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The House of Representatives is investigating some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ‎over unspent budgeted funds. An Adhoc Committee set up by the House under the leadership of Francis Charles Uduyok commenced an investigative hearing on Monday regarding the amount of unspent capital projects funds. The investigation also involves constituency projects funds not remitted in the last 10 years from 2009 to 2019. Details later.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/reps-investigates-mdas-over-unspent-budgeted-funds.html

The Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has assured that the electronic ticketing solution being proposed for the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will take effect soon. He stated this in response to widespread complaints of alleged ticket hoarding and racketeering by passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

Many passengers complain on a daily basis about ticket racketeering on the train service. As part of measures to stop the alleged racketeering and improve the efficiency of train services across the country, the NRC has introduced the e-ticketing solutions which would enable people to book for seat on the train online. According to the NRC, the solution being proposed would also decentralise the ticketing system to enable more small and medium enterprises participate in sales of tickets as the railway modernisation takes centre stage across the country.

The process started in August 2017 when the NRC advertised for companies to apply for the ticketing contract following which over 1000 companies applied. However, more than two years after, it has been bogged down by bureaucracy as passengers agitate for the swift implementation of the system to at least, minimise to the barest minimum, if not completely eliminate the alleged racketeering in the train service.

Daily Trust reports that the NRC had almost completed the process internally when the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) stopped the process, saying it was not carried along in the proposed public private partnership (PPP) arrangement. The NRC bowed to the commission and after adding its input, the ICRC in September 2019 gave its nod to the proposal after which the minister of Transportation transmitted it to the Federal Executive Council which would give the final approval.

It was not clear when the proposal would receive the imprimatur of FEC as complaints grow from passengers over the difficulty in getting tickets on the Abuja-Kaduna train service. Amaechi, while responding to a complaint by a Twitter user on his handle, assured members of the public that the automation and e-ticketing system would commence soon. “We are aware of the issues and have heard all your complaints about ticketing on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. We are already working on automation and online ticketing. Please be patient with us as we try to fix this, ASAP,” Amaechi wrote. Reacting to the minister’s comment, many of his followers urged the federal government to fast-track the process.

They specifically want government to ensure the e-ticketing is in place before the commercialisation of the Lagos-Ibadan train which is currently being test-run with free train service. One Musa Aliu, writing with @Musa95Aliu handle said: “I had a very bad experience there yesterday. I bought my ticket for N2,500 and stood for almost 75% duration of the journey and squatted for the remaining part. We can do better and I know you Sir to have never taken last on any matter. Fix this challenge Sir.” Another Twitter user, Precious Chrysanctus writing on the handle @Pcrysanctus said: “The corruption that goes on at the Abuja and Kaduna stations is phenomenal.

Several times I will struggle and get a standing ticket after queuing for hours and most times end up sitting through the trip because there are empty seats in the coaches.” But a user with the handle, @DedaAnf believes “now is the time to ensure that Lagos-Ibadan has online ticketing once commercial activity starts on that route.” “I figure it will be a very busy route so orderliness and rule of law must be instituted ab initio on that route. No magomago, “Nigerianism” or indiscipline,” he added. The Managing Director/CEO of NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria, had told our correspondent that the ticketing solutions would end the “so-called racketeering.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/e-ticketing-will-end-racketeering-at-train-stations-amaechi.html

The closure of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu for a comprehensive repair of the runway and upgrade of facilities is no doubt a great inconvenience for the people of South-East and South-South. But it is a job that must be done for safe flight operations. The immediate past Director-General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, in September 2018 hinted that the Enugu Airport would be given the “Abuja treatment.”

The aviation sector could not forget in a hurry the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in 2016 for a comprehensive repair of the runway following which the traffic was diverted to Kaduna International Airport. The decision generated a lot of heat in the polity as Abuja airport is the second busiest after Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA); but in spite of the hues and cries, the issue of the Abuja airport is now history.

History was however repeating itself with the closure of Enugu Airport in August 2019. Right from the early 2018, the issue of Enugu has been in the pipeline following the dilapidated state of the runway. Many airliners were said to have complained about the state of the runway which impedes smooth takeoff and landing at the airport.

