| Source | Date | Story Title | Summary of Reports | Subject/Category | Website Link/Page Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 25, 2021 | Time for Delivery of COVID-19 Vaccines Not Known Yet, Says Ehanire | The Federal Government has disclosed that it cannot specifically state when the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines will arrive the country. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, told journalists at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja that the government was no longer sure when exactly the vaccines would arrive the country, saying the delivery of the vaccines is not in the hands of the Nigerian government. He stated thus: “We have been told to open an account with Afreximbank under the African Union; we have done that already successfully because we are going to pay for that part of the vaccine. The COVAX vaccine is free, at no cost to us, it is made from donations. So, COVAX begins to deliver before the end of February. And we hope that before the end of this month, it would be our turn or latest by beginning of next month.” He however reiterated that Nigeria is expecting the COVID-19 vaccines from three donor sources, which should satisfy the need of the country without having to procure. | COVID-19 Vaccines | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/25/time-for-delivery-of-covid-19-vaccines-not-known-yet-says-ehanire/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, February 25, 2021 | INEC Fixes Date For Ekiti Assembly Bye-Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, March 20, 2021, for the conduct of a bye-election for the vacant seat of Ekiti East Constituency 1 of Ekiti State. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, stated this on Wednesday, February 24 in Abuja at the end of the management meeting of the commission. According to him, the vacancy was due to the death of Hon. Adegbuyi Oluwajuwa Amos, the member representing Ekiti East Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly and the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the constituency by the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye. | Ekiti State House of Assembly, Bye-Election | https://dailytrust.com/inec-fixes-date-for-ekiti-assembly-by-election |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, February 25, 2021 | Wike Faults National Assembly’s Confirmation of ex-Service Chiefs as Ambassdors | Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Wednesday, February 24, faulted the National Assembly for confirming former service chiefs as ambassadors, insisting that it is unjustifiable to confirm officers who were sacked for poor performance. He stated that Nigerians were disappointed with the National Assembly for confirming the sacked service chiefs as envoys. Wike, who stated this when members of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta visited him at Government House, Port Harcourt, wondered why senators, who agreed with Nigerians on the poor performance of the service chiefs, cleared them for another sensitive appointment. According to him, “Most Nigerians are disappointed at the the Senate for that decision. Convey this to the National Assembly. We must be courageous in whatever we do. Everything must not be done on party affairs. Senators discussed and agreed that service chiefs should be dismissed because they were not performing. Now, the same people who couldn’t perform have been confirmed as ambassadors. What kind of country are we in? In anything we do, we must remember that there is tomorrow and our conscience must be key.” | Governor Wike, ex-Service Chiefs | https://guardian.ng/news/wike-faults-national-assemblys-confirmation-of-ex-service-chiefs-as-envoys/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 25, 2021 | House of Reps Urges FG to Lift Embargo Placed on Employment by MDAs | The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to lift the embargo placed on employment by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector in order to ameliorate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The House also called on members of the organised private sector to fill existing vacancies in order to reduce the rate of unemployment in the country, given the interventions it may have enjoyed from the Federal Government and other development partners. The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the motion moved by Hon. Sani Bala at the plenary on Wednesday, February 24. It urged the Federal Government to lift the embargo placed on employment by directing the Head of Service of the Federation to declare existing vacancies and direct the Federal Civil Service Commission to embark on recruitment exercise. Leading the debate, Bala recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, during the budget presentation in October 2020, announced an embargo on recruitment in MDAs. | House of Representatives | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/25/house-urges-fg-to-lift-embargo-placed-on-employment-by-mdas/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Thursday, February 25, 2021 | Hoodlums Disrupt APC Membership Registration in Oyo | A popular leader of the Oyo State Park Management has been alleged to have led a horde of hoodlums to Ward 12, Polling Units 5 and 6 at the Aliiwo area of Ibadan in Oyo state, where the ongoing membership revalidation/registration exercise of the All Progressives Congress was disrupted. Journalists gathered that the alleged invasion of the polling units by the union leader caused a commotion that led to the temporary stoppage of the exercise on Tuesday, February 23. The Publicity Secretary of the APC in the State, Dr Abdulazeez Olatunde, when contacted on Wednesday, February 24, confirmed the incident. Acoording to him, "What happened is a reflection of what is happening in the State. Nobody is safe; hoodlums have taken over everywhere. Security has collapsed and everything is turned upside down.” However, the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State, Mr Akeem Olatunji, when contacted, exonerated the ruling party from the disruption of the APC registration exercise. | Oyo State, APC, Membership Registration and Revalidation | https://punchng.com/hoodlums-disrupt-apc-membership-registration-in-oyo/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Senate Confirms Bawa as EFCC Chair | The Senate on Wednesday, February 24 approved the appointment of Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa, as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bawa was confirmed after being screened for over two hours by legislators, with the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan presiding over the exercise. President Muhamadu Buhari nominated Bawa about a week ago, requesting the Senate to confirm his appointment as new chairman of the anti-graft agency. EFCC had been under the leadership of Mr. Ahmed Umar in acting capacity since the suspension of the Commisison's former acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu | EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/24/breaking-senate-confirms-bawa-as-efcc-chair/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Zulum Confirms 10 Killed, 47 Injured in Rocket Attack on Maiduguri | The Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has confirmed that about 60 persons were affected by the rocket attack on Tuesday, February 23 in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. The governor stated that 10 persons were killed in the attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists. A press statement by the spokesman to the Governor, Mallam Isa Gusau, said the governor visited two hospitals on Wednesday, February 24 to sympathise with those injured in the attack. Gusau stated that after the Boko Haram insurgents fired shots from rocket propelled grenades (RPG) on parts of the town, 10 persons were killed and 47 others were injured. He disclosed that the shots, on Tuesday night, came from Kaleri, in the outskirts of Maiduguri, with grenades hitting Gwange and Adam Kolo communities, both densely populated areas in the inner city. According to the statement, most of the deaths occurred in Gwange, adding that one of the RPG shots hit a children’s playground in Gwange. The Governor expressed optimism that the Nigerian military will work hard to sustain its peace-building and stability efforts in ways that should ensure the insurgents do not take Marte again or any other part of the State. | Borno State, Rocket Attacks | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/24/zulum-confirms-10-killed-47-injured-in-rocket-attack-on-maiduguri/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 | Makinde Reopens Shasha Market, Victims to Get Palliatives | Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday, February 23 ordered the reopening of the Shasha market, a decision, he said, was taken in the best interest of the traders and for peace and harmony between the Yoruba and Hausa communities in the area. The market was shut down barely two weeks ago after the clash that ensued following the death of a cobbler. Makinde gave the directive for the reopening of the market during a peace meeting held with the leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities of Shasha at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. He stated that the decision to reopen the market was informed by the need for survival for the traders in the light of the declining economic situation. He added that due to the economic situation and the peculiarities associated with the State, the reopening of the market became imperative. The Deputy Inspector- General Police, (in charge of South-West), DIG David Falawiyo, who attended the meeting with the State Commissioner of Police in the, CP Ngozi Onadeko, noted that the police would continue to maintain surveillance and presence in the market while ensuring that peace and tranquillity would prevail. | Governor Seyi Makinde, Shasha market | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/24/makinde-reopens-shasha-market-victims-to-get-palliatives/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | APC Extends Membership Registration By 3 Weeks | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended its nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise by three weeks. Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John J. Akpanudoedehe in a statement on Sunday, February 21, said that the exercise which started on February 9, 2021, across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would now end on March 31. According to him, “In response to the demands across the states for an extension to allow accommodation of all prospective members, the party has therefore extended the nationwide membership registration exercise by a period of three (3) weeks. This extension will shift the end of the exercise to Wednesday 31st March, 2021. Additional disbursement of registration materials to meet up with the demands reported in most states has however commenced and will continue until the material needs of all the affected states are adequately met.” | APC, Membership Registration Exercise | https://dailytrust.com/apc-extends-membership-registration-by-3-weeks |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | PDP Divided Over Kaduna Local Government Poll | The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is divided over the local government elections in the State slated for May 15, 2021. Daily Trust gathered that the authentic executive of the party in a statement by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Abraham Catch, had challenged the composition of the existing Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM) saying that only a duly constituted electoral body could issue a date for the election. However, some PDP members under the umbrella of Kaduna PDP Restoration, kicked against the party’s position. Chairman of the group, Honorable Imam Lawal stated that the party’s Publicity Secretary’s statement was to mislead the public as it came from those who were allegedly not recognized under the “applicable laws” to run the party. He argued that only a self-acclaimed party leadership that had nothing to offer at the primary election of its party would be afraid of a local government election. He urged party members and supporters, as well as KADSIECOM and other relevant agencies to go ahead with the election processes. | Kaduna State, Local Government Polls | https://dailytrust.com/pdp-divided-over-kaduna-lg-poll |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | PDP Extends Tenure of Zonal Caretaker Committees | The National Working Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), has extended the tenure of the Zonal Caretaker Committees across the six geo-political zones until its next zonal congresses scheduled to hold on March 6. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, which explained that the decision of the NWC is sequel to the expiration of the tenure of the various caretaker committees. Meanwhile, the North Central Zonal Caretaker Committee has been charged with the responsibility of overseeing the affairs and administration of the Niger State Chapter of the party pending the holding of its State congress. The party urged leaders, members and teeming supporters to be guided by this development. | PDP, Zonal Caretaker Committees | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/22/pdp-extends-tenure-of-zonal-caretaker-committees/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | Niger Bandits Release Scores, Hold on to Kagara Schoolboys | Fifty-three abducted persons were set free on Sunday, February 21 by bandits operating in Niger State, even as 27 pupils of Government Science College, Kagara and 15 others abducted six days ago in Kagara are still being held hostage. The Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State Governor, Ms. Mary Berje, confirmed to THISDAY last night that 39 of those released were the balance of the 47 passengers on board the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) who were kidnapped days before the Kagara abduction. Eight of them had earlier been released. The 53 abductees released were handed over to the State government at an undisclosed location in Zamfara State. Meanwhile, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, told journalists that the abductors of the pupils have not made any monetary demand but that negotiations for the freedom of the boys are in top gear. | Niger State, Insecurity | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/22/niger-bandits-release-scores-hold-on-to-kagara-schoolboys/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | 68 CSOs Ask Buhari to Tackle Inecurity or Resign | A coalition of 68 civil society organisations (CSOs) has declared that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians in its primary duty of ensuring the security and welfare of citizens. In a joint statement released on Sunday, February 21, the CSOs stated that Nigeria is in dire straits as a result of criminal attacks and extra-judicial killings by state actors and called on Buhari to tackle the security challenges or resign. They stated that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Defence, has “callously abdicated its responsibility and called Nigerian citizens ‘cowards’ and urged Nigerians to defend themselves.” The group also stated thatkidnapping for ransom has assumed “an industrial and deadly scale never witnessed on the African continent” and that children are no longer safe in schools while communities are now “pauperised by terrorists who extort huge ransoms while murdering their hostages”. They also condemned the government’s “gross injustices” where peaceful protesters are threatened and attacked by security agencies while “criminal elements who murder, rape and kidnap Nigerians are granted amnesty and taxpayers’ money is used to pay terrorists. The coalition, therefore, asked the Federal Government to provide political and moral leadership for the security crisis and ensure governmental actions are humane in accordance with Section 17 (2)(C) of the 1999 NIgerian Constitution. The group demanded that if the President fails to fulfill his constitutional duties, he should step aside or the National Assembly should initiate impeachment proceedings against him. Noting that Nigeria is under-policed, they also asked that more security personnel should be employed, trained, and motivated to defend the country. Some of the CSOs include Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT); Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); Media Rights Agenda (MRA); Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD); Nigerian Women Trust Fund; BudgiT Foundation; Femi Falana Chamber; HEDA Resource Centre and Actionaid | CSOs, Insecurity | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/22/68-csos-ask-buhari-to-tackle-inecurity-or-resign/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, February 22, 2021 | Nothing Wrong in Dialoguing with Bandits, Says FG | The Federal Government has maintained that there is nothing wrong in dialoguing with bandits. Bandits had stormed the Government Science College (GSC) Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, and kidnapped several students, members of staff, and some members of their families. Governor Sani Bello of Niger State had noted that his government was doing everything to rescue the victims, including facilitating negotiations with the bandits. While speaking during a radio programme monitored by News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, February 21, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, responded to Nigerians who had spoken against the strategy of dialoguing with criminals. The minister insisted that nothing was wrong with dialoguing with bandits, as long as the ultimate objective is to make peace. He stated that, “After war, people still sit to dialogue. So if some people have taken it upon themselves to visit these people so that they can embrace peace, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.” Speaking further, he noted that the Federal Government would not pay any ransom to secure the release of abductees of GSC, Kagara. He also denied that ransom was paid to secure the release of over 300 school children abducted in Kankara, Katsina State. | Federal Government, Bandits | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/22/nothing-wrong-in-dialoguing-with-bandits-says-fg/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | Senate Moves to Repeal 96-year-old Quarantine Act | The Senate on Wednesday, February 17, considered a critical bill that would see to the eventual repeal of the obsolete Quarantine Act enacted in 1926, and help Nigeria deal with any impending outbreak of infectious and contagious diseases in the future. The Health Emergency Bill, 2021, which scaled second reading on the floor during plenary, also does not make it mandatory for any Nigerian to be subjected to forced immunisation. Sponsor of the bill, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu North), stated that the proposed legislation under consideration was informed by the challenges that confronted the nation regarding the co-ordination of national response measures to combat the dreadful coronavirus crisis. According to the lawmaker, the Executive in an attempt to scale the loopholes created as a result of the extant archaic Quarantine legislation, was compelled “to embark on a litany of subsidiary legislations to deal with certain exigencies” at the time. Utazi stated that the Health Emergency Bill, when passed and signed into law, would establish an updated comprehensive legal and administrative framework for handling outbreaks of infectious and contagious diseases that portend major threat to public health safety within Nigeria, or are