Gov. Usman Ododo of Kogi, has commended President Bola Tinubu for assenting to the Nigeria Student Loan Act, which establishes the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
NAN reports that Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.
This comes after separate considerations by both the Senate an
d the House of Representatives of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund.
Ododo described the signing as a “huge relief” for parents and students.
Ododo noted that the Act will improve the quality of education and increase access to education for millions of Nigerian youth population and children from disadvantaged social and economic background in the country.
“I’m so delighted that President Tinubu is placing premium on the provision of quality education to Nigerians at this critical time.
“Indeed, education is a veritable tool for empowering the people and an enabler for more Nigerians to ascend the socio-economic ladder irrespective of their social and economic backgrounds.
“Therefore, by assenting to the Student Loan Act, President Tinubu has further demonstrated uncommon determination to transform the education sector in Nigeria.
“This will go a long way in providing the impetus for the acquisition of skills required to meet Nigeria’s manpower needs in response to emerging realities of the development agenda of the country,”he said.
He said that the Student Loan Act and its provisions were clear evidence that education is critical to the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.
He also assured residents of his administration’s commitment to enhance access to quality education by expanding the scale of educational infrastructure and providing needed resources to skill up the youth population in the state. (NAN)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says it has commence investigation of Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, a Nigerian crossdresser, for allegedly spraying Naira notes in an event.
The commission’s spokesperson, Mr Dele Oyewole confirmed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Oyewole, the commission invited the 31-year old following a video report of spraying and flaunting wads of new Naira notes at the premiere of a movie, Ajakaju on March 24.
He said the movie was produced by Eniola Ajao, a Nollywood actress and producer, at Film One Circle Mall, Lekki, Lagos.
“Investigation also revealed that he had committed similar offences at some other event centres and parties at different times.
“Following the invitation by the Commission, he arrived at the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC in the morning of Wednesday, April 4 for interrogation and volunteered his statements.
“He will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,”Oyewole said. (NAN)
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has reiterated the need for efficient and effective governance on the continent to enable Africa achieve transformation.
The Secretary-General of AfDB, Prof. Vincent Nmehielle, said this at a pre-media virtual briefing to herald the 2024 AfDB Annual Meeting.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meetings are scheduled to hold in Nairobi, Kenya from May 27 to May 31.
“Africa has to get its governance right. We have to manage our resources well. We have to engage to minimise waste of resources.
“Africa must come to the point where it sees governance as an important instrument of economic development.
“We all have to put our hands on deck, the government, the private sector, commercial entities and all citizens. We need to get certain things right to ensure Africa’s transformation,” he said.
According to Nmehielle, Africa’s access and participation in the global financial system is key.
He said it was, therefore, crucial for African countries to have greater participation and prepare themselves to take better advantage of available access to finance.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kevin Urama, AfDB’s Chief Economist and Vice President for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management, also reiterated the importance for economic transformation on the continent.
Urama said :“ Debt, management, improving risk ratings of countries and related topics will be on the table at the Annual Meetings as part of global architectural reform discussion.
“Already, the government of Zimbabwe is doing a lot to address debt arrears clearance.
“The bank is working with its minister of finance to ensure debt reduction models to enable the country maximise its huge economic advantages.
“I commend Mthuli Ncube, the nation’s finance minister as well as the country’s central bank governor for putting Zimbabwe on track.
“If you look at their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, it is really on a very positive trajectory.”
According to the vice-president, Africa is a key participant in the ongoing dialogue around global architectural reforms.
He said the bank under the leadership of its president, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, was leading and shaping the conversation through innovation and pioneering initiatives such as hybrid bonds.
He said AfDB was also working to see International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), channeled to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) that could leverage them to provide extra financing for development.
“And Africa is really driving that conversation significantly. Therefore, African countries should be well positioned to access the funds,” Urama said.
According to Urama, the statutory annual meetings are AfDB’s group most important event of the calendar year.
He said the meetings would take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya.(NAN)
Be prepared for higher tasks, COAS tells promoted officers
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has stressed the need for the military, other security agencies, government and non-government actors to streamline efforts in countering all threats to national security.
Lagbaja, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj -Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, made the call during the Army War College Nigeria Inter-Agency Seminar for Participants of Course 8/2024, on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the seminar is, ‘Consolidating Existing Relationship towards Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration in Addressing Multi-dimensional Security Threats in Nigeria.’
