Page 1294 – NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

isaac aregbesola
Sep, Fri, 2023

NUC, VCs deny bribery allegation against Reps C’ttee

138 total views today

By Femi Ogunshola

The National Universities Commission (NUC) and Committee of Vice Chancellors (VCs) have denied bribery and extortion allegations against the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing job racketeering and mismanagement of IPPIS in MDAs.

Prof. Chris Maiyaki, the acting Executive Secretary, NUC, and Prof. Isiah Tanko, the VC of University of Jos, denied the allegation as reported by an online medium.

They denied the report attributed to them when they jointly appeared before the committee in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking on the issue as reported by the medium which alleged that the committee collected money from NUC and VCs for soft landing over the probe, the NUC official said the report was baseless.

According to him, the publication is regrettable, whatever the substance is, we wish that this does not impugn the partnership we have with the lawmakers which we should be promoting.

Maiyaki said the universities occupied a special place in the life of any nation, advising that the lawmakers and the universities should come together to create a game changer for the country.

On his part, Tanko, who represented Prof. Lilian Salami, the Chairman of the Committee of VCs, said they read the publication, but added that the VCs were not part of the allegation.

“”We read the disturbing publication and I can say that the VCs were not part of that and we did not provide any bribe to anybody,

“”We all dispersed from the committee investigative hearing as soon as we finished the last time we appeared before you,” said the representatives of the VCs.

Maiyaki stressed that: “Soliciting money for bribes is out of contest and not true, the reporter did not find out the fact. We have hope and confidence in this ad hoc committee.”

He said more than five programmes of University of Jos were in danger of being dis-accredited because of lack of manpower, adding “we were looking up to the committee to correct that”.

The Chairman of the Adhoc Committee, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, however noted that the publication was a sponsored to divert the attention of the members from finding out the deep rooted evil that existed in public sectors.

“”It is not even our mandate to investigate the publication by Premium Times, but to investigate alleged racketeering in MDAs.

“”The investigating authorities like the ICPC and EFCC have been given the mandate to investigate those allegations and the account number,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews)

ODF/GOM/MST

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Job racketeering committee asks ICPC to investigate extortion allegation

isaac aregbesola
Sep, Fri, 2023

Politics

Job racketeering committee asks ICPC to investigate extortion allegation

135 total views today

By Femi Ogunshola

The House of Representatives Ad hoc committee investigating alleged job racketeering by MDAs has written to ICPC, urging it to investigate allegations of bribery and extortion made against the lawmakers.

Rep Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the committee, disclosed this when Federal Polytechnic Rectors, under the aegis of Committee of Federal Polytechnics’ Rectors, appeared before the committee in Abuja.

According to him, the committee has written to ICPC to investigate the account number allegedly released to heads of tertiary institutions for payment of the bribe.

Gagdi said, “I have already written to the ICPC to investigate the account number that was published by an online medium the owner of that account, whether there is any transaction by vice chancellors and rectors of polytechnic in the country.”

Gagdi threatened that the committee would take legal action against the online medium over the publication, which aim, he said, was to “blackmail and discredit” the committee.

It would be recalled that the online medium published a story alleging that some members of the committee requested vice chancellors and heads of tertiary institutions to pay certain amounts to the said account as bribes.

The story also claimed that the account was dedicated for the purpose of giving a soft landing to any institutions’ who would pay the bribe money into it during the investigation.

Members of the committee were also said to have engaged in extortion from heads of MDAs, including those of academic institutions.

While appearing before the committee on Thursday, however, the rectors refuted the allegations.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Engr Yahaya Mohammed, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, said at no time did the rectors interface with any member of the panel.

He also denied that they were given any bank account number to pay the bribe as alleged.

When asked by Gagdi to respond to the allegations of bribery and extortion made against the committee, Mohammed said, ”This is our first time of interfacing with the committee. All of us came into Abuja yesterday.

“Chairman, we are not in receipt of any account number or account name by any member of this committee.

“I will say under oath that we have not received any account number from any member of this committee,” he said.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
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Edited by Mark Longyen/Isaac Aregbesola

Tourism: Stakeholders urge new minister to be purposeful

isaac aregbesola
Sep, Fri, 2023

Culture & Tourism

Tourism: Stakeholders urge new minister to be purposeful

263 total views today

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

Stakeholders in the tourism industry have called on the new Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, to be purposeful with a view to moving the sector to the next level.

