FG DECLARES MONDAY MAY 1st PUBLIC HOLIDAY

28/04/23

SHINA J.O

PRESS RELEASE

The Federal Government has declared Monday 1st of May as Public Holiday to mark this year’s Workers Day Celebration. 
 
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, shuaib Belgore, the Minister Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government commends workers across the country for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.
 
Aregbesola further urged workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s drive to upgrade governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation.
 
He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners in the country and will not slowdown in any area, even as the administration winds down.
 

PATHWAY TO GLOBAL EMERGENCE: WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES IN THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

FROM MAZI DR. SAM I OHUABUNWA OFR, MON, NPOM
CONVENER, THE NEW NIGERIAN GROUP(NNG)

28/04/23

INTRODUCTION

While I admit that much has been achieved, it is clear that much more is required. Many Leaders in West Africa are yet to fully understand the true benefits of ECOWAS economic integration including the long-awaited single currency regime. There is so much to gain by leveraging strength. I am praying and hoping that the newly launched African Continental Free Trade Area arrangement (AfCFTA) will be fully consummated soon. For me, it is the critical fair chance that Nigeria has to achieve any meaningful Share of Global trade.

Africa contributes only 2.84 % to the Global GDP representing the second smallest continental economy in the World, after Oceania. Yet it has a population of about 1.35 billion which is 16.72% of the World Population, making it the second most populated continent after Asia. This population is growing at nearly 2.5% per annum and is projected to reach 2.5 billion in 2050. Over 460 million people in Africa are living in extreme poverty which is about a third of the Population. COVID-19 and its aftermath coupled with the Russian- Ukrainian War have forced many African Nations into dire poverty, reaching 82% in South Sudan and over 50% in most of the Sub- Saharan African Countries including South Africa( 55.5%). This level of poverty of course has been compounded by high levels of unemployment rate which varies across the Countries with Nigeria( 37%) South Africa( 33%), Rwanda( 24%), and Sudan( 20%). Ghana’s unemployment rate at about 5% is exceptional and indicates it’s economic performance until the headwinds hit it causing massive inflation and devaluation.

GLOBAL EMERGENCE
According to the Worldometer (www.worldometers.info>gdp>gdp-by country), China is contributing 15.12% of the Global GDP, only next to the USA ( 24.08%), but far ahead of Japan (6.02%), Germany (4.56%), India (3.28%), UK (3.26%), France (3.19%), Brazil (2.54%), Italy (2.40%), Canada (2.04%) and Russia (1.95%)

Above are the 11 biggest economies in the World and also control Global trade and Global Geo politics. Africa is not represented here. India represents the Asian Continent at number 5 while Brazil represents Latin America at number 8.

The biggest African economy measured by GDP Nigeria is at number 30 contributing only 0.46% of Global GDP, with South Africa at number 32, Egypt at number 44, Algeria at number 53, Morocco at number 61, Ethiopia at number 66, Kenya at number 67 and Ghana at number 74 contributing only 0.07% of the Global GDP. Behind Ghana, the GDP contributions of the other African Countries are so insignificant that they equate to 0% such as Sierra Leone number 155, Liberia number 157, Burundi number 158, and Gambia 175 out of 190 Countries measured.

As earlier stated, the whole of AFRICA contributes only 2.84% of the Global GDP which is markedly below what India alone contributes( (3.28%) and just slightly higher than what Brazil contributes( 2.54%), yet all the African Countries occupy a single seat each in the UN, the same as US and China!

PLAUSIBLE PREDISPOSING FACTORS
The chronically under-development of Africa and its poor economic performance can be blamed on 5 Key factors:
• Colonialism – warts and all
• Poor Education
• Difficult operating environment
• Low capital attraction and retention
• Poor Governance

Colonialism disempowered most of the African Nations creating the dependence syndrome. Poor education which still subsists prevented the development of properly skilled manpower than can compete. Difficult operating environment which still persists includes, difficult physical environment- paucity of enabling infrastructure, poor health and safety barriers (Malaria for example) and un-inviting legal / judicial structures and processes.. Low Capital attraction and retention derived from most of the earlier key issues but mostly anchors on POOR GOVERNANCE, which was and to my mind is still the biggest obstacle to the global emergence of Africa economically.

THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Africa lost big time during the 1st( 1784) and the 2nd(1870) Industrial Revolutions. During the First we were largely missing on the global map and during the 2nd were still either under colonial rule or just emerging as independent Nations. 1st Industrial Revolution was the Water and Steam era that generated the Mechanical Production Capital that enabled mechanized production. The developed Nations then of Europe and America optimized this era to dominate the World . Cost of goods were high and not easily accessible to Africa. The 2nd Industrial revolution started around 1870 with the discovery of electric power. This led to mass production of goods and Africa became a major recipient of imports. The first industrial efforts especially in the North of Africa began to emerge and most of Africa entered late

The 3rd Industrial Revolution which started in 1969/ Early 70s was ushered , following the development of Electronics and then its combination with Information Technology ( IT) to automate Production. USA, Japan and China amongst other Nations were early adopters of the 3rd Industrial revolution which eventually metamorphosed into the Digital Revolution . Opportunities opened to Africa to leap frog but the hindrances identified above have not let Africa to optimize, except for a few Countries particularly in North Africa.

Right now the World is transiting into the 4th Industrial Revolution which was recognized in 2016. This is the era of the fusion of Technologies that is blurring the line between Physical, Digital and biological spheres . This is being characterized by
• Velocity and scope
• Exponential evolution rather than the linear of the Previous
• Disruption of almost every industry in every country
• Heralds changes that transform entire systems of PRODUCTION, MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

It truly consists of MOBILE CONNECTIVITY assisted by:
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Autonomous Vehicles
• 3-D printing
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology
• Materials science
• Energy storage
• Quantum computing
• Digital fabrication technologies

Many innovative systems are being designed from this Technology. New Algorithms and software to discover new drugs are currently on the offering. Engineers, Designers and Architects are combining Computational designs, additive manufacturing and synthetic biology to pioneer a SYMBIOSIS between microbes, our bodies, the Products we consume, and even the buildings we inhabit. Intelligent buildings are emerging and mobile and transportable houses are envisioned

BENEFITS
Benefits derivable from this new Industrial Revolution are many and still evolving because of the apparently infinite possibilities:
• It will help raise global income levels and improve the quality of lives of populations around the World (Africa inclusive!)
• Already ordering a cab, booking flights, buying products, making payments, listening to music, watching a film, or playing a game can now all be done remotely, reducing cost and increasing convenience.
• Supply-side miracle with long-term gains
• Efficiency and Productivity
• Drop in Transportation and communication costs
• Logistics and global supply chains will become more effective and the cost of trade will drop
resulting in
 Open markets and economic growth
 Imminent overtaking of capital by talent as the critical factor of production: low skill/low pay; high skill/ high pay dichotomy
 Businesses will move from mere digitization (3rd revolution) to Innovation based on the combination of Technologies (4th revolution) to meet new customer expectations and achieve product enhancement in spectacular ways
 Collaborative innovation and organizational reformatting will enhance cross-border transactions at minimal costs.
 As Physical, digital, and biological Worlds continue to converge in the 4th Industrial Revolution, new technologies and platforms will enable citizens to engage and interrogate Governments and political leaders more intensively.
 Greater Challenges will emerge in terms of control of digital infrastructure and the need to have enhanced surveillance systems over cyberspace to preempt possible cyber warfare.

