CBN fund: Senate threatens to order gas companies’ probe.

CBN fund: Senate threatens to order gas companies’ probe.

The Senate Committee on Gas Resources probing the N135bn Central Bank of Nigeria Gas Intervention Fund has said it will invite anti-graft agencies to join in the ongoing investigation.

The panel gave the threat when the affected companies, numbering 14, appeared before it on Thursday to defend the utilisation of the CBN loans they collected.

The lawmakers described as unacceptable, the alleged lack of synergy between the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the CBN on the project.

They also queried the discriminatory disbursement of the funds to the beneficiaries and wondered why some firms collected more than the N10bn credit limit.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, collected the records of the beneficiaries and the locations of their project sites for immediate investigations.

Jarigbe lamented that the funds released under the gas expansion and intervention fund were inappropriately accessed.

He said, “The task of the committee is to ensure that the companies actually expended the funds on what they collected it for.

“The observation of the committee is that there are inconsistencies in the process and the committee may not hesitate to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to recover the funds. Some of the beneficiaries did not follow the guidelines. For instance, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is not even aware that the funds have been released.

 

“The guidelines stated clearly without ambiguity that they are supposed to do evaluation at the ministry before the list of the qualified ones would be sent to the CBN for them to access the loans but that was not done properly.

“We have also discovered that some of the companies do not have anything on ground since they got the loan.”

“The committee would investigate all the observations and work on them and let Nigerians know the true position of things,” Jarigbe added.

However, the Legal Adviser to one of the beneficiaries, Lee Engineering and Construction Company, Mathew Agbadon, lamented the publication made by the committee had given the company negative publicity.

The Director of Gas in the ministry, Oluremi Komolafe, told the Committee that the Ministry was not aware of the disbursement of the fund even though it partnered with the CBN on the scheme.

She added that 150 applications were received and 69 companies were recommended and presently 16 applications were being processed.

She said none of the firms whose applications were being processed made the list of the beneficiaries of the scheme.

Some of the firms that claimed that they had no business with either the ministry or the CBN were rebuked by the committee.

Federal Government pays N585m fines, begins nationwide prisoners’ release.

Federal Government pays N585m fines, begins nationwide prisoners’ release.

The Federal Government, on Thursday, said it had raised N585m towards the settlement of fines for inmates in a bid to decongest correctional centres across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by an Assistant Director in the ministry, Dr Anayo Romanus-Nzekwe, disclosed this on Thursday in Kano, during the release of 150 inmates, whose fines were settled by the Federal Government.

It was reported that the interior minister had repeatedly lamented that no fewer than 4,000 inmates were languishing in detention over their inability to pay fines.

Tunji-Ojo had promised that the Federal Government would clear the fines, estimated at about N500m, and free the inmates.

On Thursday, 150 inmates were freed from the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Janguza in Kano State.

The minister, speaking through Romanus-Nzekwe, said the 150 inmates were among the 4,068 nationwide that the government intended to free in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Federal Government wants to decongest custodial centres and make them humane for proper reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to take place.

“The released inmates were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment with the option of fine and compensation and could not afford to pay their fines and are languishing in custody.

“The sum of N13.4m was spent in Kano State out of the N585m raised by philanthropic individuals, groups and corporate bodies, as part of their corporate social responsibility, for this purpose nationwide.’’

He explained that all inmates in the custodial centres who have fines and compensation not exceeding N1m were qualified to benefit from the gesture.

“We have given the inmates requisite training aimed at impacting their lives functionally and equipping them with the knowledge and skills for their self-reliance upon discharge,” he added.

Each of the freed inmates was given N10,000 to enable them to return to their various homes and villages.

The minister commended the Controller-General of Corrections and the staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service for providing the needed platform and mechanisms towards the safe and humane custody of inmates.

He called on the public, and communities to receive the returning inmates with open arms and refrain from stigmatising them as it could drive them back to committing crimes, which would further endanger society.

He urged the inmates to see the initiative as a second chance to make things right again.

“Stay off crimes and join hands with our father, President Bola Tinubu, to make Nigeria a great nation.

“Abide by the instructions and training you have received while in custody and be good ambassadors in your communities,” he said.

