Minister of State for Petroleum Resource , Timipre Sylva , says two regulatory bodies in the oil and gas sector will be merged as one regulator in the new Petroleum Industry Bill.
Sylva disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
The two agencies are Petroleum Equalisation Fund and Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency .
He said the two would be merged under the name : “ The Authority ” as regulator in the industry .
He said the agencies would still be relevant to serve as regulators in the industry , noting that without PPPRA and PEF , it would be difficult to deal with profiteers .
“ PEF and PPPRA will emerge as one under a name The Authority ’ and will be helping to police the pump price of petrol so that nobody will profiteer, ’’ he said .
The Minister of State for Budget and National Planning , Clem Agba , announced that a new economic plan to guide the country’ s development in the next four years would be unveiled in December 2020 .
He said the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), would unveil the new economic blueprint , as the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan winds down this year .
The ERGP is the Federal Government’ s economic plan from 2017 to 2020 .
The minister explained that the new plan would consist of two Medium -Term National Development Plans , saying it would serve the country for the period of 2021 to 2025 and 2026 to 2030 .
He spoke at a press conference in Abuja on the Medium Term National Development Plans 2021 – 2025 and Perspective Plan , Nigeria Agenda 2050 .
At the conference , which was organised by the budget and National planning ministry , the minister stated that the vision of government was to place Nigeria ’ s economy among the top 20 economies of the world with a minimum Gross Domestic Product of $ 900 bn.
“ This is with a per capita income of not less than $ 4 , 000 per annum at the end of 2020 , ” he said .
Agba said the ERGP came as a child of necessity to pull Nigeria out of recession with a negative GDP growth rate of 1 . 5 per cent in 2016 to the path of positive and sustainable economic growth .
He , however , noted that the new plan would guide the government and its agencies in the preparation of the 2021 national budget .
He said the major political parties , the National Assembly, youth and women organisations , sub – nationals , among others, would participate in putting together the plan .
The Federal Government says the nationwide curfew in place in the country to restrict movement amid the coronavirus pandemic is now from 12 am to 4 am .
The National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID- 19 , Dr Sani Aliyu , made this known during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja .
Aliyu said , “ I will first of all start with general movement . We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4 am nationwide , effective from 12 :00 tonight.
“ This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that might be returning from abroad . ”
The PTF, following the lifting of the total lockdown occasioned by the pandemic , had on May 4 , 2020 , imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 pm to 8 am . It later reviewed the timing to between 10 pm and 4 am on June 1 , 2020 .
The PTF had also lifted the ban on inter – state movement and okayed the resumption of domestic and international flights .
Osun State Government said public schools in the state would return to their previous uniforms before the introduction of common uniform by ex – governor Rauf Aregbesola at the commencement of the new academic session .
The single uniform policy, which was introduced by the Aregbesola administration at the commencement of the 2013 /2014 academic session , saw all public primary and secondary school pupils wearing the same uniform .
But featuring on a radio programme on Rave FM, Osogbo , Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Jamiu Olawumi, said the new academic session would commence on November 9 , 2020 , adding that at beginning of new academic calendar year , all public school students would return to their old uniforms .
Olawumi said , “ Reversal of the schools ’ names will take place immediately, while the reversal to the old uniforms will commence on November 9 , which is the start of the new academic session . ”
He said , “ We want to assure all stakeholders in the state ’ s education sector that the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has put everything in place to ensure that our pupils are safe in schools .
“ Almost all sectors across the country have opened up , Covid – 19 is already here with us and the situation doesn ’ t look like abating anytime soon , we can ’ t continue to keep our children at home . We just have to find a way around it, the only way is to put safety measures in place at our schools which we have done .
“ Government through the Ministry of Environment have fumigated all private and public schools across the state including tertiary institutions, apart from that , we have also provided enough safety materials for both students and their teachers in all the schools . ”
The Federal Government says the National Youth Service Corps should start making preparations to reopen its orientation camps nationwide .
Orientation camps across the country had been shut in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease .
But speaking, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID- 19 , Dr Sani Aliyu , during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja , said the task force was in the process of developing “strict guidelines” to forestall the outbreak of infections when NYSC camps reopen .
