₦airaland Forum

The Nigeria Bar Association Section on Public Interest has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the directive requiring vehicle owners to register and obtain a Central Motor Information System Certificate for a fee of not less than N6,000.

NBA-SPIDEL questioned the legal basis for the Nigeria Police Force’s issuance of the CMRIS Certificates, stating that no law had granted the police the authority to issue such licences or certificates to vehicle owners following vehicle registration at the appropriate offices.

It demanded an immediate halt to the issuance and enforcement of the CMRIS Certificates, urging the Inspector General of Police to issue a directive stopping the practice nationwide.

The association also called for the shutdown of the registration website and physical registration centres, with refunds to be made to those who had already paid.

It made the call in a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police, and co-signed by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins; and Secretary, Funmi Adeogun.

It stated, “Any such certificate being issued by the Nigeria Police Force without legal backing is outright illegal, null, and void, and therefore of no consequence.”

It emphasised that the police’s duty to protect citizens and enforce the law does not extend to collecting money or issuing certificates to vehicle owners.

They condemned the exploitation of Nigerians’ ignorance, resulting in extortion during road searches.

The letter warned, “Failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with this lawful demand within seven days of receipt of this letter will compel NBA-SPIDEL to seek appropriate sanctions in court against your esteemed office and the Nigeria Police Force.”


Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the enforcement of the digitalised Central Motor Registry by July 29, 2024.

This, according to him, is to modernise and digitise the motor vehicle registration system, bolstering the nation’s safety and security framework.

The e-CMR is an advanced, real-time online repository of motor vehicle data, designed to support police investigations, and operational activities, and combat vehicle-related crimes, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery.

The transition to a digitalised system, according to the police, will streamline the documentation and verification processes for vehicle ownership and related transactions.

In a statement on Saturday, Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said that following the IGP’s directives, the e-CMR system will make services like change of ownership, license number, engine, and chassis/body seamless, ensuring vehicle genuineness, aiding in tracking and recovery of stolen vehicles, and preventing the sale of stolen vehicles to innocent buyers.

The statement read in part, “As part of the efforts of the IG to enhance the security of lives and property, the Nigeria Police Force is set to commence the enforcement of the digitalized Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) within the next 14 days, specifically on the July 29, 2024, to rejuvenate and digitalize the motor vehicle registration system, significantly bolstering our nation’s safety and security framework.

“Following the directives of the IGP, services such as change of ownership, change of license number, change of engine, and change of chassis/body would become seamless as the e-CMR system would ensure the validation of vehicle genuineness and ownership, enhancing the ability to track and recover stolen vehicles effectively, and preventing the purchase of stolen vehicles by innocent buyers.”

Throwback:
He is already on course to execute the exact type of revolution that has been credited to him in 2014.

Starting with eradicating the stranglehold that PDP had on Nigeria less than a year later in 2015.

A man of his words.

A fire outbreak suspected to have been set by yet-to-be-identified persons has reportedly destroyed a palace at the Gidan Rumfa where the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, is occupying.

The incident, according to sources from the palace, said it happened Friday night, around 11pm.

The source said one of the palaces located at Kofar Kudu where the Emir sits every Monday for court was seriously affected.

“It was the palace at Kofar Kudu. You know the palace has an entrance from inside while the main entrance is from the front (outside). The key was forced open and what was suspected was that they broke in, set the fire and locked the door.

“The throne, air conditioners and other valuables in the palace have been destroyed,” the source said.

When contacted the Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Yusif Abudullahi said the command was not aware of the incident as there was no call regarding the incident at any of the agency’s centres.

iwaeda:
The builder himself, he forgets so soon the law of karma, that what you wish, always find its way crawling back to you.

Racoon:
There is no iota of leadership trait in a confiirmed certificate forger, heroin-drug runner, identity theft crook and bullion vans parading criminal.

This is how he said he does not believe in one Nigeria, opposed subsidy removel and then using restructuring as smokescreens in the desperate quest for political power. Today the criminal druggies is living a different life. Bloody hypocrite!

The escape has raised concerns about the ability of Niger's military to contain jihadist threats in the region, particularly as they are already stretched thin protecting the junta that seized power in last year's coup and responding to attacks in the west.

