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Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, said the President has no plans to move the Federal Capital to Lagos.
Onanuga said those peddling rumour are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves.
He claimed that those pushing the campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit dangerous politics to pitch the North against the South.
According to him, Abuja has come to stay as it is backed by law.
His statement followed the recent relocation of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry, to Lagos.
Onanuga said there are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate, insisting that Administrative decisions should not be politicized.
“President Tinubu has no plan whatsoever to move the Federal Capital to Lagos. The rumour first surfaced during the campaign last year by opponents looking for all manners of weapons to stop him. We trashed it.
“Those peddling it anew are dishonest, ethnic and regional champions, trying to draw attention to themselves. Abuja has come to stay. It is backed by law.
“The movement of FAAN, a department of the Aviation Ministry to Lagos, where it was based before former minister Hadi Sirika moved it to Abuja during the last administration, does not amount to moving the FCT to Lagos. The administrative move should have attracted scant attention, as Lagos is the commercial capital and the hub of aviation business in Nigeria. FAAN should be nowhere else but near the industry it regulates. FAAN will still maintain some presence in Abuja, as it is not a wholesale movement.
“Similarly, the movement of some departments of the CBN to Lagos should not trigger any hoopla. The departments concerned, including the bank supervision department, are those dealing with commercial banks, all with headquarters in Lagos. A regulator ought to be close to the businesses it regulates.
“All those pushing this campaign of falsehood know they are playing politics, albeit a dangerous politics to pit the North against the South.
“There are many parastatals that are not based in Abuja depending on their mandate. NIMASA is in Lagos. So is NPA. The National Inland Waterways Authority( NIWA) is in Lokoja, not Abuja. Will the people opposing the movement of FAAN and some CBN departments want those agencies to be in Abuja, where there is no single port and no maritime activity?
“Administrative decisions should not be politicized. Let it not look like whenever we are temporarily not at the helm of affairs, we create all manners of dangerous rumours to distract from the bigger picture and emasculate an administration led by a Southerner.
“Let’s stop the dirty politics. We can’t be playing politics with everything.”
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has sworn-in Customary Court President (Legal), Mr. Idowu Folami Sodimu and 32 members, in order to enhance prompt dispensation of justice in the state.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony at the Ceremonial Court Hall, Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, Justice Dipeolu implored them to resist the temptation of abusing judicial powers in the course of dispensation of justice.
She said the appointment was based on trust and confidence reposed in them, while administering the oath of office to the newly appointed members, they were urged not to be carried away with enormous powers which various laws have conferred on them and in the discharge of their duties.
She stated that the appointees had special roles to play towards ensuring that justice was delivered at all times, to further improve the standard of the Judiciary, pointing out that government would not tolerate misconduct or indiscipline of any form.
According to the Chief Judge, "As members of Customary Court that have been administered under oath, you have to be good ambassadors of each jurisdiction you represent because you are closer to the grassroots. Do not collect bribes and fair God in all your dealings’’.
In her remarks, the Acting President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Adebisi Femi-Segun, said the appointees had been screened and appointed, in line with laid down procedure which was in accordance with the provisions of section 197(1)(c), 202 and 204 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), the Customary Courts Law of Ogun State 2006 (as amended), as well as Ogun State Judicial Service Commission Guidelines.
Justice Femi-Segun, who charged the appointees to bring their experiences to bear in the discharge of duties, said ethics, decorum and comportment should be observed in their new office, urging them to be faithful to the Oath of Office and impartial in the delivery of justice in their jurisdictions.
"Indeed, you are expected to observe the ethics, decorum and comportment of your new office. It is also expected that you will be faithful to your Oath of Office and dispense justice without fear or favour, as you adjudicate cases assigned to you, please same will not be tolerated in any form or guise.
Responding, one of the appointees, Mrs. Aderonke Jacobs appreciated the state government for allowing them to serve the state, promising to discharge their duties in accordance with the rule of laws and dispense justice without fear or favour.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Willie Obiano, the immediate past governor of Anambra state, over allegations of money laundering.
On Wednesday, the former governor appeared before Inyang Ekwo, judge of a federal high court in Abuja.
Obiano pleaded not guilty to the nine-count charge preferred against him by the anti-graft agency.
Upon arraignment, Sylvanus Tahir, EFCC counsel, prayed the court to remand the defendant in custody pending the commencement of trial.
But Onyinyechi Ikpeazu, Obiano’s counsel, asked the court to grant bail to his client.
Ruling on the applications, Ekwo held that the defendant should enjoy bail on the administrative terms granted earlier by the EFCC.
He added that the defendant’s international passport should be transmitted to the court within 10 days.
The judge also directed the court registrar to inform the immigration service about the passport when it is transferred.
The case was subsequently adjourned to March 4 for the commencement of trial.
