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(Nigeria) The survival of Nigeria's democracy should be a key focus of the Nigeria Labour Congress , NLC , and its affiliates, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has said. Dr. Obasa gave the charge Thursday at the 2022 Independence Day Anniversary Lecture with the theme 'Nigeria in search for an enduring political structure: imperative of structural reform' held at the NLC Ogun State headquarters. According to him, Nigeria can only advance positively if the various unions and individuals play roles to keep the country's democracy thriving. The Speaker, who was chairman of the event, said that the country is seen as practising democracy because there are legislative arms of government in place both at the national and sub-national levels. He, however, lamented the attempts by some individuals in position of authority to 'pocket' these lawmaking arms of States citing how, in some instances, principal officers of Houses of A

(Nigeria) The Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provision) Bill 2022, also known as the “Omnibus Bill”, passed Second Reading at the House of Representatives. In a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business/PEBEC, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, the House had passed the First Reading on June 22, 2022. The Bill had also passed second reading at the Senate on July 20, 2022. ‘‘The Omnibus Bill is an intervention of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) aimed at consolidating and amending outdated legislative provisions towards removing bottlenecks for micro, small and medium enterprises. It also seeks to ensure the sustainability of business climate and give statutory force to Executive Order 001 of 2017 on the promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business. ‘‘It would be recalled that the that the Federal Executive Council approved the bill on March 23, 2022, which was a culmination of four years of collaborative work by public

* V ice President Yemi Osinbajo (Nigeria) The momentum built in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises , MSMEs , sector by the Buhari administration in the last seven years must be maintained given its crucial position in the economy, says V ice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. He made the disclosure on Monday when he received members of the Made in Nigeria Project led by Mr Adedeji Alebiosu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The group, representing a coalition of MSMEs in Nigeria, were at the Presidential Villa to commend the Federal Government and appreciate the Vice President’s support for MSMEs in the country over the past seven years. According to Prof. Osinbajo “we must be as determined as possible going forward in maintaining the momentum built over the years in the MSME space. “How we sustain the MSME Clinics, how it is institutionalized in a way that the incoming Vice Presidents or Presidents are obliged to pay close attention to whatever is happening

(Nigeria) There is rising pressure on the Presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party , PDP , and the Labour Party, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi over the outcome of the meeting between the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress , APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the road map for the development of the Niger Delta region. The APC Presidential c andidate, Asiwaju Tinubu   at the meeting with stakeholders of the region including Ex-Militant leaders assured that he will sustain the Presidential Amnesty Programme , PAP , and ensure the implementation of the Niger Delta Development Commission , NDDC , master plan for communities in the region. Tinubu, who took the Niger Delta Stakeholders on a journey of how his administration will reap the gains from the Russia-Ukraine war in the area of oil and gas revenues, pointed out that the ongoing war has thrown Europe into an energy crisis, and they are looking towards Africa for gas energy, and that Nigeria will be

(Nigeria) Traditional rulers, s takeholders and e x-Militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (r e td) to allow the incoming administration to determine the life-span of the Presidential Amnesty Programme , PAP. The traditional rulers, stakeholders and ex-militant leaders also urged the President and NSA to allow the newly appointed Interim Administrator, Major General Barry Ndiomu (r e td) to use the remaining eight months of his administration to review the PAP and make recommendations to the incoming administration by May 29, 2023. The s takeholders, argued that though the Presidency has reportedly handed the new administrator, Gen. Ndiomu , a six months’ timeline to shut-down PAP by February 2023 . They cautioned the presidency to be cautious and tr ead careful ly and not act in haste and without considering the several implications on the nation’s security, the

*Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (Nigeria) The use of gas as a transition fuel would not only help in stemming deforestation, it would also advance Nigeria's broader development goals, especially because Nigeria has one of the largest gas reserves in the world, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. The same would be true as other developing countries would also benefit from the adoption of gas as a transition fuel. Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday night when he received at the Presidential Villa, the US Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Mr. John Kerry, who was on a working visit to Nigeria. Prior to his meeting with the VP, Mr. Kerry had also met with President Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking at the meeting with Kerry and the US delegation, the Vice President highlighted the need for Nigeria to continue the exploration and use of gas as a way of arresting deforestation, transiting away from dirtier fuels like diesel, kerosene and petrol, while at the same t

(Nigeria) Media Rights Agenda , MRA , has asked the National Broadcasting Commission , NBC , to disclose to it the status of payment of license fees by all broadcasting stations and platforms operating in Nigeria and the amount of indebtedness of each of the stations owing license fees. In a request made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and signed by MRA’s Communications Officer, Mr. Idowu Adewale, the organisation asked the NBC to provide it with a list of all broadcasting stations and platforms operating in Nigeria licensed by the Commission and the amount that each of the licensed stations is required to pay as license fees. The FOI request was addressed to the Director-General of the Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilehah. MRA requested in the application the status of payment of each of the licensed broadcasting stations from the date of its license to date of the request, adding that for those licensed broadcasting stations that are indebted to the Commission,

