₦airaland Forum

Thirteen persons including two female children on Wednesday died while ten others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident involving three vehicles along the Lagos – Ibadan expressway. It was gathered that the accident which involved 37 persons occurred at the Sapade bridge near Ogere axis of the expressway in Ogun state.

Our correspondent further gathered that a speeding truck heading towards the Lagos axis of the expressway had a tyre burst and in the process collided with two other commuter buses heading towards Ibadan, Oyo state. The vehicles involved are a yellow Mazda Bus marked KTU93XW; white Toyota Bus with registration number KEY847XA and a truck marked KAB97XA. The state’s Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Clement Oladele, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to Daily Trust tonight. Oladele expressed deep shock over the incident and commiserated with the relations of the crash victims. He disclosed that the corpses of the victims have been deposited at the Ipara Mortuary.

The Sector Commander requested relations of the crash victims to contact the FRSC Command in Ogere, Ogun state or the Victory Hospital in Ogere, where the crashed victims who were rescued were taken to for medical treatment. “The obstruction is being cleared with the aid of RCC; the construction company is supporting rescue operations with their heavy duty equipment, to restore traffic,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lagos-ibadan-road-accident-claims-13-lives-as-10-sustain-injuries.html

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri has directed the management of Adamawa Polytechnic, Yola, to put on hold sack of over 300 staff employed between 2017 and 2019. The Director General, Media and Communications to the governor, Mr Solomon Kumangar, made this known on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen in Yola. Kumangar said that there were discrepancies in the process leading to the sack with reference to claims of implementation of recommendation of visitation panel’s report set up by the governor.

He said the discrepancies needed to be sorted out in fairness to the staff. Kumangar said that the essence of the visitation panel was to among others, fish out those who did not meet requirements and those whose services were not needed in the over staffed polytechnic for redeployment to other areas. (NAN)
Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fintiri-suspends-sack-of-300-adamawa-poly-staff.html

Politics

...We don’t encourage white elephant projects — Envoy

The Federal Government is mounting pressure on the Chinese Embassy to ensure that the Chinese Export Import Bank (EXIMBANK) releases its part of the $5.8 billion funding for the 3,050-megawatt (MW) Mambilla Hydropower project in Taraba State. A

The Ministers of Power and Water Resources, Engr. Saleh Mamman and Alhaji Suleiman Adamu respectively, visited the embassy in Abuja recently, along with the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba. Adamu told the Chinese officials that the environmental impact assessment exercise was being carried out, and that the federal government and Taraba State has agreed on compensation payment to land owners at the project site.

He also said the Ministry of Justice was already working on a comfort letter to be presented to the China EXIMBANK backing Federal Government’s commitment to release an interim counterpart fund of $200m by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency (NSIA). Daily Trust recently reported that the project is hit by several arbitrations that had stalled it for over 40 years. The Chinese government asked Nigeria to settle the legal disputes before the EXIMBANK could release its part of the funding.

In November, 2017, the ministry, under Babatunde Fashola, signed a fresh Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) joint venture contract with Sinohydro Corporation of China and CGCOC, but excluded the local partner, Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited (SPTCL). That has attracted lawsuits. The water resources minister, last Thursday, confirmed the ongoing arbitration with a previous investor but assured that government would indemnify any funds agreed after the arbitration without affecting the loan agreement with EXIMBANK.

The Power Minister, Engr. Mamman, assured that the Chinese government had nothing to fear as the Federal Government was committed to the project. Mamman’s spokesman, Aaron Artimas, said he insisted that the Chinese government had enough influence to impress on EXIMBANK to hasten the process as the project could not be frustrated by any arbitration. The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, said his country does not encourage white elephant projects.

He said EXIMBANK was already investing over $2.6bn in various projects in Nigeria, including the Abuja Greater Water Project, airport expansion and the Abuja-Lafia-Makurdi Highway. However, he assured that although the Chinese government would not push EXIMBANK, it would try its best to impress on the bank to meet its commitments.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/fg-pressures-china-on-5-8bn-loan-for-mambilla-power-project.html

The House of Representatives yesterday called on the Nigeria Customs Service to lift the ban on the delivery of petroleum products to filling stations located 20 kilometres from land borders. This followed the adoption of a motionby Sada Soli Jibiya (APC, Katsina) who cited negative effects of the ban on people living in the areas. Jibiya said the directive had brought more hardships to Nigerians living in the border communities.

