News Rider

President Bola Tinubu  In solidarity with the Workers' day celebration, the Federal Government has approved 25 per cent and 35 per cent pay rise for civil servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures. They are Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS) and Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS). “Others are Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS). Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) Mr Emmanuel Njoku said on Tuesday in Abuja that the increment takes effect on January 1, 2024.   He noted that the Federal Government also approved 20 per cent and 28 per cent pay rise for pensioners on Defined Benefits Scheme. Njoku informed that the move was in line with the provisions of Section 173(3) o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja             Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo  The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1st as a public holiday in commemoration of this year's Workers' Day celebration.  Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo made the declaration on Tuesday in Abuja, through a statement made available to newsmen by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Ndayako. She quoted the minister as re-echoing the need for excellence, efficiency and equity in all spheres of labour. “In alignment with this year’s theme, which focuses on ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, I wish to state that the Federal Government remains steadfast in its resolve to prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens.  “Let me reaffirm Mr. President’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for work, where every worker can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development, "the minister added.  While ac...

As Nigerians yelled over MultiChoice unfriendly tarrif, the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) has intervened in the increment of DStv and Gotv subscription rates.  News Rider reports that the tribunal sitting in Abuja on Monday, restrained MultiChoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on May 1. The three-member tribunal presided over by Saratu Shafii, issued the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma and Counsel for the applicant, Festus Onifade. Other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu. In its ruling, the tribunal issued the restraining order  pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it. Shafii said: "The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any step(s) that may negatively affect the rights of the claimant and other consumers in respect of the suit pending the hearing and determinatio...

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians that Female Circumcision (FC) attracts a minimum of four-year Imprisonment.  In its official X handle (formerly Twitter) @naptipnigeria on Sunday, the agency noted that FC is a crime under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and under various states’ VAPP Laws. This followed a question asked by one of its followers @realmuhammadd, on whether it is compulsory for a newly born baby girl to be circumcised. But another follower  @AAAlhlaji21, responded by saying, that its important to perform circumcision on baby girl to prevent them from being promiscuous when they grow up. However, NAPTIP responded by cautioning the public against such practice.  The agency's response reads: "Anyone who performs FC is liable to up to four years imprisonment, an attempt attracts two years imprisonment. "Anyone who incites, aids or counsels another person to commit...

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi has pledged to pay compensation to persons that their structures or lands would be affected during the construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.  Umahi stated this on Saturday during the demolition of Lagos Mami Chula Beach to pave the way for the Coastal Highway project.  After inspecting kilometres 13, 16 and 20 for effective passage of the coastal highway project, the minister disclosed that the demolition was necessary since the landmark centre was sited on Federal Government’s Right-of-way. He hinted that a number of structures would be pulled down during the demolition exercise. "The project is in a right-of-way within the coastal corridor which is the legitimate right-of-way of the Federal Government. “Before the flag off of the demolition, I graciously increased the grace period by another seven days and yet another four days and here we are because the project stopped because of lack of demolition. “I wan...

At least, three people have been confirmed dead and two others sustained varying degrees of injury when a three-storey building collapsed in Kano State on Friday.  News Rider reports that the building sited at Kuntau Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area of the state is under construction before the unfortunate incident.  The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)  KanoTerritorial Coordinator, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi confirmed the incident and casualty figures.  He said that the agency received a distress call at about 9.20 a.m from a good Samaritan that a three- storey building under construction collapsed at Kuntau quarters. Abdullahi noted that as soon as he received the information, he sent NEMA rescue team to the scene of the incident. “So far, five persons were rescued and taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, out of which three were confirmed dead, while two victims sustained injury and are receiving treatment” Abdullahi added. Abdull...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Cross section of stakeholders at a Public Forum on Digital Public Infrastructure in Abuja on Tuesday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE.  The International Press Center (IPC) Lagos has hailed the significant role played by journalists in championing awareness on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs).  Programme Manager of IPC Lagos, Mrs Stella Nwofia stated this on Tuesday at a Public Forum on: "The Status of Digital Public Infrastructure in Nigeria: Progress, Challenges & Prospects" in Abuja. Digital Public Infrastructure is the digital network that provides Nigerians with social services and targeted at improved service delivery in the digital space. DPIs are  crucial for online transactions, data exchange and digital identity verification. Examples of such infrastructures are Internet broadband, National Identity Number (NIN), Bank Verification Number (BVN), Artificial Intelligence models, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settle...