* L-R: Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief David Alagoa, an official of Fidelity Bank, Chairman, CSS Group, Prof. John  Okpara, Governor Douye Diri, House of Reps members, Dr. Fred Agbedi and Fred Obua, during the graduation of 200 Bayelsa State-sponsored trainees at the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State , weekend. (Nigeria) Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured of his administration’s commitment to building the capacity of youths of the state in order to make them self-reliant. Governor Diri gave the assurance at the weekend during the graduation of 200 trainees in integrated farming at the CSS Global Integrated Farms in Nasarawa State. The beneficiaries, who were sponsored by the state government, underwent a two-week intensive training in poultry production, fish farming, plantain/cassava farming, rice/maize farming, feed-mill processing, greenhouse and hydroponics as well as in ruminant fattening,agricultural bus

*Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo (Nigeria) The leadership of the ex-agitators of Isoko extraction led by  GOC Mayor Blessing, Austine Ejabulor, Eziomano Azagba and Paul Agbama, have urged Isoko youths to shun protests and violence over the pipeline surveillance contract. Rising from a meeting   in Ozoro, Delta State, the youth leaders congratulated Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo on his pipeline surveillance contract awarded him by the Federal Government. The ex-agitators said the award of the contract was a good step by President Muhammadu Buhari for protection of the nation's critical assets. They expressed confidence in the ability of   Tompolo to fulfill the vision of the Federal Government for the pipeline surveillance, which they believe would drastically reduce the activities of oil theft and vandalisation of oil facilities in Niger Delta. In the same vein, the Youth Generals harped on the need for Isoko people, especially the youths to work together in love on i

(Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has restrained a lawyer, Kehinde Aina, appointed by the National Insurance Commission, NICOM, from presenting himself as the receiver or liquidator of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. The court also restrained the commission, who is the first defendant/respondent, and Aina, the second defendant, from taking any further step toward the liquidation or winding up of the insurance firm pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the restraining order on September 1, 2022, while granting the reliefs sought by Chief Dickson Odoko, Donatus Uba, and Standard Alliance Limited, who are the plaintiffs/applicants. Apart from Aina, other defendants/respondents in the suit are the Minister of Finance and Awoduya Omotayo. The applicants had, on August 22, filed a motion on notice before the court, asking for an interim injunction rest

(Nigeria) Coalition of Niger Delta , CND , on Mon day berated Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu over his alleged opposition to the award of the p ipelines s urveillance c ontract to former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo. The group in a statement by its National President Tamarapreye Tareware and National Secretary Prince Meshach Bebenimibo wondered why the opposition from the governor when his colleague, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa supported the move knowing its positive effect. Governor Akeredolu had recently criticized the award of the pipelines surveillance contract to a private security outfit owned by the former Niger Delta agitator. But the Coalition of Niger Deltans frowned at the outbursts of Governor Akeredolu , noting "We expected the Governor to praise and commend the Federal Government for taking the bold step to increase the fortune of the country by awarding the surveillance contract to Tompolo who, it said, alwa

(Nigeria) Stakeholders from Urhobo host communities to Trans-Forcados Pipeline TFP in Delta State, have asked the Federal Government and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL to review and award the pipeline surveillance on Urhobo section of TFP to any competent Urhobo indigene. The stakeholders in a statement on Monday at Ughelli, Delta State, issued by D. A Onisiru, said a section of the TFP is situated in Urhobo host communities in OML30, Delta State. "We have competent and qualified Urhobo in OML30 Host communities   that can execute the pipeline security and surveillance on our section of Trans-Forcados pipeline. The Federal Government, Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPCL should urgently consider our demands and implement same" They said the NNPCL should immediately review the TFP security   contract to reflect justice and equity as the Urhobo people are capable of securing the pipeline in their communities. According to them, the Federal Gover

*Milland Dikio (Nigeria) M ovement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta , MSDND ,  a  Niger Delta  p eace  a dvocacy group,  has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser, Major General Mohammed Monguno (r e td) , to urgently extend the tenure, as well confirm the appointment of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme , PAP, Col. Milland Dikio (retd) as the substantive Coordinator of PAP MSDND, made up of ex-militant leaders, e lders and other stakeholders, in a statement by its National Coordinator , Chief Ayibatekena Olodin , said the confirmation of Dikio appointment as substantive PAP’s c oordinator would provide the needed intellectual​ to coordination and interface with ex-militants, beneficiaries of the PAP, youths and elders across the region and​ bridge between   Presidenu Buhari led administration and the people of the Niger Delta region. Olodin commended the a chievements of PAP under Dikio, noting tha t,

