Page 1506 – News Agency of Nigeria

Julius Toba-Jegede
Jul, Tue, 2023

Senate to constitute special, standing committees before July ending — Bamidele

168 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate will constitute special and standing committees before end of this month, this is according to the new Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.

The senate leader said this while briefing newsmen after his emergence as the majority leader of the 10th Senate on Tuesday in Abuja.

Bamidele said that with the emergence of the majority and minority caucuses which make up the principal officers, they would hit the ground running.

According to him, “Before long, during the month of July, we will have all the committees; special and standing committees properly constituted.

“For us, the next task is to ensure we hit the ground running so that from tomorrow, we are able to take steps that will show that we have a clear understanding of what is to be done.

“The first task ahead of us is to constitute special committees of the 10th Senate. Our rules make provision for six special committees.

“This is so that every senator can get busy based on their own professional background and can properly fit into the sector where they can add value.

“We are ready to attend to correspondence from the executive. Through the committee of the whole of the house, we will commence with the confirmation hearing of the Service Chiefs and some other appointees who had been named by the President.”

He assured that as the new leadership had emerged, it would ensure that that seriousness is attached to all legislative assignments.

“By the grace of God, we will be able to make a difference that will be positive that will be worth the effort of all of you that worked with us in ensuring that the two presiding officers emerged in a manner that was not rancorous.

“But of course, the emergence of the remaining principal officers of the 10th Senate was not an issue that was meant to be decided on the floor.

“Rather, it was an issue which on the one hand as related to the All Progressives Party (APC) needed to be decided among the critical stakeholders of the party. This was what led to the emergence of the officers.

“On the other hand, with respect to the minority parties, again it wasn’t entirely a party affair because it wasn’t a typical situation where you have one opposition party but rather six political parties were involved.

“Fifty of our colleagues were involved. So rather than it being a decision to be taken at the secretariat of political parties it was more of a decision taken by members who were elected on the platform of the six minority parties.

“Thirty eight of them by virtue of their signature took a decision as to who their leaders will be and of course this was also communicated to their respective political parties and as democrats, all the presiding officers did was to follow suit because more than a single majority had decided.”

Bamidele added that it had been a no victor no vanquish situation adding that “we are happy eventually a leadership has emerged for the 10th Senate.”(NAN)

(www.nannews.ng)

Subsidy removal: National Economic Council and palliatives challenge

Afonne Emmanuel
Jul, Tue, 2023

Features

Subsidy removal: National Economic Council and palliatives challenge

291 total views today

By Chijioke Okoronkwo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

The recent removal of subsidy on fuel by President Bola Tinubu and its aftermath have become one of the most prominent issues in national discourse lately.

The pronouncement has drawn rage and applause from its proponents and opponents; it has also elicited threats of industrial action from labour unions who contend that their members bear the brunt of the new policy.

Nonetheless Tinubu has acknowledged the attendant variables of the policy, its micro and macroeconomic implications and multiplier effects although the initial its implementation may bring temporary difficulties.

“The decision to remove the subsidy is one decision we must bear to save our country from going under and take our resources away from the stranglehold of a few unpatriotic elements”, Tinubu said.in his Democracy Day address to Nigerians.

Consequently, to address those initial difficulties, Tinubu directed the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Kashim Shettima, his vice, to produce palliatives measures to ameliorate the impact of the subsidy removal.

Taking the bull by the horn, in NEC’s first meeting under the new administration on June 15, subsidy removal, palliatives, among other issues were addressed.

Espousing on NEC’s deliberations and resolutions, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said the Council received a proposal from stakeholders for a consequential adjustment estimated at N702.9 billion to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on Nigerian workers.

“NEC has taken very far reaching decisions and deliberations on the issue of the removal of petroleum Premium Motor Spirit subsidy and its general impact on the economy, the federation and the sub nationals, including workers and everybody, that are vulnerable.

“Specifically on the issue of National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission, NEC has received recommendations on the various ways and means that the country can use whatever increases that we have in the revenue to mitigate the impact that is going to make on the lives of our workers and all those people involved.

