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The PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have set up a reconciliatory committee to meet with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over the fallout of the party’s presidential primary and crisis trailing the nomination of a running mate.

The committee is to be headed by the party’s presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and has 13 PDP governors as members.

Chairman of the party’s BOT, Senator Walid Jibril, made the announcement in a statement yesterday, saying the visit to Governor Wike would take place immediately after Atiku and the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, return to the country from their vacation abroad.

According to the BOT chairman, the reconciliatory committee will also comprise the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, as well as Ayu and members of the PDP National Working Committee. Others include former PDP governors and ministers, as well as party elders from various zones and states in the country.

Senator Jibrin described Governor Wike as a very responsible and obedient PDP member who assisted tremendously in building the party to its present status. Ahead of the reconciliatory meeting with the governor, he appealed to party members in Rivers not to leave the party and shun comments aimed at reducing and running down the party.

Why President Buhari Reappointed Patience Oniha as DG of Debt Management Office

Finance, National News, News

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reappointment of Patience Oniha as the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO) for the second term of 5 years with effect from Friday, July 1, 2022.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Thursday, he stated that the reappointment was in accordance with Section IV (9-i) of the Debt Management Office (Establishment ETC) Act, 2003.

The reason for Patience Oniha’s appointment was because of her successful issuance of Nigeria’s debut USD500 million Eurobond in January 2011. The debut Eurobond opened a new source of funding for the Federal Government and Corporates. In 2013, she also managed the issuance of the dual-tranche USD1 billion Eurobond which was subscribed to the tune of about 400%.

Patience Oniha/ Photo Credit: The Guardian Newspaper

Furthermore, she was responsible for the inclusion of FGN Bonds in the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index – Emerging Markets (GBI – EM) in October 2012 which made Nigeria the second country in Africa, after South Africa to have its local currency sovereign bond included in the Index. The inclusion of FGN bonds in this Index attracted foreign investors to the domestic bond market as a whole. This was followed by the inclusion of FGN Bonds in the Barclays Capital Emerging Markets – Local Currency Government Bond Index (EM – LCBI) in March 2013.

While still at the DMO, Oniha was appointed as the Head of the Efficiency Unit at the Federal Ministry of Finance. To execute the mandate of the Unit which was to moderate the Government’s Overhead Expenditure and generate savings from the procurement process.

Oniha introduced a number of initiatives. Amongst them was the issuance of 7 Circulars to control expenditure on specific Overhead items and the negotiation of discounts with airlines. These delivered savings estimated at N17 billion to the Government. She was working on the introduction of new processes for payment and procurements when she was appointed Director-General of DMO with effect from July 1, 2017.

Organized Labour Movement Set for a One-Day Nationwide Protest, NLC Consents

National News, News, Nigeria

ASUU strike, NLC

The organized labour under the favour of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared its aim to organize a one-day nationwide protest.

While addressing a meeting of the National Executive Council at Abuja, yesterday, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, expressed disappointment over the continued closure of the country’s tertiary institutions due to unresolved labour dispute between the federal government and workers’ union.

“For four months and running, the children of the poor have remained at home,” Mr. Wabba said.

“Today as we speak, Diesel is selling for more than N800 per litre. There is no way this situation can be allowed to continue.

“So I think there’s an urgency in addressing this issue.

Additionally, the NCL President said that the Central Working Committee has concluded a one-day strike to resolve the issue.

“And therefore, the central working committee decided that there will be a one-day national protest to call the attention of the government to resolve this issue immediately”. He said.

He also lamented that the only way of solving the current fuel scarcity is to promote local refining in the country.

Missing Certificates: Senator Bola Tinubu’s Choice for Vice-President, Unable to Find School Certificates

National News, News, Nigeria, Politics

Chicago State University

In an effort to meet the deadline for the submission of nomination forms of presidential candidates for next year’s election, the vice-presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Ibrahim Masari has been unable to present his certificates to the National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Form EC9 bearing Masari’s particulars revealed that he did not attach any certificate in support of his educational qualifications. Masari, rather, attached a sworn affidavit claiming the loss of vital documents, including his school certificates.

