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2023:Labour Party unveils Baze University Founder, Baba-Ahmed as Peter Obi’s running mate today

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The Labour Party(LP), will on Friday unveil Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the running mate to Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections.

Senator Baba-Ahmed, who is in his 40s is the Proprietor of Baze University, Abuja and Baba-Ahmed University Kano.

The unveiling of the vice presidential candidate was initially slated for Thursday to be done by the LP’s Presidential candidate at the party’s national secretariate, Abuja.

However, the National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure said that the ceremony could not go ahead as planned because the Presidential candidate, who had traveled to Maiduguri and expected back in Abuja Thursday afternoon had his flight canceled.

Abure announced that the unveiling of Mr. Obi’s running mate was rescheduled for Friday, July 8 at the party’s headquarters, Abuja.

2022 Sallah: FG declares July 11-12 as public holidays

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The federal government has declared Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th July, 2022, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, congratulated all Muslims and Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on this occasion.

The declaration was made in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, Thursday in Abuja.

The minister said: “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment.”

Aregbesola assured that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is “committed to the security of lives and properties of all Nigerians, empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools.”

While wishing Muslims a happy Eid-el Kabir celebration, the minister urged Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities they observed around them to law enforcement agencies with the use of N-Alerts application that has been designed to mitigate security challenges with prompt response from security agencies: as soon as you “See Something Do N-Alerts”, most especially during this festival.
He also enjoined all Nigerians to be vigilant and observant of intruders in their communities.

“We must all take responsibility for the security of lives and property as we celebrate this year’s festival” he said.

Aregbesola craved the indulgence of every Nigerians to come together, put our heads, hearts and all we have together, in order to achieve relative peace for harmonious coexistence and put an end to insecurities in Nigeria.

The former Osun state governor assured all Nigerians of the government’s protection of all under the law, maintenance of law and order and keeping the peace in all situations.

Breaking News: Outgoing OPEC Secretary General, former GMD NNPC, Barkindo dies at 63 onTuesday midnight

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The outgoing Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammad Barkindo, is dead, the Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari has announced.

In a statement tweeted by Mr Mele Kyari on Wednesday morning stated that Barkindo died around 11pm on Tuesday.

“We lost our esteemed Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. He died at about 11pm yesterday 5th July 2022. Certainly a great loss to his immediate family, the NNPC, our country Nigeria, the OPEC and the global energy community. Burial arrangements will be announced shortly”, Kyari stated on his official Tweeter handle.

Recalled that Barkindo made a keynote address at the official opening of the ongoing 21st NOG Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday in Abuja.

In his words, “To put it bluntly, the oil and gas industry is under siege! For starters, the evolving geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary pressures globally have come together, causing significant volatility and uncertainty in the commodity and energy markets.

“Against this backdrop, a number of industrialised countries and multilateral institutions continue to pursue stringent policies aimed at accelerating the energy transition and fundamentally altering the energy mix,” Barkindo said.

Born April 20, 1959, he passed at 63.

The circumstances surrounding Mr Barkindo’s death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report. Just on Tuesday, he held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari during which he announced that his six-year tenure as OPEC scribe was coming to an end.

At that event, Mr Buhari thanked him for being a worthy ambassador of the country.
The President even directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to mobilise the oil and gas industry to organise a befitting welcome reception in his honour when he finally returns home.

In his remark during the visit, Mr Barkindo attributed his success to the tremendous guidance, charisma and international gravitas of President Buhari; support from OPEC secretariat in Vienna; and cooperation by members of the organisation.

 

Insecurity:Fear grip Abuja residents as Terrorists attack Kuje prison

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Residents of Kuje Area Council confirmed last night that there were explosions and sporadic gunfire around Kuje Prison.

The Kuje medium prison facility came under attack about 10:20 pm when what  was  suspected to be a  high calibre bomb went off followed by two more explosions and the ensuing  sporadic gunfire that sent residents scampering for safety.

Although there was no official confirmation yet, it was suspected that terrorists had launched a ferocious attack on the prison which triggered a fire-fight with security forces.

The Kuje Correctional Center has had a history of terrorists launching attacks to free colleagues detained there or serving prison sentence.

A staff of the prison reportedly confirmed the attack saying the attackers came from the back of the prison.
A security report issued earlier had alerted the prison officials of possible attacks of the medium prison.

A resident, who spoke anonymously told Newssphere that there was sustained gunfire that lasted for sometime.

“Yes. There were gunshots that lasted for a long time but it is reduced now”, he said.

As at the time of filing this story, Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Police Force and Ministry of Interior are yet to confirm nor deny the report.

