President Bola Tinubu will, in a national broadcast Monday, address Nigerians by 7:00 p.m.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the president’s spokesman Dele Alake.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a broadcast to the nation on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 7 pm. Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast,” said the statement.

With Nigerians enduring hardships on several fronts caused by the hike in petrol prices caused by the sudden removal of fuel subsidy, worsening depreciation of the naira and a nationwide NLC protest looming on the horizon, Mr Tinubu is facing an uphill task to prove his readiness and ability to run Africa’s most populous nation.

The August 2 is expected to ground commercial and social activities across the country.

As the head of the regional bloc ECOWAS, the Nigerian leader is also enmeshed in resolving the political impasse in neighbouring Niger Republic, push the pustchists back to the barracks and restore democracy to the trouble West African nation.

Mr Tinubu’s foreign policy is also under scrutiny amid ECOWAS’ potential military response to the coup d’etat in Niger.

The president, alongside other leaders in West Africa signed an ultimatum to Niger’s coup plotters.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has raised the alarm that hoodlums were invading the National Assembly complex to harass and steal lawmakers’ valuables.

Akpabio, who claimed the lawmakers now feel threatened by their presence, said as the 10th NASS settled down for legislative activities, hoodlums and people who did not have any business in the premises had been invading the federal parliament.

According to him, the uninvited guests loitered without apparent purpose all over the Senate and the House of Representatives wings, and that the hoodlums constituted themselves as nuisance by harassing lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly.

Akpabio stated this, when he received in audience members of the National Assembly Service Commission, who paid a courtesy call on him at the NASS complex, in Abuja.

The Senate President’s lamentation came after the remarks by the Chairman of the NASC, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, who presented the challenges faced by the Commission and other issues to him.

“We are aware that the entire complex is under renovation. We must also look after the environment. It is not all about the staff, we will like to see a cleaner environment and a secure complex. A lot of Senators have lost their telephones, because of the influx of people into the complex,” Akpabio said.

He explained that President Bola Tinubu would in December, inaugurate the N30bn worth different ongoing projects at the National Assembly.

“The entire Complex of the National Assembly is like a construction site now due to ongoing general renovation work and fresh projects which would on completion, be commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December this year.

Aside from the general renovation work, part of new edifices being put in place, is the permanent office complex of the National Assembly Service Commission and very befitting Library Complex,” he said.

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has directed the immediate audit and verification of civil and unified local government service staff in the state.

This is contained in a statement by Innocent Etteng, permanent secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

The governor noted that the exercise would commence from the Northern Senatorial District of the state from Monday to Friday at 9:00 a.m. daily.

Mr Otu called on the workers to avail themselves of the exercise, which would be held in two designated centres of the zone in Ogoja and Obudu.

“In Ogoja, the exercise will take place at the Ogoja Local Government Headquarters for staff in Ogoja, Bekwarra and Yala councils, while Obudu Centre will be for staff in Obudu and Obanliku with the venue at Obudu Council Headquarters.

“All staff coming for the exercise need to appear with their complete enrollment form, letter of first appointment, confirmation and last two letters of promotion where applicable.

“Other documents required are staff identity card, birth certificate or affidavit of birth, educational qualifications, Bank Verification Number (BVN) and current pay slip,” he said.

He further directed all staff to comply with the requirements to avoid the omission of their names in the verified payroll that would emanate from the exercise.

The Nasarawa State government has set up 36 mobile courts in its 13 local government and 18 local council development areas to prosecute violators of its monthly sanitation law.

The law demands that residents clean their homes and neighbourhoods every last Saturday of the month.

Abubakar Mohammed, the chief environment officer and chief prosecutor at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, said the courts would ensure proper enforcement of the sanitation law.

Mr Mohammed told journalists in Lafia on Saturday that Lafia and Karu council areas have three mobile courts each for administrative convenience.

He represented the permanent secretary in the ministry, Garba Mohammed, at a news briefing on the sanitation exercise for July.

Mr Mohammed expressed satisfaction and applauded traditional rulers, chairman of area councils and security agencies for the success of the exercise.

He noted that up to 90 per cent of residents complied with the law by locking up their shops and businesses to clean their surroundings.

“We allowed those on essential services to move around during the exercise, though,’’ he said.

