10/06/23

PRESS RELEASE

The Zamfara State Governor has given details on the operation of the Nigeria Police Force that led to the recovery of vehicles allegedly looted by the former Governor of the State, Bello Mohammed.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Media and Publicity, Sulaiman Idris, said in the early hours of Friday, the Nigeria Police Force stormed the residences of the former governor, where over 40 vehicles were impounded.

Sulaiman Idris revealed that the Police had acted on a court order and a search warrant obtained for the operation.

The statement is quoted as saying, “Recall that the Zamfara State Government has communicated officially to former Governor Bello Mohammed and his deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five working days.

It said, they also lodged an official complaint with the Police on overriding public interest, on wasteful looting of valuables, including official vehicles.

Consequently, the Police sought a search warrant which was duly given by the court and hence raided Mohammed’s residences in Gusau and Maradun Local Government Areas of the State, and another unidentified hideout.

The statement claimed that over 40 vehicles were recovered including Three bulletproof vehicles and Eight SUVs.

Governor Lawal’s administration reaffirmed its commitment to recover all that belongs to the people.

Our common resolve, he said, is to rescue and rebuild Zamfara, recovering the proceeds of crime and public assets is a critical part of the rescue mission.

Governor Dauda Lawal called on the people of Zamfara to remain calm, as they will continue to record massive improvements in the areas of security and the lingering water scarcity in the state.

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10/06/23

SHINA JO

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office

According to a statement issued by the Director information office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Willie Bassey, The Suspension is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.

The Statement added that the President directed Emefiele to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.

Godwin Emefiele, has been arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS.

The arrest was reported shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele due to the ongoing investigation of his office.

The
Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate and CBN Deputy Governor Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, has taken over from Godwin Emiefele as acting governor of Nigeria’s apex bank.

The DSS had sought an order on December 7, 2022 to arrest the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, in an exparte application with reference no FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022.

His
Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate and CBN Deputy Governor Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, has taken over from Godwin Emiefele as acting governor of Nigeria’s apex bank.

Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi holds double Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Mechanical Engineering, from University of Lagos and a resourceful Banker with over 30 years professional experience.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Governor in the Central Bank of Nigeria, he was the Managing Director/CEO in the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System PLC from 2012 – 2018.

He was also the Managing Director NIBSS PLC, and Executive Director, Information Technology and Operations at Union Bank of Nigeria Plc; a member of the Board of Union Homes and Director, Information Technology and Corporate Services in Renaissance Securities Nigeria limited, with responsibility for the Group’ s IT infrastructure in Africa

Between 1999 and 2007, he worked in MBC International as Deputy General Manager and supervised their IT operational platforms, served in First City Monument Bank Limited as Vice President and in Ecobank Nigeria Limited as Executive Director.

Shonubi also had a stint with Citibank Nigeria Limited as its Head, Treasury Operations between 1990-1993.

09/06/23

SHINA J.O

…..

……Insists Nigeria no longer Father Christmas to Neighboring Countries

President Bola Tinubu Says the Unity and togetherness of the country cannot be compromised, saying that every region of the country would get what it is due.

The President said this on Friday in Abuja at an interactive session with Royal Fathers under the aegis of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN)

He assured the traditional rulers in the country that his Administration will run an open-door policy that is ready to listen to the yearnings of Nigerians toward transforming the country’s rich potentials to reality.

President Tinubu appraised the monarchs on the decision of his government to remove fuel subsidy, improve security, create jobs and sustain the environment as well as the forthcoming election of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly.

‘‘We are all ears. We are ready to listen at any given time. I promise you an open-door policy and that is the way I will go.

‘‘That open-door policy is for you to call me and send to me at any given time any concern that you might have.

‘‘We may not have it right 100 per cent of the time but we must get it right 90 per cent of the time for this country,’’ he said.

Responding to issues raised by the traditional rulers on challenges facing the country, he assured them, saying ‘‘worry not because the country is in good hands.” He added that his administration is very conscious of the expectations of Nigerians.

On the decision to remove fuel subsidy, the President appealed to the traditional leaders to persuade Nigerians to have faith and that the pump prices of fuel will eventually come down.

