News Rider

As the japa syndrome continues unabated, more than 400 consultant anaesthetists have exited Nigeria in search of better placement within the last two years.  President of the Nigerian Society of Anaesthetists, Dr Olubusola Alagbe-Briggs disclosed this on Wednesday in Gombe on the sideline of the society’s 31st Annual Scientific Conference with the theme: "Anaesthesia and Pre-operative Care of Patients With Cancers." She noted that anaesthetists are the most sought-after specialists in foreign lands because of the peculiarity of their services. Alagbe-Briggs pointed out that there is a global shortage of anaesthetists due to the nature of their job which is intensive, acute and focused. “We had about 1,200 members in the past, but today, we have only 800 members. Those countries that are short of anaesthetists are pulling those here in Nigeria to their countries. “Nigerian professionals are the best. They are highly sought-after by other countries. “Medical practit...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Stakeholders at the Awareness Raising Public Seminar on Plastic Circular Economy in Abuja on Thursday.  The Government of Japan in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has invested $2 million to bolster Nigeria's Circular Economy project.   A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products such as plastics without leakage into the natural environment. The three-year project, which commenced in 2022 and expected to end in 2025, would be integrated into the implementation plan of plastic value chain in Nigeria.  National Programme Coordinator of UNIDO, Mr Oluyomi Banjo stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the Awareness Raising Public Seminar on Plastic Circular Economy organised by the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in  collaboration with UNIDO....

Seized 975 ammunitions concealed in five bags of rice.  The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Area 1 Command, Ogun State has launched manhunt for  illegal traffickers and intercepted 975 ammunitions concealed in five bags of rice.  Acting Area Controller, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu said on Wednesday in Idiroko, Ogun that the exhibits were seized along the palace/Ayetoro road in Imeko Afon Local Government of the state. He disclosed that the items were intercepted on November 27, based on intelligence report received by the command.  This, he said prompted them to deploy officials to confront those involved in bringing the ammunition into the country. Shuaibu noted that the NCS has been constantly monitoring the activities of smugglers involved in trafficking live ammunition for about a week prior to the seizure. The controller said that intelligence report indicated that the 975 rounds of red stars cartridges, were concealed in five bags of rice and hidden in a bush p...

President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has presented a budget estimate of N27.5 trillion for the 2024 fiscal year, with a projected deficit of N9.18 trillion. Presenting the estimate to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, the President tagged it: "Budget of Renewed Hope." He stated that the deficit contained in the budget is lower than the N13.7 trillion deficit contained in the 2023 budget. Tinubu was optimistic that the budget deficit would be financed through new borrowings amounting to N7.83 trillion.   He noted that N298.49 billion would be realised through proceeds from privatization and another N1.05 trillion on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific development projects.

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Conservator of Park, Cross River National Park, CP Caroline Olory has disclosed that National Parks hold the key to mitigating climate change across the country.  She stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at a workshop organised by the Development Agenda in collaboration with Environmental Media Correspondents Assodiation of Nigeria with the theme: "Climate Change and COP28: The Way Forward For Nigeria." The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled to hold in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will garner more than 70,000 participants, including heads of state and government, government officials, representatives of international organisations, business leaders, academics and civil society organisations.  Olory lamented that climate disasters are happening at frightening rates in Nigeria, and a panacea to cushion the effect is the standing forest which serves as carbon sink that would absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. She informed ...