Masari claimed to have lost his certificates alongside other documents last July in Abuja.

The sworn affidavit presented to the Supreme Court, Abuja, stated thus, “That sometime in January 2021, while on transit within Wuse Area, FCT-Abuja, I discovered that my original Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of Plot, No. KT 17522, GRA, Katsina, Katsina State; Certificate of Kaduna State Development Centre from 1994 – 1995; Grade ll Certificate from Katsina Teachers’ College (KTC) from 1978-1983 and First Leaving School Certificate, issued by Masari Primary, Katsina State, from 1972-1978, got lost.”

According to Masari, “all efforts to trace the documents proved abortive, hence, the affidavit”.

However, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma said the certificate debate around his party’s presidential duo was of little or no importance, stressing that Tinubu’s past electoral records would suffice.

He said, “Well, all the things so mentioned are entirely party challenges that will be resolved. But, for my presidential candidate, the issue of a certificate shouldn’t even arise. In 1999, he contested elections and became the governor of Lagos, and in 2003, he contested the election for second-term governor of Lagos”.

The Governor also said that Bola Tinubu had run and won as a senator in the country.

President Buhari Travels to London to Receive National Award

International, National News, News, Nigeria

Mohammadu Buhari, Portugal

President Mohammadu Buhari has traveled to Lisbon, London to be conferred with the country’s National Honour and be decorated with the ‘Great Collar of the Order of Prince Henry’.

President Buhari will also visit the Portuguese Parliament and hold discussions with its president, Dr. Augusto Santo Silva, as well as the Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa.

The President is also expected to address a Forum of Nigerian and Portugues Businessmen.

According to a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, he said, “Buhari, during the visit, will address a Forum of Nigerian and Portuguese businessmen and hold separate meetings with select Portuguese Chief Executive Officers and prospective investors in Nigeria”.

Gabu also stated that during this visit, President Buhari will also participate in the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference, which began in Lisbon on Monday, June 27, and will end on July 1.

“The Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of Kenya and Portugal and supported by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), aims to accelerate the adoption of science-based innovative solutions to challenges facing oceans and the global marine ecosystem’.

Tanker Explosion: Three Dead others Injured in Kogi State-FRSC

National News, News, Nigeria

FRSC, Kogi State, Travels

Three people were burnt dead, while two others sustained an injury on late Monday night when a fully loaded petrol tanker burst into flames after a brake failure in Lokoja-Felele-Abuja Road in Kogi State.

According to Stephen Dawulung, Kogi State FRSC Sector Commander, the incident occurred at Felele quarters on the Lokoja-Kabba road around 8:17 p.m.

Mr. Dawulung explained that the tanker was fully loaded with diesel and while descending the sloppy section of the road it experienced brake failure which resulted in a clash with a Dyna pick-up van. It later burst into flames after a crash, killing three persons.

“The fire of the crashed tanker resulted in the burning of two other trailers and a Dyna pick-up van on the road. Three persons were burnt to death while two other victims were rescued with burns and rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for medical attention, and the corpse was deposited at the mortuary,” Mr. Dawulung said”.

“At that point, traffic became standstill due to the magnitude of the fire until it subsided, making operatives of FRSC conduct traffic control and clear the hold-up”.

The FRSC officer blamed the tanker driver for “dangerous driving.”

Mr. Dawulung advised drivers of articulated vehicles, especially those carrying flammable substances, to be cautious and drive within the regulated speed limit.

“They (drivers) must also maintain all vehicle safety protocols like the use of safety valves to prevent spillage of content in the event of a crash,” he stated.

The commander, however, directed a full investigation of the crash as he sympathized with the bereaved and families of the injured.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, next in line in the hierarchy of the Supreme Court, was sworn in by President

What You Should know about the New Acting Chief Judge of Nigeria

National News, News, Nigeria, Politics

CJN, Justice Olukayode Arwoola, Nigeria, Supreme court

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, next in line in the hierarchy of the Supreme Court, was sworn in by President Mohammadu Buhari as the 18th Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), on Monday, June 27.

