Senate passes N57b Police Trust Fund budget.

Senate passes N57b Police Trust Fund budget.

The Senate yesterday passed N57,014,287,532.00 as this year’s budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund. Of the amount, the Capital Expenditure is N47,024,803,541.18 while the Total Recurrent Expenditure is N9,989,483,990.00.

The passage of the 2023 NPTF budget followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Police Affairs on this year’s budget proposal of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund by the Senate.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Ahmed Mallam-Madori, presented the report on the floor during plenary.

The joint committee said: “This is the fourth budget of the NPTF since its inception in 2019.

“That the NPTF is currently carrying on with the implementation of its 2022 approved budget.

“That the 2023 accrued revenue of the NPTF is as follows: 0.5 per cent of total revenue accrued to the Federation Accounts amounting to N56,205,355,774.00, while 0.05 per cent of the net profit of companies in Nigeria is N308,931,758,00; and Aids, Grants and Donations generated the sum of N500,000,000.00.”

Also, the Senate has passed a Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences at Iyin, in Ekiti State.

This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) yesterday at plenary.

The report was presented by Mohammmed Muntari (APC, Katsina).

In his lead debate, Muntari recalled that the Senate at plenary on October 26 debated the general principles of the Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the university, which was sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti).

Muntari said the Bill sought to provide a legislative framework to support the establishment of the university.

The lawmaker said the school was designed to develop and offer academic and professional programmes leading to the award of diplomas, first degrees, postgraduate research and higher degrees.

Also, the Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Professor Tunji Olaopa for appointment as the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

The Red Chamber’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of screening the nominee and approval of the recommendations of its Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters at plenary. Committee Chairman Oluwole Fasuyi Cyril presented the report.

The Senate also confirmed for appointment as members of the FCSC are: Dr. Daudu Ibrahim Jalo, member representing Adamawa/Gombe/Taraba; Obot Ededet Eyoma (representing Akwa Ibom/Cross River), Dr. Chamberlain Nwele (representing Anambra/Ebonyi/Enugu) and Mr. Rufus Godwins (representing Rivers/Delta/Bayelsa).

Others are: Dr. Adamu Hussein (Niger/FCT), Mr. Aminu Nabegu (Jigawa/Kano), Ms. Hindatu Abdullahi (Kaduna/Katsina), Mr. Shehu Aliyu (Kebbi/Sokoto/Zamfara), Ms. Odekunle Rukiyat Aduke (Kogi/Kwara), Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan (Lagos/Ogun) and Dr. Festus Oyebade (Osun/Oyo).

In his remarks after the confirmation, Senate President Godswill Akpabio thanked the committee for doing a painstaking and wonderful job and wished the nominees a patriotic service to their fatherland.

Soun to receive staff of office Dec 19 – Planning C’mtee.

Soun to receive staff of office Dec 19 – Planning C’mtee.

The official coronation of the new Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Afolabi Olaoye, will hold from December 14 to December 19, an organising official said on Tuesday in Ogbomoso.

Chairman of the coronation’s Central Planning Committee, Prof Adesola Adepoju, who disclosed this in a statement, said the dates were agreed upon after a court approval.

”This followed the approval of the motion of stay of execution by the Oyo State High Court against the nullification of the selection process which enthroned Oba Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III.

“The date of December 16, as published by some news media, is incorrect.

“Rather, the events associated with the coronation will commence on Dec. 14 and culminate in the official presentation of Staff of Office on Dec. 19 by the Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso had on Monday granted a stay of execution of an October 25 judgment.

The judgment had ordered the removal of the traditional ruler following a suit filed by a Prince of Ogbomoso, Kabir Olaoye.

He had alleged there were irregularities in the process which led to Oba Olaoye’s emergence as the new Soun of Ogbomoso land.

Justice Kareem Adedokun ruled in favour of the plaintiff, sacking Oba Afolabi Olaoye and asking for the selection process to be done again.

But, displeased with the judgment, Oba Afolabi Olaoye and the Oyo state government had filed an appeal as well as an application for a stay of execution.

The judge granted the application for a stay of execution and directed all the parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing and determination of the appeal already filed.

NAN reports that the Oyo State Government had announced Afolabi, a pastor, as the new Soun on Sept. 8.

This was about two years after Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, joined his ancestors in December 2021 at the age of 95 years after reigning for 48 years.

NAN

Over 46,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, says Commissioner.

Over 46,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun, says Commissioner.

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, on Tuesday disclosed that 46, 143 people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the state out of which 33, 489 had been identified and placed on sustained treatment

Coker said 12, 654 are yet to be reached and they form the individuals living across the communities in the state.

The commissioner disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities lined up to mark the year 2023 World AIDS Day in Abeokuta, the state capital.

According to Coker, out of a total of 782,005 people tested between year 2020 and 2023, 21,083 tested positive for HIV/AIDS.