(Nigeria) The Kwara state Government, on Tuesday, flagged off the disbursement N160 . 55 million in grants to 688 small and micro-scale businesses in the first tranche of the KWARA NG CARES RA3 Operational Grants. These beneficiaries comprise 45 Small Scale businesses that will receive N700,000 each, and 623 micro-scale businesses that will receive N200,000 each cutting across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. In his welcome speech, the General Manager of KWASSIP, Mr. Abdulquawiy Olododo stated that the program me wa s a World Bank-assisted emergency recovery and intervention program that is being facilitated by the Kwara State Government to curb the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in the state as well as to provide economic relief and improve the employment rate in the State. He added that the program me was kicking off disbursement with the Operational Grant, which will be followed closely by the Credit Grant and IT Enhancement Grant. The GM added that the program

*Government Ekpemukpolo (Nigeria) The leadership of Isoko Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, Isoko HOSTCOM, Delta State, has backed and congratulated Chief Government Ekpemukpolo alias T ompolo,  the GOC of the Niger Delta for the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him by the Federal Government. This was made known in a statement on Monday in Warri, by  Morrister Idibra, Chairman Isoko HOSTCOM; Sir Ezekiel Eriseme, Secretary; Odion Emoredo Sunday, Chairman, Isoko North and Evang. Matthew Erurhen, Chairman, Isoko South respectively. They said HOSTCOM Isoko nation had pursued the same pipeline contract which has been eventually awarded to Tompolo, describing it a thing of joy and expressed confidence in Tompolo's capability to deliver. " We wish to also warn that as critical stakeholders, we shall resist any attempt to cede Isoko section of the contract to known Isoke person. We, the Isoko host communities are capable of handling Isoko sections"

(Nigeria) A cting P resident of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents , ANLCA ,  Dr. Kayode Farinto has said the customs brokers may be forced to suspend operations with Guaranty Trust Bank , GTB, following the suspension of the bank from collection of duties on imported cargoes at Nigerian ports. Recall that National Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi had said that, the bank was on temporary suspension on the orders of the National Assembly. However, in a chat, the acting president of ANLCA confirmed that the GT Bank was suspended owing to non-remittance of money collected from clearing agents on behalf of the federal government. He said the act is a criminal offence, this is even as he threatened that customs brokers may be forced to invite the Economic Financial Crime Commission , EFCC , to look into the issue. Farinto informed that following the suspension of the bank, more than N 20 b illion has been lost while ad

(Nigeria) South-South Elders Progressive Forum, SSEPF, has accused the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, of a ploy to mislead President Muhammadu Buhari in the constitution of a substantive Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The SSEPF, whose membership comprises elders cutting across States in the Niger Delta region, alleged that the AGF was creating confusion by misinterpreting to the presidency, the clear provisions of Section 12 (1) of the NDDC Act 2000 as it relates to the appointment of the Agency’s managing director. Section 12 (1) of the Act stipulates that: “There shall be for the Commission, a Managing Director, and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the Commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in the order of production”. The SSEPF on Sunday, expressed concern that while the una

(Nigeria) Glo subscribers have been commended for their massive  support to the company in the last 19 years. Globacom commenced operation on August 29, 2003. In a statement in Lagos, Globacom stated that "it ha s  been an eventful and fulfilling 19 years of operations". Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Bisi Koleosho, who thanked Nigerians, particularly Glo subscribers, for their faith in the company, assured them of the company's commitment  to the provision of world-class communications and digital services.  This, according to him, is part of the corporate promise by Globacom at launch to build a robust communications and technology infrastructure that would provide a top-notch network that will stand test of time. Mr. Koleosho said, " As we celebrate our remarkable achievements these past 19 years, we wish to thank our subscribers for keeping faith with us these past 19 years. We assure them that Globacom will remain a catalyst for socio

(Nigeria) The Asere, Arogbo Ijaw community of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, has, cried out to the Federal Government that Conoil Producing   Limited was stoking grave threat to peace and security in the oil rich area. In a statement by leaders of the communities, namely Bonsuwe Ominidougha, Chairman, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Akure, Ondo State Chapter,   Pastor Ebitimi Dio- Posibi, Chairman, INC, Lagos State Chapter and Dr. James Ashida, Chairman, Arogbo-Ijaw Community Organisation, AICO, they called the Federal   Government to come to the rescue of the jolted communities. INC and the community leaders alleged that Conoil Producing Limited was forcing itself into operations in the area without adherence to the procedures and regulations guiding the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. The body said that the movement of the oil firm had caused serious threat to peace and security in the area. The leaders lamented that Conoil blatantly refused to directly negotiate with