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FG approves N10bn COVID-19 palliative for transport sector

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FG approves N10bn COVID-19 palliative for transport sector

As part of efforts to boost the transport sector, the Federal Government has approved N10 billion for road transport workers and operators in mitigating the negative effect of coronavirus after gradual easing of lockdown introduced to curb spread of the virus.

It explained that the fund was to ameliorate sufferings encountered by workers in the sector in line with the administration’s commitment to supporting all sectors in readjusting to the new reality occasioned by outbreak of the deadly pandemic.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, said that the palliative was part of initiatives introduced as early responses to cushion the economic and social effects of the pandemic, through the Economic Sustainability Programme (ESP).

Through a statement released to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja after the President, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Isaac Uhunwagho, led the association’s National Executive Committee and Trustees to visit her, the Minister noted that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration would soon initiate a master plan that would reform the sector.

She informed the delegation that the fund was domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment adding that the Ministry of Transportation was currently working on the modalities for its disbursement.

The Minister assured that the administration would soon intervene on challenges being faced by operators in the sector, adding that she would discuss the issues through the National Transport Commissioners Forum.

Saraki revealed that she was also working with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the concessionning of some routes which according to her was the best way to go to increase government revenue.

Furthermore, she enjoined the group to avoid duplicity and formalise their structures in an organised manner for better engagements, with the ministry and other relevant agencies.

Responding, the National President of PTONA, Uhunwagho, who explained that their visit was in respect to the challenges being faced by the body, commended the cooperation and protection which the Ministry was providing for public transportation in the country.

FG sets common goal for skills acquisition programmes across Nigeria

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FG sets common goal for skills acquisition programmes across Nigeria

In its bid to achieve desired results in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) across the country, the Federal Government has directed the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)  to harmonize all operations related to skills development by all ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs) in line with the ITF Act.

It explained that the need to escalate skills development in the economy necessitated call for harmonization of operations in line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment towards empowering the youth across the nation.

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said that though the initiative and partnership between the two bodies was commendable, there was need for harmonization of all parties involved for efficiency and effective vocational education delivery.

Speaking during a virtual meeting held with critical stakeholders and partners on skills development on Wednesday, Osinbajo said it was imperative for stakeholders to work in unison in achieving set out objectives of the initiative.

The meeting aimed at giving a report on the success and progress of the ITF-NECA Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) was attended by the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige; Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare; and representatives of Honourable Minister of Education.

In their separate contributions, Chris Ngige and Sunday Dare lauded the partnership between ITF and NECA urging the two organisations to strive towards synergy and collaboration with other stakeholders charged with skills development.

The ITF-NECA Technical skills Development Project has worked with 42 Participating Organisations across the country and has equipped over 8,000 Nigerian Youths annually with requisite skills for employment, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.

Speaking after the meeting, the Director-General ITF, Joseph Ari and Director-General NECA, Dr Timothy Olawale, praised the government’s commitment towards tackling the challenges of unemployment and underemployment.

They said the vigour with which the government was pursuing its job and wealth creation agenda would surely place the country on a sound path of economic growth and development.

The DGs also pledged to immediately swing into action in order to implement the directive of the Vice President to harmonize technical and vocational skills training in the Nigerian economy as enshrined in the ITF Act.

“From just six trade areas at its inception, the project now boasts of over forty trade areas with over 8,000 youths trained annually for the industries. With greater support from government, the current challenges of limited funds, high costs of TVET training and wrong perception of TVET education could be surmounted,” Ari said.

FEC Approves N722.3m For Audit Of NDDC

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FEC Approves N722.3m For Audit Of NDDC

The Federal Executive Council has approved N722.3 million for eight field forensic auditors to audit the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The payment will come directly from the Presidency as the National Assembly is on break and the 2020 budget for the NDDC has not been passed.

Channels Television learned the field auditors will also look into the 12,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta.

The Minister of Niger Delta, Mr Godwill Akpabio, disclosed this on Wednesday after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NDDC became a subject of controversy over allegations of corruption in the award of contracts and the non-payment of Nigerian scholars under the payroll of the commission.

Following this, the National Assembly invited Akpabio and the NDDC boss, Daniel Pondei to probe the activities of the agency.

Appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC in a public hearing on July 20, Akpabio accused the lawmakers of benefitting from most contracts awarded by the commission.

However, this did not go down well them as the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila threatened a legal action should the Minister fail to name the purported lawmakers involved in the contracts.

The House also asked Akpabio, to publish the names of the members of the National Assembly who got contracts.