Forty-two persons who violated the sanitation law in Lafia Local Government Area were arrested and prosecuted by the mobile courts.

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has appealed to the federal government to channel funds from fuel subsidy removal towards improving health, education, agriculture and other critical infrastructure to help cushion its effect on citizens.

According to a statement on Friday by his chief press secretary, Onogwu Mohammed, the governor appealed during a meeting with the state Traditional Council of Chiefs at the Government House in Lokoja.

Mr Bello explained that the appeal became imperative and essential toward enhancing the well-being of citizens in the face of the hardship being faced.

He said he was fully aware of the effects of the removed petroleum product subsidies on the government and its people.

He expressed happiness that Operation Light Up Kogi East, a rural electrification project in Kogi East Senatorial District, has recorded substantial progress and impact.

“The operation Light up Kogi East is very important to my administration in its continuing efforts to ensure that every community in the region receives reliable electricity supply to improve citizens’ standard of life,” he said.

The governor told the traditional rulers that recruiting qualified academics for the new Kogi State University (KSU) had been advertised for Kogi indigenes with the necessary qualifications to apply and support the project.

He expressed his gratitude to the royal fathers, whom he described as “crucial supporters” of his administration, especially in community policing and overall development.

Mr Bello encouraged the traditional rulers to advocate for peaceful coexistence, tolerance and unity among their subjects.

On the upcoming gubernatorial election, Mr Bello urged the traditional rulers to advise their subjects to conduct peaceful campaigns devoid of any crisis, violence or acts that might threaten the state’s peace and security.

He, however, expressed confidence in his political party, the All Progressives Congress, and its ability to secure a rancour-free atmosphere for the state’s people to cast their votes on November 11.

Responding, the president of the Kogi Traditional Council of Chiefs, the Attah Igala, Mathew Ogwuche-akpa II, represented by the Ohimege-Igu of Koto Karfe, Abdulrasaq Isah-Koto, conveyed their solidarity to the governor.

John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Abuja Archdiocese, has called for a national conference to address the increasing brain drain problem, particularly among Nigerian youths.

Mr Onaiyekan made the call when he received a delegation from the Initiative for Fostering Unity in Diversity, Youths and Nation Building (IFFUIDYANB) in Abuja on Friday.

He said brain drain and other issues affecting Nigerian youths had become issues of national emergency that required concerted efforts to tackle.

“It is scary how Nigeria is losing a lot of its resourceful youths to other countries because they do not see a future for themselves in this country,” said Mr Onaiyekan.

The cleric said further that “the situation cannot be patched up with new policies; it is more than that.

“We know our country is polarised, divided and broken, so there is a need for some kind of forum to bring us together to discuss the best ways out of this scary situation.

“My concern is, who will bell the cat as they say because we have leaders who are anxious to convince us that they are doing very well.

“They are living in complete denial, and that will not solve the problem.”

On fears that even if a national conference were convened, it would go the way of previous conferences, where resolutions were not implemented, Onaiyekan said things must change.

According to him, it is better to continue to make efforts and push for the implementation of resolutions for national development than do nothing for fear of non-implementation.

The cleric commended IFFUIDYANB for coming up with the ”Naija Unity House Initiative” to foster national unity among the younger generation of Nigerians.

Mr Onaiyekan said that the initiative would foster unity and peace and engage youths in critical discussions on youth and national development.

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has received 16 nominees for appointment as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.

This development is contained in a letter by Governor Ahmed Aliyu, addressed to Speaker Tukur Bala and presented to the lawmakers at the assembly’s plenary on Thursday in Sokoto.

The governor referred to section 192 and other relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended on the appointment of commissioners.

He said the nomination of the 16 persons followed due consultations in line with relevant procedures in the Public Service Regulations.

“The nominations being the first batch, followed the need to constitute the state Executive Council as enshrined in the public service rules.

“This is as well as other processes as required by the law pertaining to such appointment,” Mr Aliyu said.

The speaker informed the members that the assembly, as a committee of the whole, will screen the nominees on August 2 and 3, respectively.

The nominees include Tukur Alkali, Bala Kokani, Aminu Abdullahi, Mohammed Shagari, Nasiru Aliyu, Ya’u Danda, and Yusuf Maccido.