Court Adjourns Case Till January 18 The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele has failed to meet the N300m bail granted him by a High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  This is coming seven days after the court ordered Emefiele to produce two sureties in the like sum of N300 million, who must have property in the Maitama district of Abuja. Recall that Justice Hamza Muazu had informed the court on the bail conditions on Wednesday while ruling in the application filed by Counsel to Emefiele, Mathew Burkaa.  Muazu held that the sureties must present the title documents and Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to the court for verification. In addition, the former CBN governor was also directed to submit his travelling documents to the registrar of the court and must remain within the Abuja Municipal Council during the period of his trial. But one of his lawyers, who spoke on condition of anonymity said that plans are un...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has attributed quality healthcare delivery as crucial to the growth and development of any society.   Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare,  Dr. Tunji Alausa stated this on Tuesday during the oversight tour and official commissioning of Ultra-modern Projects at Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu. He explained that the present administration  focuses its health drive action on four major agenda's such as governance in healthcare, unlocking value chain, health and social security, and population outcome.  Alausa commended the Rector of the College,  Prof. John Emaimo for his giant strides within the shortest time in office.  He lauded the top management staff, and the entire community for their mutual cooperation during the execution of the project.  Alausa reiterated the Federal Government's  determination to increase the funding of health institutions a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), International Oil  ompanies (IOCs) and Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) have concluded plans to parley on investment opportunities in decarbonisation.  Aside investment talks, the 12th edition of the annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) will also attract policy makers and other stakeholders in the Oil and Gas, and Energy sectors.  The four- day event, expected to commence on Monday, December 4, 2023, will hold at the 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower (NCT) headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and his Gas counterpart, Hon. Ekperikpo Ekpo will lead other dignitaries to the annual event.  The ministers are expected to deliver keynote addresses and showcase the Federal Government's stance on Nigerian content and investment strategies.  PNC is hosted by the NCDMB in partnership wi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu has concluded arrangement to deliver a national statement that would highlight Nigeria’s stance on various thematic issues including renewable energy and climate financing. This is even as the President will depart Abuja on Wednesday for the 28th edition of Conference of Parties (COP28) Climate talks holding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Also known as United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) or Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP28), will witness the World Leaders’ Summit, which takes place between December 1 and December. 2 with the theme, “Unite, Act, and Deliver”. A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelala on Wednesday revealed that Tinubu would dwell on the severe impact of climate change on Nigeria such as desertification, flooding, erosion, drought and national security risks. He noted that the President would maximise the opportunity created by the pl...

Dr Betta Edu The Federal Government has called on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states to mainstream social protection into the region's annual budgets.  Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu stated this on Tuesday during the virtual ECOWAS inter-ministerial meeting on the adoption of regional framework and implementation plan on social protection. She noted that one of the fundamental challenges in the region is that project-based social protection is ad hoc and unpredictable.  Edu also enjoined the member states to intensify efforts towards addressing poverty and humanitarian crisis in their respective countries, just as she sought private sector involvement in the implementation of the framework. The minister revealed that the adoption of the social protection framework by member countries and its implementation is key to overcoming poverty and humanitarian challenges in West Africa. The framework seek...

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) Suleiman Wanchiko as the winner of Bida I (North) State Constituency election in Niger State.  To this end, the court on Tuesday declared Bako Kasim of All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll. The three-member panel while delivering the judgment through Justice Bature Isa-Gafai, held that Wanchiko’s appeal was unmeritorious. But the court also agreed with Kasim’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, that Wanchiko, having presented a forged testimonial to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ought to be disqualified from contesting the election. Recall that INEC had declared Wanchiko winner of the Bida I (North) Constituency election for the Niger State House of Assembly election held on March 18, 2023.  Wanchiko polled 12, 062 votes as against the 11, 820 votes scored by Kasim. Dissatisfied with the election result, Kasim and APC, through their Counsel, M...

Plans have reached advanced stage as the construction of $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, expected to link European market will kick-start fully next year.  When completed, gas will be transported through  benefitting countries such as Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco. Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo stated this on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the Kingdom of Morocco led by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma in Abuja.  Part of their talks was also to strengthen the cooperation and commitment toward finalising the Trans-Atlantic pipeline project, likewise on the development of its fertiliser plant in Nigeria. Ekpo disclosed that Nigeria is ready and interested in the project.  Recall that four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) were signed between Nigeria and Morocco about the project in Jun...

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the 2024 appropriation bill of N27.5 trillion. This comes with a N1.5 trillion increase from the  earlier estimated bill of N26.2 trillion.  The Federal Government had proposed N26.2 trillion but reviewed the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) after it was recently approved by the National Assembly. President Bola Tinubu is expected to present the 2024 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday. Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Monday at the end of the  council's meeting.  Bagudu explained that further details of the budget would be released when the President presents the budget to the National Assembly next week. He stated that the MTEF which has been passed by the National Assembly was further reviewed, adding that the targeted revenue for year 2024 is N18tn. “The federal executive council considered the...