In his remarks, the Controller General of Corrections, Mr Halliru Nababa, commended the minister for securing the release of 150 inmates.

The CG, who was represented by the Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Suleiman Inuwa, said the gesture made a significant impact on the lives of numerous inmates across the country.

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, also on Thursday pardoned and freed 185 inmates in five custodial facilities across the state.

The CJ said the release of the inmates followed the recommendation of the Criminal Justice Reform Committee.

Speaking on Thursday after three days of working visit to custodial facilities in the state, Justice Mohammed, said, “A total of 141 inmates were released from the Gombe Minimum Custodial Centre.

At the Billiri Custodial Centre, 10 inmates were released, 20 were released on bail, and 11 others were released because they were found to be of good behaviour. Making a total of 41 inmates to be released from Billiri Custodial Centre. At the end of the exercise, across five custodial centres in the state, a total of 182 inmates were released through the Criminal Justice Reform Committee.”

She, urged the ex-inmates to be of good character, in order to benefit from the good gesture of the criminal justice reform committee, calling those awaiting trial to be patient and be of good behaviour while waiting for their sentencing by the courts.

“Criminal Justice Reform Committee commends the Gombe State Government for supporting the committee’s exercise, which is geared towards decongesting the custodial centres,” the CJ said.

The Comptroller of the Gombe State Command of NCoS, Lawan Gusau, lauded the Chief Judge and the Criminal Justice Reform Committee.

“We are grateful for this exercise, and it is the first time a total of 182 inmates are being released because of the compassion and service delivery of Justice Halima Mohammed,” he said

Healthcare delivery: FG seeks private sector help to bridge procurement funding gap.

Healthcare delivery: FG seeks private sector help to bridge procurement funding gap.

The Federal government has declared that it cannot bridge the health sector procurement gap of $29m alone and is seeking the assistance of the private sector to address the issue as it begins the implementation of the sector’s Four Point Agenda, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, 

He said though, enduring policies to revitalize the sector have been put in place, the participation of the private sector is critical to the success of the policies.

Pate, during a high-level private sector forum on family planning in Lagos on Thursday explained that engagement with core private sector organizations and players is critical to ignite effective partnerships and make crucial decisions on the appropriate roadmap to developing a long-term sustainability plan for greater impact on health and expanded family planning products and services in the country.

While stating the constraints faced by the government on the issei, Pate said, “It is worthy of note that in the last five years, the cost of procurement has risen from $26,685,834.33 in 2019 to $41,852,705.15 in 2023.

“Over the same period, the procurement funding gap has increased from $5,794,330.95 in 2019 to $29,054,665.15 in 2023 making it impossible to achieve full supply of family planning commodities to health facilities”.

Represented by the Director of Family Health, Stella Nwosu, the Minister lamented that Nigeria is currently confronted with grave social and economic development challenges due to the nation’s dwindling revenues which have become inadequate to cater for our high population of about 211 million making her the most populous in Africa and 7th in the world.

“This is further compounded by our poor health indices including a very high maternal mortality ratio of 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, a very low modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) of 12%, and an Unmet Need for Family Planning of 19% (NDHS 2018)”, he said.

In a statement by Patricia Deworitshe, the Ministry’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Pate however assured that the government is not discouraged since it was its responsibility to find solutions to the challenges

“At the just concluded 64th National Council on Health Meeting, Council approved the request for establishment and funding of Budget Lines for Family Planning at both National and Sub-National levels for the implementation of Nigeria’s Family Planning programme.

“However, while this is a positive step, it must be said that effectively addressing the funding and other challenges facing Nigeria’s family planning programme goes beyond the public sector.

“A broad-based stakeholder engagement process involving the public, social marketing as well as the private sectors is required.

“It is important to note that a National Guideline on Private Engagement for Family Planning has already been developed and will be a useful tool in driving this process”.

In her remarks, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Health District 6, Abimbola Mabogunje noted the growing population in the nation has its attendant challenges such as increased rate of unemployment, high rate of poverty, poor access to sanitation, poor health, lack of or poor education and increased crime rates.

