) Atanda Olabisi on 22nd March, 2022. 

DCC Yaqeen uncovered some of the benefits that accrue in the course of mediating between farmers and herders in Osun state and by extention, Nigeria at large. The Deputy Commandant stressed that the establishment of Agro Rangers Unit in NSCDC some couple of years ago has indeed aided the Corps in maintaining peaceful coexistence between aggrieved farmers and Fulani/Bororo herdsmen in no small measure.

 He condemned the use of coercive effort in settling herders/farmers conflicts as it attracts no consequential positive effect. The Deputy Commandant highlighted some of the benefits as outright eradication of bloody clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen, the accrual of financial compensation to the affected party through Alternative Dispute Resolution brings about peaceful coexistence between the two parties and restoration of unity between the farmers and the herdsmen.

He opined that inter-tribal clashes are threats to national unity, hence, the need for Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

DCC Yaqeen equally dwelled on the sawmillers who deal in felling of trees in the bush. The activities of sawmillers and loggers also affect the crop farmers, adding that disputes do not only happen between the crop farmers and the herdsmen alone.

He, therefore, educated the general public that the sawmillers are also not exempted in the area of damaging farmers' farmlands and crops in the course of their daily search for means of livelihood.

DCC Yaqeen also stressed that every effort of the Unit is being geared towards curbing the menace of herders/farmers clashes through peaceful Alternative Dispute Resolution, the mechanism of which has greatly helped in restoring seemingly endless peace in our various communities within the state. 

He hinted that the newly established Agro Rangers Base Stations (ARBS) across the senatorial districts would bring the Agro Rangers personnel closer to Agro Allied stakeholders in the grassroots. 

He expressed his profound gratitude to the Osun state Command of NSCDC,Commandant Ocheja Emmanuel for his commitment and solidarity with the Unit in accomplishing its aims and objectives inspite of several challenges.

Sanwo-olu Unveils Taxi Scheme, Targets Car Assembling Plant

 

One thousand brand new saloon and sports utility vehicles have been unveiled as the pilot vehicles of the Lagos ride taxi schem, otherwise known as LAGRIDE.

The e-hailing taxi scheme is part of a joint venture between the state government and a Chinese car Manufacturing Company, which also include the establishment of a car assembling plant in Lagos.

Operators are required to pay about N1.9 million down payment, of which the sum covers the 20 per cent equity of cost of vehicle, registration and insurance. Each car being used in the scheme comes with technology-enabled security features that monitor every journey undertaken.

In his remarks during the unveiling of the vehicles at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the scheme as a promise fulfilled as the scheme is part of his administration’s plan of enhancing mobility suitable for the megacity status of Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-olu noted that the modern ride service is also part of his government’s socio-economic intervention programmes as prospective drivers are allowed to pay for the vehicles in installment over a period of four years.

To improve riders’ and passengers’ security, Governor Sanwo-Olu said a full security gadget, including a 360 dashboard camera that will give 24-hour audio-visual feeds to the control centre, had been pre-installed on each car deployed for the scheme.

He explained that a physical panic button is installed in each car and can be used by anyone on board in case of assault or emergency. The panic button, the Governor said, is also on the mobile application and is connected to the Control and Command Centre of the State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the Chinese Car manufacturing Company to increase the capacity of its car assembling plant which is almost completed in the State.

In a goodwill message, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun, challenged the Lagos State government to invest more in rail transportation to decongest traffic on Lagos roads.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, stated that to reduce cost of riding, a ride sharing option had been imputed in the Lagride application, which is already live on the various app download platforms

As part of the launching of the Lagride, Governor Sanwo-olu and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat booked rides using the online application.

Your Days Are Numbered Sylva Tells Crude Oil Thieves, Pipeline Vandals

 

The Federal Government has warned oil thieves and pipeline vandals in the country that their days are numbered as their activities would no longer be condoned.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva said this on Wednesday during an on-the-spot assessment of some pipelines negatively impacted by the unwholesome activities of the criminals in Ibaa Community of Emeoha Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; GMD/CEO, NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari; Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and members of Operation Delta Safe.