Also, the governors of the South East states under the aegis of the South East Governors’ Forum raised concerns about how the closure of the airport could ground the economy of the region and other parts of the South-South which also make use of the airport. But given the safety concerns raised by the stakeholders, especially the airliners, the federal government was convinced that closing the airport was the way to go.

Following the closure of the airport, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the release of N10bn for the project which is now being handled by Messrs PW. The project involves the scraping of damaged portions of the runway, installation of other landing aids and facilities, among others with the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, declaring that passengers should expect a brand new airport in Enugu by April.

Our correspondent who was in Enugu recently reports that passengers now make use of other airports in the zone and continue their journey by road. The alternative airports are Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri in Imo State: Asaba Airport in Delta and Warri airstrip also in Delta; and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa Rivers State.

For the people of the South-East, the closure of the airport was felt more especially during the last yuletide festivities as many Enugu bound passengers had to land at alternate airports to access their villages in Enugu. For instance, those who came in through Owerri airport either from Abuja or Lagos had to board a vehicle to Enugu spending three hours on the expressway. “After spending just 35 minutes to arrive Owerri from Lagos, I spend another three hours to get to Enugu,” said a passenger who identified himself simply as Kingsley on a Dana flight last week.

To ease the movement of passengers from Owerri to Enugu during the last Christmas and New Year festivals, the Enugu State Government stationed buses to convey them free of charge. The gesture was done by the state government to reduce the impact of the closure of the airport on Enugu indigenes, especially those who came home for the festivities. However, the minister said the federal government was not un-mindful of the inconvenience caused by the closure of the airport as he has given his word that the airport would be ready before Easter in April.

The hitherto busy airport in Enugu is now a shadow of its former self following the stoppage of flight operations. As a corollary effect of this, other activities at the airport have been grounded. The car hire operators were nowhere to be found. The food vendors had temporarily vanished. But the government says there is light at the end of the tunnel after the temporary closure. It was observed that construction work on the runway has reached an advanced stage.

The minister, who last week inspected the airport with the permanent secretary in the ministry, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Rabiu Yadudu and officials of the Enugu State government said the federal government attaches great importance on the speedy reopening of the airport. “I am very satisfied with the level of work. According to the programme of work approved and established by us, we are beating the deadline. As to question of whether Easter is feasible, indeed it is. By our programme of work, we would be leaving this runway, God willing, before Easter. And that’s sacrosanct by the grace of God. “We take this job very seriously.

We know the importance of Enugu, not only being an international airport, we know that it is a centre for the south eastern part of the country, all of the commercial activities, the trading activities and festivities are domiciled and centred around this city, a very important city for that matter. “We take it very seriously. Personally from the level of the ministry and under the leadership of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, every single assignment is in the interest of this country.

Therefore, the future and the fortunes of this country cannot be mortgaged no matter which way and if assignment is given to us, we would deliver and deliver it very well so that you will continue to reap dividends of democracy.” Daily Trust reports that the runway project would come with other facilities like the instrument landing system, airfield lighting, taxi lighting, among others.

“Every single equipment or system of operation that this airport would need, you would have it as we deliver this airport to you…I guarantee and assure you that by the time we are done with Enugu, you would be very, very proud of this airport and very, very proud of services we have provided,” the minister reiterated. Besides the runway project and installation of the other supporting facilities, the airport landscape would also change with the ongoing construction of a new terminal. The terminal which is about 70 per cent completed is being constructed by China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC). Meantime, while the terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airport were being constructed with loans from the China Exim Bank, the Enugu terminal was solely funded by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

In explaining the terminal, Sirika said, “The terminal building is a special consideration given to Enugu. The loans we got from the Chinese were meant for Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and because of the importance of Enugu, government decided to fund it through the budget, not through loan and we are progressing very, very well.” As the minister promised to deliver the project before Easter, many Nigerians especially the users of the airport are holding him to his words as he did with Abuja Airport which he delivered before the six weeks promised for the completion of the project

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/as-countdown-ticks-on-enugu-airport.html

There was tension in Osun State as residents panicked when a soldier with the name tag Blessed Olodi from the Engineer Construction Regiment (ECR) military base in Ede went berserk, killing one of his colleagues and one other person. The soldier was said to have stabbed his colleague and a woman, identified as one Mrs Iyabo.