 

Insecurity: Several Dead, others hospitalized after terrorists attack President Buhari’s Convoy in Katsina

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Several people died while two others sustained injuries, when terrorists attacked the advance team of security guards, protocol and media officers, ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Sallah trip to his hometown in Daura, Katsina State.

The presidency has since described the dastardly act as a sad and unwelcome development.

This is as terrorists, again on Tuesday, ambushed and killed an Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP, Aminu Umar Dayi, in charge of Dutsinma Area Command in Katsina, following a fierce gun duel.

In a release Tuesday night by presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the presidency disclosed that a few people died, while the two persons, who sustained injuries during the attack were already receiving treatment.

But other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura, the statement added.

Titled “Gallant Presidential Guards Repel Attack on Advance Team Ahead of President’s Visit”, the presidency stated that, the shooting incident happened near Dutsinma, Katsina State.

“The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy.

“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered and few personnel, who lost their lives have been deposited at the hospital. All the other personnel, staff and vehicles made it safely to Daura,” the statement stated.

Meanwhile, the late Assistant Commissioner of Police, who was killed on Monday, had reportedly led a police team to Kurfi, where they killed one of the terrorists’ commanders.
Angered by the death of their commander, the terrorists allegedly turned out en masseon Monday and laid an ambush in order to avenge the killing of one of them.

Unfortunately for the late Dutsinma Area Commander, while leading his team on their usual clearance operation of the terrorrists, were ambushed and overpowered by the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle that eventually led to his death and another officer.

The late ACP had led the war against terrorists on several occasions leading to the killings and arrest of many of the hoodlums.
Spokesperson for the Katsina Force Command, SP Gambo Isah, however, confirmed the development.

“Today 06/07/2022 at about 1130hrs, a distress call was received that terrorists numbering over 300, on motorcycles, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), ambushed ACP Aminu Umar, Area Commander, Dutsinma and team, while on clearance operation of recalcitrant bandits/terrorists, in Zakka forest, Safana LGA of Katsina state. Consequently, the Area Commander and one other gallantly lost their lives during a cross exchange of gun fire.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Idrisu Dabban Dauda, on behalf of the officers and men of the Command, expresses his deep sympathy to the family of the deceased and pray to almighty Allah to repose their souls in Jannatul Firdausi.
“Dabban reaffirms the Nigeria Police Force commitment on the ongoing onslaught against terrorism in the state until it is completely routed out, please.”

HURIWA raises the alarm, says 2023 census, attempt to inflate Northern votes 

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…Nigerians don’t want to be counted, only want their votes to count

…Group threatens to sue FG over illegal census

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) on Tuesday, has raised the alarm over the plan of the Federal Government to conduct a census in 2023 just before the election.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement to Nigerian Newssphere, alleged that the plan by FG through the Nigerian Population Commission is an attempt to inflate votes from Northern Nigeria at the detriment of voters in the Southern part of the country.

The group described as suspicious, the sudden decision by the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to conduct a census just few months to the end of his tenure and the 2023 general elections.

HURIWA noted that Nigerians won’t keep quiet whilst the Buhari government controlled by Fulanis allegedly try to perpetuate themselves in power through the alleged inflation of votes during next elections.

Already, the Federal Government said it would recruit no fewer than one million Nigerians for the conduct of the 2023 census.

In 2019, the Independent National Electoral Commission said the South-South has 12,841,279 registered voters; North-Central has 13,366,070 registered voters; South-East has 10,057,130 registered voters; South-West 16,292,212 registered voters; North-West has 20,158,100 registered voters; and the North-East has 11,289, 293 registered voters.

Of course, the figures must have increased slightly with the renewed voter registration campaign lately but HURIWA alerts all Nigerians to be vigilant lest citizens are shortchanged by one part of the country.

HURIWA’s Onwubiko said, “The hurried census is an alleged attempt to validate the planned rigging of the election by the All Progressives Congress government.

“Already, the Northern Elders’ Forum and the Arewa Consultative Forum have at various times boasted that the North has the numerical strength to win presidential elections.

“It is also a common knowledge that child voting and multiple voting are usual phenomenon in the electoral history of Northern Nigeria.

“HURIWA warns the Federal Government to discontinue its plan census next year and do so after the general elections. As a matter of fact, Buhari had seven years to do that and he didn’t conduct the census. Nigerians don’t need to be counted now, all they want is for their lives to count and for their votes to count through a free and fair election devoid of malfeasance and fraud.

“HURIWA unequivocally rejects the planned census as it is an attempt to manipulate figures in favour of Fulanis who are being smuggled into Nigeria from Central African Republic, Chad and Niger Republic.