A curfew has been imposed in the restive Tillaberi region of Niger Republic after a mass prison break at the high-security Koutoukale prison, approximately 50 kilometres northwest of the capital, Niamey.

The incident occurred on Thursday, according to the interior ministry. This is not the first attempted jailbreak at the facility, with two previous attempts in 2016 and 2019 being thwarted.

The escape has raised concerns about the ability of Niger's military to contain jihadist threats in the region, particularly as they are already stretched thin protecting the junta that seized power in last year's coup and responding to attacks in the west.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad area, disclosed that the prison, located near the capital city of Niamey, was the scene of a violent mutiny that overwhelmed guards and allowed inmates to escape with weapons and vehicles.

Citing eyewitnesses, gunshots and explosions were heard inside the prison around midday, prompting a quick response from security forces. However, the inmates had already gained control of the prison, breaking through armoured gates, barbed wire, and trenches.

Meanwhile, the ministry did not specify in its statement how many prisoners managed to escape in the latest jailbreak.

Interior Minister has issued a radio message to all governors, confirming the escape and urging village chiefs and religious leaders to report any suspicious individuals.

A curfew has been declared in the Tillabéri region, and the entire River Niger region is on high alert. The curfew restricts all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles.

According to Reuters, the prison's inmates include detainees from the West African country's conflict with armed groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State and suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Niger and its neighbours - Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule, have been battling to contain increasing jihadist attacks.

On Monday, at least 14 soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in an attack by suspected jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Tillaberi region.

The troops were ambushed between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore with 24 soldiers still reported missing.

The three military-led countries have all expelled French soldiers who were there helping to fight jihadist groups and turned towards Russia for military assistance.

Thousands have been killed in the insurgencies and more than three million displaced, fuelling a deep humanitarian crisis.

ABUJA —The Federal Government has said food items to be imported into the country in the next 150 days will be subjected to recommended retail price to bring down the high cost of food in Nigeria.

This came on a day the lawmaker representing Borno South senatorial district, Senator Ali Ndume, alleged that the food crisis in the country was further worsened by the fact that President Bola Tinubu was not accessible to be advised by lawmakers and even cabinet ministers.

Recall that the government a few days ago, suspended import duties and taxes on food items, such as rice and wheat, among others.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who disclosed this on his social media handle yesterday, said having suspended duties and taxes on food items, the Federal Government will take a step further to subject items to be imported to what he described as the recommended retail price.

He also assured that the prices of food items in the country will crash in the next 180 days, and pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with the government.

The minister said: “Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days, including 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities
“It also includes suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.

“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price, RRP. We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.

‘’The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.

“The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.’’

The minister stated further: “There will also be engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to re-stock the National Strategic Food Reserve; Ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle

“Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives; strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide.’’

The minister also explained that over the next 14 days, the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit, PFSCU, and the Economic Management Team, EMT, will, in collaboration, meet with respective agencies to finalize implementation frameworks for the new policy of making food cheaply available for Nigerians.

‘’We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country,’’ he added.

Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume, has expressed concern over the rising cost of living and food scarcity.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Ndume said the federal government’s inability to address these issues is a major challenge, adding that some ministers are unable to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss the matter.

He said: “The major problem with this government is that its doors are closed, to the extent that even some ministers cannot see the President, not to mention members of the National Assembly, who do not have the opportunity to meet with him and discuss the issues affecting their constituencies.”

He spoke shortly after he and his colleague, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, sponsored a motion to address the food crisis in the country.

They noted that the World Food Programme has warned that 82 million Nigerians are likely to face food insecurity in the next five years.

The senator said the aim of the motion was to draw the government’s attention to the severity of the food crisis affecting many Nigerians.

He expressed concern that if the government does not take urgent action, the situation could lead to famine and starvation, especially among children.

“We want to draw the government’s attention to the fact that Nigeria is not only facing a high cost of living but also food scarcity.”

“We want the President to intervene in the issue of high cost of living and food scarcity”, he said.

He cited the example of Katsina State, where children are already suffering from malnutrition due to food scarcity.

He also mentioned the situation in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger.

“We have seen how it happened in Niger Republic and South Sudan, where children are dying due to hunger, and we are starting to see it in Nigeria, Senator Ndume,” the senator added.

While calling on the government to take immediate action to address the food crisis, including meeting with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution, he expressed disappointment that the government had not taken any concrete steps to address the issue, despite its promise to do so.

