Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

APC Governors commend President Buhari’s Assent of Petroleum Bill

Politics

-

August 18, 2021

The Forum of governors of the All Progressives Congress, APC has commended Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Petroleum Industrial Bill, PIB into law.

The Progressives Governors Forum, PGF made the commendation in a press statement signed by its Chairman and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

Governor Bagudu said the signing of the PIB will move the nation to a new democratic era of governance and business management of the oil and gas industry.

He added that the new Act would improve and increase the revenue from the oil and gas sector.

According to the Governor Bagudu, the unbundling of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the new law will enhance better accountability.

“With Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) now unbundled, and in its place three new structures – Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited – stronger accountability structures, each with a Board drawing representation from stakeholders in the oil and gas industry is instituted. The monopoly status of the old NNPC, which vested it with both the powers of regulating the industry as well as extraction and sales of crude oil in both the upstream, midstream and downstream has been abolished.

“With the new Act, the task of regulation is vested in the two regulatory bodies created by the law. While extraction and sales of crude will now be undertaken by both the new Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other private companies in both the upstream, midstream and downstream, in line with regulatory standards respectively provided by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission and Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority created by the Act.

“Part III, Section 9 (4) and (5) of the Petroleum Industry Act provides for the creation of “a Frontier Exploration Fund which shall be 30% of NNPC Limited’s profit oil and profit gas as in the production sharing, profit sharing and risk service contracts.” This is a provision made to ensure that NNPC Limited transfer 30% to the Frontier Exploration Fund dedicated for the development of oil exploration activities in all parts of the country subject to appropriation by the National Assembly. This provision will guarantee exploration activities in the country beyond discretionary decisions of the management of the new NNPC Limited” he said.

The Governors appreciated the law makers for their cooperation in passing the Bill adding that the successful passage of the Bill is a credit to the APC government.

They pledged their commitment to continue to promote a smooth relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

Ime N

NMA felicitates with General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida at 80

Nigeria

Ime Njoku

-

August 18, 2021

0

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA has congratulated former President Ibrahim Babangida as he clocks 80 years.

The President of NMA Professor Innocent AO Ujah,i the National Officers Committee (NOC) and the entire members of the Nigerian Medical Association rejoice with the foremost military president and Elder Statesman, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, GCFR, on the momentous occasion of his 80th birthday.

In a goodwill message, the association says “it is memorable that it was General Babangida, GCFR (rtd) that created the Medical Salary Scale (MSS) and Medical Super Salary Scale (MSSS) as well as approving the allocation of the land for the permanent site of the Association in Maitama Abuja, in addition to the establishment of the Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in order to bring health care closer to the community and the downtrodden. With all these innovations, the former Military President has made history for which he will ever be remembered

“This not only endears him to Nigerian Doctors and Dentists who appreciate him by awarding him with the highest honour of Fellow of the Nigerian Medical Association (FNMA) but marks him out as a quintessential leader who bold facedly attempted to stem the tide of medical brain drain by instituting a regime of improved welfare of our teeming members”. NMA said.

The Nigerian Medical Association prays that the Almighty Allah endows the General with good health and peace of mind as he lives to celebrate many more birthdays.

Ime N

Nigeria’s cabinet approves N6.3billion for Yobe Airport

Ime Njoku

-

August 18, 2021

0

Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council has approved the construction of the Wachaka Airport in Yobe State at the cost of N6, 284, 065, 056.00.

The Council gave the approval at its meeting on Wednesday presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said that the construction of the airport was in line with government’s drive to develop the aviation sector and ensure connectivity of the country’s regions as well as to improve security.

Sirika said that the council found the airport and many others that are coming across the country useful.

“Therefore, the Federal Executive Council in its wisdom had allowed this to proceed and many more are coming in the pipeline.

“And these will generally answer the question as to the growth and development of civilization and also to show preparedness for emergencies and military operation and other security agencies.

“This similar to the one that is being built in Monguno and several other sites like I said earlier.”

The aviation minister said that a second approval was given for the Post-Consultancy Services for the construction of the Wachakal Airport.

He said contract for the consultancy services was given to Kafe Engineering at the sum of N219,782,500.00, which would include 7.5% VAT.

“The third memorandum that was taken is approval for the supply and maintenance of eight units of airport rescue and firefighting vehicle, including spare parts and training, and this was given to Messrs. Gulf of Africa International Limited.

“The exclusive representatives of the OEM and the OEMs are Emirate firefighting equipment factory.

Sirika said that the contract sum was N9,535,132,500 and included 7.5% VAT and delivery period of 12 months.

