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FG Closes 3rd Mainland Bridge, Begins six-month Repair Works

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FG Closes 3rd Mainland Bridge, Begins six-month Repair Works

After rehabilitating alternative routes linking Lagos Mainland to Island with the State Government, the Federal Government has partially closed the Third mainland bridge for a six-month repair works expected to keep the bridge in a safe condition.

To effect the closure, the government has placed concrete barriers at Adeniji-Adele end of the bridge to prevent vehicles inbound mainland from having access to the facility as earlier announced to aid the contractor complete repair works within the six-month stipulated time.

In an interview at the early hours on Saturday, Federal Controller of Works in the state, Olukayode Popoola, who confirmed closure of the 11.8 kilometres bridge, stated that the closure was to aid the repairs works.

Popoola explained that in order not to ground the state economy, the lane inward Lagos Island has been left open to enable motorists to ply the road with ease while going to work.

The controller further stated that alternative routes have also been made motorable to avoid lost of man-hours in traffic in Lagos

According to him, a diversion route has already been created for the contractor handling the repairs to begin work on the outward lane of the island.

“In the morning when you are going to resume your work, right from Oworonshoki, you use the same line that you normally use to go and work. By 12 in the afternoon, we close this lane so you can now divert. We have created diversion as you can see it”.

While urging motorists to cooperate with the contractor to complete the rehabilitation work within the period under review, Popoola noted that over 900 traffic officials were already assigned to manage traffic and reduce travel time.

Popoola, who noted that it is imperative to avoid any form of chaos while using the public asset, urged road users to obey the law enforcement agencies.

The closure came four days after the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, emphasized that the repair works would not be completed until January 2020 and urged residents to exercise patience.

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JUST IN: Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara Back In APC, Says Buni

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JUST IN: Former Speaker Yakubu Dogara Back In APC, Says Buni

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, is said to have officially decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The acting Chairman of the party, Mai Mala Buni, disclosed this on Friday, after he and Dogara met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the villa, Equity News can confirm.

The former Speaker said he would address the press on a later date.

Details later.

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Presidency denies dissolving NDDC Interim Management Committee

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Presidency denies dissolving NDDC Interim Management Committee

The Presidency on Friday denied reports that it has dissolved the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

There have been recent calls by the National Assembly for the dissolution of the committee and the return of the NDDC to the Presidency for direct supervision.

For instance, the Senate ad hoc committee set up to unravel the alleged financial recklessness of the IMC to the tune of tens of billions of naira on Thursday lamented the extra-budgetary spending of the IMC, urging the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), to immediately dissolve the committee.

The House of Representatives is also currently probing alleged corruption in the NDDC.

But reacting to reports in some sections of the media that the IMC has been dissolved due to the calls by the legislature, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said there was nothing as such.

In a statement on Friday titled, ‘Fake News On NDDC Attributed To Me’, Adesina wrote, “A statement purportedly signed by me has been making the rounds that the Federal Government has dissolved the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.

“Merchants of fake news in action. The communication did not emanate from the media office of the President. Please ignore.”

The President had in October 2019 set up a three-man committee “to create the enabling environment for the forensic audit” that covers 18 years of NDDC’s operations between 2001- 2019.

The NDDC IMC was later enlarged to five in February 2020 by the President following the termination of the appointment of the then acting Managing Director, Joy Nunieh, who was replaced by Kemebradikumo Pondei.

Other members of the committee are acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Ibanga Etang; acting Executive Director, Projects, Cairo Ojougboh; as well as two members Caroline Nagbo; Cecilia Akintomide.

Source: The Punch

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FG Moves to Adjust 2020 WASSCE Timetable, Schedules Stakeholders’ Meeting

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FG Moves to Adjust 2020 WASSCE Timetable, Schedules Stakeholders’ Meeting

The Federal Government has concluded plans to approach West African Examination Council (WAEC) for adjustment in 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) timetable scheduled to hold between August 4 and September 5.

It also disclosed that in a week time, representatives of the apex government, State commissioners of education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) chairmen, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), private school owners, and other stakeholders would meet virtually and check their readiness for the examination.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, who disclosed the plans on Thursday at Presidential Task Force (PTF) press briefing held in Abuja, stressed that the moves were strategies embraced by the government to ensure students safety ahead of the examination.

