Bandits Invade Nigerian Army Cadet Training School In Kaduna 

The cadets were undergoing training for the young officers course, company commanders course and commanding officers course. 

Officer cadets of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) in Jaji, Kaduna State came under fire from bandits on Tuesday, military sources told Peoples Gazette.

An unconfirmed number of assailants, suspected to be cattle rustlers, ran into students of Tactics Wing, NASI, during ‘Exercise Wazobia’ — a rigorous military drill at Labar camp and opened fire, sources said.

“The armed escort responded with high volume of fire and the bandits escaped in disarray,” a source told the Gazette Wednesday morning.

The Gazette learnt that a soldier, who sustained gunshot wounds in the attack, was promptly evacuated to a medical facility in the state for treatment.

The Gazette could not immediately ascertain if the officer cadets undergoing military courses ranging from young officers course (YOC), company commanders course (CCC) and commanding officers course (COC) will resume combat training at the volatile camp or relocate to another exercise ground.

An army spokesman did not return multiple requests for comments.

Military authorities have repeatedly assured of ongoing efforts to intensify the onslaught against bandits and neutralise the activities of cattle rustlers in Kaduna and other disturbed parts of northern Nigeria.

#nairaland

Court Orders Arrest Of Maina & Trial In Absentiaby

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, ordered the arrest of former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, following his repeated failure to appear for continuation of his trial on money laundering charges.

The court, in a ruling by trial Justice Okon Abang, revoked the bail it earlier granted to the Defendant who is facing a 12-count criminal charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him and a firm, Common Input Properties & Investment Limited.

Aside from directing security agencies to track down and arrest the erstwhile pension boss, the trial court, gave the anti-graft agency the nod to try him in absentia.

More so, the court fixed November 23 for the Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who stood surety for the Defendant, to show cause why he should not forfeit the N500million bail bond to the Federal Government.

The orders followed an application the EFCC made pursuant to sections 184 and 335(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.

The court agreed with the EFCC that Maina’s absence from his trial on four successive dates, was without a cogent or verifiable evidence.

It will be recalled that Maina spent over seven months on remand at the Kuje Correctional Center before the court released on bail after Senator Ndume agreed to stand surety for him.

EFCC alleged that he used account of the firm and laundered funds to the tune of about N2billion, part of which he used to acquire landed properties in Abuja.

In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/256/2019, EFCC, alleged that the ex-Pension boss used fictitious names to open and operate various bank accounts, as well as recruited his relatives that were bankers to operate fake bank accounts through which illicit funds were channelled.

The ex-Pension boss however pleaded not guilty to the charge

Though the prosecution has already opened its case and called witnesses that included bankers and Maina’s relatives, who testified and tendered exhibits in evidence before the court, the Defendant, since September 29, failed to make further appearance in the matter.

Senator Ndume had on October 2 when the matter came up for trial, informed the court that he does not know the whereabouts of the Defendant.

The lawmaker lamented before the court that all his efforts to locate the 1st Defendant proved abortive.

Ndume also begged the court to issue an arrest warrant to enable security operatives to track down and apprehend Maina.

#vanguard

Dave Umahi. ‘I Can Never Join A Party Like APC' (Throwback) 

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, on Tuesday, said despite his close relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, he “can never” join a party like the president’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during a press briefing in Abaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Governor Umahi dismissed media reports that he had defected to the APC.

“They said I have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is laughable and the question is that why are people so much interested in my politics?” the governor queried.

Umahi clarified that although he maintains a personal relationship with President Buhari, he would never join the APC with the kind of leaders the party houses in the state.

He said, “The clarification is that my relationship with Mr President is because Mr President is my boss and the relationship is personal. Mr President or any APC person has never asked me to come over to the APC and they will never ask. There is no reason for me to leave my party the PDP of which I was the party chairman, deputy governor and now governor. I have always insisted on character. People that jump from one party to the other should examine their characters unless if there is any problem within your party.