He said that the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous security environment require operational leadership that understood the changing dynamics.
According to him, the society is still faced with violent crimes and extremism that has led to radicalisation, terrorism, banditry, militancy and other criminal tendencies while traditional measures of countering these criminalities have been insufficient.
He therefore said it was necessary to streamline efforts by all actors and stakeholders to fully contain the security threats.
”For us to tackle the security challenges this nation is bedeviled with, the cooperation and coordination between relevant government actors is required.
”Additionally, dialogue and cooperation between government and non governmental actors is vital in preventing and countering terrorism and other forms of violence.
”As an armed force, we need to see the broader public, local communities and the private sector as partners and stakeholders in our collective efforts at countering the threats around us.
”They must no longer be viewed as passive but active objects of security and law enforcement activities. This we must achieve through streamlining our efforts for the collective goal of enhancing our national security.
”Streamlining all initiatives for the country’s interests to security will be premised on effective partnership between all the actors,” he said.
The COAS also said that civil societies were important stakeholders that could help to create the space for constructive engagement between the state and its citizens, so as to foster trust and understanding as both take ownership of the strategies put in place to counter the collective threats.
Lagbaja added that partnership between the stakeholders would eliminate mistrust, conceptual misunderstandings and differences in understanding national security issues.
”It is with the understanding that no stakeholder or single actor by themselves can successfully counter the internal security challenges in the country.
”Accordingly, this seminar on the theme ‘consolidating existing relationship towards effective interagency cooperation in addressing multidimensional security threats in Nigeria’, could not have come at a better time.
”Aside from serving as a medium for appraising our collective efforts at securing Nigeria, the seminar will also afford us an opportunity to appraise our collective performances in the conduct of various ongoing joint and multi agency operations around the country,” he added.
The Commandant of the college, Maj.-Gen. Ishaya Maina, said that the seminar was part of the college’s course module for the participants drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as allied countries of Cameroon, Cordova, Liberia, DR Congo and Eswatinias, among others.
He explained that the interagency cooperation module was designed to equip participants with the knowledge required to operate with government and non-governmental agencies.
He said the participants had been acquainted with the fundamentals of civil military affairs and legal considerations for their actions and inactions during operations.
Maina added that the course had improved the knowledge of the participants on inter-agency cooperation and coordination, legal implications and competencies in joint operational environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Director of Defence Affairs, ONSA, Maj.-Gen. Peter Mallam, delivered the main paper on ‘Consolidating Existing Relationship towards Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration in Addressing Multi-dimensional Security Threats in Nigeria’.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo was among the panel of discussants. (NAN)
The Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has expressed optimism that the $617.7million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) Programme would redefine the nation’s digital and creative landscape.
Shettima said this on Wednesday at the inauguration of a technical committee to kick start the programme, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
I-DICE Programme, a collaborative effort between the government and international partners, including the Bank of Industry (BoI), African Development Bank (AfDB), French Development Agency (FDA) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB), aims to nurture and empower enterprises in the digital and creative sectors.
The National Economic Council (NEC) had, at its last meeting in March, endorsed the implementation of the programme in the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Vice-President, who described the development as the dawn of a new era in Nigeria, revealed that the Ministry of Finance had been mandated to ensure the expeditious disbursement of funds for the iDICE Programme.
This, according to him, will pave the way for its swift implementation.
“We’ll embark on a journey of innovation, collaboration and boundless opportunities
“A journey that holds the power to redefine the trajectory of our nation’s digital and creative landscape.”
Shettima highlighted the significance of the partnerships forged with institutions, describing them as a “convergence of vision and purpose” in pursuit of shared prosperity.
He commended the meticulous preparations undertaken by the Ministry of Finance and partners, affirming the programme’s readiness to unleash its full potential.
“With every condition met, we stand poised to unleash the full force of i-DICE upon the world.”
He applauded the accomplishments of members of the programme coordination Unit, over the past year, including its establishment, procurement of fund managers and engagement with ecosystem stakeholders.
The Vice-President described them as a testament to Nigeria’s indomitable spirit of innovation.
According to Shettima, the programme represents a catalyst for transformation and a beacon of hope for future generations.