PATHWAY AND PRIORITIES FOR GLOBAL EMERGENCE
As we noted earlier, Africa did not optimize the preceding Industrial revolutions due to several reasons, the key ones I identified earlier in this address. But from the look of things, the 4th Industrial Revolution which is essentially an extension or elongation of the 3rd revolution offers us wonderful and great opportunities to LEAP FROG and claim relevance in the World if only we can get our ACT TOGETHER

1. GOOD GOVERNANCE
Africa badly needs a new crop of Leaders who are enlightened, visionary, capable, competent, and with the highest level of Integrity. The Continent has suffered terribly because of the chronic deficit of stock of Good leaders. The greatest Priority of Africa, as we aim to claim a respectable place in this emergent 4th Industrial Revolution, is to “DIGITALIZE” our political leadership selection paradigm.
Borrowing from the Nigerian experience we must find ways to exorcise the following demons:
• Monetization of political selection by Parties
• Vote buying by the Candidates
• Rogue electoral umpire
• Money for Justice Judicial system

In truth, the only way this can happen is again to ‘digitalize’ the whole process from primaries to voting and vote counting. Eliminate human intervention with the process as much as possible. The African Youth who have embraced the digital Revolution Can redesign the system and change the paradigm. There must be an effective DEMAND for Good Governance and ACCOUNTABILITY by the citizens, led digitally by the Youth( as demonstrated in the End-SARS Protests).

2. REVOLUTIONIZE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS
The colonial-acquired educational system that prepares students for employment must change to the experiential learning system that prepares them as entrepreneurs, innovators, jobs, and wealth creators. African Nations can turn the current disadvantage of a large young population of uneducated or poorly educated youth by deciding to create skilled manpower with talent. This talent is required all over the globe to power the 4th Industrial Revolution. Luckily the digital infrastructure and costs needed to mass produce Skilled labor are affordable to most African Nations. Less than 50% of the current aid they receive if invested in this kind of education will create a revolution to grow our GDP and make us relevant in the global economy.

3. FOCUS ON INVESTMENT DRIVE
Concomitant with the educational revolution, will be a decided focus on investment drive. Africa must deliberately make itself invest-friendly. Countries that want to attract investment must do the following as a minimum
• Tackle insecurity decisively and create a safe business environment
• Enthrone and enforce law and order with grim determination
• Deescalate corruption by adopting Transparency in every Government transaction- use digital frameworks and platforms to conduct all businesses in the Nation( excluding National security issues only)
• Dispense justice quickly and fairly
• Adopt stable investment promotive policies across the board. Validate every new policy or government action on the impact on investment attraction- domestic or foreign
• Offer irresistible incentives to domestic and foreign Investors
• Maintain the highest level of integrity in dealing with investors

Courting Investment is the most important thing African political leaders can do to leapfrog the 4th Industrial Revolution to resolve its lingering poor economic performance and the continued dependence on Aid: Remember: INVESTMENTS CREATE BUSINESSES, PROJECTS, AND PROGRAMS; BUSINESSES, PROJECTS, AND PROGRAMS CREATE JOBS; JOBS CREATE WEALTH; And WEALTH ELIMINATES POVERTY, USHERING PROSPERITY…QED!

4. OPTIMIZE OTHER NATURAL ENDOWMENTS
In addition to abundant Human Resources, Africa is blessed with excellent agricultural potentials and mineral resources – solid, liquid, and gaseous resources. It is really a tragedy that a continent so blessed with Gold, Diamond, lithium, Crude oil, and hydrocarbon-based gases will harbor such a high mass of poor people. African Leaders have failed to exploit these natural resources for the good of all their citizens. Indeed the inappropriate and corrupt exploitation of these minerals has led to wars as in DRC or banditry as in Nigeria.

What is called for is to attract investment into these areas through open and competitive bids for mining concessions and open and transparent accounting for the sales of the output, be it oil, gas, or bauxite.