‘‘I am grateful that you are paying attention to what I have been doing. You have paid attention to the subsidy removal. Why should we in good heart and sense, feed smugglers and be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries, even though they say not everyday is Christmas?

‘‘The elephant that was going to bring Nigeria to its knees is the subsidy. A country that cannot pay salaries and we say we have potentials to encourage ourselves. I think we did the right thing,’’ he said.

While acknowledging concerns on the need for critical infrastructure in different parts of the country, President Tinubu pledged that any road block on the way of the progress of the Nigeria people would be removed by his government.

‘‘The lamentations about the capital projects, where is the money going to come from if we don’t protect our resources and our boundaries?

‘‘You cannot have development without capital projects,’’ he added.

On the leadership of the National Assembly, the President urged the Royal Fathers to counsel their subjects interested in elective positions on the need to manage their ambitions, and create harmony within the legislative house.

President Tinubu declared that he is ready to work with any elected representative from the National Assembly, stressing that the Nigeria project is of paramount importance to him.

‘‘Nigeria must survive. Nigeria must develop. Nigeria must make progress,’’ he said.

On security, the President reiterated his pledge to Nigerians to prioritise the sector until every Nigerian “goes to sleep with their two eyes closed.’’

Condemning crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region by a ‘tiny percentage’ of the population, President Tinubu said it was counterproductive to the growth of the economy.

‘‘We need to tame those involved in this sabotage and we will work as hard as possible to ensure that the diversity of this country is used for its prosperity, growth and stability.’’

President Tinubu told the traditional rulers that, with the campaigns and elections over, he is primed for governance, and his government has already signed a law that extends the retirement age of judicial officers from 65 to 70 years, while also addressing pension reforms.

Equally on electricity, the President said a constitutional amendment signed into law now allows Nigeria’s 36 States to generate electricity.

‘‘That’s devolution of power and that should be our contribution to the developmental projects you are looking for and we will continue in ways that will help our people,’’ he said.

President Tinubu thanked members of NCTRN for their early visit and prayers for the success of his administration.

‘‘Without your prayers and support, I cannot stand before you as President and I thank you for your support during the campaigns,’’ he said.

In separate remarks, the Chairman and Co-Chairman of NCTRN, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar, and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, pledged the support and loyalty of traditional rulers from the six geo-political zones to President Tinubu.

They assured the President of their continued prayers in his resolve to move the country forward under his Renewed Hope agenda.

‘‘We are 100 per cent in support of your government and we believe in the will of the Almighty Allah you will move this country forward,’’ the Sultan said, while congratulating him and Vice President Kashim Shettima on their election victory, peaceful transition and assumption of office.

‘‘We will contribute our quota to the development of the country once you reach out to us,’’ the Sultan added.

The Ooni of Ife expressed delight that the country has remained united and focused despite the challenges.

Recounting that the President had said he deserves no pity from anyone because he asked for the job, the Imperial Majesty appealed to President Tinubu not to underestimate the power and reach of traditional rulers in complementing the programmes and visions of the new government.

The President and his Deputy listened to presentations from representatives from the six geo-political zones, including Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Ibn Umar Al Amin El-kanemi; Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero; Amanayabo of Nembe, Edmund Daukoru; Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse; and Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi.

09/06/23

SHINA J.O

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has rolled out modalities for the absorption of returnee students from war-torn countries into Nigerian universities.

A statement from JAMB Spokesman, Fabian Benjamin says the modalities are follow-ups to the high level meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Health, JAMB, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, National Universities Commission, NUC, and other critical stakeholders, on the integration of returnee Nigerian students from war-torn countries into the nation’s tertiary education system.

JAMB registrar, Professor Is-haq Oloyede said this, while presenting the modalities at a virtual meeting with Vice Chancellors of Nigerian universities and other critical stakeholders on Wednesday, june 7 hinted that it was imperative to hold talks with the Vice Chancellors following the peculiarities of each university and the variation in the responses received from them on the matter.

According to Fabian Benjamin, the Registrar pointed out that the emergency meeting was, therefore, convened to fashion out uniform standards and minimum acceptable benchmarks for the proposed absorption in line with global best practices.

He also stated that the Senate of each university had the right to decide on university transfers and need not wait for JAMB to initiate such, adding that the parley with the stakeholders was to present the modalities for critique as well as receive inputs.

