Why I oppose Electricity Tariff increase… Sen. Shehu Sani
By; ABDULL-AZEEZ AHMED KADIR, Kaduna
Senator Shehu Sani representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly said he is opposed to the proposed increase of electricity tariff, especially for residential area consumers, until certain measures are put in place to make life more meaningful for the ordinary man, protect his interest by the government and investors in the power sector.
According to the Senator, such measures include abolition of the fix rate for residential area consumers who are made to pay such irrespective of the fact that there is or no power supply within such a time. Availability and access to billing meters which regulate and prove the amount each household consumes. Replacing of dilapidated electric transformers, provision of more of those with higher capacity to areas with overloaded ones, among others.
Sani made this disclosure Monday in Kaduna while presenting a 300 KVA electricity transformer to Hayin Dan Mani, a surburb of Kaduna metropolis in Igabi Local Government Area, to alleviate the suffering of the people who said they have been without power supply for over three months due to bad electricity transformer.
The Senator, represented by his Special Adviser on Politics and Strategy, hinted that he may make moves to ensure laws are made to protect the interest of the less privileged and the teeming populace, as well, ensure the regulatory bodies live up to their billins by ensuring the people are not shortchanged by electricity distribution companies without commensurate power supply.
The aide said the Senator has undertaken similar intervention within the metropolis and among his constituents with each grossing an average of five million naira.
In his response, the District Head of Hayin Dan Mani, Mallam Abba Abdulahi said the prompt manner Senator Sani responded to their request was overwhelming. According to him, about an hour after calling and requesting for the transformer on phone, Sani sent Engineers to verify their request. And less than a week after that, the transformer was delivered.
He applauded the Senator for coming to their rescue when all hope was almost lost but however requested for more of such gesture as there are more communities within his domain that suffer incessant light out and low power supply due to overloaded and dilapidated transformers.
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Why I oppose Electricity Tariff increase… Sen. Shehu Sani
Nigeria, British Army liaise to end Boko Haram
Nigeria, British Army liaise to end Boko Haram
By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
As part of its efforts to meet the December Presidential deadline to end insurgency in the North East, the Nigerian Army in collaboration with its British counterpart is training 150 Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned officers (NCOs).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the one week training, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said, the training was apt as the participants are the bedrock of any combatant Army.
According to General Buratai who was represented by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Major General Sanusi Muazu, “there cannot be a professionally responsive Nigerian Army without an equally effective Warrant Officers’ and Senior Non-commissioned officers’ cadre.
“As you are aware, the Nigerian Army in pursuant of its constitutional roles has been involved in tackling security challenges such as insurgency, terrorism, militancy, banditry, oil-pipeline vandalism and youth restiveness among others.
“The most potent security challenges facing Nigeria in the past five years, is the Boko Haram terrorist-driven insurgency in the North East of the country.
“The Nigerian Army is the lead service in the counter insurgency operations in the North East with a theatre command comprising of 3 Division, 7 Division and a Nigerian Air Force Air Component.
“On my assumption as COAS in July 2015, I looked at the operation in the North East and initiated a new directive to achieve the defeat of the insurgency and restore normalcy to the North East”, Buratai stated.
He however reiterated the resolve of the Nigerian Army to meet the December deadline to end insurgency in the country.
In his remarks, the leader of the British Military Advisory Training Team, Lt. Col Stewart Howells who was said he was once a Senior Non Commissioned Officer, assured the participants of getting the best out of the week long training.
He equally posited that, Nigeria and British had for long enjoyed cordial bilateral ties, hence the need for Britain to send a team of military expertise to assist Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.
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CRSG Proposes N350 Billion for 2016 Budge
CRSG Proposes N350B for 2016 Budget
By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
Cross River State Government has proposed the sum of N350 billion for 2016 fiscal year tagged “Budget of Deep Vision”
Out of this, N294.58 billion is proposed for capital expenditure representing 84 per cent while 55.41 billion Naira is for recurrent expenditure.
The state governor, Senator Ben Ayade disclosed this while presenting the budget estimate to the Cross River State House of Assembly Monday in Calabar.
According to him, the increase from N149.44billion in 2015 to N350billion in 2016 was due to funds from Foreign Direct Investment.
A breakdown of the budget shows that under recurrent revenue, federal sources is put at N43.200 billion, capital receipt at N284.446 billion while personnel cost is put at N27.319 billion.
Ayade who said that the 2016 budget “is committed to intensifying our effort to meeting our recurrent obligations by exploring the available vast potentials for internal revenue generation, ensuring that we capitalise on the comparative advantage we have in agriculture and tourism to create job opportunities for our teaming youths amongst others”.
