₦airaland Forum

Binance’s Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Tigran Gambaryan, has departed Nigeria after eight months of detention.

The world’s biggest cryptocurrency exchange made this disclosure in a statement shared with The PUNCH on Thursday.

“Today, American citizen Tigran Gambaryan left Nigeria to return home to his family after eight months of unlawful detention. Gambaryan was allowed to leave Kuje prison last night. His health has suffered significantly while in prison. He will now be able to finally receive the medical attention he desperately requires,” the exchange said.

This development follows a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, which dismissed the money laundering charges brought against Gambaryan by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

During the court session, the EFCC explained that the case could not proceed at the last adjourned date due to Gambaryan’s declining health.

A review by the Nigerian Correctional Service, supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser, indicated that Gambaryan’s condition had worsened to the extent that he could hardly walk without the aid of a wheelchair.

Reacting to this development, Gambaryan’s wife, Yuki Gambaryan, expressed her relief at his release, stating, “It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the U.S. government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.

“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult, and I appreciate being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again,” she stated.

In February, Nigerian authorities detained Gambaryan and his colleague Nadeem Anjarwalla, a 37-year-old British-Kenyan who serves as the regional manager for Africa at Binance.

Both were charged with money laundering involving $35 million, as initiated by the anti-graft agency. While Anjarwalla managed to escape custody on March 22, 2024, Gambaryan was arraigned in court on April 8.

GOFRONT:
Is TPAIN himself driving on a CNG powered vehicle??

Ekperipke Ekpo, minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), says President Bola Tinubu wants filling stations converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) outlets.

Ekpo spoke at the State House after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, presided over by the president.

The minister said Tinubu “gave a charge” regarding CNG, through the minister of information, during the FEC meeting.

“We are well aware that the president set up a presidential committee on the CNG to drive the CNG project,” Ekpo said.

“As a minister who has been supervising what has been going on there, it is left for us to inform the general public that CNG has come to stay, and we have to follow that route because CNG is safe, cheaper, and protects the environment.”

He said the president spoke about ensuring that “most of the filling stations across the country are converted into CNG stations, where you have the conversion kits so that people can convert their vehicle to CNG”.

“It is important to note that when you are using CNG, you save a lot of money. A litre of fuel that can go for N1000, with CNG, you get it at N200, which saves you N800,” Ekpo said.

“I believe, with the passion of Mr. President, the push that he has given to us, we’ll try as much as possible to drive the CNG programme to reach all the nooks and crannies of this country, so that we will take advantage of the natural resources (gas) that God has endowed us with.”

On October 22, Tinubu said Nigerians can choose between buying premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at N1,000 per litre or CNG at N200 per standard cubic meter.

FEC APPROVES PTDF INITIATIVE FOR PRINTING OF 1 MILLION SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS

Also speaking to journalists, Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), said FEC approved an initiative by the petroleum technology development fund (PTDF) for the printing of one million science textbooks for secondary schools.

Lokpobiri said the memo was presented on behalf of the PTDF, which had initiated a programme called the “PTDF Stem Fund”.

“STEM is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Sometime ago, the PTDF, which is the creation of law, with the mandate to build the capacity of Nigerians in oil and gas industry, came up with a program called PTDF Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Programme,” he said.

“They sought to obtain presidential approval and today, we brought a memo to council to be able to print 1 million science textbooks.”

He added that the science courses that were identified as problem areas for Nigerians are physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and computer science.

“It is believed that for us to match up with the rest of the world, we needed to build capacity at the secondary school level,” the minister said.

Lokpobiri said the programme is meant “to print one million science textbooks that will be distributed to all the 74 local government areas in the country, and also to support the 104 unity schools that we have in the country, and then 122 special schools that we have in the country”.

“This memo was brought before Council. It was approved by council. Essentially, what is important is that this is a support and dual capacity at the secondary school level to match up with the rest of the world in terms of technological and engineering development. We need to lay a very solid foundation,” he said.

“Sometime ago, we found that we are lagging behind, and so we decided that, look, we are going to build both physical and digital libraries.”

The minister said a memo for PTDF to build digital and physical libraries in about 1,000 secondary schools in the country, was brought before FEC weeks ago and it was approved by the council.

Lokpobiri added that the new approval is to compliment “that effort of the PTDF that has a mandate that will boost capacity in Nigeria”.

The Presidency has made some clarification regarding President Bola Tinubu’s reshuffling of his cabinet.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said ministers were not sacked but discharged.

Speaking with TVC, Onanuga said the term “sacked” does not accurately describe their departure.