Nwajiuba stated that the adjustment would not affect the date set by the examination body but would help the country to ensure the safety of teachers and students.

The minister hinted that the adjustment would only affect subjects peculiar to Nigeria and fell in the early part of the examination timetable released by WAEC.

Some of the subjects listed by Nwajiuba were Igbo language, Yoruba language, Hausa language, and others offered solely by students in Nigeria.

The minister stated that these subjects would not be waived but would be scheduled for a later date aside from the date earlier fixed by WAEC and that it would afford the government time to flatten coronavirus curve in the country.

He said: “We have worked out a negotiated timeline with WAEC such that what we called peculiar Nigerian subjects, these are subjects that are only done by students in Nigeria and they are in the first part of the timetable.

“After completing general subjects, we will now work on the domestication module of earlier subjects postponed. We believe that this will buy us the time that we need to be at par with other West African countries because the unanimity at which the body had worked over the years is very important to us”, the minister added.

Oyetola Appoints Osun NUJ Chairman, 7 Others As Senior Special Assistants (See Full List)

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Oyetola Appoints Osun NUJ Chairman, 7 Others As Senior Special Assistants (See Full List)

The Governor, State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a foremost Banker, Marketing Executive and Brand Specialist, Mr. Femi Adeniran, as his Special Adviser, Osun Investment Promotion Agency (OSIPA).

Adeniran, 44, a member of the ICT policy commission of Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Fellow of the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria, an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a certified Project Management Professional, is expected to bring his experience and expertise to bear as he pilots the Osun investment drive, using the OSIPA vehicle.

Similarly, the Governor named Mr. Niyi Idowu, a seasoned Public Administrator, as Special Adviser, General Administration (Governor’s Office).

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, who announced these and other appointments in a statement on Thursday, said all appointments take effect immediately, adding that the appointments are in line with the commitment of Governor Oyetola to good governance and all-inclusive government.

Others named as Special Advisers are: Hon. Kameel Oyedele, three-term State lawmaker (Legislative Matters); Hon. Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, another former State lawmaker (Civic Engagement) and Aremo Adelabu (Youths and Sports).

Governor Oyetola also named the incumbent Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Chairman, State of Osun Council, Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji, as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Students’ Affairs and Social Mobilisation.

He also announced the following as Senior Special Assistants: Okunade Akeem, Commerce (Market Development); Wahab Oyeniyi (Mineral Resources); Bisi Ogunkale (Planning); and Aderoju Akano (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs).

Others are: Bello Lukman, (Social Intervention Programmes); Adegboro Ilori (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs); and Fasilat Bola Jimoh (Women and Children Affairs).

In a related development, the governor has named a foremost Pharmacist and former House Committee Chairman on Health Services for eight years, Hon. Leke Ogunsola, as the Chairman, Osun Primary Healthcare Development Board and Barrister Salman Adebayo Waliu as Commissioner, Osun Judicial Service Commission.

The governor also named Adegboyega Basheer Bello as the General Manager, Public Procurement Agency (PPA).

Bello, a Fellow Chattered Accountant, a Chattered Tax Practitioner and a Fellow, Chartered Credit Administrator, trained with one of the global Big 4 in the Accounting and Business Advisory world, KPMG, joining the firm straight from school.

Before joining politics, he worked in the Banking sector. He later left for the Oil and Gas industry, joining the Oando Group as Finance Manager and was later promoted to the position of Chief Finance Officer Oando Downstream/Coordinating Executive West and Southern Africa Operations. He is expected to bring all the experiences garnered over the years to bear on his new assignment.

The governor charged all the new appointees to bring their various wealth of experiences garnered over the decades to bear on the discharge of their new responsibilities with absolute loyalty and dedication.

Find Below the Full List of the Appointees:

SPECIAL ADVISERS

1. Mr. Femi Adeniran, SA, Osun Investment Promotion Agency (OSIPA).

2. Mr. Niyi Idowu, SA, General Administration (Governor’s Office).

3. Hon. Kameel Oyedele, SA, Legislative Matters.

4.Hon. Oyintiloye Olatunbosun, SA, Civic Engagement.

5. Aremo Adelabu, SA, (Youths and Sports).

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANTS

1.Comrade Kehinde Ayantunji, SSA, Students’ Affairs and Social Mobilisation.