Aliyu said , “ For the National Youth Service Corps, the NYSC is to consolidate on safety measures currently being put in place and start preparing for the reopening of orientation camps when educational institutions open .
“ We are in the process of developing strict guidelines to ensure there is no outbreak of Covid – 19 when this process starts. ”
Reports had earlier reported that NYSC Director – General , Brig. General Shuaibu Ibrahim , said the scheme had embarked on measures to enable safe and efficient conduct of its operations as soon as FG approved the reopening of its camps.
“ Conscious of the possibility of the further or complete lifting of lockdown , the strategies mapped out by the NYSC management had taken care of various scenarios and would be presented to the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Centre for guidance , ” Ibrahim had said .
The Federal Government says state governments and school administrators should start making preparations for the full reopening of schools in the country.
Reports had earlier reported that schools in the country were shut in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease .
However , the FG announced the resumption of graduating pupils effective August 4 , 2020 , to write this year ’ s West African Senior School Certificate Examination from August 17 , 2020 , through September 12 , 2020 .
Some state governments such as Lagos and Kogi had subsequently announced the full reopening of schools effective mid- September.
Speaking , the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID- 19 , Dr Sani Aliyu , during a briefing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja , said the task force recommends phased return of students to classrooms .
Aliyu said , “ For educational institutions which include daycare , primary , secondary and tertiary institutions. Educational institutions should begin the process of working towards potentially reopening within this phase.
“ However , we strongly recommend that states conduct risk assessment to ensure all schools are at a level of compliance and create a monitoring mechanism to assess , create , and monitor this level of preparedness .
“ Meanwhile , all daycares and educational institutions are to remain closed to in – classes until this level of risk is assessed . And if there will be opening of schools , it must be staged and preferably carried out in phases to ensure that this does not pose a risk to the general public and in particular to vulnerable groups that might end up getting infected by students going back home. ”
The University of Ibadan , Lagos State University , University of Lagos , and Covenant University have ranked among the top 1 , 000 universities in the world .
This was contained in the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Ranking released .
THE ranked UI , LASU , UNILAG as first , second , and third respectively in Nigeria .
Privately – owned Covenant University , Ota , Ogun State, was ranked fourth; ahead of Federal Government- owned University of Nigeria , Nsukka , which came fifth; and Obafemi Awolowo University , sixth in Nigeria .
The University of Oxford tops the rankings for the fifth consecutive year , while mainland China ’ s Tsinghua University becomes the first Asian university to break into the top 20 under the current methodology ( launched in 2011 ).
The US claims a record eight places in the top 10 , after the University of California , Berkeley, climbed six places to seventh , but US universities outside the top 200 show signs of decline .
There were 141 first – time entrants in the rankings this year , topped by France ’ s recently merged Paris- Saclay University (joint 178 th ) .
India has the highest number of new entries ( 14 ) and as a result, boasts a record number of ranked institutions ( 63 ).
A breakdown of the ranking further showed that UI rose to the 401 – 500 bracket to overtake CU , which witnessed a drop from 2018 ’ s 636 position to remain at the top 1 , 000 .
CU was ranked as Nigeria ’ s best university in THE ’ s 2020 report after usurping UI since 2018 .
LASU placed between 501 and 600 bands , while UNILAG ranked 601–800 .
UNN and OAU placed on figures exceeding 1 , 000 .
Reacting , LASU in a press statement said , “ The latest ranking follows a consistent and meteoric rise in the local and international stock of the University in the last five years of the Prof . Olanrewaju Fagbohun- led administration , thanks to the entrenchment of academic excellence , a culture of cutting edge research and enhanced community service . ”
Less than 24 hours after the increase in the ex – depot price of Premium Motor Spirit ( petrol ) was announced , some filling stations in Lagos and Ogun states have adjusted their pump prices , selling the product at between N150 and N 162 per litre .
News correspondent, who visited several filling stations along the Lagos – Ibadan Expressway , observed that Fatgbems was selling a litre of petrol at N 162 ; NNPC , N160 ; and Mobil , N159 . 9 .
Enyo was selling the product at N159 . 9 per litre; Capital Oil and Gas , N158 ; and Oando , N150 .
