Ekene Abubakar Adams, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 39. The cause of death is reported to be a brief illness, according to a statement from House spokesman Akin Rotimi Jr.
Adams, representing Chikun/Kajuru federal constituency of Kaduna State, served on the House Committee on Sports. Tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues, with many expressing shock and sadness at his sudden passing.
Read Also: A’Ibom gov, Eno, voices concerns over implementation of S’Court’s ruling on LG autonomy
Hon. Adams, a former general manager of Kada City FC and Remo Stars, was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of Labour Party (LP) in 2023. With his sports background as a former athlete and administrator, he was appointed the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Sports, the position he occupied until his death on Tuesday morning, July 16, 2024.
Adams’ death was the second to hit the House within a week following the death of Hon. Olaide Akinremi (Jagaban) from Oyo State, who passed away on Wednesday, July 10.
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Another House of Reps member, Ekene Adams, dies at 39
We have no plans to hand over universities to private investors – Nigerian govt
The Federal Government says it has no plan to hand over public universities to private investors.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said this at the Second Quarterly Engagement of the Ministry with Heads of Units and Chief Executive Officers of parastatals and agencies under the Ministry.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, had accused the federal government of plans to hand over federal universities to investors through public-private partnerships.
”There is no plan to sell off universities to investors,” he said, noting the policy of the government allowed for transnational education.
According to him, transnational education is a policy on what the current administration is doing to open up tertiary education by taking people from the rest of the world to invest in the tertiary system.
“Some people are carrying information that the federal government is selling off to private investors its universities. This is an absolute lie and completely false.
“This government believes in our public institutions. However, as we all know this government has reforms that this country needs.
“The private sector will play a major role in the provision of tertiary education as there are more private universities in Nigeria than public universities combined.
“What this government has done is to open up the tertiary education level in particular the universities for global competitiveness,” he said.
The minister stressed the need to allow those who operate universities at the international level to come into the country and set up institutions either for themselves or in collaboration with the nation’s local universities.
We have no plans to hand over universities to private investors – Nigerian govt
Tension as Police ban Abuja Shi’ite procession over security concerns
In a move likely to stoke tension, the Nigerian Police Force, on Tuesday, banned a planned procession by the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as the Shiites.
The procession was intended to commemorate Ashura, a holy day in the Shia Islamic calendar.
The FCT Police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, issued a statement citing intelligence reports that the procession “often result[s] in significant disturbances, leading to anarchy and chaos within the territory.” The statement further warned members of the IMN to “shelve their planned demonstrations” and threatened “every legal means necessary to halt or incapacitate anyone that dares violate the ban.”
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“According to the intelligence we have gathered, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, also known as Shi’ite, are planning to hold a protest/procession to commemorate the 2024 Islamic calendar day of Ashura,” the statement reads.
“In the past, the group’s processions, protests, and other activities have ended violently.
“As a result, the Commissioner of Police has banned their activities and ordered the arrest of anyone who violates this order.”
The IMN has been a contentious group in Nigeria for years. The group’s leader, Ibrahim Zakzaky, has been detained by the government since 2015 following a deadly clash with security forces. The group maintains its innocence and has called for Zakzaky’s release.
This ban on the procession is likely to be met with disapproval by members of the IMN. It remains to be seen how the group will respond and whether the police will be able to maintain order if there are attempts to defy the ban.
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Oko-Jumbo Assembly counters Amaewhule, declares faction illegal
The Rivers State House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, has dismissed the resolution by the Martin Amaewhule-led House, suspending all expenditures of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo stated this in his opening remark during plenary on Tuesday.
He said what Amaewhule and 24 others whom he described as former members of the House did, was unfounded and illegal.
Oko-Jumbo argued that the group had no legal capacity or moral basis, to prevent the governor from spending public funds.
He insisted that Amaewhule and 24 others are not members of the Assembly, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in December 2023.
The factional speaker stated that the Assembly led by him, is the legally recognised section, which of course manages the statutory allocation of the house.
Oko-Jumbo explained that Governor Fubara had duly presented the said appropriation bill to the house when Edison Ehie was the speaker and that same was passed and signed into law.