Troops of One Division, Nigeria Army have decimated several terrorists in Karaga Village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.  News Rider reports that the terrorists ambushed the soldiers on Friday during fighting patrol at Karaga village.  Unfortunately, two officers and four soldiers died during the ambush, while the troops recovered dangerous equipment from the terrorists.  Already, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Commander of Operation Whirl Punch’, Maj.-Gen. Landers Saraso had sent condolences to the families of the deceased personnel on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff. Director of Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said on Sunday in Abuja that Maj.-Gen. Saraso had assured that the unfortunate loss of personnel would be avenged as troops were currently trailing terrorists who fled during the encounter. Saraso enjoined the people of Niger to go about their legitimate and lawful activities, promising that the Nigeria...

At least, one soldier died when troops of the Nigerian Army foiled an attack by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militia arm, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.  This is even as the troops revealed that the attackers, who were armed with AK-47 rifles and riding in two Lexus vehicles and motorbikes, launched a surprise attack on the town by opening fire at troops engaged in internal security operations. A statement on its X handle in the early hours of Friday, April 19, indicated that the troops decisively responded and countered the attack, thereby neutralising unconfirmed number of the attackers.  It was also revealed that other attackers fled the scene with gunshot wounds, as traces of blood were seen along their escape route. Though one soldier paid the ultimate price in the line of duty, two others sustained critical injuries and are currently receiving medical attention. The stat...

The Celebrity bar man, Pascal Okechukwu also known as Cubana Chief Priest has pleaded not guilty to tampering and abusing the naira during his trial. To this end, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State on Wednesday, granted the businessman and socialite N10m bail with two sureties in like sum. News Rider reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 5, 2024, secured the conviction of popular cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky on similar charges. After the trial, Bobrisky was sentenced to six-month imprisonment on Friday, April 12, 2024. Okechukwu was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare on three-count charge over alleged spraying and tampering with the naira at a social event, contrary to the provisions of the Central Bank Act of 2007. He was alleged to have sprayed the naira on February 13, 2024, at Eko Hotel, Lagos. In the case filed by the EFCC and marked FHC/L/ 246/2024, the anti-graft agency alleged that in ...

  Suspected transformer thieves. Photo: X@FCT_PoliceNG Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested six suspects including a staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for vandalising and stealing a transformer in Abuja.  The said transformer was stolen at the Mpape area of the FCT, just as the Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh disclosed that the arrest was made on late Thursday. According to Adeh: "The operatives of the FCT police command on April 11, 2024, at about 10:45 p.m, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested six suspects, namely Kabiru Muhammed, Aliyu Usman, Abdulmalik Alhasassan, Shafi’u Suleiman, Suleiman Ibrahim, and Raymond Mailabari, who is an AEDC staff, all males of Tipper Garage, Mpape, Abuja, for vandalising and stealing a transformer. She noted that the suspects were trying to escape with the vandalised transformer and had already loaded it on a truck in the Maitama area of the FCT, adding that they ran o...