“As at today and tomorrow, and till Christ comes there will be no crisis in PDP. So, there is no reason for me to leave the PDP and even if there were crisis in PDP and there is the need for me to leave PDP, I can never leave PDP to the kind of APC in Ebonyi State. With the kind of leader (not all of them but most of them) in Ebonyi State that have failed the state woefully. So I can never be on the same political platform with them. This is very key and much a fact for us to know.

“So, I am focused in doing my job, I am focused in governance and I have always insisted that we should leave party politics to our party men and women. As soon as you are elected you should focus on your job. I am not yet into politics of re-election and the fever that is gripping from day one is the fever of delivery on the dividends of democracy. So they should leave me alone with their dirty party politics because I am focused, I am a PDP member and I have benefited by privileges the platform of PDP has afforded me to be a party chairman, to be a deputy governor and to be a governor,” the governor added.

#nairaland

Fuel Price Hike: NLC Out To Deceive Nigerians, Says Timi Frank

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerians not to be deceived by the empty threats being made by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recent additional increase in fuel price.

Frank who was reacting to the accelerated increases in the price of fuel within few months by the Federal Government, said it was sad that the NLC that is supposed to fight for the welfare of workers and by extension the masses, has betrayed Nigerians.

He said rather than champion the cause of the ordinary Nigerian, the NLC has sold out and thus become a tool of deception and oppression in the hands of the government. 

He described the NLC’s statement rejecting the present fuel price increase as a “Nollywood script” as “Nigerians know that they have connived and agreed to the increase before it was announced by the Federal Government. 

He called on Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands by resisting the anti-people, anti-democratic and wicked policies and programmes of the Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s regime. 

He challenged the NLC to make public its agreement with the Federal Government following the last sharp increases in electricity tariffs and the pump price of petrol in September. 

He said: “It is clear that the present leadership of the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have traded the welfare of workers for their personal enrichment.

“The NLC has since abandoned the struggle after prolonged winning and dinning with King Nebuchadnezzar. It has lost its mettle as the guardian and protector of workers’ interests. 

“Their voices are silent because their throats are filled with inducements. They now mewing like cats instead of roaring like lions. They have lost their Aluta venom and sting.

“The NLC claimed to have entered into an agreement with the FG when the latter surreptitiously jacked up the price of fuel and electricity tariffs. 

“Today, those prices did not only stand, the Federal Government has gone ahead to again effect a new increase in the price of petrol at the time prices of crude oil have plummeted at the international market. 

“Let the NLC leave Nigerians alone. Nigerians can fight for themselves and they will fight to defeat this evil regime in the next election.”

He however warned the Federal Government not to take the patience and long suffering of Nigerians for granted. 

He also urged Buhari and his hirelings now holding Nigerians hostage not to forget the fate that befell past African despots who impoverished and inflicted pains on their people, history will judge all oppressors harshly, negatively and poorly just like it has done to Charles Taylor, Mobutu Sese Seko, Omar al-Bashir, Laurent Gbagbo, etc.

“A day is coming when Nigerians will fight and they will fight hard to reclaim their country from this evil and corrupt cabal now illegally occupying public offices and oppressing the people,” he declared.

Signed: 
Comrade Timi Frank
Political Activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

#punchng

Broke FG, State Governments Scavenge For Survival

WITH revenues drying up and debts mounting, the Federal Government has resorted to scavenging in order to meet its obligations.

Similarly, states are scampering in every direction to shore up their revenues to meet rising expenses. According to the budget implementation report for the second quarter of 2020 released by Budget Office of the Federation (BoF), total public debt stock as of June 30 stood at US$85.896 million (N 31.0 trillion), an increase of N3.681 trillion or 14.76 per cent when compared to the US$79,303.31 million (N28.628trillion) reported at the end of March 2020. During the same period, total revenue received by the Federal Government stood at N1.650 trillion while it spent N1.105 trillion on debt service.