She noted that one effective tool for tackling the problems is for families to have the number of children they can cater for, adding, “Although the government is making frantic efforts to make access to modern family planning free for women, there is a need for all relevant stakeholders in the health sector to join forces with the government to chart a course towards effective funding of family planning services”.

My Govt Will Resist Human Rights Abuses, Social Injustice in Ekiti, Oyebanji Vows.

My Govt Will Resist Human Rights Abuses, Social Injustice in Ekiti, Oyebanji Vows.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, has vowed to consistently reinforce the fight against human rights abuses and all forms of social injustices in the state to create an egalitarian society devoid of unwarranted class differences.

Oyebanji said his commitment to the entrenchment of social justice makes him place high premium on provision of various legal and institutional supports for the vulnerable to entrench economic and social balancing in the system .

The governor said this in Ikogosi Resort Centre, Ikogosi Ekiti, on Thursday, while flagging off a two- day workshop for social work practitioners in Ekiti, organised by the office of the First Lady and Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Speaking on the theme of the programme : ‘Enhancing Effective Social Work Practice in Ekiti State’, a the programme signposting the flagship of activities marking the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, the governor posited that the initiative further underscores his administration’s focus on protection of the rights of women, children and the vulnerable segments of the population .

Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, applauded the social workers in the state for being supportive of government to tame human rights infringements and gender imbalancing .

The governor, said the programme would further equip the social workers with better skills to be able to discharge their duties to the target population.

Oyebanji said social work is a profession that is devoted to helping vulnerable and communities work through challenges they face , assuring that his government will continually provide the workers with necessary social and legal instruments that will ease their humanitarian jobs.

He said his government has always been opening the vistas of partnership with private individuals and corporate organisations in the running of government, charging the practitioners to continually support his government to achieve the task of ridding Ekiti of injustice.

“On the 7th of this month, I inaugurated the gender based violence management committee to effectively implement the State Gender Based Violence Management Prohibition Law 2019.

*Let me state again that this administration will not tolerate violation of human rights in any form or context. Our shared prosperity vision is for our dear state to be a land of peace, opportunities, and progress. A land of honour in which the people and community can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety.

“We know that no government can solve today’s social problems all alone. It takes all of us together. This administration will deepen its partnership with civil society organisations in practical ways”.

Oyebanji commended the First Lady of Ekiti State, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji and the Ministry of Women Affairs, for midwifing such a well-designed programme that will stimulate brilliant and workable ideas on how to take the state forward in becoming a model in social work practice in the country.

Espousing the significance of social work to nation building, the governor, said: “Social workers have a fulfilling career by helping people overcome difficult situations and find their ways to physical , mental and emotional recovery. By anchoring on advocacy, they bring hope to the people.

“However, with increasingly difficult social problems worldwide, practitioners must rise to the challenges and be well equipped as professionals”.

In her submission, the Ekiti State First Lady, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, said the quest to rout violence against women and children out of Ekiti, is a collective one, adding that the rising cases of human rights abuses called for all hands to be on deck to restore orderliness and safety to the vulnerable.

Mrs Oyebanji, represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi, said social workers must be abreast of the 21st century rescue strategies for the victims of violence, saying this programme will offer hope as professionals will cross fertilise ideas on how to achieve the goal.

She said her pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope Project (WAOH) , was set up to bring succour and steadfast commitment to defend the rights of the less privileged, who became vulnerable on account of age, disabilities and other circumstances, describing the struggle as being imperative for everyone to support, because it borders on human rights protection and existence of humanity.

In his submission, the Nigerian Civil Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) State Commandant, Mr. John Fayemi, expressed readiness of his agency to join the government to maintain social order in Ekiti.

Fayemi added that the paramilitary agency places priority on backing humanitarian work and diligent protection of the dignity of all citizens.

Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday Appreciates APC Leaders at Ifedara LCDA Rally.

Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday Appreciates APC Leaders at Ifedara LCDA Rally.

In a grand finale of the APC rally held on November 30, 2023, at Ifedara LCDA, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday, the APC flag bearer for the upcoming Chairmanship election in Ekiti State, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the party leaders and stakeholders who graced the occasion.