According to Sylva, the days of crude oil thieves, pipeline vandals and illegal bunkers were numbered.

He said the government would no longer condone any affront on the nation’s oil/gas installations.

In his words: “The single biggest problem in our industry today is the issue of insecurity, this has come to the attention of everyone, including Mr President.

“The president has directed myself and the CDS and the GMD of NNPC to ensure that the problem is handled once and for all.

“There are three elements to solving this problem-the community must be involved, these people who are engaged in these illegal activities are not ghosts, they are from the community, so the community has to be involved.

“You, as the security arm must be involved, because you are the security arm of the government and also as part of the government, must be involved.

“The third arm is the operating publics. I believe that finally, this problem will be resolved. We are determined to stop it. I want to let everybody know that these criminals have their days numbered. This country has lost so much from the activities of these criminals.”

NDLEA Intercepts 1.9million Tablets Of Tramadol, Codeine At Lagos Airport

 

…. Arrests drug kingpin behind Ghana-bound 11.913kg Cocaine

Operatives of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have seized over 1.9 million tablets of Tramadol and Codeine imported into the country from Pakistan and United Kingdom through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.

According to a press release on Wednesday 23rd March 2022 signed by the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy Femi Babafemi, he said that of the total seizures, 40 cartons of Co-Codamol, a brand of paracetamol with Codeine, which is classified as Opioid, were seized from a freight agent, Eraikhueme Ehis. The seizure made on Thursday March 10 translates to 349, 800 tablets weighing 336kg. The consignment came from London, UK as a consolidated cargo through the SAHCO Import Shed of the airport. The consolidated cargo was declared as personal effects but was discovered to contain some medicaments.

In the same vein, no less than 1, 584,000 tablets of Tramadol were recovered on Tuesday 15th March by NDLEA operatives in collaboration with Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Customs service personnel at the airport. The seizure includes 17 cartons of 250mg Tramadol branded as "Tamra" weighing 669.70kg and five cartons of 225mg Tramadol under the brand name "Royal" with a gross weight of 217.15kg.

The psychotropic substance, which was imported into the country from Pakistan was smuggled through the airport tarmac using one of the vehicles of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) and was intercepted at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Personnel Yard. Two suspects: Ofijeh John Mova, a SAHCO driver and Nyam Gazu Alex who is a security guard with the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) have so far been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The previous day, Monday 14th March, a total of 2,160 tablets of Co-codamol weighing 1.95kg and 240 tablets of Tramadol were also intercepted in a consolidated cargo from the UK at the SAHCO import shed of the airport. Follow up operations led to the arrest of the importer of the consignment, Omonijo Temidayo the following day Tuesday 15th March.

Similarly, follow up operations have also led to the arrest of Hajiya Mariam Saliu in Edo state on Monday 14th March after investigations uncovered her as the brain behind attempt to export 1.55kg cannabis to Dubai through the Lagos airport on 5th March.

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives have arrested one of the kingpins behind the attempt to smuggle 11.93 kilograms of Cocaine to Accra, Ghana through the Seme land border, Lagos. The 50-year-old suspect, Oyewunmi Ademola Ahmed was arrested on Tuesday 15th March at Mile 2 area of Lagos after series of follow up operation following the arrest of a driver, Osagie Anthony with the 11.913kg cocaine at Gbaji, Seme-Badagry expressway on January 23.

In Kwara, a drug dealer, Hope John, 30, was arrested on Saturday 19th March at Goodness area of Offa with different quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine, designer drug and cocaine.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the officers and men of the MMIA, Kwara and Seme Border Commands of the Agency for their commitment, dedication to duty and maintaining cordial working relationship with other stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.

 

2023: Ekeremor Raises N15 Million For Senator Dickson’s Re-Election

Prominent political leaders and stakeholders from Ekeremor Leaders, Local Government Area have made voluntary contribution of over N15 million to purchase the nomination of interest form for the Senator representativeness Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Ekeremor is the second local government is making up the Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

The people were unanimous in their position that Senator Dickson has done so much in the two years he has spent in the Senate as a voice of the people, Bayelsa and the Ijaw Nation.