JAMB reminded the Vice Chancellors to key into the earlier Advisory sent to universities on the procedures for processing applications for foreign and domestic inter-university transfers. He stated that the current Advisory on the returnees does not override that earlier one rather it serves to reinforce it by strengthening the procedures for transfers.

According to the latest Advisory on procedures for emergency transfers of returning students, each of them is mandated to do a retroactive registration with the Federal ministry of Education,visit the returnee application page on IBASS as accessible from the JAMB website, where the returnee students would upload their registration slips, complete the transfer of personal data, which would include: name, NIN, telephone number, active e-mail account, current university, country, city of study and programme, year and current level of study.

According to the new procedures, the returnee students would select their preferred university of choice, programme and upload the scanned copies of their current university admission letter, transcript, data page of their international passport and a sworn affidavit confirming the genuineness of uploaded documents.

09/06/23

Credit: NAN

Lawyers of the Leader of the Indegenous people of Biafra, Nanmdi Kanu have called on President Bola Tinubu to consider the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, alleging that the his health keeps deteriorating while in the custody of the State Security Service.

The lawyers who stated that the judgment of the Abuja division of the court of appeal delivered on October 13, 2022 quashing all the charges against Kanu to be be obeyed by the Service, noting that his constant stay in custody is an infringement on his fundamental human rights.

The court of appeal had stopped the execution of the October 13th 2022 judgement which faulted the rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria and also set aside the 7 count Terrorism charge against him and ordered that the Record of Appeal be transmitted to the Supreme Court within 7 days after judgment.

However, the Supreme court has granted leave to the Federal Government to bring Nine new grounds of appeal against the release of the leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

08/06/23

OGOR P M.

An Igala Socio Cultural Group, Ukomu Igala Organization has written an open letter of complaint to President Bola Tinubu over the alleged acts of terrorism against Citizens of the state by the Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello In the letter signed by David Abutu and Sabastine Abu, National Leader and National Secretary respectively, the group appealed for urgent Intervention of the President over what they referred to as “state-sponsored”Terror against the people of Kogi State, especially those of Kogi East Senatorial District.

The group alleged attacks and killing of political opponents in Kogi State as well as assassination attempt on Murtala Ajaka, SDP Governorship candidate,
Hijack of APC Primary election held in April.

The organization particularly expressed concern over the assassination attempt on the immediate past Assistant National Publicity Secretary of the APC which took place on Friday, June 2, 2023, in the full glare of commuters along Lokoja – Abuja highway.

Also contained in the letter copied the Inspector General Police and the National Security Adviser, was a reported Plot to unleash Violence during the Governorship election as reportedly threatened by Governor Bello.

The group therefore appealed to President Bola Tinubu to call the Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello to order and as well direct,
the relevant security agencies to carry out an independent investigation into the complaints.

The statement also added that, the Igala nation, would not accept any more killings of its kith and kin in the name of politics.

07/06/23

SHINA J.O

President Bola Tinubu has met with Governors of the 36 states of the Federation, known as the Nigeria Governors ‘Forum (NGF), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting with the Governor’s is his first since he assumed office.

Some of those present at the meeting include the Governors of Zamfara, Kano, Taraba, Kogi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ebonyi, Lagos, Rivers, Osun, Jigawa, Benue, Taraba, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Oyo, Plateau, Kebbi, Abia, Imo, Bauchi

The deputy governors of Edo and Niger are representing their states.

Those not sighted before the commencement of the meeting are governors of Katsina, Kaduna, Gombe, Ondo, Borno, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ekiti and Sokoto.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

President Tinubu had met with the Governors of his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), known as the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), last Friday, where he solicited their support for his administration.

07/06/23

SHINA J.O

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn-in Senator George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Senator Akume took his oath of office at the council chambers of the Presidential villa Abuja on Wednesday Morning

The ceremony was witnessed by vice president Kashim Shettima, President of the senate Ahmed Lawan, The National Security Adviser, Babagana Mungonu (rtd), head of civil service of the federation and the spouse of the new SGF, Mrs Regina Akume.

Other dignitaries include serving and past Governors, National Chairman of the APC among others.

During his first interaction with the media, George Akume expressed his commitment to ensuring that Nigerians experience the full benefits of democracy under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.