Others are Jamilu Gosta, Bashar Umar, Jabir Mai-Hulla, Balarabe Kadadi, Isa Tambagarka, Aliyu Tureta, Hadiza Shagari, Asabe Balarabe, and Bello Wamakko.

The Kano State government on Thursday announced the reopening of 26 entrepreneurship institutes closed by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Commissioner for Works and Housing, Marwan Ahmad, disclosed this at a news conference in Kano.

“Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf has direct that all the 26 Entrepreneurship Institutes established by Sen. Kwankwaso’s Administration which were abandoned by the previous administration, are hereby reopened,” Mr Ahmad said.

He said Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration established the institutes to equip youths and women with different skills.

“The institute includes Journalism, Horticulture, Poultry, Driving, Reformatory, Hospitality and Tourism, Animal Husbandry, Sports, Informatics, and Corporate Security, among others,” he said.

According to him, the institutes will be optimally used to address drug addictions and thuggery, posing serious concern to state residents.

He said the governor had also ordered contractors handling 5-kilometre road projects initiated by Mr Kwankwaso’s administration across the 44 local government areas of the state to resume work at the sites.

Mr Ahmad further said the state government had equally resumed work at the abandoned Jakara River Project in the Kano metropolis.

The commissioner restated the state government’s commitment to providing infrastructure to improve people’s lives.

“The provision of infrastructure would stimulate the state’s socio-economic activities and revenue base as well as the overall development of communities”.

President Bola Tinubu’s government has condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress’ strike notice as being in contempt of a court order.

The NLC issued a notice to go on a nationwide strike on August 2.

Specifically, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, the solicitor-general of the federation and permanent secretary of the federal ministry of justice, said the notice disregarded the order of the National Industrial Court.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday. She drew the attention of the NLC and the public to the pendency of suit number NICN/ABJ/158/2023 (FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA & ANOR V. NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS & ANOR) before the court.

“His Lordship, J Anuwe, had on June 5, 2023, granted an injunctive order restraining NLC and Trade Union Congress from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice,” said the federal government.

It added,

“The motion on notice is also praying for an order of interlocutory injunction for parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the dispute or issues submitted to the court, and the said Motion on Notice is still pending.”

The government noted that the issues of removal of fuel subsidy, hike in petrol prices, and consequential increase in the cost of living, etc., which precipitated the court action, are the same issues over which NLC issued another strike notice.

“The NLC has submitted to the jurisdiction of the court and is being represented by the reputable law firm of Femi Falana, SAN. It is, therefore, our minimum expectation that NLC will allow the courts to perform their constitutional roles rather than resorting to self-help and undermining the orders of the court,” argued the government.

The statement lamented that the “avowed penchant” of the union’s leadership for casting aspersions on the judiciary “is quite worrisome and concerning.”

It said Mr Tinubu and governors had been engaging with stakeholders to cushion the collateral effect of the fuel subsidy removal and petrol price hike.

“It would be a great act of service to Nigerian workers and the nation’s economy for NLC to explore negotiations rather than embark on any strike action.

We, therefore, urge NLC to allow good reason to prevail by adhering to the time-tested principles of lis pendis and rule of law to avert adverse consequences,” the federal government stressed.

On June 5, the NIC restrained NLC and TUC from going on strike to protest the subsidy. In a ruling that Justice O.Y. Anuwe delivered, the court barred the unions from going on strike, pending the determination of a suit brought by the federal government.

Governor Dikko Radda has approved ₦2.7 billion as part of the payment to build 75 new junior and senior secondary schools in Katsina.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ibrahim Kalau, the governor’s chief press secretary, disclosed that the ₦2.7 billion represented only 20 per cent of the total amount to pay contractors handling the construction projects.

He said the approval was to fulfil one of the governor’s campaign pledges.

“Radda has approved the release of ₦2,737,603 billion for the construction of 75 junior and secondary schools across all the 34 local government areas (LGAs) of Katsina state,” said the statement.

“He authorised the contractors to complete the entire project within 12 months.”

The governor added, “Without a doubt, this capital project will significantly boost education in Katsina State.”

The Delta House of Assembly has screened and confirmed 18 out of 26 nominees forwarded to it by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for confirmation as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.