likely to be transmitted into Nigeria or outside Nigerian borders, if quarantine or other emergency health measures are not taken by appropriate authorities to control spread or infection rate. | Health Emergency Bill, Quarantine Act 1926 | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/18/senate-moves-to-repeal-96-year-old-quarantine-act/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | School Abduction: FG, Niger Government In Talks With Kagara Kidnappers | The Federal and Niger State governments are using a third party to reach out to the bandits who abducted schoolboys and their teachers at the Government Science College Kagara, Daily Trust authoritatively gathered. The armed men raided the school in the early hours of Wednesday, February 17 and left with some students, staff and their families. Governor Sani Bello, who addressed the press on the incident stated that 27 students, three staff and 12 members of their families were abducted. The school has a population of over 1,000 students. One of the students, Benjamin Doma, was gunned down while trying to escape. The abductors reportedly led the students and teachers to the bush. The Kagara abduction was carried out less than three months after the kidnapping of over 300 students at Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in nearby Katsina State. The students were released few days after amidst allegations that a huge ransom was paid, a claim denied by the Federal and Katsina State governments. | Niger State, Government Science College Kagara | https://dailytrust.com/school-abduction-fg-niger-govt-in-talks-with-kagara-kidnappers |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | Insecurity: Governors Meet in Abuja | Governors of the 36 States of the Federation on the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) held a critical meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the worsening security situation in the country, on Wednesday, February 17. The meeting chaired by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was still ongoing as at press time last night. A statement announcing the meeting, issued by the Head, Media and Public Affairs, NGF, Mr. Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said the meeting, which will be the first physical one since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria has only one item on the agenda – security. | Nigeria Governors Forum, Insecurity | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/18/insecurity-governors-meet-in-abuja/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | Stand Up to Bandits, Defence Minister Charges Nigerians as 42 Abducted in Niger | Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), on Wednesday, February 17, rallied Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits who have turned kidnapping into a thriving business. Magashi, speaking against the backdrop of the abduction of 42 people, including pupils, from the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, told reporters in Abuja that the bandits were having a field day because they knew people in communities they attack would not fight back. Magashi, while fielding questions from reporters in Abuja, urged Nigerians to defend themselves against bandits and stop being cowardly. According to him, tackling the increasing insecurity in the country is the responsibility of all. He stated thus: “In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression. Why should people run away from minor aggression? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away.” The minister, however, said the government would protect the territorial integrity of the county and its people. | Minister of Defence | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/18/stand-up-to-bandits-defence-minister-charges-nigerians-as-42-abducted-in-niger/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | PDP Governors Reject Community Policing, Back State Police | Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, on Wednesday, February 17, declared that they have lost confidence in the neutrality and capacity of community policing to serve the purposes assigned to it in the Police Act 2020. Speaking shortly after their meeting in Abuja, they stated that the newly introduced community policing infrastructure was already being abused. A communiqué issued by Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, noted that Nigeria Police Act envisaged that community policing should serve as a decentralised measure of grassroots policing and various roles were assigned to various parties, including governors. The forum lamented that partisanship has taken over the recruitment process of the constitution and operation of community policing activities in the States. The forum urged President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a consultative meeting of Nigeria Police Council to appoint an Inspector General of Police whether in acting or permanent capacity as envisaged under the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). According to the communiqué, “The forum strongly recommended decentralisation of the Nigeria Police Force and introduction of state police in Nigeria, as one of the solutions to stem insecurity ravaging the country.” | PDP Governors, State Police | https://guardian.ng/news/pdp-govs-reject-community-policing-back-state-police/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 18, 2021 | IMF Backs CBN, Cautions against Cryptocurrency Transactions | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has cautioned against transacting in cryptocurrency, stating that regulating digital currency remains a concern not just to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but to other regulators around the world. The IMF Resident Representative for Nigeria, Mr. Ari Aisen stated this during a virtual media briefing on the Fund’s Article IV on Nigeria that was released last week. The CBN recently directed banks and other financial institutions to close accounts dealing in cryptocurrency or facilitating payment for cryptocurrency exchange, with immediate effect. It had also directed banks to expose any individual and entity running such accounts, warning that failure to adhere to the directives would attract strict sanctions. Responding to a question on CBN's action, Aisen noted that a lot has been changing regarding the payment system, stating that, “the issue with some of these cryptocurrencies is that perhaps some care should be taken about their activities and the use of cryptocurrencies." He added: “Actually, central banks, not only in Nigeria have this concern about what kind of activities cryptocurrencies might be supporting and how best to monitor those activities." | IMF, CBN, Cryptocurrency | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/18/imf-backs-cbn-cautions-against-cryptocurrency-transactions/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | #OccupyLekkiTollGate: Sanwo-Olu Demands Probe Of Officers Who Assaulted Protesters | The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed unhappiness with the harassment of #OccupyLekki tollgate protesters on Saturday, February 13. To this end, he has asked the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book. Daily Trust reports that despite the show of force by the police, some youths still stormed the tollgate to protest against the plan to re-open the facility. However, about 40 protesters, including popular comedian Debo Adebayo known as Mr. Macaroni, were arrested. Later, videos on social media emerged, showing the protesters molested, stripped and cramped into a rickety van. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Lekki Concession Company (LCC), Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategies, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, described the treatment meted to the protesters as a big embarrassment to the government. | #OccupyLekkiTollGate, Governor Sanwo-Olu | https://dailytrust.com/occupylekkitollgate-sanwo-olu-demands-probe-of-officers-who-assaulted-protesters |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | Kaduna, Oyo Hold Local Government Polls on May 15 | Kaduna and Oyo States have slated May 15 for the conduct of local government elections, the State electoral bodies disclosed this on Monday, February 15. Chairman of the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIECOM), Ibrahim Sambo, disclosed this while presenting the election timetable to political parties in the State. With the announcement, he stated that political parties are expected to conduct primaries between February 26 and March 28 to elect candidates for the elections. In Oyo State, Chairman of the Oyo State Independnet Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) , Abiola Olagunju (SAN), on Monday, February 15, disclosed that the local government elections in the State will be conducted on Saturday, May 15, 2021. He made this known at a press conference in Ibadan, stating that guidelines and time-table for the elections have been released. He called for total support and co-operation for the Commission to organise and conduct free, fair, credible and transparent local government elections in the State. He ststed that the Commission has been interfacing with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the voters’ register for the elections. The OYSIEC Chairman stated that serving caretaker council chairmen who want to contest the election should resign before the election. | Kaduna State, Oyo State, Local Government Elections | https://dailytrust.com/kaduna-oyo-hold-lg-polls-may-15 |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | Buhari Appoints Abdulrasheed Bawa As EFCC Chairman | President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, February 16. The statemnet read thus: “President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bawa, 40, is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes. He has undergone several