In September 2021, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra had asked the anti-graft agency to probe the state’s finances to unearth “monumental deception”.
Basil Ejidike, Anambra APC chairman, had alleged that Obiano was “fraudulently” using the state’s security vote.
The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dissolved the State Executive Council, with immediate effect.
All members of the Cabinet are to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.
Also, all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) are relieved of their duties, with immediate effect.
All the affected officials are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession.
The Governor thanks the affected officials for their services and contributions to the development of the State.
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON has called on the church to continue to pray and harp more on biblical values to give Nigerian youths a proper mindset.
“Nigeria needs a lot of prayers at this time, especially for the youth. It is very good for us to begin to train the youth and give them a proper mindset,” Senator Tinubu said when he received the leadership of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative led by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon in her office at the State House Abuja.
Tinubu told members of the delegation who were in her office to sensitise her on the forthcoming 2024 International Conference of ABLI scheduled for Nigeria in October, the Christian community in Africa and Nigeria in particular to go beyond religious sentiments and tolerate one another.
Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that the church must harp more on biblical values, especially for the youth: “The teachings in our churches should be biblical value-based so that we can get a better nation.”
She added that the leadership of the ABLI should continue with their various programs as a way of enhancing the spirituality of not only Nigerian Leaders but Africa in general.
“African nations have a lot in common and we should come together to address some of the issues affecting us,” she said.
Earlier in his remarks, Former Head of State and Leader of the ABLI delegation, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR said the organization seeks to bring about qualitative transformation of African nations through leadership with biblical values.
He noted that the ABLI is a non-partisan organization which is particular about raising a new generation of highly principled leaders with value for Justice, Value for Integrity, value for wisdom and value for social harmony.
The International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative was instituted in 2010 and has its conference every 2 years with the venue rotated among various African countries. The last one was held in Rwanda.
Nigeria is hosting the next edition with the theme, Value Based Leadership For Africa on the 21st to 25th of October 2024.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, on nine counts of alleged N4 billion fraud.
Obiano was alleged to have perpetrated this act during his tenure as governor of the South-East state from March 2014 to March 2022.
The 68-year-old has been arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja.
The immediate-past governor of Anambra State has arrived at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.
He arrived in the company of some officials of the EFCC.
The trial judge has yet to arrive as of the time of filling this report.
More details later…
The details of the meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a delegation from Chevron Corporation have emerged.
President Tinubu, on Tuesday, met with the delegation led by President of Chevron International Exploration and Production, Clay Neff, at the State House in Abuja.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, after the meeting, President Tinubu said his administration will continue to provide the needed interventions in the oil and gas industry in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
President Tinubu said Nigeria would strengthen its long-standing partnership with the multinational company in line with the evolving dynamics in the oil and gas industry.
“’You must see the PIA as a legacy law. We assure you of quick interventions and turnaround on any issue you may have in your operations in our country,” he said.
Tinubu also welcomed Chevron’s commitment to build on its investments in shallow and deep-water operations in Nigeria, noting the company’s ongoing $1.4bn drilling project with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
The President also commended Chevron for its dedication to reducing its carbon footprint in the country.
He said: “Nigeria is proud of the 60-year partnership with Chevron, and we believe this partnership will be strengthened to add mutually beneficial value for the benefit of your shareholders as well as the living standards and economic opportunities of our population.”
In his remarks, Neff pledged that the company would continue to operate in full adherence to the highest standards, even as it meets its investment commitments in Nigeria.
He highlighted the company’s contributions to domestic gas supply, noting the delivery of 25 per cent gas through a joint venture with NNPC Limited.
Neff also said Chevron was scaling up its investments in the country with its recent efforts in a new phase of development to include the conversion, under the Petroleum Industry Act, of all the NNPCL/Chevron Nigeria Limited Joint Venture Oil Mining Leases and Agbami OML 127 to Petroleum Mining Leases and Petroleum Prospecting Licences and entry into OPL 215 block to boost deep-water development opportunities.
He also said the company have signed the 20-year renewal of three deepwater leases; commencement seismic data acquisition in several deepwater leases; commencement of life extension work on the Agbami project, and, in partnership with NNPCL, secured $1.4bn financing to fund the NNPCL/CNL JV infill drilling programme between 2022 to 2026, which includes the drilling of 37 wells in the shallow offshore and onshore Escravos area and associated facilities.
Neff further informed President Tinubu that Chevron’s average annual tax and royalty remittances over the past three years had reached $3.4bn.
He said, “The bold steps you have taken since you assumed office are quite impressive. We are encouraged by our partnership of over 60 years, and we look forward, God willing, to continue that partnership for many decades to come.
”We are also looking at other opportunities as well while operating with the best environmental practices.
“We will continue to grow our traditional oil and gas business because we know the countries where we operate are in need of those products, and the world needs those products.”
