The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan , has asked the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd ) to ensure the submission of the 2021 national budget before the end of September this year.
Lawan stated this while referring the 2021 – 2023 Median Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper , which were submitted to the federal Parliament by Buhari to the relevant committees of the Senate for necessary legislative action .
He said the presentation of the budget before the end of September , would enable the National Assembly to complete necessary works and pass it before the end of December .
He also asked the various committee members to engage all the revenue -generating committees very well to ensure that a thorough job is done .
The Federal Government says the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State begins from Friday midnight July 24 , 2020 to January 23 , 2021 .
The Minister of Works and Housing , Babatunde Fashola, announced this at a press briefing in Abuja .
He stated that between 2015 and 2019 , the government undertook a survey of all the bridges in Nigeria to determine their conditions and the urgency of repairs that should be done on them.
Fashola said , “ Some were critical , others were less critical and the Third Mainland Bridge is one of those bridges . At the time we estimated that we will need about N277 bn to do all of that work over a period of four years .
“ We didn ’ t get the budget that we expected , but we got something and we have started some work over the last few years . Currently , we have intervened on 37 bridges across the country, doing maintenance work and all of that . ”
The Senate have asked the service chiefs to step aside following the killings of soldiers who are fighting insurgency and banditry in some parts of northern Nigeria .
The motion was brought to the floor of the Senate via a point of order , moved by the Chairman of its Committee on Army , Senator Ali Ndume .
Those who contributed to the motion lamented the implication of the disturbing development stressing that it was capable of frustrating the war against insurgency and banditry .
They noted that many members of the armed forces who are scared of losing their lives have started resigning from the military .
The Vice- Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs , Senator Ayo Fadahunsi, proposed an additional prayer that demanded the stepping aside of the service chiefs and his prayer was seconded by Senator Betty Apiafi .
The Senate President , Ahmad Lawan , ruled on the prayer and it was overwhelmingly supported by all the senators in attendance.
The Senate, therefore , asked the service chiefs to step aside so that the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari , ( retd . ) to appoint new ones with fresh ideas .
The joint committees on Defence , Army , Air force , Police , and Interior were also mandated to receive briefings from the new service chiefs and the Minister of Interior on the disturbing development.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , has given the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio , 48 hours to name the lawmakers who received contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission .
Akpabio had said before a House committee on Monday said that 60 per cent of the contracts awarded by the NDDC was given to lawmakers .
The minister ’ s claim had generated controversy and questioned the integrity of the committee set up to probe the alleged N 81 bn fraud perpetrated by the NDDC.
Addressing the House , however , Gbajabiamila , who has been a federal lawmaker since 2003 , said he had never received any NDDC contract before .
He subsequently gave Akpabio 24 to 48 hours to reveal the identities of the lawmakers that received the contracts or face severe sanction .
The Speaker said , “ This is my 5 th term here and I have never for once collected anything from the National Assembly and I know I speak for a great majority of members of this House, a great majority . And because of that , I will take this allegation and accusation very seriously.
“ And I will give the minister (Akpabio ) 24 to 48 hours . Clerk , I want you to back this up with a letter from this House. Give the minister 24 to 48 hours to publish the names , the contracts so given, the dates because obviously these things will be documented ; unveil the companies of the 60 per cent projects that were given to members of the National Assembly . ”
Gbajabiamila ’ s ultimatum received applause from a large section of the lawmakers .
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Tuesday to Thursday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released in Abuja said there were active weather systems currently observed over parts of Borno, Abuja, Kogi, Taraba and some parts of the southeast.
According to the weather outlook, there are chances of early morning thunderstorms to affect parts of Kano, Yobe, southern Borno, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa and Taraba on Tuesday.
“Thunderstorms are still expected over parts Borno, Katsina, Yobe, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Kano, Gombe, Zamfara and Bauchi during the afternoon and evening hours.
“There are prospects of morning rains over Nassarawa, Abuja, Plateau and Kogi, leaving other places in the central region in cloudy skies in the morning hours.
“Thunderstorms are anticipated over the entire region in the afternoon and evening periods,’’ it said.