According to him, the directive also contradicts the laws establishing the Nigeria Customs Service. He said: “The directive is tantamount to the Nigeria Customs Service exercising powers that violate the provisions of the Customs and Exercise Act as amended”. Jibiya, whose constituency is located along the border between Nigeria and Niger, said the directive “will no doubt increase the suffering of Nigerians living in the border areas who are already feeling the impact of the border closure more than the rest of the country”, He also expressed concern that, “no alternative provision has been made to cater for the needs of the border communities, knowing fully how dependent the Nigerian economy is on petroleum products”.

According to him, the Department of Petroleum Resources, whose statutory duty is to regulate supply of petroleum, is yet to make any statement or clarification on the issue.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/reps-urge-customs-to-lift-ban-on-fuel-supply-to-border-towns.html

APC

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big boy

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A former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Friday lost his appeal against the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial district, Senator Kola Balogun in February 23, 2019 National Assembly election. The Federal Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan affirmed the decision of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which threw out the petition of Senator Abiola Ajimobi against the victory of Senator Dr. Kola Balogun.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ajimobi had approached the Appeal Court asking that the victory of Balogun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) be quashed on grounds including non-qualification for the election and that the election results declared by the electoral body was invalid. The INEC had declared that PDP candidate scored 105,720 votes to defeat the APC candidate who garnered 92,217 votes.

The appellants led by Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN) had claimed that the election tribunal did not properly evaluate the evidence brought before it before delivering judgment in the petition. The respondents led by Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) however claimed that the tribunal through due diligence examined all evidence tendered before it. Justice Haruna Samani who delivered the unanimous judgment on behalf of the two other Justices (Okoronkwo and Ojo) who were not present, said that going by section 138 (1) (a), once the INEC has decided that a candidate has been validly nominated by the party, the issue of non-qualification would not arise.

“The issue cannot be raised now. It is certainly settled that the ground for disqualification for nomination is a matter for the Constitution. Anyone who is not an interested party will be considered an interloper. Once a candidate is nominated by a party, he cannot be disqualified by any other party”, stressing that the appellant ought to have challenged the non-qualification of the respondent at the High Court. On the issue of the tribunal not given any probative value to the evidence of the appellant’s witnesses as canvassed by the petitioners, the Appeal Court Justice found that all the witnesses presented were not qualified to testify at the tribunal. They were not polling agents but only collation agents.

They did not have any credible evidence before the tribunal and that was why their case failed. “The appellants failed to adduce reasons why the collation agents could not give evidence before the tribunal. All the oral evidence given by the witnesses were rightly discountenanced by the tribunal, I do hold”. In the 33 minutes judgment, Justice Samani eventually said that, “This appeal has no merit and so it is hereby dismissed. The judgment of the National Assembly Election Tribunal is hereby affirmed”, he submitted.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ajimobi-loses-appeal-against-balogun.html

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Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development says the Federal Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Ajaokuta Steel Company becomes fully operational in the next two years. Adegbite said this on Friday in Ajaokuta during a tour of the steel complex. The minister commended the staff of the company for ensuring the security and maintenance of the facilities.

“The plants are there and some of them are fully functional, the only reason Ajaokuta is still here, is because the staff are being paid salaries over the years. “They have not only ensured that the plants are here, they ensured their maintenance and functionality,” he said. According to Adegbite, though the workshops are functioning, the desire of the Federal Government is to upgrade the facility to manufacturing and production of materials for possible export.

He said that the Federal Government would collaborate with the African Export-Import Bank and the Russia Export Centre to ensure that the steel plant was rehabilitated for full capacity operations. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government had allocated N3.796 billion to the Steel Plant in the 2020 Budget and was counting on Russia to get the complex running optimally. An accord to revive the Ajaokuta project was reached at a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia in October.

The partnership is expected to help get sections of the factory to begin full production before the end of 2019. Nigeria’s rich deposit of iron ore, mostly in Kogi where the steel company is located, makes steel a viable target for government’s revenue campaign can develop other industries. If operational, the steel plant could provide nearly a million jobs for unemployed Nigerians. Adegbite said the Federal Government strives to diversify the nation’s economy to mining and steel sector. He added that the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel Plant was of utmost concern to the Federal Government.

