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  • Olayinka Abdul becomes first female GM of LSMTL

    Olayinka Abdul becomes first female GM of LSMTL

    Appointment

    By Lydia Ngwakwe
    Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory Agency (LSMTL) has announced the appointment of Mrs Olayinka Abdul as the first female General Manager of the agency.

    According to the Head of Public Affairs Officer of  LSMTL, Mrs Salehu-Badejo Abimbola, the appointment is contained in a letter from Gov. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu and released by the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro.

     

    The public affairs officer said that  Abdul had her first meeting with LSMTL staff on Wednesday during which she gave assurance of her  commitment to the agency’s progress.

    She also said that Abdul emphasised the importance of a strong work ethic and dedication to duty.

    “If we are deliberate in putting smiles on the faces of subordinates for progress,using reward for hard work, it stimulates dedicated service delivery.

    “Thus, let us be keen in setting a legacy that is honest, staunched and progressive in helping people unbundle themselves for optimal performance,” the official quoted Abdul as saying.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that  Abdul joined Lagos State Government service  in 2000 as a Senior Engineer at the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC).

    She eventually  became the Head of Civil/Structures at the LSDPC.

    In June 2019, she was redeployed to the Lagos State Public Works Corporation where she served as the Director of Civil Engineering. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    LED/IGO

    ========

    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

  • Oyebanji appoints Prof. Olaleye Special Adviser

    Oyebanji appoints Prof. Olaleye Special Adviser
    Appointment
    By Bolanle Lawal
    Ado-Ekiti,  June 19, 2024 (NAN) Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the appointment of Prof. James Olaleye as Special Adviser on Land, eGIS and Survey.
    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, on Wednesday,  Olaleye’s appointment takes effect from July 1, 2024.
    Olaleye, a professor of Surveying Engineering, bagged a first class Bachelor’s degree in Surveying from University of Lagos, Akoka in 1981.
    He bagged a Master’s degree in Surveying from the same University in 1984, and his PhD in Surveying Engineering from University of Brunswick, Canada in 1992.
    Olaleye started his academic career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos in 1982 and rose to the position of a professor in 2015.
    He held different positions including Sub Dean, Faculty of Engineering; Head, Department of Surveying and Geoinformatics.
    He retired from the University in December 2023.
    Olaleye, a specialist in Digital Mapping, Hydrography and Geomatics has extensive work experience in resource mapping, GPS and modern survey methods, especially coastal environment.
    He was awarded the price for  the best paper publication in 1994 by the American Society for Photogrammetry.
    While congratulating the new appointee, Gov. Oyebanji urged him to deploy his wealth of experience as a renowned scholar in the field of Surveying Engineering in his new assignment.
    He urged him to boost the administration’s strategic efforts in areas of land administration, urban renewal project and safer environment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    FFB/SOA
    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • NUJ bars journalists from covering activities in Ezza North LGA

    Coverage

    By Douglas Okoro

    Abakaliki, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi council, has barred members of the union from covering events in Nkomoro community in Ezza North LGA of the state following an attack on three of its members.

    The decision is contained in a statement Wednesday in Abakaliki signed by

    Mr Samson Nwafor, NUJ Chairman in the state, gave the directive in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abakaliki, after an emergency congress of the union.

    Nwafor stated that three journalists, Mr Uchenna Inya of Daily Sun, Mr Godwin Oguta and Dr Chinelo Okoro of Radio Nigeria’s Unity FM, Abakaliki, were attacked in the community on Saturday.

    They were attacked when the kingship tussle between two warring groups in the area took a dangerous dimension.

    The warring groups invited the journalists to cover and report the election/coronation of a new traditional ruler of the community who was to emerge that day.

    But, the event turned bloody when one of the factions objected to the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Jacob Nwakpa.

    Mr Chika Igboke, an official of the state government had said that he was instructed by the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to coronate the man.

    Igboke eventually presented the authorisation paper directing him to do so.

    Inya’s vehicle which the media team drove in, to the venue of the event, was smashed by an angry mob.

    The NUJ chairman described the incident as barbaric, wicked and wondered why journalists should be attacked while discharging their responsibilities as watchdog of the society.

    The NUJ, however, demanded an apology and compensation for the attacked journalist from the warring parties to cover for their losses.

    “Congress condemns in strongest term the attack on three members of the union, namely: Mr Uchenna Inya of The Sun newspaper, Dr Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both from FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki, at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA.

    “Congress describes the attack as not only crude and barbaric, but a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue and force journalists into self censorship.

    “We strongly bemoan the unconcerned attitude of the people of Nkomoro community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathise with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident.