He said that under agriculture in 2016, the state shall continue its partnership with the Federal Government on agriculture through the commercial agricultural credit scheme. “The state government shall continue to collaborate with private sector and donor agencies in this sector not only to increase agricultural productivity but as well as reduce poverty and ensure food security in 2016” he assured.
Earlier, the State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon John Gaul-Lebo, commended the governor for inviting President Muhammadu Buhari to perform the ground breaking of the 260km super highway in the state.
Gaul-Lebo said that the road when completed would attract more investors to the state, thus, improving the revenue profile of the state. He assured the governor that the legislature would continue to support his administration for the economic and political growth of the state.
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Insecurity: Governors Extend JTF Operation in Kamuku Fores
Insecurity: Governors Extend JTF Operation in Kamuku Forest
By; Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna.
As the deadline for operation of the Joint Task Force (JTF) around the dreaded Kamuku forest winds down, the governors of the bordering states said there’s need to extend the operation as there are lots more to be achieved.
Speaking to journalists in Kaduna after a meeting with security chiefs of the seven state bordering the forest, the Governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kano and Sokoto States observed that criminal activities in the area has not been eliminated but noted that the operation has recorded it mandate as every operation has its challenges.
“Going into the forest during rainy season will be a bit difficult. Now that the rains are rescinding we should expect more action” Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari who spoke on behalf of the governors said.
He explained that because the forest extends from Senegal up to Central Africa Republic, there are periodic attacks, adding that “this has been dealt with and we are dealing with the situation”
Masari said the issue of education and poverty alleviation was a vital part of the agenda of the meeting, noting that they are currently looking at the almajiri programme recommended by the Kano State Government and they will soon come up with a stand.
It could be recalled that the governors met in June this year to brainstorm with a view to fashioning out a coordinated approach in tackling the security threats posed by criminals and cattle rustlers who use the Kamuku forest as their hiding outs.
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New Ooni; Wild Jubilations Greet Announcement
New Ooni; Wild Jubilations Greet Announcement
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
The ancient city of Ile Ife in Osun State has been thrown into wild jubilation following the announcement of the new Ooni, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi this morning.
The 40 year old Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi is from Agbedegbede axis of the Giesi ruling House in the ancient city.
As early as 6 a.m, hundreds of youth, aged women particularly from the Giesi Ruling House trooped out on the street celebrating the announcement of the new Ooni.
It was gathered that by 8am when the Osun State Radio Station (OSBC) relayed the appointment of the new Ooni, more people including market men and women took the celebration a notch higher in various markets with some closing shops and taking to the street with songs and dances.
Jubilating youths and the market women while dancing round some of the ancient compounds in the city, were chant the praise of the new Ooni as well as the Kingmakers for “a job well done”.
New Nigerian gathered that the selected Prince has moved into a confinement known as Ilofi for the performance of traditional rites preparatory to his official installation and presentation of staff of office by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.
Speaking with New Nigerian through phone, a youth leader, Prince Adetunmbi Adetunji said the appointment of a youth as the new Ooni will go a long way in sustaining the reigning peace and stability of the ancient city.
Prince Adetunji pointed out that with a new Ooni in place, administrative activities are expected to pick up in the city, as things are expected to take proper and normal shape.
It will be recalled that Osun State Government in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti dated October 24, 2015, named Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as the new Ooni of Ife.
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BREAKING; 40 Year old Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is new Ooni of Ife
40 Year old Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is new Ooni of Ife
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
As reported exclusively by the New Nigerian yesterday, the Osun State Government has announced Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a 40-year old real estate magnate from the Giesi Ruling House as the new Ooni of Ife
The Secretary to the State of Osun Government said the selection of the new Ooni followed the completion of all due processes for the filling of the vacant stool.
Mr. Ogunwusi was said to have been selected from 21 candidates presented by the Giesi Ruling House for the stool.
According to the statement; “The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola has approved the appointment of a new Ooni of Ife. He is Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi of Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife, State of Osun.
“This choice follows the completion of the due process by the kingmakers and the communication of their decision to Government.”
Adeyeye was born into the family of John Oluropo Ogunwusi from the famous Ojaja lineage of the Giesi Ruling House of the Agbedegbede Quarters in Ile-Ife. Prince Ogunwusi’s mother, Margaret Wuraola Sidikatu Abegbe Ogunwusi, was born into the family of Soji-Opa, a prominent Cocoa merchant in Ile-Ife.
A graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy. He is a Chartered Accountant and currently the Managing Director of Howard Roark Gardens Limited that is into estate development and management.
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Unemployment; Uni Don calls for Vocational Edu in Post Pri Sch
Unemployment; Uni Don calls for Vocational Edu in Post Pri Sch
By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
A lecturer with the Faculty of Education Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Dr Ayuba Audu Kura has observed that there is a weak link between post-primary education, vocational training and the local labour market to curb unemployment.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with New Nigerian in Zaria on the need to introduce vocational education in post primary schools in Nigeria, Dr Kura said young people are ill-prepared for the job opportunities that abound in the labour market, which in many developing countries are in the informal sector, such as subsistence farming, small-scale construction and informal trade.
According to him, in order to help youngsters meet the challenges of the 21st century and develop into productive, responsible citizens who are well equipped for productive life, the learning process in post primary education in most developing countries need to be reviewed.
“Linking post-primary education and skills training directly to local work is necessary to improve graduates employment and higher education prospects, traditional apprenticeships and on-the-job-training is often the most successful route to skills development especially in preparing young people for work in the informal economy” he stressed.
He advised government on the possible strategies which includes; establishing career counseling, community based seminars on livelihood options, creating business networks, mainstreaming entrepreneurial education in school curriculum and expanding access to financial services among others.
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BVN, Cashless policy’ll check money laundering, fraud… CBN
BVN, Cashless policy’ll check money laundering, fraud… CBN
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the weekend declared that the on-going Bank Verification Number (BVN) exercise and the cashless policy will check money laundering and other fraudulent transactions in the banking industry in Nigeria.
CBN Deputy Director, Consumer Protection, Hadjia Khadija Kasim made this assertion while addressing stakeholders at a one-day sensitisation fair held at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan Oyo State .
Hadjiya Kasim said the two policies are fashioned towards enabling CBN and other banks in the country effectively tackle the issue of money laundering.
“You will see some inter-relationship between our cashless policy and the need for us to have our bio-metrics. When you are now registered as a bank customer and your details are there, it will be very difficult for somebody to use that account for any fraudulent activity. So, if any fraudulent activity takes place there, we will be able to trace the owner of the account. The situation where we have faceless people carrying out money laundering or fraudulent transactions will be reduced to the barest minimum” she said.
She however maintained that there will be no extension of time again for the on-going BVN registration exercise. She said those yet to be captured in the exercise should meet up with the deadline which is this week.
“The initial deadline was June 30th before we extended it to the end of this October. By now we expect all Nigerians to go before the expiration date and get their Bank Verification Number” she explained.
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New Ooni of Ife may emerges in 24 hours
New Ooni of Ife may emerges in 24 hours
By; Bayo Akamo, Ibadan
There are strong indications that the name of a new Ooni of Ife may be announced by the Ife Kingmakers in the next 24 hours, as New Nigerian was reliably informed by sources close to the Ooni’s palace Sunday that the name of the new Ooni is to be announced between Sunday and early Monday.
New Nigerian was authoritatively informed by Palace sources who do not want their names in print that the new Ooni is to emerge from the Giesi ruling house. This is said to be mandated by the Osun State Government through its Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs in line with the Ife Chieftaincy laws.
Investigations by our reporter revealed that all the Ife High Chiefs comprising mainly of the Kingmakers are in last minute crucial meeting to finalise the formal announcement of the new Ooni as at Sunday afternoon.
As a result, security has been beefed up in the ancient town with the deployment of more security personnel as the people of the town await the announcement.
It will be recalled that an Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo last Friday dismissed a suit challenging the competence of the Ooni of Ife 1980 Chieftaincy Declaration. The Ife Kingmakers are relying on this ruling by asking the Giesi Ruling House to present the successor to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
The Lafogido Ruling House through Sooko Adegoke and Prince Marcus Adebola Akimoyero had approached the court to stop Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the Obalufe of Ile-Ife; Oba Solomon Omisakin (now late) and the Lowa of Ife; Chief Joseph Ijaodola from ensuring that only Giesi Ruling House present the next Ooni.
The plaintiffs asked the Court to set aside the 1980 Ife Chieftaincy Declaration which they described as “lopsided, unjust, unconstitutional and unfair.”
Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, in her judgment said the plaintiffs’ litigation was belated as the declaration was made on September 14, 1979 and registered on January 28, 1980.
The judge said the Lafogido Ruling House should have filed their objection within five years of the registration of the declaration, and the suit was accordingly dismissed.