President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of several individuals to the governing councils of the federal universities and other institutions in the country.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said his principal appointed Temi Harriman as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
The quartet of Adeola Adeogun, Benedict Aguele, Freeman Kasa, Babangida Abdullahi will serve as council members.
The president also appointed Rabe Mudi Bala as Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian University of Science and Technology, Abuja, while Akinola Fagbemi, Rakiatou Bagnou, Alwel Egwurugu and Femi Osabinu are members.
Other appointments are: Bram Baifa as Chairman of Board of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bassam-Biri, Bayelsa, with Richard Odigbo, Yomi Johnson, Fatima Owuna and Christy Omoruyi as members.
Ahmadu Salisu now heads the Governing Board of Federal University of Health Sciences, Kwale, Delta as Chairman, and Aragbaye Oluwatosin Gbolagunte, Talba Bauchi, Akaninodo Adekunle and Chibuike Ikenga as members.
For the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Katsina State, Tinubu appointed Habib Ibrahim Board Chairman and Yau Abdulkadir, Shehu Kaka, Ibrahim Abbah and Isijola Rasaki, members.
The Federal University of Agriculture, Mubi, Adamawa, now has Rukayyatu Gurin as Board Chairman, and Peter Dogara, Amina Ndala, Owolabi Oseni and Olufemi Lawson, as members of the Council.
Similarly, the president appointed Yusuf Mohammed as Chairman of the Board of Admiralty University, Ibusa, Delta, and Sani Ndanusa, Abdul Oroh, Mary Agbo and Omasan Agbajoh as members of Council.
The Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, Lagos State, also gets a new Chairman of Governing Board in the person of Labiru Kafur and Ibitoye Philips, Musa Ayas and Ogenyi Emmanuel as members.
President Tinubu also appointed Victor Ukaogo as Chairman of the Board of the National Institute of Nigerian Languages, Aba, Abia, with Anjare Samuel, David Ismaila, Adimchinaka Onwukwe and Princess Ify Okoye, as members.
“The president expects that the new members of the governing boards of these institutions will perform their functions effectively and creditably and within the ambits of their statutory responsibilities,” the statement added.
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Tinubu appoints new governing councils for varsities, institutions
FRSC gets new sector commander in Akwa Ibom
The Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, RS6.3 Akwa Ibom State Command, has received Mr Edward Odiete as its new sector commander.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Enlightenment/Public Relations Officer, Paul James, in Uyo on Wednesday.
James said that Odiete took over from Lasisi Ogundele, who has retired after his meritorious years of service to the nation.
According to him, the appointment is aimed at strengthening the system for enhanced performance and efficiency in road traffic management and safety administration in Nigeria.
He said: “Following the retirement of the former sector commander, Lasisi Ogundele, a new sector commander has been appointed for Akwa Ibom State.
“He is Corps Commander Edward Odiete who hails from Delta State. A graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, he holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Law and was called to Nigerian Bar in 1994.
“He was head of litigation in the National Headquarters, and until his appointment, he was Corps Commander Special Duties, Operations Department, Abuja.”
James said that Ogundele in his farewell address thanked the state government, major stakeholders and Akwa Ibom people for the cooperation and support he enjoyed during his stay in the state.
He added that the former sector commander enjoined all to extend the same hand of fellowship to the new sector commander to serve the state better.
FRSC gets new sector commander in Akwa Ibom
25 more suspects arrested in Plateau over curfew violation
No fewer than 25 persons were arrested by soldiers in Plateau State on Wednesday for violating a curfew imposed on the state capital by the state government.
This brings the total number of persons arrested by security agents to 51 since the curfew was imposed in Jos on Sunday, as part of measures to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests and causing mayhem in the state.
The Plateau Police Command spokesman, Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday, commended the youths for complying with the curfew imposed by the government.
“However, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbemiga Adesina, expresses disappointment at the way certain youths flagrantly disregarded government directives by coming out of their residences to attack armed policemen at Yen Tire market and other parts of Jos North LGA.
“The Command wishes to reiterate that the decision of the State Government to impose the curfew is in the best interest of all Plateau residents; hence, we will ensure that this directive is fully complied with,” Alfred said in a statement.
The police spokesman explained that the commissioner, alongside heads of other security agencies, had carried out an on-the-spot assessment and surveillance patrol of the nooks and crannies of the state capital to ascertain the level of compliance.
He said that during the outing, 26 suspects were arrested for non-compliance with the curfew and attempting to burgle people’s shops to loot their wares.
“Additionally, on 07/08/2024, 25 suspects were arrested by the STF operatives for similar crimes and handed over to the Plateau State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation,” the statement added.