    “Congress views this total lack of empathy by the people of Nkomoro to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.

    “Congress therefore, directs Members of NUJ in Ebonyi to henceforth desist from covering events in Ezza North LGA, pending when relevant authorities and stakeholders of the council prevail on the community to compensate our colleagues.

    “The community or perpetrators of this dastardly act are to tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ as a body. Congress resolved to sanction any member who flouts this directive,” the statement quoted Igboke as saying.

    He called on the Ebonyi Government and the Commissioner of Police in the state to immediately arrest and prosecute those directly or indirectly involved in the attack. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    ODO/EMAF
    ========
    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • Salary harmonisation, a gradual process – Yemi-Esan 

    Harmonisation
    By Okon Okon
    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), says the Federal Government has not abandoned the issue of salary harmonisation in the civil service.
    Yemi-Esan made the disclosure during a chat with media executives on Wednesday in Abuja, being part of activities to mark 2024 Civil Service Week.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the theme for 2024 celebration is ‘Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa’.
    Yemi-Esan said salary harmonisation would go through gradual processes because it would be a difficult task to bring down those who were already receiving higher pay.
    NAN reports that civil servants in some federal parastatals agencies have been agitating over higher salaries being received by some civil servants in some other government agencies.
    The situation had caused some civil servants to demand  harmonisation, so as to balance the gap, especially looking at the economic realities and the fact that they all go to the same market.
    The HoCSF explained that in addressing the issue, the first step they took was the approval of peculiar allowance, which was being paid to civil servants, receiving low salary.
    “It is going to be a continuous thing because, it is difficult to bring down people that are already receiving  higher salary.
    “What we will continue to do, is to increase the take home of those on the lower rank untill we have the very needed balance.
    “We have started working on this, that was why the 40 per cent peculiar allowance was given, in an effort to close that gap, ” she said.
    NAN recalled that there was an increase in salary, tagged ‘Consequential Allowance’, that led to a 40 per cent rise in the pay of certain low income earners in civil service during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MZM/ROT
    ========
    Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

  • Old students association donates block of 2 classrooms to alma mater in Offa

     

    * The block of two classrooms renovated by the Nawair-Ud-Deen Old Students Association.

    Renovation

    By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

    Offa (Kwara), June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Old Students Association of Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Offa in Offa local government area of Kwara, on Wednesday handed over a block of two classrooms it renovated to the school.

    During the project’s handing-over in Offa, the association’s outgoing National President, Alhaji Lukman Babalola, said the donation was in line with the assignment given to his administration upon inception.

    ”At the last Annual General Meeting when this administration was sworn into office , one of the office assignments adopted was to renovate a block of two classrooms.

    ”The adoption was made in line with the request of the school management who complained about hoodlums taking over the dilapidated blocks and parading all sorts of immortalities at night in the school premises,” he said.

    Babalola commended all members of the association for their support both financially and spiritually towards the completion of the renovated classrooms.

    In his remarks, the Principal of the school’s Senior Secondary Section, Alhaji Bashir Bello, said significant projects like this one showed that the ex-students value their roots.

    ”Your positive impact in making teaching and learning meaningful and purposeful will make the present students in the school to work hard.

    ”It will be an inspiration to students to learn to be greater achievers because you can only give what you have,” he said.

    On her part, Principal of the school’s Junior Secondary Section, Alhaja Bashirat Mustapha, while expressing appreciation about the project however called for more intervention in areas lacking in the school.

    These, according to her, include provision of enough teaching staff, more security men to safeguard the school’s property and assets, well-equipped library and laboratory, computer rooms and computer equipment.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by several ex-students of the school at home and diaspora.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    BAY/BEKI/OLAL
    ==============

    (Edited by Abdulfatai Beki and Olawale Alabi)

     

  • FG concludes 120-day regulatory reform initiative to boost business ease

     

    Business
    By Lucy Ogalue
    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), says it has concluded its 120-day Regulatory Reform Accelerator Action Plan, which will significantly improve Nigeria’s business environment.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business, Jumoke Oduwole, said the reforms concentrated on eight key indicators, including reviewing and updating service level agreements.

    Oduwole said others are transparency reforms, efficiency reforms, entry and exit (Airport) reforms, port operations reforms, national single window project facilitation, agro-export reforms, and manufacturing for export reforms.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a 90-day programme, which started on Feb. 20 and terminated on May 20.

    NAN also reports that the Vice President and Chair of PEBEC, Kassim Shettima, granted a 30-day extension period to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS) to intensify their reform efforts.

    According to Oduwole, this is due to the sub-optimal performance of Ministries, MDAs and the sluggish completion of reform.

    The extension period ends at midnight on June 19.