Additionally, the local farmers should be organized together as cooperatives and assisted with funds so they can embark on commercial farming. Following that, private sector investors will be incentivized to build processing plants so that value can be added for richer export earnings. Africa should be able to feed itself and contribute to the global food supply beyond the current scanty export of cocoa, coffee, tea, and rubber, etc. As previously indicated the moment African nations can make their environment investment-friendly, Investors will flock to Mining, Agriculture, Food Processing, Pharmaceuticals, and other light manufacturing for local consumption and export

5. CONTINUOUS INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)
To sustain competitiveness in this age, R& D must complement the educational revolution. This is the era of human talent optimization, using existing material to create new phenomenon, so 24/7 experimentation will be required. Academic research will be superseded by industrial and applied research. Both the Public and Private Sectors must invest in R&D as a creed so that African Nations can be in the forefront of this Revolution where human capital becomes more important than financial capital. First-mover advantage is essential in the ensuing global competitive environment

6. RE- ORIENT VALUES AND REBUILD IMAGE
In addition to building a crop of skilled and highly valued manpower, the whole Society must be moved to adopt new values that will enable Africa to sustain the anticipated gains from the 4th Industrial Revolution. Military Men must learn to stay to their duties and stop interfering in Political Governance. The Political class must be reoriented to know that political leadership is service and sacrifice, not for self or a special group( ethnic, religious, cult, sorority, class). Criminals, infidels, ex-convicts, pedophiles, drug peddlers, Money-launderers, and men of low morality must be excluded from holding offices. Leaders must lead by example. Parents, teachers, Public and civil servants, businessmen, and traders must all operate within their codes and any deviation must be corrected firmly. The African youth must be shown that there is dignity in Labour and that Merit works.

The challenge is to ensure that African Nations place themselves where they can earn international respect and relevance through the conduct and behavior of their officials and citizens. No Nation can emerge without a disciplined citizenry. So National ethos must be fully inculcated by all citizens.
Selfishness and self-centeredness and greed must be abolished. Justice, Equity, and fair play must be key virtues that will help to enthrone contentment and good Neighborliness within and among African Nations. Turf wars must seize and leaders in Africa must stop killing their citizens in order to gain power or advantage. Coups and counter-coups are anti-development and out of fashion and Such acts can never allow any Nation to emerge economically or socially.

CONCLUSION
It may be difficult for Africa to compete in Military and defense technology and wares, and it may be difficult for African Nations to determine decisions in the United Nations as they do not have veto rights. Africa may never have the financial power of the developed Countries – G7, G21, etc; we may not belong to NATO or have any strong defense pact, but we have human beings who can be turned into Human Talent and Human capital. That is the most important substrate for competing in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Let Europe and America develop the hardware but let’s prioritize developing the Software and there is a great chance that we can bridge most of the gaps within a generation- GDP, Employment, income per capita, quality of life, life expectancy, and global rankings.

There has never been a better opportunity than the digital Revolution for Africa to compete. May our leaders wake up and take the bull by the horn. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd industrial revolutions passed us but this 4th revolution must never be allowed to pass us by. Those in Agreement say Amen! God bless and thanks for your attention.

Mazi Dr. Sam I Ohuabunwa OFR, MON, NPOM
CONVENER, THE NEW NIGERIAN GROUP(NNG)

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN BENUE PROTEST OVER 2023 CENSUS

28/04/23

Internally Displaced Persons from the Abagana and Mbawa IDP camps took to the streets of Makurdi, Benue State’s capital to protest against what they termed “a plot to disenfranchise them from the rescheduled housing and population Census following their displacement from their ancestral homes since 2018.

They winded down at the National Population Commission in makurdi, where the leader of the protesting IDPs, Ladi Tyough presented their demands.

As the resheduled population census drows closer so does the number of internally displaced across the nations food basket continue to soar over insecurity spreading fears of whether the commission can actually get an accurate count.

Here in Makurdi the state capital these displaced persons take this concern to the door step of the Commission who had earlier promised to ensure they are captured.

Although the commission seems to have take steps to address their concerns the problem of lost communities to armed herders remain a valid concern.