He said the suspects had been investigated and charged to court accordingly.
“Again, the Plateau Police Chief wants to use this medium to sternly warn against the brandishing of foreign flags in any part of the state, stressing that Nigeria is a sovereign nation and anyone caught indulging in such a treasonable act will be apprehended and prosecuted accordingly.
“The Plateau State Police Command is committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property and will not condone any form of looting, vandalisation, or any act capable of truncating the fragile peace on the Plateau.
“We call on all Plateau residents to report any suspicious activity around them to the police control room emergency,” it added.
The According reports that the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had on Wednesday relaxed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed on Jos, noting that residents in the affected Jos and Bukuru metropolis can now move freely between 2 pm and 6 pm daily until further notice.
The governor urged residents within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis to cooperate with security personnel and report any suspicious activities for prompt action.
Naira gains N5, trades N1,596/$1 at official window
The naira recovered further against the American dollar on Wednesday.
Data from Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) showed that the domestic currency gained N5 to trade at N1, 596/$1, down from N1, 601/$1 it traded on Tuesday.
The intra-day high and low recorded during the day were N1,628/$1 and N1,520/$1 respectively, representing a lean spread of N108$1.
The naira lost N13 against the dollar at the parallel section of the forex market to trade N1,620/$1 as against the N1,607/$1 it traded the previous day.
The naira, however, lost N10 against the British Pound to trade at N2,100£1 as against the previous N2,090£1.
The Canadian dollar continues to close flat against the naira to trade at N1,200/CA$1.
The naira gained N10 against the Euro to trade at ₦1,730/€1 as against the previous ₦1,740/€1.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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NGX: Oando, RT Briscoe among top gainers as investors make N96bn
Investors in the Nigerian equities market gained N96 billion at the close of trading on Wednesday.
This followed the growth in the share prices of stocks like REDSTAREX, OANDO, and RT BRISCOE, amongst others on the trading floor today.
After five hours of trading at the capital market, the equity capitalization increased to N55.1 trillion from N55.03 trillion recorded by the bourse on Tuesday.
The All-Share Index (ASI) also increased to 97,098.98 from 96,928.52 recorded the previous day.
The market breadth was positive as 26 stocks advanced and 21 declined, while 68 others remained unchanged in 9,744 deals.
REDSTAREX, OANDO, and RT BRISCOE led other gainers with 10%, 9.98%, and 9.90% growth each in share prices to close at N4.18, N33.60, and N1.11 from the previous N3.80, N32.60, and N1.01 per share.
On the flip side, NEIMETH, HONYFLOUR, and SOVRENINS led other price decliners as they shed 7.69%, 6.10%, and 5.56% each to close at N1.80, N3.85, and N0.51 from the initial N1.95, N4.10, and N0.54 per share.
On the volume index, ACCESS CORP led trading with 112 million shares valued at N2.1 billion in 665 deals followed by UCAP which traded 74 million shares valued at N1.19 billion in 1,424 deals.
GTCO traded 74 million shares valued at N3.3 billion in 456 deals.
On the value index, GTCO recorded the highest value for the day trading stocks worth N3.3 billion in 456 deals followed by ACCESS CORP which traded equities worth N2.1 billion in 665 deals.
ZENITH BANK traded shares valued at N1.31 billion in 469 deals.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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NELFUND records 7,975 student loan applications in 24 hours
The Nigeria Education Loan Fund on Wednesday announced what it described as a significant milestone, receiving the highest number of student loan applications within 24 hours since the launch of its portal on May 25, 2024.
A statement released by the fund in Abuja and made available to our correspondent said, “the fund recorded 9,687 student registrations, with 7,975 completed loan applications on August 7, 2024.”
The statement noted that the surge in “interest highlights the crucial role NELFUND plays in enabling access to higher education” for students facing financial challenges.
It further noted that the high number of applications underscores the pressing need for financial assistance among Nigerian students.
“Since the portal’s opening, NELFUND has seen a steady influx of applications, demonstrating the importance of its mission to support students struggling with tertiary education financing. This achievement aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and actions,” the statement said.
NELFUND further urged eligible students experiencing financial difficulties to take advantage of this opportunity.
It said the fund’s streamlined application process is designed to be user-friendly, with a dedicated support team available to assist applicants.
NELFUND for the first time on Wednesday, July 31,2024 reeled out data supporting disbursements of student loans, a move which its Managing Director, Akintunde Sawyerr said was to ensure accountability.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.
Tension in Taraba over alleged soldiers’ invasion of Catholic priest’s house
There was tension in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State following an alleged assault on a Catholic priest by members of the Nigerian Army.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at the residence of Rev. Richard Unom in Ikyaior village, Wukari Local Government Council.