The minister and his entourage visited the Blast Furnace, Sinter Plant, Steel Making Workshop, Metallurgical Training Centre, and Medium Section and Structural Mill which comprised the Steel Plant. The minister also inspected the Captive Power Plant and the Permanent Water Intake which supplies water to the mills and other parts of the complex.

Mr Suru Babajide, the General Manager, Engineering Works and Services Department of the Steel Plant who conducted the minister round the facility, said the complex had heavy duty machines that could produce any kind of metal material. The plant, conceived in 1976, was aimed at establishing a metallurgical process plant/engineering complex with other facilities. It is on 24,000 hectares of land in Ajaokuta, 38km from Lokoja.

The company is meant to generate important upstream and downstream industrial and economic activities that are critical to the industrialisation of Nigeria. The plant, tagged “Bedrock of Nigeria’s Industrialisation’’, is also designed to produce iron and liquid steel from mines at Itakpe, in Kogi, some 52km from Ajaokuta. The project has achieved over 90 per cent completion. (NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ajaokuta-steel-coy-to-become-fully-operational-next-two-years-minister.html

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi was sworn in on Friday after the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won the country’s parliamentary elections last week. The mood was upbeat at the University of Botswana venue where about 3,000 guests attended the inauguration of the country’s fifth democratically elected president.

Masisi has vowed to prioritise job creation during his tenure, in order to curb the country’s increasing unemployment rate. The diamond-rich southern African country has long been considered one of Africa’s most stable democracies; however, it has also struggled with high unemployment, which official records peg at 17 per cent. Some opposition parties have suggested that it is higher.

Masisi also reiterated his government’s commitment to wildlife conservation in the country. “My government will continue to seek an outcome that will set the tone for conserving our wildlife and elephants in particular,” Masisi said. Botswana received a backlash from the international community and animal rights activists after the country lifted a moratorium on elephant hunting in May. The lifting of the ban also offended former president Ian Khama, who defected from the BDP to the Botswana Patriotic Front, which also contested the elections.

The BDP has ruled Botswana since independence from Britain in 1966, overseeing its rise from one of the world’s poorest nations to a middle-income country thanks to diamond production. Other African countries were represented at the ceremony with President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, President Edgar Lungu of Zambia and President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique in attendance. Former Botswana president Festus Mogae was also there, but Khama was notable by his absence. The 58-year-old took the oath of office at the University of Botswana Indoor Sports Arena in the capital, Gaborone.

The swearing-in was Botswana’s first to be held away from the Parliament building. BDP won the Oct. 23 vote after securing 38 of the 57 seats in the National Assembly, while the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change won 15. The ruling party has been in power since the southern African country attained its independence in 1966. Masisi banked on his record on tackling corruption, such as making the declaration of assets obligatory for public sector officials. He is also credited with overseeing a reduction in bureaucracy for small businesses. (dpa/NAN)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/botswana-mokgweetsi-masisi-sworn-in-as-president.html

hmmm

President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that Nigeria is willing to mobilize additional capital from development finance institutions for the upgrade of critical infrastructure in the country. This is even as the Federal Government has so far spent N7.9trillion in servicing various external and domestic debts in five years, almost as huge…

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/debt-servicing-gulps-n8trn-as-fg-seeks-more-loans.html

I pity poor man....

A former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed shock over the death of the first military governor of Lagos State, Brig-General Mobolaji Johnson, who died on Wednesday. Obasanjo described him as an incorruptible, detribalised and humane public officer.

In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Thursday by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo eulogized Johnson as a great man, who wrote for himself an enviable page in history of this country.

Obasanjo, who is in Istanbul, Turkey, said the late military governor was “a disciplined, detribalised, transparent and humane public officer with an enviable track record. “He was highly respected by his peers and revered by his subordinates for his sound knowledge of the Public Service and wealth of experience in the civil service matters.

“He left behind an impeccable record of incorruptible leadership, a legacy of forthrightness, thoroughness and unwavering commitment to public good.” Obasanjo recalled that the late military officer “was a pillar of trust and an iconic reference point when, in 1975, the Murtala/Obasanjo’s regime embarked on a clean sweep of the morally-bankrupt public service.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/obasanjo-reacts-to-mobolaji-johnsons-death.html

Atiku is coming soon

President Buhari said yesterday that Russia is a partner because it is “visibly helping” Nigeria in all the priority areas of his government, including security, economy and the fight against corruption. Buhari, who said this at a panel discussion on the second day of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh, was responding to a question posed to the discussants if Russia is now the new best friend of Africa.

