Category: General

The Senate confirmed the appointment of Dr Olayemi Cardoso as the Governor of the CBN on Tuesday.

It also confirmed the nomination of Mrs Emem Usoro, Mr Muhammad Dattijo, Mr Philip Ikeazor and Dr Bala Bello as the bank’s deputy governors.

Their confirmation followed the consideration and approval of a motion moved by Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti Central).

Before their confirmation, the Senate suspended its orders to facilitate the admittance of the nominees into the chamber.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel led the nominees into the chamber.

Thereafter, the CBN governor and the deputies took turns to highlight their career profiles and professional experiences.

Cardoso said for 12 years, between 2010 and 2022 he had the privilege of serving as the chairman of Citi Bank where: “I dedicated myself to enhancing both the financial and non-financial operations of the institution.’’

He told the Senate that the issue of exchange rate of the Naira to other currencies was worrisome.

“For the type of economy that we want, we need to have an exchange rate that is stable and we must apply short and medium term measures to achieve this,’’ he said.

Cardoso added that CBN’s new management team would evolve rules that were open and transparent and comprehensible by all players in the finance business.

“We cannot expect serious foreign investors, portfolio investors who have an impact on the market to do so if we do not have a transparent system that everybody understands and can rely on,’’ he said.

On the issue of inflation and costs of goods, Cardoso said the CBN management would adopt evidence-based monetary policies.

“There is the need to significantly revamp the infrastructure at the central bank with respect to data and to ensure that our data gathering capacity is significantly enhanced.

“This is necessary so that we can make decisions based on stellar data. This is crucial in measuring inflation,’’ he stressed.

He added that reliable studies showed that in the past 10 years to 15 years, at least 50 per cent of inflation resulted from money supply and deficit financing.

“This is a big problem; at least it certainly has been over a period of time and it is something we have to face frontally,’’ he said.

Cardoso also told the Senate that the CBN would ensure that the issue of deficit financing ceased to be a national problem.

Earlier, President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom North-West) said the Senate reconvened from its annual recess to expeditiously consider and confirm the nominees.

He said the expeditious confirmation also resulted from of the emergency resignation of the former CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

Akpabio urged the Senate Committees on Finance and Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to regularly conduct thorough oversight of the CBN. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Creative Vision Development Foundation, an Abuja-based NGO has planted 80 trees in Karshi a suburb within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate climate change.

Mrs Funmilola Oladejo, Executive Director of the NGO said this during the tree planting exercise in the community on Tuesdays in Abuja.

“We have planted 80 trees in Karshi today to mitigate climate change within the community.

“Planting of economic trees is essential in the environment because it serves as shade, cover, food, climate change mitigation, gives cooler temperature and ensures a healthy environment amongst others.

“We will continue to collaborate with communities at the grassroots and plant more trees in secondary schools within the FCT to mitigate climate change,” she assured.

Oladejo noted that the NGO was carrying out a project called Youth Advocacy for Climate Action (YACA).

The YACA (project) theme is; “Go green Plant a tree today save our planet”.

Jude Gagah, Programme Intern with the NGO said that the trees planting was aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change within the area.

“One of the issues affecting humans on earth is the environment due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and the indiscriminate disposals of wastes within the environment ” he said.

He decried the attitude of most residents who drop their wastes in drainage lines believing that when the rains fall it would wash the wastes away, but instead these wastes block the water channels which causing flooding.

Gagah expressed displeasure over what flooding could cause in the society after such acts of indoctrinate waste disposal and called on residents to be more cautious.

Responding, Alhaji Ahmed Doka, District Head Karshi, expressed satisfaction over the tree planting gesture saying that it was a welcome development for the people of the area.

“We are having soil erosion in our community so with the planting of trees it will help us control the erosion,” he said.

He urged them to monitor the trees that they have planted to ensure survival.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the interim order in a ruling shortly after Aiyedatiwa’s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect.