She added that the state has a prevalence rate of 1.6 per cent while 12,654 HIV positive persons have no access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

Coker said the state has been making significant efforts to rapidly achieve HIV treatment saturation and meet the UNIADs 95-95-95 2030 goal of zero HIV infection.

Speaking on the theme of the 2023 World AIDS Day celebration: “Communities: Leadership To End AIDS by 2030”, Coker said the state has established 400 testing centres across the 20 Local government areas of the state to increase the state’s testing capacity.

“Sadly, in Ogun State, 46,143 persons are estimated to be living with HIV while 33,489 of them have been identified and placed on sustained treatment.

“However, 12,654 are yet to be reached. These individuals are spread within the communities. Hence the need for our communities to now take the lead in our response to ending HIV.

“Our communities are pivotal to any successful response to HIV/AIDS because they are well-positioned to address both the social and cultural factors that contribute to HIV transmission.

“Our health facilities currently providing HIV services have been increased from 198 in 2019 to 497 as of November 2023.

“About 300 communities’ testers have been engaged and spread across the communities within the 20 LGAs for HIV case finding while our comprehensive treatment centres have been increased from 22 to 43”, Coker said.

The Executive Secretary of Ogun State Action Committee of HIV/AIDS, Dr Kehinde Fatungase said, the state had set up HIV test centres in some tertiary institutions across the state for testing and counselling of students.

Fatungase urged the people, especially the youths to get tested and know their status so as to prevent the spread of the virus.

Repentant B’Haram insurgents now 160,000 – Zulum.

Repentant B’Haram insurgents now 160,000 – Zulum.

The Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum, said on Tuesday that the number of repentant Boko Haram insurgents in the state had risen to 160,000.

The governor said though there were still Boko Haram insurgents around, “they are not strong.”

 “Generally, the security situation in Borno State has tremendously improved,” he declared.

Zulum spoke on Tuesday when he received the Minister of Defence, Muhammadu Abubakar, and his entourage, who paid him a courtesy call in Maiduguri.

He said, “About 160,000 Boko Haram (insurgents) have so far repented. This could not have been possible without the continuous onslaught of the military on them.”

He, however, called for the control of light arms proliferation in the Lake Chad basin, saying it had the potential of reversing the gains made in the counter-terrorism war.

 

“The influx of ISWAP and proliferation of light arms from the Sahelian region through the porous borders of the Chad Basin countries, especially Borno State, is worrisome.

“The Sahel is now our major problem. We have to make sure that there is no safe haven in Borno State to succeed in the terror war.

“The only way we can degrade the insurgents and clear the Chad Basin of insurgency is by upscaling and continuous military operations,” Zulum said.

He added “We have to be very careful about the way we disseminate the terror war information.”

Earlier, the Defence Minister said he was in Borno State, accompanied by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and all the service chiefs to assess the progress in the terror war.

Fubara promises jobs for veterans’ children, donates N30m.

Fubara promises jobs for veterans’ children, donates N30m.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to provide jobs for legionnaires’ children in the state civil service.

The governor said he understood that people were looking forward to enjoying an improved personal economy in a peaceful environment, saying his administration would not do anything that would take away such hope from them, but work to actualise it.

Fubara stated this at the 2024 Armed Forces Emblem Appeal Fund Launching held at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He noted that without hope, it would be difficult for anybody to find any reason to live with optimism, saying it was why President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was instructive.

He stated, “For us as a government, we believe, understand, and also appreciate that the only thing that keeps a man going is when he has hope. When you don’t have hope as a human being, you are gone.

“The government of today did not make a mistake by christening their mantra, ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’. This hope is what we, as a government, will not take away from you. Rather, we will give you everything to see that there is hope.”

Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the war veterans, both fallen and living, for making invaluable sacrifices that had kept Nigeria as a united country.

Identifying with the legionnaires, Fubara said as a child of a soldier, he recalled how his late mother used to benefit from such welfare donations made on days like this.

The governor, on behalf of the state government, launched the emblem with N30m and promised to also redeem previous financial grants made to them.

“It’s a support for your children’s education, scholarship and taking care of your widows too. So, I think when we do that, the problem cannot be completely solved but somehow we have touched you.”

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said war veterans, fallen and living, had shown greater love by defending the territorial sovereignty of Nigeria and ensuring that its citizenry live in peace.

The Chairman, Rivers State Command of Nigerian Legion, Area Controller General, Rev.Canon Charles Hart, remarked that the emblem appeal launch event kick-started the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration to honour military officers who had paid the supreme price while enthroning and sustaining peace, unity, freedom and protection of Nigeria.

Customs hands over $54,330 tramadol bribe money to EFCC.

Customs hands over $54,330 tramadol bribe money to EFCC.