“Ministers were not sacked; they were discharged,” he said.

Seven ministers were shown the way out while seven were appointed as Tinubu reshuffled his cabinet.

The cabinet reshuffle, announced on Wednesday, affected Uju-Ken Ohanenye (Women Affairs), Lola Ade-John (Tourism), Tahir Mamman (Education), Abdullahi Gwarzo (Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development), and Jamila Ibrahim (Youth Development).

Amid the hike in the price of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, also known as cooking gas, the Federal Government has banned the export of the commodity produced in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said this in a statement, expressing worry over the rising cost of the commodity.

The prices of the commodity have increased from an average of N1,100-N1,250 per kg to N1,525 per kg.

According to the statement, Ekpo convened a meeting with key stakeholders in the LPG value chain to address the escalating prices and the hardship they impose on Nigerians.

The minister announced the following directives:

Short-Term Solution: Effective from November 1, 2024, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and LPG producers are to halt the export of LPG produced in the country. If they continue exporting, they must import an equivalent volume at cost-reflective prices.

Pricing Framework: The NMDPRA will engage stakeholders within 90 days to create a domestic LPG pricing framework. The new framework will be indexed to the cost of in-country production, replacing the current system of using external market prices from regions like the Americas and Far East Asia.

Long-Term Solution: Over the next 12 months, the government plans to develop infrastructure for blending, storing, and distributing LPG, with the aim of halting exports until domestic supply is sufficient and prices stabilize.

The minister stressed that the measures were aimed at boosting availability, ensuring affordability, and protecting Nigerians from the economic strain caused by hiking the commodity prices.

The Federal Government investigative panel, on Monday, revealed that cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, enjoyed some special privileges in prison, including furnished single cells, a designated inmate to run errands for him, access to a fridge and television, among others.

The panel, constituted by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, about three weeks ago, probed allegations that the crossdresser spent his six-month jail term outside the prison facility.

Recall that Bobrisky, who was jailed for six months over Naira abuse, made headlines after controversial social critic Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials with fifteen million naira to drop the money laundering charges against him, among others.

But, in its report submitted to the minister, the panel headed by the Interior Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, cleared Bobrisky of the allegation that he spent his jail term outside the prison, saying there was no evidence to support the claim.

The interim report also revealed that proper documentation of Okuneye Idris was not made prior, or as he was being transferred from Ikoyi Custodial Centre to Medium Custodial Centre, and from Medium Custodial Centre Kirikiri Apapa Lagos to the Maximum Custodial Centre Kirikiri Apapa, Lagos.

It noted that the documents were later provided on September 28th, 2024, and backdated to April 12th and 22nd, 2024, respectively.

“These are in violation of sections 168 and 169 of the Nigerian Correctional Service Standing Order Custodial.

“The transfer of Mr Okuneye Idris from the Medium Security Kirikiri, Lagos, to the Maximum Security Kirikiri, Lagos, being a first offender, violated sections 16(4)(a) and (b) of the Nigerian Correctional Service 2019.

“The Panel also found that Mr Okuneye Idris enjoyed several privileges while in custody both at the Medium-Security and the Maximum-Security Custodial Centres, which include specially furnished single cells, a humidifier, lots of visitation by his family members and friends as he desired, visits by his family members and friends held inside the office of the in-charge of the custodial centre, a floor rug, self-feeding, a designated inmate to run errands for him, access to a fridge and television, and possibly access to his phone.

“It is necessary to further investigate if the above privileges provided for Okuneye Idris were financially motivated and based on corrupt practices by correctional officers.

“The panel believes that the peculiar case of the inmate and the inmate’s physical look and behaviour pose a threat, and the lack of laid-down rule for the treatment of such a case may have necessitated such privileges to be granted to Okuneye Idris.

“The Panel recommends that clear guidelines need to be set up to guide operations regarding such incidents in the future. Steps should be taken to avoid the obvious discriminatory practices in relation to the socio-economic levels and other status of inmates,” it stated.

The Federal Government at the weekend said it would not entertain the balkanisation of any part of the country.

It also explained that there will be no room for secession, saying Nigerians living together is an obligation and not optional.

Certain groups have been campaigning to be allowed to exit the Nigerian union brought together under the separate Southern and Northern protectorates by Lord Lugard in 1914.

Nigeria gained independence from British colonialists in 1960.

The country fought a civil war for almost three years between 1967 and January 1970.

Minister of Defence Mohammed Abubakar reaffirmed the indivisibility of the country at the weekend during a peace meeting in Plateau State.