NiMet predicted cloudy skies across the inland cities of the south with chances of light to moderate rains over the southeast inland to affect parts of Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Cross River in the morning hours.
The agency, however, envisaged the afternoon and evening to hold prospects of thunderstorms over a wider area of the entire inland cities.
It forecast, predominantly cloudy in the morning over the coastal cities with possibilities of morning rains over Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
It further forecasts light to moderate rains over the stretch of the coastal belt during the afternoon and evening period.
According to NiMet, cloudy skies are expected over the Northern region in the morning of Wednesday with chances of thunderstorms over Kano, Katsina, Kebbi and Taraba.
“In the afternoon and evening period, few thunderstorms are expected over Borno, Bauchi, Yobe, Jigawa and Adamawa while morning rains are likely over Niger, Abuja, Benue and Nassarawa as other places remain cloudy.
“During the afternoon and evening hours, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Benue, Plateau, Nassarawa and Kogi axis.
“The inland cities of the south should be predominantly cloudy in the morning while the entire region should watch out for rain showers in the afternoon and evening hours,’’ it said.
The agency predicted intermittent rains over the coastal cities throughout the forecast period.
According to the agency, morning thunderstorms are likely over parts of Jigawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Bauchi on Thursday with the rest of the region in cloudy skies during this period.
“Thunderstorms are expected over Borno, Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba while the north-western parts should be in cloudy skies during the afternoon and evening hours.
“The north-central cities are likely to be cloudy with prospects of overnight thunderstorms over Abuja, Niger, Nassarawa and Plateau in the morning.
“Later in the day, cloudy skies with thunderstorms are expected over the region.
“Moderate rains are anticipated over the southern region in the morning hours while the coast is expected to experience moderate rains in the afternoon and evening periods.’’
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has decorated newly promoted senior officers at Force Headquarters, Abuja with a disclosure that failure by organizations in recognizing potentials of its personnel and rewarding them with promotions as eligible stands the risks of demotivating such officers to become less dedicated
The IGP made this known just as he noted that a total of 41, 863 officers and men have been promoted to their deserving next ranks across various cadres since January 2019 when he took office.
Emphasizing that promotions were guided by the principles of seniority and merit, which is reflective of their record of discipline and invaluable experience, IGP Adamu said the capacity of the human assets of any organization; particularly at strategic management level is fundamental to the attainment of the goals and mandates of such institution.
“No organization can advance beyond the competence and dedication of its strategic leaders, and neither can any organizational goals and plans be attained without a crop of highly committed personnel to drive the implementation process” he said.
“This position is even more critical for a law enforcement agency that is as strategic to internal security as the Nigeria Police Force. This is because the rapidly changing dynamic of crime and the attendant increasing threat to security requires quality police managers that have the requisite professional knowledge, experience and competency to effectively provide leadership directed at managing such internal security realities” he added.
Furthermore, he said, “It is in cognizance of this that I have since my appointment as Inspector General of Police, been collaborating effectively with the Police Service Commission in ensuring that appropriate processes are placed to identify and promptly elevate deserving officers with unblemished service records for promotion”.
He charged the promoted officers to support the Nigeria Police in the attainment of its mandate, be civil to the citizens and be guided by the need to respect extant laws.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha who was guest of honour commended the IGP for the innovative and revolutionary style he has introduced since his appointment.
Mustapha said the IGP, as head of the lead agency for internal security has improved the coordination and synergy between security agencies so people would enjoy the safety they deserve as citizens.
While advising the newly promoted officers that the country is in difficult times and needs complete commitment, cooperation, new vigor and resilience, the SGF said, “We are dealing with multifaceted challenges that have permeated their entire fabric of the society. What is demanded of you is that you must step up your actions because crime is dynamic”.
He gave the assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari will always be there for the Police because he knows the entire responsibility as the lead agency for internal security is at their doorstep.
The SGF said the President also demands for complete open and committed engagement with the civilian population even as he expressed satisfaction with the progress on community policing saying it is the duty of every individual to be a watchdog to the community.
The Officers decorated include: DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, who until his promotion to the enviable rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, was a directing staff at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS).