Similarly, Mr Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, said on Monday that the Federal Government’s earnings from oil and non-oil sectors as well revenue receipts had declined by 60 per cent. Consequently, the Director-General of BoF, Mr Ben Akabueze, disclosed last week that 428 ministries, departments and agencies would not be able to pay November salaries to their staffers.

As a result, government has resorted to scraping every surface so as to be able to meet its financial obligations. For instance, in the 2020 Finance Bill to be soon submitted to the National Assembly, government is proposing to sweep unclaimed dividend that had been idle over the years in the accounts of quoted companies. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said FG would sweep unclaimed dividend amounting to N158.44 billion.

In addition, government will also seize available funds in the 45.57 million dormant bank accounts in commercial banks. It will then create an “unclaimed dividend and unutilised bank balance trust fund” where dividends declared and unclaimed will be held and used for the funding of infrastructure projects. President Muhammadu Buhari has equally given a six-month deadline for the disposal of all forfeited assets.

While inaugurating the 22-man panel saddled with the responsibility early this month, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, said its mandate was to ensure expedient disposal of all FGN forfeited assets and generate revenue for the Federal Government.

Just a few months ago, a desperate Federal Government had deployed revenue directors to 10 most important government-owned enterprises, which include Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).

Others are the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Although approval for the scheme had been given since October 2018, there was no desperation for implementation until a few months ago when the reality of acute paucity of funds dawned on government.

Meanwhile, with an increase of 158 per cent in total debt stock since 2015, there is a further projection of a further increase to N38.6 trillion by the end of 2021. In the 2021 budget presented to the National Assembly in October, President Buhari proposed N13.08 trillion expenditure, while putting total revenue available for the budget at N7.886 trillion. “It is projected, based on existing approval, to rise to N32.51tn by December 31, 2020 and N38.68tn by December 31, 2021”

Ahmed told a committee of the National Assembly a couple of weeks ago. As it is with the central government so it is with many of the state governments as 10 of them have yet to start implementing the new minimum wage signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari in April last year.

Findings from the Nigerian Tribune show that with the recent announcement from Osun State Government of the commencement of the new minimum wage, 26 states have so far implemented the N30,000 minimum wage. The 10 states that have yet to key into the implementation of the new wage include Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Ekiti, Kogi, Plateau, Imo, Nasarawa and Taraba. “Available records show that with Osun’s recent announcement, 26 states have so far implemented the new N30,000 minimum wage, with 10 states yet to implement” an impeccable Labour source told Nigerian Tribune.

However, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oyo State, and Kebbi State are still implementing the new minimum wage partially. Nigerian Tribune findings revealed that dwindling allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and unimpressive internally generated revenue have hamstrung states that have yet to start implementing the new minimum wage.

Even those that have started the implementation have had to sacrifice infrastructure development for paying the enhanced salary scheme. Recall that the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a crash of the oil price and occasioned the lockdown of the economy for over three months. The two incidents shrank revenue accruing to states with many of them having to tweak their budgets. In addition to that, the states have had to make allowances for unplanned expenses to combat the pandemic and provide palliatives for the people. They have also had to announce tax relief for businesses operating within their domain, which has further depleted their revenue.

In his reaction to the financial crisis governments at both the federal and state levels are encountering, Professor of Political Economy and management expert, Pat Utomi, said though he didn’t have all the parameters to conclude that the federal government ‘is broke,’ emerging trends suggested that the cost of running government was too high.

Utomi, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune in a telephone interview, said the federal government is handicapped partly because a lot of money goes into the maintenance of the presidential fleet, protocol and running of the National Assembly and because recurrent expenditure is high, MDAs are getting desperate to raise more tax revenues. “As a result of this, the tail is wagging the dog.

At a DFID (Department for International Development) presentation, I once suggested that since there are too many people doing nothing other than carrying files in government agencies, there is need to re-train and deploy them to some local government areas where their services are mostly needed. Or they can be trained on entrepreneurship and empower them to be more productive in the economy,” the political economist suggested.

