The Lumine News

Author: News

  • Sen Jarigbe’s Bill For The Establishment Of Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja, Transferred To The Senate For Concurrence

     

    A bill for the establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja sponsored by Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (then Rt. Hon.) was yesterday, transferred to the Nigerian Senate and read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

    The bill (HB.276), haven undergone the first, second and third readings, followed by Public Hearing, is a principal bill from the Distinguished Senator who initiated it while he was a member of the House of Representatives before his elevation to the Nigerian Senate.

    The lawmaker reiterated the fact that, the bill became necessary following the health challenges, as well as the challenges of traveling a long distance to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention by constituents whose problems require urgency.

    He went further to highlight the importance and benefits of citing such a Federal establishment in the ancient city of Ogoja which happens to be the capital city of Cross River North Senatorial District.

    “This large health care facility will provide medical and surgical care for our people,who have become vulnerable to health challenges and solutions.”

    “It is also expected to be affiliated to a medical school and Academic medical center where our youths Can practice to become professionals”, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom added.

  • K J Jeddy-Agba Takes Consultation To Obudu And Obanliku Local Government Areas

    K J Jeddy-Agba Media

    The leading aspirant for Obudu /Obanlikwu /Bekwarra Federal Constituency, Prince KJ Jeddy-Agba, consults Obudu and Obanliku chapters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and informed them of his ambition to represent them at the National Assembly.

    Addressing the ward and chapter executives of Obudu and Obanliku separately, KJ Jeddy-Agba insisted that the PDP needs people with credible and outstanding track records to be able to win the general election taking into account the fact the party is in opposition.

    At Obanliku, KJ Jeddy-Agba used the opportunity to acknowledge the relentless efforts of the former Senate President, Dr Joseph Wayas, whose contribution to the development of Nigeria and Obanliku in particular, speaks volumes.

    His words “I want us to observe a minute silence for late Joseph wayas, whom I described as the political bulldozer.

    “I am one of you, a son of the soil. I am not a visitor in Obanliku, I was born and brought up here, and so, I have come to seek for your mandate and support. I trust Obanliku very much that I know I will not be disappointed here having met with the ward and chapter executives who form the bulk of the delegates and some principal officers of the party.

    “I have been a committed party man since 1999, and I have been a Caretaker Committee member of PDP in Cross River State that midwived the current State executives after the defection of Gov Ben Ayade.

    “We are in the opposition and as such, we need capable hands like myself to win the election and not people who cannot match the opposition because, politics is no longer business as usual.

    “I admonish you all to go get your PVCs because elections can no longer be rigged in Nigeria especially with the BVAS machine”.

    Responding, Mr Goodwin Ukpangvum, a former PDP Chapter Secretary of Obanliku described K J Jeddy-Agba, as a man who is humble and not in a hurry about life but understands the times and season.

    The PDP Chapter Chairman of Obanliku, Hon Justine Ejiekpese described K J Jeddy-Agba, as the owner of the land and assured him that, he will not come and consult in Obanliku again, having done that previously.

    In his words” you are the first aspirant to have received ancestral prayers from my people which shows that you are the choosen one and am assuring you that the whole delegates will cast their votes for you”

    While at Obudu local Government Area, K J Jeddy-Agba, also made known his intention to serve his people at the house of representatives. He charged them to be decisive and resolute in the choice of the best among those aspiring to represent them during the primaries election.

    On his part, the PDP Chapter Chairman of Obudu, Hon Francis Atsu, appreciated K J Jeddy-Agba to have deemed it fit to consult his people on his intention to contest the house of representatives election.

    He however assured that, having evaluated him kindly, they’re really ready to send him to National Assembly comes 2023.

    In his words “we will never let you or turn you down for there is no better aspirant for the race other than you”.

    Atsua used the opportunity to ask God to direct the affairs of K J Jeddy-Agba as he pursue his ambition.

     

  • Gov Ayade Impact While In The Private Sector Is My Motivation To Serve My People – Agbor

    A front line contender for the Obudu State Constituency election comes 2023, Dr Godwin Agbor has stated that look up to Sen Prof Ben Ayade then when he was in the private sector. He started by giving scholarship where some of my close relations benefited. He became my role model looking at the trajectory of what he has achieved and done for our people.