Badaru said: “The Federal Government will not entertain such demand capable of causing division and disaffection among Nigerians.

“Therefore, living together is not an option but an obligation.

“This is evident in Mr President’s firm resolve to fight any secessionist agenda in any part of the country.

“My presence here is to fulfil my mandate as the Minister of Defence charged with the responsibility for the protection of our national territory both from external and internal aggression.

“Therefore, I will not relent until the Federal Government and the Ministry of Defence deploy all assets to ensure our people sleep with their eyes closed.

“I must first express my displeasure over the recurring attacks and reprisals that resulted in the loss of lives and property especially in Jol and Sho in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs in recent times.

“These killings kept recurring despite the best efforts of our security agencies on the Plateau; especially 3 Division (Nigerian Army)/Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) to ensure amicable settlements during any incidents involving attacks on cattle or farm as well as cattle rustling.’’

Badaru, a former governor of Jigawa State, also said the government was highly disturbed that some people would want to disrupt the current farming season.

He added: “I am particularly saddened by the stance of some unscrupulous elements in some communities who vowed to disrupt farming activities during the ongoing rainy season despite all efforts to resolve the security issues in your localities through diverse means.

“The continuous recurrence of farmers/herders clashes not just on the Plateau but across other states of the federation is quite worrisome.

“As nature has it, both farmers and cattle breeders need each other to survive.”

Obasanjo Backs Community Policing

Also yesterday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo backed the use of community policing to curb insecurity in the country.

“The best form of security is community policing because everyone knows his/her neighbours within the community.

“With that, it is very easy to identify the bad eggs,’’ Obasanjo said.

He challenged all levels of government, traditional rulers, and the people to team up to defeat non-state actors who have for long held the country by the jugular.

The former President spoke yesterday in Bauchi, Bauchi State where he inaugurated projects executed by Governor Bala Mohammed.

He also met with the Emir of Bauchi Rilwanu Adamu.

Obasanjo, who revealed he almost lost his hearing ability, said many people are deaf without knowing it until they go for medical checks.

He recounted that he was abroad and could not hear clearly when someone spoke to him.

Obasanjo said he insisted that nothing was wrong with his ears until the man who was talking to him asked for his permission to check his ears.

“After my result came out, I had to ask the man to also check on my Chief Security Officer. Shockingly enough, he was more deaf than I was, My hearing loss then was 25 per cent,” he said.

The experience, he said, spurred the creation of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation which has provided thousands of Nigerians the opportunities to undergo ear treatment and receive hearing aids.

The former president said he would inaugurate the distribution of hearing aids targeting about 10,000 indigent people in the Northeast, starting from Bauchi where 2,000 people would benefit.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio at the weekend again acknowledged the current challenges in the country but assured Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s government would leave behind a lasting legacy that will guarantee a better future.

Speaking at the University of Calabar, UNICAL ’87 Law Class Re-Union 2024 in Calabar, Akpabio said the current difficulties that Nigerians are going through were the results of past maladministration in the country.

The Senate President, a law graduate of the University of Calabar, said: “The difficulties we are witnessing in our nation today were not caused by the present administration. These are as a result of years of maladministration.

“Any country that does not have backbone infrastructure, you don’t have something to develop, you don’t save for the rainy day, when there is economic malaise such as we are witnessing in the world today, such country is bound to be affected.

“The good news is that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have hope today, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The things that we are trying to do now, we are doing it for posterity. Not for ourselves. Be assured that this administration will leave behind lasting legacies that will guarantee a better future.”

Earlier, Akpabio led his old classmates to pay separate courtesy visits to the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu and the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi, who later narrated legion of challenges currently facing the institution, particularly in the area of infrastructure.

He told the university management that the ’87 Law Class decided to congregate at the institution primarily to do an evaluation on the state of affairs of their alma mater and to see how best they could be of assistance to the institution that nurtured them.

Akpabio announced, on behalf of the ’87 Law Class, donation of two Coaster buses for the Faculty of Law and UNICAL Student Union Government (SUG).

Otu, also a UNICAL graduate, assured the ’87 Law Class that visited him that the government of Cross River State would partner with them on whatever they planned to do for the institution.

“We want to look at what you will do and Cross River State will also partner with you and add to whatever you are going to do,” Governor Otu said.

Also speaking at the re-union, the Patron of the ’87 Law Class, Justice Okon Abang of the Court of Appeal, observed that the journey of his former classmates to the level they are now had not been without challenges.

“As I reflect on the accomplishment of this class, I am overwhelmed by how much we have collectively contributed to the legal profession and to the progress of our great nation and the entire commonwealth of nations,” Justice Abang said.

