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The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd ) , has warned political appointees and other government officials against using their positions to bestow undue advantage on anyone seeking government jobs .

According to him , using their positions for undue advantages and other favours was “ antithetical to the character of the administration . ”

THE PUNCH reported that members of the National Assembly had walked out the Minister of State for Labour , Employment and Productivity , Festus Keyamo , during an investigative hearing over the 774 , 000 jobs offer of the Federal Government.

The programme seeks to employ about 774 , 000 youths for three months and they would be engaged in unskilled jobs such as sweeping streets , clearing drainages, controlling traffic and road construction among others.

The Federal Government had also appointed members of the All Progressives Congress , Alhaji Mutiu Are ; the daughter of APC national leader and Iyaloja – General , Folasade Tinubu – Ojo ; and the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos State , Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo into the 20 – member committee that will undertake the recruitment of 20 , 000 youths in Lagos .

The Minister of Information and Culture , Lai Mohammed , conveyed Buhari ’ s position in a statement sent to journalists in Abuja .

He said , “ The President ’ s repeated warning followed persistent reports of fraudsters using the business cards and purported referral letters from presidential aides and other government officials to solicit employment , contract and other favours . ”

Mohammed told Ministries, Departments and Agencies to disregard any purported request from government officials aiming to confer undue advantage on anyone seeking such favours .

He said Buhari ’ s regime has put in place a systematic and disciplined approach to ensure that the government runs smoothly for all Nigerians , whether in the area of employment or contract procurement.

“ This system should be allowed to work for all Nigerians without interference ” , the Minister stated .

Keyamo was on Tuesday walked out following his refusal to apologise after the legislators accused him of raising his voice against them.

The incident happened during an investigative hearing organised by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Employment, Labour , and Productivity .

Keyamo was asked by the lawmakers to explain the modalities he had adopted to carry out the recruitment process and why he was not carrying out the NDE along .

The minister explained that an Act that established the NDE gave his ministry powers to oversee the affairs and programmes of the agency .

Trouble started when the minister said he had inaugurated a 20 – member committee to implement the recruitment process and that the committee had started work.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour , Employment, and Productivity , Mr . Godiya Akwashiki , asked why NDE was not being carried along in the process .

Keyamo said the Director – General of the NDE , Nasiru Ladan , is a member of the committee but when asked to defend himself , the NDE boss said the minister was in a better position to answer all questions relating to the N52 billion budgeted for the recruitments of 774 , 000 Nigerians under the NDE .

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has requested the approval of the Senate for the confirmation of 42 ambassadorial nominees .

One of the nominees from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, was appointed as career ambassador , while the rest are non – career nominees .

Some of the non – career nominees are , former minister , Ademola Seriki ( Lagos ) , Debo Adesina ( Oyo ) , Dare Sunday – Awoniyi (Kogi ) , among others.

The President in another letter , asked the upper chamber to confirm the appointment of three nominees as commissioners in the Federal Civil Service Commission .

Buhari in yet another letter , sought the approval of the Senate for the appointment of a federal commissioner for the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission .

President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to suggestions by National Assembly leadership to prevail on electricity distribution companies in the country to suspend their planned electricity tariff price hike.

The the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had announced that the the new price regime for electricity consumers would take off from Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

However, the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Pawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, held separate meetings with President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), in the State House on the matter.

The leaders of the federal legislature said they met with the President to make him consider the time factor in the price hike plan, adding that both the President and the Vice President listened and reasoned along the same line with them on the need to suspend the plan for now.

It would be recalled that the National Assembly had intervened in the matter on Monday and had suggested that the plan be kept on hold for the time being.

According to Gbajabiamila, both President Buhari and Osinbajo were on the same page with the National Assembly leadership on the deferment of the hike given the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people.

“Let me just say that we saw the President earlier this morning and we have seen the Vice President today. The whole idea is that when there is a major policy decision, it is always good that the legislature and the executive are on the same page so that we don’t sing different tunes.

“I will like to say that I think we have all agreed on an increase in cost reflective tariff but the issue is that the timing is also important. Sometimes, timing is more important than even the policy decision that you make.

“There is a saying that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. So the intentions is good but what about the timing?

“We have all agreed to suspend this for a while, tarry a while and get the buy-in of the people, explain to the people why this has to be done, that it is for the betterment for the electricity to get stable.

“They (DisCos and GenCos) are businessmen and cannot be undercutting themselves.