    Dr Agbor disclosed to TheLumineNews in an interview:

    TLN: Can we meet you please?

    Dr Agbor: I am Dr Godwin Agbor, Medical Director, Omega Agbor Clinic and Maternity, Okundi-Boki LGA. Currently, I am the General Secretary, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP), Cross River State chapter. Businessman and politician.

    I hail from Utugwang South, Obudu LGA of Cross River State. I am a member of the All Progressive Congress APC and was the party flag bearer for the December 2020 bye-election for Obudu State Constituency.

    I served as the Supervisor, APC membership revalidation/registration exercise for Obudu, 2021. I also served in the reconciliatory committee that harmonized the previous factions in the party in Obudu.
    I was the poineer ward Secretary of the defunct All People’s Party APP in 1999, during which time I donated an apartment for the ward secretariat, opposite St Paul’s Primary School, Ukpada. I am a Knight of St Molumba Nigeria, as the Sub Council Physician for St Patrick’s Parish Kakwagom, Boki Local Government Area.

    TLN: What is your motivation to serve?

    Dr Agbor: I have a strong passion to serving humanity. That is why I chose medical profession whose motive is ‘service to humanity’ This I have been quitely doing for more than a decade now. Quite a number of our constituents used to receive assistance by way of the health needs and empowerment. I feel fulfilled at providing such services.

    Secondly, when I was still in the primary school, in 1989, I took first in a gifted scholarship exams, Organised by the then Minister of Education, Prof Jubril. Then our late Elderstatesman , Denis Akwaji, addressed and gave me support to be kind to our people after completion of my studies. He used to attract a lot of infrastructural and manpower development to Obudu and Nigeria at large. So he became my role model and I got inspired to aspire into position which I can serve my constituency to the best of my ability with God on my side.

    Thirdly, l look up to Sen Prof Ben Ayade then when he was in the private sector. He started by giving scholarship where some of my close relations benefited. He became my role model looking at the trajectory of what he has achieved and done for our people. He has raised the bar beyond what any of us can think of as far as Obudu is concerned.

    TLN: What is your plans for youth inclusiveness in your policy formulation and implementation?

    Dr Agbor: I am a youth to start with. I don’t think my policy trust will be fair without the very strata I belong. The youths deserve to be fully involved in all level of governance because they constitute more than 60 percent of the entire population. The youth have the energy, the mental alertness and the proficiency to drive any process. Just as my leader, mentor and role model, Prof Ben Ayade has shown that 80 percent of his administrative drive constitutes the youths. I shall ensure that if voted into office to represent the good people of Obudu, sponsor bills that are youths centered in areas of Information and Communication Technology ICT, agriculture, entertainment and sports development.

    TLN: How do you intend to harness the vast potentials in the youths to solving the myriads of challenges confronting us using the Tech Solution?

    Dr Agbor: You have said it all that the youths are energetic, full of wisdom and they explore a lot as seen in ICT. It is unfortunate that some bad elements among us indulged in cyber Yahoo Yahoo activities, which is a criminal cyber security issue. I think this trend can be reversed. Those boys can be engaged, retrained by psychologists as to use same knowledge and ideas to provide modern security in technology, by government at all levels, private organizations or individuals instead of allowing them idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop”

    TLN: How do you intend to advance the course of empowerment in your constituency?

    Dr Agbor: Giving of motorcycles, sewing machines and grinding machines is not a bad idea. But I will go a step further to include giving scholarship to intellectually sound constituents, skills acquisition, craftsmanship and business training to enhance small and medium enterprise as well as partner with organizations that provide credit facility for my constituents.

    TLN: Bearing in mind that your constituents are predominantly peasant farmers, what is your plan to advance their livelihood?

    Dr Agbor: The APC led government already have in place programmes like the Anchor Borrowers Scheme, which have seen a lots of our people cultivate more rice and cereal crops. I will facilitate more of my constituents to benefit from such programmes by working very closely with my leaders at the centre. This can improve their means of livelihood in poultry, fisheries, cassava farming etc.

