Reps plan amendment to strengthen PIA, NEITI Acts.

Reps plan amendment to strengthen PIA, NEITI Acts.

The House of Representatives has said it is planning to amend the Petroleum Industries Act (PIA) and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act in order to strengthen them for maximum performance in the extractive sector.

Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere, announced this at a meeting with officials of NEITI yesterday in Abuja.

The lawmaker said the House was working on introducing key amendments to the PIA to make it have stronger provisions for clean energy transition.

He said: “We are also focused on reviewing the NEITI Act, to grant NEITI statutory powers to implement the findings of their investigation, and possibly execute the recommendations of their report.

“We are also considering granting NEITI powers to prosecute those found to be in breach of extant laws, strengthening the governance structure of NEITI, placing more emphasis on crucial disclosure requirements of EITI, especially as they relate to contract transparency and beneficial ownership, independent funding for NEITI, timely review and action on reports by the National Assembly, among others.

“We are also working with sister Petroleum/Oil and Gas Committees with a view to ascertaining those who operate extractive industries in Nigeria, to deepen transparency and public oversight of the industries through the House. “

“We also seek to pursue the recovery of public funds that were either mismanaged, wasted or yet to be remitted from the extractive industries.

“It is also our desire to ensure that there is accountability on the part of state-owned extractive industries to ensure that greater value and revenue is derived from the sector for the good of the nation and to foster a sustainable energy transition.”

Uhochinyere explained that as part of efforts to ensure the success of the House legislative agenda, the committee had secured the partnership, support and commitment of over 70 lawmakers as co-sponsors for critical Bills which seek to review some provisions of the NEITI Act.

He said this would lead to full realisation of the NEITI objectives, as well as the expansion and achievement of the desired transparency in the extractive industry.

Benue Govt. orders refund of excess WAEC/NECO charges.

Benue Govt. orders refund of excess WAEC/NECO charges.

The Benue State Education Quality Assurance Agency (BSEQAA) has directed school principals in the state to immediately refund the excess WAEC/NECO handling charges paid by SS3 students.

The Director-General of the agency, Dr Francis Terna, gave the directive on Thursday, when he visited some schools in Makurdi, the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Terna had engaged some students in SS3 in the schools visited to ascertain what they paid as WAEC and NECO examination fees.

Having ascertained the facts, he instructed the principals to refund the excess charges to the students without delay.

He further directed all the schools to adhere strictly to the approved handling charges of N5000 per student.

He also advised the schools’ authorities to desist from such sharp practices, adding that failure to comply with the government’s directive would be met with appropriate sanctions.

Terna said that the state government was fully committed to upholding high standards and ensuring academic excellence.

According to him, the agency will continue its random visit to schools to monitor their operations.

He restated the government’s directive that no SS3 student should be admitted during the second term to avoid disrupting the academic calendar.

NAN further reports that the BSEQAA boss also inspected form masters’ registers, schemes and record of work as well as lesson plans.

The schools visited included RCM Primary School in Tiosha, UBE Junior Secondary School, Naka Road, NKST Secondary School, Naka Road and Mount Carmel College, Makurdi.

Boko Haram destroyed over 90 percent of houses in Borno – Zulum.

Boko Haram destroyed over 90 percent of houses in Borno – Zulum.

The governor of Borno state, Prof Babagana Zulum, has revealed that over 90 percent of houses in Borno state were destroyed by Boko Haram.

He said fortunately in the last twelve years, his predecessor and himself have so far rebuilt more than 30-40 per cent of such houses in the state.

Zulum said despite the effort by the administration, the state still has a huge significant deficit, amounting to not less than 500,000.

The governor said this on January 25, in Abuja at the International Organisations for Migration’s (IOM) housing design award ceremony titled, ‘Home after Crisis’, which brought together about 1,600 designers, architects, engineers from over 100 countries.

He said: “The Government of Borno and that of the Northeast would provide the political will needed to partner with IOM and other organisations in order to build more homes for the families of Displaced communities. Very soon, we would be entering into an agreement with IOM to see how we can partner together and build more houses.

“The security situation In Borno state has improved by over 90 per cent, we are doing very well, we have many safe areas so we are going to do everything possible to ensure that houses are built and communities resettled in a dignified manner, according to the Kampala convention.

