The Nigerian government has reassured the staff of the national theatre in Lagos of their appropriate welfare, career progression as well as job security.

This was disclosed on Monday in a meeting between the Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed and union leaders of the national theatre in Lagos.

The minister cleared the air on the National theatre renovation arrangement. He said the Central Bank of Nigeria and the banker’s committee took the project as part of their annual corporate social responsibility to revamp one of the country’s monuments in the creative industry.

He also stated that the purpose of the venture is not for profit-making and as such, “peoples’ jobs are safe because the federal government will never tolerate any project that would bring about job losses at this difficult time”.

“This development will not lead to any loss of job rather it will enhance the performance of the workers. On special remuneration, we will discuss with the contractor but I will not want us to sound very unreasonable and stupid in our demands,” he explained.

The Minister who noted that the national theatre has deviated completely from the purpose for which it was built added that “National theatre is not social event centres that you rent out for parties and crusade this does not happen anywhere in the world”.

“It is absurd that the national theatre is used for short-time parking for trailers. We should embrace the new approach of running the national theatre professionally like the 02 Arena in London. It was set up to promote art, culture. So let’s do it with international standards.”

Bankers MoU
The Minister revealed that the MoU was unprecedented. “The MoU took us months before we arrived at an agreement/ five drafts were made available by the Bankers Committee and the five were rejected before we later got to a meeting point.

What we are doing today is unprecedented. It is not the usual PPP arrangement. The investors are not demanding tax rebates, or built and operate to make a profit.

The Bankers’ committee is coming in as a Not-for-Profit venture but as a Corporate Social Responsibility. However, there is no one that will put N22 billion in a project and will not want to manage such a project, however, whatever profit made in excess will go back to the government through the national theatre which will be paid to the TSA.

The agreement will also give consideration of low cost for budding artists that will want to use the facility.

When the renovation work is concluded, there will be roles for the national theatre management and salaries of all staff will be paid as and when due. Your promotion, career progression, job security and entitlements are all guaranteed under the arrangement”

The Minister, while further furnishing the meeting with some highlights of the MoU added that “The highlight of the MoU is that the CBN and the Bankers Committee will invest the initial sum of N22 billion to renovate and upgrade the national theatre and they will deliver in 15 months.

It was made clear in the MoU that there will be no job loss in whatever form but a win-win situation for everybody. Of course, nobody gives you money for free, though they call it corporate social responsibility, they are also going to be responsible and accountable in managing the money.”

Competent Management
Alhaji Mohammed stated that after renovation, the national theatre will be run by a competent management team for a period of 21 years.

“The MoU is so structured in a manner that even at that the national theatre is ably represented in the overall management and appointment that would run and maintain it. The MoU provides that a management team of four, two from the ministry and two from the banker’s committee will run it under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).”

Alhaji Mohammed said he nominated the GM as one of the two representatives from the ministry.

“This gives the GM and the entire management and staff of the national theatre a very firm footing on how the enterprise will be run. We also said that the functions and responsibilities of the management and staff will remain as enshrined in the Act that sets up the national theatre.

I see this as a win-win situation because the federal government does not have the fund to maintain or renovate the edifice. I believe that at the end of the day when the national theatre is completed along with the hubs, we will all be glad that we are part of the development”.

In responding to a question about job security by Mrs. Lizzy Equere in comparison with what happened during the privatisation of PHCN, the Minister said the scenario is different.

“This is a completely different scenario from the PHCN that was privatized. It is a purely corporate social responsibility by Bankers Committee who every year decides that this is where they want to invest in.

Under the CBN Act, every bank pays a percentage of its profit yearly in a pool and they decide yearly that this is what they will use the money for. Sometimes they build hospitals, roads, or go to orphanages. That year they decided to invest in the creative industry.

So it is not the same thing as PHCN. It is on record that since this government came into office it has never retrenched any staff. Even when things were tough, the COVID-19 pandemic brought economic challenge and crude oil was not selling but the government did not retrench, rather we were paying staff that were even not working. This Government released survival funds, pay workers of the private sector among others,” The Minister explained.

