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The Minister of State for Labour , Employment and Productivity , Mr Festus Keyamo , traded words with members of the National Assembly over the National Directorate of Employment recruitment exercise .

Trouble started when the Director -General of the NDE , Mr . Nasiru Ladan , could not defend the N52 billion budgeted for the recruitment of 774 , 000 Nigerians under the NDE .

The minister said his ministry was asked to supervise the recruitments by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd ). But the federal lawmakers disagreed with Keyamo .

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 the NDE along .

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

Keyamo said the Director – General of the NDE , Mr . 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 N 52 billion budgeted for the recruitment of 774 , 000 Nigerians .

The lawmakers called for a closed session to resolve their differences but Keyamo insisted that journalists must witness the proceeding .

The legislators accused Kayamo of trying to dictate proceedings to them and demanded an apology .

The refusal by Keyamo to apologise forced the lawmakers to walk him out after another round of shouting match that lasted 30 minutes.
Keyamo left the investigative hearing and told journalists that the grouse of the lawmakers was because he didn ’ t allow them to own the process .

But in a swift reaction , Akwashiki , who presided over the joint National Assembly panel, denied the two allegations levelled against them by Keyamo

Rather , he accused Keyamo of allegedly trying to build a political structure of 1 , 000 youths in each of the 774 Local Government Areas across the country with the 774 , 000 jobs.

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), has inaugurated the $ 2 . 592 bn Ajaokuta- Kaduna – Kano Gas pipeline project , admitting that the COVID- 19 pandemic has thought his regime invaluable lessons .

He said the government also learnt from some oil- rich countries that have utilised their crude to achieve economic and industrial diversification .

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , the President spoke while inaugurating the pipeline project virtually from the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa , Abuja .

Kogi State Governor , Yahaya Bello; and Kaduna State Governor , Nasir El -Rufai , were, however , present physically at the Ajaokuta and Rigachikun sites respectively for the inauguration .

Buhari was quoted as saying that the pandemic had further underscored his regime ’ s desire for projects that promote local manufacturing .

“ President Buhari announced that Nigeria had learnt invaluable lessons from the global COVID- 19 pandemic and some oil- rich countries that have used their crude as a pathway to economic and industrial diversification .

“ On COVID- 19 , the President said the pandemic had further underscored the drive of his administration for export substitution initiatives and projects that promote local manufacturing , ” the statement read .

On diversification , the President was quoted as noting that Gulf countries that have similar levels of gas reserves as Nigeria have a strategy centred around gas industrialisation as their foundation towards export diversification .

“ This has to be our guiding principle as we seek to attract investment and create opportunities for our people, ” he said .

Buhari challenged the private sector to lead the charge in maximising the nation’ s gas resources .

According to him , the private sector can create a petrochemical hub that will resurrect the manufacturing industry and put the nation on the path to increased self – sufficiency .

He added , “ As the world evolves , we owe our people the responsibility to prepare them for what the future holds. We , therefore , must be bold and fearless and can no longer be incremental in our approach.

“ Time is short, and our people’ s zeal is strong and palpable . Infrastructure development although long, tedious , and complex remains a cardinal objective of our administration ’ s drive towards ensuring a stable , sustainable, and more prosperous future for our citizenry.

‘‘ Today marks an important chapter in the history of our great nation. It marks the day when our domestic natural gas pipeline networks ; from Obiafu in Rivers State , Escravos in Delta State , and Lekki in Lagos State , are being connected through Kaduna to Kano States thereby enhancing national energy security , creating balanced development, and further integrating our nation. ”

Buhari affirmed the government ’ s commitment to ensure timely delivery of the project within budgetary allocation and specifications .

He , therefore , directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and partners to remain focused, noting that the AKK project is part of the delivery of the present administration ’ s “ Next Level Agenda ” for sustainable development , enhancement of economic prosperity and increase of the country’ s infrastructure assets .

THE National Youth Service Corps said it had not postponed the monthly payment of allowance ( popularly called allowee ) , for the month of June , describing contrary reports as fake news.

The NYSC Director (Press and Public Relations) , Adenike Adeyemi , in a statement , said the reports were the handiwork of mischief makers .

She said , “ Management hereby states that the release did not emanate from the NYSC. It is the handiwork of mischief makers bent on deceiving corps members and should be disregarded in its entirety.

“ For the avoidance of doubt, all qualified corps members shall be paid allowance for the month of June , while in addition , those passing out from service in July shall receive July stipend , as well as transport allowance . ”

The Federal Government has approved the reduction of marriage licence fees in the country.

Director Press and Public Relations , Ministry of Interior, Mr Mohammed Manga , made this known in a statement .

Manga quoted the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola , as making the disclosure in a Public Notice signed by the Permanent Secretary and Principal Registrar of Marriages in Nigeria , Georgina Ehuriah .

The minister approved that the reduction of fees chargeable for services related to the Statutory Marriage under the Marriage Act CAP M 6 LFN 2004 to commence from Wednesday , July 1 .

He appealed to stakeholders to take advantage of the reduction in fees to licence their Places of Public Worship .

According to him , the fees chargeable for the Issuance of Fresh Marriage Licence to a place of Public Worship has been reduced from N 30 , 000 for two years to N6 , 000 yearly , payable for five years in the first instance .

He said further that “ for the Renewal of Marriage Licence by a Place of Public Worship , the sum of N5 , 000 has been approved per year , payable for three years at each instance , as against the N30 , 000 earlier charged annually ” .

The minister added that “ the fees chargeable for Statutory Ordinary Marriage has also been cut down from N21 , 000 to N15 , 000 while that of Statutory Special Licence has been slashed from N35 , 000 to N 25 , 000 ” .

