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Tag: Federal Government of Nigeria

  • NANS to FG: Include varsity students in cash transfer programme

    NANS to FG: Include varsity students in cash transfer programme

    The largest students’ group, the National Association of Nigerian Students has appealed to the Federal Government to add indigent students of tertiary institutions on its Conditional Cash Transfer programme.

    This appeal was made by the NANS President, Sunday Asefon in a New Year statement issued on Saturday and made available to newsmen.

    According to the NANS president, the association would launch an e-platform for Nigerian students to report cases of sexual harassment, intimidation, wrongful suspension or expulsion, amongst others in 2021.

    He said, “Another great issue of importance to us in 2021 shall be advocacy to have indigent tertiary institution students on the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer programme. This, we believe, will go a long way in assisting the active demography of our population. This also must be seen as an investment in the future.

    “The students have been marginalised in the various programmes of government towards combating the harsh economic realities but we believe that students can also be considered in all these intervention programmes without altering the budgets.

    “Since this intervention will be aimed at indigent students and carried out with the assistance of tertiary institution managements, it will be easy to manage.”

    The PUNCH had earlier reported that during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, toured most states to flag-off the conditional cash transfer of N20,000 to the poor and vulnerable.

    The National Cash Transfer Programme, which commenced in 2016, is one of the four social investment programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria. Beneficiaries of the programme are mined from the National Social Register comprising State Social Registers of poor and vulnerable households.

  • ASUU rejects BVN condition for salary payment

    ASUU rejects BVN condition for salary payment

    Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have rejected the submission of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) as part of conditions for the payment of their February and March salaries.

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday ordered the payment of withheld salaries to the striking ASUU members on compassionate ground, according to Labour and Employment Minister, Dr. Chris Ngige.

    Dr. Ngige said the lecturers will be paid once vice chancellors update the BVN of lecturers in their institutions.

    The February and March salaries of the varsity teachers were being withheld for failing to enroll for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

    They began an indefinite strike on March 23 to protest the imposition of the IPPIS on the varsity system and the failure of the Federal Government address outstanding issues raised in the FGN-ASUU 2019 Memorandum of Action.

    ASUU rejected the application of force on its members to join the IPPIS, in spite of its offer of a more credible alternative to IPPIS.

    But, ASUU said on Wednesday it has rejected the submission of BVN as a condition for the payment of the withheld salaries.

    Its National President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the condition did not go down well with his members.

    According to Ogunyemi, ASUU had been told that the Federal Government has approved the payment of the withheld salaries to its members.

    He said: “We appreciate Mr President for doing that. However, withholding February and March salaries was unnecessary in the first place.

    “In the second place, the issue is the condition attached to it, which does not go down well with our members, which is the supply of their BVN. Our members are being paid in the past without asking for their BVN.

    “So, we have reasons to suspect that this is an indirect way to get us back to IPPIS, which our members rejected. These are things we are going to clarify with the government whenever we are called for a meeting.”

  • BREAKING: FG imposes travel ban on 13 countries

    BREAKING: FG imposes travel ban on 13 countries

    Following the widespread of Coronavirus and its recent positive case in Enugu, Nigeria, the Federal Government has issued a travel ban on 13 countries.

    This announcement was made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha at a media briefing on Wednesday.

    The affected countries are the United State of America, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Iran, Switzerland, Norway, Netherland, France, South Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain.

    Details later

  • North ranks highest in poverty and illiteracy levels, says FG

    North ranks highest in poverty and illiteracy levels, says FG

    The Federal Government of Nigeria on Sunday has disclosed in Katsina that the northen part of the country ranks highest in the country’s poverty and literacy index.

    The Federal Government further added that it has been churning out initiatives that are directly targeted at not only improving the lots of the poverty-stricken citizens but also addressing other numerous social problems bedevilling the country and the north particularly.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Miriam Yalwaji Katagun during the launch of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Area Office complex located on Dandagoro Road, Katsina.

    The minister also disclosed that illiteracy, poverty and unemployment in the north and indeed in Nigeria can be reduced by creating the necessary infrastructure for the capacity building of Nigerians.

    She said: “You will recall that during his address marking the June 12 celebration of 2019, the president made a commitment to the nation that his administration will strive to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

    ”True to his promise, the president has been churning out initiatives that are directly targeted at not only improving the lot of the poverty-stricken in the country but also address other numerous social problems bedevilling the country, particularly the north.

    ”According to statistics, there are about 13-14 million out of school children in the north today. The region also ranks highest in terms of poverty and illiteracy levels. It is in this regard that I commend the ITF for its efforts to expand its existing infrastructure in order for more Nigerians to access its services.”