“They gave us a scenario recommending that there should be a consequential adjustment, estimated at N702.9 billion as part of the allowances that should be given as petroleum allowance to all workers and as well as a N23 or N25 billion monthly offer to cushion the effect on workers.

“There were other suggestion that will go a long way in making sure that there is review of salaries and wages”, he told State House Correspondents.

In addition to the palliative, he said, government looked at all the issues, the challenges and problems holistically.

According to him, consequently it set up a small committee to review and come up with a term of reference to organised areas, specifically where this palliative can go to and how it will be dispensed.

“And some of the recommendations that were made include that the states create platforms having strong capacity to handle the implementation of palliatives.

“Additional funding can be sourced from the Federal Government, World Bank, development partners as well as Nigerian private sector.

“In specific, the World Bank can be approached for additional financing on NG-Cares programme. Discussion can start as soon as possible. So these are the recommendations that were made.

“And, NEC will pursue these recommendations for the benefit of the Nigerian, vulnerable and the poor,’’ said Gov. Umar Radda of Kastina State.

One area of concern to stakeholders is the legality of any framework to alleviate the impact of the policy and Gov. Alext Otti of Abia said it also attracted the attention of NEC members.

According him, consequently, NEC recommended that there should be a legislative backing to the policy to avert litigations.

The governor said that the council reflected on the removal of petroleum subsidy vis-à-vis the floating of foreign exchange.

Otti said that the impact of the two actions definitely was increased prices; hence the need to find a solution to the shock they would trigger on the economy and individuals.

Energy experts say automobiles are at the centre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) consumption in Nigeria.

They argue that to ensure that more money is saved through consumption of less PMS some radical changes have to happen in the automobile industry as is presently going on in developed and even some developing nations.

The NEC meeting presented an opportunity for the leaders to brainstorm on the automobile industry through a presentation by the Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu.

“It was that about six states in the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Kano that have benefited from domestic production of vehicles or assembling of vehicles by Nigerian companies operating in Nigeria.

“And these companies include INNOSON, Maikano, Dangote Peugeot, Peugeot automobile of Nigeria, Stallion Hundai, Honda, Elizade/Toyota, Coscharis and Ford, Kojo Motors, Jet Systems motors.

“At the moment, about 50,000 jobs have been created by this simple action of either assembling vehicles in Nigeria or producing them Nigeria.

“A great feat is that some of these companies have gone into the manufacturing or assembly of electric vehicles and vehicles powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

“The impact of this is that the pressure on the price of petroleum products particularly PMS will be reduced; the more we use electric vehicles and CNG powered vehicles.

“Some of the decisions that we were taken include that legislative support will need to be given to these companies that are doing great things in Nigeria”, Otti said.

He said it was important to underscore the point that former president Muhammadu Buhari had made a commitment that by 2060 that Nigeria would join countries that would eliminate fossil fuel powered vehicles.

Otti said the commitment also entailed switching to electric vehicles in pursuit of the net zero emission that some of the countries in Europe, America and Asia had signed on to.

“So if that must happen, then we need to ramp up the production of electric vehicles and CNG vehicles.

“It is estimated that if we give legislative support to this company, that about a million jobs from the 50,000 jobs that exist in that industry would be created.

“It was also suggested that the funding that is required by most of these vehicle manufacturers and assemblers shall be made available to them; so that we begin reduce the dependence on PMS and other fossil fuel powered vehicles.

“It was also suggested that electric vehicle development plan, will fast track the development of electric vehicles should be supported wholeheartedly by the new government”, he said.

Experts in the petroleum industry say from every indication, including Tinubu’s body language, petroleum subsidy is here to stay so it is important that mechanisms are put in place to cushion its effects on the citizenry.

Given its projected positive implications for various sectors of the nation’s economy such as the automobile, it is important that all stakeholders should embrace subsidy removal and give support to alleviation mechanisms being worked out by the Federal Government. (NANFeatures)(www.nannews.ng)

TAJBank pays dividends in 3 years, as PBT increases by 300%

isaac aregbesola
Jul, Tue, 2023

Economy/Business

TAJBank pays dividends in 3 years, as PBT increases by 300%

203 total views today

TAJBank Managing Director, Hamid Joda

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

TAJBank Limited, Nigeria’s fast-growing non-interest bank, has set a new record in the Nigerian banking system with the payment of dividends to its shareholders within three years of its operations.