The meeting which held under the Ekeremor Local Government Area PDP Stakeholders for Ofuruma Pepe 2023 project was organized under the leadership the Deputy Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Michael Ogbere, the Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Mr Perekeme Bertola and others.

The meeting acknowledged Senator Henry Seriake Dickson for the various  developmental projects established under him in the Local Government Area, Bayelsa while he served as governor.

In the communique issued at the end of the meeting, the people also commended the former Governor for the sustained individual support he has given to countless sons and daughters of the area, Bayelsa West and Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation, thereby bringing most of the people to political limelight.

They said that they have not had any doubt about the capacity of Senator Dickson to attract more national support to the state and the district to augment the productive efforts of Governor Douye Diri.

The communique reads in part, “That, we hereby unequivocally reiterate our earlier position that the informal zoning arrangement in the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, severally pushed and advocated by several political stakeholders of the District has never been embraced and respected.

“Our position is justified with particular reference to the 2015 and 2020 Senatorial Elections where sons of Ekeremor Local Government Area severally and fragrantly undermined that noble arrangement, driving their disrespect for the arrangement up to the Supreme Court.

“That, judging from the above premise, we hereby agree and resolved to elect any candidate of our choice irrespective of a particular local government area until such a time when we shall agree across party lines to formally zone the two National Assembly seats and respect same.

“That, we irreversibly and irrevocably resolve to embrace preference for competence and effective representation as against primordial sentiments.

“That, we resolved with passion to have His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson represent us again at the hallowed Red Chambers of the National Assembly, come 2023, with a Ranking Status, buoyed with vast legislative experience, tremendous National Influence and capacity to attract positive dividends of democracy to our Senatorial District and of course strengthen all shades of support for our performing Miracle Governor, Senator Douye Diri.

“That, we condemn in totality any under current movement fuelled by any unseen force within and without Bayelsa West Senatorial District, aimed at planting seeds of discord among our peace-loving political class.”

'How We Turn Gombe To Epicentre Of Peace, Development Despite Insecurity In North East- Gov. Inuwa

 

...Receives Award As Peace Ambassador of Nigeria

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his administration has taken effective measures to maintain the prevailing peace in the state, and turn Gombe to
epicentre of development despite the insecurity in the north-east region.

According to a press release on Wednesday 23rd March 2022 signed by the Director-General (Press Affairs) Gombe Government House, Ismaila Uba Misilli, he said that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 2022 annual security conference and recognition awards ceremony organised by People’s Security Monitors, where governor bagged the Security Ambassador of Nigeria ( SAN) award. 

The event, which took place at the National Merit House in Abuja had in attendance security top brass, enthusiasts and diplomats.

Governor Inuwa,  who chaired the event said “We thank God for helping us as far as the issue of security is concerned. We are in the midst of the north-east, sharing borders with the frontline states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. So, we’ve tried as much as possible to manage security in Gombe state. We are happy and by the grace of God, we shall try to sustain that".

Represented by the member representing Akko Federal Constituency and chairman House Committee on Police Affairs,  Hon. Usman Bello Kumo,  the Governor acknowledged the support of security agencies in facilitating peace and harmony.

He said despite religious, social, ethnic and other differences that normally cause friction among the people, Gombe State has been able to surmount the challenges with the understanding of its people.

The governor disclosed that the government has adopted a holistic approach by enhancing its internal security architecture.

“In addition to the novel ministry of internal security and ethical orientation which we set up on coming on board in 2019, we have security management committees in place, comprising traditional rulers from the ward, to districts, emirates and chiefdoms, up to the state level. Therefore, we share information and manage whatever decision we take, and whenever there is an issue, we nip it in the bud without allowing it to get to an alarming level.”

Governor Inuwa appreciated the People's Security Monitors ( PSM)  for recognising the modest efforts of his government in the area of security,  assuring of his administration’s readiness to work with the organization.

Earlier,  the Chief executive officer of PSM, Mr. Ishiaka Mustapha said the award on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya as Security Ambassador of Nigeria ( SAN) was in recognition of his dedication,  sacrifice, and commitment to the promotion of peace and security in the country.