The Tincan Island Port (TCIP) command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over 54,330 dollars tramadol bribe money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, disclosed this at the handing over of the money to the EFCC Zonal Commander, Mr Michael Wetkas, in Lagos on Tuesday.

Nnadi also reiterated the zero compromise for corruption stance of the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

According to Nnadi, the tramadol were falsely declared as electrical appliances valued over N856 million with a view to concealing them while the cash were offered to compromise the customs officers.

The controller said the act was in clear violation of Section 233 of Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCAA) 2023 and commended the officers who stood their grounds to work ethically and lawfully in the interest of national security.

He further called for continuous compliance on the part of port users and reminded them that the NCS with the collaboration of sister agencies like the EFCC would continue to frustrate criminal activities in the port.

Nnadi lauded the officers, who under whose watch, the seizure was achieved and described them as good ambassadors of the NCS.

“The two suspects arrested in connection with the two containers are currently being investigated by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control for possible prosecution,” he said.

Wetkas while receiving the cash, described the feat as a victory for the country and to all the security agencies.

He specifically celebrated the officers of the NCS that achieved it.

Wetkas also lauded the the comptroller general for the letter of commendation in appreciation of the six customs officers who refused to bow to pressure and inducement from the owners of the illicit drugs.

He promised continued collaboration between the EFCC, NCS and sister agencies.

According to him, the era of working without collaboration is gone as the agencies now work closer. (NAN)

We’re focused on job creation, fight against hunger, corruption, others – Tinubu.

We’re focused on job creation, fight against hunger, corruption, others – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, November 28, said his administration is maintaining focus on job creation, the fight against hunger and corruption, among others, in order to unlock the full economic potential of the country.

President Tinubu who stated this in Abuja, at the opening of the 2023 National Conference, Exhibition, and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), also said his administration requires the support of the society to fully maximise available opportunities for Nigerians

President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, noted with pride that Nigerian Engineers are committed to excellence and are respected globally.

He noted: “The Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration is defined by our commitment to unleashing our country’s full economic potentials by focusing on job creation, access to capital for small and large businesses, inclusiveness, Rule of Law and the fight against hunger, poverty and corruption.”

The Nigerian leader used the opportunity to correct the impression in some quarters that Nigeria’s population is not useful, as he said the nation can, within a decade, become a trillion-dollar economy.

The president stressed: “Nigeria has the population and resources to be a trillion-dollar economy within the next decade however; we cannot achieve this ambitious target without recognizing the critical importance of the key elements embodied by the theme for this conference, which include manufacturing, competitiveness and economic growth.

“Some people view our large population of over 200 million people as an obstacle to our economic development. I beg to vehemently disagree with them. What I see is tremendous potential and opportunity in the largest black population in Africa and on earth.

“With the median age of 19, we possess not only a large pool of industrial and engineering labour but also a vast market for any product manufactured within Nigeria. The challenge before us is to turn this workforce into one of the greatest national assets the world has ever seen and this is where you come in; the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the umbrella body of all engineering ceilings and expertise in the country.”

The president added that the story of national growth development cannot be complete without Engineers.

He said: “Nigerian Engineers have created a niche for themselves by their shared embrace of excellence and commitment to quality representation. The Nigeria Society of Engineers is a well-respected organization not only nationally but globally.

 “Indeed no story of national growth and development can be told without acknowledging the significant contributions of the various facets of the engineering profession.

“The theme for this year’s conference, ‘Reengineering the manufacturing sector for competitiveness and enhanced economic growth and innovation’ is especially apt for a time like this when more than ever before, Nigeria needs to take its place on the global stage in the hub of engineering, manufacturing and innovation.”

He also sued for collaboration between the government at all levels and Engineers in order to tap the potential of the country, as he promised to provide the enabling environment for Engineers to succeed in their chosen profession.

He said: “You have a huge responsibility before you, to work with the government and with all the stakeholders so that we can jointly chart a path to true and lasting prosperity for Nigeria.

“Our administration requires your support to harness the immense opportunities in front of us and to turn the promise of Renewed Hope into reality for the generality of our people.

“I once again offer you my solemn promise that I am committed to providing the enabling environment for every policy, legislation, and action required for this to happen.”

President Tinubu restated the government’s desire to raise more revenue and also reduce the burden on citizens and businesses, by streamlining the number of taxes in Nigeria.

President Tinubu assured: “Our goal is to increase Nigeria’s tax revenues while also reducing the burden on individuals and businesses. It might sound like a contradiction but it is not. By streamlining the number of taxes, introducing greater efficiency, and blocking the loopholes through which leakages occur. We can and will deliver less burdensome tax regimes to businesses and employers of labour.”

He noted that State governments are getting seed financing as support for the provision of infrastructure for a transformational infrastructure path across the country. 

The representative of the President and a few other dignitaries that graced the opening ceremony of the conference were decorated with various honours of the Nigeria Society of Engineers.