U.S. COMPLETES NIGERIA’S $38M AIR FORCE BASE IMPROVEMENTS FOR A-29 SUPER TUCANOS.

SHINA J.O

28/04/23

The United States has completed the $38 million of improvements to the air base on Thursday, April 27, for the A-29 Super Tucano.

This was announced in a statement by the U.S. mission in Nigeria.

The construction of the air base improvements is key to facilitating the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucano wing and associated munitions.

The base improvements were delivered as part of a larger, historic $500 million U.S. foreign military sale to Nigeria, which also included the delivery of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, precision munitions, and world-class training, including in air-to-ground integration to make airstrikes more accurate and thereby mitigate the risk of civilian harm.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Nigeria, David Greene, Director of the U.S. Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate Brig. Gen. Joel Safranek, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division Commander Col. John Lloyd, and other U.S. officials joined Amao and other Nigerian Air Force partners to celebrate the completion of the final phase of the construction program for A-29 Super Tucano support facilities.

“Since my arrival in Nigeria last year, I have closely tracked the progress of the A-29 program and am grateful, today, to celebrate the fruits of U.S.-Nigerian partnership and commitment,” stated Chargé d’Affaires Greene.

“Nigeria’s A-29 program is the largest U.S. foreign military sales case to date to a country in Sub-Saharan Africa, an example of Nigeria’s leadership in being, as is the Nigerian Air Force’s motto, ‘willing, able, and ready’ to contribute to security and stability at home and around the region.”

The base improvements were delivered in two main phases, with the first phase completed in the summer of 2021 to allow for the safe delivery of the first A-29 aircraft, which now play a key role in Nigerian Air Force operations to combat violent extremist organizations, such as ISIS-West Africa and Boko Haram.

Crews are now finishing the second and final phase of air base improvement projects, which include improved base security, munitions storage and maintenance, aircraft hangars and aprons, and training facilities to ensure the continued successful operations of the new fighter wing.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, which is part of the larger U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division, oversaw the construction of these projects, which are key to facilitating the operation and maintenance of the 12 A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proudly supports our international partners like Nigeria by providing unique engineering expertise to bolster security capabilities, strengthen strategic relationships, and contribute to regional security,” Lloyd said.

“Here at Kainji Air Base, it has been an absolute privilege to partner with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Air Force and the Nigerian Air Force to deliver these support facilities for their new fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.”

The U.S. Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate is managing the overall $500 million foreign military sale as part of its larger mission of administering security assistance programs around the world.

“Today is a proud occasion, not only for the country of Nigeria and the Nigerian Air Force, but also for the United States of America, the United States Air Force, and the United States Army,” said Safranek.

“These new capabilities will help address the growing security challenges in the region and counter the significant impact and threats posed to the people of Nigeria.

It proves that together, as Partner Nations and Military Allied Partners, we can accomplish great things which, in the end, make the country of Nigeria and the world a safer place.”

UKRAINE WAR: DEATHS RECORDED AS RUSSIAN MISSILES HIT CITIES.

SHINA J. O

28/04/23

Russian air strikes have hit cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, killing at least five people.

A woman and a three-year-old child were killed in the city of Dnipro, according to the local mayor.

Three people died in Uman after missiles hit residential buildings, officials said. A nine-storey apartment building there was badly damaged.

There were also explosions in the cities of Kremenchuk and Poltava, according to the Interfax news agency.

The head of the Kyiv city military administration said this was the first Russian missile attack on the capital in 51 days.

There are no immediate reports of civilian casualties in the capital.

The attacks come as Ukrainian forces are believed to be preparing for a military offensive with new equipment, including tanks, supplied by Western allies.

Russia has struggled to make headway in a winter offensive, including a 10-month battle for control of the strategically important eastern city of Bakhmut.

This is happening a day after Ukraine’s call for more weapons and ammunition.