    “These reforms operationalise earlier codified provisions in the Business Facilitation Act 2022 and directly impact the productivity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s economy.

    “With the success of this final sprint, vice-president Shettima is set to host the inaugural PEBEC Townhall Meeting on June 28.

    “This is where the results of the Accelerator and deepening the PEBEC’s regulatory reform mandate will be discussed.”

    She said the successful implementation of these reforms marks a significant step towards making Nigeria a more business-friendly environment.

    According to Oduwole, the event will bring together PEBEC Members, heads of over 50 federal government agencies and their reform teams, representatives of the organised private sector, and other stakeholders.

    ”PEBEC was established in July 2016 to oversee interventions to enhance Nigeria’s business climate. The council is crucial to President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point renewed hope agenda,” she said.

    She said the third cohort of the council, inaugurated in November 2023, comprises 24 members from various levels and arms of government.

    Oduwole said with these reforms, PEBEC aims to elevate Nigeria’s global business rankings, attract foreign investments, and drive sustainable economic growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    LCN/DE/EEE

    ==========

    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ese E. Eniola Williams

  • Cholera Outbreak: Ogun announces preventive measures in schools

    Cholera Outbreak: Ogun announces preventive measures in schools

    Cholera

    By Abiodun Lawal

    Abeokuta, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Ogun Government has directed school heads to ensure good health and safety of all learners and staff to prevent the spread of cholera within the school communities.

    Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, gave the directive in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Wednesday.

    Arigbabu noted that preventive measures had been put in place to control the spread of the disease in schools in the state.

    According to him, the measures take effect from Wednesday, as schools resume from the mid-term break and the Eid el-kabir holiday.

    He listed some of the measures to include comprehensive health talks on cholera prevention, information on symptoms, transmission routes, proper hand hygiene and safe drinking water practices.

    Other measures, he added, are to ensure availability of clean water and soap for hand washing in school premises, encourage regular hand washing, especially before eating and after using the restroom.”

    He also directed school heads to promote the use of hand sanitisers with at least 60 per cent alcohol content as support to hand washing.

    There should also be regular inspection and maintenance of water sources within school premises to ensure they are safe for drinking, the commissioner also directed.

    “Monitor closely the food vendors and ensure that they collect letters from health facilities, certifying their fitness for the job,” he added.

    He explained that there would be Designate Health Officers in schools to monitor learners and staff for any symptoms of cholera (like frequent watery stooling, vomiting, etc).

    He also directed school heads to report any suspected cases immediately to the nearest Health Care Centre and to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

    “By adhering strictly to these preventive measures and maintaining high level of vigilance, we can collectively safeguard our health and wellbeing during this critical period,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LKA/HA

    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

     

  • Ehimiri Estate: Court dismisses suit against Abia Govt.

    Ehimiri Estate: Court dismisses suit against Abia Govt.

    Judgment
    By Leonard Okachie
    Umuahia, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Abia High Court sitting in Umuahia, on Wednesday, dismissed a suit filed against the State Government by the Okwuta Isieke Ibeku Community, Umuahia for “lacking the capacity to stand”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suit was filed by
    Messrs Onuoha Onyecherelam, Ebere David and Onyebuchi Obike, on behalf of the community in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

    Joined as respondents in the suit were the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Planning and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state.

    Others were the Director-General/General Manager, Housing Corporation, Umuahia and occupants/occupiers of Ehimiri Housing Estate, Umuahia.

    The claimants had, in a suit No:HU/76/2023, sought the recovery of possession of the land “traditionally known as and called Uzo Eke Okwuta Ibeku, presently called Ehimiri Housing Estate, Umuahia”.

    They argued that the ownership of the land was settled in their favour in the Supreme Court judgment delivered on May 12, 1972.

    They had claimed that the respondents entered into and remained in occupation of the land without their community licence, consent or that of any predecessor in-title of their community.

    The claimants thereafter sought a declaration that the possession of all the occupiers and alienation of Uzo Eke Okwuta, presently called Ehimiri Housing Estate, was void, illegal and of no legal effect.

    They also sought an order for the recovery of possession of the estate.

    The presiding Judge, Justice Uchechi Enwereji, delivered the judgment in favour of the respondents.

    Reacting to the judgment, Counsel for the claimants, Mr Uka Okocha, said that they had filed an action to discontinue the originating summons after discovering some procedural defects in it.

    Okocha said that they had filed a writ of summons in respect of the subject matter.

    However, Counsel for the fourth respondents (occupants of the estate), Mr Okey Kanu, said that the respondents had asked the court to dismiss the suit because it was statute barred.

