The Filmhouse Cinema IMAX Lekki, Lagos, was agog on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, when the superhero film, ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, was premiered. Attended by guests who were gorgeously dressed, the tone of the event was set right from the gate of the premises. The walls were adorned with different banners and props depicting the major
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The Federal Government may spend N900bn on vehicle conversion under the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative over the next three years, investigation by Saturday According has shown.
The P-CNGi’s Programme Execution Coordinator, Folarin Oworu, announced recently at a rally held at the Mando Inter State Terminal, Kaduna that the initiative targets 250,000 vehicle conversions per year starting in 2025.
The kits and conversion costs are valued at N1.2m per vehicle, amounting to a total of N900bn to convert approximately 750,000 petrol or diesel-powered vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas between 2025 and 2027.
Already, for this year, the Federal Government will spend an average of N36bn to convert 30,000 vehicles to run on CNG in the next 90 days.
The move aims to ensure the adoption of CNG as an alternative fuel for transportation in the country.
The Project Director and Chief Executive Officer of P-CNGi, Michael Oluwagbemi, stated this during the Park to Park CNG Mobilisation programme at Ojota Park in Lagos last week.
Oluwagbemi said President Bola Tinubu was taking steps to ensure transport workers used CNG to replace high-priced petrol and diesel, believing this would reduce the cost of transportation and, by extension, the rising cost of food items.
The P-CNGi boss said the President was interested in distributing one million CNG kits to commercial drivers across Nigeria as palliatives.
“Today, we are here with conversion kits. We have bought over 30,000 of these kits, mainly for distribution in the next 90 days. This will ensure that commercial transport workers can benefit directly from the palliative of the Federal Government. For this reason, we are here in Lagos.
“Ogun, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo states are also here. We will all benefit from this immediate palliative. The President has told us that this is not just to end with 30,000 kits; the target is one million kits. We want to make sure all of you can benefit from this government initiative,” he stated.
Oluwagbemi announced that the government was building more CNG stations where drivers could buy the commodity at below N250/kg.
“The era of buying N750, N800, or N1,000/litre fuel is over. We are not doing that again. We will start using the gas under our feet so that we can buy it at N230/kg,” he stated.
However, an investigation by Saturday According revealed that the Federal Government would be doling out N900bn to convert no fewer than 750,000 vehicles in three years if it sustains its target of 250,000 vehicles per year starting next year.
Recall that in a statement issued on April 21, 2024, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the Federal Government was ready to launch about 2,700 CNG-powered buses and tricycles before May 29, 2024, when President Tinubu marked one year in office.
In the statement titled, ‘Presidential CNG Initiative Set for Rollout,’ Onanuga said the Federal Government would deliver 100 conversion workshops and 60 refueling sites spread across 18 states before the end of 2024.
He said the Federal Government was targeting the purchase of “5,500 CNG vehicles (buses and tricycles), 100 electric buses, and over 20,000 CNG conversion kits, alongside spurring the development of CNG refueling stations and electric charging stations.”
With necessary tax and duty waivers approved by President Tinubu in December 2023, Onanuga said, “The P-CNGi committee is partnering the private sector to deliver the promise on the initiative.”
He added, “The private sector has responded with over $50m in actual investments in refueling stations, conversion centres, and mother stations.
“In all, over 600 buses are targeted for production in the first phase, which will be accomplished this year. A new plant on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will assemble thousands of tricycles.”
The Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Isa Ali, disclosed on Friday that members receive about N400 million to execute constituency projects through Zonal Intervention Projects and Special Intervention Projects.
The lawmaker, who represents Billiri/Balanga Federal Constituency, made this disclosure while fielding questions during a town hall meeting organised to keep constituents informed of recent developments.
According to him, N179 million is budgeted for ZIPs, while N40 million is allocated to SIPs, with N200 million budgeted for the Billiri/Balanga constituency.
He said, “If you look at part of the bills I’m sponsoring, it is on federal constituencies and senatorial districts fund development to enable every constituency and senatorial district to have major projects. When you move to most of these constituencies, you will not see Federal Government projects apart from the constituency projects done by members of the National Assembly.
“Regarding the amount, particularly in the 10th House of Representatives, which Nigerians call the ‘people’s house,’ we are very open. The Zonal Intervention Project has been in existence for the past 20 years, and the money has not changed; it’s N179 million.
“We have Special Intervention Projects; this year, it’s N40 million. In previous years, it was N30 million. The same applies to ZIPs; in previous years, the money remains the same. We have other interventions like the capital intervention for Balanga/Billiri, which is N200 million. In total, we are talking about a little above N400 million for each constituency.”
Speaking further, the Minority Whip, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, lauded the Federal Government for previously releasing 100 per cent of the projects.
“I’m part of the leadership and I’m working hard to ensure the implementation process commences. We will ensure 100 per cent implementation because, to be honest, from 2019 to 2023, the Federal Government tried by releasing almost 100 per cent of all ZIPs and SIPs,” he added.