He explained that firefighting equipment of is a very essential safety item and could lead to the shutdown of the airport if it is not available.

“So by this procurement it will sure up our airports especially our international airports and this is an ongoing procurement,” he stated.

Sirika said his ministry also got approval for the award of contract for the deployment of sniffer dogs in airports in Lagos and Abuja.

He said that the total contract sum for the procurement was N658,762,783.36, which includes 7.5%VAT.

He said that the contract was given to two companies: Messrs. Dog Whispers and Canine Limited which contract sum was N365,854,376.63 and Messrs Worldwide Canine Limited, whose contract sum was reviewed down to N292,908,300 36.63.

“Now these dogs will be doing, among other things, detection of bombs, detection drugs, currency, prohibited items, explosives, etc, which is also a requirement of International Civil Aviation Organisation,” he stated.

Ime N

R. Kelly goes on Trial for alleged Sex Abuse

Entertainment/Tourism

FELA OLAGUNJU

-

August 18, 2021

0

The R&B singer R. Kelly’s trial begins today Wednesday, 18th August in Brooklyn on charges he was the ringleader of a two-decade scheme where he recruited women and underage girls for sex, including demanding they demonstrate “absolute commitment” and call him “Daddy”.

The three-time Grammy winner has pleaded not guilty and strongly denied wrongdoing.

The trial, delayed several times by the pandemic and expected to last about one month, is expected to include lurid details about Kelly’s alleged abuses, including testimony from some female accusers and at least one male accuser.

With a jury of seven men and five women who will decide the 54-year-old Kelly’s fate, Kelly could face decades in prison if convicted. In a case, he is acquitted, he still faces sex-related charges in Illinois and Minnesota, where he also pleaded not guilty.

The musician is under charges for using an entourage of managers, bodyguards and others to recruit women and girls, sometimes at concerts, for him to have sex with and abuse, and record some of their activities.

Kelly was also accused of requiring victims to obey strict rules, including that they eat or go to the bathroom only with his permission, wear baggy clothing outside his presence, and not look at other men.

The trial is the culmination of years of suspicions and accusations against Kelly, many discussed in the 2019 Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly.”

The defendant, whose full name is Robert Sylvester Kelly, has been jailed for more than two years. He was moved in June to Brooklyn from Chicago for the trial.

The nine-count indictment describes Kelly’s alleged mistreatment of five Jane Doe victims, three of whom were underage at the time.

The indictment includes accusations of racketeering – more common in organized crime cases – as well as bribery and extortion.

Kelly’s legal team has in court papers characterized their client’s accusers as “disgruntled groupies” who had pined to be with him, only to change their stories later.

The trial also comes nearly four years after the start of the #MeToo era, when more women began speaking out about abuse from famous and powerful men.

Kelly last released a studio album in 2016. His career stalled following the Lifetime documentary and the latest charges.

S.S/Reuters

Nigeria, Bulgaria to sustain bilateral relations

Nnenna Okoronkwo

-

August 18, 2021

0

The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) says plans are in motion to carefully contextualise and conceptualise the draft documents for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Bulgaria.

Minister of Defence stated this when the Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yanko V. Yordanov, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja.

General Magashi pointed out that “the bilateral relation between Nigeria and Bulgaria Spanning over five decades is long enough to snowball into a stronger Defence Cooperation especially now that the country is confronting internal security threats being orchestrated by non – state actors”.

He said although the time is ripe for the two countries to emplace a workably robust MoU, there is however the need to fulfil all righteousness diplomatically to cross the Ts and dot the I’s in the legal document.

The Defence Minister who disclosed that the proposal is being transmitted to the Ministry of justice for perusal assured the Bulgarian Ambassador that the technical inputs of the Permanent Secretary Musa Istifanus is equally germane to the final draft of the MoU and pointed out that the director of the Joint Services Department Olu Mustapha will also do the needful expeditiously.

He, therefore, told his guest that the processes and procedures the documents are being subjected to are the required due diligence paths that will bring out the best in safeguarding the interests of the two cooperating nations.

Bilateral Talks
On his part, the Bulgarian Ambassador, Yanko V. Yordanov thanked the Defence Minister for the bilateral talk which he said will culminate into the long-overdue significant signing of the Memorandum of Understanding that will deepen the existing exchange of Military training and explore other critical areas of Defence cooperation between the two countries.

He seized the opportunity of the courtesy visit to invite the Minister of Defence as a special guest to the forthcoming Military exhibitions coming up in Bulgaria by June next year.