    TLN: How do you intend to change the narrative of poor stakeholder’s engagement in your constituency?

    Dr Agbor: I wouldn’t agree with you completely on this, but I think more robust contributions from stakeholder’s engagement is the way to go. Yes our leaders need to be properly engaged, carry along with the policies of government to avoid friction in the politics. I will hold meetings regularly so that what the people want, government can provide with the limited available resources. Don’t forget, Cross River State has been denied her God given resources in the political lost of her 76 Oil wells to our sister state, Akwa Ibom. In the same vein, Bakassi was ceded to Cameroon. This by extension has drastically reduced our revenue base. I use to wonder what this present administration of Sen Prof Ben Ayade is doing that he has achieved so much with limited resources.

    TLN: Your party, the All Progressive Congress APC, in recent times is known for consensus, do you have the confidence that the party will provide a level playing ground for you to advance your aspiration?

    Dr Agbor: Yes I am very confident that my party, APC leaders, critical stakeholders and members will give us the level playing ground for all of us who want to aspire to achieve it. I am qualified by training, by political experiences, and what I have done as a private medical practitioner to my people.
    I have no doubt in my mind that which ever modalities my party adopts for the primaries election, I will be supported again. And don’t forget, the last bye-election, for Obudu State Constituency, 2020, I emerged party flag bearer via a consensus.
    More importantly, the APC led Chairman in the state, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba have shown tremendous capacity. He is a man who is simple and accessable who have galvanized the party and will want the popular person to emerge through a transparent, fair and level playing process, so that the APC can win the general election.

    TLN: How have you impacted your people previously?

    Dr Agbor: My dear, I think that question will have rather being for my people to answer, knowing what I have done for them so far. However, don’t forget I told you that I have been reaching out to numerous persons in my medical practice at Omega Agbor Clinic and Maternity Okundi-Boki, through free medical outreaches, organised sporting activities and graded 5km road from Eshankpe to Mbube in my community, just to mention but a few. I have a penchant to do more for not only my constituency Obudu, but for mankind at large, if given the opportunity to serve. This service will not be about me, but the people.

    TLN: What is your campaign ideology and your advice to your supporters?

    Dr Agbor: It is simply the ideology of my party which together we can do for Obudu “Yes we can”
    I want to appeal to them to remain committed to this aspiration which is a collective decision for the good people of Obudu. They should continue to propagate our aspiration to all nooks and crannies of Obudu. I count on their prayers to ensure that collectively, we will achieve our aspiration.
    Thank you and God bless you.

     

  • Navy Inaugurates 22 Military Officers For Naval Warfare Course 6

     

    The Naval War College Nigeria (NWC) has inaugurated 22 officers drawn from the Navy, Air Force and the Army as participants for the Naval Warfare Course 6.

    The senior officers were inaugurated on Friday in Calabar by the Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. Sahad Akinwande, who was represented by the Acting Commandant, Commodore Ajibola Ogunleye.

    Speaking during the inauguration of the officers, the Commandant said that the College was established in May 2017.

    He said that the College was established to build the capacity of selected naval officers and their equivalent in sister services at the operational level of maritime and joint warfare by developing their critical competencies.

    He said that there was an increasing sophistication of maritime security challenges such as piracy, armed robbery against ships, crude oil theft, terrorism, banditary, cultism among others.

    He added that such security challenges have all aggregated to expand the responsibilities of the Nigerian Navy beyond its traditional roles.

    “These security challenges, which are mostly asymmetric in nature, place increasing demand on our national resources and response capacity, hence the need to continually develop the professional ability of command level officers.

    “It is against this backdrop, that the NWC was structured to equip operational level officers with the requisite skill set in leadership, national security strategy, and operational art to overcome contemporary security challenges.

    “I charge you participants of the NWC to take advantage of this curriculum to better equip yourselves with the needed professional acumen for the security challenges currently facing our dear nation,” he added.

    Special Guest of Honour at the event, Rear Adm. Sanusi Ibrahim, said the objective of the College was to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers of the Armed Forces.