In a statement issued on July 28, the spokesman for the House and Committee Chairman on Media Affairs and Publicity, Benjamin Kalu, said that the minister had alleged that 60 percent of all the NDDC projects were awarded to members of the lawmakers between the months of January and May 2020.

Kalu explained that following the claim, the leadership of the 9th House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Akpabio to publish a list of the lawmakers.

The House spokesman revealed that the lawmakers evaluated the minister’s letter and the directive to press charges against him have not been lifted.

Also, President Buhari reacted to the controversy trailing both the commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The President who spoke after the Sallah service on July 31, said some people trusted by his administration have abused the privilege.

Source: Channels Tv

Osinbajo Advocates 12 To 15-Month Time Limit For Court Cases

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Osinbajo Advocates 12 To 15-Month Time Limit For Court Cases

Professor Osinbajo posed the challenge on Wednesday when he virtually declared open the Annual National Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari.

The vice president wants to see judicial reforms that will fast track all court cases so that the longest will be a maximum of 15 months.

“Reform is urgent because the fabric of our society is stitched together by our system of justice and law enforcement,” he said.

“We cannot afford to have the stitches come undone. The first issue I would like to commend to your consideration is the terribly slow pace of trials in our courts.”

For Osinbajo, fixing a time limit as has been done with cases in the Supreme Court might lead to speedy trials.

“My question then is that why can’t we have timeliness on all cases? Why can’t we put in place the rules that will state that a criminal trial all the way to the Supreme Court must not exceed 12 months in duration?

“Why can’t we do the same for civil cases even if we say it that civil cases must not go beyond 15 months – between 12 and 15 months? I think that for me will be stepping forward.

“The question of speed raises a related concern in the context of a competitive global economy, a speed of our legal institutions and processes must match up with the global pace of transactions,” he said.

Besides speedy dispensation of court cases, Osinbajo noted that multiple and conflicting court orders are making a mockery of the judicial process while highlighting the need for reforms in that area.

Source: Channels TV

LASG, US institute partner on school curriculum

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LASG, US institute partner on school curriculum

The Lagos State Government and United States of America’s Smithsonian Museum Science Institute, have disclosed that the duo would be joining forces to drive reforms in the state’s education sector through the goals of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) curriculum adopted by the government.

They both said that collaboration had been made to ensure their mission to transform and improve the learning and teaching of science for primary and secondary school students is achieved across the state.

As stated, the partnership would enable educators from the state to join their counterparts across the world who converge yearly to gain an in-depth understanding of the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model and apply it to strategic planning for their varied communities.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Folasade Adefisayo, said that the event organised annually by the US-based institute would afford officers from the ministry involved in curriculum improvement to participate in their annual intensive week-long training which is held every July.

Through a statement released to newsmen by the ministry, Adefisayo stressed that the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration was working assiduously to innovatively ensure that quality of education across the state was pushed to an enviable world-class standard, adding that the collaboration with US-based institute was a testament to the government’s commitment.

She noted that setting up stem education was necessitated as part of measures to integrate it into the curriculum while the infusion of education and technology was a catalyst for overseeing the operation or implementation of stem practices in the classroom.

“With the challenges and demands of a technology-driven economy in the very near future, the state needs to place elevated importance on STEM education by creating a steady pipeline of skilled personnel to meet these demands as it remains germane for the actualization of the ‘smart city’.

“We are working on driving the infusion of the STEM teaching and learning methodology in the basic educational curriculum of Lagos State to encourage students to become innovators and problem-solvers instead of becoming sole consumers of knowledge remains crucial if we must prepare the students for the future.

“We also should ensure that our state is a stem literate-society that would produce a crop of intellectually enhanced students who will grow to contribute meaningfully towards the development of their communities, corporate firms, and the economy at large,” the statement said.

On the institute, Adefisayo revealed that their work is centered on the establishment of effective science programs for all students towards attaining research and curriculum development transformation through their teaching and learning of science.

“The SSEC has had widespread impact through their support of schools, districts, states, and ministries of education all across the 50 States of the United States and 43 nations through theirs proven Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) model, which they have proven through data & vast experience to lead to higher student achievement in science and improved science teaching and learning” the statement added.

Akeredolu Kicks Against States Funding Community Police: I Don’t Think It Will Work

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Akeredolu Kicks Against States Funding Community Police: I Don’t Think It Will Work

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Akeredolu said the idea would not work.

He disclosed that his colleagues under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will table the matter before President Muhammadu Buhari for his intervention.