Confirming the incident, Rev. Unom, who is the current Catholic priest of Wukari Diocese, expressed deep concerns over the invasion of his home by heavily armed soldiers.
He claimed that the soldiers tortured him and his cook, Terhemen Cornelius, without any provocation or justification.
Recounting the ordeal to journalists, he said the soldiers threatened to kill him despite identifying himself as a priest.
“I had just reported to my new station at the All Saints Pastoral Centre on August 2, 2024. On August 5, around 9 am, six military vehicles and motorcycles entered the church premises. I approached them, introduced myself as the priest in charge, and inquired about their presence, ” he said.
The soldiers, according to him, claimed to be on a mission to search for some criminals in the area.
He said the cries of his cook brought him out after he went inside to prepare for a trip to Wukari Town.
Upon rushing outside, he said he found his cook being brutalised by the soldiers.
“Despite my pleas for mercy, they knocked me to the ground and targeted my face. I turned away to protect myself. Fortunately, one soldier intervened and prevented further injury,” he recounted.
Affirming that his cook sustained severe injuries, including the loss of an eye, he called on the relevant authorities to wade in by bringing the soldiers to justice.
Commenting on the incident, the spokesperson for the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army in Jalingo, Captain Oni Olubodunde, stated that the soldiers involved were not from the unit.
“I am aware of the incident, but those responsible are not personnel from our brigade. I doubt if they are even genuine army personnel,” he said.
The alleged attacks, at the time of filing this report, has sparked widespread concern among residents of Wukari council, who are demanding justice and assurances of safety from such military excesses.
Tension in Taraba over alleged soldiers’ invasion of Catholic priest’s house
NNPC, NMDPRA agree to televised public hearing
The Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, Mele Kyari, on Wednesday, agreed to a televised public hearing in the Senate.
This is coming over a series of allegations accusing the state-owned oil company of sabotage in the nation’s oil sector.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, in his brief remarks, backed Kyari’s statement, saying the planned public hearing should be televised live for Nigerians to know those indulging in the alleged economic sabotage in the sector.
Kyari, while giving his remarks at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, requested that the company be counted out of any act of sabotage.
He said, “There is nothing for the NNPCL to sabotage because we are out to maximise value and profits for the country. We are not against any domestic refinery because the laws are clear as far as processes and procedures are concerned.
“As requested by the Minister of State for Petroleum, the planned public hearing on alleged sabotage in the sector should be televised live for Nigerians to know the truth of situations on the ground.”
“We are faithful, loyal and committed to the greatness of this country. We are not criminals, thieves or saboteurs as being alleged through wrong narratives.”
The NNPCL boss stated that the corporation “under our management and by operational guidelines or relevant provisions of the PIA, CAMA, etc. is today a profit-making company after about 43 years of losses.
“Today, from 1.4 million barrels it was months back, production level has increased to 1.65 million barrels per day and will soon hit the expected 2 million barrels per day.”
Similarly, Ahmed said, “A lot of negative stories and narratives have been written and published against us in the NMDPRA on how we are carrying out our regulatory functions without us telling our own story.
“Gratifyingly, the planned public hearing will give us the appropriate platform of laying our facts bare to Nigerians for them to know who is sabotaging who.
“The investigation should be public and televised live.”
Also present in the Senate, the Minister of State (Petroleum), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said a lot of misinformation has been churned out to the public on roles being played by his ministry and other agencies in making it inclusive for interested investors.
The planned public hearing by the committee, according to him, would afford Nigerians to know the truth of happenings in the sector.
Lokpobiri said, “Please do us a favour by televising the planned investigative hearing on the alleged economic sabotage in the Petroleum Industry live.”
In his presentation, the Group Chief Strategy Officer, Dangote Refinery, Aliyu Sulaiman, said out of the 5m crude oil they got in recent times, the NNPCL gave them 60%, 20% imported and 20% purchased.
He commended the NNPCL for making the huge supply to the refinery but added that the refinery is a baby that should be supported by all relevant stakeholders to grow and not die.
However, the National Chairman, Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abdulkabir Aliyu, said Dangote declared N133 billion profit on sugar sales in Nigeria within the last six months.
He said such a feat was made possible for the Chairman of the Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, allowing him to monopolise the sugar business in Nigeria.
The Petroleum sector, he added, should not be allowed to be monopolised by any person or company, saying, “Monopoly kills business.”
Similarly, the National President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Shettima, in his presentation, loudly admonished the committee against monopoly in the petroleum sector.
He said, “The current value chain in the downstream should be sustained to allow other investors to participate.
“NNPCL is doing its best but should please improve on the supply of products to retail outlets across the country to end the incessant queue at filling stations.”