He also believes that Nigeria can reduce the cost of running the National Assembly and save a lot of money by adopting part time legislature.

Speaking to CNBC Africa during the station’s Power Lunch West Africa programme, Bismarck Rewane, Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Ltd, explained that Nigeria is broke and that the situation has left the country in a rather precarious financial position as far as dealing with the looming recession is concerned.

In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Mustafa Chike Obi, the Executive Vice Chairman of Alpha African Advisory Limited, a Financial Advisory and Fund Raising firm, said “I will just say that Nigeria as a country is living way beyond its means. All of us have sacrifices to make if we want to reach the goal of economically viable country. We are consuming the assets of future generation. That is what we are consuming today.”

Also, speaking in the same vein, the Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Muda Yusuf, noted that “revenue is very key and very central to the budget. If you look at the last three years there has been large variances, large negative finances in the revenue targets and it is not likely that what we will have in the 2021 budget will significantly be different. “So, the revenue will continue to be an issue if we continue to have the economy the way it is and for as long as the private sector continues to struggle with all the challenges in the business environment,” he said.

Uba Sani Emerges 2020 'Senator Of The Year' (Photos) 

The senator representing Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, Senator Uba Sani, has emerged winner of the ‘Senator of the Year’ category in the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards.

The Award is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.

Sani, chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions, beat five other senator-nominees to emerge winner in a seven-day voting by Nigerians via online platforms.

At a brief profiling event of the awardee on Friday November 13, at the National Assembly, Abuja, the Kaduna lawmaker expressed gratitude to Nigerians for finding him worthy of nomination and their votes.

He said he was happy that Nigerians put religious or ethnic differences aside to vote him, and have been following his activities at the National Assembly including the people-oriented bills and motions he had sponsored.

Describing the Leadership Excellence Award as "most credible", which prompted his acceptance, Sani lauded the Igbere TV management team for their good work, revealing that he followed the voting process "and it was free, fair and devoid of interference or influence."

“I am more than delighted to be named senator of the year 2020 by Nigerians. I am particularly grateful because it is not just my constituents, but people across the six geopolitical zones that voted me. This is great!

“I, therefore, thank Nigerians for finding me worthy of this great honour and deserving of this prestigious award. This goes to show that all we have been doing at the National Assembly are being watched,” Sen. Sani added.

The prestigious Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Award, recognises and honours the outstanding impacts of leaders across several sectors and industries in Nigeria. The most anticipated 2020 Award is slated for December 10, 2020 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Abuja.

This year’s event would be one of the most outstanding and credible Award ceremonies in Nigeria, as personalities in the Presidency, State Governments, National and State Assemblies, Economic Industries, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Activism are expected to grace the occasion.

Some of the awardees include, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President (Foundation of the Year); Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Car Maker of the Year); Chief (Hon) Alex Ikwechegh, Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation (Personality of the Year); Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year); and Chief Uche Nwosu, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government (Hospitality Personality of the Year).

Others are: Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, Abia Assembly speaker (Speaker of the Year); Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health (Medical Expert of the Year); Hon. Sir. Melie Onyejepu, General Manager of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement (State Public Servant of the Year); Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo First Lady (Woman of the Year on Empowerment); and former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Founder of Kwankwasiyya Foundation (N.G.O of the Year).

Also on the list are, Dr. Gbene Joi Nunieh, the immediate past Managing Director of NDDC (Public Servant of the Year); and Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and CEO of Transcorp PLC, founder of VCO Foundation and frontline governorship aspirant in the Anambra 2021 election (Empowerment Personality of the Year).

While Dr. Alice Onyema, Vice-Chairman of Air Peace is being awarded as Aviation Personality of the Year; Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, CEO/Managing Director of Property Finders Limited, developers of Centage Estate, Lagos and Oil Spring Estate, bags Businesswoman of the Year award; with Prof. Georgewill Owunari, the former Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences (UNIPORT) and Board member of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, emerging as 'Educationist of the Year'; and Olakunle Churchill as 'ICT Personality of the Year', among others.