    Also speaking at the event, the Director General of ITF, Sir Joseph N. Ari, maintained the new ITF area office is expected to boost the output of the staff of the area office and make the activities of the fund more visible and impactful in Katsina State.

  • Bishop Kukah slams Buhari led administration, says Only bomb differentiates FG from Boko Haram

    Bishop Kukah slams Buhari led administration, says Only bomb differentiates FG from Boko Haram

    Bishop Matthew Kukah, the Catholic bishop of Sokoto diocese has slammed the Federal Government saying bomb is the only difference between Boko Haram and government.

    This statement was uttered by Bishop Matthew Kukah while addressing guests at the Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need event in the UK.

    WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that a video depicting the killing of 11 Christians in Nigeria to avenge the death of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi who was killed in October during a US raid in Syria has been released by the Islamic State Group in Nigeria.

    In his speech, the Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese disclosed that the inability of the Federal Government to tackle Boko Haram led to its increased operation.

    Kukah said;

    “The only difference between the government and Boko Haram is (that) Boko Haram is holding a bomb.

    “They are using the levers of power to secure the supremacy of Islam, which then gives more weight to the idea that it can be achieved by violence. With the situation in Nigeria, it is hard to see the moral basis they have to defeat Boko Haram.

    “They have created the conditions to make it possible for Boko Haram to behave the way they are behaving.

    “If those in authority do not do enough to integrate Christians, then they give oxygen to Islamism.

    “If they have countries where everybody is Muslim in power, then you give vent to the idea that Islam should be supreme.”

  • Ghanaian government ‘evicts’ Nigerian High Commission in Accra

    Ghanaian government ‘evicts’ Nigerian High Commission in Accra

    Ghanaian government has forcefully evicted the Nigerian High Commission from its diplomatic property in Ghana.

    This was revealed in a statement released by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana Michael Olufemi Abikoye on December 31, 2019.

    WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the property located at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra was reallocated to Amaco Microfinance since 26 August, 2019 by Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with the consent of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

    Reacting to the issue, the Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the Nigerian Government failed to renew the property following expiration, Abikoye said the reallocation came after continuous violation of the diplomatic property.

    The Nigerian High Commissioner said;

    “A terse letter dated 27th December, 2019, was received from Solicitors acting on behalf of Amaco Microfinance Company Limited, Accra, giving instructions for the High Commission to vacate its diplomatic property at No.10 Barnes Road, Accra.

    “The letter further stressed that; failure to comply within stipulated time will lead to depositing the Mission’s belongings at the nearest Accra police station.

    “As at 31st December, 2019, the property has been broken into by the company and is being ransacked with the likelihood of being effectively occupied.

    “The reallocation was done without recourse to the High Commission despite having requested severally for “a mutual resolution of the matter, affirming that Nigerian Government is examining the situation and that an appropriate directive was being awaited.”

    However reacting to the development, the Federal Government insisted that the High Commission of Nigeria in Ghana was neither evicted from its chancery nor its residence.

    According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ferdinand Nwonye, the lease agreement which was signed between the Nigerian Ministry of Finance and the Ghanaian ministry long time ago expired in August, 2019.

    He said; “But we are working on it and there is no cause for alarm.

    “It is not our chancery; it is not our residence, it is just one of our official quarters and has been unoccupied for some time.

    “Though we have some items inside it, but no one is occupying it”

  • We have not fixed a date for reopening of borders – FG

    We have not fixed a date for reopening of borders – FG

    Inspite of negative reactions and condemnation from some Nigerians on the border closure, the Federal Government has insisted that they have not been picked a particular date yet for reopening of the country’s land borders which were closed in August.

    The borders were closed to prevent smuggling of banned items as disclosed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Minister of state for industry, trade and investment, Mariam Katagum on Monday clearly stated while addressing newsmen that a date for the borders to be reopened would be fixed after until a joint patrol team setup by Nigeria and its neighbours submits its recommendations.

    Katagum said the joint team is made up of customs, air force and other security agencies of the countries.

    The minister said the recommendations of the team would tell if Benin Republic and Niger Republic have complied with trade protocols of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    “We had the strategic meeting with the three countries and what we agreed with our neighbors is to activate a joint border patrol and that border patrol comprising the customs, all the security agencies and ensure to try to follow the actual protocol laid by ECOWAS,” she said.

    “The committee met on November 25 and it is only when that committee is certain that all the countries are respecting the ECOWAS protocol that they will recommend a day for the opening of the border.”

    While reacting to the new development, the minister of industry, trade and investment, Richard Adebayo said the country’s automotive policy is being reviewed.

    Adebayo said January 28 has been fixed to get the input of auto stakeholders.

    The minister said a bill will be sent to the national assembly for the policy to become law.