The federal government has said it is working towards making solar energy accessible and affordable to all Nigerians by next year.

Director-General/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa service.

He noted that for Nigeria to enjoy stable power supply as obtained in other developed nations, the country needs to generate 40,000 megawatts.

“As you know, with the installed capacity of 12,000 megawatts in Nigeria, only 5,000 megawatts get to the people. We need 40,000 megawatts to be able to meet the country’s energy needs and enjoy stable power as obtained in other developed nations.

“We have already unveiled a national energy master plan to address the country’s energy challenges and ensure that all Nigerians have access to power supply.

“We will establish a plant that produces solar panels and batteries for Nigerians to have access to affordable solar power. I am assuring Nigerians that we will achieve this by next year.”

He further added that the government had established a Renewable Energy College to bridge the gap in the power sector.

“We have commenced the construction of Renewable Energy College where we will offer free education on energy so that we can bridge the gap in the power sector and augment government’s efforts.”

Nigeria is currently facing energy crisis, with the national grid recording incessant collapse.

Daily Trust had reported how the national grid collapsed three times in a week.

The crisis between the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has taken a worse turn.

The governor, who has been a regular guest at the annual Onitsha Ofala Festival, shunned the 2024 edition on Friday.

While as a guest last year, Soludo had promised to partner with the monarch to boost the festival but things fell apart after Soludo suspended Igwe Ezeani of Neni who conferred title on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who was planning to challenge Soludo’s reelection before he died in September.

The Anambra government suspended him alongside two, drawing the ire of Obi of Onitsha, Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council in Anambra.

In an open letter to the state government, Achebe accused Soludo of not respecting traditional institutions in the state.

Soludo later conveyed a meeting at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state, where he waved olive branch.

Speaking at the lates edition of Ofala festival, Achebe accused Soludo of undermining the traditional institution in the state.

He said while other states in Nigeria were working towards enhancing the relevance of traditional institutions, Anambra’s is being diminished.

Achebe said he was surprised to discover that the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), which he headed, had been dissolved and labeled an illegal group.

He stated, “This is most unfortunate at a time when other states, as well as the Federal Government and the National Assembly, are seriously seeking ways to enhance the relevance of the traditional institution in the country.”

He further lamented the ASTRC’s inability to convene to discuss matters of interest to the state, resulting in the traditional institution’s lack of mandate to engage in national or sub-national affairs.

Providing background, Achebe stated, “On January 12, 2024, I was compelled to address a public letter to the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs of Anambra State in my capacity as Chairman of the ASTRC. My letter was in response to the suspension of the traditional ruler of Neni and the demand for apologies from two other traditional rulers, communicated via social media by the Ministry.

“Both correspondences generated considerable attention on social media, leading to the discontinuation of the ASTRC’s monthly meetings by the government since March 2024, under the pretext that the ASTRC, previously supervised by the State Government, had suddenly become illegal.”

The governor is yet to react to the the latest issue.

Imagine! Thinking about 2027 gubernatorial election in 2024

I swear, Nigeria's politicians are the most very wicked set of people to ever grace this earth.

How their brain works, win rig election, stay in office doing absolutely nothing, embezzle public funds and think about next election dazzol.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to those opposing him in Rivers State.

Wike warned that those against him won’t be allowed to carry out electoral malpractice from the Rivers State House of Assembly during the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike warned against making such a mistake in the next general election.

According to Wike: “You shift blame to other people and that is not acceptable. You have seen APC and PDP, which is a rainbow coalition of what will happen in 2027.

“I don’t know what will happen in 2027, what will happen in this state in 2027. The LG election is not a general election.

“Do you think we will allow you to carry the results sheet to the government house and then announce it without scores?

“[Who] would allow you in general elections? It is not going to be possible. So don’t make that kind of mistake. We never contested the local government election.”

The political landscape in Rivers State is divided between Wike and Governor Sim Fubara. They have been at each other’s neck over the political control of the state, despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says the federal government’s reforms are not working.

Mohammed spoke at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update report by the World Bank in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the revenues available to state governments are insufficient to address the challenges, adding that Nigerians are far from enjoying the Tinubu-led administration.

“There is a lot of pain and a lot of hardship that is beyond the subnationals. We didn’t bring these policies. The revenues that are coming are not enough to address the cost of infrastructure, to develop or improve livelihoods,” Mohammed said.

“There is hunger. The policies on agriculture, on manufacturing, and so on, are not yielding the requirements.

“We should not be dogmatic and hang on the path of policy and academics.