The General Manager and CEO of the National Theatre, Professor Sunny Ododo pledged the support of the management and staff of the National Theatre in the ongoing renovation project for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Voice of Nigeria reports that with the approval of the Federal Executive Council the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CBN and Bankers committee.

The highlight of the MoU is that the CBN and the Bankers Committee will invest the initial sum of N22 billion to renovate and upgrade the National Theatre and they will deliver in 15 months.

Also, they will run it for 21 years with combined management from the government and the committee. It is not for profit-making, it is not a loan but a purely corporate social responsibility approach.

Nnenna.O

The Kaduna State Government has confirmed the abduction of primary school pupils and teachers in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state.

Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said that the pupils and teachers were abducted on Monday.

He however said that the number of those abducted has not been ascertained.

“The Kaduna State Government is receiving security reports of kidnapping of some pupils and teachers in a primary school located in Rema, Birnin Gwari local government area.

“According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred at an LEA Primary School in the LGA.

“The Kaduna State Government is currently obtaining details on the actual number of pupils and teachers reported to have been kidnapped and will issue a comprehensive statement as soon as possible,” he stated.

NAN/Nnenna.O

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has called on citizens of the State to shun any form of propaganda emanating from different quarters especially the social media against the COVID-19 vaccines brought into the country.

The governor stated this after he was administered a jab of the vaccine at the launch of the COVID-19 mass vaccination campaign, at the new Government House Clinic Jos, Plateau State North Central Nigeria.

Speaking after receiving the jab, the governor said the gesture was to reassure Plateau residents that the vaccine is safe and effective.

He said the vaccination was an indication of progress in defeating the pandemic, saying it was necessary to dissuade the conspiracy theories aimed at discouraging people from receiving the vaccine.

“It is important to note that the vaccine had been approved by the European Medicines Agency and the World Health Organisation, based on global clinical trials involving 23,000 participants.

“In addition, Nigerian regulators such as NAFDAC evaluated the vaccines upon arrival in the country. All of these evaluations have concluded that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective,” he said.

The governor charged traditional, religious and political leaders, to augment government efforts in its awareness and sensitisation campaigns across the 17 Local Government Areas, on the administration of the vaccine.

He said health workers have been trained to ensure efficiency in the inoculation procedure, adding that one hundred and two locations have been designated for the exercise.

“For the first phase, we have designated 102 locations where the vaccines will be administered in all the Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Those to be covered are frontline health workers and those on essential duties. 

“The second phase will capture the elderly (50 years and above) and people with underlying illnesses. Every other eligible person will be captured in the third phase. We hope to increase the vaccination centres in the State to about 700 in subsequent phases. 

“Let me reiterate that no one will be compelled to take the vaccine as the administration is totally voluntary,” he added.

He said taking the vaccine should not be a licence of abandoning the non-pharmaceutical protocols of the disease, saying the vaccine supply to cover the entire population would be supplied in instalments.

“It is my hope that while we continue with this vaccination, NAFDAC will give approval to the submission by the Plateau State COVID-19 Medical Research Team so that we can have our home-grown remedy for containing the pandemic,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nimkong Lar said the state received One Hundred and five thousand six hundred doses of the vaccine, explaining that it would be given in 2 doses.

He also stated that the second dose would be given after eight to 12 weeks, adding that health workers trained on its administration, would follow up on recipients of the vaccination.

He thanked the World Health Organisation, United Nations International Children Emergency Fund,(UNICEF)  and the National Health Care Development Board for supporting the state in training and other interventions.

Voice of Nigeria reports that the  Wife of the governor, Mrs Regina Lalong, the Deputy Governor, Prof Sonni Tyoden,  the Ag-General Commanding Officer, 3 Div. Brig. Gen  Bello Mohammed and the Commander, Operation SafeHaven Taskforce, Maj. Gen. Dominic Onyemuu received the jab.