He has been deployed as the DIG in charge of the Department of Research and Planning.
Also, in line with geo-political balancing considerations, he doubles as the DIG in-charge of the South-West geo-political zone of the country, a void created by the recent retirement of DIG Peter Babatunde Ogunyanwo.
Others decorated are: AIG Amba A.A Asuquo, AIG Nkereuwem A. Akpan, AIG Olafimihan Adeniran Adeoye, AIG Aishatu Abubakar, PhD, CP Jonathan Towuru, CP Sikiru Kayode Akande, DCP Johnson Oluwole Adenola and DCP Grema Jibir Isa.
It would be recalled that the Police Service Commission recently approved the promotion of 6,618 senior Police Officers. They included four Commissioners of Police including one specialist, were promoted to the rank of AIG.
Minister for Niger Delta, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has told the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, that before he took office, the commission had over 300 bank accounts.
The Minister made the disclosure, which he was fielding questions before the Committee investigating corruption allegations at the Commission.
When asked about his fracas with Nunieh , the minister said , “The former Managing Director of the NDDC was relieved of her appointment when I received a letter from the then Chief of Staff ( may his soul rest in peace ) that she did not possess the requisite qualifications to be there.
“ For instance , we have written twice to the National Youth Service Corps and twice they have insisted that she never served and that she does not have an NYSC certificate or an exception . ”
Akpabio added that among other reasons, Nunieh was sacked due to insubordination .
THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,JAMB,has drawn guidelines to the heads of the nation’s higher institutions on the 2020 admission.
This came as it directed institutions to begin admissions for candidates for first and second choices on August 21,2020.
“The 1st and 2nd Choices Admission-Exercise be conducted for all institutions from 21st August 2020 to a later date that would be determined by the Federal Ministry of Education and communicated to all the institutions,” it said, adding: “The uncertainties of the Covid-19 make it impossible to fix a terminal date.”
In the guidelines dated July 9,2020 to the vice chancellors, rectors and provosts of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, respectively, JAMB, warned against flouting decisions of its 2020 policy meeting, held on Tuesday, June 16,2020,insisting that all admissions must be carried out in honest and transparent manners.
The board,in the guidelines signed and released by its Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, explained that “the guidelines for 2020 Admission Exercise, which are expected to guide all the participants in admission process.”
“The guidelines explain the nitty-gritty of the processes of admission of candidates into the Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.
“All heads of institutions and admission officers are advised to carefully study and understand the content of the document with a view to implementing it fully for a seamless and transparent admission exercise,” it said.
“The decisions as well as the policy directives as contained in the address of the Honourable Minister of Education at the Policy Meeting shall serve as the guidelines for the 2020 Admissions Exercise.
“All Heads of Tertiary Institutions are to ensure total compliance with the guidelines.
” Sanctions shall be applied to institutions that violate the decisions,”it warned.
JAMB which insisted that:”The Admission-Exercise for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would be conducted on Central Admission Processing System (CAPS)”,tasked the three higher institutions’ regulatory bodies-The National Universities Commission, NUC;the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE to collaborate with it to ensure full compliance” of the guidelines.
The board said it has stopped illegal or irregular admission in any form,saying all admissions must pass through it.
It said:”All applications for admissions to First Degree, National Diploma, National Innovation Diploma and the Nigeria Certificate in Education into Full Time, Distance Learning, Part Time, Outreach, Sandwich, etc, must be processed ONLY through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“Institutions which are still involved in advertising or selling application forms for admissions into the programmes should stop henceforth.
“Institutions should advise candidates to apply to them through Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Duplication of application forms is NOT allowed.
“Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the three Regulatory Agencies (National Universities Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE)) will ensure that all Tertiary Institutions comply with this policy directive.”
“The duration of all Non-Full Time Studies must be maintained as approved by the Regulatory Agencies. This is generally not less than one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of the equivalence of Full Time.”
On advertorials, JAMB said:”Institutions that desire to place advertisement can do so by advising candidates who applied for the current UTME to change to their institution as First (1st) Choice rather than requesting the candidates to purchase another application form or apply”,adding:” This is to prevent the issue of double registration which is a violation of the JAMB mandate.”