The confirmation followed their successful screening on the floor of the assembly, presided over by the speaker, Dennis Guwor, on Wednesday in Asaba.

Those screened were the immediate past commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, Samuel Oligida, Johnbull Tonukari, Isaac Wilkie, and Pat Ajudua, the immediate past chief whip of the assembly.

Others were Joan Ada-Anioma, Reuben Izeze, former members of the assembly, Fidelis Tilije, the immediate past commissioner for Finance, Rose Ezewu, Joseph Onojaeme and Pride Uduaghan.

Also screened were Vincent Oyibode, Michael Anoka, Funyei Manager, Daniel Odinigwe, Onoriode Agofure, Sonny Ekedayen and Godknows Angeles.

In his remarks, the speaker congratulated the nominees and urged them to be committed to the service of the state.Mr Guwor also commended the lawmakers for their commitment to screening the nominees.

Earlier, Charles Aniagwu, who spoke on behalf of other nominees, commended the governor for their nomination, adding that the ”MORE agenda” of the governor will, in no doubt, impact positively on the lives of the people of the state.

The assembly will continue with the screening of the remaining eight nominees on Tuesday.

The Senate has confirmed President Bola Tinubu’s nomination for appointments as members of the board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

The confirmation is sequel to the screening of the nominees at the plenary on Wednesday.

Those confirmed are Paul Tarfa, chairman for re-appointment (North-East, Adamawa); Gambo Maikomo member (North-East, Taraba); Abdullahi Abbas, member (North-West, Kano ).

Others are Tsav Aondoana, member (North-Central, Benue) Mutiu Lawal- Areh, member (South-West, Lagos); Samuel Onuigbo, member (South-East, Abia); Frank Owhor, member (South-South, Rivers); and Mohammad Alkali, managing director (North-East, Borno) re-appointment.Others are Ahmed Yahaya, executive director of operations (North-East, Gombe); Abubakar Iliya, executive director of admin and finance (North-East, Yobe); and Musa Yashi, executive director of humanitarian affairs (North-East, Bauchi).

Earlier, before their confirmation, Mr Tarfa, chairman designate of NEDC, who was reappointed, pledged the continued commitment of the board to discharge its mandate in line with the act establishing the commission.

Mohammad Alkali, managing director of NEDC, said the board had initiated and has ongoing projects across education, health, and agriculture, among other sectors across the North-East states.

He commended the federal government for its support and commitment, saying that funding was a challenge in the execution of projects.

Sen. Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said the North-East Senate caucus would partner with the NEDC board to ensure the execution of projects.

Ahmed Lawan (APC-Yobe) commended Mr Tinubu for the nomination and said the commission was established to care for the people of North-East.

He, however, said there was an overbalance by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management on the activities of the NEDC.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the board to also engage state governments and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of projects.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday swore in 16 commissioners, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and State Head of Service (HoS).

The governor swore them in at the executive chamber of the governor’s office, state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where the oath of allegiance and oath of office were duly administered on the appointees.

He also presented them with official documentation to validate their new offices.Mr Makinde reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing good governance, adding that he would work more in his second term to leave a stronger legacy.

He urged the SSG, commissioners and the new HoS to consider their appointments as a call to hard work and commitment, urging them to create no room for laxity.

According to him, the choice of commissioners cut across all federal constituencies in the state to give equal representation in his cabinet.

The newly sworn-in SSG, Olanike Adeyemo, pledged to put the people’s interest first in all her undertakings, adding that she would work towards the development of the state.

The new head of state is Olubunmi Oni, while the commissioners are Olasunkanmi Olaleye – Agriculture and Rural Development; Dotun Oyelade – Information and Williams Akin-funmilayo – Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Wasiu Olatunbosun – Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

Others are Daud Sangodoyin – Public Works and Transport; Ademola Ojo – Trade, Investment, Industry and Cooperatives; Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola – Environment; Akinola Ojo – Finance and Biodun Aikomo – Justice, Tunji Babatunde – Budget and Economic Planning; Seun Ashamu – Energy and Mineral Resources, Toyin Balogun– Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Adeniyi Adebisi – Establishment and Training, Segun Olayiwola – Local Government Chieftaincy Matters, Fausat Sanni – Special Duties and Abdulwaheed Soliu assigned as Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology.