Earlier, Chairman of the Technical Committee on the I-DICE programme, Mr Tope Fasua, noted that i-DICE’s substantial financial backing underscored the programme’s potential to drive transformative change in Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors.
Fasua, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, (Office of the Vice-President), disclosed that the selection of fund managers for the programme was being conducted through an open and transparent process.
According to him, the process is guided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to ensure that the best-qualified firms are entrusted with managing the programme’s financial resources.
He said AfDB had completed all necessary documentation and was ready to disburse funds, subject to agreed terms.
“Similarly, the French Development Agency (AFD) has signed the required documents, pending internal processes.
“The Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) is in the final stages, with one last document awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance.
“With the groundwork laid, the committee anticipates the first drawdown of funds on April 15th, marking a significant milestone in the programme’s implementation.”
Fasua expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, contribute and impact society and the nation’s human capital and economic development. (NAN)
The Mayor of the City of Blanco, Texas, U.S., Mike Arnold, and officials of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team have eulogised the economic strides of the Tinubu administration.
They gave the commendation at a reception hosted for Nigerian author, Reno Omokri, at the official performance centre of the San Antonio Spurs, U.S.
Arnold praised the floatation of the Naira and the removal of the subsidy on petrol, saying it would help the Nigerian economy to be more resilient.
“I am particularly pleased also that Nigeria is successfully tackling its foreign exchange crisis, and by blocking loopholes through which institutions like Binance were able to profit, which I fully support what Nuhu Ribadu is doing.
“I also praise you, Reno Omokri, for your #GrowNairaBuyNaija campaign. Because of you, Americans now know Nigerian corporations like Glo, Dangote and Innoson.”
The mayor urged Nigerians to sign his petition to build IDP infrastructure in Nigeria at http://www.idpjustice.org.
He also commended the Nigerian government for moving away from the propaganda of the last eight years to a proper agenda in the last year.
Star player, Gorgui Dieng, gave a message of support for Nigerians and thanked Omokri for his visit, while encouraging Nigerian youths to utilise sports as a means of personal development.
The performance centre is a new 500 million dollar facility built by the NBA team in San Antonio. (NAN)
The Ondo State Government has warned civil servants to stay away from political activities ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.
The state Head of Service(HoS), Bayo Philip, gave the warning on Wednesday during the commencement of the 2024 promotion exercise for civil servants in the state.
Philip charged them to maintain the highest standard of professionalism and adhere to the established rules and regulations of the service.
“I must also tell you, this is an election year, do your job. You are civil servants and have nothing to do with partisan politics, engage your mind more than you engage your mouth.
“I want to admonish you, in your respective desks, you must not deliver short of quality and you must not deliver late.
“Whatever you are to do must not be short of quality and must not be done late. Do your job as patriotic civil servants that you are,” he said.
He disclosed that Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had approved the promotion of 4,200 workers with attendant financial benefits.
Philip, who appreciated the governor for the gesture, urged the benefiting workers to reciprocate by putting their best in service delivery, saying “to whom much is giving, much is expected”.
”I must appreciate Mr Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who said, ‘head of service, don’t pursue me with any file, everyone who is due for promotion, go ahead and promote them’.
”The position of our governor is that a labourer is worthy of his wage even before his sweat will dry and an officer is worthy of his promotion as and when due,” the HoS said.
Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Training, Mrs Olufunke Dare-Atuse, enjoined participants not to take the promotion for granted, but rather justify it through improved efficiency in their new positions.
Dare-Atuse lauded the government for prompt approval of the process and without stringent conditions and unnecessary encumbrances.(NAN)
The Kano Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it generated N30.2 billion revenue between January and March 2024.
The Area Comptroller, Mr Dauda Chana, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kano.
NAN reports that the Kano area command covers Kano State and Jigawa.
Chana said there was a significant increase in the revenue generation profile of the command, when compared to the same period in 2023, when N9.5 billion was realised within the same period.
The comptroller said already the area command has introduced more sensitive security measures to prevent all forms of smuggling in the area.
“We have already positioned our officers at strategic locations to deal decisively with all those involved in illegal smuggling of materials.
“The area command has deployed officers at border posts in Maigatari, Gumel Local Government Area, Jigawa, to intensify efforts at mitigating activities of smugglers.
