Encomium
BUHARI’S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT IS THE BUDGET – GBAJABIAMILA
Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday faulted insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government lacked an economic blueprint, saying if anybody wants to see the blueprint of this government, let the person pick up the (2016) budget.
Gbajabiamila, who stated this while fielding questions from journalists during the second edition of the quarterly report on legislative activities of the 8th House of Representatives, also said president Buhari was influenced into accepting deregulation and fuel price increase. He acknowledge that Nigerians are passing through difficult times but it is not peculiar to the country as other country also experience same.
STAKEHOLDERS URGE USE OF UNLICENSED SPECTRUM FOR BROADBAND PENETRATION
As federal government seeks to achieve a 30 percent broadband penetration target by 2018, stakeholders in Information and Communication Technology have urged government to consider making available more unlicensed spectrum for the provision of broadband Internet, especially in the rural area.
Engr. Lanre Ajayi, immediate past president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), said that spectrum ordinarily should be unlicensed but because it is limited and valuable, some of it have to be licensed. He pleaded that government should make available more frequencies as unlicensed for use in the rural area.
POSTAL REFORM BILL, OTHER NIPOST ACTIVITIES SUFFER SETBACK
The inability of the Federal Government to appoint a substantive Post Master General (PMG) of the federation, is slowing the pace of activities at the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Nigeria Communications week investigation has shown.
The impending mass sack of the workers at the service has led to many developing cold feet in discharging their activities, leading to a setback of the services and revenue. Meanwhile, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communication, has been vocal on the ministry’s determination to go ahead with the reconstructing programmes in the NIPOST.
CP DECORATES NEWLY PROMOTED COPS IN NASARAWA
Following the approval by the police service commission for the promotion of senior police officers, on the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, the Nasarawa state police command has decorated 42-newly promoted workers in the state.
The state commissioner of police, Mr. Lawal Shehu-Batsari, who decorated the policemen at the mess cautioned them against corruption and urged them to operate within the stipulated laws. He further said the officers and men of the command should rally round one another and strive towards fighting crime. He,however, applauded the courage of the officers exhibited in the discharge of their responsibilities.
ONLY INCOMPETENT LEADERS BLAME OTHERS FOR THEIR FAILURE, UPP CHIEFTAIN TELLS BUHARI
A social critic and chieftain of the United Progressives Party (UPP), Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma has advised the president to work and stop the blame game. Uzorma, a professor of philosophy in the University of Uyo was the UPP deputy governorship candidate in Imo State in the last general election.
He urged president Buhari to expand the scope of the Anti-corruption war of his administration to cover members of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are equally accused of corrupt practices.
BUHARI, KALU EULOGISE SOUN OF OGBOMOSO AT 90
President Muhammadu Buhari and former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu have congratulated Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Oladunmi Oyewumi, Ajagungbade III, as he turns 90 years old. First to congratulate him was president Buhari who commended the Oba for his success in business and ascension to the throne.
Dr. Kalu also congratulated Oba Oyewumi on his birthday. Kalu said the milestone calls for celebration because the royal father’s exemplary life is worthy of emulation, he stressed out that the Oba’s humility remains unequaled. Kalu and his entourage are already in Ogbomoso to facilitate with the monarch and members of his family.
NO MORE CRISIS IN LASU – AMBODE
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, declared era of crisis in Lagos State University (LASU) over. He assured that his administration was poised to reposition the institution. Ambode who is the visitor to LASU, spoke at the convocation ceremony of the University.
The new Chancellor, Justice Adesola Oguntade, who was installed and presented with his staff of office by Ambode, also said “after the storm, we need to give peace a chance in LASU”. The governor who commissioned several projects, including LASU Radio and buildings, said the repositioning of LASU by his administration was yielding results. The vice Chancellor Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, however, gave credit to Ambode and Council Chairman, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo for the peace being enjoyed in LASU.
NIGERIA FEDERALISM FRAUDULENT – AMOSUN
Ogun state governor, senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday declared the form of Federalism being practiced in Nigeria as fraudulent. Amosun called for the Implementation of recommendations of the last national constitutional conference convened by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
He stated that Nigeria’s Federalism is fraudulent because it is the Federalism that put all the power, levy and money at the Centre but put all the responsibility at the state. He appealed to Nigerians to endure the pains inflicted on them by the current economic hardship, assuring that their travails would soon be a part of experience.
WORKERS’ STRIKE SHUTS DOWN EKITI
An industrial action declared by Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Unions Congress (TUC) yesterday, set back government activities as offices were shut down and workers stayed at home. Workers under the auspices of NLC, TUC and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) embarked on indefinite strike to press home their demands.
The unions had issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Ayodele Fayose to pay N512 million being money deducted from their December 2015 salary or face industrial crisis. Reacting to this, Fayose said the state was facing serious financial crisis that may not enable it meet certain responsibilities immediately and as a result, he cannot sell himself or members of his family to raise funds.
I DON’T HAVE BUHARI’S MANDATE TO PRIVATISE REFINERIES – KACHIKWU
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, said president Muhammadu Buhari did not give him any mandate to privatise the three refineries in the country. The minister disclosed this yesterday at the official presentation of International Standard Organization (ISO) 9001: 2008 certificate to the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Eleme, Rivers State.
Dr. Ibe Kachikwu who was ably represented by the Group Executive Directory Chief Operating Officer, Refineries, Mr. Anibor Kragba said there was no plan to sell the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. He also said the president only gave approval for investors to invest in the refineries, by providing fund to enable them operate.