The governor also swore in 13 permanent secretaries and administered oaths of allegiance and oath of office to them during the event.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, should be given full protection following a foiled attack by Boko Haram terrorists on his residence.

Felix Morka, the party’s national publicity secretary, said this in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to the foiled attacks on Mr Abubakar’s Yola residence and ABTI University by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

He called on the police and the State Security Service to investigate PDP’s allegation that the APC was responsible for the attack.

Mr Morka described the allegation as a vacuous and mindless campaign of calumny, saying as an old party, the PDP should not indulge in such.

“In continuation of its vacuous and mindless campaign of calumny, the PDP has alleged that suspected members of Boko Haram terrorist group, arrested by the police following their foiled plot to attack the residence of Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president and its presidential candidate, in Yola, were sponsored by the APC,” the statement said.

“Spewing lies and gibberish has become the PDP’s obsessive preoccupation following its crushing defeat in the last February 25 presidential election.”

It added,

“This bizarre and senseless allegation comes only days after the same badly ailing party alleged, without a shred of substantiation, that APC was engaged in a plot to intimidate members of the judiciary.”

The APC statement stressed that Mr Abubakar is a Nigerian and deserves the fullest protection of the law.

“Our law enforcement authorities must protect and investigate any threat to his person, family or assets and prosecute offenders. However, Atiku’s PDP cannot continue to peddle criminal blackmail and wicked falsehoods in the name of opposition politics, unrestrained and without accountability,” stated the ruling party.

“We call on the police, DSS and other relevant security services to investigate the PDP’s wild and bogus allegations, invite its leadership to substantiate these claims and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Governor Alex Otti’s government says an innovation park and a modular refinery will be established in Abia to accelerate economic development.

Information commissioner Okey Kanu stated that plans were underway to build the park and refinery.

Mr Kanu disclosed this during a news conference on the outcome of the State Executive Council at the Government House, Umuahia.He said the decision to embark on the project was informed by the resolve of Mr Otti to fulfil his campaign promises to the people of Abia.

The commissioner added that the initiative would provide an avenue for the Abia government to address the issue of youth unemployment.

“A lot of investors are showing strong interest to partner government to establish the innovation park. The park will house an incubation centre. Those involved in manufacturing, logistics, power, modular refinery will form part of this park,” the commissioner explained.

On payment of pensions, he said that the government was committed to resolving all hitches. Mr Kanu added that the Abia government was making efforts to ensure payment of 100 per cent pension to pensioners.

He, however, apologised to pensioners over the shortfall in the June payment and attributed the shortfall to the historical method adopted by the past administration.

Mr Kanu said the method was being reviewed to ensure that pensioners would be paid 100 per cent of their pension and, subsequently, their outstanding before the end of the year.

The commissioner for petroleum and mineral resources, Joel Ogbonna, said efforts were ongoing to rehabilitate the road leading to the Osisioma depot to make the facility functional and accessible to oil marketers.

Mr Ogbonna said that the Abia government was making efforts to effect repairs on the vandalised Port Harcourt-Osisioma pipeline damaged by suspected vandals.

He added that plans were underway to set up a modular refinery in Ukwa West through public-private partnership as part of the government’s efforts to address the high cost of petroleum products.

The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has granted embattled CBN governor Godwin Emefiele N20 million bail.

On Tuesday, Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court admitted the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, to N20 million bail.

Mr Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on possessing a single-barrel shotgun and possessing 123 rounds of live ammunition without licences.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.After his plea, defence counsel Joseph Daudu who led four other senior advocates informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant.

But the prosecutor, N.B Jones, objected to the bail application on the ground that she was served with a copy of the application.

She informed the court that her office had been on the lookout for a possible bail application of the defendant but had seen none.In his ruling, Mr Oweibo agreed with the submission of the defence counsel on the ground that the offence for which the defendant is charged is bailable.

The court held that bail could only be denied where any circumstances set out in section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act are established, stressing that the prosecution did not provide such circumstances before the court.

The court, consequently, granted a N20 million bail to the defendant with one surety in like sum.

The court held that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means and have a landed property.

He asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending perfection of bail.

The judge adjourned the case until November 14 for trial.