    Ibrahim, noted that the NWC was aimed at developing operational level commanders who can deal decisively with the contemporary complex national security problems.

    Ibrahim, was represented by Rear Adm. Gregory Oamen, Chief Staff Officer of Eastern Naval Command.
    He said that such officers are prepared to make sound decisions in the application of maritime force as a policy option.
    “It is pertinent to state that the contemporary security challenges in the maritime environment have expanded the navy’s traditional roles

    “These roles moves from Maritime Security Operations to include inter-agency cooperation, international collaboration and large scale internal security deployments”, he said.
    Guest lecturer at the event, Rear Adm. Aliyu Lawal (rtd), delivered a lecture on the topic “Understanding Operational Level Wafare: Operational Art in Perspective.
    Adm. Lawal advocated for the inclusion of ‘cyber warfare studies’ in the curriculum of the NWC.
    He said that cyber studies was needed in the 21st century with a view to curb all cyber attacks from a distance.
    He urged the participants to see themselves as a model of operational level commanders of the armed forces.

  • Linda Ayade Takes Medical Outreach To Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade has organized a medical outreach for Itigidi, the Abi LG Headquarters on 21st to 23rd March, 2022.

    The outreach which is a partnership between her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation, the Cross River State Ministry of Health and Faithcare International, has offered various medical services including free laboratory tests, dental care, eye care and major surgeries to the people within the environs.

    Speaking during the activity, the Medical Superintendent of the Eja Memorial Hospital said the coming of the Governor’s wife had sharply increased the pace of activities in the facility, an indication that people are in desperate need of medical services but are unable to afford to pay for it. He said about 300 people registered on the first day and the number had tripled on the second day. He thanked Dr. Linda Ayade for for helping the vulnerable and called on others to do same.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Director of Faithcare International said theirs was a Christian organization committed to the demonstration of the love of God by addressing the spiritual and medical needs of people. He confirmed that apart from counselling and other services, they were carrying out tens of surgeries daily, some of them major operations.

    Both patients and their relatives were exultant and thanked the medical team. One Madam Jenny Livinus Imoke showered words of blessings on the Governor’s wife for saving the life of her sister who had battled breast cancer for 8 years with no hope of ever being able to afford the needed treatment.

    Sharing his view of MDF’s intervention in the area of health, a member the NGO’s Board, Mr. Fred Abua, said he was excited at what MDF had been able to accomplish in the lives of the beneficiaries of these outreaches over the years. It would have been difficult, if not impossible for some of them to pay for what they were receiving. He revealed that in every location the organization had been over the last 7 years, cancers, hernias, lumps, appendicitis, malignant growths, etc, had all been removed and a new lease on life given to the people at no cost to them.

    Mediatrix Development Foundation has held about 10 free medical outreaches since it’s inception and has reached thousands of Cross Riverians with life-saving services. The team is now at General Hospital, Ukem, Odukpani, where another outreach is taking place.

     

  • APC Convention: PMB, Aisha Buhari Endorses Mary Ekpere For National Women Leader

     

    The wife of Nigerian President, Dr. Aisha Buhari has endorsed a frontline aspirant for National Women Leader, Barr Mary Ekpere for the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the National Convention.

    The news broke out after President Muhammadu Buhari had a close door meeting last night, 23rd March, 2022, with party stakeholders at the Presidential Villa.

    A source at the villa disclosed that the President wife had always expressed her readiness to work with the past immediate Director General of the National Center for Women Development.

    The meeting which had in attendance some Governors of the All Progressives Congress who are said to be loyal to the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Transportation, Rt.Hon Chibuike Rotimi, adopted Sen. Adamu as the consensus National Chairman and also Mary Ekpere who is the president’s wife interest as the consensus Women Leader.

    However, according to LeadershipNg, the governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, had picked Dr. Betta Edu for the National Women Leader against the interest of the general APC members in the state, raising tension amongst party faithfuls as many threatened to defect if Betta is imposed on them.

    While news filtered in that the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and other South-South leaders met yesterday night, the aforementioned names have debunked the news to be fake, noting that there was no meeting of such to project a unity list from the region.