He said the house is awaiting the presentation of the medium-term expenditure framework ahead of the 2025 fiscal year.
He urged the public to ignore the Amaewhule pronouncement and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to without delay conduct the bye-election to fill the 25 vacant seats in the house.
TVN recalls that on Monday, the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, during plenary on Monday, announced the shutdown of all expenditures until Governor Siminalayi Fubara presents his budget before the House.
Oko-Jumbo Assembly counters Amaewhule, declares faction illegal
Expert forecasts $288.8m growth in Nigeria’s data centre market
The Nigerian data centre market is projected to grow from its current $131.6 million to $288.8 million by 2027, according to an expert.
The Enterprise Sales Director for Central Africa, Vertiv, Gbenga Adebowale, said the market is set for a dramatic expansion as the sector recovers and adapts to post-pandemic realities.
Adebowale emphasised the market value is expected to rise from $131.6 million in 2022 to $288.8 million by 2027.
This was contained in a statement made available to According Online on Tuesday.
He highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work environment, which accelerated the shift to remote and hybrid work models.
He said, “With the market value expected to soar from $131.6 million in 2022 to $288.8 million by 2027, the country’s data infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation to meet rising demands.”
This transition, according to Adebowale, has increased the pressure on network infrastructures, necessitating robust and scalable data centre solutions.
“Constantly changing capacity demands, external market forces, and the ramping up of compute-intensive applications, such as AI and machine learning, have combined to exert unprecedented pressure on data centres and networks.
“To address these challenges, many Nigerian businesses are turning to prefabricated modular data centres. These solutions are gaining popularity for their rapid deployment, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Unlike traditional data centre builds, PFMs are factory-built, ensuring high reliability and repeatability. They can be deployed quickly, meeting urgent capacity needs without the delays associated with conventional construction methods.
“The benefits of PFMs are evident in their ability to scale. Organizations can add capacity incrementally, reducing energy use, costs, and carbon footprint. Additionally, these modular solutions can be customized to specific needs and are adaptable to various architectures, including high-density computing and liquid cooling”, Adebowale said.
He added that colocation services, which account for more than half of Nigeria’s data centre market, are also a key driver of growth.
“These services provide businesses with enhanced security, convenience, and reduced power interruptions, making them an attractive option for companies looking to expand their digital footprint. The global colocation market mirrors this trend, with projections indicating growth at a 6.5% CAGR through 2027, reaching $136 billion by 2028.
“As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, the demand for advanced data centre solutions is expected to rise. Prefabricated modular data centres offer a lifeline for businesses, enabling them to meet increasing capacity requirements efficiently and cost-effectively. This growth trajectory underscores the critical role of digital infrastructure in supporting the nation’s economic development and technological advancement.
“There is no question that for enterprise data centres looking to add compute, power, or cooling in smaller increments, modular solutions represent a lifeline that can mitigate urgent capacity demands and facilitate lasting growth. With the data centre market set to double, Nigeria is well-positioned to become a leading player in the African technology landscape”, he concluded.
A’Ibom gov, Eno, voices concerns over implementation of S’Court’s ruling on LG autonomy
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has welcomed the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, emphasizing its significance while expressing reservations about its practical implementation.
Speaking to Government House correspondents at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo upon his return from an official engagement on Monday, Governor Eno lauded the Supreme Court’s decision as a pivotal moment for local governance across the nation.
He described the ruling as a relief to state governments, underscoring its importance in ensuring that local authorities can independently manage their financial affairs.
“The Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy is a landmark decision, and it is binding. This is a positive development, especially considering the substantial support our state provides to local governments,” Governor Eno stated.
However, amidst his praise for the autonomy ruling, Governor Eno raised concerns about the challenges that could arise in its implementation. He highlighted the crucial issue of ensuring that local governments can effectively handle their financial responsibilities, particularly in promptly paying salaries and addressing arrears owed to teachers, health workers, and other local government employees.
Read also: CJN Ariwoola vows to uphold judicial independence, impartiality
“Our concern now is how local government workers, especially teachers and health workers, will receive timely payments without accumulating arrears that could burden future administrations,” Governor Eno remarked. “Since assuming office, we have ensured that local governments receive their allocations without interference, but now the focus shifts to their capability under this new autonomy.”
Governor Eno further expressed confidence in finding viable solutions to the challenges posed by the autonomy ruling, urging collaborative efforts to ensure its smooth implementation across Akwa Ibom State.
“The Supreme Court has spoken, and now we must strategize to uphold the integrity of this decision while ensuring our local governments thrive,” he added.
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Court declines Emefiele’s request for UK medical trip
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT in Maitama, has declined an application by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele asking permission to travel to the United Kingdom UK for a medical check-up.
Justice Hamza Muazu, in a ruling on Tuesday, held among others that Emefiele failed to supply sufficient materials to show that the medical trip was essential and unavoidable.
Justice Muazu found that while Emefiele claimed there was an invitation for him to travel to the UK for medical attention, he failed to tender a copy of the said invitation in court.
The judge also found that Emefiele did not show that his ailment could not be attended to in the country.
Court declines Emefiele’s request for UK medical trip
JAMB begins 2024 admission process, holds policy meeting Thursday
The Joint Admission Matriculation Board has disclosed that all the processes for the commencement of admission into tertiary institutions have been put in place.
In the board’s weekly news bulletin published on X on Monday, JAMB also revealed that the 2024 edition of the annual policy meeting will be held on Thursday.
According to the bulletin, the Minister of Education, Tahir Mamman, will chair the 2024 policy meeting, slated for July 18, in Abuja.
The policy meeting will authorise the commencement of this year’s admission.
“This year’s exercise will also feature the National Tertiary Admissions’ Performance-Merit Award, NATAP-M Awards, where the overall winner will receive N500 million, and other consolation winners will share N250 million collectively.
“The policy meeting, usually attended by vice-chancellors of universities, rectors of polytechnics, mono-technics and innovation enterprise institutes, provosts of colleges of education, and other critical stakeholders, will consider and approve the guidelines for the 2024 admission exercise.
“The meeting will review the performance of the 2023 admissions exercise and the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME performance of candidates. The minimum admission scores, an aggregation of individual institutions’ submissions, will be approved at the meeting,” the bulletin reads.
It added, “This is not a cut-off mark, as often misconstrued, but a minimum score that no institution should go below. The decisions made at the meeting, chaired by the Minister of Education, form the guiding norms for admission and are a collective decision, not solely that of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
“No institution is expected to commence the admission process until after the policy meeting, as the guidelines regulating the year’s admission exercise are determined at the meeting with the endorsement of the Minister of Education.
“The meeting declares the commencement of the year’s admission exercise, setting the grand norms, and any institution that violates these collective norms will face sanctions.”
BREAKING: Kano Assembly passes bill to create second-class emirates
The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kano State Emirates Council Establishment Bill 2024 after the bill scaled a third reading.
The bill was sponsored by a lawmaker representing the Rimin Gado/Tofa state constituency, Muhammad Bello Bututu.
The bill seeks to establish Kano as a first-class emirate while Rano, Gaya and Karaye would remain second-class emirates.
According to the bill, Emirs of the three second-class emirates would be answerable to the Emir of Kano and shall have powers to advise him on any matter relating to the maintenance of public order, boundary dispute or dispute between two or more people within their areas of jurisdiction.
Details later…
BREAKING: Kano Assembly passes bill to create second-class emirates
Kano assembly passes bill to create second class emirates
Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill into law for the establishment of 2nd class Emirates in the state.
It would be recalled that the House took the first reading of the bill before embarking on recess, which they resumed yesterday.
After the second and third reading of the bill, the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Butubutu, moved for its adoption and passage during its plenary presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Falgore.
The new second-class emirates to be created include Rano Emirate: Rano-Bunkure, Kibiya; Karaye Emirate: Karaye-Rogo; Gaya Emirate: Gaya-Ajingi, Albasu.
It should be recalled that the Kano State Government has been embroiled in an Emirship tussle for two years with Emir Muhammad Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero contesting the position.
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