Some of the stakeholders, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, described the establishment of the ministry as a welcome development.

The President of Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), Mrs Oluwafunmilayo Kazeem, said the ministry should focus solely on tourism related matters.

“The minister should look at the area of effective security in hotels, where tourists normally put up.

“There is also the need to sanitise the hospitality industry to checkmate quacks and ensure safety of tourists and guests in hotels.

“Also, the minister should ensure the classification of hotels in the country, this will help advance the sector and attract tourists from across the globe.

“She should also look at the area of multiple taxes. The sector, especially the hospitality industry is suffering from multiple taxes and it is affecting our operation.

“Though I know that the ministry does not have the mandate on power supply but the aspect is very important to our operation,” she said.

The President of Youth in Tourism, Mr Daniel Okon, said that the establishment of the stand-alone ministry of Tourism was a dream come true.

According to him, the sector has been on comatose for a long time.

“The merging of Information and Culture Ministry was a disadvantage to the tourism sector, because all attention was shifted to only information.

“But now that a ministry is created, to God be the Glory. Now tourism would be given the needed attention and thus taken to the next level.

In the same vain, the President of Middle Belt Tourism Association, Mr Benedith Terso, said the establishment of the ministry would go a long way to address the challenges bedeviling the sector.

NAN, reports that in the last eight years, stakeholders had continued to complain that the tourism sector was not given the needed attention.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker/Joseph Edeh

AMAC begins implementation of Park and Pay Policy, says Chairman

ruth oketunde
Sep, Fri, 2023

Metro

AMAC begins implementation of Park and Pay Policy, says Chairman

209 total views today

By Ruth Oketunde/ Ndubuisi Nwachukwu

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) says the Park and Pay policy in the City Center and some other parts of the FCT began on Friday.

Maikalangu said this while addressing a news conference at the council secretariat on Friday in Abuja.

The chairman, who was represented by Mr Emmanuel Inyang, Supervisory Councillor, Special Duties, AMAC, said that FCT Administration and other stakeholders have been briefed on the policy.

He said the policy falls within the jurisdiction of the area council as enshrined in the constitution and bye-law of the area council.

The chairman said that sign posts have been planted in areas where the policy would be executed.

He listed the areas to include: City center, Garki, Asokoro, and Maitama.

He added that a court judgement in 2014, upheld that the rights to collect such tax falls under the purview of the area council.

“AMAC as a council has decided to start the park and pay scheme and we are doing this with a human face, as it comes with a very little amount of money to those who will be parking around the stipulated areas.

“A token of 100 naira per hour will be charged and we don’t want anybody to pay cash. You can pay through the POS and we have made it easy as you can pay monthly or yearly and get your tickets from the officials that AMAC has mandated to carry out the exercise.

“We want to inform the residents that the park and pay policy has started today, Sept. 1.

“This is also to curtail indiscriminate parking, car theft, congestion in the city and promoting sanitation in the capital city,”he said.

He appealed to residents to cooperate with the officials enforcing the policy as all revenue received will be used for infrastructural development of rural areas in the council.

“Very soon, we will be rolling out scholarship scheme for indigenes and non-indigenes of the area council and empowerment scheme for women.

“We have already constructed roads and some are still on-going, we have so many things on water projects, provision of drugs in our hospitals and provided employment for our youths, among others.

“We are pleading with Nigerians not to take laws into their hands, as defaulters would be fined and charged to mobile courts.

“For places within the city where some vehicles are parked, especially organisations which do not have enough parking spaces, we have made provision to have a corporate parking agreement with those organisations, where a negotiable amount of money will be charged,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Sadiya Hamza

APC Chairman assures women of better representation in Tinubu-led govt

ruth oketunde
Sep, Fri, 2023

Politics

APC Chairman assures women of better representation in Tinubu-led govt

224 total views today

By Diana Omueza

Mr Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured women in the country of better representation in the President Bola Tinubu-led government.

Ganduje gave the assurance when the National Coordinator of Aunty Zee Support Group, Cecilia Yashim, led a delegation on a visit to the chairman on Friday in Abuja.

He said that the president was committed to ensuring that Nigerian women enjoyed the dividends of democracy under his administration.

“The government is already implementing policies and programmes that would positively affect women.

“I want to urge you to align yourself with the office of the First Lady so that you can also benefit from the numerous programmes she has in her plans.

“We have heard you and your requests and we assure you that whatever we can do to assist you, we will do it,” he said.