A popular Lagos-based cross dresser, Idris Okuneye (alias Bobrisky) has bagged six-month imprisonment for abuse of the naira.  Okuneye was sentenced to jail by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State on Friday, April 12, 2024, without an option of fine.  Justice Abimbola Awogboro pronounced the sentencing to Bobrisky, who has been in detention since his arrest. Awogboro stated that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others that are in the habit of abusing and mutilating the Nigerian currency. The judge ruled that the jail-term will commence from March 24, 2024, the day of his arrest. In The Beginning  News Rider reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 4, filed a six-count charge against Bobrisky. The charge bordered on naira mutilation and money laundering. The prosecution witness and Assistant Suprintendant of EFCC, Mr Bolaji Temitope had on April 5 narrated the circumstances surrounding the prosecution of Bobr...

The Federal Government has extended the public holiday for the Eid-El-Fitr celebration to Thursday.  This development was due to the inability of Haramain to sight the crescent moon in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, a situation that compelled the government to add an extra day to the already-declared public holiday. News Rider reports that the Federal Government had on Sunday, April 7, announced a two-day holiday  – Tuesday and Wednesday – for the Muslim festivities. A statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Aishetu Gogo Ndayako read: “The Federal Government has approved Thursday 11th April 2024 as an additional public holiday to celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Fitr. “The Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo while congratulating the Muslim Ummah for a successful completion of a month of spiritual rejuvenation reiterates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) firm commitment to providing a safe and prosperous Nigeria for all to thrive.” Als...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Stakeholders at the second edition of Community Security Architecture Dialogue on Early Warning and Early Response in Enugu recently. As part of measures to guard against insecurity, technocrats in the critical sectors have harped on the need for Nigerians to utilise the national emergency toll-free number –112–for timely response to threat signals.  This, they believed would strengthen local institutions to respond to security threats and expand community-based early warning and early response network.  News Rider reports that emergency numbers are designated telephone numbers that provide direct access to emergency services such as medical, accidents or threats to personal safety. These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the second edition of 'Community Security Architecture Dialogue on Early Warning and Early Response', organised by Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre /Transparency International in Nigeria (CISLAC/TI-...

There is an indication that flood will likely hit major riverine States and communities as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the deployment of search and rescue equipment to its operational bases across the country. The items deployed were life-saving equipment such as mobile water purification facility, mobile incident command vehicles, incident response vehicles, life jackets and other essential gadgets. Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar disclosed this on Wednesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the agency's warehouse in Abuja. Umar harped on the need for timely disaster response and the importance of proactive measures such as prepositioning equipment and training personnel to operate the life-saving assets during emergencies. She directed regular stocktaking of relief items in NEMA warehouses nationwide including monitoring expiration dates for timely deployment in the event of emergencies. 

Geregu Power Plc has approved the payment of N8 per ordinary share of 50k each dividends worth N20 billion to its customers.  This was contained in the company's resolution during the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday in Lagos, a copy of which was sent to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). The General Counsel of Geregu Power, Mr Akinleye Olagbende revealed that the beneficiaries are the shareholders whose names appeared in its register of members as at February 27, 2024.  He disclosed that the company also appointed Chief Olukunle Oyewole as an Independent Non-Executive Director. Olagbende informed that Mr Anil Dua and Mr Doron Grupper were re-elected as Independent Non-Executive Directors of the company, adding that the directors were authorised to fix the remuneration of the auditors. He hinted that the company also elected Mr Anil Dua, Mr John Robert Lee, Mr Taj Giwa-Osagie, Mrs Bisi Bakare and Mr Bakare Shofoluwe as members of the statutory Audit C...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The University of Ilorin has ousted and rusticated 19 students over misconduct, hostel bed-space racketeering, theft and examination malpractice.  News Rider reports that other offences include extortion,  assault and admission racketeering, while six final year students were among those expelled. Director of Corporate Affairs, Unilorin, Mr Kunle Akogun said on Monday in Ilorin that majority of the students expelled were either in their first year, second, third, or fourth year in school. “The expulsion or rustication of the affected students followed the recommendations of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee at its 220th/221st meeting. "Majority of the students expelled were either in their first year, second, third, or fourth year in school. "While some of the students were expelled, others were rusticated either for one academic session or for one semester, "he added.