“The same applied to officers at the Jeke outpost in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa.
“We are battle ready to end smuggling through our various strategies to pave the way for arrest and prosecution of those involved in illegal businesses,” he said.
Chana appealed to traditional rulers and stakeholders, especially those at border areas, for their supports and sensitisation of their residents on the negative effects of smuggling on the nation’s economy.
“We have also reached out to youths in the border communities, to assist our field officers with required intelligence that will assist in curbing all forms of smuggling activities.
“The command’s area of coverage is a no go area for smugglers as officers have been stationed at identified illegal smuggling routes to ensure arrests and prosecution of offenders,’’ Chana said.
The area commander, however, solicited the support of stakeholders in encouraging residents to shun smuggling and embrace export of locally produced goods.( NAN)
The Police Command in Enugu State has rescued, unhurt, persons abducted along the Eke/Ebe Road in Udi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state after a fierce gun battle with the abductors.
The Command’s Spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Wednesday in Enugu, said that the gun battle and rescue happened at about 6:15 p.m. on March 31, 2024.
According to Ndukwe, police operatives serving in Ezinze Police Division, complemented by the Neighbourhood Watch Group, rescued the victims allegedly kidnapped on the same date at about 4:55 p.m., along Eke-Ebe Road.
He said that after a fierce gun battle with the abductors, they abandoned the victims and fled.
“The immediate rescue is due to the team’s swift response upon receipt of information alleging that the victims, who were plying the road in two Mercedes Benz 4Matic Jeeps, were abducted and taken into the forest.
“However, further operations to hunt down the abductors are ongoing,” he said.
He said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, had also condemned the viral video which allegedly showed that another police team responded to the incident, but without a clear knowledge of the location of the first responding team, and refused to go into the forest to rescue the same victims.
The Command’ Spokesman said: “This is even when the police operatives had only arrived at the scene and were awaiting necessary intelligence-guidance before proceeding into the forest, to avoid any form of collateral damage.
“The commissioner further described the allegations contained in the viral video as an unfortunate act of mischief that is obviously aimed at maligning and distracting the police from frontally tackling and purging Enugu State of die-hard criminals and their activities.
“The commissioner emphasizes that the video was without doubt a gimmick intended to misinform and mislead the public and the command will not waver in its quest to rid Enugu State of unrepentant criminals and their activities despite the mischievous distraction.” (NAN)
The arraignment of Binance Holdings Limited and two of its executives; Tigran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, on Thursday, could not proceed due to inability of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to effect service of the charge on the defendants’.
When the matter was called for the defendants to take their plea before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court, Abuja, only Gambaryan was represented by a lawyer.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observes that neither the company nor Anjarwalla, who recently escaped from lawful custody, was represented by counsel.
However, Gambaryan’s lawyer, Chukwuka Ikwuazo, SAN, told the court that his client had not been served with the charge, hence, his arraignment cannot proceed.
FIRS lawyer, Moses Ideho, though acknowledged that the agency had not served Gambaryan’s with the charge, he said all efforts to do so proved abortive because the defendant could not be reached at the EFCC’s detention.
Ideho then prayed the court to serve Gambaryan in the open court and the judge directed that the charge be served on him in the dock.
The lawyer, therefore, sought a stand-down of the matter or an adjournment to enable Gambaryan consult with his lawyer.
Ikwuazo did not object to an oral application for adjournment and the matter was adjourned until April 19 for him to take his plea.
NAN had, on March 28, also reported that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) will, on April 4, arraigned Binance Holdings Limited, Gambaryan and fleeing Anjarwalla, on allegations bordering on tax evasion.
In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/115/2024, the three defendants will equally be arraigned before Justice Nwite on four counts.
NAN reports that the defendants are being charge on a four-count charge bordering on alleged tax evasion.
In the charge dated and filed March 22 by the FIRS, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence on or about Feb. 1.
Count one alleged that while involved in carrying and offering services to subscribers on their platform, known as Binance, failed to register with the FIRS, for the purpose of paying all relevant taxes administered by the service.
The offences are said to be punishable under Sections 8 and 29 of the VAT Act of 1993 (as Amended), Section 40 of the FIRS Establishment Act, 2007 (as amended) and under provisions of Section 94 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended) respectively.(NAN)