“When it comes to the deficit of housing in Borno state, I can’t give a specific figure but I can say that almost 90 per cent of our houses were destroyed by Boko Haram but within the last 12 years, beginning with my predecessor till date, I think we have built more than 30-40 per cent but we still have a huge significant deficit, amounting to not less than 500,000.”

Chief of Mission IOM Nigeria, Laurent De Boeck said the organisation is working on constructing about a million houses in Maiduguri and Yola using the winning designs of the competition.

He added: “We have already started building the housing prototypes in Maiduguri, we would soon do the same in Yola.

“As for the prototypes we have looked into accessing some lands where the safety is offered and then we start building. The spectacular thing is that it is low cost, using local materials, we are training the population there to also build themselves and recycle what exists around them like metals for covering the houses.

“We have the aim of a million houses in Maiduguri and Yola but we hope that it would also go further to other parts of the country because we are working with the private sector for potential support. So we are hoping that we can shape how houses are built not only in the Northeast but Nigeria.”

The three winning designs from the competition won €10,000 Euros in Total with the first and second positions won by Nigerian architects and the third by a German team and the teams won €5000 for the first prize, €3000 for second and €2000 for the third.

Bello preaches tolerance as Ohinoyi gets staff of office.

Bello preaches tolerance as Ohinoyi gets staff of office.

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, formally presented the staff of office and an official car to the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ahmed Anaje, who was installed on January 8, 2024.

Bello, at the ceremony held at the Ohinoyi’s palace in Okene, urged the new Ohinoyi to be a traditional ruler for all Ebira, irrespective of clan and religion.

The governor also promised his continued support for the monarch, while thanking the other contenders to the throne for accepting the choice of Anaje.

“I want to seize this opportunity to commend those who contested with the new Ohinoyi for displaying a good spirit of sportsmanship. I also call on all Ebiras to sheathe their swords to boost the attainment of the desired development in Ebiraland,” Bello added.

Responding, the Ohinoyi pledged to embrace all Ebira people irrespective of the clan, religion and other differences.

He called for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission to address the question of marginalisation of the region of the country.

He also called for the establishment of the state Ministry of Religious Affairs to enhance collaboration among adherents of various religions in the state.

The governor had on January 8 announced the appointment of Anaje as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

It was reported that no fewer than 75 persons, including a female professor, Angela Okatahi, the first female professor in Egbiraland, had applied for the vacant stool of the Paramount ruler of Egbiraland.

The 75 aspirants were later pruned down to seven.

 They were a former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Dr. Philip Salawu; a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Ataba Omolori; and a retired military general, Yusuf Amuda.

Others are Momoh Shaibu, Prof. Ibrahim Onuwe Abdulmalik, Dr. Ahmad Tijani Anaje and Mr. Ahmed Momohjimoh.

The Ohinoyi stool became vacant in October last year following the demise of 94-year-old Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Ibrahim, was the second Ohinoyi or the fourth independent traditional ruler of Ebiraland.

Tinubu approves N50bn security vote for five northern states.

Tinubu approves N50bn security vote for five northern states.

Vice President Kahsim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu has approved the “Pulaaku Initiative”, a non-kinetic solution to deal with insurgency and banditry in the North, and has equally allocated the sum of N50bn to the initiative, in its first instance.

“Pulaaku” is a Fulani word that loosely means “to be shy”.

The Vice President had in July 2023, during a condolence visit to the Government of Kano State over the death of elder statesman Abubakar Galadanci, disclosed that the Pulaaku initiative would be unveiled “in a couple of weeks”, noting that using the military alone would not end the crisis in the North-West region of the country.

Speaking during his opening address at a two-day Roundtable on Insecurity in Northern Nigeria, organised by the Coalition of Northern Groups, with the theme “Multi-Dimensional Approach to Tackling Insecurity in Northern Nigeria”, Shettima, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Hadeija, said the now-approved initiative would begin in five states of the North namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna states, and would “catalyse” the fortunes of the northern region.

“Every part of the country is equal to the rest, and the government treats the needs of each region as critical. For the North, we are also embarking on a transformative journey to address the root causes of the challenges. The Pulaaku Initiative, a non-kinetic solution, has received presidential approval, with an allocation of N50bn in the first instance.

“This initiative aims to enhance living conditions and livelihoods in selected states, starting with Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna. The construction of residences, roads, schools and other essential facilities is set to commence, promising to catalyse the fortunes of this region,” he said.