Digital Evolution; NITDA, Others Partner To Sustain National Socio-economic Development

The Ag. Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy Department, Dr Atistotle Onumo who represented the NITDA DG giving his key note address

With the evolution of the digital industry to meet world class standards, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has partnered with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) National Assembly (NASS) and Cyber Future Academy (CFA) to ensure that Nigeria which holds the largest economy in Africa with over 41.5 million SMEs, take advantage of the paradigm shift in the technological advancement of the nation’s development.

The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE while giving a keynote address at the Nigeria ICT Week critically highlighted the Nation’s roadmap to a digital transformation towards achieving a National Social and Economic development.

The event, an initiative of NITDA, NEPC, NASS and CFA which was held at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja had the sector’s key players in attendance to share ideas on how to create viable and comfortable environment for indigenous startups to thrive.

Inuwa who was represented by the Agency’s Ag. Director of Corporate Planning and Strategy Department, Dr Aristotle Onumo stated that the Agency has made a strategic decision in joining the global trend and described the event as a platform for sharing the nation’s digital transformation journey.

“This event very much aligns with our mandate at NITDA, which is to develop and transform the Digital Economy sector of this great nation by setting up the necessary regulatory and governance framework that will stimulate the growth of the Digital Economy ecosystem”, Inuwa noted.

Buttressing his point further, the DG highlighted Agency’s support for indigenous startups which have contributed largely to the $4billion generated by the continent’s tech startups in 2021 alone and have caught global attention. 

“While we recognize the ocean boiling strategy through which the digital ecosystem has evolved over time, the Agency has been in the forefront of catalysing a new approach towards supporting the emergence of a viable digital ecosystem”, he averred.

Speaking on the Agency’s unprecedented achievements, Inuwa mentioned that the NITDA Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2021-2024 (SRAP) has offered a veritable compass for navigating the Nation’s volatile, uncertain and dynamic digital industry.

He emphatically stated that the implementation of the SRAP anchored on partnership and stakeholder collaboration which encompasses public, private, indigenous and international has reinvigorated the entire digital ecosystem.

Disclosing some of the Agency’s interventions, the NITDA boss stated that 6 startups have been supported to secure a grant of N300million and entrepreneurial capacities have been built for youths through effective collaborations with NEPC and Mass Challenge respectively just to mention a few.

While giving assurances of growing the Nation’s digital tech ecosystem, Inuwa stated that the Agency is committed to making Nigeria a digital talent hub for Africa by leveraging on the various community-based programmes and other strategic initiatives designed to harness raw digital talents and transforming them to productive digital skills.

“As we prepare to enter the final decade of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, it is imperative that we give priority to embracing the technological innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to address our most pressing developmental challenges”, he concluded.

During his earlier welcome address, the Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT & Digital Economy, Hon. Solomon Adaelu mentioned that power is a major restricting factor to growth in the country and urged participants to come up with solutions leveraging on the distributed ledger that can provide a transparent, efficient and secure power factor.

“At the legislative level, we will give support to many of these ideas and programmes as they come and I want to encourage all the agencies that are here to continue to partner with these programmes”, he urged.

Other key players at the event included the MD/CEO Galaxy Backbone who was represented by the Organization’s Group Head, Regional Offices, Mr Abdulmaliq Suleiman, the Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State and coordinator of UNIDO centre, Mrs Shimite Bello, as well as the Ag. Coordinator, Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), Mr Yakubu Musa among others.

With Cooperation, We Can Improve Revenue Mobilization For Our Two Nations - Nami Tells Niger Tax Authority

The revenue mobilization of Nigeria and Niger Republic can be improved if the revenue authorities of both countries work together to deepen their relationship, share tax information and engage in mutual administrative assistance, Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has stated. 

According  to  a press release on Wednesday 23rd March  2022 signed by the Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman (Media & Communication) , Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, he said that  Mr. Nami stated this while receiving his Niger Republic counterpart, the Director General of the Niger Tax Authority, Mallam Ousmane Mahamane and his delegation at the Headquarters of the FIRS, during a cooperation visit to the Service yesterday.