It explained that the mode of,” The Admission-Exercise for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would be conducted on Central Admission Processing System (CAPS)”,adding that:” No Institution is allowed to publish,
announce, exhibit or paste any name(s) of admitted candidate without prior approval of the name on CAPS.”
Insisting that the exercise would only be fully conducted on CAPS,JAMB explained that the,”The principal participants are the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) as
Chairman;Heads of Tertiary Institutions; Director of Admissions (JAMB) Admission Officers of Tertiary Institutions;JAMB Desk Officers; and Candidates.”
Among the procedures for admission,according to
JAMB,include:”Recommendations and Approval Institutions are to recommend candidates for admission after having presented to the Board the following information through CAPS:The approved general quota for each institution and the distribution to the various programmes;Minimum UTME score for each programme;Minimum DE qualification grades for Direct Entry Candidates;Components of Cut-off marks and the allotted score for each component;the cut-off date for the 1st and 2nd Choice admissions after which no result upload nor change of Institution as 1st Choice would be allowed; supplementary admission can be allowed but fresh candidates cannot have right to being on merit list but through other criteria to fill existing vacancies; and other admissions criteria (if any).”
JAMB said:”No institution will be allowed to recommend or admit any candidate whose UTME score is below the following threshold:Degree — 160;ND — 120;NCE — 100;NID — 100.”
” Institutions cannot reduce their submitted minimum UTME score on the basis of National minimum score in (H2) above. Only institutions with minimum UTME score lower than the National minimum UTME score are obliged to upgrade to meet or surpass the National Minimum score.
” In the same vein, no institution can graduate a candidate who has not been a full time student of that institution for at least 2 consecutive years.
“Affiliated institutions are to adopt the same minimum UTME scores as the mother institutions,” it added.
The Nigerian Air Force has revealed the identity of the killer of the late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile .
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information , Ibikunle Daramola , made this known at a just – ended briefing in Abuja .
Daramola gave the name of Arotile ’ s ex – classmate who drove the vehicle that hit Nigeria ’ s first female combat helicopter pilot as “ Mr Nehemiah Adejoh ”.
The NAF spokesperson also said the matter would be handed over to the Nigeria Police Force being a civil case .
He said the details of the 24 – year- old pilot have been communicated to her family who is still mourning their daughter and sister .
Giving a report of a preliminary investigation carried out , the NAF spokesperson said the late Arotile met three of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School now Air Force Comprehensive School ) Kaduna on the day of the unfortunate incident .
He said , “ Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun , drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA . It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh , Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna , but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu , wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu , who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base .
“ Upon recognising their schoolmate , Arotile , after passing her , Mr Adejoh , who was driving , reversed the vehicle , ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased , who was walking in the opposite direction . In the process , the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement . The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement , causing her further injuries. ”
Daramola said Arotile was rushed to NAF hospital in the base but was confirmed dead at 04 : 45 pm.
He explained that the three ex -classmates were immediately detained and subjected to alcohol test but no such substance was found in their systems.
“ It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle , Mr Nehemiah Adejo , did not have a valid driver ’ s license .
“ Being a civil case , the matter will be handed over to the Nigeria Police with a view to further investigating and charging the suspects to court in accordance with extant laws, ” he added .
Minister of Foreign Affairs , Geoffrey Onyeama , has contracted COVID- 19 , according to reports .
The minister , who made this known via his verified Twitter handle , said his fourth Covid – 19 test returned positive on Saturday.
Narrating the experience , Onyeama said he had felt slight itching in his throat and had had his samples collected for Covid – 19 test .
He noted that he was headed to an isolation centre for treatment while he hopes for quick recovery.
He wrote , “( I ) did my fourth Covid – 19 test yesterday at the first sign of a throat irritation and unfortunately this time it came back positive. That is life ! (You ) win some, lose some. ( I ’ m ) heading for isolation in a health facility and praying for the best . ”
As a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID – 19 , Onyeama is one of those driving the fight against the pandemic , especially regarding the repatriation of stranded citizens abroad .
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