“We should go back to the basics. Nigerians are not enjoying the regime at the time across board, not only the federal government, including the states and local governments.

“Therefore, the onus rests on you, the finance and the managers of the economy.

“We need to come up with a budget programme, with economic policies that will reduce hardship. The money that we are sharing is not enough.

“The report spoke about employment, wages. How many percent of Nigerians are even employed? Most of our people live in the informal sector, we should look at how we can make them self-employed.

“The purchasing power has dwindled. These policies are not working and you know that.

“We are at the risk of being lynched. They just stay in Abuja and be talking like the reforms are working. This is part of something else.”

Mohammed also said the N70,000 minimum wage will be implemented soon in Bauchi.

“I have been paying minimum wage even when it was done before. Now we are looking at our revenue. Everything should be done separately,” he added.

“Yes, we will implement the minimum wage, which you agreed to. But what is the volume of revenue we are getting? Can we do it? And if we do it, do we have anything left for infrastructure? What about power?

“The tariff is beyond the reach of the common man. We are living with these people.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has said that for land to be allocated to any agency or institution, there must be an agreement with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, through the Land Department, that the institution is ready to build within a specific time.

Wike stated this when he received a delegation from the University Basic Education Commission, UBEC, led by the Executive Secretary, Hamid Bobboyi, on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Thursday.

He was responding to a request for land allocation by the Executive Secretary of UBEC to enable the commission to construct staff quarters in the FCT.

He frowned at a situation where institutions are allocated land without developing them, which he said was attracting shanties and criminals to the FCT.

He said institutions seeking land allocation in the FCT must agree to develop the land within a given timeframe and also demonstrate their financial capacity to carry out such developmental activities before allocations are made.

“What we have found out is that most institutions apply for land, you give them land, 20 years, 15 years, no development and then people go and build shanties, which of course attracts criminals to stay and then it becomes a problem to us,” Wike said.

“When you begin to go there and say they should move, then people will come to say ‘oh, people are suffering, the economy is very hard, it’s where they are trying to find what to eat.’ It becomes another problem for us.

“Now, for us to give land to any agency, you have to have an agreement with the FCTA through the Land Department that you are going to build within a specific time,” he said.

Wike added that the agreement would state clearly the commitment of the agency, and where the agency fails, FCTA would take back the land.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat), Mrs Jane Egerton-Idehen, has said Nigeria is now deploying all its satellite assets against terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers.

Egerton-Idehen said this at a media parley in Abuja ahead of Satellite Week, saying the agency’s mission for the event is to unpack and showcase the transformative potential of satellite technology for Nigeria, setting the stage for tangible progress in the nation’s economy, security, healthcare, education, and more, while forging connections and partnerships.

This means that the security challenges confronting the country might end soon, she added.

Mrs Egerton-Idehen who did not give details of the scope of the deployment because of its security implications, however, said there are collaborations with the nation’s security architecture managers to find lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the country.

She said part of the collaborations involved providing connectivity to remote areas, while lots of technology platforms have been deployed for various assignments.

“We are collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence Intelligence, and Space Administration, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other stakeholders on the utilisation of Communications Satellite and Assets to ensure peace throughout the country.

“I cannot provide details of our collaborations, but it’s all-encompassing and the goal is to secure Nigeria. Very few countries have the kind of assets that we have, especially in the West African sub-region. We have started a journey to provide leadership in the region and we will surely get there,” she said.

She commended President Bola Tinubu for initiating the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the support of the president and the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has changed the narratives of the Satellite Communications industry.

She said Nigeria has not abandoned the move to procure Satellite 2 in Space, stating that the process is already gaining traction and would be concluded as soon as possible.

She also said the Nigerian Satellite Week is being organised to bring stakeholders together to harness the huge potential in the satellite industry.

She said within the period she assumed office, NigComSat TV Channels have moved from about 45 to 105, while viewers have peaked at 7 million from two million viewers.

Speaking on Satellite Week, Mrs Egerton-Idehen said, “This event marks a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s satellite and space industry as we gather here to explore how communication satellites can be the driving force behind our nation’s sustainable development via diverse industries and initiatives.”

The Presidency on Wednesday assured that despite President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima being out of the country simultaneously, there is no vacuum in the administration of the country.

The president is on a two-week leave which has seen him in the United Kingdom and, now France, while the vice president departed Abuja on Wednesday for a two-day official engagement in Sweden.

The absence of both leaders from the country at the same time has sparked concerns from certain quarters, forcing the presidency to act to reassure that there is no cause for alarm as the administration of the country is proceeding smoothly.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), the presidency affirmed that queries were being raised by the media about the absence of both the president and the vice president and stressed the need to clarify the situation.