Recognizing the long-standing relationship and shared culture and languages of the two countries, Muhammad Nami noted that it was important for the FIRS to work with the Niger Tax Authority given the “presence of high-net-worth Nigerian individuals and companies trading in Niger with significant tax implications, which is of great interest to the FIRS.” 

The FIRS Executive Chairman also highlighted the working relationship enjoyed by the Service and the Niger Tax Authority in the past particularly on the community rule on double taxation and transfer pricing.

He stated that there was the need for further cooperation in the areas of sharing of tax information and mutual administrative assistance, especially in the face of increase in trans-border tax within the context of ECOWAS and AFCFTA.

Muhammad Nami used the occasion to share with his Niger Republic counterpart some of the success stories achieved by the FIRS and the contributors responsible for these milestones.

“We have focused on non-oil tax collection and indirect taxes, particularly VAT as well as on the deployment of technology for the automation of FIRS’ processes and procedures for effective tax administration and greater revenue yield, including e-stamping, e-registration, e-filing, e-payment, e-receipt, e-Tax Clearance Certificates, automation of Stamp Duty and VAT, the deployment of VATrac—an automated VAT filing and collection system in the wholesale and retail sectors—and the deployment of a home-grown, integrated tax administration system, the TaxPro Max.

“One of the contributing factors to our improved revenue is the taxation of the digital economy through the implementation of relevant policies, legislations and administrative processes for the collection of taxes (both income taxes and VAT) from the digital economy. This ensures that Nigeria is able to collect taxes on non-resident companies that derive income from the Nigerian market, without physical presence. This further ensures tax equity for local businesses.” He stated.

The Executive Chairman FIRS also stated that “the Service has evolved into a data centric organization, leveraging on data in revenue forecasting, planning, tax policy formulation and driving compliance and enforcement.” 

He also added that one of the contributors to the FIRS successes was the exchange of information it had with other tax authorities, both internally and in other countries as well as the FIRS being a customer focused institution that has put measures in place to make voluntary compliance easier than ever for taxpayers.

Mallam Ousmane Mahamane, the Director General of the Niger Tax Authority, in his remarks stated that there was the urgent need for international tax cooperation between the two institutions.

He noted that his Tax Authority was seeking a relationship with the FIRS that would cover cross border trade, the oil sector, the telecommunications sector the digitalization of tax procedures, exchange of tax information, assistance with tax audit, separation of administrative procedures, modernization of tax administration and human capacity development. 

He commended the FIRS Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami for his “outstanding performance” in mobilizing over N6.405 trillion in revenue for the Government of Nigeria.

2023: Princewill Begins Consultation

 

Ahead of the forthcoming governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress and the 2023 general election in the country, a leading aspirant of the party in Rivers State, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, has begun his consultations with party stalwarts and leaders on the prospects of his intention to vie for governorship ticket of the party.

The son of the monarch of the Kalabari kingdom met with the Local Government Leaders of both Port Harcourt and Obio Akpor Local Government Areas and other party stalwarts in a series of closed door meetings. The two local governments represent almost half of the voting strength of the state, a fact not lost on the Prince’s strategy team. After the meetings, the Prince addressed newsmen on the purpose of his visit and told listening journalists that he was meeting with leaders to listen to feedback from key stakeholders on his intentions and his plans for the APC and for Rivers state.

“This whistle stop tour is designed for me to consult, before a declaration is made. You can’t put the cart before the horse. I needed to sit and look into the eyes of leaders and have them look into mine, so we can tell each other the truth. A declaration that comes after this kind of a process, will stand the test of time. We have discussed all issues under the sun, from internal issues within the LGA, my father the King, how we will build a formidable front for our 2023, the leader Rotimi Amaechi, our commitment to his Presidency and of course, my ambition. I’m encouraged on all fronts. They have all spoken very very well.”

In a related development, Prince Tonye also met with the chairmen of the nineteen wards in Khana Local Government Area of the state. Khana is the largest local government in all of Rivers state, maybe Nigeria and is the heart of the Ogoni Kingdom. The meeting which is part and parcel of a communication strategy of deriving information of the state of the party and her members at the grassroots was described as both “frank and fruitful.”  They urged him to contest for the position of Governor and told him that his love for the Ogonis, shown over the years, was about to be rewarded.