President Bola Tinubu  In compliance with Section 59 (2) of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).  The appointment takes effect from December 1, 2023: They are Pius Akinyelure — Non-Executive Board Chairman; Mele Kolo Kyari — Group Chief Executive Officer; Umar Isa Ajiya — Chief Financial Officer and Ledum Mitee — Non-Executive Director.  Others are Musa Tumsa — Non-Executive Director; Ghali Muhammad — Non-Executive Director; Mustapha Aliyu — Non-Executive Director; David Ogbodo — Non-Executive Director, and Eunice Thomas — Non-Executive Director. In addition, the President also approved the appointment of two Permanent Secretaries. They are Okokon Ekanem Udo — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, and Gabriel Aduda — Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.  Tinubu expects that the...

President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the eight new Permanent Secretaries that were appointed in the Federal Civil Service.  Recall that the President had on Friday, November 24, 2023, announced the appointment of the permanent secretaries following the recently concluded selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.  A statement by the President's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale revealed that the new appointees include Ndakayo-Aishetu Gogo, Adeoye Ayodeji, Rimi Abba, and Bako Deborah Odoh. Others are Omachi Omenka, Ahmed Umar, Watti Tinuke and Ella Agbo. The new Permanent Secretaries, having emerged at the top of qualified candidates after a diligent assessment process, were expected to deploy their expertise and competence to revitalise service delivery in all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the interest of Nigerians. But the inauguration on Monday preceded th...

                  Hon  Ekperikpe Ekpo The Federal Government has set-up a committee to find a lasting solution to the fluctuating price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) also known as cooking gas.  This followed the rise in the price of LPG from about N700 per kilogramme to above N900 in some parts of the country. The committee, which was mandated to recommend the best ways to boost supplies and crash the prices, are expected to submit their findings within one week.  This was the outcome of the deliberation at a stakeholders meeting between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; top officials of Chevron Nigeria Limited led by Sansay Narasimha; members of Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).  The committee is headed by the Chief Executive Officer of NMDPRA, Engr Farouk Ahmed.  Ibah...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L-R: Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah presenting a plaque to the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa at the Enugu Government House over the weekend.  The Federal Government has pledged to increase funding and human capital development in Federal-owned medical institutions across the country.  Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa stated this during his visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah in Enugu Government house over the weekend.   He was optimistic that increased funding would yield positive result for Nigerians, adding that President Bola Tinubu-led administration is committed to improving the operational health system in Nigeria.  Alausa explained that sound health care delivery is one of the key pillars of the present administration.  He pleaded with the governor to support the Federal Government's yearning in revitalising the health sector a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R:  President of Waltersmith Group, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isa; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Olasupo Olusi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote during the minister’s visit to Waltersmith Refinery in Ibigwe, Egbemi Ohaji LGA of Imo State recently.  The Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited has intensified plans to raise the capacity of its processing plant from the present 5,000 to 40,000 barrels daily.   President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited, Mr. Abdulrasaq Isa stated this during a facility tour of the refinery in Ibigwe, Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.  Isa said that as part of its expansion plan, the refinery would produce two million tonnes of petroleum products per annum. He noted that the refinery has so far supplied a total of...

Troops of 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks in collaboration with local vigilantes have rescued six hostages abducted by bandits in a forest on Friday.  The hostages were released when the Nigerian Army raided Kogon Damisa Hill around Saminaka, a border town between Kebbi and Niger in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State  Special Adviser to Kebbi Governor on Media and Publicity, Malam Yahaya Sarki disclosed on Saturday that the hostages comprising males were rescued in good condition and had been reunited with their families. He said that the victims were earlier reported as missing whereas they were abducted a long time ago The statement reads: "Troops of 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks, Birinin Kebbi in conjunction with vigilantes raided Kogon Damisa Hill around Saminaka in Shanga Local Government Area, a border town between Kebbi and Niger on Friday. “The team dislodged a large number of bandits and rescued six kidnap victims. “The victims had earlier been reported...

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kogi has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce certified copies of electoral materials used during the November 11, off-cycle election in the state.  This is even as the tribunal ordered INEC to issue the election materials to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and permit the party's forensic experts to examine some of the materials. The materials include Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and result sheets for Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ogori-Magongo, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, Kogi and Bassa Local Government Areas. In its ruling on Saturday in Lokoja, the tribunal said that the SDP requested the materials to prove its case in the petition it filed against the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the election. Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu issued the ultimatum following the two ex-parte motions filed on November 19 by the SDP and its governorship cand...