  • NHRC Condemns Alleged Murder, Burning Of A Single Lady Who Demanded Father’s Inheritance In Ebonyi

    By Peter Okiri – Abakaliki, Culled from Vanguard

    The National Human Right Commission, NHRC, yesterday condemned the gruesome murder of an Ebonyi lady who demanded her own share of her father’s inheritance.

    The single lady, Nnenaya Onu, 35, was allegedly murdered and burnt alive by her assailants as there have not been any record of their (assailants) arrest in the State, since the incident occurred.

    She was allegedly beaten, stripped naked, dismembered and burnt alive in Onicha Igboeze Community of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Vanguard investigation revealed that the victim was murdered behind her late father’s house as her only brother died some years ago, under a mysterious circumstance in the community.

    Confirming the incident, the State Coordinator, National Human Right Commission, NHRC, Mr. Christopher Onyekachi Okorie added that: “She was murdered in cold blood, her leg chopped off and her whole belongings heaped on her while she was burnt beyond recognition.

    “All these happened behind her father’s house at Onicha Igbeze of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    “Her offence is that she insisted on demanding her father’s inheritance as a woman. She was not married but lived in her late father’s house at Onicha Igbeze.

    “Her only brother died years ago under mysterious circumstances according to the old mother. She has a surviving sister, Juliet Onu, who is married.

    “Her old agonizing mother points at her cousins as the suspects of this atrocity due to their (the said Cousins) numerous threats to her life before she was eventually murdered, dismembered, and burnt.

    “Her killers forbade any person from the village from talking about the incident nor even sharing the photo of her burnt carcass either on social media or otherwise.

    “Her poor mother wants justice but has no money to sponsor police investigations and arrests.”

    Vanguard gathered that the victim was killed when her mother traveled out of the community to Abakaliki to visit Juliet, her daughter.

    Speaking with Vanguard on Phone, the State Coordinator of NHRC said, he has written a petition to Ebonyi State Police Command over the incident as he was yet to get any response from the Command.

    “According to the sister of the deceased, the incident took place on the 23rd of December 2021 and since then nothing has been done to bring justice to the victim.”

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the incident added that she will get back to Vanguard on the present status of the case.

    https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/nhrc-condemns-alleged-murder-burning-of-a-single-lady-who-demanded-fathers-inheritance-in-ebonyi/amp/

  • 18 Year Old Obudu Born Blessing Ikung Graduates From US Military School

    18 Year Old Obudu Born Blessing Ikung Graduates From US Military School

    She attended the army basic training school in Fort Jackson, South Carolina State, U.S.A and graduated as Private E2.

    She’s from Ibong village in Obudu Local Government Area.

    Blessing Ikung was born in Nigeria and moved to America with her parents in 2021.

    Her proud mother, Theresa Undie shared pictures on social media with the caption ‘I am the mother of an American soldier 🇺🇸

  • Communique: APC Has No Justification To Be On 2023 Ballot – PDP Govs Forum

     

    The Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governor’s forum held its meeting on Wednesday, 23rd March, 2022, at Aba, Abia State.

    The meeting reviewed the excruciating hardship and suffering being meted out to Nigerians by a failed APC led Federal Government; the near collapse of the APC as a viable political party, the readiness of the PDP to take over and offer qualitative leadership options to rescue the nation and issued the following Communique:

    1. We lament the terrible pain and hardship facing Nigerians in virtually all aspects of life. The meeting noted that life was much better in 2015 under the PDP than today under the APC as exemplified in the following Comparative Indicators obtained mainly from the National Bureau of Statistics:

    a. Diesel which is critical for running of SMEs was N131.47 in 2015, it now costs above N700
    b. Fuel: Official and Black-Market was N87/155 in 2015, it now costs N167/350.
    c. Aviation Fuel/Air Ticket Rate on Domestic Flights was N110 per Litre/N18,000 in 2015, it now hovers around N700 per Litre/N70,000, where available. Indeed, the scarcity of fuel which has resulted in loss of several man hours is a disgrace to Nigeria.
    d. The collapse of the National Grid (126 times in 7 years – (June 2015 to March 2022) and its consequences for non-availability of power is most unfortunate.
    e. Kerosene (NHK) used by the ordinary Nigerian for cooking and power was N180 in 2015, it now sells at ₦450.
    f. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12.5kg Cylinder sold for N2,400 in 2015, is now sold at between N8,750 and N10, 000.
    g. Prices of basic food stuffs are now three times higher than what they used to be in 2015. Staple foods such as rice, beans, cassava flakes are now slipping out of the hands of average Nigerians. Indeed, a Bag of Rice sold for N8500 in 2015 is now N39,000.
    h. Electricity was N14.23 per kilowatt in 2015, it is now N38.530, and not even available.
    i. Unemployment rate was 11.4% in 2015, it is now over 33%, one the highest in the world.
    j. The poverty rate in 2015 was 11.3% but now about 42.8%.
    k. Accumulated Inflation in 2015 was about 4%, it is now 15.50%; Inflation Rate was 9.01% in 2015 and now 15.7%.
    l. Perhaps the Exchange Rate has been one of the most disastrous. N150 to a dollar was the parallel market (patronised by most businessmen and Nigerians) rate in 2015, it is now about N580 to $1 in the parrel market and still rising.
    m. Debt and Debt Servicing:
    Domestic Debt of N8.4T and External Debt of USD 7.3b was incurred between 1999-2015.
    While Domestic Debt of N7.63T (June 2015-Dec 2020) and USD28.57b as at Dec 2020 was incurred. External debt of USD21.27b was incurred between June 2015 and 2021.
    n. National Debt to GDP Ratio was 23.41% (2016) it is now 36.88% (2022).
    o. The Corruption Index has risen from 136 in 2015 to 150 now.
    p. Nigeria’s Misery Index, an indicator used in determining how economically well off the citizens of a country are, is usually calculated by adding the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to the annual inflation rate, has moved from 14.75 percent in 2015 to 50.48 (2021).
    q. The major threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Nigeria is insecurity. In the northeast of Nigeria, it is estimated that no fewer than 70,000 hectares of arable farmland have been abandoned in the affected States and Local Government areas. The trend is the same all over the country. This further contributes to food inflation. The APC led Federal Government must take steps to cooperate with States to bring security down to the grassroots.

    2. The Forum is surprised that in the face of these statistics of complete failure in all ramifications and areas, the APC still wants to be on the ballot in 2023.

    This shows how uncaring and insensitive the APC is.

    3. The Forum urges Nigerians to reject the APC, a party run undemocratically by a Committee contrary to the Constitution (S.228) with Mr. President regularly issuing instructions and dictates. It is impossible for a party so disorganized to offer good governance to the people of Nigeria.

    4. The meeting expressed concern and alarm over various reports and claims of incidents of stealing of crude oil ranging from 80% to 95% of production made by industry practitioners and called on the Federal Government to set up an appropriate mechanism to reverse this trend and bring perpetrators to account.

    5. The PDP Governors once again decried the inability of the NNPC to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account, inspite of Oil selling at above $110. It is patently unconstitutional for NNPC to determine at its whim and discretion when and what to pay to the Federation Account, as it is a mere trustee of the funds for the three tiers of Government: Federal, States and Local Governments. We once again, call for investigations and audit of the quantity of consumption of fuel ascribed to Nigerians and for deployment of technology at the filling stations to determine in a transparent manner the volume of consumption.

    The Governors would resist any further attempt by NNPC to ascribe unsubstantiated subsidy claims to other tiers of government.

    6. Furthermore, S.162 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended stipulates that “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be
    paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation…”
    and S.162 (10) states that “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes –
    (a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law;
    (b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation;
    (c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body”

    a. As of today, 18 (Eighteen) Federation Revenue Agencies are not paying/remitting any revenue to the FAAC Account. These include (i) Central Bank of Nigeria (ii) Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) (iii) Nigeria Liquefied National Gas (NLNG) (iv) Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) (v) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (vi) NPA (vii) Security and Exchange Commission etc

    (b) FIRS and DPR takes cost of collection of 4% (Four percent) of Revenue collected while Customs collects 7%. In March 2022 for instance, FIRS took N15.4Billion as cost of collection and Customs took N8.4b. If these are annualised, FIRS and Customs collects about N1.84Billion and Customs N100B per annum. Obviously, some states of the Federation’s capital budget does not come close to these.