The businessman and philanthropist used the opportunity to thank all the ward chairmen for keeping faith with the party and for remaining resolute in their support and loyalty to the leader of the party in the state and the South-South, the Honourable minister of Transportation, the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the Dan Amana of Daura Emirate, noting that the future is very bright for the party and its members in the state. He appreciated their support and told them that he would justify their faith in him in a very short time.

“The tour to all of the key stakeholders continues every day for the next few weeks, but will be moved to Abuja to accommodate the timing for the national convention,” Princewill said.

Agriculture Under Inuwa: Revisiting Governor's Mid-Term Scorecard

By Safiyanu Danladi Mairiga

It is an undeniable fact that agriculture plays a critical role in the entire life of every given economy in the world. Every economic system is built on the basis of agriculture. It comes first before any other. Apart from the fundamental role of providing food and raw material, agriculture also provides employment opportunities to a large number of our population. It is the only sector that absorbs both literate and illiterate population of ours in a great number. This is why every serious government must not neglect the sector.

In Gombe, when governor Inuwa Yahaya took over the mantle of leadership, he made pledge to work based on the promises he made to the people of Gombe state as contained in his 2019 campaign manifesto. Agriculture was among what the governor promised to priotize during his campaigns. A promise made, is a promise fulfilled under the Inuwa Yahaya administration. This sector has been receiving adequate and desired intervention to improve it; and virtually, the promises made on the sector are satisfactorily fulfilled.

In an attempt to increase access to agricultural extension/advisory scheme to farmers in Gombe state, Governor Inuwa Yahaya established across the three senatorial zones, additional five farm service centres in Kalshingi, Lodongor, Dukul, Dukku and Gelengu with some intervention of the NEDC. This project was complemented by another gigantic one that currently helps in the improvement of the sector, which was the establishment of Agricultural Entrepreneurship Training Centre at Garin Tafida to fully equip young farmers with skills and knowledge on how to earn much from the sector while providing the needs of the people.

Farming which becomes the most common of all aspects of agriculture is what majority of our farmers in Gombe state are into. What would be done to enhance their yield at the end of every farming season to ensure food security? Gov. Inuwa Yahaya would later answer this question with his directive to the Ministry of Agriculture that fertilisers be made available to farmers at subsidized rates at the beginning of every farming season. This directive is what the ministry has stocked to this time, and we've been seeing remarkable outcomes.

To further improve on the supply of the fertiliser, the governor upon receipt of experts recommendation on the abandoned Gombe State Fertiliser Blending Plant, leased the facility to a leading producer of quality fertiliser in Nigeria, Tak-Agro & Chemical Ltd, for greater efficiency. This arrangement has become a win-win for the state— the facility is back to life and its operations will generate revenue to the state, the difficulty in getting fertiliser supplied to the state in adequate quantity and on time is no more; and also, it has created job opportunities for youths in the state.

This effort resulted in the provision of 3,600 metric tonnes (72,000 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser for 2019 wet farming season; provision of 900 metric tonnes of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser for 2020 dry season farming; provision of 10,000 metric tonnes of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser for the 2020 wet farming season; and provision of 10,000 metric tonnes of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser for 2021 wet farming season. 

In his desire to support and empower farmers' associations and other relevant rural-based cooperative societies in order to facilitate easy access to grants and loans, the governor introduced the Cooperative Reactivation Project (CRP) which benefitted several farmers associations. Through this initiative, a great number of registered farmers associations secured grants and soft loans to improve their activities for improved yields.a 

The governor's interest in dry farming led to the government's giant intervention in irrigation. This saw the construction of 32 tube wells and provision of accompanying water pumps accessories to farmers across the state. Apart from supporting farmers with water pumps, sprayers and chemicals; the governor directed the ministry of agriculture to conduct conditional assessment of irrigation potentials of the state so that more farmers would be drawn into the dry season farming initiatives of the government.