In a remark, Yashim said the visit was to congratulate the chairman on his emergence as the leader of the party and to notify him of women’s demands.

She said the group, under the leadership of Hajia Zainab Ibrahim, the Deputy National Women Leader of the party, was fully set to enlighten Nigerians on government policies.

“We wish to please make demands that you as chairman of the party and all National Working Committee members look into, and handsomely reward our principal with a ministerial appointment.

“We won’t mind any befitting appointment that can encourage her to do more for the benefits of all Nigerians ,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh

Data-Lead Africa trains 20 deaf children on digital skills

ruth oketunde
Sep, Fri, 2023

General News

Data-Lead Africa trains 20 deaf children on digital skills

118 total views today

By Ruth Oketunde

Data-Lead Africa, a consulting firm, has trained 20 deaf children on various digital skills in the FCT.

The organisation said this at the graduation ceremony for the participants of its Summer Boot Camp tagged Digits and Signs for Deaf Kids, in Abuja.

Ms Ojone Akor, Programs Manager and DEI Coordinator, Data-Lead Africa, said the four the week-long boot camp focused on improving the digital skills of the children.

She said the training focused on creating change in the deaf community by introducing the participants to cross-cutting issues around inclusion and social initiatives.

She said that the training focused on improving the IT skills, knowledge of mathematics as well as programming skills of the children to equip them for the future.

“When we started, we noticed that some of them struggled with things like greater than and less than, two-digits addition, they also had no experience using computer, but we have been able to educate them on these things.

“I am very much excited about the fact that we have been able to empower the deaf kids through digits and signs programme on the use of mathematics and computer in this digital age.

“For the digit and signs programme, this is our pilot programme as we wanted to see how we will reach out to deaf kids and how we will be able to empower them and catch them young.

“So we partnered with the Abuja School for the Deaf and we got the participants to come in for the training, so subsequently, we will be organising more programmes like this and increase the number of participants to be able to reach out to as many as possible,” she said.

Akor said that the organisation would be deploying some of its trainers to follow-up with the children and mentor them for the next six months, in a bid to improve their academic performance.

“We are in a digital age and everything is driven by data and everything you are doing is driven by IT and information, so being able empower them while they are young is a thing of joy to us.

“We have modern aid tools used for analysis, programming among others, so bringing these children into this type of training gives them an edge among their peers,” she said.

Also speaking, Mr Bamidele Olaitan, the Assistant Head Teacher of Abuja School for the Deaf, appreciated the organisation for the training, adding that the new skills learnt would place them aper with their peers in other climes.

“Engaging the children during this holiday is a kudos to the organisers and I know that what they have learnt today will be meaningful to their future.

“This is not about learning it alone, they can as well practice it, especially the less privileged among them loves any thing that has to do with skill acquisition.

“I believe that what this organisation have done for them will not be the end of it, we will want to have more partnership with them so that they can train more students during their long vacation,” he said.

Miss Gami Nanring, a participant who spoke through an interpreter, appreciated the organisers for the training, adding that her desire is to work as a computer technologist in the future.

“I always want to learn new things, all I need is to do more training and learn more things about computer and I know I can develop better.

“We were taught PowerPoint, Microsoft word and many more things, they made it more easy to understand and comprehend,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

NLC begins nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5

Afonne Emmanuel
Sep, Fri, 2023

Metro , General News

NLC begins nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5

177 total views today

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will commence a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to 6,except the Federal Government addresses the excruciating suffering of the masses.

Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President said this while addressing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress on Friday in Abuja.

Ajaero while reading the communiqué jointly signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, said the resolutions were reached after exhaustive deliberation.

According to him, NEC in session resolved to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from today.

“This is until steps are taken by the Government to address the excruciating mass suffering and impoverishment being experienced around the country.

“To commence a two-day nationwide warning strike on Tuesday and Wednesday from Sept.5 to 6 to demonstrate our readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month .

“To also demand that the State vacates the illegally occupied National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

“To embark on a mass protest and rally in Imo within September in preparation for a major shutdown of the state.

“This is to compel the State government to stop the abuse and violation of the rights and privileges of workers and trade unions in the state, ’he said.

He also added that to begin the shutdown of the operations of Air peace Airline, and other companies in the Aviation sector that were involved in serial violation of the rights of workers in the sector.

The NLC president said this was to ensure freedom of Association and to collectively bargain.