The presidency pointed out that it is not the first time both leaders would be out of the country.

The statement noted: “It is important to note that the president and vice president are fully engaged with the nation’s affairs, even while they are away. There is no leadership vacuum in the country.

“President Tinubu left the country on 3 October and is on a two-week working vacation. During this time, he has been busy answering phones and issuing directives on matters of state. He will soon return to the country before the vacation officially expires.

“The vice president departed the country Wednesday for Sweden on an official visit, working for Nigeria.

“All state organs are functioning as usual. The Senate President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers, and Service Chiefs are all in their respective positions, ensuring the smooth operation of the government.

“We had a similar situation in 2022 when former President Buhari and former Vice President Osinbajo were found to be simultaneously out of the country. President Buhari attended UNGA 77, while Osinbajo participated in the burial of Queen Elizabeth ll.

“We have also experienced it during this administration. Between late April and early May this year, while President Tinubu was in London, after visiting the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where he attended the World Economic Forum, Vice President Shettima left Nigeria, first of all for Nairobi to attend the International Development Association (IDA21) Heads of State Summit.

“After returning, he left for Dallas, Texas, to attend the US-Africa Business Summit organized by the Corporate Council on Africa. President Tinubu returned home on 8 May. During this time, the government’s machinery did not halt.

Mynd44 Nlfpmod

Following the loss of over 90 lives to a tanker explosion on Tuesday night in Jigawa State, the Senate has asked the National Orientation Agency, NOA, and other relevant authorities to carry out adequate sensitisation of Nigerians on the dangers involved in oil scooping during tanker accidents.

The admonition followed a motion moved by Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North West) on the incident of a petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of the state, where no fewer than 90 people were confirmed dead, with 50 other persons hospitalised for varying degrees of injury.

In his presentation, Senator Hussaini noted: “In the night of October 15, 2024, a tanker fully loaded with Premium Motor Spirit PMS, popularly called petrol, exploded along Hadejia Expressway in Majia town located in Taura Local Government of Jigawa State, which is about 117 km north-east of Dutse.”

“This catastrophic inferno occurred around 10 pm when the residents of the area trooped out en masse to the accident scene to scoop fuel from the ill-fated taker, and while this was on, the tanker exploded, resulting in a massive fire, difficult to control.

“The explosion resulted in the deaths of about 100 people whose bodies were burnt beyond recognition, leaving about 300 people with varying degrees of burns, and are currently receiving treatments in Birnin Kudu Federal Medical Centre, Rigim, Hadejia and Jahun General Hospital.”

According to him, this is one incident too many, and it is often accompanied by unprecedented casualties, often difficult for medical facilities within the precinct of the disaster.

“This development is rather unfortunate as it keeps happening over and over again in spite of fatalities that are often associated with the inferno,” he added.

After debate on the motion, the Senate accordingly called on the National Orientation Agency, NOA, to step up public enlightenment and sensitisation on the dangers of indulging in the dangerous act of scooping fuel from tankers whenever there is an accident.

It also urged all security agencies to be proactive in their actions whenever there is such an occurrence across the country, just as it observed a minute silence in honour of the dead.

The Red Chamber also called on the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to provide relief materials to the victims of the inferno.

Vice President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu-led government is building a resilient economy that can withstand shock.

Shettima made this known in Abuja at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES30), with the theme: ”Collaborative Action for Growth, Competitiveness and Stability”.

“It is also important to note that stability is not just about managing crises as they arise. It is about building a resilient economy that can withstand shocks.

“As a nation, we must prioritise economic diversification,” he said.

Shettima added that the role of NES group was crucial in that process.

He said that the present administration under its Renewed Hope Agenda had embarked on bold and courageous reforms designed to create an environment that would boost a sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.

“Our focus is on sectors that can offer inclusive and sustainable growth, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy,” he said.

Shettima said that the digital economy held a very promising prospect for revitalising the economy.

According to a global finance consultancy output, there will be 65 million global talents by 2035.

“I am pleased to report that we are making significant strides in addressing several key issues, including regulatory and ease of doing business challenges.

“This progress will instill confidence in our collective ability to overcome those challenges,” he said.

Shettima said that the administration’s objective was to ensure that the Nigerian economy was inclusive.

He said the administration wanted an inclusive economy, where small and medium-sized enterprises can thrive alongside large corporations and where every citizen, regardless of location or background, could benefit from economic opportunities.