Hon. Ogunsanya lauded the dedication, intelligence, hard work, and commitment of the APC leadership at both the state and LCDA levels, emphasizing their continuous efforts for the party's progress.

The event saw overwhelming endorsement for Hon Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday, the APC chairmanship candidate, and Hon Sola Olowojebutu, his running mate, ahead of the local government elections scheduled for December 2nd, 2023

Among the esteemed APC leaders and dignitaries present were Rt Honorable Hakeem Jamiu, RT Honorable Taiwo Franklin Olatunbosun, Hon Bewaji Vincent, Hon Aluko, Hon Egunlusi Tayo, Hon. Ogunsanya John, Hon. Ige Oladipupo, Hon Olorunsola, Pastor Sesan Adewumi, Alhaji Dauda Ajayi, Hon Olowolayemo, Mrs. Caroline Egunlusi, Hon Omosilade Tope, Hon. Laolu Omosilade, Mrs. Wumi Adedipe.

In attendance were also Hon PETER Adekunle, Hon Sola Adekunle, Hon Kayode Ojo, Hon TUYI Ologuntoye, Hon Sola Olowojebutu, the APC vice chairman candidate of Ifedara LCDA Chairmanship position, among others.

During the rally, Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday unveiled his comprehensive blueprint and manifesto for Ifedara LCDA, outlining strategic plans to elevate living standards through focused development across key sectors. The transformative plans encompass various sectors, promising strategic initiatives for agricultural development, healthcare, social security for the elderly, community projects, youth empowerment, education, and enhanced security.

Hon. Ogunsanya Lawrence Sunday also took a moment to offer prayers for the leaders who attended the rally, seeking divine guidance and blessings for their unwavering commitment to the party and its progress. Additionally, he fervently prayed for the continued development of Ifedara LCDA, invoking divine intervention for prosperity and growth in the community.

Boosting Security Architecture: Governor Oyebanji Engages with 2nd Division GOC.

Boosting Security Architecture: Governor Oyebanji Engages with 2nd Division GOC.               By: Comr Olamide Akinwumi J.

In a strategic move to fortify the security infrastructure of the state, Governor Biodun Oyebanji hosted Major General Bamidele Alabi, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division of the Nigeria Army, earlier today at the Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti.

The meeting, aimed at enhancing the security apparatus in Ekiti State, highlighted the commitment of the BAO administration to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety, welfare, and overall wellbeing of all citizens.

Governor Oyebanji expressed the significance of collaborative efforts with the Nigerian Army to bolster the existing security architecture. The engagement with Major General Alabi signifies a proactive approach to addressing emerging security challenges and fostering a secure environment for residents.

The BAO administration remains steadfast in its dedication to creating a state where citizens can go about their daily activities without fear, thereby fostering an atmosphere conducive to growth and development.

As the government continues to prioritize the security of lives and property, Governor Oyebanji assured the people of Ekiti State that every measure necessary for the improvement of security is being implemented, reflecting the administration's unwavering commitment to the overall wellbeing of the state.

This move reinforces the collaborative synergy between the state government and security agencies, showcasing a united front against threats to peace and security in Ekiti.

The people of Ekiti State can expect continuous efforts and proactive initiatives from the BAO administration to ensure that the state remains a safe haven for all. The meeting with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2nd Division marks a significant step forward in achieving this goal.

Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers.

Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers.

Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has flagged off a payment of N1bn as a gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired in 2011.

Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were paid while those the government termed as distressed benefitted from the N1bn payment.

Governor Akeredolu, who was represented by his special adviser on union matters and special duties, Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1bn was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

Akeredolu said the payment of N1bn marked gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of Local Government and Primary school teachers.

The governor said another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

He said his administration has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pensions including allowances for all retirees left by the previous administration.

Akeredolu said: “We want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals as well as those who engage in cult-related activities in our dear state.

“The state government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources. This is in addition to the provision of funds and other logistical support to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

He said Governor Akeredolu was poised to take care of senior citizens.

Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

Many of them would use a chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

Chief Ojo Samuel said it was difficult for him to cope with situations of life after he retired and his gratuity was not paid.

He said: “We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

The chairman of pensioners in Ondo state, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1bn was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

He said pensioners have not witnessed such a good gesture in the state.