“I think so far so good, the President listened attentively, the Vice President listened attentively and I think everybody is on the same page and hopefully, we will get some reprieve between now and whenever, but it’s not going to happen today”, he said.

Also speaking, the President of the Senator, Senator Lawan, affirmed that the villa meeting was in connection with the plan in electricity tariff hike, saying that time was not right for an increase.

He said necessary measures, including the provision of prepaid meters, must first be put in place before any hike can be made.

“The joint leadership of the National Assembly sat yesterday with DISCOS and Nigeria Regulatory Agency. We believe that this is not the right time to increase the tariff in the electricity sector. Nigerians have a lot of challenges today because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation requires that we do everything possible to make life easy for our citizens.

“Of course, government is doing a lot in this respect but we believe that DISCOS should meet with consumers, find better cost effective tariff. But before then, there must be some steps to ensure that the consumers are properly metered otherwise, you will still go back to guessing what consumers are consuming. That is to say that let the billing be scientifically based, it has to be based on what you actually consumed.

“So we had this discussion with Mr. Vice President and we are sure that that announcement in the increase of electricity tariff in Nigeria is untimely.

“We believe that we need to do more work to ensure that before any increase, there must be some measures, steps, line of actions that must be exhausted including the metering. This is a welcome idea to the Vice President as well.”

On how to achieve billing without overburdening Nigerians, he explained: “I believe that the share purchase agreement signed by the government and the DISCOS at the point of the privatization must be adhered to. These are businesses and they must do everything possible to provide services. It is when they provide efficient and effective services to consumers that they can make money.

“But as a government, we too must make sure that we discharge our obligations as provided for in share purchase agreement signed. Once we are able to achieve that, we will have a better situation in the power sector in Nigeria. It is doable, it has happened elsewhere.

“So, we cannot continue to give DISCOS and GENCOS the resources that we can ordinarily deploy to build hospitals. But whatever it’s necessary for us to do as part of our agreement with them we must do those”, he said.

TheNation

The Confederation of African Football Executive Committee has announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations by one year .

The continental games will now hold in Cameroon in January 2022 .

The decision was reached after the committee met via video – conference to discuss the future of competitions and other related issues amid the COVID- 19 pandemic .

“ After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022 . The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course , ” the football body said in a statement .

CAF also rescheduled the finals of the African Nations Championship 2020 , shifting it to January 2021 also in Cameroon.

“ The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions . Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule, ” CAF President , Ahmad Ahmad said .

The statement also read , “ The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup , will resume in September with a Final Four ( 4 ) format . Semi – Final matches will be played in a single match .

“ Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’ s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled .

“ The 42 nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia .

“ CAF has allocated an additional USD 16 . 2 Million to assist Member Associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic . Each Member Associations will be entitled to USD 300, 000 . ”

The Confederation of African Football Executive Committee has announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations by one year .

The continental games will now hold in Cameroon in January 2022 .

The decision was reached after the committee met via video – conference to discuss the future of competitions and other related issues amid the COVID- 19 pandemic .

“ After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022 . The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course , ” the football body said in a statement .

CAF also rescheduled the finals of the African Nations Championship 2020 , shifting it to January 2021 also in Cameroon.

“ The CAF Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions . Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule, ” CAF President , Ahmad Ahmad said .

The statement also read , “ The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup , will resume in September with a Final Four ( 4 ) format . Semi – Final matches will be played in a single match .

“ Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’ s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled .

“ The 42 nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia .

“ CAF has allocated an additional USD 16 . 2 Million to assist Member Associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic . Each Member Associations will be entitled to USD 300, 000 . ”

The United Nations says more Nigerians may face hunger this year , noting that there is an urgent need to support farmers in the country.

Ms . Eve Sabbagh , Head, Public Information Unit, United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria , made this known while speaking with journalists .

She lamented that the number of people in dire need of life – saving assistance including food , shelter and potable water rose from 7 . 1 m in 2019 to 7 . 8 m in 2020 amid the pandemic .

“ It is extremely important to have funding in time to provide support to farmers during the planting season , as there is a risk to see more people facing hunger this year , ” she noted .

Sabbagh explained , “ Before the COVID- 19 pandemic reached Nigeria , humanitarian needs were already worsening and increased from 7 . 1 million people in need of urgent life -saving assistance in 2019 to 7 . 8 million people in 2020 .

“ UN and NGOs as well as government institutions had planned to step up their assistance in 2020 . UN and partner NGOs needed $ 834 million to provide urgent aid to 5 . 9 million people.