Sources told our correspondent that the remains of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital. Residents of Ede community said the soldier suddenly unleashed violence on people on January 2 and that his wife and four others, including a lance corporal were also wounded in the attack.

The victims, said to be severely injured, are receiving treatment at the intensive care unit of the hospital. According to witnesses, the soldier was eventually disarmed by a team of soldiers and detained. It was gathered that the soldier was on medical leave from the 17 Field Engineer Regiment operating in the North East. Olodi was said to have attended a course at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers, Makurdi, before returning to Ede. When contacted, the spokesperson for Osun State Police Command, Folasade Odoro, said she was busy. She also did not reply to a text message sent to her by our correspondent.

However, when contacted, the spokesman of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, Oyo State, which oversees Blessed’s unit, Colonel H.I. Muhammed, told our reporter on phone that the incident was still under investigation and that findings would be made known to the appropriate authority when concluded.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/soldier-stabs-colleague-civilian-to-death-in-osun.html

A cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has urged Nigerians to stop celebrating enemies of the country. Bakare made the appeal during the first Sunday Thanksgiving Service of the year at the Citadel, also known as the Latter Rain Church in Ikeja.

According to the cleric, this is a decade of a new Nigeria, adding that there was therefore, an opportunity to turn the tide of the nation and actualise the dreams of the founding fathers. “The Nigerian Government should be ready to confront the true enemies of our nation and to free Nigerian people of the greed of our oppressors.

“We must stop referring to treasury looters as generous and noble. These are the true enemies of Nigeria no matter the title they wear. “We must indeed, stop celebrating these enemies of our nation,” he said. The cleric added that those that champion and fight for democracy were not the enemies of the country, rather, they are heroes.

“The true enemies are found at every level of government from the local to the state and to the federal. “They can also be found on the streets, in households and in the market places. “The enemies of our nation are those who abduct, murder, sell their votes, partake in loots and many more,” he said.

Bakare then, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen the country’s institutions by ensuring total enforcement and compliance to the rule of law during his tenure. “I believe it is no coincidence that President Muhammadu Buhari has the privilege of presiding over the nation. “President Buhari must strengthen the institution of justice by adherence to the rule of law. “Those who desecrate the court must be brought to book to restore sanity to the judiciary.

“They must also strengthen the institution of accountability by enforcing transparency in government and revenue expenditure,” he said. According to him, it is time to put aside religious and other sentiments and build a new Nigeria where hospitals are well equipped, youths are employed, businesses strive and many more. “I have made up my mind that I will offer myself or support those who offer themselves to ensure that Nigeria is safe and great in our time,” the cleric said. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/stop-celebrating-enemies-of-nigeria-pastor-bakare.html

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The Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA) has honoured Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo with merit award for human capacity building and development. The award was presented to the governor at the 2019 Black and White NBA Dinner and Award night held in Benin on Friday.

The Chairman, branch, Mr Collins Ogiegbean, said the award was in recognition of the governor’s developmental strides in human capacity building. In his remarks, Obaseki said the judiciary had continued to strengthen the rule of law and being a backbone of the Nigeria’s democracy.

He said he was working with the Chief Judge of the state to have a strategic master plan for the judiciary, going by the unique location of the state in the country. “We must be a judicial hub, we have the benefit of having a court of Appeal, State and Federal High Courts, Industrial Court, there is no reason why we cannot make Edo a judicial hub in the South-South and South-East of Nigeria.

He said his administration would do all it could to have a strong judicial system, by having a culture of respect for the judiciary. The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to digitalisation of the courts and strengthening of the state’s magistracy. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nba-honours-obaseki-with-merit-award-on-human-development.html

Too bad

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB)’s ‎registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede has said 100 candidates have been prosecuted out of which 20 were jailed for their involvement in examination malpractice in 2019. He said the remaining 80 candidates were currently undergoing prosecution across the country.

Oloyede disclosed this at a meeting with Computer Based Test CBT centres operators in preparation for 2020 JAMB registration held in Kaduna. The JAMB boss said all those caught red handed were prosecuted as he warned that the board had zero tolerance for examination malpractice. “We have prosecuted 100 candidates across the country and 20 were jailed. 80 are undergoing prosecution.