“We have initiated various programmes, such as the MSMEs hubs and single-digit loans for manufacturers designed to provide entrepreneurs with the support they need to succeed.

“We have also introduced a credit corporation to offer our workers consumer loans with single-digit interest.

“These initiatives collectively will grow the economy and ensure it remains competitive in Africa and globally,” the Shettima said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to protect Nigerian Women against all forms of discriminations, including violence and ensure that they have access to justice through gender sensitive policies.

Speaking at the Empower-Her – Nigeria for Women Farming, Health, Empowerment, Justice, Entertainment and Fundraising Programme organized by the Federal Ministry of women Affairs at the Presidential Villa, on Tuesday, the President said he is committed to advancing the cause of women empowerment and gender equality.

“We recognise the challenges women face with limited access to education and healthcare, gender based violence and economic disparity. This is imperative for us as a nation to together to drive down development and create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed,” he said

President Tinubu represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, said, “We must ensure women have access to justice and protected from all forms of violence and discrimination, which requires strengthening our institutions, promoting gender sensitive policies, and supporting women’s rural organizations.”

In his keynote address, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) disclosed that over 78% of its loans are geared towards empowering women, as a result of the critical roles women play in the society.

He said the Bank recognises that women are the driving force behind sustainable development, innovation, and economic growth, adding that beyond leadership and representation, there are exclusive SME loan products tailored for women-led and women-owned businesses, “we have ensured that 78% of our Working Capital Loans are empowering these women-led and women-owned enterprises.”

Elumelu who was represented by Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of UBA, the institution has embraced the potential and leadership of women, not just in words but in actions.

“With close to 50% female representation on our Board, 40% of Senior Management roles held by women and an impressive 59% of our Graduate Management Trainees being female, we are truly leading the charge for gender equality in the corporate world.

He described the event, with the theme: “Farming to Feed the Nation, Empowerment to Give Women Voices, Justice for Crimes to Have Consequences via Mobile Court.” as a “beacon of hope and a call to action for the holistic empowerment of women across Nigeria”.

He also promised to support the federal government’s efforts to lift Nigeria women, because according to him, when women thrive, society prosper

“We must empower, Because when women thrive, societies prosper. The United Nations has consistently emphasized that gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the heart of sustainable development,” he said.

Commercial and economic activities were paralysed on Monday across major markets in the commercial cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Obosi, and Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

Also, there was a low turnout of traders, as most shops in major markets such as Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Nkpor Motor Parts Market, Electrical Market, and Mgbuka Market, remained under lock and key.

The usual Monday closure of motor parks, banks, petrol stations, schools, offices and law courts was also recorded.

This was contrary to last week’s directive from Governor Chukwuma Soludo during his visit to Onitsha Main Market, where he threatened to seal any shop or plaza that remained closed on Mondays in the name of the sit-at-home.

Soludo had lamented the continuous boycott of activities on Mondays in the South-East, arguing that the zone lost an estimated N19.6bn every Monday.

He warned that any trader or business that refused to open on Mondays would face severe penalties, including the sealing of shops for up to one month.

He then said, “I am here to ensure that your shops are open. From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business.

“If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week, and if necessary, for up to one month. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday.”

The governor also promised a security presence around the markets, adding that policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would be patrolling to maintain law and order.

At the time of filing this report on Monday, the governor was yet to visit the market as promised.

Meanwhile, personnel of the NSCDC were observed patrolling some of the markets, and metropolis, conducting “anti-sit-at-home operation,” while encouraging people to come out.

Some of the traders who came to the markets on Monday stood around their shops for fear that opening posed a threat to their lives and properties.

A textile trader at the Main Market, Udoka, said, “Some of us came around to observe the situation. The presence of the NSCDC officers is encouraging. If they can continue, it will be good.

“Most people are afraid of opening their shops for fear of being attacked. Those that came to the market today are those selling by the roadside.”

The leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra had, in August 2021, introduced the sit-at-home order every Monday across the southeast to pressure the Federal Government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Although the group suspended the sit-at-home order except on days Nnamdi Kanu would appear in court, the people have continued to observe it for fear of attack.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says the verification exercise for import duty on private jets has been extended to November 14.

In a statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, its public relations officer, on Monday, NCS said the extension, which starts today October 14 to November 14, is to further engage operators who have expressed willingness to regularise their import duties.

Earlier today, it was reported that the federal government will ground over 60 private jets owned by very important persons in the country over unpaid import duty running into several billions of naira.

“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the general public, particularly operators of privately-owned aircraft, that the verification exercise for the recovery of import duties on illegally imported private aircraft has been extended by one month, from Monday, 14th October 2024, to Thursday, 14th November 2024,” Maiwada said.