“HURIWA won’t hesitate to challenge the government’s decision in court if it moves to go on with the suspicious action.”

 

 

NIPOST clampdown on illegal Courier Operators in Abuja to sanitize sector

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The Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department(CLRD) of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), has clampdown on illegal Logistics Operators in Federal Capital Territory(FCT) to sanitize sector.
Speaking to Journalists during the exercise on Tuesday, the General Manager, CLRD, Mr. Gideon Shonde, said the clampdown was meant to sanitize the courier industry from the menace of quacks and illegal logistics operators.
He disclosed that the process of getting a license to operate in Nigeria’s logistics sector is easy.
He explained that with a registered business name and token of N90,000 the ‘Solo Rider & SME catergory’ can be acquired.
According to him, “The essence of this exercise is to sanitize the industry, to get rid of the quacks because of the security risk and safety implication, most of them have not been licensed to operate, are not trained, are not equipped to do this logistics business, hence that makes them illegal operators.
“We have had cases of lost documents, damaged items because most of them can’t be traced to an office, not registered. Some had been arrested for moving small arms and drugs. Since they aren’t licensed and we’ve done a lot of awareness creation on social media by visiting NIPOST.
“You need to have a certified name by Corporate Affairs Commission on the strength of that you approach NIPOST for a grant of license. You will submit your evidence and information to show capacity. If you have two bikes you have to declare and register the asset. We will do our evaluation, verify your office and license will be granted.
“As a solo Rider you are required to pay only N90,000; Interantional license is for the ‘Big Boys’; We also have the National category to operate across the country, it is N3,000,000;  A regional license and SMEs/ or like a service support logistics, the payment is just N250,000 so there is no basis for anyone to operate illegally, ignorance is not an excuse” he stated.
The enforcement was carried out by a combined taskforce of the team from CLRD, NIPOST Investigation and Security team, Police officers from the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department(FCIID) Lagos, Officers from FCT Command led by the Assistant General Manager in charge of Ethics, Complain and Strategy at CLRD, Mr. Worimegbe Banks.
Biobak Kitchen, Plot 1274 Area 11;
CEO, Pizza Hut, Ladoke Akinkola Area 3; Heroes Logistics; Boyboy  Omoise; Dabo; Transporteam, Zudex Logistic services; Rah Logistics;Sunny benz Logistics; CoolExpress were among the affected companies and NIPOST confiscated their motorcycles pending application for license.
Newssphere gathered that similar exercise was conducted in September 16th last year to rid the sector of illegality.

Corruption allegations: Again, FG sacks Acting AGF barely 30days after

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Again, the Accountant General Office is  enmeshed in yet another corruption allegations as acting Accountant General of Federation, Chukwuyere Anamekwe was replaced yesterday with Sylva Okolieaboh in the space of 35 days.

The same AGF was reported to be embroiled in a corruption scandal as an insider revealed that the then Acting AGF was “under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over corruption allegations,” this was just about two weeks ago.

Recall that Anamekwe was appointed in May 22, 2022 over a probe into allegations of N80 billion fraud linked to his estranged boss, Former Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris.

However, in what many analysts have labelled as the last straw that broke the camel’s back, Anamekwe claimed that Nigeria is borrowing money to pay salaries.

According to him, “We have to borrow to augment payment of salaries and wages. This shows we are in very difficult times. Government income is highly challenged,”
Meanwhile, no official at the Finance Ministry, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), and the Debt Management Office (DMO) was willing to confirm or deny the allegation of government borrowing to pay salaries.

“You probably should clarify from the AGF or FMFBNP. Funds raised by the DMO are deposited directly into the FGN’s Accounts at the CBN for spending on capital projects. As you know, the DMO does not disburse funds,” a DMO official said.

“The AGF is the administrative head of the treasury of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The office holder is often appointed by the President of Nigeria to serve a four-year term as stipulated in the Constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.”

This comment is said to have ruffled feathers with those in power, forcing the government to show him the door.

FG announces search for substantive AGF
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Folasade Yemi-Esan, has issued a circular in search of a substantive AGF, directing Permanent Secretaries to forward details of eligible Directors on Grade 17 to her office by 4p.m. on 6 July.

The memo stated the qualification of level 17 officers qualified for the position.

“Those who have attained the position of Substantive Director (Grade 17) on or before January 1, 2020 and are not retiring from the service earlier than December 31, 2024 are eligible to participate in the selection process while officers undergoing disciplinary proceedings are excluded,” the memo said.

In the same vein, the resume of Okolie Aboh showed that he is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

His interests include public financial management (PFM), financial reporting, cash management/Treasury Single Account, revenue/collections management, expenditure and management internal control.