According to a statement by Isiaku Gwamna, the Chaiman of TAJBank’s board, in spite of the inclement operating environment, the board and management of the bank were able to sustain TAJBank on the path of sustainable growth.

TAJBank had earlier made history as the first corporate entity in Nigeria’s history to list Sukuk Bond on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) after the successful issuance.

Gwamna said that the global economic whirlwinds in the past two years, as well as the macroeconomic developments, especially the surging inflation rate, had impacted negatively on businesses.

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to inform our shareholders that we have recommended a scrip dividend payment of one share for every 10 shares, subject to shareholders’ approval.

“We remain committed to promoting business expansion and success while making sure that a sizeable amount of our profits is set aside for you,” he said.

The bank’s Managing Director, Mr Hamid Joda, described 2022 as a significant milestone in the journey of TAJBank, in spite of the headwinds that characterised the operating environment.

Joda said that the management was able to deliver on key strategic goals through relentless execution, backed by a positive culture and delivery on high-impact projects.

He said that TAJBank recorded remarkable growth across key indices in 2022, as its balance sheet grew by over 93 per cent from N110 billion recorded in 2021 to N212 billion.

He said that its Profit Before Tax (PBT) also increased from N1.6 billion in 2021 to N5.081 billion in 2022.

“The bank’s earnings per share grew by 138 per cent to N31.27 kobo in 2022 compared to N13.11 kobo recorded in 2021.

“In our relentless effort to promote non-interest products and modes of banking nationwide, the board and management of TAJBank have set key objectives for the year 2023 and beyond.

“These initiatives include, to promote financial inclusion by leveraging various channels and touchpoints, especially our electronic platforms.

“This is with the aim of reaching out to the unbanked populace; and to be recognised as the market leader in the non-interest banking industry in Nigeria.

“We also plan to open 110 branches/business offices across state capitals/major commercial centers before 2024,” he said.

He said that the bank also planned to offer non-interest banking products and services to underserved markets; to grow its agency network to 100,000 active agents by 2025 thereby reducing the financial exclusion rate.

“We also plan to grow our customer base to at least four million by 2027; and to achieve a minimum customer satisfaction score of 85 per cent ”, he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

ICT expert commends Mutfwang on Gwaman’s appointment as PITCDA D-G

Afonne Emmanuel
Jul, Tue, 2023

Science & Tech

ICT expert commends Mutfwang on Gwaman’s appointment as PITCDA D-G

233 total views today

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

Mr Simeon Tanko, an ICT expert, has commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau on the appointment of Mr Datong Gwaman, as Director- General, Plateau Information and Communication Technology Development Agency (PITCDA).

Tanko made the commendation in a statement on Monday in Abuja, saying the success of any administration was largely dependent on the quality of personnel appointed to serve in it.

He said usually it is not usually an easy task to identify people who are ready to lend their intellect, time and energy to the governance.

He said through the appointment Mutfwang had demonstrated ability to identify the type personnel that would add value to his administration.

Tanko expressed optimism that Gwaman would ensure that PITCDA was run transparently and contribute his quota to ensure that the agency delivered on its mandates.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before his appointment Gwaman was Head, Business Relationship Management (Operations Directorate) at Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja

He had on several occasions deployed his proficiency as a Business Analyst on the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

His career at the apex bank also saw him head the Information Technology Infrastructure Operations and had also risen to management level at the Bank of Agriculture. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Uche Anunne

Julius Toba-Jegede
Jul, Tue, 2023

Politics

Bamidele emerges leader of 10th senate

273 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) as majority leader of the 10th Senate.

Akpabio made the announcement at 11. 29 a.m. on Tuesday at plenary after commencement of proceedings from the Eid-El Kabir break.