“This extension aims to further engage operators who have expressed willingness to regularize their import duties, providing them with an additional window to comply with the necessary regulations.

“The NCS is committed to ensuring that all illegally imported aircraft meet the legal requirements, thereby promoting transparency and accountability in the aviation sector.

“In light of this extension, the NCS encourages aircraft operators to take full advantage of the extended period to fulfill their obligations, avoiding sanctions that may arise from non-compliance after the deadline.”

Maiwada also said the service under the leadership of Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller general, is dedicated to enforcing the laws governing import duties and maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation sector.

On March 14, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) threatened to revoke the operating licences of private jet owners engaging in commercial flight operations.

Less than two months later, the authority directed that a re-evaluation of all holders of permits for noncommercial flights (PNCF) be carried out on or before April 19 to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements.

On July 5, the NCAA said 10 private jet operators have been suspended over failure to undergo a recertification process.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said the low labour force participation occasioned by the staggering unemployment rate in Nigeria must be reversed.

Shettima made the promise during the launch of the Nasarawa State Human Capital Development Strategy Document and Gender Transformative Human Capital Development Policy Framework in Lafia, the state capital, on Saturday.

He emphasised that the administration’s goal is to empower Nigerians with globally competitive skills that will enable Nigerian workers to excel both domestically and in the international job market.

He said, “Enough of the distressing data on our education system—whether it is the mean years of schooling, the high pupil-to-teacher ratios, or the staggering number of youths not in employment, education, or training. The unemployment rate, the growing informal sector, and low labour force participation must be reversed.

“This is the dystopia our Human Capital Development Programme is designed to avert, under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For so long, at the National Economic Council, we have debated the ideal nation we wish to build and the pathways to achieve it.”

The Vice President regrets what he described as the tragic reality of the ECOWAS region being ranked the lowest in the global Human Capital Development Index.

“Rather, it is an invitation for every country, and indeed sub-national entities, to rise to the challenge,” he added, pointing out emphatically that “every child must have access to quality education, equitable healthcare, even as the nation’s workforce must be equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st-century economy.”

The VP attributed the launch of the strategy document and policy framework in Nasarawa to the leadership and vision of Governor Abdullahi Sule, describing it as a forward-thinking approach that makes a difference.

Announcing that the government at the centre has already moved beyond the first phase of the HCD by adapting strategies to current realities and shifting from theory to implementation, he said Nasarawa’s entry at this pivotal stage is a promising sign of progress.

Earlier, the governor thanked stakeholders for supporting the Human Capital Development programme, noting that Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency was established to help improve the economy of the state.

He said the youths in the state would be engaged positively in agriculture, health, and entrepreneurship, just as he assured that the state’s strategic document on Human Capital Development would be strictly implemented to guide its interventions in various sectors.

Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, says insufficient aircraft in Nigeria is the primary reason for frequent flight cancellations and high ticket prices for local and international flights.

In an interview with the BBC Pidgin on Saturday, Keyamo expressed concern over the challenges, including flight delays without prior notice to passengers, assuring that they would soon be resolved.

He said the government has initiated a process to empower Nigerian airline operators to partner with foreign companies that manufacture airplanes.

“I met with the people on the ground and asked them, and they told me that the money they pay to hire (rent) airplanes is too high,” Keyamo said.

“They call it wet lease, and the kind of airplanes they get are not the ones they can pay for in installments, why? It’s because the people who bring airplanes to Nigeria for business are afraid of Nigeria.

“They said Nigeria is full of dishonest people, and anytime they bring their planes to Nigeria, if the people cannot pay, they cannot recover their planes.

“I met with them around the world, and they told us to change our law called the Cape Town Convention, when you sign it, it means you are serious.

“The law we signed states that if anyone brings an airplane into Nigeria, if there’s a problem, the government will allow them to take their airplane back, we cannot hold it.”

Keyamo said after Nigeria signed the law and agreement, the country’s aviation rating improved significantly — rising from 49 percent to 70.5 percent.

He expressed optimism that as more planes become available, ticket prices will decrease.

On September 12, the federal government signed the Cape Town Convention (CTC) practice direction to enable domestic airline operators to access aircraft on dry lease.

The Cape Town accord aims to enhance asset-based financing and leasing of aviation equipment, including aircraft, thereby expanding funding opportunities and reducing costs for airlines.

With the agreement, Nigerian airline operators are expected to gain access to aircraft on dry lease, which could lead to lower flight rates for passengers.