2. Okunade Akeem,SSA, Commerce (Market Development)

3. Wahab Oyeniyi, SSA, Mineral Resources.

4. Bisi Ogunkale, SSA, Planning.

5. Aderoju Akano, SSA, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

6. Bello Lukman, SSA, Social Intervention Programmes.

7. Adegboro Ilori, SSA, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

8. Fasilat Bola Jimoh, SSA, Women and Children Affairs.

OTHERS

1.Hon. Leke Ogunsola, Chairman, Osun Primary Healthcare Development Board.

2. Barrister Salman Adebayo Waliu, Commissioner, Osun Judicial Service Commission.

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“N100billion Vanished in one year” – House of Reps probes North East Development Commission (NEDC)

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“N100billion Vanished in one year” – House of Reps probes North East Development Commission (NEDC)

The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into allegations of a missing N100 billion from the coffers of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) established in 2017 to reconstruct states affected by insurgency in the north-east.

Moving a motion for the probe of the agency, minority leader of the house, Ndudi Elumelu, said the N100 billion given to the commission by the federal government has “vanished” with nothing to show for it. Elumelu while moving the motion, accused Mohammed Goni Alkali, commission’s managing director, of awarding non-existent contracts. In his words
“The N100 billion so far disbursed to the commission by the federal government is said to have vanished under a year without any visible impact on the refugees nor any infrastructural development credited to the name of the commission in the whole of the north-east.

The corrupt practices include high handedness by the managing director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, over inflation of contracts, awards of non-existent contracts, massive contract splitting, and flagrant disregard for the procurement laws in the award of contracts.

There are allegations of how the minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, Sadiya Farouk, was said to have entered into an unholy deal with the managing director of the commission to illegally withdraw money for the purchase of military vehicles without any recourse to the board.

The act, which completely disregards the country’s procurement laws, must be seriously frowned at.”

The house adopted the motion after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila. The motion was referred to the House committees on finance, procurement, and NEDC. The report on the probe is expected to be turned in after eight weeks.

The development comes days after the house concluded its investigation on the alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

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Hushpuppi: US Court Dismisses Fraud Case Against Woodsberry

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Hushpuppi: US Court Dismisses Fraud Case Against Woodsberry

A US court has dismissed a fraud case against a Nigerian accused of cyber-crime, Olalekan Ponle, popularly known as Mr Woodberry.

Ponle, who was accused of multi-million dollar wire fraud was arrested alongside his associate, Ramon Abbas popularly known as Hushpuppi on June 10 by a combined team of Dubai police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI for multiple fraud charges

Upon their arrest, both Nigerians were extradited to the U.S. on July 2.

The 29-years-old was accused of tricking an unnamed Chicago-based company of transferring about $15.3million to him.

He was arraigned on charges bordering on wire fraud conspiracy at a US District Court in Illinois.

However, the Attorney to the US government, John Lausch had on Monday filed a motion through seeking the dismissal of the case against Ponle without prejudice.

“Counsel for the government has spoken with counsel for the defendant and defendant’s counsel has no objection to this motion. Respectfully submitted,” Mr Lausch said.

Consequently, the court granted the dismissal of the case against Ponle.
“Without objection, the complaint against defendant Ponle is dismissed without prejudice. Motion presentment hearing set for 7/23/2020 is stricken,” Judge Robert W. Gettleman ruled.

Breaking: Registration for Hajj 2021 Starts September 9 – NAHCON

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Breaking: Registration for Hajj 2021 Starts September 9 – NAHCON

The Chairman of NAHCON, Barr Zikrullah Kunle Hassan said the preparation for Hajj 2021 will commence on September 9.

He stated this while addressing Journalist at the Hajj House Abuja.

He advised intending pilgrims to secure their deposits with the commission until 2021.

“We advise intending pilgrims who have made deposits but do not have a bank account and wish for a refund to hasten in opening one.

“If they are not ready or willing to hold bank account, NAHCON advises them to secure their deposits with the commission until 2021 to enable them move their deposits safely, ” he said.

The Chairman assured intending pilgrims that the much awaited Hajj savings scheme would be in place soon.

According to him, the contributory Hajj savings scheme is an idea whose time has come.

“I believe with this scheme in place, we will be able to make the cost of Hajj affordable for intending pilgrims in the future,” he added.

He however, urged intending pilgrims who wished to recover their Hajj deposits with the state pilgrims welfare boards or private tour operators to indicate interest, saying such fund would be refunded.