The president joined President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger and President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in a plenary session to discuss “What’s next for Africa? How will investment and trade transform the continent into the next great economic success story?” He thanked Russia which he added had remained a committed development partner to Nigeria, recounting its support during the country’s civil war.

“Those who focus on the progress of developing countries would see what Russia right from its days as the Soviet Union had done for us. We will never forget that we went over our civil war with the help of Russia and since then politically and economically, the Russians are helping Nigeria in so many ways,” he said in a statement by Garba Shehu, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity. President Buhari, who said new investments and reforms in the agriculture sector in Nigeria hold the key to the target of his government to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years, stressed his government’s resolve to actualise his promise to reduce poverty in Nigeria.

The president, who spoke on poverty reduction in Nigeria, pointed to the vigorous implementation of key reforms of his administration in the farming and agricultural sector including soft loans to farmers, availability and affordability of farming inputs and restrictions on food imports grown locally, as some measures that have encouraged agriculture revolution in Nigeria.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-russia-is-our-friend-buhari.html

The member representing Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Victor Mela Danzaria, has appointed 36 legislative aides. In a statement he issued to newsmen yesterday in Gombe, the lawmaker said he appointed the legislative aides to help them put food on their tables. Danzaria said all the people he appointed were those that supported him and worked for his victory during the electioneering campaign, adding that they were carefully selected to ensure inclusion of the diverse people in the constituency.

“It is unprecedented and record breaking to give 36 people means of livelihood. I will pay 80 percent of them with my allowances, only few of them will be paid by the National Assembly. I tag the initiative as ‘I will not eat alone’ to allow people that work for my victory the chance to put food on their table,” he said. Our correspondent reports that one person was appointed as Senior Special Adviser, three as Special Assistants, nine as Personal Assistants I and 23 others as Personal Assistants II.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/rep-danzaria-appoints-36-legislative-aides.html

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Supreme Court to make public the reasons that led to its dismisal of an appeal filed by the party and its presidential candidate for the February 23, 2019 poll, Atiku Abubakar, against President Muhammadu Buhari. The PDP, in a statement on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, expressed shock over the apex court’s verdict but commended Nigerians for standing by the party.

“Nevertheless, our party, indeed the nation, awaits the justices of the Supreme Court to release their reasons behind their verdict. “Indeed, what we witnessed today was not what the majority of Nigerians, who participated and observed the presidential election expected and this includes even members of the APC. “The PDP notes that it indeed made a solid case, with undisputable evidence, showing that Atiku Abubakar won the presidential election and as such is surprised that the justices of the Supreme Court held otherwise; however, that is the highest court of the land. “Notwithstanding, the distinction of our case remains for Nigerians, including generations yet unborn, to appreciate,” the party added.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/release-reasons-for-your-verdict-pdp-asks-supreme-court.html

chai! baba Buhari

The Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki is set to host an Igbo leaders’ retreat from November 22 to 23, 2019.

Although the agenda of the gathering was not disclosed, an inside source revealed to Daily Trust that how to produce a Nigerian President of Igbo origin in 2023 would be a key issue to be discussed.

Tagged “Igboezue Leadership Retreat”, a release from the Retreat Planning Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity, signed by Collins Steve Ugwu, stated that the event is powered by Nzuko Ummuna -a core Igbo Think Tank of committed professionals at home and the diaspora- in alliance with the South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF), will hold at the ultramodern Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki City.

The release stated that, Chairman of the SEGF, Engr David Umahi will be the host Governor and “will roll out the new city’s hospitality to welcome all his brother Governors to this epoch retreat, as they have all individually been engaged and endorsed it as timely and, one that should be supported to produce enduring outcomes.”