“ We are half – way through the year and so far only 15 % of the funding has been received . Now with the COVID- 19 pandemic and its impacts on the economy and livelihoods , many more people need urgent assistance. ”

The Senate has explained why the Federal Government should subsidise electricity for Nigerians .

The electricity distribution companies of Nigeria had on Monday told the National Assembly leadership that the only condition to halt tariff hike was for the Federal Government to bear the difference between the current tariff and the proposed one .

Addressing journalists on behalf of the red chamber , the Chairman , Senate Committee on Power , Senator Gabriel Suswam , and his counterpart in the Media and Public Affairs , Dr . Ajibola Basiru , said increasing the tariff at the moment would be counterproductive .

The upper chamber said the best thing for the Federal Government to do now was to take the challenge of subsiding power by paying DISCOs the balance of the current tariff and the proposed one .

Suswan specifically said there was nowhere in the world where such gestures were not being extended to the citizenry.

He said , “ Nowhere in the world that power is not subsidised especially in a developing economy because there are genuine people, who , because of their income, are unable to pay what is called a cost- reflective tariff .

“ Nigerians are heavily burdened because of COVID – 19 . The economy has contracted by 3 . 2 % , that ’ s a lot .

“ So it makes you and I to attend to some of our social problems . So , is the government preferring to add a burden or lessen it?

“ The president has been doing well , he has spent so much money , and what we expect is that the spending will gradually reduce or diminish as the power sector becomes more efficient .

“ There are two things , one is to make it more efficient and second , the government will back out just like they have done in the oil sector where subsidy has been completely removed .

“ Even at that , the government is reducing the pump price. So , should they , in the same vein, increase tariff ? It doesn ’ t make sense .

“ I think the executive will agree , even though it’ s going to come at a cost . But what cost is more than lessening the burden on the people?”

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu , has tested positive for coronavirus .

Akeredolu confirmed his status via his
Twitter handle.

He tweeted, “ Today , I tested positive for # COVID 19 . All is well. I ’ m asymptomatic and have been self -isolating . Work continues . Your continued prayers over my well being are most appreciated. ”

In a video attached to the tweet , Akeredolu said he took the COVID- 19 test after being treated for malaria .

The governor explained that he was advised to take the COVID- 19 test by a governor at the All Progressives Congress National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja .

He said , “ My good people of Ondo State . It gives me great pleasure to address you at this moment . I had malaria two days ago and was treated . I did get over it.

“ At the APC NEC meeting, one of my colleagues spoke with me. He advised that malaria should not be just treated as likely. That I should go ahead and have a test for COVID- 19 .

“ The result came out today , June 30 , 2020 , and I tested positive. But I am asymptomatic. I am not feeling sick nor feeling odd in any way .

“ But my doctor has said that I should take the necessary steps and self -isolate. I believe that supervised home management would be ideal for me for now. ”

Punch

The National Union of Road Transport Workers has commended the Federal Government for lifting the ban on interstate travel in the country.

Acting General Secretary of the union ,
Kabiru Yau , called on the government to subsidise operation cost for motorists .

He said the guidelines outlined by the government for the resumption of operations amid the coronavirus pandemic require operators to carry fewer passengers on each trip , thereby reducing their income .

Yau said , “ We thank the Federal Government for lifting the ban ; it is a welcome development because it is over three months that our members have been out of jobs and without income .

“ At least , our people will now start working and get something to feed their families .

“ But at the same time, due to the spacing in the vehicles which will require the drivers to carry only nine or ten instead of the usual 18 passengers , the income of the drivers will be reduced .

“ So we want the government to help subsidise the cost of those passengers that we will not be carrying or we will have to increase our transport fares.

“ This is because the money that will be generated from the reduced number of passengers will barely cover the cost of fuel for the journey .

“ So , what is the gain ? What will you give to the owner of the vehicle? So , the government should please help us look into this matter . ”

On maintaining the COVID- 19 protocols, he said the union would ensure its passengers obey the use of face masks, sanitisers , amongst others.

NAN

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan ; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , visited the Presidential Villa , Abuja as part of efforts to resolve issues surrounding planned hike in electricity tariff in the country.

The two National Assembly leaders first met separately with the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , on the issue before meeting again with Vice -President Yemi Osinbajo.

At the end of the meeting with Osinbajo, they told State House correspondents that the earlier plan by the distribution companies to hike tariff from July 1 was untimely.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the two National Assembly leaders in a meeting on Monday succeeded in prevailing on the distribution companies to shelve the hike till the first quarter of next year.