specialized trainings in different parts of the world, and was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet Officers in 2005. Bawa holds a B.Sc degree in Economics, and Masters in International Affairs and Diplomacy.” Mohammed Umar, a director of the anti-graft agency has been leading the commission in acting capacity since Ibrahim Magu, its former Chairman, was arrested in July 2020. Magu, a Commissioner of Police, was suspended from office following allegations of abuse of office and corruption levelled against him. He denied all the allegations but a presidential panel led by former President of the Appeal Court, Justice Ayo Salami, probed him and recommended his dismissal from the EFCC. The panel, which submitted its report to President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2020, also asked the President to appoint a new EFCC Chairman in an interim position for two years. | EFCC Chairman | https://dailytrust.com/breaking-buhari-appoints-40-year-old-bawa-as-new-efcc-chairman |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | FG To Recruit 30,960 Community Security Officers | The Federal Government is to recruit 30,960 graduates as community security officers to drive the implementation of the Community Safety and Human Security Programme (CSHSP) policy in Nigeria. Each of the 774 Local Governments in the country will have 40 of the officers. Inaugurating a 17-man committee on CSHSP in Abuja on Monday, February 15, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Government Affairs, George Akume, stated that this was to strategise on ways to reduce crime and violence in the country. He stated that, “This is to expand the narratives and intelligence towards community safety, first at the local level which in most instances act as a springboard for all major violence and conflicts that escalate to national acrimony.” Akume, who chairs the committee, added that the programme was also designed to generate over 30,000 jobs for the youths and create skilled manpower for over 50,000 women across Nigeria. | Community Security Officers | https://dailytrust.com/fg-to-recruit-30960-community-security-officers |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | House Probes Disbursement of N96.19bn Special Intervention Funds to MDAs | The House of Representatives has ordered an investigation into the disbursement of the sum of N96,191,697,851 Special Interventions Funds (SIF) received by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) between 2015 and 2020. Moving the motion at plenary on Tuesday, February 16, Hon. Henry Nwawuba expressed concern that those agencies in charge of disbursing some of the special funds are unable to give proper accounts of how the monies were utilised. The House, therefore, directed its Committee on Finance to investigate the disbursement of funds received by agencies of the Federal Government from 2015 to 2020 with a view to ensuring that such funds were properly utilised. Nwawuba stated that, “Alleged fraudulent practices by agencies of government are sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government and, if left unchecked may lead to total collapse of the country’s economy.” He added that despite the huge amount of funds invested, citizens continue to undergo untold hardship. The lawmaker stressed that most of the funds were not captured in the appropriation processes, thus the National Assembly was not made aware of such monetary allocations. Nwawuba noted that despite the huge Ioans to boost the economy, Nigeria still slipped into its second recession in less than five years. | Special Interventions Funds (SIF) | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/16/house-probes-disbursement-of-n96-19bn-sif-to-mdas/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | Shasa Crisis: House Urges Police to Conduct Investigation | The House of Representatives has called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to conduct a speedy and thorough investigation into the recent violence that erupted in Shasa, Ibadan, Oyo State, to allow for prosecution and punishment of those who instigated and participated in the killings and destruction of property. The Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, stated this at the resumed plenary on Tuesday, February 16 and also mandated the House Committees on Police Affairs and Justice to communicate the parliament’s position to the Inspector General of Police (IG). The Speaker recalled that he spoke about the rising spate of insecurity and conflict across the country, adding that shortly after, and throughout the weekend, the warnings about the dangers facing the country manifested in Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria where an explosion of violence led to citizens’ death and the loss of hard-earned property. While commiserating with the government of Oyo State and families of those who lost their lives in this most unfortunate incident, he assured the people that the House would work, within the powers available to it, to prevent a recurrence not just in Oyo State, but across the country. | Shasa Crisis, House of Representatives | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/16/sasa-crisis-house-urges-police-to-conduct-investigation/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | Northern Elders Urge FG, States to Douse Ethnic Tension | The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on government at all levels and all stakeholders to de-escalate the prevailing ethnic tension in the country. The forum stated that continuing narratives, threats and comments from Nigerians, including elected officials, were raising fears and passions that could lead to a further breach of law and order. NEF, in a statement on Monday, February 15 by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, drew attention to the dangers of sustained attempts to raise tensions and create fears among Nigerians until, presumably, they lead to a major crisis involving groups and regions. The forum stated that in the last two weeks, along with others, it had appealed for restraint and respect for the law. It also stated that the nation was facing imminent threats from persons allegedly bent on pushing all Nigerians nearer to disaster, to help them achieve their nefarious goals. NEF reiterated its demands that Fulani who have broken no laws must be protected from abuse wherever they are. according to the statement, “We ask all governments to identify criminals among the Fulani and subject them to the laws of the land. | Northern Elders Forum | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/16/northern-elders-urge-fg-states-to-douse-ethnic-tension/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, Februrary 16, 2021 | FG to Activate Emergency Response against Ebola Disease | The Federal Government is set to take measures against a possible resurgence of Ebola disease in the country, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, has said. Following reports of confirmed cases of Ebola in the West African nation of Guinea, Ihekweazu said that a team of NCDC experts on Ebola disease has swung into action and would be issuing a public health advisory to Nigerians soon. NCDC gave hope of a safer response to the Ebola disease outbreak this time with the development of anti-Ebola vaccines. Speaking on Monday, February 15 at the media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on Control of COVID-19 in Abuja, the Ihekweazu stated that the agency had received reports of the outbreak of the dreaded Ebola disease in Guinea at the weekend. He stated that the government of Guinea had on February 14 reported an outbreak of Ebola in the country with seven cases. Ihekweazu added that Nigeria will take advantage of the news of the outbreak to increase surveillance at its borders with neighbouring countries. He added that unlike the situation during Ebola outbreak in 2014, there is now a vaccine against the disease. | Ebola Disease, Emergency Response | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/16/fg-to-activate-emergency-response-against-ebola-disease/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 15, 2021 | APC To Boycott Sokoto LG Election | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to boycott the forthcoming local government election in Sokoto State. The State chairman of the party, Isa Sadiq Achida, disclosed this on Sunday, February 14. He states thus: “Our position is due to the glaring fact that members of the State Independent Electoral Commission are all card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are always dancing to its tunes. In the light of these circumstances and after due consultations with all stakeholders of our party in the State, the Sokoto State chapter of the APC has resolved not to participate in the forthcoming local government elections.” Reacting to the development, the Secretary of the Commission, Nasir Yahya Isa, stated that the party only made the allegations to cover its main reason for boycotting the election which was lack of funds. He said the Sommission had convened three meetings but that “APC attended only one where all the parties pleaded with us to make forms affordable to their candidates which was done.” On the allegation that members of the Commission were PDP’s members, he stated that the Commission Chairman was not known in the State and did not even have a voter’s card, while other members have not been in politics. | Sokoto State, Locla Government Election, APC | https://dailytrust.com/apc-boycotts-sokoto-lg-election-2 |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 15, 2021 | Buhari: I Won’t Allow Ethnic Or Religious Groups To Stoke Violence | It will be recalled that Yoruba and Hausa residents of Shasa, in Ibadan, Oyo State, had clashed last week, resulting in the loss of lives and destruction of property. Following this, President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed not to allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups. In a statement issued on his behalf by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President condemned the ethnic violence in any part of the country. According to the statement, “President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed that his government will protect all religious and ethnic groups, whether majority or minority in line with its responsibility under the constitution. In a reaction to reports of breakout of violence in some parts of the country by some ethnic and sectional groups, President Buhari warned that the government will not allow any ethnic or religious group to stoke up hatred and violence against other groups. The President condemned such violence and gave assurance that his government will act decisively to stop the spread of any such violence. He appealed to religious and traditional leaders, as well governors and other elected leaders across the country to join hands with the Federal Government to ensure that communities in their domain are not splintered along ethnic and other primordial lines.” | Oyo State, Ethnic Violence | https://dailytrust.com/buhari-i-wont-allow-ethnic-or-religious-groups-to-stoke-violence |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, February 15, 2021 | Create Jobs to end Banditry, Defence Minister Charges Governors, Others | The Defence Minister, Maj-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.), has challenged State governors and other political office holders to tackle the increasing level of poverty and unemployment, by creating jobs, to check insecurity in the country. Speaking with journalists in Kano at the weekend, shortly after revalidating his All Progressives Congress (APC) membership at Galandanci Ward, Gwale Council, Magashi identified poverty and unemployment as major causes of kidnapping and other crimes. According to him, it behoves political leaders to provide enabling environment to gainfully engage the increasing jobless youths in the land. He stated thus: “Governors and other political office-holders must go back to their localities and fight poverty through creation of employment opportunities to stop banditry and other security issues being experienced in the hinterlands. I am the Minister of Defence and the defence of this country is entirely my responsibility. We have the mandate to ensure that the lives and property of people are protected. Let all the governors do their own obligations. They have so many things that they can do to stop this banditry and other security issues. Let all political office holders go back to their people and see what is happening there. There is poverty, neglect, no school, no healthcare centres. So, if they can concentrate on that alone, I think the nation will be better off." He added that, "Certainly, I admire the governors saying their minds. But we will all analyse it and come up with their ideas, so that the Federal Government will remain neutral on every issue that will divide this country. We will not be agents that will divide this country.” | Defence Minister, Banditry | https://guardian.ng/news/create-jobs-to-end-banditry-defence-minister-charges-govs-others/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 15, 2021 | Fresh Fuel Price Hike Will Cause Public Restiveness – PDP | The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday, February 13, stated that any fresh fuel price hike would amount to pushing already impoverished Nigerians to the wall and might cause public restiveness and acerbate agitations in the land. The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated thus: “Nigerians are groaning heavily under the weight of economic hardship and high costs occasioned by the unjustified increase in the price of fuel to an unbearable N170 per liter last November. There’s no way our compatriots can survive a further fuel price increase with its attendant increase in cost of goods and services, which will worsen the current agonising economic situation where over 90million citizens live in abject poverty with an alarming 23% unemployment rate and many more living below N500 a day.” | Fuel Price Hike, PDP | https://dailytrust.com/fresh-fuel-price-hike-will-cause-public-restiveness-pdp |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 15, 2021 | Oyo Crisis: 20 Buried In Ibadan, 5,000 Take Refuge | At least 11 people have been buried on Sunday, February 14 in the aftermath of the altercation between Hausa and Yoruba traders at Shasa Market in Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State. Also, about 5,000 Hausa traders, women and children displaced by the violence were still taking refuge at the residence of the Sarkin Shasa, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan. The Sarkin Sasa, who spoke with Daily Trust stated that 11 victims were prepared for burial in his compound. A source in the Hausa community stated that 20 victims were buried at the Akinyele Graveyard in the State capital. The charred remains of 8 other people killed during the crisis were still at the police station in the Shasha area, as of Sunday evening. According to journalists, there was still tension in the town, as traders from both sides count their losses. | Oyo Crisis | https://dailytrust.com/20-buried-in-ibadan-5000-take-refuge |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, February 12, 2021 | Governors to Partner With NPHCDA on COVID-19 Vaccines Procurement | Governors of the 36 States of the Federation are to partner with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on the procurement and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. In the communiqué of a meeting of State governors signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is also the Ekiti State governor, the governors urged all relevant agencies and public-spirited organisations involved in the procurement of vaccines to cooperate in ensuring that the injections arrive in the country early. Fayemi stated that the NGF soon inaugurate an advisory group of experts to provide high-level strategic guidance and support the NGF on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for the time being and in the local production of vaccines subsequently. The governors are also engaging directly with NPHCDA to ensure that the vaccines are administered equitably, first to workers who are on the frontlines of the pandemic. | COVID-19 Vaccines, NPHCDA | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/12/govs-to-partner-nphcda-on-covid-19-vaccines-procurement/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, February 12, 2021 | Court Sacks Ebonyi PDP Caretaker Committee | A Federal High Court in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Wednesday, February 10 sacked the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chaired by Elder Fred Udeogu, describing it as illegal. The presiding Judge, Justice Aluko Akintayo, ruled that the purported dissolution of the executive committee of the PDP in the State led by Onyekachi Nwebonyi, was not only absurd but inconsistent with the provisions of the party’s constitution, as well as the Nigerian Constitution. Justice Akintayo noted that the party acted harshly without any evidence of wrong doing against the plaintiff, adding that the defection of the State Governor, David Umahi, to the APC was in exercise of his fundamental human right of freedom of association, and cannot be a justifiable ground to remove the plaintiff from office. The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognise the purported caretaker committee constituted by the national leadership of the PDP in Ebonyi State. The plaintiff, Nnachi Okoro, had argued that his removal from office as the legal adviser of the PDP by virtue of the purported dissolution of the State Executive Committee of the party without fair hearing was contrary to the party’s constitution and the Nigerian Constitution. The court further ruled that in view of Section 2 of the PDP constitution, which is subject to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there was no justification for the leadership of the party to have breached its own constitution. | Ebonyi State, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/12/court-sacks-ebonyi-pdp-caretaker-committee/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, February 12, 2021 | Senate Invites CBN Governor, SEC DG over Cryptocurrency Ban | The Senate has summoned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda, to brief it on the opportunities and threats of cryptocurrencies on the country’s economy and security, following the apex bank’s recent directive stopping all financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies. The duo are to appear before the Senate joint Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions; ICT and Cybercrime, and Capital Market, chaired by Senators Uba Sani (APC Kaduna Central), Yakubu Oseni (APC Kogi East) and Ibikunle Amosun (APC Ogun Central), respectively. The joint committee has two weeks to report back to the Senate plenary. The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion entitled: ‘CBN decision to stop financial institutions from transacting in cryptocurrencies and matters arising therefrom’ co-sponsored by Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP, Plateau North) and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East). According to the motion, the action and directive of the CBN have attracted sharp reactions from Nigerians and has become a topical subject of national discuss. | Cryptocurrency Ban, Senate | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/12/senate-invites-cbn-gov-sec-dg-over-cryptocurrency-ban/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, February 12, 2021 | Boko Haram: Nigerian Refugees to be Repatriated from Cameroon on February 27, March 7 | Repatriation of Nigerian refugees from Cameroon has been fixed for February 27 and March 7, 2021. Most of the 46,000 