The Chairman of the main Organizing Committee of the Retreat, a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, disclosed that “aside all the Governors and all federal legislators of Igbo origin being expected, other critical stakeholders of the entire Igbo collectives are upbeat about the prospects of this gathering, because they are being reached methodically and comprehensively.” Igariwey equally promised to address a world press conference on November 4 at the planning secretariat, Abakiliki, where “the meat of the meet will be wholesomely unveiled.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/igbo-leaders-to-meet-in-abakaliki-over-2023-presidency.html

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State Monday night in Abuja explained how his administration secured the $350 million loan currently being used to fix education from the World Bank. El-Rufai said this at a send-forth for the outgoing Country Director of the World Bank, Dr Rachid Ben Massaoud, organized by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The governor said more than 200 schools in the state were in disrepair when he assumed office in the middle of 2015.

He said: “I had a problem and I didn’t know what to do…and if I do nothing, the children of Kaduna will be without a future. “I took pictures of all the schools and converted the images into an album. Then, I approached Ben Massaoud who asked me what I wanted to do? “I need help,” El-Rufai said he told the Country Director. The following day, Ben Massaoud called up the governor and the two finally met and brainstormed on the solutions to Kaduna State’s education sector.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-i-got-350m-w-bank-loan-to-fix-education-el-rufai.html

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has said that he would focus on the development of the state if re-elected for another term come November 16. Bello who stated this at Kabba during the APC governorship campaign rally for Kogi West senatorial district, said he would reverse the downward trend in development of the state in his second term. The governor said with the commencement of prompt payment of salary arrears, his government had also started the repositioning of the state for the better.

“My government is better prepared to reverse the downward developmental forced on us by the previous administration,” he said. Bello said what the state will witness in his second term is “ease, happiness, joy and prosperity”. The Director General, Bello/Onoja campaign organization, Senator Smart Adeyemi said the senatorial axis was ready to reward the governor with their votes for his love for the zone. Adeyemi who equally comes from the zone,said the senatorial district will deliver 80 percent of the votes for the governor. Adeyemi said the governor being an Ebira man is a neighbour to Kogi West people “and Bible ordination called for a man to love his neighbour”.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/i-will-focus-on-development-in-my-second-term-gov-bello.html

There was confusion in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Monday as angry soldiers numbering about 30 invaded the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command. Eyewitnesses told Daily Trust that the soldiers who were fully dressed in their camouflage uniform stormed the police headquarters at Ring Road in two buses and motorcycles.

It was gathered that they gained access into the police headquarters by force and attempt to hijack guns from some of the policemen they met at the gate. The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mrs Abiodun Ige was not in the office when the incident happened but other senior police officers managed the situation and prevented the policemen at the headquarters from engaging the soldiers in a fight.

Though, the main reason for the action of the military men could not be ascertained, sources said they came to liberate one of them, Taofeeq Afolabi that was arrested by police for robbery. According to sources, Taofeeq was arrested by policemen from Dugbe Division on Saturday when he allegedly robbed a man that withdrew money on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) at a bank.

The suspect was said to have stabbed his victim on the head with a knife when he robbed him. The policemen detained him in connection with the crime but his colleagues wanted to liberate him. The matter caused panic in the area as people ran for safety. In the process, policemen apprehended three among the soldiers while others left the police headquarters when they could not break the cell. It was learnt that a top military officer from the Nigerian Army’s Engineering Construction Regiment, ( ECR) Ede later came and met senior police officer and the three soldiers were released to him after the meeting.

The soldier that was arrested and detained for robbery was still in police cell at the police headquarters at the time of filling these reports. When contracted, Police Public Relations Officer, Folashade Odoro declined comment, saying “official statement will be issued later”.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/confusion-as-angry-soldiers-invade-police-headquarters-in-osun.html

If you are an undergraduate, between the ages of 16-25, then you can now bank for free with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank). The financial institution has announced that it will cover all charges on transfers, USSD transactions and bank alerts for holders of its GTCrea8 Account, a bespoke banking product for young undergraduates between the ages of 16-25.

According to a statement by the company, GTCRea8 has been a core part of the GTBank’s value proposition to deliver value adding banking services to young people whilst empowering them to pursue excellence in their academics and respective interests.

“Over the years, tens of thousands of university undergraduates have benefited from GTCrea8 concerts, masterclasses, digital training, Education Support Grants, and several other initiatives championed by the bank to ensure students have a more rewarding campus experience. Now, millions of students across the country will be able to bank for free following the Bank’s commitment to cover the cost of all banking charges for GTCrea8 account holders,” the statement reads. Some of the bank charges that GTCrea8 account holders will no longer have to pay include charges on bank transfers, even when the transfer is to other banks.