Despite the recent arrival of modern weapons – like tanks and armoured vehicles – Ukraine remains heavily reliant on its older Soviet-era arsenal.

SUDAN CRISIS: CEASEFIRE EXTENDED, BUT FIGHTING CONTINUES

SHINA J O

PRESS RELEASE

28/03/23

Rival factions of Sudan’s military have agreed to renew a three-day ceasefire, shortly before it was due to expire.

The extension – for another 72 hours – follows intensive diplomatic efforts by neighbouring countries, as well as the US, UK, and UN.

But there are continuing reports of heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum.

The previous truce allowed thousands of people to attempt to flee to safety, while dozens of countries have tried to evacuate their citizens.

The ceasefire had been expected to end at midnight local time (22:00 GMT).

Early on Thursday evening, the Sudanese regular army agreed to an extension, and its rival the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) followed suit hours later.

South Sudan has offered to host peace talks, and the army has agreed to send representatives to the talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was “very actively working” to extend the truce, adding that while imperfect, it had reduced violence.

But White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre later said the situation could worsen at any moment.

Meanwhile, the RSF and eyewitnesses said the army had been pounding its positions in Khartoum.

The foreign minister in the civilian government, Maryam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, told Newsmen from her home in Khartoum that despite the ceasefire, civilians were still living in fear.

Fighting has also been reported in the western Darfur region and other provinces.

At least 512 people have been killed in the fighting and almost 4,200 injured, although the real number of deaths could be much higher.

The World Health Organization said it expected there to be “many more” deaths due to outbreaks of disease and a lack of services.

Health officials say most hospitals in conflict areas are not functioning, and more than 60% of health facilities in Khartoum are inactive.

BREAKING: SIX PERSONS DEAD & MANY INJURED IN JOS TANKER EXPLOSION

BENEDICTA T.D

27-4-2023

About Six People have been confirmed dead after a petrol-laden tanker exploded at Bauchi road in Jos North local government council of Plateau State .

The explosion which occurred on Thursday at about 3pm, few minutes from the University of Jos Main Campus, also left unspecified number of persons Injured, with cars, shops and buildings around the axis affected.

An eye witness, Nura Shehu, told our correspondent that so far, about 6 bodies have been recovered from the scene of the accident and blamed the accident on Break failure.

As at the time of filing in this report, number of injured persons could not be ascertain.

Meanwhile, the Jos North Council Chairman Shehu Bala, who expressed shock over the unfortunate incident while sympathizing with the Victims assured, that the council will constitute a communitee to investigate the accident with a view to ascertaining it’s immediate and remote course and put in measures to forestall future re- occurrence.

ALLEGED SUSPENSION OF LAGOS STATE PDP CHAIRMAN: Members React

28/04/23

DANIELS G O

The members of the State Working Committee (SWC) and the 39 members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the Lagos State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) have described the purported suspension of the party’s state Chairman, Honourable Philip Olabode Aivoji, and his deputy, Honourable Tai Benedict, as unlawful, unconstitutional and the highest level of political rascality ever witnessed in the history of the State chapter of the party.

In a communique jointly signed by 27 of the 39-member SEC, the party considered the action of the disgruntled 5-man member of the SWC usurping the constitutional responsibilities of the majority of the SWC and the 39 members of the State Executive Committee of the party by suspending the state Chairman and his deputy as a nullity ab-innitio and an unprecedented level of impunity as they lacked the constitutional power and the required number to execute such dastardly act.

The communique further added that the State Working Committee and indeed the State Executive Committee had no constitutional power to take any disciplinary action against the state chairman or to ratify the suspension or disciplinary action against the said state officer of the party as such power resides with the National Executive Committee of the Party (NEC) following section 57 sub-section 7 of the constitution of the party (2017 as amended )

In line with the above development, the chairman and his Vice retain their Position. This was all effected at a press conference held yesterday the 26th of April 2023 at the lvory exclusive hotel, Maryland Lagos…

HIGH COURT DISMISSES SUIT BY AIRLINE OPERATORS AGAINST CJ, ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES & OTHERS


27/04/2023

TIMI O. D

The Abuja Federal High Court has dismissed the suit by the registered trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, challenging the letter by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice John Tsoho, directing the transfer of the matter pending before the Lagos division of the court to Abuja.