Women and youth have remained the priority of the ,the Inuwa administration. Many initiatives have been created to support their growth and development. The desire for the development of these important segments of our population becomes the reason why governor Inuwa Yahaya's administration keyed into the National Livestock Transformation Plan of the federal government to develop the Wawa-Zange grazing reserve to promote animal husbandry and livestock entrepreneurship among youth and women in the state.

To support the federal government's agricultural intervention programs in the state, the governor approved and disbursed all counterpart funds the state government ought to commit in the implementation of the programs. Forty-five million Naira was paid as counterpart fund for UNDP/GEP project; twenty million Naira was paid as counterpart fund for FADAMA III AF project; and twenty-five million Naira to Leventis Foundation, Tumu, for the training of students on modern farming. 

All these achievements became possible under the stewardship of the Honorable Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Hon. Muhammad Magaji Gettado has proven to be a dedicated public servant and a result-oriented person. He deserves commendation for how he steers, brilliantly, this ministry which has always been one of the complicated ministries that are very difficult to handle unless by his likes - a brilliant, brave, experienced, and resilient person. 

Kudos to the governor for these wonderful achievements. And thanks to the commissioner for a job well done. Keep it up. #MovingGombeForward is possible!

NNPC Releases 516.43 Million Litres Of Premium Motor Spirit To Nigerians

 

When he was appointed as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari promised that the company would remain transparent and accountable to Nigerians.

That was why a few days after his inauguration, the oil and gas technocrat unfolded his Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, a five-step strategic roadmap for NNPC’s attainment of efficiency and global excellence.

In line with the TAPE Agenda, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd has released details of how it distributed a total of 516.43 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit to Nigerians.

The product was evacuated from the depot and distributed to Nigerians through retail filling stations within one week covering March 14 to 20, 2022.

The top 20 high loading depots that were used to evacuate the PMS are Pinnacle-Lekki which evacuated the highest volume of 34 million litres, NIPCO (29 million litres), AITEO (26 million litres), AYM Shafa Limited (25 million litres), A. A Rano (20 million litres), 11 PLC (18 million litres) and Shore Link (17 million litres). 

There is also Matrix which evacuated PMS of 15 million litres, Petrostar (14 million litres), NPDC Watiri (15 million litres), Rainol Lagos (13 million litres), Pynefield (11 million litres), Waheeco (11 million litres), and Chpey (11 million litres).

The rest are Total Apapa which distributed 10 million litres of petrol, Bova Bulk-Bafon (10 million litres), MRS Ltd (10 million litres), Eterna (10 million litres) Oynel brooks (9 million litres) and Shema Pet (9 million litres).

The NNPC has continued to intensified efforts at increasing the supply of petrol into the market to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.

 

 

FCT Metropolis Is Safe - FCT Police Command

 

…..Says crime and criminality remains at their barest minimum

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said its attention has been drawn to the erroneous and misleading news making the rounds in some sections of the media, particularly the print media.

According to a press release signed by the FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh ANIPR, she said that the publication which targeted populated areas, Business hubs, areas with sophisticated security deployments, and other socio-economic importance in the FCT, suggested these areas hold the highest rate of insecurity.

“This tale is baseless, unfounded, maliciously crafted, and aimed at promulgating panic in the hearts of residents, and to discredit the painstaking effort of the Police in promoting and sustaining the relative peace enjoyed in the mentioned Areas and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as a whole, DSP Josephine Adeh said.

She said that the Command categorically refuted the publications and urged members of the public to disregard the same, going about their lawful businesses without the fear of harassment and molestation from any quarters, while banking on the sufficiency of the emplaced security architecture in the said areas and the FCT as a whole.

DSP Josephine Adeh further reiterated that the FCT Commissioner of Police CP Babaji Sunday while registering the unflinching commitment of the Command to the fight against crime and criminality in the Territory, enjoins Critical stakeholders, Religious and Traditional Leaders, and Heads of thoughts to maximize their spheres of influence as a platform to preach peace and adherence to the law, In a complementary effort to the Police crusade towards bringing crime and criminality to its barest minimum.

The Command urged the good people of the FCT to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or abnormal occurrence to the Police.