Akpabio also announced Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) as the Chief Whip; Sen. David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi), as the Deputy Leader and Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) as Deputy Chief Whip.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had adjourned sitting on June 14 for Eid-El Kabir

Akpabio said, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus of the Senate after consultations has emerged with their leadership which will be the fulcrum of commencing other businesses of the chamber.

” I’m happy to announce that by consensus the Senate Leader is Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele will be the Majority Leader.

” Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) will be the Chief Whip of the 10th Senate; Sen. David Umahi (APC-Ebonyi), by your your consent will act as the Deputy Leader and Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) will be the Deputy Chief Whip.”

A copy of Bamidele’s citation obtained by NAN indicates that he is currently a ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the 9th National Assembly; Michael Opeyemi Bamidele is the Founder, Principal Attorney & Head of Chambers at the Law Office of Opeyemi Bamidele & Associates (with offices in Asokoro District, Abuja and Lekki Phase 1, Lagos) from where he is at the moment on leave of absence.

Bamidele is a New York Attorney, Member of the 7th House of Representatives and three-term Member of the prestigious Lagos State Cabinet between 2000 and 2011 when he served as Hon. Commissioner in differentMinistries and under two Governors. He had served as the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 1992 when Tinubu was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Finance, Appropriation and Currency.

He is a lawyer without border, licensed to practise in the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court; an Attorney and Counselor-at-Law of the State of New York, USA; and a Notary Public of Nigeria.

Bamidele graduated with honours in 1986, from the University of Ife (Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife with a Bachelor of Arts degree and, subsequently, from the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree with honours, in 1990.

After his call to the Nigerian Bar, Bamidele launched into a full-time legal career in 1992. He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) degree from the World-renowned Franklin Pierce Law Centre in the University of New Hampshire Law School, Concord, New Hampshire, USA. He specialized in Intellectual Property Law, with bias in International Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law, including the Licensing of International Transfer of Technology.

A learned counsel of no mean stature, Bamidele is an active Member of the New York and Nigerian Bar, a Member of the American Bar Association and a Member of the International Bar Association.

He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria), the Chartered Institute of Management Consultants as well as the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration, Nigeria, among others.

In October, 2019, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele was appointed a Member of the prestigious Body of Benchers, Nigeria. He is a seasoned and multilateral legal practitioner, Civil Rights activist, a former Honourable Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development as well as Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy consecutively in Lagos State.

He was a former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research in the 7th National Assembly. He also served as the Chairman of the National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABRO) between July 2011 and June 2015.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the restoration, growth and development of democracy and good governance in Nigeria as well as his heroic exploits as a foremost political activist, seasoned legal practitioner, accomplished public administrator, quintessential lawmaker and consummate politician, the prestigious National Honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was conferred on Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR in October, 2022.

Folashade Adeniran
Jul, Mon, 2023

Defence/Security

NADCEL 2023: Nigerian Army enlightens students on civil-military relations

198 total views today

By Abiodun Lawal

The Nigerian Army on Monday enlightened secondary school students in Ogun on the importance of civil-military relations.

The Commanding Officer of 35 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Muhammed Aminu, gave the lecture at Agunbiade Victory High School, Abeokuta, Ogun, in commemoration of the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of NADCEL 2023 is “Sound Administration as a Panacea for Effective Military Operations”.

Aminu, represented by Maj. OS Quadri, Brigade Education Officer, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, noted that the essence of the programme was to continually build the relationship between the military and the civilian.

The brigadier general explained that there was need for both parties to cohabit in a peaceful environment, saying it could only be achieved by understanding each other.

He added that the programme was brought to the school so that the students at there level could understand what the military was set out to do and the prospects in being a military officer.

“Over time, since the transition of military to civillian, there has been a lot of misunderstanding, misinformation and disaffection as a result of long military rule which the country has gone through.

“Since that transition both from the civil end and military end, efforts are being made to ensure that we collaborate and understand each other better.

“There is no way the military can function well without the civil authority and the civil populace and there is no way the civil populace too can exist, we are all coexisting.

“That is why the programme is been brought here so that the students at there level can understand what the military is about, what we do and the prospect they have in joining the military,” he said.

“We want them to know that the military is not a secret organisation, we are open and see how they can fit in to what we do,” he said.