Nigerian refugees fled from Borno State to neighbouring Cameroonian towns, mostly Minawao, at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis. The decision on the scheduled repatriation dates was taken after a tripartite commission meeting involving representatives of the Federal Government, Borno State Government and the Cameroonian Government. A statement issued on Thursday, February 11 by Borno State Governor's spokesman, Mallam Isa Gusau, read thus: “Following a two-day visit to Cameroon by Governor Zulum, a tripartite commission meeting held last Wednesday night has fixed February 27 and March 7, 2021, to commence the voluntary repatriation of Nigerian refugees towards resettlement in Borno State. About 46,000 Nigerians, mostly from Borno State, have been taking refuge in Minawao refugee camp located in Mokolo, far north region of Cameroon. Zulum’s initial target was to have first a batch of 9,800 willing Nigerian refugees repatriated this week for resettlement in newly built houses located in Bama and Banki. However, yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting of the tripartite commission came up with a revised standard operating procedure which was signed by all parties agreeing that repatriation should hold on February 27 and March 7, 2021.” | Borno State, Cameroun, Refugees | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/12/boko-haram-nigerian-refugees-to-be-repatriated-from-cameroon-on-february-27-march-7/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | Citing Safety, Federal Government Bars Private Sector COVID-19 Vaccination | The Federal Government has barred the private sector from administering COVID-19 vaccine, reserving the vaccination exclusively for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for safety reasons. Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, at a media briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday, February 8, stated that the government is restricting the deployment and implementation of the vaccination programme to NPHCDA and will not allow private sector vaccination. Ehanire explained that it is for purposes of safe and proper management of the COVID-19 vaccination, including dealing with any after-effects that the Federal Government has banned the private sector from vaccination. The Federal Government also stated that it would soon receive over 42 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for about 45 per cent of the country’s population from the African Union (AU). It stated that Nigeria subscribed to two multilateral vaccine access platforms; the first being the COVAX facility that will supply members, including Nigeria, free vaccines to cover 20 per cent of the population. Giving an update on COVID-19 procurement, Ehanire stated that the country has subscribed to two multilateral vaccine access platforms, COVAX facility being brokered under the auspices of the AU. | COVID-19 Vaccination, Private Sector | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/09/citing-safety-fg-bars-private-sector-covid-19-vaccination/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | Court Halts Re-Arraignment of Kalu Over Alleged N7.1bn Fraud | Justice Inyang Ekwo of Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, February 8, ordered that the re-arraignment of former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu, over alleged N7.1 billion money laundering be suspended temporarily. According to the court, Kalu's re-trial has to be put on hold pending the outcome of the legal proceedings challenging the legality of his re-trial over the same offence. The judge agreed that the Senate Chief Whip has placed sufficient materials of value before the court to enable him secure permission for judicial review of his re-trial in charges in which he had been tried, convicted and made to spend some months in Kuje Prison in Abuja. The court also granted Kalu leave to apply for an order of perpetual injunction against the Federal Government through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to prohibit his re-trial to avoid double jeopardy. Consequently, Justice Ekwo gave Kalu seven days within which to file and serve on EFCC all the processes he intends to use to challenge the legality of his re-trial. Afterwards, the court fixed February 23, for mention of the matter. Kalu had asked the court to stop EFCC from retrying him on the same money laundering charges. His argument was that having been tried once by EFCC, convicted and sentenced over the same charge, it would amount to double jeopardy for him to be made to face fresh trial on the same charge. | Senator Orji Uzor Kalu | https://guardian.ng/news/court-halts-re-arraignment-of-kalu-over-alleged-n7-1b-fraud/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | Federal Government Places 100 COVID-19 Protocols Defaulters on International Flight Restriction | The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has released the list of the second batch of International travellers who were said to have flouted COVID-19 travel protocols by failing to undergo the mandatory seven-day post arrival COVID-19 PCR test. The latest list followed the pattern of the previous one issued last month by indicating only the passport numbers of the defaulters. Those on the list will now be placed on International flight travel restrictions for the next six months by the Federal Government. The PTF National Incident Manager, Muktah Muhammad, had on Monday, February 8, stated at the briefing of the Task Force that the list had also been submitted to the Nigeria Immigration Service to effect the ban on the violators from international travels. | COVID-19 Protocols Defaulters, International Flight Restriction | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/09/fg-places-100-covid-19-protocols-defaulters-on-international-flight-restriction/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | INEC Reviews Five-Year Strategic Plan | Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated an 18-man Strategic Plan Committee to review its operational plan for the next five years. Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, February 8 in Abuja, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that the review would form the basis for the full formulation of the Election Project Plan for the 2023 general elections. According to him, it will also help the commission to identify all events, programmes and actions that need to be implemented before the elections. Yakubu recalled that INEC’s first strategic plan, within which general elections were anchored, was developed to serve as a compass for the commission’s activities between 2012 and 2016. It was reviewed to cover the period 2017 to 2021 and would also be reviewed to cover the period 2022 to 2026. The National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Strategy, AVM Ahmed Muazu (rtd.) will head the Strategic Plan Committee. | INEC, Strategic Plan | https://guardian.ng/politics/inec-reviews-five-year-election-strategic-plan/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, February 9, 2021 | Federal Government Moves to Give Nigerians NIN via BVN | The Federal Ministry of Communications and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) are working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure that all Nigerians who have Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) are given National Identification Numbers (NIN). Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, who disclosed this when he visited several NIMC enrolment centres in Abuja on Monday, February 8, observed that NIN was the only mandatory number and the primary identification of Nigerians over every other identification. He noted that the NIMC Act 2007 provided that all citizens must be enrolled and that the law gave them 60 days to enrol from the time the law was enacted and a maximum of 180 days, while all permanent residents in the country and legal residents that had to stay in Nigeria for a minimum of 24 months must be enrolled. At the MTN office in Maitama, the minister stated thus: “We are here to see what has been going on and the improvement that should be made.” Responding to a capturing officer at the MTN enrolment centre on the need for government to allow telecom operators to update enrolment from their end using costumers’ BVN, Pantami explained that though NIMC produced the template for enrolling citizens for passports, BVN, etc, some institutions did not comply with the requirements; hence the data could not be harmonised without upgrade and integration of various systems. He added that he had initaited conversations with the CBN Governor on how to ensure that all citizens with BVN will immediately be provided with the NIN, stating that, "We are working on that, but facilitating the process lies on CBN to make it much easier for our people.” Pantami added that he drew the attention of the CBN Governor to the need to replace BVN with NIN because “the BVN is a bank policy while NIN is a law.” | BVN, NIN | https://guardian.ng/news/federal-government-moves-to-give-nigerians-nin-via-bvn/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 8, 2021 | Zamfara APC Factions Resolve Crisis, Pick Yari As Leader | The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has been resolved as the warring factions met in Kaduna State. At the end of the meeting, the party picked former governor of the State, Abdulaziz Yari as leader of the party in the State. In the resolutions of the meeting, read by one of the stakeholders, Dr. Mikailu Barau , the party chieftains agreed to collapse the party into one structure. Furthermore, Senator Kabiru Marafa has agreed to drop all court cases instituted against the party as part of the reconciliation process. The meeting had in attendance the supporters of both Yari and Senator Marafa from all the 147 wards of Zamfara State. Barau stated that the 11-point resolution has been adopted by the camps in order to achieve genuine peace. | Zamfara State, APC | https://dailytrust.com/zamfara-apc-factions-resolve-crisis-pick-yari-as-leader |