In his remarks, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the increase in the crude would stabilise the country’s foreign exchange market while expressing confidence in the leadership of the Senate ad-hoc Committee investigating the alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, to conduct an unbiased and impartial investigation.
Protests: DSS quizzes seven Polish nationals
The Department of State Service (DSS) has commenced the interrogation of seven Polish nationals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano State.
The DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, disclosed at a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, and members of the Diplomatic Corps on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, were also at the meeting.
He said the Polish citizens were arrested for displaying foreign flags during the protests in some states in the North-West.
Afunanya, however, added that the foreign nationals were not targeted by the secret police.
Several people have been arrested by security agents in many states in the North for displaying Russian flags during the protests organized by a group of Nigerians to express their frustration over the current hardship and other socio-economic problems in the country.
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Edo, APC bicker over civil unrest allegation
The Edo State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress are at loggerheads over allegations of orchestrating unrest in the state.
At a press conference on Wednesday in Benin, the state capital, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said APC has resorted to a devious plan by orchestrating civil unrest in the state.
However, the Director of Publicity, Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-ojo, in a statement, described the accusation as incessant noise meant to cover up Governor Godwin Obaseki’s alleged economic corruption committed against Edo people.
Nehikhare said, “Our attention has been drawn to the All Progressives Congress plans to orchestrate civil unrest and cause mayhem in the state under the guise of protests and rallies to advance their obnoxious political agenda.
“The APC is resorting to this devious plan because it has realised the folly of presenting an unlettered and incompetent candidate for governor.
“Their candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has continued to embarrass the party and his handlers in private and public fora with his poor grasp of basic concepts and intellectual immaturity, consistently displaying an inability to articulate and coherently sell his vision to the electorate and other key stakeholders.
“Reeling from the pains of selling a bad and unmarketable candidate and having failed in their desperate resort to lies and propaganda to hoodwink Edo people ahead of the September 21 governorship election, the only path the APC in Edo State now sees to promote their campaigns is to cause chaos and crisis in the state.
“Our findings reveal that the APC plans to incite civil unrest in the state and cause chaos under the guise of riots and protests to disrupt the peace and stability of the state. They will also divert attention from their candidate’s weaknesses and buy time to avoid debates and meaningful engagement with the people.
“The Edo State Government is aware of their evil plans and will not sit idly and watch them unleash mayhem on the people and cause chaos in the state.
“While we call the attention of all security agencies in the state, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin, among others, to take notice of this planned heinous plan by the APC to orchestrate civil unrest and cause mayhem in the state, we assure members of the public to be rest assured that the government will spare no effort within the ambits of the law to forestall this planned attack on the state and its people and ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice.
“We urge the APC to refrain from their divisive tactics and resort to violence. They should instead bring their candidate out to speak to the people, even if it is in pidgin or his local Esan dialect, and as well debate with other candidates. Edo people deserve to hear directly from him to enable them to make informed decisions ahead of the state’s September 21 governorship election.
Omo-ojo noted, “Governor Godwin Obaseki’s continued rehash of phantom puny stories reflects their fear of reprisals from Edo State people who recently capitalized on the End Bad Governance protest sponsored by Obaseki against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to search for their hidden palliatives, which the governor stored in the houses of PDP leaders.
“Edo people will recall how the governor organized the anti-federal government protest at Oba Ovoranmwen Square with N200 million, all in his bid to demonize Tinubu and APC and punish Edo people who he has deprived of their palliatives.
“But contrary to Obaseki’s expectation, while he was addressing his PDP members and political aides he gathered as protesters, the real protesters harkened to the call by APC to locate their rice and other palliatives hidden in Edo State Government warehouses and houses of PDP members.
“The real protesters that were present in Ovoranmwen square hurled water sachets at Obaseki. Since our charge to the Edo people to take back their rice, over four warehouses and private homes have been busted by hungry men and women to collect what rightly belongs to them.
“The fear of losing the entire hidden grains had led to Obaseki’s sudden hatred for organisers of the protest who he now calls, hoodlums and thugs. Same group of persons he praised for causing hardship on the streets of Edo State.
“This allegation is incessant noise to cover up for the grand economic corruption the governor has committed against the Edo people.
“It is also a panic measure by them to curry support in the face of impending disqualification of PDP and its candidate by the Independent National Electoral Commission over the forging of voter’s card.
“Finally, the APC in Edo is using this medium to notify our people that Obaseki on Tuesday, applied and got the approval of Edo State House of Assembly to borrow N8.550 billion for the purchase of his imaginary CNG buses. We reject the fresh loan on the heels of N11.1 billion Obaseki received from the Federal Account in the month of June.”