“Well, it is unfortunate, this is happening. It shows that corruption is systemic in Nigeria and the more revelation we have the better it is for the system,” he revealed.
Recall that the former AGF Ahmed Idris was sacked earlier by the Federal government following his arrest over money laundering and diversion of public funds allegations on Tuesday.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) intercepted Mr Idris in Kano on Tuesday and subsequently flew him to Abuja.
The Minister of Finance Ms Zainab Ahmed had said in a letter that “Following your recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegations of diversion of funds and money laundering, I write to convey your suspension from work without pay effective 18th May 2022.”

Reacting to the development, the CEO of Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) and Former Director General Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Muda Yusuf said that corruption in Nigeria is systemic.

He urged that the anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria should step-up their roles in the fight against corruption.

He disclosed that many other offices of government have similar issues.

Also responding to the development, the Executive Director of Nigerian Workforce Strategy and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC), Dr David Kayode Ehindero stressed that the constant change of the Accountant General Office headship is a setback to the country’s Economy.

He stated that the sack of Anamekwe has political inclination considering the fact his utterance on the federal government borrowing didn’t go down well with the managers of Government affairs.

“There are certain persons that are running the Government and what is practised in Nigeria is not democracy, it is autocracy where the cabals just sit and determine what happens in the Government MDAs because there are no checks and balances.

According to him the office of the Accountant General is a very sensitive position that needs stability to carry out effective duties in ensuring proper scrutiny of remitting of revenue Government coffers in the Single Treasury Account but this uncertainty is a hindrance towards the fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, a source within the Ministry of Finance told Nigerian Newssphere that the office of the Accountant General was in the best position to confirm or deny these developments.

Also, as at the time of filing this report, the office of the Accountant General and its official have maintained sealed lips over these recent developments.

Trending letter reveals Peter Obi refusing land allocation in Anambra

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Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 elections, a 2007 letter written by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, rejecting allocated plots of land in Anambra State, has surfaced on the Internet.

In the trending letter, Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, said that he became governor by the grace of God and therefore it was wrong for him to profit from it.

Although Newssphere have not officially confirmed the circulated letter, its partly read, “However, as I have made abundantly clear, my being the Governor is by the Grace of God and I believe firmly that it is wrong to benefit from that. I became the Governor because I wish to serve my people, and to do that devotedly, I believe I have to distance myself from undue privileges of the office.

“Consequently, as I thank you for your thoughtfulness, I wish to decline the allocation based on the reasons already adduced.”

The allocated plots were Plot 29/L255 and Plot 29/1254-at the Hill View Estate, Nkwelle-Ezenaka.

ASUU strike is national embarrassment- ABU VC, Prof Kabiru

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Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala has disclosed that the unending Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) strike is a national embarrassment with negative socio-economic impact.

He said on Monday that the strike which had gone on for 140 days as at Monday had impacted negatively on the economy of host communities and infrastructures at universities.

The vice-chancellor made the observation at a “town-and-gown’’ meeting organised by the Kano Zone of ASUU.

Mr Bala said government, ASUU and other key stakeholders should look at the impact of the strike on the socio-economic fabric of the society.

He noted that ABU had more than 30,000 students, each of who spent at least N300 on feeding daily, the total sum of which was high.

“We also have more than 13,000 employees each of who has an average of three to five dependants who feed on daily basis and the salary has stopped coming. It is a rude shock to them.

“The strike also has far-reaching implication on security,’’ he said.

He noted that the central theme of insecurity was poverty, adding that the more pervasive poverty became, the more insecure the society became.

He stressed that the strike was also having an untoward effect on varsity infrastructure like lecture theatres, classrooms and laboratories.

“Sometimes, when I look between the ABU Senate Building and the Engineering Department complex, I feel like shedding tears as nobody is using the facilities or even passing bye.

“These are infrastructure provided by government, but they are left fallow for months hence the need to innovate ways of telling the government that the infrastructure it provided for universities are left idle,’’ he lamented.

Earlier, Abdulkadir Mohammed, Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Kano Zone, said the meeting was organised to interact with key stakeholders and educate the public on the rationale behind the strike.

Mr Mohammed added that the meeting was also aimed at obtaining feedback from critical stakeholders.

He appealed to traditional leaders, religious bodies and other key stakeholders to intervene to end the strike.

“ASUU is not happy to go on strike unless it becomes inevitably necessary and the strikes are principally meant to save the university system,’’ he said.

A traditional ruler at the meeting, Munir Jafaru, said Nigerians should revert to prayers for divine intervention to solve myriad challenges bedevilling the country.

Mr Jafaru suggested a legislation to compel public office holders to send their children and wards to public schools to enhance proper funding of the schools.

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