The judge also restrained Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarding same to the lawmakers for an approval as the state’s deputy governor based on a letter of resignation purportedly authored or signed by Aiyedatiwa, pending the hearing and determination of the interlocutory application.

Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be served by granting the application.

“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the embattled deputy governor had, in the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and the the Department of State Services (DSS).

Others are Gov. Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.

In the application dated and filed by Mr Adelanke Akinrata on Sept. 21, Aiyedatiwa sought for four reliefs.

Ruling, the judge made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing and preventing Aiyedatiwa from carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo State pending the hearing and determination of the interlocutory application.

He further gave an order of interim injunction restraining the state’s chief judge or any other person’s acting for or on his behalf from constituting any seven-man panel at the instance of the assembly’s speaker in respect of the complaint(s) against Aiyedatiwa.

Nwite restrained the chief judge from swearing-in any new deputy governor of Ondo State nominated by Akeredolu and the appointment approved by the speaker and state’s assembly pending the hearing and determination of the Interlocutory application.

The judge, who granted all the reliefs adjourned the matter until Oct. 9 for hearing of the motion on notice.

Earlier, Adewusi said that the application, filed on Sept. 21 was brought pursuant to Order 26, Rule 1, 2, 3 and 6 of the FHC Civil Procedure Rules, 2019 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The lawyer said the applicant was the incumbent deputy governor, who was elected into office on October 2020, and took oath of office on Feb. 24, 2021 alongside Gov. Akeredoku.

According to him, the plaintiff has been discharging his role as deputy governor of Ondo State as assigned to him by the 3rd defendant/respondent (Akeredolu) towards the development of Ondo state.

He said a 27-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Aiyedatiwa himself was filed with a written address in compliance with the rules of the court on Sept. 21 as their argument in urging the court to grant their prayers.

“This application is that the right of the applicant as deputy governor is being infringed upon by the defendants/respondents.

“The 3rd defendant/respondent is instigating the officer of the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents, and the 5th and 6th defendants/respondents.

“As we speak, he has been prevented from meeting, accessing the 3rd defendant)respondent on urgent matters that will allow the applicant to discharge his duty as deputy governor for the overall interest of the state,” he alleged.

The lawyer, who told the court that currently, “Ondo State is on a standstill,” alleged that the officers of the police and DSS, acting under the instruction of Akeredolu, prevented Aiyedatiwa from seeing him, even to the extent of harassing the deputy governor from meeting the governor on pending urgent matters of the state.

“There has been attempt to remove and replace him and as a law abiding citizen, he comes before your lordship as his last hope.

“We pray your lordship to grant our application in the interest of justice,” he said.

NAN reports that Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 prayed the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., on Tuesday inaugurated the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in Idumagbo and Oyingbo communities in Lagos State, aimed at ending open defecation by 2025.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project is one of the social development initiatives powered through the 1 million euro donation made by the NBC’s parent company, the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Soromidayo George, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director, NBC, said the company had a long-standing history of pioneering sustainable development projects as part of its commitments to give back to communities.

George said the projects were embarked upon to provide support to thousands of people in Nigeria that lacked access to clean water, good sanitary environment for healthy living.

“Our aim is for us to be able to provide support to thousands of people in Nigeria with basic needs which include access to clean water, good sanitary environment and toilet facilities to have healthy environment,” she said.

She added that the company set up the facilities to support the Federal Government’s drive to eliminate open defecation by 2025.

George said it was the first in the series of project inauguration that would be done across the nation, noting that Lagos State is highly privileged and close to the company’s heart.

She said the company was working hand-in-hand with the local governments, Ministry of Environment and various implementing partners to ensure that Nigerians lived healthy without cholera.

George implored the leaders of the communities to ensure proper use of the facilities their sustainability.

She also enjoined them to educate members of their communities in order to end open defecation in Lagos State.

Also speaking, Mr Jerome Oyebanji, Corporate Affairs & Community Partnerships Manager, NBC, said the initiative was to support the national agenda to end open defecation by 2025.

Oyebanji, who described the target as a tall order, noted that it would only be achieved through partnerships by improving public health in the country.

He said the company partnered with OPS-WASH (Organised Private Sector in Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) to build a 10-room toilet facility equipped with bore-hole, over-head tank, water taps, bio-digester and sanitary facilities.

“This is an enabler, an enabler for economic activities because we strategically located the facilities in various places we have markets,” said Oyebanji.

He added that the facilities would support economic activities as well as tourism.

Oyebanji said apart from providing clean water and good hygiene services for over one million Nigerians, OPS-WASH would be leveraging the sustained operation of the facilities for a data collection exercise aimed at increasing SDG 6 investments.

Mrs Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Director Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability, NBC, said the SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) represented Nigeria’s biggest development challenge, with 48 million Nigerians left without access to safe sanitation.

Onyemelukwe said the company would continue to make a difference in different communities across the country.

“Our mission is to refresh the world and make a difference, and why we are here today is to actually experience the making a difference path.

“It cannot be overemphasised that this kind of facility needs to be duplicated in multiple places in Lagos so that people can have access to clean water and sanitation.

“We recognise that water is a priority to everyone and for us as a company because it is essential to life, essential to our beverages and our communities and we must have it in a sustainable manner,” she said.

She said the company had remained consistent in enhancing the lives of Nigerians for over seven decades it started operations in the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources, Dr Omobolaji Gaji, said the project was in line with the SDG 6 and part of commitment of the NBC to give back to the society.

The Permanent Secretary, represented by the Deputy Director Sanitation, Mrs Omoyeni Balogun, said over 2.2 billion people globally had no access to good sanitation.

He said people practiced open defecation, especially in developing countries, which put health at risk leading to spread of diseases.

“Sanitation is an essential starting point and a key weapon to fight disease, poverty and degradation of the vital environment.

“Lagos with the population of over 22 million people was reported in 2018 to have 1.8 million people practising open defecation on daily basis.

“The state currently has about 1,500 public toilets including privately built ones and this is grossly inssufficent considering the continuous influx of people into Lagos State,” he said.

According to him, the state needs over 4,000 toilets considering the population in addition to the 1,500 to address the issue of open defecation.

The permanent secretary said a new strategy had been birthed to provide a sustainable solution and innovation to public toilet design.

Mrs Oluwatoyin Agbenla, the Zonal Director South West/Federal Control, Federal Ministry of Environment, said sanitation was crucial to the development and survival of the country.

Agbenla said WASH was declared as federal and state emergency in 2018 with the target that open defecation would come to an end across the country.

She commended the NBC for partnering with government to end open defecation.

Agbenla urged the community leaders to ensure proper use of the facilities for more to come. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday in Abuja presented cheques totalling N1.3 billion to 420 families of police officers who died in active service.

Egbetokun said the cheques were for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 policy years under the Group Life Assurance policy of the police.

He said the presentation also encompassed the I-G’s Family Welfare Insurance Scheme.

According to him, the Group Life Assurance scheme is a welfare package established as a result of the amendment of the 2004 Pension Reform Act (2014).

Egbetokun said the welfare package was funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The I-G Family Welfare Insurance Scheme, being funded by the Nigeria Police Force, was established in 2017.

“The idea is to relieve the hardship faced by deceased’s immediate family before their death benefits are ready for payment,’’ he said.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force was firmly grounded in the belief that every human life is inherently valuable.

“Our commitment to prompt fulfilment of our obligations, including the provision of insurance and other benefits to our officers and their families who have made significant sacrifices is an expression of appreciation.

“This tangible support serves to boost the morale of officers and men and underscores our steadfast dedication to their welfare and that of their families.

“It is a testament to our recognition of their sacrifices and an assurance that their service is held in the highest regard,’’ the I-G added.

He pledged the resolve of the Nigeria Police leadership to further enhance welfare packages for all members of the Police family, irrespective of their status.

The I-G said the enhanced welfare package would be extended to serving, retired, or those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

He said the objective was to establish welfare support that would cement the bonds within the police community.

Egbetokun said the idea was to create an environment where every officer felt valued, protected and motivated to deliver his or her utmost in the service of the nation,

“In extending my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased officers, I am aware that nothing can fill the void left behind by your loved ones.

“I implore you, however, to make good use of these funds to address your needs and other challenges, particularly in the context of your financial stability,’’ Egbetokun stressed. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has reassured residents of the FCT of his commitment to improve the city’s infrastructure including roads and healthcare facilities.

Wike, who stated this in his Eid-El-Maulud message in Abuja on Tuesday, also called upon the residents to equally meet their obligations to the government and the society.

He said: “We understand the importance of providing essential infrastructure and services to enhance your quality of life.

“Let us all contribute to the growth and progress of our beloved FCT. Obey traffic rules, pay your taxes, and participate actively in community initiatives.

“I also express my gratitude to the law enforcement agencies, healthcare workers, and all essential service providers who continue to work tirelessly to keep our city safe and functioning, especially during challenging times.

“Together, we can make the FCT even better.”

Wike reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s unwavering commitment to meeting its obligations to the citizens.

He urged the residents to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on peace, compassion and unity.

He said that Eid-El-Maulud was not just a celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, but an opportunity to “reaffirm our commitment to the values of tolerance, love, and kindness that he so tirelessly preached.

“It is a time for us to remember the importance of empathy and the virtues of togetherness that should guide our interactions with one another.

“In the FCT, we are fortunate to have a diverse and vibrant community that represents the rich cultures of our great nation.

“This diversity is a testament to the values of unity in diversity that our country holds dear.

“As we celebrate this day, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity, and our progress depends on our ability to live in harmony with one another.”

The minister commended the residents for their unwavering commitment to peace and harmony, stressing that their cooperation and respect for one another’s beliefs and cultures remain the bedrock for peaceful coexistence.

Wike called for continued nurturing of the spirit of understanding and unity.

“As we celebrate Eid El Maulud, I urge you all to extend a hand of friendship to your neighbors, regardless of their background or beliefs.

“Let us open our hearts to those less fortunate and share our blessings with those in need.

“In doing so, we not only honour the teachings of the Prophet but also strengthen the bonds that hold our community together,” he said. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Gov Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Tuesday approved the grading and upgrading of 300 traditional stools in Kogi

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the approval was part of the outcome of the Executive Council meeting held at the Lugard House in Lokoja on Tuesday.

Bello, who presided over the meeting, said the grading and upgrading of the stools became imperative in view of the important roles the traditional rulers played in enhancing peaceful coexistence amongst citizens.

The governor, in a statement by his media aide, Onogwu Muhammed, upgraded Akinrin of Ekinrin from none-class to 1st class, Ohireba of Ebiraland from non-class to 1st class and Obaje Otalu-Atabaka from 2nd class to first class.

“The grading and upgrading of the 300 traditional stools in Kogi is part of our decisions at today’s executive council meeting, ” he said.

The council also approved a Bill for a Law to establish the Kogi State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, KOSOPADEC.

Also approved was a Bill for a Law to establish the Kogi State Meat Hygiene and Inspection for the safety of lives of residents of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

H.E. Prime Minister @HamzaAbdiBarre addressed the largest Somali community in the U.S with a powerful speech in Minnesota.

PM Barre highlighted government successes in combating al-Shabaab, tackling corruption, advancing financial reform, social development, enhancing security and the progress in the debt relief process.

Emphasizing the need for support, the Prime Minister called on Somali Americans to support the government and its public in the ongoing fight to liberate the country from the grip of the terror group al-Shabaab.

Source: Somali National News Agency