    (c) Nigeria Federation has 49% shareholding in NLNG. According to the Minister of Finance during the 2020 budget performance brief at the National Assembly stated that the federation received dividend of N144billion (One Hundred and Forty Four Billion) from NLNG. These figure to the best of our knowledge was never paid into the Federation Account.

    (d)) NNPC deducts N8.33Billion monthly for the rehabilitation of the Refineries in Nigeria. Till date no refinery is working.

    (e) On priority projects of the Nation’s oil industry, NNPC deducted N788.78Billion for various investments between 2018-2021 without recourse to FAAC.

    (f) NNPC in 2021 alone claimed to have paid over One Trillion Naira as petroleum subsidy. Indeed, the month of March 2022, N220Billion was deducted as oil subsidy with a promise that N328Billion will be deducted in April 2022. This is unacceptable.

    (g) NNPC and FIRS as well as other remitting Agencies continue to apply an exchange rate of N389/$1 as against the Import and Export window of N416/$1. The extent of this leakage can be better felt, if this rate is compared to the current N570/$1.

    (h) From available records about N7.6T is withheld between 2012 and 2021, by NNPC from the Federation Account. All these are said to be payments for oil subsidy.

    (i) Conclusively, we believe that all these leakages in NNPC have been made possible because the President is also the Minister of Petroleum. The urgent separation of these two portfolios have become necessary

    7. The Forum noted the approval by the PDP NEC of the Time Table and Timelines for Congresses and Convention of the Party and urged all party members and party leadership to remain focused and united to win power in 2023, to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country.

    8. The PDP Governors congratulated the host, His Excellency, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the PDP Governors’ Forum Vice Chairman, for his generosity and hospitality in the hosting of the meeting.

  • Liberian University Seeks Partnership With UNICAL In Research, Exchange Programmes

     

    African Methodist Episcopal University (AME), a Liberian institution is seeking partnership with the University of Calabar (UNICAL) in the area of research, students and staff exchange programmes.

    The proposed partnership was brought to the fore when the Vice-Chancellor of AME, Dr Alvin Attah, paid a working visit to UNICAL Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Florence Banku Obi in Calabar.

    Dr Attah, who is an alumnus of UNICAL, said that the need to give back to his alma mater informed his decision to pay a visit to UNICAL.

    The AME vice chancellor, who said he would continue to be a good ambassador of UNICAL, expressed optimism that the partnership would expand the frontiers of knowledge.

    “I am here to see how well we can collaborate in some common areas like staff and students exchange and research.

    “We have issues in Africa and unless we find solutions within ourselves to solve them, nobody will do it for us.

    “We have common traditions, common cultural values and we all need each other to see how we can move forward.

    “As a malabite, it is a good thing for me to come and visit where I was trained,” he said.

    According to him, AME is also partnering with other universities in Africa, and maintained that UNICAL being a reputable tertiary institution have been chosen among many others.

    Responding, the vice-chancellor of UNICAL, Obi said she was pleased that an alumnus of UNICAL was at the helm in a Liberian university.

    Obi, who said she was proud of the AME vice chancellor, said “you have done so well, we congratulate you as a malabite, once a malabite, always a malabite’’.

    She called on the AME vice chancellor to always make his alma mater proud by projecting the image of the institution.

    Prof. Obi told the AME vice chancellor that having risen to the position of a vice-chancellor in Liberia, it shows that UNICAL churns-out quality individuals who have been found worthy in character and learning.

    She commended the AME boss for deeming it fit to involve UNICAL in his quest for African collaboration and partnership.

    Obi said that it was easier for Africa to partner with itself rather than looking outward all the time.

    “UNICAL is ready for the partnership and modalities will be put in place by the institution’s Directorate of External Relations and Partnership to cement the relationship between both universities,” she said.