According to him, the commission has started the process of refund to various state pilgrim’s boards.

He however said, “those who may wish to leave or roll over their deposit for the 2021 hajj shall be given priority and the rights of first refusal in 2021 hajj”.

The Saudi Arabian authorities have cancelled the 2020 pilgrimage to Makkah and Madinah over coronavirus fears.

(NAN).

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JUDGMENT: Industrial Court Orders NNPC to Pay Retirees on Harmonized Pension Policy

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JUDGMENT: Industrial Court Orders NNPC to Pay Retirees on Harmonized Pension Policy

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Lagos Judicial Division has ordered Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC Pension Fund Limited, to pay Dr I. Nwobodo and 13 others retired staff forthwith all accrued pensions calculated with effect from 1st of January, 1997 on emoluments currently earned by their serving counterparts as prescribed under the Federal Government Policy on Harmonization of Pensions and subsequently all such pensions and when due.

The presiding judge, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Elizabeth Oji directed NNPC, NNPC PENSION to comply fully with the provisions of Pension Reform Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and to fully fund the pension scheme in accordance with the directives of National Pension Commission issued 21st December 2011.

The Court held that NNPC, NNPC Pension Fund are bound to observe the requirement of the Civil Service Circulars, Presidential Circulars and the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with regards to the harmonization of pension’s policy.

The Claimants — retired staff of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation had averred that all staff of the Defendant, whether serving or retired, is in the Public Service that the NNPC Corporate Policy & Procedure Guide (CPPG), 2006 guarantees the right of all the Claimants and other retired staff of the Defendant to Pension.

The Defendants filed objection that the court lack the jurisdiction to hear the matter by virtue of Public Officer Protection Act and the NNPC Act, and further that the Claimants do not have the right to institute and maintain the suit that no letter of appointment/engagement showing that the Claimants were indeed staffers of the NNPC.

Delivering Judgment after careful perusal of the submissions of both counsel, the presiding Judge, Justice Elizabeth Oji held that the suit is not statute-barred, and further that Claimants have locus standi to institute the action.

“The Defendants argument in this case that the circulars do not apply to it is not consistent with its previous position as shown in exhibit E dated 10th of October, 2006 wherein the Defendants, writing to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, acknowledged the Federal government directives on the harmonisation of the pension of its pensioners and stated that it had carried out the exercise.

“Further, Exhibit B which the Defendant also relies on in its paragraph 44.1.1 provides that ‘Pension shall be calculated on the basis of the Federal Government’s stipulated percentages of terminal base salary.’ This to me, defeats Defendants argument that it is not bound by Federal Government’s Directives on the calculation of percentages of pension.

“Laws, Rules, Directives and Commitments made in employment relations are meant to be kept. To do otherwise will be to create an environment of uncertainty in the world of work. As a result of all the above, I find and hold that the 1st Defendant cannot on its own decide to pay the Claimants’ pension on the basis of “affordability and sustainability”.

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Muslim Youths Raise Money for COVID-19 Relief for Refugees

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Muslim Youths Raise Money for COVID-19 Relief for Refugees

The COVID-19 pandemic is a chapter of our lives that can never be erased.

As it quickly spreads on a global scale, the world’s displaced people and refugees are among the most vulnerable.

In reaction to this, Equity News correspondent confirmed that a group of young Muslim youth in Brooklyn have come together to help raise $100,000 for COVID-19 relief for refugees through “Raise4Refugees”.

In their statement, the group stressed that to help less previllege being is the duty of not just the wealthy but everybody.
“As Muslims, it is our duty to help those in need and minimize suffering in the world. The people of Palestine are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, and in particular, refugee camps,” Yousef Mahmoud Abou Areda, a 19-year-old Muslim who lives in Park Slope, said.

“As an aspiring physician, I find it necessary to utilize my resources and knowledge to heal others.”

As a campaign by Islamic Relief USA, “Raise4refugees” would help prevent the spread of COVID-19 for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Jerusalem, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

Islamic Relief will use the funds to deliver medical supplies. They will also sanitize these crowded communities that lack nearby hospitals and houses, one in every three refugees.

Ever since the outbreak of the pandemic, local Muslims have been engaging in humanitarian work for COVID-19 relief.

Muslims Giving Back was feeding the homeless every night. Several local organizations also came together to launch food carts that gave out free halal meals.

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