President Bola Tinubu has appointed 10 Nigerians to serve on the Board of Directors in the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). The appointees are Dr Shamsudeen Usman — Board Chairman; Dr Armstrong Ume Takang — CEO/Managing Director; Mr Tajudeen Datti Ahmed — Executive Director, Portfolio Management; Mr Femi Ogunseinde — Executive Director, Investment Management and Mrs Oluwakemi Owonubi — Executive Director, Risk. Others are Mrs Fatima Nana Mede — Non-Executive Director; Mr Ike Chioke — Non-Executive Director; Ms Chantelle Abdul — Non-Executive Director; Mr Alheri Nyako — Non-Executive Director and Mr Bolaji Rafiu Elelu — Non-Executive Director. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. Ngelale said that the President placed premium on accurate and purposeful performance assessment of both commercial and non-commercial government-owned enterprises. He noted that Tinubu is eager to get ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office, Malam Shehu Ibrahim presenting a copy of the Compendium to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio in Abuja.  The Senate has pledged to improve the funds allocated to the Ecological Project Office (EPO) for the implementation of its projects nationwide.  This was even as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio commended the office for its numerous interventions on ecological problems across the States.  This formed the crux of discuss on Thursday during an interactive session with the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change, EPO and representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) at the National Assembly, Abuja.  Akpabio said that the interaction was timely especially as the world is focusing on climate change in all its ramifications.  “We are very proud to have the Ecological Office under the Presidency and specifically in the Of...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has concluded arrangement to end the importation of refined petroleum products by December 2024. This was even as the oil firm promised to raise its revenue to N4.5 trillion at the end of 2023, saying that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refining Company would be completed by December this year. The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari stated this when he led a delegation of the company’s senior management team to a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday in Abuja.  He noted that Nigeria has advanced plans to stop the importation of refined petroleum products in 2024 and would also emerge as a net exporter of the commodities in the same year. Kyari stated that all the country’s refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna would be operational by 2024. He linked the non-functional refineries in Nigeria over the years to constant payment of petr...

Nyesom Wike The activities of One chance syndicates will likely fizzle out soon as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has concluded arrangement to unveil massive mass transit.  At a high-level meeting with estate developers on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr Nyesom Wike said that the administration will roll out new buses and taxis for public transportation.  Wike promised that the new buses and taxis would be unveiled in the next one month, adding that the problems of one chance would be phased-out with the remodeled mass transit.  He said: “If you make the mistake of going to enter a taxi and a bus that is not our own, it is your own problem. “The buses and taxis will ply the routes of Maitama, Asokoro and other parts of the city." The minister revealed that for maximum security of the residents, the FCTA would kick out commercial tricycle operators from Abuja, saying that some of the operators are crimi...

 Abdullahi Sule  The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reversed the judgement of the Nasarawa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked Governor Abdullahi Sule.  This is even as the Court upheld the election of Sule as the duly elected Governor during the March 18 gubernatorial poll in the state.  Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.  He polled 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent, David Emmanuel Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 283,016 votes. But the Appellate court on Thursday held that the tribunal headed by Ezekiel Ajayi acted in grave error by using witness statements on oath and not front loaded as required by law to arrive at the unjust conclusion of nullifying the election of the governor. In a judgment delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the court said that the tribunal was legal...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja              Dr Chavan Laxmikant There is an indication that Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Nigeria may likely lose between five to seven percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2050 to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).  The AMR Focal Point, WHO, Dr Chavan Laxmikant stated this in Abuja on Wednesday in commemoration of 2023 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) with the theme: "Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together." WAAW is a national campaign celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers that play a critical role in reducing the emergence and spread of AMR. World Health Organization (WHO) had revealed that there are 15 priority antibiotic-resistant pathogens that threatens human and animal health, and four of them were detected in Nigeria.  Laxmikant noted that AMR ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  Members of the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee in a group photograph with the Minister of State, Dr Tunji Alausa, and the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom in Abuja on Thursday.  The Federal Government has inaugurated National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC) made up of seasoned professionals with varied experience in healthcare management.  Members of the committee, who are supported by the statutory regulatory bodies in the health sector are mandated to improve the governance of health system.  At the swearing-in ceremony of the committee on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa informed that the members were carefully selected from the six geopolitical zones in the country as enshrined in the National Health Act, 2014. Alausa stated that governance of health systems is the first pillar of the current administration's focus, adding t...