He called on communities around the nation to stop taking laws into their hands but report to the authorities for amicable resolution.

He said that this was on any matter involving members of the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs, and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) which is one of our affiliates.

He urged the new FCT Minister, Mr Nyesome Wike to desist from threatening poor masses with demolition of their properties, and focus more on making houses available to the people.

“He is not a minister of demolition and should be prepared to meet Nigerian workers and citizens on the street if he carries out his insensitive utterances,” ‘he said.

Ajaero said that NEC had deeply analysed the prevailing national sentiment, taking into account the extensive hardships and deprivation afflicting the citizens across all states of the federation.

He said the council scrutinised the Federal Government’s failures to establish essential structures to address the widespread suffering in our nation.

He also noted that it considered the government’s deliberate neglect and disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through the channels of social dialogue.

“This is a commitment it had solemnly declared during the President’s inaugural address on May 29,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Joseph Edeh

Julius Toba-Jegede
Sep, Fri, 2023

Aviation

FG to optimise FAAN’s revenue generating capacity

160 total views today

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has expressed Federal Government’s determination to optimise the generating capacity of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Odutayo Oluseyi, Head of Public Affairs in the ministry on Friday in Abuja.

The minister said that 60 per cent of revenue of FAAN comes from Lagos during the facility tour of the Lagos Airport.

Keyamo said the new terminal at the airport has 60 check-in points and could accommodate much traffic, stating further that the new terminal ought to be optimally used.

“The old terminal should undergo complete overhaul, the central cooling system is not working, and a lot of dilapidation needed to be fixed.

“All airlines in the old terminal should move their check-in counters to the new terminal within 3 months.

“On concession of the airports and Nigeria air project, it will be put on hold (suspended) until I brief Mr. President on the findings,” he said.

Keyamo stated that as much as he was willing to protect the local airlines, he would expect them to be more efficient and effective.

The minister said that issues of flight cancellation and delays would be looked into and laws will be enforced where necessary.

He therefore directed the removal of unserviceable aircraft by the owners for expansion of the Apron.

Keyamo said he would discuss with owners of private hangers within the space for possible relocation.

He said the move was to give space for the expansion of the new terminal to accommodate bigger aircraft. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)

Julius Toba-Jegede
Sep, Fri, 2023

Health

Niger Govt to recruit 1,000 health workers

241 total views today

By Rita Iliya

Niger Government says it is working on recruiting not less than 1,000 health workers to address shortage of manpower in its health sector.

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger disclosed this on Friday during the launching and handover ceremony of distribution of essential commodities to the 25 local government areas of the state.

Bago listed doctors, nurses and other essential health workers as the people to be recruited in the sector.

He said that health is a fundamental cardinal principle of his administration, adding that plans had been concluded for the conversion of Shiroro Hotel to University Teaching Hospital.

“We are signing the contract soon, and have also created Ministries for Primary Healthcare and Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare for proper oversight on health issues,” he said.

Bago disclosed that he had directed the Commissioner for Finance to create a sinking fund account for health-related counterpart funding and pledged continuous partnership with development partners.

He promised to reward best performing health workers with houses, vehicles and scholarships for motivation.

In his remarks, Dr Bello Tukur, Commissioner, Ministry for Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare, said the governor had ordered for the revitalisation of secondary facilities across the state.

He added that the governor had also directed training of health workers for them to be in tune with global best practices.

Earlier, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner, Ministry for Primary Healthcare, said the distribution of essential commodities would reduce mobility and mortality rates across the state.

He said that the governor had approved the release of N170 million for the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities across the three political zones as part of repositioning the health sector.

He added that the governor also approved the release of N250 million to all the focal primary healthcare centres in 274 wards to address issues of dilapidated facilities and lack of commodities.

Dr Gerida Birukila, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, who spoke on behalf of the partners, expressed their readiness to work with the state government by providing integrated services. (NAN)

Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Julius Toba-Jegede

NLC to begin nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5

Julius Toba-Jegede
Sep, Fri, 2023

General News

NLC to begin nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5

122 total views today

By Joan Nwagwu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will commence a two-day nationwide warning strike from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6,except the Federal Government addresses the excruciating suffering of the masses.

Mr Joe Ajaero, NLC President, said this while addressing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the congress on Friday in Abuja.

Ajaero while reading the communiqué he4 jointly signed by Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, said the resolutions were reached after exhaustive deliberation.