“What we want the government to do is to sit with experts and other stakeholders to find a solution to the problem. We are urging the government to take action, lest they forget that Nigeria is grappling with both soaring prices and a severe food shortage.”

“We fear that a day may come when even if someone has the financial means to purchase food, they will go to the market and find none available” he said.

ElSudani:
Unfortunately, hoes and cutlasses can no longer feed our population. This is not to discourage you from farming though. I also agree the herdsmen issue should be considered an emergency.

Ojuntana:
This cluelessness just full everywhere
Chairman NNPCL is not talking about increasing oil production to boost government revenue and forex
He's talking about farming
Na wa o

ElSudani:
We can at least emulate countries like Brazil. Agriculture is so important to a populous country like Nigeria that it should be top of our priorities.

Elusive001:
Clown 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

Return to which farm? The ones that have been turned to graveyards for farmers?

The Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Pius Akinyelure, has urged Nigerians to return to farming in order to solve the food scarcity in the country.

Akinyelure stated this on Saturday at his hometown in Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo state at an event organised by Idanre Development Assembly to honour and celebrate reputable sons and daughters of the community.

According to the chairman of NNPC, one of the ways to face the current economic hardship was by going back to the farm.

He said “If we don’t go back to the farm, where will we get food? We will be importing and the cost of importation is too high. So the only way out is to go back to the farm, make sure there is security for the farmers so that they are not driven away from their farm and then we can have enough food to feed our nation.”


Stressing the importance of farming, the APC chieftain noted that refusing to go back to the farm “will result in us importing food which is very expensive due to the high cost of importation.”

He stressed that adequate security should be provided to ensure that farmers can cultivate their farms in peace and are not been driven away from their farms.


Akinyelure who expressed his gratitude for being celebrated said the event has also been used as an opportunity to inform the government about areas where the community was lagging in order to address the challenge.


In his remark, the Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was a special guest of honour at the occasion, said the award given to Akinyelure was a well deserved stressing that such an event would serve as a motivation for others to do well.

Aiyedatiwa noted that such a rare honour was bestowed only because the people of Idanre recognise Chief Akinyelure and the other celebrants worth and the many impacts they have made at local and national levels.

Stressing that Akinyelure’s legacy will be remembered for many years to come, the governor also praised his humanitarian services, noting that “the award serves as a lesson to everyone to serve their community, state, and nation selflessly.”

The chairman of the organising committee of the event, Mayorkun Akinmoladun said the event was mainly to appreciate the effort of their past heroes and living ones and to celebrate them.

He said, “Today’s event is very remarkable, we thank God for the lives of our aged ones, past heroes and living ones. We did this to appreciate what they have done, those in the past, to also encourage those that are still in office or in one capacity or the other to be able to do more for their community.”

Dapromzy333:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/M2nSB83B6xnCMbhQ/?mibextid=oFDknk




https://www.facebook.com/share/p/opm1KguDDSFqdHvN/?mibextid=oFDknk

The Naira has appreciated in the parallel market to N1,530 per dollar from N1,535 per dollar on Thursday.

Similarly, the Naira appreciated to N1,509.67 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM.

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM rose to N1,509.67 per dollar from N1,520.24 per dollar on Thursday, indicating N10.57 appreciation for the naira.

The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market fell by 32.6 percent to $116.88 million from $173.51 million traded on Thursday.

Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened to N20.33 per dollar from N14.76 per dollar on Thursday.

FreeStuffsNG:
Nice! Still very cheap and affordable with its 50% increase.
May God bless Nigeria for ever! Check my signature for free stuffs!

The Federal Government has increased the rates and charges for all activities in the mining sector.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the new charges on Thursday in Abuja, expressed concerns over non-remittance by some operators.

Alake said that mining operators in the industry were making huge amounts of money but refused to remit them to the Federal Government.

“Today, we are taking a major step in the efforts to implement the seven-point agenda.

“This is to position the sector for economic consolidation by announcing a new regime of rates and charges for various services of the department and agencies of the ministry.”

The minister said the development was in view of the introduction of qualitative measures being implemented in recent times.

He added that it would raise the level of services, improve traffic of transactions, and develop infrastructure.

“For instance, we supervised the successful implementation and conclusion of the mineral sector support for economic diversification minddiver project.”