Victims of the Kaduna bombing have disclosed that they are yet to receive the money the 109 senators in the National Assembly promised to donate to them.
Recall that the senators had promised to donate their December 2023 salaries to the victims of the December 3 accidental bombing of Kaduna villagers by the Nigerian Army.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, during a condolence visit to Kaduna in December, pledged that the 109 senators would donate their December salary of N1m, amounting to N109m to the victims
However, checks by the Punch show that the senators have failed to keep their promise.
The spokesman for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed that the lawmakers had yet to fulfil the pledge but said the delay was merely procedural.
“Any noticeable delay in the delivery of the Senate’s pledge to the victims of the unfortunate Kaduna State incident is merely procedural.
“We pledged December monthly salaries and these would come in January. We are still in January. Whatever commitment the Senate made to the Nigerian people shall be religiously fulfilled,” Adaramodu said.
A government official, conversant with the process, who spoke with the publication on the condition of anonymity, said about N140m had been gathered, but the disbursement to the victims was being delayed as many of those who made pledges had yet to redeem them nearly two months after the tragic incident.
Speaking with the aforementioned publication, Idris Dahiru, who lost 30 members of his family to the incident, said the victims are yet to receive anything from those who pledged donations.
He said, “We are eager to see development in our area after the unfortunate incident but not yet.
“We are expectant. We are not happy that some well-meaning Nigerians who promised donations publicly refused to redeem their pledges.
“We were informed that some of those who announced their donations publicly, on realising that they were using the funds to rebuild Tudun Biri, declined to redeem their pledges. Those in that category should come out and let the world know that they decline to redeem their pledges.
“The security situation in Tudun Biri is still a concern. We were told that a military formation would be established but that has not happened. There is still a security threat here in Tudun Biri and the earlier the government acted on the promise (military formation) the better for the community.”
Another victim of the incident, Aliyu Yakubu said that the village had yet to witness any development, except for the “clearance of the road” leading to Tudun Biri.
“Currently, the construction of the central mosque is ongoing here in our village. But since the clearing of the road a few days before Christmas and when men in military uniforms came to survey where they would establish (a military) formation, nothing is happening in Tudun Biri at the moment.”
On the disbursement of funds to victims, Ibrahim said they had yet to receive any funds from the government except relief materials, including foodstuffs.
“We were told that many who made pledges could not redeem their pledges,” he said.
Senator Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate, says he is not in support of the relocation of the key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to Lagos State.
Speaking on Tuesday during a chat on Channels Television’s programme, Ndume, who represents Borno South, implored Tinubu to rescind the decision.
Recall that an internal memo circulated last week in which the apex bank directed some of its units to move to Lagos in a bid to decongest the Abuja headquarters.
The development had sparked controversy as some Nigerians, particularly Northerners, rejected the move.
The Arewa Consultative Forum said it was part of a long-standing plot to further underdevelop the Northern region.
Speaking on the matter, Ndume wondered why the CBN units are not moved to states close to Abuja, saying there would be political consequences if the apex bank forge ahead with the relocation.
Ndume opined that the decision “was not well thought out,” saying he “is confident that the president is going to reverse it.”
He added: “And if that does not happen, of course, this is democracy; we know what to do.”
He said: “Why was the headquarters moved from Lagos to Abuja? Was it not because of the congestion there? I don’t even see any issues of congestion. There is going to be an increase in cost because they are going to be running from Lagos to Abuja, spending more money and even exposing our workers to unnecessary risks.
“Don’t try to bring tribalism into it. I’m not a Hausa man and I’m not a Fulani man but I’m a Northerner and a Nigerian. Those misleading the president are not doing him any good because this is going to have some political consequences. If Tinubu was not elected president, the CBN governor would not be there. It was not Lagos votes that put Tinubu there.”
Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality TV star and media personality, Natacha Anita Akide, popularly known as Tacha, has urged women in relationships not to be faithful to their partners until they are engaged or married.
Speaking in the latest episode of the Spill With Phyna podcast, Tacha stated that there is no oath in a relationship that binds women to be faithful.
According to the self-acclaimed Port Harcourt First Daughter, women in relationships are single until they are married.
Tacha said; “You have to be in a relationship and not be faithful until you probably get a ring or until you’re getting married, where you have to swear an oath.
“Because which oath did you swear in a relationship that you are faithful? You are single until you are married.”
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The Debt Management Office (DMO) has announced the first FGN bond auction of 2024.
According to the announcement seen by Nairametrics, the auction is set for January 29, 2024, with the settlement date being January 31, 2024.
Details of the offer
The bond offerings are
- N90 billion of the reopened 10-year 16.2884% FGN MAR 2027 bond
- N90 billion of the reopened 10-year 14.55% FGN APR 2029 bond
- N90 billion of the reopened 10-year 14.70% FGN JUN 2033 bond
- N90 billion of the reopened 15-year 15.45% FGN JUN 2038 bond
The bonds are offered at a unit price of N1,000, with a minimum subscription requirement of N50,001,000 and subsequent increments in multiples of N1,000. Interest payments on FGN bonds are made semi-annually (twice a year).
About FGN Bonds
The FGN bonds meet the criteria outlined in the Trustee Investment Act, allowing trustees to invest in them. Additionally, they qualify as Government securities under the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) and Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), ensuring they are tax-exempt for Pension Funds and other investors.
After the bonds are auctioned in the primary market to the primary dealer market makers, the bonds are then listed on both the Nigerian Exchange Limited and FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, which are the secondary markets.
What you should know
In 2023, the Federal Government raised about N5.49 trillion through FGN bond auctions which were used to finance the 2023 budget deficit of N11.34 trillion.
With the budget deficit in the 2024 budget put at N9.18 trillion, it is projected that there may be a drop in the amount raised through FGN bond auctions.
Moreover, the anticipated marginal rates for the January bond auctions are expected to align with the government’s stance on monetary policy rates, which will be determined during the initial Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting scheduled for February 26 and 27.
[Nairametrics]
King Mohammed VI has extended an invitation to Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit Morocco.
The monarch extended the invitation during a phone call with the Nigerian President yesterday, according to Morocco World News monitored by LEADERSHIP.
A statement from the royal palace said the phone call focused on the development of bilateral relations between the two countries over the past few years.
The discussion also covered the African-Atlantic Gas Pipeline Nigeria-Morocco project; a structuring project that will be a strategic lever for regional integration and economic and social development for all West African countries.
Initiated first by King Mohammed VI and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, the pipeline aims to promote regional integration and reinforce Africa’s energy security.
Rabat – Morocco is set to host over 1,600 kilometres of the project, which is 5,600 kilometres long in total.
King Mohammed VI has frequently emphasised the importance of the project, reiterating Morocco’s commitment to the pipeline project with Nigeria.
In November 2023, King Mohammed VI stressed the potential benefits that the pipeline could bring not only to Africa but also to Europe.
The monarch made his remarks during a speech commemorating the anniversary of the Green March on November 6 last year.
“The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline strategic project is part of that endeavour,” he said, noting that the project is designed to promote regional integration as well as to boost joint economic growth.
The pipeline is set to connect over 11 countries in the region to benefit from Nigerian gas sources.
Many countries have endorsed the project, including Senegal.
In December, Senegal’s Minister of Petroleum Antoine Felix Abdoulaye Diome renewed his country’s support during a meeting with Director General of Morocco’s Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines(ONHYM), Amina Benkhadra in Dakar.
During the meeting, the Senegalese official said that the “ambitious” gas pipeline will benefit the populations and economies of the entire region.
He also cited a ‘specific programme’ planned by Morocco and Senegal to advance the project and strengthen South-South cooperation among all countries in the region.
[Leadership]
Officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have begun profiling areas worst hit by kidnappers.
The Director of the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mukhtar Galadima, who led the team, said the exercise was to ascertain the causes of kidnapping and the solutions.
At the commencement of the profiling at Sagwari Layout Estate, Dutse in Bwari Area Council, where kidnappers abducted some residents recently, Galadima said the officials, with the support of security personnel, will identify buildings without approval and other illegal activities in the area.
According to him, the area was surrounded by structures built without the consent of development control which are aiding criminals to operate.
Galadima, who was represented by the deputy director of monitoring and enforcement, Hassan Ogbole, blamed the poor planning on the local chief and his men.
He said after profiling, the department would recommend necessary measures that would curb the activities of criminals.
[DailyTrust]
Former President Donald Trump has been projected to win Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary just a few minutes after the final polls closed, defeating Nikki Haley – his final remaining major rival for the Republican Party nomination.
Trump is the first non-incumbent GOP candidate in the modern era to win both Iowa and New Hampshire.
At the time of filing this report, with the result tallied so far, Trump secured 146,577 representing 54.2%, while Haley polled 118,027 standing for 43.7%.
“I’m very honored by the result,” Trump told Fox News Digital’s Brooke Singman in a statement.
Trump’s rival, Haley, a former two-term South Carolina governor served as U.N. ambassador in his administration.
She congratulated Trump on his victory in her speech to supporters in Concord, New Hampshire, after the race was called, but added the “race is far from over,” as she prepares for a primary in her home state of South Carolina next month.
“I want to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory tonight. He earned it and I want to acknowledge that.
“This race is far from over. There are dozens of states left to go. And next one is my sweet state of South Carolina,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, as the votes continued to be tabulated, Trump’s margin over Haley remained in the single digits.
Trump made history last year as the first former or current president to be indicted for a crime.
However, his four indictments have only fueled his support among Republican voters.
[DailyPost]