Justice James Omotosho in his judgment on Thursday dismissed the suit on the ground that it was frivolous, unreasonable as it disclosed no cause of action.

The court also awarded a cost of N1.5m against the plaintiffs in favour of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Tsoho, for humiliating and harassing him in the course of performing his duties as a public officer.

Justice Omotosho held that the Chief Judge is empowered by the provisions of the Federal High Court Act to request for a case file at any stage of the proceedings and to re-signed same to another Judge of the Court and that such discretionary powers are not justiciable.

The trial Judge also held that Section 19 (3) of the Federal High Court Act and other enabling provisions have empowered the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to act so. He can exercise his administrative powers to transfer and assigned cases.

While explaining that the Chief Judge has not assigned the case file to another judge of the Federal High Court, the court held that the suit is frivolous and an abuse of court process and therefore dismissed it.

The Associations in the suit before the Abuja federal High Court are challenging Whether section 19 sub section 3 of the Federal High Court Act and Orders 2 Rules 1 sub section 2 and rule 3 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 empowers or permit the Chief Judge of the federal high court to transfer a suit between the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria & 5 Ors vs. Nigeria Air Ltd & 3 Ors pending before Hon. Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Lagos Judicial Division to the Abuja Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

Other plaintiffs in the suit are Azman Air Services Limited, Air Peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airline Company Limited, and Topbrass Aviation Limited, while other defendants in the suit are Nigeria Air Limited, Ethiopian Airlines, Sen. Hadi Sirika( Minister of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Aviation) and the attorney general of the federation.

The Airline Operatos are also challenging Whether the letter dated February 16, 2023 issued by Justice Tsoho for the case to be transferred from Lagos division of the court to the Abuja Division is invalid, improper and is not an unlawful/illegal interference with the judicial process in the said pending Suit.

They therefore sought, amongst others, a declaration that by Section 22(1) of the Federal High Court Act and Order 2 Rule 4 read along with Order 1 Rule 5 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, the power to transfer Suit between The Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria & 5 Ors vs. Nigeria Air Ltd & 3 Ors (the 2nd to 5th defendants herein) resides solely with the presiding Justice A.L. Allagoa of the Lagos Judicial Division and not the chief Judge.

The operators also sought an order of Mandatory Injunction quashing the order of transfer contained in the letter dated February 16, 2023 issued by the Justice John Tsoho acting on the letters of the 2nd, 4th & 5th Defendants.

FG SHIFTS GROUNDS ON FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL … Finance Minister

27/04/23

SHINA J.O

The National Economic Council is to set up an expanded committee to look at the precess for subsidy removal including determining the exert time and measures to be taken to provide support for the poor and the vulnerable.

Minister of finance, Budget And National planning, Zainab Ahmed who briefed state house correspondents after the National Economic council meeting on Thursday says fuel subsidy will not be removed by before the end of president Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.


The council agreed that the timing for fuel subsidy removal should not be now but all preparation should continue in consultation with states and all other stakeholders including representatives of the incoming administration.

The finance minister, Zainab Ahmed says removal of fuel subsidy is inevitable but must be done in such a way that the impact will not adversely affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

The issue of the devastating flood that occurred in the country in 2022 and the need to support states and individuals affected was also discussed at the council meeting.

This month’s National Economic Council meeting is the last for the president Mahammadu Buhari’s led administration and members use the opportunity to hold a valedictory session for the vice president Yemi Osinbajo, the out going minister of finance, the secretary to the government of the federation and governors who have concluded their terms in office.