Ali assured his constituents of the quality of projects despite the economic situation, saying, “We are working hard. The finances of the country are under serious challenge, but as a leader, I’m working with my colleagues to ensure that this year’s intervention is also 100 per cent by the releases of the Federal Government.”
The Minority Whip disclosed that he inaugurated a committee comprising professionals to ensure the quality of projects.
Former local government chairmen in Rivers State on Friday faulted the continued stay of caretaker committee chairmen in office weeks after the Supreme Court declared such as illegal in the councils.
The Supreme Court had early this month granted total autonomy to the 774 LGAs in the country.
The apex court in a ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government ordered the latter to withhold revenue allocations of local councils that were not under the control of elected officials.
At a media briefing in Port Harcourt, the former council chairmen decried Governor Similaye Fubara’s support for the caretaker committee chairmen’s stay in office despite the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed such in the country.
They threatened to force their way into their various councils and match the governor with force if the situation persisted.
The ex-council chiefs are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
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The former chairman of Emohua LGA, Chidi Lloyd, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to order the arrest of the caretaker committee chairmen.
He said: “We are not cowards. If this continues, we will go back to our local government and force ourselves into the council. That’s exactly what we are going to do.
“We have kept quiet because of the kind of leader we have who continues from time to time to preach the path of peace. We are not cowards.
“If this continues, we will exacerbate the already exacerbated situation. We are not cowards. We are calling on the police to act fast. The State House of Assembly had written to the Inspector-General of Police. We do not know why the police in Rivers are foot-dragging and saying that things are done properly.”
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Members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, have dissociated themselves from the planned protest against hunger billed to commence on August 1 across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Friday, the ALGON members, comprising chairmen of caretaker committees in the 23 local government areas of the state, said that they are against the planned protest because it is capable of being hijacked by hoodlums to loot and cause a break down of law and order.
Speaking on behalf of members of ALGON in the state, the Caretaker Committee Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Ichemati Ezebunwo, said that the state has been peaceful, adding that it was unnecessary to allow agents of destabilisation to plunge the state into instability, anarchy and chaos with needless protest.
Ezebunwo also reiterated the support of the ALGON members to the implementation of the key objectives of Mr President’s policies and programmes as enunciated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.
He said, “ALGON, Rivers State, dissociates itself from the planned protest from August 1, 2024, by faceless individuals against the government and policies of President Tinubu.
“We state categorically that we are committed to cascading the key objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President in our various local government areas.
“We hereby call on the people to discountenance any planned protest as measures are being put in place to cushion the effects of the economic situation” in the country today.”
The state ALGON also expressed worries at the alleged involvement of police officers in the escalation of hostilities against members of the caretaker committees and Rivers people by the immediate past chairmen of local government councils.
While condemning the rising attacks on CTC chairmen and supporters of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the ALGON members cautioned those involved in perpetrating acts of violence and intimidation in the state to desist forthwith, and toe the path of peace.
They said, “We recall that earlier today, the immediate past local government chairmen made inciting statements bordering on claims to perpetuating themselves in office they had constitutionally ceased to occupy at the effluxion of time on June 17, 2024.
“We hereby warn these impostors to desist forthwith, and also call the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, to call them (immediate past LG chairmen) to order.”
The ALGON members urged the police to be professional, apolitical and neutral in the discharge of their duties.
They also condemned the attacks on ALGON members in Ikwerre and Obio/Akpor local government areas.
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed, said on Friday her mission to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries forming a new alliance was successful.
Mohammed disclosed this to State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
The former minister of environment said she visited the country to brief President Bola Tinubu on the visit of her delegation to Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
She said: “We went to Ethiopia on a finance mission. We were able to debrief the president on the proposals that he had made to try to keep the dialogue going for some of the states that we have challenges with.
“But at the same time, we also looked for the possibilities to include economic development so that the people don’t suffer at the same time.”
Mohammed said the countries had crises due to unconstitutional changes, adding that they must come back to democratic rule.
“On the other hand, they have to also look at the development paradigm for their people where there is terrorism.
“But there is also a need to look at jobs, food security and energy. All those also have to continue.
“Now if they can display a roadmap that gives everyone some confidence that there is a return to democratic rule, then they will find support,” the UN official added.
She described ECOWAS as a family, and advocated regional integration for the West African sub-region.
“And the proposal by ECOWAS at its last meeting to have President Faye of Senegal and President Faure of Togo continue that dialogue and engagement is a good one,” Mohammed stated.
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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control in a step to combat the rising use of harmful bleaching creams in the northeastern part of the country raided a popular Monday market in Maiduguri arresting one Kabeer Mohammed for illegally mixing and selling high-concentration bleaching creams.
According to a post on NAFDAC’s official X handle on Friday, the raid was part of a larger effort to curb the use of dangerous bleaching products in the region.
The agency stated that it would impose appropriate sanctions on the arrested individual according to regulations.
They wrote: “To combat the rising use of harmful bleaching creams in the North East Zone, NAFDAC raided Maiduguri’s popular Monday market, arresting Dr Kabeer Mohammed for illegally mixing and selling high-concentration bleaching creams.
“The Agency is set to impose appropriate sanctions according to regulations. Additionally, NAFDAC has launched a public enlightenment campaign to educate the citizens in the North-East on the dangers of using such products.”
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The Speaker, Edo State Youth Parliament, Fawaz Muhammad on Friday urged the youths to embark on a violent free protest being planned for August 1-10.
Muhammad made this known in Benin during the inauguration of the second assembly of the Edo State Youth Parliament at the state House of Assembly.
While speaking on the proposed protest against economic hardship in the country, the Speaker also urged the youths to address issue, noting that their would get thd the right quarters.
He said, “My message to the youth is that they should embark on peaceful protest and they should not allowed themselves to be used for violent.
“The best approach is to address their issues peacefully and their messages would get to the right quarters,” he added.
He also called on the Nigerian youths to develop their creative minds and exude the spirit of resilience.
He noted that youths were important in order to build a prosperous country, saying that the future of the country lies squarely on their (the youths) shoulders.
Muhammad said that the youths have the potentials of changing the narratives of the country by developing the right attitude and fostering peace in their respective areas.
Speaking as the newly elected Speaker, of the youth parliament, he said he is going to ensure that the interest of the youths are adequately represented, saying that the assembly would be an inclusive one.
He said, “Together, we have the opportunity to shape the future of Edo State and the country by ensuring that the voices of our youth are not only heard but are instrumental in driving meaningful progress.
“As we embark on this journey, I pledge to serve with integrity, transparency, and dedication. I will prioritize the interests of our youth, advocating for policies that promote education, employment and empowerment.
“Together, we can create a legacy of progress that future generations will be proud of”, he added.
The House of Representatives Committee on FCT has advised the Abuja Investment Company Limited, AICL, the company saddled with the responsibility of managing infrastructure in FCT, to ensure collaboration with only capable and willing partners in the provision of infrastructure in the territory.
Chairman of the Committee Muktar Betara gave the advice during an interactive session with the AICL team headed by Group Managing Director Moreen Tamuno on activities of the organisation and ways to improve revenue generation in the FCT.
Betara noted that the committee had been disappointed with the management of infrastructure in the FCT but hoped that things would improve now that the minister is bringing in new hands.
He said: “I will advise you, anybody that you’re not ready to work with, remove the person so that you can work well. The Committee is ready to support you and support FCT in general.”
A member of the committee and lawmaker from Ondo State, Timilehin Adelegbe, told AICL management: “What we need as a House is to encourage you and also urge you to do a holistic audit of staff who may be dragging you back which is very very important.”
Another member, Regina Akume (APC, Benue), tasked the team to ensure they eschew the Nigerian factor of neglecting government business to rot,
She said: “Before, we see a spirit of ‘it is not my problem, it’s not my business, it’s government’s business’; government is for all of us, so put all the broken pieces together. There’s so much laxity and it’s not right.”
Dr Tamuno noted that the department is seeking ways of tackling the menace of revenue leakages, where levies are initially collected manually, to ensure that dividends collected from the city are returned to the coffers of the FCTA administration.
Dr Tamuno who assured that under her watch the FCT cannot afford to be left the way it was, said: “We are definitely building bridges, we are looking at how to reposition the FCT and we are making progress.”
House Committee tasks FCT investment managers to work with capable partners
Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Nigerian-born Swedish musician and producer, Dr Alban, on his recent induction into the European Hall of Fame.
Obi made this known in a statement on his social media account on Friday.
Dr Alban, whose real name is Alban Uzoma Nwapa, has achieved immense success in the music industry, selling an estimated 16 million records worldwide. His hit single “It’s My Life” reached number one in several countries, including Israel, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany.
Obi praised Dr Alban’s achievements, stating that his success story aligns with his belief in the creative power of Nigerians, especially the youth. He emphasized that with the right training and opportunities, Nigerian youths can excel in various fields, including academics, science and technology, sports, entertainment, arts, and music.
He wrote, “A Nigerian-born Swedish musician and producer, Alban Uzoma Nwapa, popularly known as Dr Alban, was recently inducted into the European Hall of Fame.
“Dr Alban has an estimated 16 million records sold worldwide, with his 1992 hit “It’s My Life” reaching number one in several countries, including Israel, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. He also founded his music label, Dr. Records, further cementing his legacy in the music world.
“His success story aligns with my firm belief in the creative power of Nigerians, especially the youths who, when given the right training and opportunities, always excel in many areas with their infinite endowment of talents and skills.
Obi congratulated Dr Alban for his contributions to Nigeria and expressed his commitment to building a “New Nigeria” where talented youths can reach their full potential and drive national development.
“In academics, science and technology, sports and entertainment, arts and music, etc, our youths have continued to compete favourably and shine on the global stage. I congratulate Dr Alban for his achievements and his contributions to our nation.
“Success stories as he always renew my resolve to remain committed to building a New Nigeria where our diversely talented youths will discover their full potential and utilise it for the development and progress of the nation. With more of such illustrious citizens, a New Nigeria is possible.”