“All those caught red handed last year were prosecuted. So, last year was a year of prosecution of candidates but by God’s grace, this year will be the turn of CBT centres operators,” he said. Professor Oloyede cautioned all approved CBT centres operators against sharp practices, saying anybody caught would be prosecuted too. He called on the operators to ensure that they abide by rules and regulation of JAMB. He also added that 613 CBT centres have been approved while 133 were deleted from the business and replaced by another 133 operators.

On the National Identity Number NIN, Professor Ishaq insisted that no candidate will be registered to write examination without obtaining NIN. He also explained that JAMB had signed an agreement with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to make it easy for JAMB candidates when they go to obtain NIN number nationwide.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/20-candidates-jailed-for-exam-malpractice-in-2019-jamb.html

Family business

Two customs officers have been killed while another was injured when hoodlums suspected to have been contracted by smugglers attacked a patrol team along Lokoja-Okene road. The deceased officials were identified as S. Chiremen and S.M. Omale, both Assistant Superintendents of Customs, while Deputy Superintendent of Customs H.I. Oladapo, was injured in the attack, which occurred on December 12.

While Omale was buried on Friday according to Islamic rites, Chiremen would be buried on a later date. A statement by the spokesman of Niger-Kogi command of the service, Lomba Benjamin, stated these yesterday. Benjamin said: “ASC II OMALE was buried on Friday 13th December, 2019 according to Islamic rites in Ayamba village of Kogi State and the Customs Area Controller, Abba-Kassim Yusuf, paid a condolence visit to the wife, children and family on Saturday 14th December, 2019.

“During the visit, the CAC assured the family that the management will deploy all necessary mechanisms to ensure the perpetrators of this evil act are brought to book. “However, this sad event will not distract us from vigorously discharging our statutory functions.”

“ASC I OHIREMEN will be buried at his home town in Ondo State in January.” he added.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/2-customs-officers-killed-1-injured-as-hoodlums-ambush-patrol-team.html

hmm....Protesting is dangerous in Nigeria with the kind of police have...

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The University of Abuja has dismissed two of its professors over alleged inappropriate relationships with some female students of the institution. A statement yesterday by the institution’s spokesman, Habib Yakoob, identified the affected professors as Prof. Adeniji Adedayo Abiodun of the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Prof. Agaptus Buzo-Chibuzo Orji of the Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education.

The statement also said two other lecturers, one of whom is a PhD holder, were demoted over the said alleged offence. The demoted lecturers are Dr Robert Dajal, Department of Science and Environmental Education, Faculty of Education, who was demoted from Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer, and Mr. Gana Emmanuel Sunday Defian, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, demoted by two ranks from Lecturer 1 to Assistant Lecturer “for their complicity in various acts of misconduct inimical to the good image of the University.”

Yakoob said the decisions were reached by the Council of the institution at its 85th Regular Meeting held on December 11 and 12, 2019, where it considered reports and recommendations from its Disciplinary Committee and approved the termination of appointment of two Professors for various acts of misconduct. He said Abiodun was dismissed for inappropriate relationship with a female student which is a misconduct of ‘scandalous and disgraceful nature’ as provided in Section 16, subsection 3(c) of the University of Abuja Conditions of Service for Senior Staff (1999).

Orji, according to the statement, was dismissed for ‘falsification of academic records’, ‘aiding and abetting of examination malpractice’, and also for ‘corruption and dishonesty.’

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/uniabuja-sacks-2-professors-demotes-others-over-sex-scandal.html

The Edo State Chapter of the APC, Anselm Ojezua, has accused former Governor of the state and suspended National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, of lacking legitimacy, temperament and moral authority to lead the party. Ojezua, who spoke during a World Press Conference at the APC Secretariat in Airport Road, Benin City, called on Oshiomhole to resign from his position having been suspended by his ward and local government.

He also accused the national chairman of the party of orchestrating the crisis rocking the party to discredit Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state party executive in order to have forcible regime change in the state.

Responding, the suspended party secretary, Lawrence Okha, said the call for Oshiomhole’s resignation was laughable because it came from members of the Obaseki/Shaibu Solidarity Movement and not APC members. “Ojezua is the chairman of OSM and not APC. Col. Imuse is the authentic chairman of the APC and recognized by the NWC,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/oshiomhole-should-resign-edo-apc.html

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bad news

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Too bad

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