Other recipients were the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Livinus Miapkwap,  Representative of Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke, Federal Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, religious and traditional leaders and other top government officials, Security chiefs.

Nnenna.O

NIRSAL Microfinance Bank has cautioned the general public to beware of people parading as their staff or agents demanding money from citizens to secure loans.

A statement by the management of the bank on Monday cautioned citizens against falling prey to such agents.

“The attention of the management of NIRSAL Microfinance Bank has been drawn to some unethical practices being perpetrated by individuals disguising as its staff or agents, demanding and receiving money from unsuspecting members of the public purportedly to secure COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility or the AGSMEIS Loan”.

“Members of the public are hereby cautioned against falling prey to such people because the COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility being disbursed by NMFB on behalf of the Central Bank of Nigeria is a LOAN not a GRANT and beneficiaries MUST pay back with interest,” NIRSAL said.

The Microfinance Bank also informed Nigerians who may have been scammed by these unscrupulous people to lodge a complaint on their Whistleblowing portal by sending an email on WHISTLEBLOWER AT (whistleblower@nmfb.com.ng)”

“If you are in any doubt, please contact us on 09010020656 or visit www.nmfb.com.ng,” it insisted.

Nnenna.O

Sheikh Mahi Nyass, the Grand World Leader (Caliphatul Arm) of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya has refuted the appointment of former Emir of Kano, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi the II, as the sect’s leader in Nigeria.

Sheikh Nyasa, who is the son and Vicegerent (Calipha) of Shehu Ibrahim Nyass, the reformer of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Sokoto.

He added that the installation of Nigeria and African Leadership of Dhariwa Tijjaniyya (Calipha) was an activity that must be subjected to scrutiny and nomination from scholars in the sect both in Nigeria and Senegal.

”Such decisions have to be discussed at different fora, agreement must be reached before the announcement.

 ”After nomination by leaders, a letter of credence endorsed by group of scholars, duly signed and stamped by grand world leader (Caliphatul Arrm) must be presented to the person appointed ” Nyass explained.

He noted that in the present situation, former Emir Sanusi II, such modalities have not been conducted and he, Sanusi II, has not presented himself or indicated interest in the seat of African leadership of Dhariqa Tijjaniyya.

According to him, unity of followers was paramount. He enjoined adherents to dedicate themselves in true worship, foster increased brotherhood and love among them.

Sheikh Nyass further urged the followers to be law abiding citizens, shun any form of restiveness and preacher peaceful coexistence among all humans.

In a separate discussion with newsmen also, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru-Bauchi, the son of popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usama-Bauchi, described the circulation of purported appointment of former Emir of Kano, Sanusi the II ,an action of mischief makers.

Ibrahim said Dhariqa Tijjaniyya was based on knowledge and scholastic pursuits, rooted with extant adherence to stipulated guidelines and obedience to Allah and those in charge of Dhariqa affairs.

He explained that the Junior brother of Grand Leader, Sheikh Makey Nyass was quoted out of context as he referred Emir Sanusi II as following the footsteps of his late grandfather, late Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi I.

He explained that his younger brother, Makey Nyass was describing the life experience relating to activities where late Sanusi I was deposed as Emir and present Sanusi II experienced same fate.

The sect members converged in Sokoto from March 11th to March 13th 2021, and celebrated the posthumous anniversary of its late reformer, Shehu Ibrahim Nyass,

Members of the global faith-based sect, Dhariqa Tijjianiyya, have among other lectures embarked on prayers against activities of bandits and other outlawed gangs threatening the peace and security of the country.

The prayer sessions were led by the leader of the organising committee of the sect, Majma’u Ahbab Rasul Li Shehu Nyass, member of the committee, Alhaji Dahiru Abubakar, and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, a renowned Tijjaniyya Islamic scholar.

The event was designed to improve the relationship between the followers of Tijjaniyyah across the globe, amid the remembrance of Nyass.

Ime N