Punch

THE Presidency has announced that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aliyu Abubakar Musa, as his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO).

A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that DCP Musa, who hails from Niger State, served at the Nigerian Police Force Zone 5, Benin City, before his appointment.

According to the statement, “Musa’s appointment follows the redeployment of his predecessor, Commissioner of Police (CP) Abdulkarim Dauda.”

Vanguard

The Federal Government has lifted the ban placed on interstate travels with effect from July 1 , provided such journeys are made outside curfew hours .

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Boss Mustapha , disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja .

Mustapha , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , also said the government has approved the safe resumption of domestic flights in the country .

He disclosed that the latest developments were contained in the task force ’ s fifth interim report which was submitted to the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , earlier in the day .

Mustapha said , “ I am pleased to inform you that Mr President has carefully considered the 5 th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that , with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later , the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday , June 30 , 2020 through Midnight of Monday , 27 July, 2020 .

“ Specifically, however , the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect :

“ Maintaining the current phase of the national response , for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the National Coordinator ;

“ Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1 st July, 2020 ;

“ Enforcement of laws around non -pharmaceutical interventions by States , in particular , the use of face masks in public places ;

“ Safe re – opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in – person in preparation for examinations ;

“ Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable ;

“ Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement , industry and labour ; and community activities;

“ Provision of technical support for states to mobilise additional resources for the response . ”

The Federal government has announced the reopening of school for only students in Primary 6, JSS3, and SS3 to enable them to prepare for their national examination even as the inter-state lockdown was lifted.

Speaking during a COVID-19 briefing in Abuja, the Secretary to Government of the Federation and Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said that students in graduating classes were to resume in preparation for their exams while tertiary institutions still remain closed.

Mustapha said , “ I am pleased to inform you that Mr President has carefully considered the 5 th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that , with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later , the Phase II of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday , June 30 , 2020 through Midnight of Monday , 27 July, 2020 .

“ Specifically, however , the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect :

“ Maintaining the current phase of the national response , for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatiated by the National Coordinator ;

“ Permission of movement across state borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1 st July, 2020 ;

“ Enforcement of laws around non -pharmaceutical interventions by States , in particular , the use of face masks in public places ;

“ Safe re – opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in – person in preparation for examinations ;

“ Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable ;

“ Publication of revised guidelines around the three thematic areas of general movement , industry and labour ; and community activities;

“ Provision of technical support for states to mobilise additional resources for the response . ”

Iran has issued an arrest warrant and asked Interpol for help in detaining US President Donald Trump and dozens of others it believes carried out the drone strike that killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad .

Tehran prosecutor Ali Alqasimehr said on that Trump , along with more than 30 others Iran accuses of involvement in the January 3 attack that killed General Qassem Soleimani , face “ murder and terrorism charges ” , the semi – official ISNA news agency reported , according to Al Jazeera .

Alqasimehr did not identify anyone else sought other than Trump , but stressed Iran would continue to pursue his prosecution even after his presidency ends .

Interpol , based in Lyon , France , did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Alqasimehr was also quoted as saying Iran had requested a “red notice ” be put out for Trump and the others, the highest – level notice issued by Interpol , requesting that seeks the location and arrest of the individual named .

Aljazeera

The Inspector General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State , Bolaji Salami, to restore the security details of the state ’ s Deputy Governor , Agboola Ajayi, with immediate effect .

The IGP ’ s directive was contained in a memo addressed to the police commissioner through the Deputy Inspector General of Police , Operations , Force Headquarters Abuja .

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that men of the Nigeria Police attached to the deputy governor were withdrawn after he had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party from the ruling All Progressives Congress .

Ajayi had, last Wednesday , cried out that his life was in danger when policemen attached to his office were withdrawn on the orders of the Commissioner of Police in the state.

The memo with Ref . No CB: 2002 /DOPS/ FHQ/ ABJ /VOL /77 / 168 was signed on behalf of the IGP by Austine Agbonlahor, Assistant Inspector -General of Police .

The deputy governor, who accused the Commissioner of Police of working on the instructions of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to withdraw the officers , had for a while , been having a running battle with him .

Ajayi had engaged in a confrontation with the police at the Government House following the alleged refusal of the latter to allow him to leave the premises allegedly on the orders of the governor.

Meanwhile , the deputy governor had in a statement released by his Media Aide , Mr Babatope Okeowo , lauded “ the integrity and courage displayed by the majority of the lawmakers for shunning all entreaties , inducement , and intimidation to impeach him ” .

The statement also urged lawmakers to also shun another latest plan to move the next meeting of the impeachment plot to a private hotel in Akure .

NAN

The former Acting National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Victor Giadom, has handed over to the Chairman of the party ’ s Caretaker / Extra- Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee , Mai Mala Buni.

The handing over ceremony was held behind closed doors at the National Working Committee conference room at the APC National Secretariat , Abuja .

Giadom assured members of the committee of his readiness to support and partner with the team towards the realisation of the party ’ s goals.

“ I Chief. Hon Victor Giadom the outgoing Ag. National Chairman , today Monday 29 th of June 2020 hands over to the Chairman and members of the National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress .

“ I assure the Committee of my readiness to partner with them to achieve the Party goals and objectives towards a successful National Convention . I pray that the almighty God grants you wisdom to pilot the affairs of the Party , ” he tweeted.

“ lt is time for this committee , therefore , to commence the process of true reconciliation among leaders and members of the party at all levels. It is our belief that the decision by NEC to constitute this committee will mark the beginning of a new chapter in our great Party , ” he said .