Undergraduates will also not be charged for using 737, the bank’s industry-leading USSD service, nor will students be charged for transaction alerts received whether via SMS or email. GTCrea8 account holders will also enjoy special offers and discounts when they make use of GTBank’s trendsetting digital platforms, such as Habari, which offers access to music and video streaming, shopping, messaging, and bills payment all in one place. Commenting on the Bank’s removal of bank charges for young undergraduates, the Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank, Segun Agbaje said, “Empowering young people in every way we can is the most valuable investment that we can make for the future.

That is why we have taken this bold step to cover the cost of all their banking charges, not just to allow them to bank for free, but also to inspire them to imagine a world free of all limits to their ambitions, and in which they can achieve their greatest dreams.” He further stated that “At GTBank, we will continue to find innovative ways and create new initiatives to give young people all the motivation, support and platform that they need to thrive.

This is the reason we have made banking free for young undergraduates, and it is also the reason we are organizing the GTBank Fashion Weekend, the biggest fashion event in Africa, on November 9-10, 2019 to champion the talent, creativity and endeavours of our young entrepreneurs.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/gtbank-removes-all-bank-charges-for-young-undergraduates.html

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu yesterday said state electoral bodies cannot be scrapped because they have a role to play in strengthening democracy in the country. Speaking during the commission’s meeting with the forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) led by its chairman, Justice Igbozuruike Akomas, the INEC boss also called for the enactment of new and modern laws for the smooth conduct of local government elections in the country.

Apparently reacting to calls for the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), Yakubu said the SIECs derived their mandates from the same section of the constitution that INEC derived its mandate from. He said the commission would rather work with the SIECs to strengthen democracy in Nigeria and improve the conduct of elections in the country. “We had cause to study some of the laws establishing SIECs and apart from the composition of the SIECs, it is next to nothing actually.

So, it is important for the processes and procedures for the conduct of elections to be reviewed. “We need model laws that will govern the conduct of local government elections in the country that draw considerably from the national electoral framework. “The second is that the independence of the electoral commissions cannot be guaranteed if there is no financial independence. So whatever you can do to work together to ensure financial independence for the electoral commission, that would enormously help the conduct of elections in Nigeria,” he said.

The FOSIECON chairman, Justice Akomas, said the organisation is committed to the strengthening of democracy in the country and called for a quarterly meeting between FOSIECON and INEC. At another event, the INEC chairman said the commission will save N300 million for scheduling the governorship and senatorial election rerun in Kogi on same day.

Speaking during the 2020 budget defence at the National Assembly, he said the fixing of the rerun for Kogi west senatorial district with the governorship poll will save the country N300m.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/why-state-electoral-bodies-cannot-be-scrapped-inec-chairman.html

Records $5.13bn FDIs in 5 years Our strategy working — Buhari More reforms needed — Chamber of Commerce The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index released yesterday shows that Nigeria has moved up by 15 places to 131th position from 146th. The bank included Nigeria among top 10 reforming economies in the world,…

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigeria-climbs-15-places-on-ease-of-doing-business-index.html

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Maurice Iwu on Thursday, re-appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, in answer to a N1.2 billion fraud allegations. Iwu is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts bordering on the offence.

He appeared before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant had earlier been arraigned during the court’s vacation before Justice Chuka Obiozor. He was re-arraigned on Thursday, following a re-assignment of the case from Justice Oweibo.

In the charges, the EFCC alleged that Iwu committed the offence in the build-up to the 2015 general elections. According to the commission , he committed the offences between December 2014 and March 27, 2015. It said the defendant aided the concealment of N1.2 billion in the account of one Bioresources Institute of Nigeria Ltd. The EFCC said that Iwu ought to have reasonably known that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act of fraud.

EFCC prosecutor Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 15 (2) (a) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering ((Prohibition) Act 2011 Justice Oweibo allowed the defendant to continue on the N1billion bail earlier granted him by Justice Obiozor. He adjourned the case until Nov. 25 for trial to start.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/alleged-fraud-efcc-re-arraigns-ex-inec-boss-maurice-iwu.html

Oshio baba