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the pump price of PMS appeared set to hit N 160 per litre as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had increased the price at which it sells the product to marketers from N138 . 62 per litre to N 147 . 67 .
The Petroleum Products Marketing Company , a subsidiary of the NNPC , had on Wednesday increased the ex -depot price of the PMS to N 151 . 56 per litre, with marketers saying the product would be sold at between N158 and N 162 per litre .
The ex – depot price is the price at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots.
The Chairman , Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria , Mr Adetunji Oyebanji , told news correspondent that prices at the pump would have to be adjusted to reflect realities of the increase of ex – depot prices by PPMC.
He said , “ However the magnitude of the increase , timing and location is a decision left to each company . Consistent with global best practices, MOMAN does not dictate prices to its members as this would be anti -competition in a fully deregulated market .
“ We welcome government ’ s action in allowing the market to determine prices as we believe it will prevent the return of subsidies while allowing operators the opportunity to recover their costs. This will, in the long run , encourage investment and create jobs. ”
Former Malian president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has not been seen in public since his August 18 ouster in a coup, has been hospitalised after suffering a brief stroke-like attack, a doctor said.
Keita, 75, was admitted to a private clinic in the capital Bamako on Tuesday evening, he said.
“According to thorough analysis, the president was the victim of a transient ischaemic attack. It is an alert, but he is recovering well at the moment,” a doctor at the facility said.
A transient ischaemic attack, also called a mini-stroke, happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted for a few minutes, causing stroke-like symptoms such as numbness on one side of the body, vision difficulties or confusion in understanding speech.
Although the symptoms are typically short-lasting, they are often a warning sign for future strokes, experts say.
Earlier , an aide to Keita and a medical source had said the former president had been admitted to the clinic for a routine checkup and that he was expected to return home in the coming hours.
Asked how long Keita would stay, the doctor said: “It’s true, his return home was initially envisaged for today, but right now he is under observation.”
The organised labour in Ogun State has gave the State Governor , Dapo Abiodun , a 14 – day ultimatum over the non – payment of the negotiated new minimum wage .
Rising from an emergency meeting of the State Organised Labour held at the Nigeria Labour Congress ’ State Secretariat , Abeokuta , the labour leaders , threatened industrial action if the governor failed to address the issues within the period given.
The union lamented over what it called the dysfunctional Contributory Pension Scheme, totalling 134 months deducted from workers ’ salaries and unremitted ; non – promotion of staff since 2018 and unpaid leave allowances to all employees , both of the State and of the Local Governments since 2015 .
This was contained in a letter addressed to the governor titled “ Declaration of Trade Dispute. ”
The letter dated September 2 , was jointly signed by the State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress , Bankole Emmanuel ; the Vice Chairman of Trade Union Congress , Akeem Lasisi ; the Chairman and the Secretary of Joint Negotiation Council , Folorunso Olarewaju and Adebiyi Olusegun respectively .
Other issues by the labour leaders are , non – restoration of payment of gross salary and the zero remittance of the National Housing Fund deductions to the Federal Mortgage Bank.
The union which accused the government of insincerity to its commitment described the issues as “ recurring and over – flogged ” .
The statement reads , “ It is quite obvious that the State government has chosen to situate the welfare of its employees to the sphere of afterthoughts . Nothing could capture this our stance better than the deliberate distancing of policies that clearly would have improved workers lot . Viewed dispassionately , we hold the belief that the State government has no clear cut roadmap for solving any issue ( s ) or matter ( s ) that bother ( s) on its personnel welfare.
“ We , therefore , request of the State government to , without further delay , set the machinery in motion to address all of the items within fourteen ( 14 ) days from the date above failing which the State Organised Labour will call out its members for full industrial action . The State Organised Labour has demonstrated enough maturity and respect to the development and growth of the state . It is now the turn of the State government to reciprocate . ”
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Communications , Remmy Hazzan expressed the government ’ s commitment to paying the minimum wage.
Hazzan said , “ The issue of the new minimum wage is not contentious, it’ s been agreed and the state government has said that it is already committed to paying on that date .
“ We as a state are committed to any promise we have made in every single sector including the welfare of the workers . We are not a government of empty promises and I doubt it that the workers said that . ”
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