Shettima, noted that the government was committed to addressing insecurity in the nation, having allocated a larger share of the 2024 budget to insecurity, while stating that Nigerians must focus on building stronger systems and stop narratives that divided the country.

“I believe the informed gathering here is aware of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to the nation in his inaugural speech of ending insecurity and ending insecurity is a cardinal agenda of the government. As such we have never downplayed the foundational role of security in governance matters. This rationale led to allocating the largest share of this year’s budget to the security sector.

“As we endeavour to improve the quality of life and security for our citizens, we must also look beyond lamentations and focus on building solid defence systems and institutions, to prevent and redeem the identified lapses.”

Also speaking at the event, the chairman of the occasion and former military head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, stated that investments in education and the economy could address the root causes of insecurity, adding that security agencies and federal authorities must form a synergy to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry.

“Additionally, investing in education and economic development can address the root causes, ultimately fostering long-term stability. Also, synergy among the security agencies, and state and federal authorities is key to effectively combating terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry. Together, we can work towards a safer and more stable northern Nigeria, ensuring a brighter future for generations to come. This will have a ripple effect on other regions within the country; thereby transforming the security landscape for the greater good of the citizens of our dear nation”, he said.

Similarly, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Attahiru Jega, emphasised the importance of integrity in fighting insecurity, noting that a lack of coordination and complementarity among security agencies and government at all levels, would hinder the effective fight against insecurity.

He also warned against the use of vigilantes in addressing insurgency, while advocating instead for more formal institutions, such as state police, stating “rather than continue to promote the phenomenon of vigilantes in our communities, perhaps we may as well go back and get the Constitution appropriately amended, so that we have formal institutions of state policing.”

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, appeals for peace in Plateau.

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, appeals for peace in Plateau.

Captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa, has called for peace in his home state, Plateau, following the ongoing killings in the North Central state.

Taking to his Instagram page on Thursday, Musa called for unity in the state.

He wrote, “A heartfelt plea for peace in Plateau. Dear Plateau family and Nigerians as a whole.

“Our state is hurting, and we need to come together. The fights, the killings– it’s too much. We are all one big family, no matter our religion. Most families in Plateau have both Christians and Muslims. We should be celebrating our differences, not fighting because of them.

“Let’s ask our leaders to focus on what really matters: keeping us safe and bringing back the peace we once had. Plateau used to be known as the Home of Peace and Tourism. We want that back.

“So, let’s stand side by side, no matter our religion. Hold hands, pray, and ask for peace. We can do this if we all work together.”

Armed men had on Wednesday launched a fresh attack in the state, killing no fewer than 30 victims in Kwahaslalek village in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

The latest attack is happening one month after 195 persons were massacred in the Barkin Ladi, Mangu, and Bokkos LGAs of the state last Christmas Eve.

About 221 houses were burnt, including other property worth millions of naira.

Police arrest Mr. Ibu’s son, adopted daughter for fraud.

Police arrest Mr. Ibu’s son, adopted daughter for fraud.

The Nigerian Police, through its Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has arrested Oyeabuchi Okafor and Jasmine Okekeagwu for allegedly conspiring and defrauding Mr. John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, of N55 million.

In a press statement on Thursday, the FCID disclosed that they acted on a petition from Diamond Waves Law on behalf of Mr. Ibu’s wife, Stella, alleging that the actor’s sons, Onyeabuchi and Valentine Okafor, along with his adopted daughter, Jasmine Okekeagwu, conspired to defraud Mr. Ibu.

The police statement issued by the spokesperson, ASP Mayegun Aminat, read, “Investigation into the case established that as part of efforts to fund his medical bills, Mr. Ibu launched a public fund-raising initiative and attracted donations from his fans, entertainment industry players, and other well-spirited members of the public into a bank account which he publicised and dedicated for the purpose.”

The FCID revealed that Onyeabuchi and Jasmine manipulated Stella, took possession of Mr. Ibu’s phone, and hacked into the banking details.

They were said to have reinstalled the banking app, transferred N55 million from the donations, and planned to escape from the country after a sham marriage.

The police said N50 million has been recovered from the suspects, and they have been charged with conspiracy and stealing at the Chief Magistrate’s Court 1, Yaba.

They were said to have been granted bail, and the case adjourned to March 11, 2024.

The case file has also been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

It was reported in October 2023 that Mr. Ibu had undergone multiple surgeries and was seeking further treatment abroad, with his family expressing gratitude for the donations received from his fans.