He said lots of opportunities await both countries if the Nigerian Armed Forces participate in the invitational event that promises to showcase an array of new military technologies and harvest of modern weaponry developed by the Bulgarian Armed forces.

Meanwhile, the Minister has granted audience to the representatives of the Widows of the Officers who died in Hercules C -130 plane crash in 1992 led by the National co-ordinator Ogale Jude.

They raised the general concerns about the yet to be fulfilled promises by the tripartite bodies of the Federal Government, the home states of the deceased and the services in the areas of building houses, purchase of cars and training of the Children of the families of the officers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty to the country.

General Magashi expressed strong political will to address the gaps that led to the delay and discrepancies in settling the commitments to the Widows who sadly disclosed that they have lost some of their members to the cold hands of death for lack of funds to pick and pay their medical bills.

The minister tasked the group to furnish the Ministry with the updated facts and figures about members living or dead adding that the raw data will trigger actionable efforts to meet their demands once and final.\

PR/Nokai.O

NYSC, NSCDC to boost security of corps members

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

-

August 18, 2021

0

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC ) has said it would strengthen its existing synergy with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in ensuring maximum security for Corps Lodges and NYSC Farms across the country.

It stated that in deepening the partnership, security would be provided for NYSC farmhouses, alongside other ventures of the Scheme.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this when he received the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.

Ibrahim who said all stakeholders must rally around Corps Members described them as critical national assets that must be protected.

He disclosed that the Scheme has partnered with relevant agencies, as well as transport unions, in addition to sensitising Corps Members on the need to take their safety more seriously and also avoid night journeys.

He revealed that Corps Members have been advised to break their journey if it is going beyond six in the evening and pass the night at the nearest police station, Nigeria Security and Defence Corps formations, or military barracks, including NYSC Secretariats, palaces, among other secured places.

The Director-General commended the NSCDC for introducing agro-rangers and female squad in the Corps.

He added that the Scheme has also resuscitated its farms in order to train Corps Members that have a passion for agriculture, but needs the assistance of NSCDC to ensure their safety while on the farms.

He lauded the Corps for its relentless efforts in tracking and arresting cybercriminals in the country.

Speaking further, Ibrahim commended the NSCDC personnel for their enthusiasm, commitment and resilience during Orientation programmes, adding “We want the Civil Defence Corps to be involved in tracking and prosecution of cybercriminals that may want to infiltrate our mobilisation process.

We will also like to sign an MoU with the NSCDC so that we can interface with you.

We will also appreciate if you can make your personnel available to secure our Corps Members so that they can leverage on the advantages of our farms and this requires protection”, he said.

The Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, said there is a need for credible intelligence that will help the Corps in the discharge of its responsibilities.

He promised his readiness to strengthen the existing relationship between the NYSC and NSCDC.

The Commandant General said the NSCDC has been providing security for agro-allied investments in the country, especially the farmers.

He added that the three basic responsibilities of the Corps include; protection of critical assets and government infrastructures, disaster mitigation by assisting victims, and registration, licensing and monitoring of private guard companies.

“I am here to strengthen the existing relationship between NYSC and NSCDC. We must come together and we are ready to strengthen our collaboration” he said.

The NSCDC Commandant General and other members of his entourage were led by the NYSC Director-General on a tour of the newly established NYSC Museum before their departure.

Nnenna.O

2021 Aisha Buhari Cup Draws Revealed

Sports

Chidi Uduma Nwoke

-

August 18, 2021

1

Hosts Super Falcons of Nigeria have been drawn in Group A of the the Inaugural Aisha Buhari Cup with Morocco and Mali during an event held at the Australian Hall, Eko Hotels on Wednesday.

Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon occupy Group B alongside Black Queens of Ghana and Bayana Bayana of South Africa.

The draw was coordinated by the Director of Organisation and Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Chairperson, Aisha Falode, and assisted by FC Robo Queens captain, Monday Gift, a member of the Local Organising Committee, Alhaja Ayo Omidiran, Super Falcons Assistant Coach, Ann Chiejine.

It was also attended by Chairman, Organising Committee, Seyi Akinwumi, LOC member, Ruth David, Director-General, Lagos Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Gafaar, Director of Media Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Demola Olajire, and Marketing Consultant, Taiye Ige.

Read more: Aisha Buhari Cup: ‘Playing For Good’ Approved As Tournament Theme

The 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup will kick off on September 13, 2021, at two centres; Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, and Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, with all COVID-19 protocols strictly adhered to from the gates.

Group A:
Nigeria
Morocco
Mali

Group B:
Cameroon
Ghana
South Africa

10 matches (Group games, semifinal, Third-place & final)

Chidi Nwoke/NFF.