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, February 8, 2021 | Osun Declares 24-Hour Curfew in Two LGAs over Communal Violence | Osun State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in Irepodun and Orolu Local Government Areas of the State, following the violence that broke out between Ilobu and Erin-Osun communities on Saturday, February 6. According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Wole Oyebamiji, the declaration of curfew became necessary to calm tension in the troubled area. This will subsist until further notice. Oyebamiji stated thus: “As a responsible and responsive government that took the sacred oath to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we believe that the declaration of the curfew is the way to go in this circumstance. By this, security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute any person found violating the curfew and those responsible for the violence. All citizens and residents of the affected local government areas are enjoined to comply with this directive as any person found contravening this order shall be made to face the wrath of the law. The government enjoins all our citizens to be peaceful and to be law-abiding as all efforts shall be made to protect them and their property." Recall that the State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, had ordered the immediate deployment of armed policemen with support from the army to restore law and order in the area. | Osun State, Curfew | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/08/osun-declares-24-hour-curfew-in-two-lgas-over-communal-violence/ |
| Punch Newspaper | Monday, February 8, 2021 | APGA Wins Magama Rijau Federal Constituency Re-run Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Shehu Saleh Rijau as winner of the just concluded re-run election for the Magama Rijau Federal Constituency of Niger State. The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Yahaya Tanko Baba of Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, who announced the results in Rijau Local Government Council described the exercise as a huge success. Baba stated that candidate of APGA, Shehu Rijau polled 22,965 votes to emerge winner of the election. He defeated his closest rival of the People Democratic Party, Mr Emmanuel Alamu, who scored 22,507 votes in a keenly contested election. However, Rijau was before now a member of All Progressives Congress (APC) who represented Magama Rijau Federal Constituency as member of House of Representatives. He dumped the APC for APGA to contest for same position in the 2019 general elections and lost to APC candidate. | Niger State, Re-run Election | https://punchng.com/apga-floors-pdp-wins-niger-rep-rerun/ |
| Vanguard Newspaper | Monday, February 8, 2021 | PDP urges INEC to Prioritise Election Integrity over Polling Units Expansion | Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prioritise election integrity over expansion of polling units ahead of 2023 polls. Lagos PDP Spokesman, Taofik Gani, told journalists on Sunday, February 7 that INEC should rather direct its efforts at achieving robust electoral reform that would make people’s votes count. Gani stated thus: “The issues of INEC and acceptable election processes are beyond polling units (PUs). Creating 100 PUs on a street won’t change the integrity problem in our elections.“Why can’t we have electronic voting linked to voters’ ID and the election can be done online?” INEC on February 5, commenced engagement with stakeholders on expansion of voters’ access to polling units. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at the commission’s stakeholders' meeting with political party leaders in Abuja, stated that expanding voter access to polling units was crucial to voter turnout in elections. Yakubu explained that experience had shown that enhanced voter access to polling units increased turnout in elections. In a communique signed by the 16 political parties physically present at the meeting, leaders of the parties resolved that there was merit in INEC’s proposal in converting the existing voting points and voting points settlement nationwide to full fledged polling units, to address the problem of voter access. | INEC, PDP | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/pdp-urges-inec-to-prioritize-election-integrity-over-polling-units-expansion/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Monday, February 8, 2021 | Federal Government To Repatriate 4,982 Borno Refugees In Cameroon | The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) has commenced the process of repatriating 4,982 Borno State refugees in Cameroon. A statement on Sunday, February 7 by the Special Adviser (Media), NCFRMI, Sadiq Abdullateef, said that 3,224 of the refugees would return to Banki town; and 1,758, to Bama, both in Borno State. He stated that this followed President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that all Nigerian refugees in Cameroon be immediately returned home safely to a life of dignity and pride. He added that NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Senator Basheer Garba met with Cameroonian officials and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Maroua. According to Abdullateef, “The meeting, which is a follow-up of meetings in 2017 initiated by the then commissioner and now Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, also led to the successful return of 134 Nigerians from Cameroon.” Garba, who is also the chairman of the Technical Working Group of Nigeria on the Voluntary Repatriation of Nigerian Refugees, stated that the meeting was a forerunner to the Tripartite Commission meeting billed to hold this week. Garba, represented at the meeting by the commission’s Director of Refugee and Migration, Tai Hassan Ejibunu, also added that this week’s meeting would provide the avenue for officials of both counties to discuss modalities for repatriating the several thousands of Nigerian refugees at Minawao Camp in Cameroon. | Borno State, Cameroun, Refugees | https://dailytrust.com/fg-to-repatriate-4982-borno-refugees-in-cameroon |
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, February 4, 2021 | National Assembly Sets April for Passage of COVID-19 Vaccine Supplementary Budget | The Federal Government is working on a supplementary budget for the procurement of COVID-19 Vaccines that will be presented to the National Assembly soon. Already, the National Assembly has set an April deadline for the consideration and approval of the budget when submitted by the Executive. Speaking against the background of concerns by Nigerians over the procurement plans put in place by the government for the purchase of vaccines to curb the impact of the dreaded virus, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Primary Healthcare and Communicable Diseases, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, stated that the issue of the supplementary budget has become apparent since enough funds were not provided in the 2021 budget for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. Utazi in a response to an enquiry by THISDAY on Wednesday, February 3 stated that he is hopeful that before Easter, the bill would be in the National Assembly for legislative processes and passage into law. Utazi further stated that: “Because of the inadequate provision in the 2021 Appropriation Act for vaccines procurement, it became apparent and needful that there must be a Supplementary Appropriation Bill by the Executive to cover the initial shortfall in the 2021 Appropriation Act. The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, also confirmed that the Federal Government is presently preparing a supplementary budget for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines. Shuaib, who spoke to journalists on Wednesday, February 3 stated that there was no money provided in the 2021 appropriation bill signed into law by the President in December 2020. | National Assembly, COVID-19 Vaccine Supplementary Budget | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/04/nassembly-sets-april-for-passage-of-covid-19-vaccine-extra-budget/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Thursday, February 4, 2021 | No Plan To Make Jonathan Our Presidential Candidate — APC | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that it is not planning to endorse former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as its 2023 presidential candidate. There were reports last week that some Northern governors were working hard to ensure that the former president gets the APC ticket. However, the Chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, Mai Mala Buni, described the story as untrue. Speaking on BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, February 3, Buni stated that there was no such plan. According to him, “I know people will judge based on our visit to Jonathan when he celebrated his birthday. But that is just a visit to him as a former president; it has no political inclinations. He is a former president and an elder statesman who is respected by many people in the country. Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe State, described Jonathan as a patriotic citizen and peace promoter who is supposed to be respected by all political parties in the country. | Goodluck Jonathan, APC | https://dailytrust.com/no-plan-to-make-jonathan-our-presidential-candidate-apc |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, February 4, 2021 | Ortom Bans Government Appointees from 2023 Political Campaigns | Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has banned all his appointees from indulging in 2023 political campaigns, warning that any defaulters will be sanctioned. Ortom, who handed down the order on Wednesday, February 3 while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Makurdi, reiterated that he was not interested in the 2023 election for now. According to him, campaigns for 2023 now are diversionary when his government still has two and a half years to go, warning that any of his appointees that must get involved in such campaigns, must first tender a resignation letter to him. He stated thus: “I am not interested in any 2023 election for now, likewise to all appointees in my government. I decided to ban all campaigns. As of today, no appointee of government is allowed to campaign for 2023, and if any must do that, I demand a resignation letter from such a person.” | Governor Samuel Ortom | https://guardian.ng/news/ortom-bans-government-appointees-from-2023-political-campaigns/ |