Aminu urged the students to join the Nigerian Army and enjoy the prospect, respect and the dignity in the job, adding that the military was constitutionally established for the protection of the citizens of the country.

In her remarks, Mrs Christiana Odewole, the Principal, Agunbiade Victory High School, described the programme as an eye opener, educative and informative to the students.

She appreciated the Nigerian Army for chosen the school among other schools to benefit from the wisdom and knowledge of the military.

He noted that the Nigerian Army remained an instrument of national unity, integration, development and would continue to enhance its civil-military relations.

One of the students, Bolaji Abdul, expressed delight and willingness to join the military in future.

He commended the Nigerian Army for the lecture and finding the school worthy to be chosen for there 2023 celebration. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Jul, Mon, 2023

Politics

Senate resumes plenary July 4

130 total views today

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate is to resume sitting on Tuesday after the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as the upper chamber resumes, majority and minority leaders are expected to emerge.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), with the largest number of members, is expected to produce the majority leader, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will produce the minority leader.

NAN reports that while APC has 59 senators; PDP has 36; Labour Party (LP) eight; Social Democratic Party (SDP) two; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) two; Young Peoples Party (YPP) one and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) one.

This shows that seven political parties make up the membership of the 10th Senate, with 50 as opposition members.

The ruling APC and the minority caucus are also expected to fill the vacant eight principal positions.

While APC is expected to produce the majority leader, deputy majority leader, chief whip and deputy chief whip, the four principal positions reserved for the minority caucus are minority leader, deputy minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip.

PDP, being the major opposition party, is expected to produce the minority leader, deputy leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip.

Nominations for the positions are purely the affairs of political parties with the majority of seats in the senate.

Findings by NAN show that the major contenders for the senate majority leader’s seat include: Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti) and Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno).

The duo were among the arrowheads of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s campaign for the senate presidency.

Ndume served as the Director-General of Akpabio’s campaign committee, while Bamidele was the deputy.

Also, Sen. Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi) and Sen. Aminu Tambuwal (PDP-Sokoto) are contenders for the minority leader seat. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Mark Longyen/Wale Sadeeq

Halt candidates’ manipulation of results – VC urges JAMB

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Jul, Mon, 2023

Education

Halt candidates’ manipulation of results – VC urges JAMB

242 total views today

By Thompson Yamput

The Vice Chancellor, Salem University Lokoja, Prof. Alewo Johnson-Akubo, has urged the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to urgently checkmate candidates’ manipulation of results.

The vice chancellor, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Monday, said that suppressing such would save the education standard from dwindling.

Recall that JAMB, in a statement on Sunday said it had withdrawn the result of a candidate of the just-released Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result over alleged manipulation of her scores.

The board had claimed that one Miss Mmesoma Ejikeme, inflated her result and announced that she scored 362 in the 2023 UTME.

She was awarded a three N3 million naira scholarship by Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing company and was about to be honoured by the Anambra Government before she was exposed.

According to Johnson-Akubo, this development is not good for the image of JAMB and Nigeria as a nation.

He said that the board should rise to the occasion and nip the evil in the bud before it affected the educational standard.

“Certainly, this is a cankerworm that must not be allowed to dwindle our educational standard nor give Nigeria a bad image before the international community.

“It also means that our universities should equally ensure they do thorough investigation into the status of all candidates admitted for programmes to deprive such manipulators from having their ways.

“For us in Salem University Lokoja, JAMB discovery is a blessing to us; more so that we just ended our 2022/2023 academic session with a thanksgiving on Sunday, and has commenced admission into programmes for the 2023/2024 session,’’ he said.

Johnson-Akubo, however, said that beginning from July 3, applications into the university’s fully accredited programmes such as Law, Accounting, Mass Communication, Geology and Computer Science would be welcome.”

He advised interested candidates to inculcate the fear of God and truthfulness as they applied for any of the institution’s programmes to avoid issues with the management. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Idris Abdulrahman

Forge NYSC certificate risk jail term – Official

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Jul, Mon, 2023

General News

Forge NYSC certificate risk jail term – Official

293 total views today

By Folasade Akpan

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says forgers of its discharge or exemption certificates risk jail term, option of fine or both as penalties.