The 2019 edition of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards which held 28th November, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja saw distinguished and prominent captains of industry, public figures and leaders cling on to the various Award categories.

Prominent awardees included President Muhammadu Buhari, United States-based Nigerian billionaire medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka; former President Goodluck Jonathan, former House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; minister Rotimi Amaech, Senator Rochas Okorcha, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, among others.

According to Igbere TV, organizers of the Award event, this year’s edition which holds Dec. 10, has been tagged Africa’s biggest and most glamorous online media award. The programme will be transmitted live on DSTV, GOTV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Zoom, Instagram and other social media platforms with over 10 million audience globally.

#nairaland

NANS MOBILIZES STUDENTS ON NATIONWIDE PROTEST AS IT MARKS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS DAY WITH REGRETS

DECRIES THE ABDUCTION OF 17 ABU ZARIA STUDENTS BY BANDITS AND REJECTS THE INCREASE IN PRICE OF PMS (FUEL)

By Ikpontu G.N

The National Association of Nigeria Students(NANS) has expressed the undeserved unhappiness of Nigerian Students as it joins the world to mark the 2020 International Student's Day. The National body of Students under the leadership of Comrade Chidi Ilogebe has challenged ASUU and FG to immediately respond to the undying requirements of Nigerian Students in several areas of critical concerns, as it commence mobilisation of students for a nationwide protest, scheduled for 24th November 2020. This was stated in a press release signed by the President of NANS, Comrade Chidi Ilogebe, GCNS, few hours ago.

In the statement, Comrade Chidi Ilogebe charged all Student structures across the nation, including SUG, JCC, Zonal leaderships, all affiliate/sister unions NAUS, NAPS, NANCES and ANFS to immediately commence mobilisation of Students ahead of the nationwide protest. According to the statement, the protest is aimed at challenging the federal government and ASUU on the devastating situations faced by Nigerian Students, with emphasis on welfarism and security.

The statement further noted that, the celebration of 2020 International Student's Day in Nigeria was a moment to reflect on the past and present, with considerable efforts to proffer possible solutions towards improving the educational system of the Country. He stated that the intended joyous mode had been interrupted by the same system that ought to put smiles on the faces of students before, during and after this historic day.

The statement therefore recalled the regretful abduction of students of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, along Kaduna-Abuja Express way few days ago, as it calls on Federal Government to prioritize improvement in the welfare and security of Nigerians, especially around towns or cities where academic campuses are situated. Comrade Ilogebe had also in the press statement condemned and rejected the recent increase in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) and electricity tariff, stressing that it was a deliberate act to provoke citizens.

The National Association of Nigeria Students further called on the immediate and irrevocable opening of university Campuses, as it presents a reminder to FG and ASUU on the 14days ultimatum, which will elapse on 23rd November 2020. NANS however seeked the steadfastness, commitment and support of relevant stakeholders, security agencies and members of the association ahead of the forthcoming NANS election, holding from 26th to 30th of November 2020. Comrade Chidi Ilogebe therefore concluded his statements on the 2020 International Student's Day by reiterating the commitment of NANS in the resolute emancipation of student's welfarism.

#nans

Actress, Nkechi Blessing overwhelmed as she counts the money she made from her shop opening event.

Watch The Video Below

Police Officers Run As Okada Riders Chase Them In Lagos (Video)

Police officers took to their heels today November 18 after Okada riders pursued them along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway in the Ikeja area of Lagos state.

In a viral video, scores of motorcycle riders were seen chasing the security operatives who retreated to their operational vehicles and zoomed off immediately. The task force members were in the area to confiscate motorcycles violating the traffic rules in the state.

This incident comes barely 24 hours after some other motorcycle riders clashed with task force officers in the FESTAC area of the state.

Watch the video from today's incident below