| Vanguard Newspaper | Thursday, February 4, 2021 | PIB: Presidency Wades in, Reconciles Warring Host Communities | Determined to sustain the relative peace being enjoyed in the Niger Delta, the Presidency has waded in to resolve the misunderstanding between two factions of the oil and gas host communities, which led to an exchange of blows during the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). The reconciliatory meeting, was held at the instance of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang. At the meeting, the aggrieved factions agreed to sheath their swords and present a harmonised position before the hearing committee. The meeting also agreed that a joint technical committee of all contending parties facilitated by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs would be constituted to prepare a common position on the PIB. Addressing the warring factions of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM and HOSCON, Senator Enang admonished both parties to set aside their differences and harmonise their positions for the purpose of the PIB. | Petroleum Industry Bill | https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/02/pib-presidency-wades-in-reconciles-warring-host-communities/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, February 4, 2021 | Gbajabiamila urges Dialogue to end Herders-Natives Crises | Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has called for “a meeting of minds” towards proffering amicable solution to the face-off between herdsmen and their host communities in the southern part of the country before the situation degenerates. Fielding questions from journalists, on Wednesday, February 3 after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the state of the nation, Gbajabiamila stated that: “Everybody has to come to the table and discuss and come to an amicable resolution. I’m sure we will. don’t think any ethnic group should lord it over the other. The South west zone should not lord it over the north, the north should not lord it over the south. We should respect each other’s trade, geographical space, history and culture. More importantly, the issue of crime, particularly murder, should be completely jettisoned. We all have to discuss this matter and look for the way forward. I think everybody is willing to do that.” | Femi Gbajabiamila, Herders-Natives Crises | https://guardian.ng/news/gbajabiamila-urges-dialogue-to-end-herders-natives-crises/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | FG Extends NIN-SIM Integration Deadline by 8 Weeks | The Federal Government on Tuesday, February 2 extended the NIN-SIM linkage deadline by eight weeks. This is coming ahead of the February 9 deadline given by the Federal Government for the submission of National Identification Number (NIN). The Federal Government had at the expiration of the initial January 16 deadline for the submission of NIN, decided to extend it to February 9 for all telecoms subscribers that have registered for NIN including those that were yet to register for NIN to submit their NIN for linkage with their SIM card. The new deadline, which is now April 16, 2021, was conveyed by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, during the meeting of the Ministerial Taskforce on NIN-SIM registration which held on the 1st of February, 2021. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, February 2 by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and signed by its Director for Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, Pantami stated that “the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.” | NIN-SIM Linkage | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/02/breaking-fg-extends-nin-sim-integration-deadline-by-8-weeks/ |
| Daily Trust Online | Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | Money Laundering: Senator Kalu To Be Re-Arraigned on February 2 | The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Tuesday, February 2 re-arraign a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, over alleged diversion of funds. Kalu was on December 5, 2019, convicted and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos on a 39-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N7.6bn during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007. Kalu’s co-defendants, Slok Nigeria Ltd and a former Director of Finance of the Abia State Government House, Jones Udeogu challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos to conduct the trial after the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal, returned to conclude the proceedings. The Supreme Court in May 2020 set aside the judgment of the high court and declared as unconstitutional the provision of section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, on which Justice Idris relied on to return from the Court of Appeal to conclude the trial. | Senator Orji Uzor Kalu | https://dailytrust.com/money-laundering-kalu-to-be-re-arraigned-today |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | Two Edo APC Lawmakers Defect to PDP | Two All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly resigned from the party and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, February 1. The two lawmakers are the former Deputy Speaker of the House and member representing Akoko-Edo I, Yekini Idaiye; and the Member representing Orhionmwon East Constituency, Nosayaba Okunbor. The defection of the two lawmakers has brought the number of PDP lawmakers to nine with only one APC lawmaker in the 10-man House of Assembly. Edo State Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun read their letters of resignation from APC on the floor of the House. The resignation letter by Yekini Idaiye reads thus: “May I use this medium to inform you of my resignation as a member of APC. I took this decision because of internal crisis in the party from my Ward to the Local Government level which led to the factions in the party for some time now”. | Edo State House of Assembly, PDP | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/02/two-edo-apc-lawmakers-defect-to-pdp/ |
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara to Collaborate with FG on Oil Exploration | The three States of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara that made up the Sokoto Basin have charged the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to spearhead the exploration of crude oil in the Sokoto Basin. The charge was made on behalf of the governments of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, where the Basin is, by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, Tambuwal pointed out that the initial unsuccessful attempt to seek crude oil deposits in what is otherwise known as the Iullemmeden or Touareg Basin, which predates Oloibiri, was that of Elf expedition 70 years ago. The governor, therefore, invited the NNPC, whose Group Managing Director, Mele Kolo Kyari, delivered the lecture titled: ‘Navigating Energy Transition and the Imperatives of University-Industry Collaboration’ at the event “to support the exploration,” assuring him “that we are willing to collaborate with you in that regard. Whatever you want us to do as governments, for these States, we are ready to do that.” He added that the communities in the States are hospitable. | Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Oil Exploration | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2021/02/02/kebbi-sokoto-zamfara-to-collaborate-with-fg-on-oil-exploration/ |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | Doctors Lament Rising COVID-19 Infections, Deaths Among Colleagues | The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have raised the alarm over rising cases of COVID-19 infections and deaths among their members. President of NMA, Prof. Innocent Ujah, stated that, “The situation has got almost out of hand. More and more doctors are getting infected and more are dying from the disease. Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has asked us to compile the names of all doctors infected with COVID-19 and those that have died. I cannot give you the names, but I can give you the number of doctors so far infected with COVID-19 and those that have died. We need more protection and life insurance cover from the government.” Also, National President of NARD, Dr. Okhuaihesuyi Uyilawa, who spoke in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday, February 1 at the end of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting and scientific conference, stated that the doctors demand a review of their hazard allowance and implementation of the life insurance scheme. The Federal Government had promised to increase the hazard allowance for health workers and review their comprehensive life insurance in May 2020. Also, on September 9 2020, the Federal Government approved additional N8.9b to settle the June 2020 COVID-19 allowances of all health workers in the country but had not fulfilled the promises. The situation had led to an indefinite strike in all Federal and State hospitals in the country to press for its demands. | Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), COVID-19 | https://guardian.ng/news/doctors-lament-rising-covid-19-infections-deaths-among-colleagues/ |