Uganda declares polio emergency

Africa

Nnenna Okoronkwo

-

August 18, 2021

0

The Ugandan government has announced a polio emergency and blamed the outbreak to the COVID-19 pandemic during which resources were diverted from polio vaccination projects.

The Health Ministry said in a statement that scientists have isolated a polio strain from two sewage treatment plants in the capital Kampala. The strain, it said, had a genetic linkage to the types reported in Sudan.

“The resurgence of polio in Uganda may be attributed to halt in routine immunisation in the country during the COVID-19 pandemic,’’ the ministry said.

It also said that cross-border movements from neighbouring countries already affected by the polio strain “pose a risk of further polio importation into the country’’.

The Health Ministry had heightened surveillance, instigating a search for all polio cases in all health facilities and investigation of all children under 5 years of age who suddenly got paralysis or weakness in the arms or legs.

The government was also launching a house-to-house national polio immunisation campaign from October to December 2021, targeting children of five years and below, the ministry said.

The wild type of the poliovirus has been considered eradicated in Africa since August 2020. However, the polio vaccine itself can trigger so-called vaccine poliomyelitis in isolated cases.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are currently such cases in 20 African countries, including three countries bordering Uganda.

Polio has been considered a major threat to children worldwide for decades.The disease attacks the nervous system and can lead to permanent paralysis and death. Young children under the age of five are particularly affected.

Suzan O /AFP

Supreme Court denies publishing list of candidates for SAN position

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

-

August 18, 2021

0

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has debunked a media report showing the list of successful candidates after the second filtration exercise for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, saying that the list did not emanate from the apex court.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande.

’’We wish to state clearly that the information is fake, unofficial and untrue. It’s a mere figment of the imagination of the authors who may ostensibly be on a mission to impugn and malign the reputation and integrity of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, saddled with the responsibility of screening candidates for the position of the SAN with a view to causing confusion and skepticism in the public space’’ the Akande said.

’’The information should be discountenanced by whosoever might have come across it. For the umpteenth time, we wish to let the public know that any information, especially issues regarding the above topic can only emanate from the office of the LPPC Secretary of Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Anything outside this official source should be disregarded’’ he added.

Dr. Akande further stated that as it has been the practice, all information concerning the LPPC, especially those bordering on the announcement of successful applicants for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, are published in reputable national dailies and this year’ will not be an exception.

’’The perpetrators of such illegal act would be apprehended and given appropriate sanctions to serve as deterrent to others that might be waiting in the queue to do same in the future’’ he echoed

He also gave the assurance that the authentic official list of the successful applicants that emerged from the second filtration exercise will be made public through advertorials in the national dailies in due course.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, is a title conferred on a legal practitioner in Nigeria of not less than ten years standing and who has distinguished themselves in the legal profession. It is the equivalent of the rank of Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom.

Nnenna.O

Supreme Court denies publishing list of candidates for SAN position

Nigeria

Nnenna Okoronkwo

-

August 18, 2021

0

Nigeria’s Supreme Court has debunked a media report showing the list of successful candidates after the second filtration exercise for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, saying that the list did not emanate from the apex court.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande.

’’We wish to state clearly that the information is fake, unofficial and untrue. It’s a mere figment of the imagination of the authors who may ostensibly be on a mission to impugn and malign the reputation and integrity of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, saddled with the responsibility of screening candidates for the position of the SAN with a view to causing confusion and skepticism in the public space’’ the Akande said.

’’The information should be discountenanced by whosoever might have come across it. For the umpteenth time, we wish to let the public know that any information, especially issues regarding the above topic can only emanate from the office of the LPPC Secretary of Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Anything outside this official source should be disregarded’’ he added.

Dr. Akande further stated that as it has been the practice, all information concerning the LPPC, especially those bordering on the announcement of successful applicants for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, are published in reputable national dailies and this year’ will not be an exception.

’’The perpetrators of such illegal act would be apprehended and given appropriate sanctions to serve as deterrent to others that might be waiting in the queue to do same in the future’’ he echoed

He also gave the assurance that the authentic official list of the successful applicants that emerged from the second filtration exercise will be made public through advertorials in the national dailies in due course.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, is a title conferred on a legal practitioner in Nigeria of not less than ten years standing and who has distinguished themselves in the legal profession. It is the equivalent of the rank of Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom.

Nnenna.O

HEALTH

ENTERTAINMENT & TOURISM

WORLD

NEWS COMMENTARY

NEWS FEATURE