  • No foreign airline operator will be allowed to treat Nigerians with disdain — FG

    No foreign airline operator will be allowed to treat Nigerians with disdain — FG

    The Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika, has said that no foreign airline operator will henceforth be allowed to treat Nigerian travellers with disdain.

    Sirika made the declaration on Saturday in Abuja in a statement signed by Mr James Odaudu, the Director of Public Affairs in the ministry.

    The minister further warned other airline operators to take a cue from the recent Turkish airlines experience.

    “Following the threat by the nation’s aviation regulators to ban its operations in Nigeria, Turkish Airlines last night flew into Abuja with a bigger aircraft A330 as against the usual smaller B737.

    “Officials of the airline, alarmed by the prospect of losing their Nigerian market, had rushed into a meeting with the Nigerian authorities to pledge total commitment“ he said.

    The minister also noted that the organisation had tried to comply with the conditions given to it in order to continue its operations in Nigeria.

    According to him, Turkish airlines has been notorious for the shabby treatment of Nigerian travellers over time, especially when they have to arrive their destinations without their checked-in luggage.

    He added that such behaviours by the airline had always given rise to security issues at the airports with protests by affected passengers.

    The minister, however, said the airline had now shown commitment to improve its treatment of Nigerian travellers by operating into the Nation’s capital with a bigger and more comfortable aircraft.

    He noted that the situation did not need to arise in the first place with the Airline waiting for the strong-arm handling before doing the right thing.

    Sirika promised Nigerians better flying experiences as the nation’s aviation industry was set to undergo major developments in the coming years with the implementation of the stakeholder-developed roadmap.

  • We are pursuing El-zakzaky’s case through diplomatic contacts – Iran

    We are pursuing El-zakzaky’s case through diplomatic contacts – Iran

    The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of Iran has disclosed that the case of Nigeria’s top Shia cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has been constantly pursued through diplomatic contacts with the Nigerian government in line with efforts to help improve his health.

    While addresing reporters in Tehran on Sunday, Abbas Mousavi revealed that President Buhari and Iranian Vice President for Economic Affairs, Mohammad Nahavandian recently met in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on a range of issues, including Zakzaky’s case.

    According to reports, meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th Summit of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Equatorial Guinea. “We hope that the consultations and arrangements that are being made will expedite the settlement of this issue,” the Iranian official said.

    Sheikh Zakzaky, who is in his mid-sixties, has been under arrest since December 2015, when his home in the town of Zaria was raided by Nigerian forces.

    Three of his sons were killed, his wife sustained serious wounds. Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) regularly take to the streets of Abuja and several other cities to call for the release of Sheikh Zakzaky.

    Last week Nigerian authorities transferred Zakzaky and his wife to the Correctional Center in Kaduna state, following a high court ruling. Earlier on Sunday, Sheikh Zakzaky’s daughter, Suhailah, expressed concerns about her parents’ health conditions and said the Nigerian government had ignored her father’s legal right to treatment.

    At a press conference in Tehran, she added that the same court, which had issued a verdict on the necessity for the urgent treatment of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, on December 5 ordered their transfer to the Correctional Center in Kaduna. She said she knew nothing about her parents’ situation in the prison.

    Suhailah said her father has suffered several bouts of heart attack due to numerous medical conditions and her mother is not able to walk.

    Sheikh Zakzaky, his daughter said, also suffers from lead and cadmium poisoning, which forced the Nigerian authorities to allow him to travel to India for an aborted treatment.

  • FG suspends fuel supply to stations within 20km of Nigerian land borders

    FG suspends fuel supply to stations within 20km of Nigerian land borders

    The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that the Federal Government directed that petroleum products should not be supplied to fuel stations within 20km of the borders.

    This directive was contained in a memo issued by the Customs Comptroller General, Hammed Ali dated November 6th.

    WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the directive would also be carried out under the ongoing Operation Swift Response which is supervising the land border closure.

    “The Comptroller-General of Customs has directed that henceforth no petroleum product no matter the tank size is permitted to be discharged in any filling station with 20 kilometres to the border,” the memo signed by Chidi A., the deputy comptroller general for enforcement, investigation and inspection, read.

    “Consequently, you are all to ensure strict and immediate compliance, please.”  Maikanti Baru, the former group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), had raised an alarm about the increasing number of filling stations in border towns saying they are funnels for fuel smuggling to neighbouring countries.

    “There is a thriving market for Nigerian petrol in all the neighbouring countries of Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad and Togo and even Ghana which has no direct borders with Nigeria.”

    The NNPC GMD had said 16 states, having a total of 61 LGAs with border communities account for 2,201 registered fuel stations and a combined capacity of 144,998,700 litres of petrol.