Ariwoola, who would be 68 years by August this year, has assumed the position that saddles him with the responsibility of appointing judges and justices that would handle election petitions that would likely arise from the 2023 general election.

Justice Ariwoola was born on August 22, 1958, he hails from Iseyin, Oyo State.

He started his education in Iseyin at the Local Authority Demonstration School, Oluwole, Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, where he finished his primary education in 1967, and he also attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he received an LL.B. degree in Islamic Law, from 1976 to 1980. He later obtained an LL.M. degree and a Ph.D. in law from the same university in 1985 and 1998 respectively.

Tanko was called to the bar in 1981, the same year he graduated from the Nigerian Law School, and began his career in 1982. Below are his professional appointment and positions.

Magistrate Grade II with Bauchi State Judiciary (1982 – 1984)
Magistrate Grade I & Ag. Snr Magistrate Grade II ( 1984 – 1986)
Senior Magistrate II (May 1986 – July 1986)
Provost, College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Bauchi (1986 to 1989)
Deputy Chief Registrar/Chief Magistrate, FCT High Court (1989 – 1991)
Judge (Kadi), Bauchi Region Sharia Court of Appeal (1991 – 1993)
Justice of the Court of Appeal (1993 – 2006)

Furthermore, He was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2006 but was sworn in on January 7, 2007. He formally resigned as the CJN on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Senate Passes Public Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill

National News, News

election, senate

The Senate has passed the Public-Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill, 2022.

The Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of Nigeria Establishment Bill, 2022, was also passed. The passage followed the consideration and adoption of separate reports of the Committees on Works and Establishment and Public Service.

Senator Emmanuel Orker-Jev (PDP- Benue) said the Chartered Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill sought to provide the requisite legal and institutional framework for the Institute and expected to provide the necessary legal regime for the effective specialisation, standardisation and professionalism of the field of engineering in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Public-Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill, 2022, was presented by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi ). The bill seeks to strengthen and enhance the supervisory role of the commission and position it in regulating the participation of the public and private sectors.

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Senate Okays Establishment of Four Medical Centres, Amends Teaching Hospitals Act

National News, News

federal governmnet, senate

The Senate has passed four bills to establish Federal Medical Centres in four states across the country.

The medical centres would be established in Osogbo, Osun State; Onitsha, Anambra State; Gada, Sokoto State; and Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, respectively. The passage of the bills to establish the Medical Centres followed the consideration of four separate reports by the Committee on Health Secondary and Tertiary.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe -APC, Kwara Central, in his presentations, said that the medical centres would be equipped with facilities for diagnostic treatment and rehabilitation at the tertiary levels, adding that the centres would also serve as facilities for training of health professionals and conduct advance health research.

In a related development, the Senate had passed a bill to amend the Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Act 2004. Oloriegbe, in a separate presentation on a report by the Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), explained that the amendment to the Teaching Hospitals Act, seeks to give full legislative recognition to the Federal University Lokoja Teaching Hospital.

The four bills to establish the federal medical centres, and the Bill to amend the Teaching Hospitals Act 2004, were all passed by the chamber during plenary, after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

Federal Government Insists on 165naira Pump Price, Advises Against Panic Buying

Business, National News, News

federal governmnet, Premium Motor Spirit, Pump Price

The Federal Government has said that the fixed pump price of Premium Motor Spirit -PMS remains 165 naira per litre as stipulated in the petroleum product pricing template.

The government also advised Nigerians against panic buying of PMS, also known as petrol, saying that the country currently had over two billion litres of PMS in various depots. This was made known by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority -NMDPRA, Nigerian National Petroleum Company -NNPC, and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company -PPMC after visiting jetties in Apapa, Lagos.

However, Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retail Infrastructure, NMDPRA Ugbugo Ukoha, maintained that petrol was a regulated product and urged marketers to comply with the pricing template. Ukoha said the conflict between Russia and Ukraine had led to an increment in the cost of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), which was a critical product used in transporting petroleum products from the depots to the retail outlets.

National News

Atiku Abubakar, PDP Board of Trustees, to Visit Nyesom Wike In Reconciliatory Move