The Director, Legal Services, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim said this on Monday in Abuja during the 2023 Legal Officers’ Capacity Building Training.

The theme of training exercise is “The Role of the Legal Officer in the Defence of the Public Service in Nigeria”.

According to Ibrahim, the NYSC Act contains all the infractions that people should know about.

“The infractions are many, like forging the NYSC certificates.

“Also, persons that are supposed to go for youth service as specified in the Act are not coming for youth service while those that are supposed to come for service will do but will not complete it and abscond.

“Therefore, the Act itself has specified what is to be done in respect to these instances”.

Ibrahim also said some attend the orientation camps with forged documents and when such persons are caught, they are arrested by the police for prosecution.

He said that though such cases abound in court, that the exact number could not be determined, adding that they were being followed up.

“The punishment, first of all is to arrest them, the police will now charge them to court and it is now left for the courts to decide if it is imprisonment or fine.

“It is at the discretion of the court to say this is what we are going to do as the term of imprisonment.

“If you are found guilty by the court, the court can give you two years jail term depending on the type of offence or three years or an option of fine or both jail term and fine.”

Regarding Corps Producing Institutions’ (CPIs) involvement in such infractions, Ibrahim said that those caught the NYSC engages in ‘lifting of veil of corporate personality’ of such institutions.

According to him, if they submit names of unqualified corps members they are also guilty and sent to court.

He said the punishment to be meted to such institutions was also at the discretion of the court.

He, however, said that such institutions are not delisted but are allowed to still send the names of their intending their corps members for mobilisation.

He also said that it was worrisome that such infractions were coming up day by day.

On the essence of the training, he said a lot of people were committing a lot of infractions against the NYSC Act.

He said therefore, it deemed it necessary to ensure that members of the public to know exactly what the Act contains and what they should do and should not do.

The Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, said that enhancement of capacity building to stimulate efficiency and higher corporate performance was in line with one of the focal areas of his policy thrust to the scheme.

Ahmed, represented by Ibrahim, said the training was organised to enhance the capacity and knowledge of legal officers in the scheme on their professional roles in the defence of the Public Service in Nigeria.

He said that the training was expected to harness the potentials of the legal officers in the scheme for improved professional services.

“Over the past 50 years of existence of the scheme, our experience has shown that the decision by management to train and re-train staff of the scheme has proven to be very fruitful.

“This is especially in the training of legal officers, judging from the laudable achievements recorded so far by the Legal Unit and the professional conduct by legal officers in the scheme.

“The unit has kept faith with its mandate of rendering quality legal advice to the NYSC management and has shown due diligence in handling cases involving the scheme in different Courts of Law in Nigeria.

“To further contribute to the achievements of the legal unit, this training is an ideal platform to evaluate the activities of the unit with a view to breaking new grounds towards strengthening the values of the scheme.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training is expected to enhance their competence and practical performance/service delivery in the areas of legal drafting and litigation in both civil and criminal matters.

Others are legal education involving corps legal activities and general legal advice. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Ekemini Ladejobi

Witness’s absence stalls opening of INEC’s case

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Jul, Mon, 2023

Judiciary

Witness’s absence stalls opening of INEC’s case

173 total views today

By Edith Nwapi

The absence of a witness on Monday, stalled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from opening its case in the petition filed by the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi and his party.

LP and Obi are challeging the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

When the petition was called, lead counsel to the INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, told the court that the first defendant has three days to defend the outcome of the Feb. 25 presidential election.

He informed the court that the electoral body has three witnesses to present in its case and regretted that the witness slated to give evidence on Monday was not in court and asked for an adjournment until Tuesday for INEC to open its case.

Other respondents are Vice President Kashim Shettima and the APC.

He asked for an adjournment for INEC to open its case in the joint petition by Obi and his party against Tinubu’s election.

Other respondents counsel, Wole Olanipakun, SAN for Tinubu and Shettima and Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, for APC also did not object.

The five-member panel presided over by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until tomorrow for the INEC to open their case. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza