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E-governance saved Edo N60bn stationery costs

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E-governance saved Edo N60bn stationery costs

The Edo State Commissioner for Mines and Energy, Donatus Ojiefoh, on Wednesday, said the e-governance platform instituted by the state government has saved the state over N60 billion.

The use of the e-government platform was developed in 2021 and was made compulsory for all Ministries Department and Agencies on September 1, 2023, which led to the elimination of the use of paper and stationary in the system.

In an interview with journalists on Thursday, the Commissioner said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s vision to put the state on a high pedestal led to the e-governance initiative, which has transformed the way the business of governance is conducted in the state.

He said: “If Obaseki was the governor before he was voted in, Edo State would have been one of the richest in the federation. The next governor would work hard to march Obaseki’s achievements. The governor is someone who understands the investment and development status of the state at the moment.

“Edo State is 10 years ahead of other states apart from Lagos. Edo has put over 20 million files, since the state was created, into the e-governance structure and it is the only state operating 100 per cent e-governance, thereby eradicating the delay and bureaucracy associated with governance.

“Obaseki has saved over N60 billion for Edo State just on office stationery alone. Whatever paper you see in my office are external papers or files. It takes a man who understands saving system to achieve this and we are the only state in Nigeria that has completely moved from analogue to digital.”

He also disclosed that the state government reforms in the electricity and the solid mineral sectors have repositioned the state as one of the most business-friendly in Nigeria.

He urged voters to elect a governor who can sustain the achievement of Governor Obaseki, noting that failure to do so would set the state back several years.

He said the state government has registered the Edo State Mining and Investment Company and has obtained 40 mining licenses, adding that government reforms put in place have continued to yield positive results.

He noted that to sustain the state government reforms and achievements, voters in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election should not make the mistake of voting for a candidate who lacks an understanding of investment and development

NASA to launch artificial stars into space

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NASA to launch artificial stars into space

The United States autonomous National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is set to launch artificial stars into space to improve the precision of astronomical measurements.
The mission which is tagged Landolt uses an eight-laser-equipped toaster-sized gadget to simulate the illumination of stars and other celestial objects.
Reports indicate the $19.5 million Landolt project intends to enable scientists to conduct more precise measurements of stars. This data could also aid in investigating dark energy, the elusive component believed to cause the universe’s accelerating expansion.
Jamie Tayar, a member of the mission team and an assistant professor of astronomy at the University of Florida, emphasized the project’s primary significance.
The aim, she explained, is to find out if circumstances, including oceans, could support life on planets orbiting other stars. It is crucial to determine the precise energy output of each star as well as the planet’s distance from it.
‘‘The Landolt mission will further our knowledge of the prerequisites for life on distant planets by offering more precise measurements of star brightness. This ambitious project is a major advancement in our effort to solve the secrets of the universe.’’ Tayar said.
The post NASA to launch artificial stars into space appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Ododo signs anti-corruption agency, six other bills

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Ododo signs anti-corruption agency, six other bills

The Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, on Thursday, signed the Kogi State anti-corruption agency and six other bills into law.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the governor, Ismaila Isah, and made available to newsmen in Lokoja.

According to him, the other bills now signed into law include, Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Local Government Service Commission Law 2014 and for other matters connected therewith, 2024;

A Law to repeal and Re-enact the Kogi State Scholarship Board Edict, 1998 and other matters connected therewith, 2024;

A Law to establish the Kogi State Electricity Market and the Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission to Regulate Electricity Generation, Transmission, System Operation Distribution, Supply and Promote Access to Electricity in the State through increased Private Sector Investments or Public Private Partnership in Grid, Multi-Grid and other Off-grid Electricity Option using Renewable and Non-renewable Fuel Sources in the State and other Purposes Connected Therewith, 2024;

Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Law, 2024 and the Kogi State Information Technology Development Agency Law, 2024.

In his remarks, Ododo described the laws as peoples’ laws, stressing that the assent to the bills are in line with his promise to lead with transparency, accountability, and the fear of God.

The governor noted that the new set of laws will serve as a catalyst for the rapid social and economic development of Kogi as they deal directly with critical aspects of the lives of the people.

“These laws combined together can be referred to as the People’s Acts. All the laws have a direct bearing on the lives of our people and this is the reason we are here.

“Let it be known that under my administration, nobody is above the law. This is in line with my promise to lead with the fear of God and to ensure that our resources work for the people of the state,” Ododo assured.

The governor enjoined the people of the state, especially those in positions of authority to embrace the new laws and be familiar with their provisions.

BREAKING: Court nullifies Sanusi’s reinstatement

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BREAKING: Court nullifies Sanusi’s reinstatement

The Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday nullified the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as Emir of Kano
Details later..
The post BREAKING: Court nullifies Sanusi’s reinstatement appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Court adjourns trial of Kogi Chief-of-Staff Ali Bello, co-defendant

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Court adjourns trial of Kogi Chief-of-Staff Ali Bello, co-defendant

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned an amended money-laundering charge instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission against Kogi state governor’s chief-of-staff, Ali Bello and his co-defendant, Daudu Sulaiman, until July 15.

At the sitting on Thursday, EFCC’s witness, an Access Bank staff, Olom Egoro, was cross-examined by Bello’s counsel, Abubakar Aliyu (SAN).

During the cross-examination by Aliyu, the witness admitted to the court that there was no lodgement or withdrawal linked to Bello in the exhibit before him.

The witness explained that the staff of the compliance unit of the bank are not the ones that run and maintain the servers of the bank where information on bank transactions is generated from.

He added that it was the duty of the bank’s ICT Department to manage the bank servers.
The second defendant’s counsel, Olusegun Jolaawo, (SAN), equally cross-examined the witness.

After the defence counsel completed their cross-examination, Justice Omotosho discharged Egoro from the witness box and adjourned the matter until July 15 and 16 for trial continuation.

Recall that at the previous sitting, on May 6, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo(SAN), had presented Egoro, who works with the Compliance Unit of Access Bank as the 6th prosecution witness in the case.

Egoro told the court that the EFCC, via a letter, requested for the bank statements of the Kogi State Government House for the period of 2018 to 2021.

He said the commission also asked for other documents, including the account opening mandate for the account and certificate of compliance in respect of the printouts.

The witness thereafter went through the statement of account, detailing the various deposits into and withdrawals from the same via transfers and cash.

From his evidence, Egoro had said the withdrawals were N10 million each in different tranches.

The witness, however, did not state who deposited the monies, what the monies were deposited for, who withdrew the same and for what purpose before concluding his testimony on the last adjourned date.

Oyedepo tendered the documents through the witness which was admitted in evidence.

Bello and Suleiman, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/550/2022, are facing trial on a 10-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Court delays ruling on jurisdiction in Kano Emirate tussle

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Court delays ruling on jurisdiction in Kano Emirate tussle

The Federal High Court, Kano, on Thursday reserves ruling on the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Kano Emirate.
The court reserves the ruling after arguments from lawyers representing various parties in the dispute.
This case centers on the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano in March 2020 and the subsequent appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero to the position.
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Sanusi approached the court to declare his removal at the time as unlawful.
The court’s initial task was to determine its own jurisdiction in the matter.
Legal representatives for the Kano State government had argued that the court lacked the authority to hear the case, as it falls under the purview of customary law.
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However, Sanusi II’s lawyers contended that his fundamental human rights were violated during the dethronement process, bringing the case within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice A. M. Liman, presiding over the case, has yet to issue a definitive ruling on the matter of jurisdiction.
Counsel to the State House of Assembly and its speaker, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), informed the court of a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay proceedings.
However, Justice Liman noted that there was no evidence that the appeal had been entered nor any formal application for a stay filed.
The Kano Emirate dispute remains a sensitive issue, with significant political and cultural implications. The Emir of Kano holds a powerful symbolic position within the Kano society and the wider northern Nigerian region. A definitive ruling on the court’s jurisdiction will determine whether the legal battle can proceed, potentially leading to a final verdict on the dethronement of Sanusi II.
It is unclear when the court will deliver its ruling on jurisdiction. However, the postponement indicates a complex legal landscape surrounding the case. Both parties are expected to continue their arguments, with the court’s decision likely to have a significant impact on the future of the Kano Emirate.
By: Mayowa Oladeji
The post Court delays ruling on jurisdiction in Kano Emirate tussle appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Court nullifies Ondo’s 33 LCDAs

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Court nullifies Ondo’s 33 LCDAs

An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday nullified the 33 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

The court described the LCDAs, which were created by the immediate former governor of the state, late Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, as illegal and unlawful.

In the judgment delivered by Justice A.O Adebusuoye, the court said it was illegal for a governor to sign a law outside the state, adding that the LG Creation Law 2023 signed by late Akeredolu in Ibadan, outside the state, was “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.”

According Online reports that after the LG Creation Law was passed by the state assembly, the late Akeredolu signed the bill into law in September 2023.

Shortly after the law was signed, the list of names of the caretaker chairmen for the 33 LCDAs was sent to the House for screening and approval.

After the screening, the court stopped the inauguration of the appointed caretaker chairmen of the LCDAs, preventing them from assuming office.

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Court overturns Kano law used to dethrone Emir Bayero, others

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Court overturns Kano law used to dethrone Emir Bayero, others

A Federal High Court in Kano has set aside the procedures taken by the Kano State government to repeal the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024.

The law, recently passed by the Kano State House of Assembly on May 23, was immediately signed into law by Governor Abba Yusuf and was used to dethrone Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reappoint Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Also, it was used to reverse the creation of four emirates—Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya, established by the former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in 2020.

However, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Danagundi, who was represented by Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), challenged the legality of the new law and asked the court to declare the law null and void.

After hearing the motion last Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, adjourned the ruling till this Thursday.

Counsel to the State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), informed the court of a notice of appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, seeking a stay proceedings.

However, Justice Liman noted that there was no evidence that the appeal had been entered nor any formal application for a stay filed.

In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Liman set aside the action of the Kano government, ordering parties to maintain the status quo.

The judge held that the defendants were aware of the interim order granted by the court but chose to ignore it and went ahead with the implementation of the law.

Justice Liman, therefore, ruled that he would assume his coercive powers to enforce compliance with his order.

Enugu residents groan as egg prices hit N5,000 per crate

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Enugu residents groan as egg prices hit N5,000 per crate

Some residents of Nsukka, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, have lamented the high cost of eggs, making it beyond their reach.

The residents expressed their views in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Nsukka while reacting to the present market price of a crate of eggs that goes for  N5,000.

Mrs Stella Nduka, a housewife said for some time now her children have not been able to eat eggs because of their high cost.

“The present situation where one egg sells for N200 and a crate of eggs sells at N5,000 is worrisome.

“Before, I usually used eggs to cook noodles for my children but now I can’t afford it because of its high cost.

“My customer in Ogige Market Nsukka says the fault is not from the sellers as they sell according to how they buy from the poultry farms.

“My customer says presently he buys a crate at N4,500 from the poultry farms and sells a crate at N5,000,” she said.

Mr Jude Ugwuoke, who has a fast food joint at Aku Road, Nsukka decried the high cost of eggs, which he said had adversely affected his business.

“Before, I was preparing one packet of noodles with two eggs for my customers at N1,200 but because of the high cost of eggs, it is now N1,500.

“I am losing many customers because my customers are complaining that the N1,500 is too much as only a few now patronise me.

“Government should intervene before my business closes,  by January this year, the cost of an egg crate was between N2000 and N2,200,” he said.

Mrs Juliet Onah, who sells eggs together with other food items in Ogige market Nsukka food section, said the sellers should not be blamed for the present hike in egg price as they sell according to how they bought the commodity.

“I buy eggs from poultry farms,  I bought these eggs on Tuesday this week and I bought a crate at the price of  N4,500 and resold at N5,000.

“You can see my gain is only N500 despite the transport I paid to go buy the eggs.

“In January this year, we sold an egg crate at  N2,000  while the retailers sold one egg at N100, I don’t understand the type of inflation in this country,” she said.

A poultry farmer, Mr Ernest Ugwu attributed the high price of eggs to the high prices of chicken feeds.

Ugwu said that the only thing that would bring down the price of eggs was for the government to subsidise the ingredients used in producing feed.

“If a poultry farmer buys feed at a high price to grow the chickens that lay the eggs, he/she will sell the eggs to cover the production cost as well as make a little gain that will enable him/her to remain in business.

“No businessman or woman in the world will like to record losses rather to make a profit so as to remain in business,” Ugwu said.

Checks by According Online in selected major areas of Ogun and Lagos states revealed an increase in prices.
Last month, a crate was sold for N3200 to N3600, but it now costs between N4000 and N4500.

Prices of rice, garri soar

Meanwhile, the prices of garri and rice have recorded more than 50 per cent increase in Enugu metropolis, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

The NAN correspondent, who conducted a market survey on Thursday in Enugu, observed that prices of foodstuffs such as garri and rice have increased by 50 per cent in the metropolis.

The survey showed that a cup of garri, which sold for N150 in April, now goes for ₦250 while a five-litre paint bucket is sold for between N4,000 and N4,300

Similarly, the current price of a bag of garri is sold for ₦45,000 as against N₦30,000 in April.

At the Garki Market, Enugu, the price of a 50-kg bag of foreign rice rose from between ₦70,000 and N75,000 to between N95,000 and N100,000, depending on the brand.

NAN reports that a 50kg bag of local rice is sold for between ₦80,000 to ₦85,000 depending on the brand.

Mrs Gladis Ugwu, a garri seller at the New Market, said that the only way to reduce the high cost of garri would be by securing farmlands and stopping the exportation of the produce to other countries.

Ugwu said the exportation of the commodity had affected the availability of the produce in the country.

Mr Arinze Ozor, a rice seller at Ogbere Main Market, said that the high cost of rice in the country would persist if the government failed to act urgently to address food insecurity.

Ozor said that the traffic of buyers of foodstuffs in his shop had reduced since the prices of every item increased.

A buyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the high cost of living in the country to subsidy removal from petroleum products.

(NAN)

FG to establish electricity offences tribunal to fight theft 

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FG to establish electricity offences tribunal to fight theft 

The Federal Government on Thursday said it is working on establishing an electricity offences tribunal to combat electricity theft in the country.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Managing Director, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, Aliyu Tahir, said, “We are working on the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an in-built appeal system for faster dispensation of electricity-related offences. It is to vest NEMSA in-house counsel with powers to prosecute electricity offences,” he stated.

Providing further explanation about the tribunal, Tahir said the initiative would adequately check electricity theft when implemented and that the National Assembly had been informed.

“We are looking at the establishment of this electricity tribunal to be able to enforce our mandates more. When you look at the enforcement, with respect to sanctioning of violators in the Act, it is a very long process.

“So to fast-track the prosecution of offenders, the establishment of this tribunal solely for the power sector will go a long way in ensuring that we fast-track the process, carry out enforcements and sanction violators,” the NEMSA boss stated.

Tahir said based on the powers conferred on the agency in the Electricity Act, NEMSA had been working hard to establish a tribunal that would speedily try electricity-related offences.

He noted that with the tribunal, issues of electricity theft would be addressed speedily and violators would be prosecuted as quickly as possible, adding that the agency was interfacing with the National Assembly on this.

“The establishment of this tribunal has been brought to the knowledge of the legislature and we’ve made submissions to them. Our hope is that they will amend the Electricity Act to include a provision for this,” Tahir stated.

He also declared that it was perfecting the process for the establishment of an electricity offences tribunal with an inbuilt appeal system to speedily tackle power-related offences.

It also declared that a total of 2,655,488 meters in the power sector had been tested and calibrated, as most of the equipment had been deployed for use by consumers across the country.

On June 2, 2024, The According exclusively reported that the latest update on metering by the Federal Government showed that 609,585 electricity consumers were metered in 2023, while the number of unmetered registered power users nationwide stood at 7,319,846.

The report stated that data from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission indicated that out of the 13,162,572 registered consumers who get supplies from the national grid, 5,842,726 have been metered.

Tahir stated that in line with the mandate of the agency, NEMSA has tested and calibrated over 2.6 million meters.

According to Tahir, NEMSA, which is an agency of the Federal Government established in 2015, is still testing and calibrating more meters to ensure their functionality, durability and safety when in use

He said, “A total of 21,681 electricity installation projects have been inspected and tested, out of which 13,154 have been certified. Also, a total of 16,624 electricity networks have been monitored by NEMSA.

“About 4,921 factories, hazardous installations and public places have been inspected, tested and certified fit, while 2,655,488 electricity meters have been tested and calibrated, as 487 incidences were investigated by the agency.”

He explained that the figures were based on data compiled by NEMSA as of the first quarter of 2024, adding that the Electricity Act 2023 had strengthened the enforcement powers and responsibilities of the agency.

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