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Friday, 19 October 2018 05:24

FG cuts budget, proposes N8.6tn for 2019

Federal Government on Thursday proposed a smaller budget size of N8.6tn for 2019 fiscal year in contrast to N9.1tn for 2018. It also projected a total revenue of N7.9tn as well as reductions in both borrowing and deficit financing, according to details of 2019-2021 Medium Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper unveiled in Abuja by Minister of Budget and Planning, Mr Udo Udoma. The minister, who unveiled MTEF/FSP to members of the public comprising media and Civil Society groups, stressed that Federal Government was not oblivious of the revenue challenges assailing it. Udoma said the government would drastically cut down on…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:22

Buhari, Service Chiefs meet over 2019 elections

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the heads of security agencies to review the country’s security situation ahead of 2019 elections. The meeting, which held under the auspices of National Security Council, held inside the president’s office at Presidential Villa, Abuja. A statement made available by spokesperson of Minister of Defence, Mr Mansur Dan-Ali, Mr Tukur Gusau, a colonel, said after reviewing the security situation across the country, the meeting recommended the “deployment of security agencies to states to enable elections to be conducted peacefully and to further douse tension created by the outcome of political parties’ primaries and…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:20

Senate stands down electoral bill consideration

Senate on Thursday halted consideration of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 for third reading and passage, until Tuesday. The bill, captured on the Order Paper, was stood down at plenary for more legislative work. Announcing the development, Leader of the Senate, Mr Ahmad Lawan, said “in view of the sensitive nature of the bill and its importance, it is vital to give the committee more time to do a thorough job”. After his remarks on it, President of Senate, Mr Bukola Saraki, put the issue to voice vote and the “step down’’ was unanimously adopted. The bill scaled second reading…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:19

Why NHIS executive secretary was suspended again

Abuja head office of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was on Thursday thrown into jubilation following announcement of the suspension of Mr Usman Yusuf. This is the second time in one year that Yusuf, Executive Secretary of the scheme, would be suspended from office. Yusuf, a professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, has a reputation for disrespecting laid down rules and constituted authorities at the scheme. Workers said he ran NHIS with an ‘iron fist’ for the two and a half years he held sway at the saddle. So, when the governing council, empowered by NHIS Act to oversee…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:16

Senate passes FCT University of Science and Technology Establishment Bill

Senate on Thursday passed Federal Capital Territory (FCT) University of Science and Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2018. The proposed university is to be owned and run by FCT Administration with campus at Abaji in Abaji Area Council in the territory. Its objectives, according to the bill, include provision of science and technology education and job opportunities for residents of FCT. Federal Executive Council (FEC) had earlier approved establishment of the university at its meeting of April 15, 2017. Sponsored by Mr Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT), the Bill passed second reading in November, 2017. It was thereafter referred to Committee on Tertiary Institutions…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:13

Ogun Assembly confirms appointment of Chief Judge

Ogun State House of Assembly Thursday confirmed Mrs Mosunmola Dipeolu as substantive chief judge of the state. The lawmakers said Dipeolu, who was the acting chief judge, was found eligible and suitable for the office upon her screening by the lawmakers on Wednesday. This was sequel to the adoption of the report of the Committee of the Whole House at a session chaired by Deputy Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, who also moved the motion for the adoption of the report. After Adebowale Ojuri, member representing Odogbolu State Constituency seconded the motion, the lawmakers passed it through a voice vote. The…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:12

Kaduna imposes 24-hour curfew on community

Kaduna State Government has imposed a 24 hour curfew on Kasuwan Magani community. Kasuwan Magani is situated in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state. The curfew is with immediate effect, the government said Thursday. It said the measure was to prevent breach of law and order in the area. Although the government did not provide details of what led to its decision, the community has a history of religious violence. The last one occurred in February 2018 between Christians and Muslims. A youth leader in the area, Yahaya, also known as Dan Najeriya, said the crisis was as a…

Friday, 19 October 2018 05:10

G9 raises alarm over ‘Okada’ riders invasion of the south

PRESS RELEASE G9 is alarmed at the sudden invasion of the Southern and Middle Belt states by Okada riders from the core North, particularly from the North West zone of the country. Ordinarily there should be no cause for worry as Nigerians are free to move to, relocate to, and settle down in any part of the country. In fact it is what should have been encouraged long ago as a way of promoting integration which was faintly adopted by Gowon’s Youth Service Corps scheme in 1973. What is worrisome and seriously suspicious is the arrival in droves by young…

Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:38

FG pegs doctors’ residency training at 7 years; to enforce ‘no work, no pay’

Federal Executive Council on Wednesday approved a White Paper that will ensure drastic changes in federal public service. The White Paper was produced from report of technical committee on industrial relations matters. Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the weekly meeting of the council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Highlights of the provisions contained in the approved White Paper, according to the minister, include outlawing of private practice by government officials, especially health workers; the enforcement of the ‘no work, no pay’…

Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:35

Senate in rowdy session over sitting arrangement

Senate on Wednesday began plenary on a rowdy note as senators disagree on where former Senate Minority Leader, Mr Godswill Akpabio, should sit. Akpabio had wanted to react to fears expressed by Mr Bassey Akpan about 2019 general elections in Akwa Ibom State when Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, observed that Akpabio shouldn’t speak with the microphone in front of former Senate Leader, Mr Ali Ndume. Akpabio had left his seat due to the non-availability of a microphone and moved to the seat near Ndume to make his point. Mr Dino Melaye also joined the Senate President to protest where…

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Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:31

Police promote 3 AIGs, 4 commissioners

Police Service Commission (PSC) on Wednesday approved the promotion of three Assistant-Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs). The commission also approved the promotion of four Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the rank of AIGs. A statement by the commission’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Mr Ikechukwu Ani in Abuja, noted that the approvals were one of the highlights of the plenary of the newly inaugurated management of the commission. Ani stated that the new DIGs are Mr Musa Muhammed, presently at National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos; Mr…

Thursday, 18 October 2018 05:30

NYSC bans Benue varsity graduates from national service

Management of Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, is investigating challenges that led to the banning of prospective corps members from the institution from being mobilised for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Vice Chancellor (VC) of the institution, Mr Msugh Kembe, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi. The VC said the institution was shocked at the decision of NYSC to prevent it from mobilising its prospective corps members for service. ”NYSC did not inform the management of the institution of its decision before executing it. The organisation did not inform us that it had issues with the…

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 04:09

Youths’ desperation to cross Mediterranean Sea hurts Nigeria - Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said sheer desperation of Nigerian youths to travel through Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea, in search of menial jobs in Europe, was injurious to the pride of the country. The president’s media adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, said Mr Buhari made the remarks at State House, during a farewell audience with outgoing High Commissioner of Republic of Namibia, Mr Peingeondjabi Shipoh. According to the statement, the president noted that there were vast opportunities for Nigeria and Namibia to cooperate in areas of agriculture and trade. Adesina also said the president recalled the sacrifices made…

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 04:06

Fayemi makes first appointments as Ekiti gov

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Kayode Fayemi, has announced his first set of appointments. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the governor named Mr Abiodun Oyebanji as Secretary to the State Government (SSG). The governor also named Mr Biodun Omoleye as Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Mr Yinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary. Oyebanji, a former university lecturer, had previously served as Chief of Staff during administration of Mr Niyi Adebayo, and was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Fayemi’s first term. Omoleye, a former university administrator and former chairman of Ijero Local Government Area, had also…

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