“The burden of states will keep increasing. We will be the ones that will fund community police. Where is the money going to come from?

“Except we devolve more money to the states, how will the states fund community police?  I don’t think it is going to work,” he said.

“I am sure that they are taking this thing too far (that) governors will have to pay. We have argued this. They started by saying it will be voluntary, they are not going to pay.

“They now shift the burden on the state governors again. Are you increasing their allocation? Which state governor will accept that?

“I don’t know if other states will pay but we will not pay. Let us be fair to ourselves, we are running a federal system. We will sit down and discuss this because we have a President that has a listening ear.”

Reacting to his relationship with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, the governor said it is cordial.

He however maintained that the issue between him the Deputy Governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi is out of ambition, stressing that Ajayi decided to exit the ruling APC to “where he belongs.”

Governor Akeredolu is optimistic about victory in the October 10 governorship election in the state.

His remarks come two weeks after he inaugurated the pioneer officers of Ondo State Security network Agency Amotekun Corps.

While inaugurating the corps in Akure, the state capital expressed delight with the performance of the pioneer Amotekun Corps officers who just completed their training.

He urged them to put into good use all they were taught during training to ensure the security of life and property in the state.

While soliciting for more funding from the Federal Government to equip the police, governor Akeredolu said that the Amotekun Corps is designed to support the existing security framework in the state.

Source: Channels

Buhari Swears In 12 Permanent Secretaries

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Buhari Swears In 12 Permanent Secretaries

President Muhammadu Buhari has presided over the 13th weekly virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja.

Before the commencement of the meeting on Wednesday, he swore-in 12 permanent secretaries at the Council Chambers which was witnessed by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folade Yemi-Esan had in June issued a statement concerning their appointment.

The newly appointed permanent secretaries and their states are Belgore Shuaib Mohammad Lomido,(Kwara); Akinlade Oluwatoyin, (Kogi); Ekpa Anthonia Akpabio, (Cross River); Alkali Bashir Nura, Kano; Ardo Babayo Kumo, (Gombe) and Anyanwutaku Adaora lfeoma, (Anambra).

The newly sworn-in secretaries

Others are: Udoh Moniloja Omokunmi, (Oyo); Hussaini Babangida, (Jigawa); Mohammed Aliyu Ganda, (Sokoto); Mahmuda Mamman, (Yobe); Meribole Emmanuel Chukwuemeka, (Abia) and Tarfa Yerima Peter (Adamawa).

The President also swore in commissioners for Federal Civil Service Commission, Idahagbon Henry, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Usman Hassan.

Ministers physically present at the council meeting are Niger Delta; Godswill Akpabio, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami; Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello and Water Resources, Sulieman Adamu.

Also physically attending the meeting are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari; and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rted).

some of the ministers who attended the meeting virtually

Meanwhile, the Head of Service of the Federation, Yemi-Esan, and some ministers virtually joined from their various offices.

 

Source: Channels

JUDGMENT: Supreme Court Rules Female Children Can Inherit Parents’ Estate

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JUDGMENT: Supreme Court Rules Female Children Can Inherit Parents’ Estate

The Supreme Court has ruled that a female child can inherit properties of her father, thereby voiding the Igbo age-long law and custom which forbid a female child from inheriting her late father’s estate.

The apex court delivered the landmark decision following an appeal marked: SC.224/2004 filed by Lois Chituru Ukeje (wife of the late Lazarus Ogbonna Ukeje) and their son, Enyinnaya Lazarus Ukeje against Gladys Ada Ukeje (the deceased’s daughter).

The Supreme Court held that the practice conflicted with section 42(1)(a) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The trial court found that she was a daughter to the deceased and that she was qualified to benefit from the estate of their father who died intestate in Lagos in 1981.

The Court of Appeal, Lagos to which Lois Ukeje and Enyinnaya Ukeje appealed, upheld the decision of the trial court, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court held that the Court of Appeal, Lagos was right to have voided the Igbo native law and custom that disinherit female children.

Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who read the lead judgment, held that: “No matter the circumstances of the birth of a female child, such a child is entitled to an inheritance from her late father’s estate.

“Consequently, the Igbo customary law, which disentitles a female child from partaking in the sharing of her deceased father’s estate is breach of Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution, a fundamental rights provision guaranteed to every Nigerian.

“The said discriminatory customary law is void as it conflicts with Section 42(1) and (2) of the Constitution. In the light of all that I have been saying, the appeal is dismissed. In the spirit of reconciliation, parties are to bear their own costs,” Justice Rhodes-Vivour said.