    Kanu said that the claimants’ counsel wanted the suit to be struck out, which they (defendants) opposed but urged the court to dismiss it.

    “And that is what the court has done today,” he said.

    Responding to the writ of summons filed by the claimants, Kanu said, “You can’t re-institute the suit on that subject matter.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    LEO/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

     

     

     

  • Customs records 74 % revenue growth in one year

    Customs records 74 % revenue growth in one year

    Revenue

    By Martha Agas

    Abuja, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says it has recorded 74 per cent increase in revenue growth in the last one year.

    The Comptroller General (C-G) of the service, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, during a Press briefing on NCS’ achievements in the last one year.

    Adeniyi said that the service recorded a total revenue collection of N4.49 Trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, compared to the N2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year.

    “This achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13 per cent in average monthly revenue collection, compared to the previous year.

    “ NCS recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N343 billion, compared to the N202 billion monthly average.

    “ Notably, there was a substantial 122.35 per cent increase in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024, compared to the same period in the previous year,” he said.

    The C-G said these giant strides recorded were as a result of the service’s various strategic initiatives, which included the collection of N15 billon by the Revenue Review Performance Recovery exercise.

    He explained that N2.79 billion was realised from the 90-day window for the regularisation of documents of uncustomed vehicles.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the NCS in March, granted a 90-day grace period for payment of import duties on improperly imported vehicles, as part of its commitment to facilitating compliance.

    He added that N1.5 billion was realised from the decongestion of 1,705 overtime containers and 981 vehicles from the port.

    “It is also worthy of note that on June 13, 2024, NCS recorded a daily All-Time-High of N58.5 billion in revenue collection,“ he said.

    Adeniyi also noted that the NCS’ anti-smuggling efforts in the last year resulted in 63 seizures related to animal and wild life products, valued at N566 million, and seven seizures of arms and ammuition made through the ports and borders.

    “ In terms of illicit drugs, a combined total of 127 cases involving narcotics and pharmaceutical products, valued at over N6 billion, were seized.

    “The Service also recorded 724 seizures of 2.93 million litres of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit), that wad being attempted to be smuggled out of the country,“ he said.

    He explained that the illegal dealings in petroleum products had remained an issue of great concern to relevant stakeholders, adding however, that the Operation Whirlwind would continue to intercept and disrupt the activities of smugglers.

    NAN reports that Operation Whirlwind was recently inaugurated by NCS to combat smuggling of petroleum products to neigbouring countries.

    The C-G said as part of its effforts to ensure food security and curb the smuggling of food in and out of the country, the service recorded 1,744 cases of rice and grain seizures, valued at N4.4 billion.

    “These concerted efforts underscore the NCS’s commitment to protecting society and! ensuring national security,“ Adeniyi said. (NAN (www.nannews.ng)

    MAA/DOR
    =========

    Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

  • NECA foresees virile economic reforms

    NECA

    By Esenvosa Izah
    Lagos, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) says it is preparing a platform for ensuring an opportunity for government to interact with organised businesses for rewarding economic reforms.

    NECA Director-General Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Lagos,

    According to him, the organisation will hold  Employers’ Summit, expected to drive conversations surrounding the private sector and economic development.

    He said that the third edition “is apt as it is coming at a time of new reforms.

    “The summit is not basically to interrogate those reforms, but to deepen or share the nexus between the reforms and private sector.

    “Also, it is on how government can actually leverage the agility of the private sector to navigate through these reforms and achieve the desired outcomes.

    “This is a fundamental summit, which time has come to play a major role in the context of the growth of the private sector, economy, and competitiveness of businesses”.

    Also, the Chairman of the Summit, Mr Olumuyiwa Adebayo, said that some of the goals of the summit would include fostering dialogue.

    “In supporting government, it means we need to support them in policies, call it to order when we need to do so and this is always through advocacy.

    “We believe that sharing innovative practices is key between the private sector and government officials.

    “This is because whatever policy we have is only going to be implemented by the private sector as the case may be because it is the engine room for any economy around the world,” he observed.

    In her remarks, the Co-Chairman, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said that there must be effective communication and collaboration between the government and private sector for development.

    “We want to work together to develop strategies that will really drive economic growth.

    “Through this summit, we need to reinforce our role as private sector as the engine of national development.

    “We believe that the outcome from this engagement as we have done in other years will be driven through the government, but we will continue the conversation.

    “Thi is the beginning of a dialogue; this is what the summit is,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 Nigeria Employers’ Summit would be held between June 25 and June  26 in Abuja.

    The theme of the summit is, “Economic Renaissance: Harnessing Government Reforms and Private Sector Agility “.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    EEI/KAY
    =======

    Edited by Kayode Olaitan