He said the mining sector involved Mining Cadastral Office (MCO), the agency responsible for licensing, which acquired the new mining information system, Electronic Mining Cadastre System, and the EMC+ portal.

“This enables a 24-hour application and administration system that accelerated the rate of application and access of applicants to MCO, adding that the system had improved transparency.

Alake said the system would also encourage more interest and boost participation in the sector, thereby giving stakeholders confidence to invest in it.

He said that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) had acquired integrated base data accessible to the public.

“The stakeholders have been enjoying the mining sector; it is therefore equitable that those who invest in the mining sector and make profits from it should be on the front lines of government’s efforts to recoup rather than pass it on to poor Nigerians.”

Alake said that there were about 268 items in the rate regime, adding that it would be difficult to mention all the items.

“The major highlights are as follows: under the new regime, investors applying for a mining lease license will pay N3 million, while Small Scale Mining Lease (SSML) applicants will pay N300,000 for the first two cadastral units.


“The cost to obtain an Exploration Licence (EL) is N600, 000 for the first 100 cadastral units.”

He listed others as a quarry lease and reconnaissance permit, which attracted N300,000.

“The aim is to discourage speculation and address the paucity of funds, limiting the federal government’s capacity to improve ease of doing business in the sector.

“The new rate, which affects 268 items in the industry, includes an annual service fee of N31,500 for the first time.

“Also, N260, 000 for a Small Scale Mining License (SSML), N500,000 for a Quarry Lease, and N1,250,000 for firms operating with a Mining Lease.


“Following the renewal of licenses, the rates for the respective categories will be N42, 000,” he said.

Alake also listed an exploration license, N420, 000, for a SSML N1.5 million for a mining lease, and N1 million for a quarry lease.

“Other services affected by the new regulations include mineral title applications to the MCO, along with the transfer, enlargement, surrender, and consolidation of mineral titles.”

According to Alake, the new regulations seek to maximise royalties from critical minerals like lithium and gold to boost the nation’s revenue base and contribute significantly to economic development.

“In the new rate regime, lithium ore lepidolite at the current market value of N600,000 per tonne attracts an N18,000 royalty per tonne.


“Kunzite, with a current market value of N3 million per tonne, attracts a N90,000 royalty per tonne, while lithium ore spodumene, with a current market value of N316,667 per tonne, attracts a N9,500 royalty per tonne,’’ he said.

He said that the rate review also affected services rendered by the MCO and the NGSA.

According to the minister, the new rate regime takes immediate effect. (NAN)

Oluyemisi Ayinde, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state, says President Bola Tinubu should act fast to address the economic hardship in the country to avoid the kind of protests witnessed in Kenya.

Protests broke out in Kenya after the parliament moved to pass a bill seeking to raise taxes in the East African country.

Kenyan President William Ruto has declined assent to the bill, but the protests claimed lives and also led to the destruction of properties.

In an open letter to Tinubu, Ayinde said the protests in Kenya served as warning signs because citizens of Nigeria and the East. African countries face similar situations.

“Your Excellency, the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, and the potential for widespread civil unrest looms large, as the consequences of such upheaval would be overwhelmingly devastating for our nation,” the letter reads.

“The destruction of infrastructure, the loss of lives, and the disruption of economic activities would set Nigeria back by years, if not decades, undermining the progress we have strived to achieve.

“Your Excellency, the time to act is now, as the cost of inaction is far too great and the window to prevent nationwide unrest is rapidly closing.

“I hereby urge you, sir, to marshal all resources at your disposal and to leverage your esteemed leadership to guide our nation through this perilous juncture.

“Sir, history will judge us by our response to this critical moment, hence the need to demonstrate unwavering resolve and compassionate leadership, ensuring that our beloved Nigeria emerges stronger and more unified from these challenging times.”

The APC member proffered some solutions that could help the president prevent unrest.

“Establish a task force directly under the presidency to supervise the immediate sale and distribution of foodstuffs to the populace,” he said.

“Ensure transparency in government spending and accountability in the execution of economic policies. Initiate and fast-track long-term economic reforms aimed at diversifying the economy, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting industrialisation.

“Increase funding and support for the healthcare and education sectors to ensure that the basic needs of the populace are met, thereby reducing the pressure on struggling families.”