Justices Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and John Inyang Okoro, who were part of the panel that heard the appeal, agreed with the lead judgment.

JUDGMENT: Court of Appeal upholds judgment reversing EFCC’s demotion of director

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JUDGMENT: Court of Appeal upholds judgment reversing EFCC’s demotion of director

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Tuesday upheld the judgment of the National Industrial Court in Abuja, which reversed the demotion of the former Commandant of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy, Ayo Olowonihi.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision, held that the appeal by the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Musa Kado lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.

Justice Musa Kado, in a judgment delivered on February 26, 2019, agreed with the complainant that, his demotion did not follow due process, unlawful, illegal and should be set aside.

The judge, having set aside the demotion, ordered the EFCC to reinstate Olowonihi to his position as Detective Commandant, Grade Level 17.

The EFCC had demoted Olowonihi from grade level 17 to 16/7 in 2017, two years after he was recalled from suspension without pay.

Not satisfied with the commission’s decision, he had instituted a legal action at the Industrial Court, challenging his demotion and also prayed the court to order his reinstatement as well as payment of his entitlements held during the period of his unlawful suspension.

In the suit, the claimant in a 62-paragraph affidavit deposed to in support of the suit, said he was not given fair hearing before disciplinary action was taken against him.

Among the issues his lawyer, Joash Amupitan raised for determination by the court include whether the EFCC Staff Regulations Handbook 2007 used for the discipline of the claimant was validly made, having not been approved by the commission.

In his judgment, the industrial court decided all three issues raised for determination in favour of the claimant.

The judge held that for the fact that the commission’s Regulation Handbook, which guides the appointment as well as disciplinary procedures of employees has not been approved by the commission renders it invalid, adding that there was no commencement date to show when it actually came into force.

Justice Kado having declared as invalid the EFCC’s handbook used in the purported discipline of the complainant, agreed with the submission of Amupitan that the defendant did not comply with the Public Service Rules which is the applicable regulation on disciplinary matters affecting the claimant who is a Director on GL 17.

Justice Kado held that while the chairman of the commission or the secretary has the right to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the claimant, it is the commission that has the power to sanction after due consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission.

Similarly, on the issue of fair hearing, the judge agreed with the claimant that the fact that he was not given the opportunity to defend himself before the Ad hoc Committee set up to investigate him and two others rendered the whole exercise a nullity.

Meanwhile, the appellate court had earlier fixed judgment for October 20, in Olowonihi’s cross appeal praying for the payment of his emoluments during the period of his purported suspension.

Fani-Kayode tenders apology over public conduct toward Journalist

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Fani-Kayode tenders apology over public conduct toward Journalist

Nigeria’s former Aviation minister has apologised for verbally assaulting a Daily Trust reporter, Eyo Charles, who asked him a question at a press conference in Calabar, Cross River State.

The ex-minister apology may not be unconnected to calls by Nigerians including bodies like the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Transparency International, Daily Trust Media limited publisher of Daily Trust Newspaper, among others that condemned his action and asked the minister to retract his statement and publicly apologised to the journalist.

They described Fani-Kayode’s action against the journalist as the attribute of an intolerant and unstable person that does not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media and demanded that the ex-minister publicly apologise to the reporter.

NUJ, SERAP and others reaction came after a video emanated on Tuesday showing the former minister, who began a tour of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states in July, visited Cross River recently, flew into a rage shortly after Eyo asked him a question on his visit.

But, Fani-Kayode who tendered his apology on Wednesday morning as against his earlier stance, regretted that he lost his patience during his encounter with the journalist and that such action does not portray his true character.

Through a post on his social media page, the former minister clarified that he never threatened to physically or by proxy harm the journalist.

“I met with my advisors & I wish to say the following. I hereby withdraw the word “stupid” which I used in my encounter with a journalist in Calabar. I have many friends in the media who I offended by losing my cool & using such words. I hereby express my regrets for doing so.

“I do however wish to state categorically that no threat of physical harm was ever made to the journalist in question and neither did I send anyone to threaten him. Anyone that says otherwise is lying and I challenge them to bring the proof.

“I would never seek to physically harm a journalist. For the last 30 years I have defended and worked with journalists & fought for the right of freedom of exiression. I am also very close to many in that profession. I would be the last to seek to disparage those that are honorable and noble within its ranks.

“I hope that this will assuage the pain and anger of anyone that was hurt or offended by this ugly episode. I have now put this matter behind me and moved on. Now my tour of the South continues. Moving to another state today!” he wrote.

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