ABUJA DAILY MAIL

The National Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria, NACHPN, has called on the Federal Government to give due attention to the scheme of service of its members in year 2023. In his New Year message; the National President of the Association, Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed advocated level 17 as retirement point for Community Health Practitioners, level 8 as entry point while level 10 should be the entry stage for Community Health Officers and level 14 as retirement point for Community Extension Workers just like other professionals in the country. Comrade Kabir Yahaya Ahmed also stressed the need for more welfare package, accommodation, training and retraining as well as necessary facilities that would improve the productivity of community health practitioners towards boosting health care delivery in 2023 most especially at the grassroots. He equally called for the recruitment of more community health workers nationwide towards addressing lack of manpower in Primary Health...

 The Vice Presidential candidate of the Al Progressive Congress, Senator Kashim Shettima, shortly after a rally held in Lafia, Nassarawa state, gave his thoughts about the lingering PDP crisis and stated that the aggrieved governors of the PDP, the G-5, might eventually support the presidency of the APC candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  Senator Shettima further described the Governor of Rivers State and the leader of the integrity governors, Barrister Nyesom Wike, as a heavyweight politician and an optimist who will help in the collaboration between the APC and the G-5 Governors. According to him, “Wike is a heavyweight politician, and I believe that what binds us together as a nation supersedes what divides us; politics is meant to be a source of national unity and not a cause of conflict.” So, if the G-5 decides to support us, which I hope and believe they will, it’s going to be a game changer, and I believe the country will be better off.”

 President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has reappointed the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Moji Christianah Adeyeye for the second tenure of five years. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha (CFR) conveyed the approval of the President to Prof. Adeyeye whose tenure renewal took effect from 1st December 2022. A release by Abubakar Jimoh, the director (Public Affairs) NAFDAC states that Prof. Adeyeye’s reappointment came closely on the heels of her track record of monumental achievements and successes in the last five years especially the attainment of World Health Organisation (WHO) Maturity Level 3. Prof. Adeyeye who officially assumed duty today (Friday) was received by some staff at the Corporate Headquarters in Abuja. She will be unfolding her plans for the second tenure after the holidays.

 The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, on Friday said President Muhammadu Buhari will sign the 2023 appropriation bill on Tuesday, January 3 2023. Lawan stated this after a closed-door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Lawan, who arrived at the State House few minutes before 3:00pm, said he discussed the President’s recent additional loan request and the 2023 appropriate bill. He rued the signing of the appropriation bill is a bit later than that of the 2022 which was signed on December 31 2021.

By Boniface Myom  The minister of state for the FCT Dr  Ramatu Aliyu, has condoled the FCT Traditional Council of Chiefs  and the residents of Kwali Area Council over the death of a second class traditional ruler, HRH Dr Sha'aban Audu Nizazo 111, Etsu Kwali. He  died at the Nisa Premier hospital,  Jabi in Abuja, yesterday. In a condolence message personally signed by the Minister of State, Aliyu described the paramount ruler as a mentor who has inspired many in the discharge of his traditional duties.   The letter reads in parts: "It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of our royal father, the Etsu Kwali, HRH. Late Sha'aban Audu Nizazo. He was a true ruler who served his subjects and the descents of Kwali with love and distinction.   "My deepest sympathies to the FCT Traditional Council of Chiefs and residents of Kwali area council especially the family for this great loss. "They say there is nothing so royal as kindness, and not...

 The President, Mohammadu Buhari says the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello disobeyed him. The president made this revelation on Thursday at the commissioning of some legacy projects in Kogi State Buhari said he had attempted to stop governors and ministers from naming projects after him, but Bello went ahead and named Muhammadu Buhari Square and the Civic Centre after him. Buhari commissioned a new Confluence University of Science and Technology at Osara, Reference Hospital at Okene, and township road networks in Idah, Okene and across the three senatorial districts. Other projects include Ganaja Flyover, Model Science Secondary School, Muhammadu Buhari Square and Civic Centre in Lokoja. “I thank the Governor and the people of Kogi state for naming it (Muhammadu Buhari Square and Civic Centre) after me. Here, I have to digress; I attempted to stop governors and ministers from naming projects after me, but the Governor disobeyed me here”, Buhari stated. Before the president arri...

 The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has confirmed that he and his colleagues in the G-5 group of aggrieved governors in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have entered into agreement to work for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Presidential Flag-bearers. Wike spoke to the BBC after a marathon meeting with APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and top party officials in London. According to him, the immediate assignment now is for the G-5 to meet with the leadership of the APC in the South under the guidance of former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi; and the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege. Below is excerpts from Wike's interview with the BBC: "I have instructed my colleagues in the G-5, the only party that can win the 2023 Presidency is All Progressives Congress APC, and we must do everything possible to approach the Southern Nigeria Leadership of the party under my immediate past succ...

 The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has begun some crucial steps toward cementing the policy measures amidst early successes from the recently released twin policy on the cashless economy. The Naira redesign and the implementation of new restrictions on bank cash withdrawals are the cornerstones of the twin policy, which aims to reduce corruption while establishing a functional monetary system and security environment. The apex bank has also stated that the policy has achieved certain successes that have laid the groundwork for the new reinforcements. In order to increase understanding of the cashless policy, particularly in rural areas, marketplaces, and underserved populations across the six geopolitical zones of the country, the essential steps include the beginning of a statewide stakeholder engagement and enlightenment campaign. The apex bank, in collaboration with Bankers Committee and Share Agents Network Expansion Facility, SANEF, is also enhancing Agents' capacity to carry ...

 The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors have met with the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu in London, the United Kingdom. The APC standard bearer was said to have lobbied for the endorsement of the five governors during the marathon meeting which was held on Tuesday. Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states and some political heavyweights from the South had vowed not to support the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over the refusal of the party’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, to resign after Atiku obtained the presidential ticket of the party. But hours after the governors meeting with Tinubu, the PDP said it was not aware of their parley with the ruling party’s presidential candidate, noting that as far it was concerned, the governors were in the UK on vacation. The main opposition party, however, threatened to punish the governors fo...

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, is scheduled to meet with the five disgruntled governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Before the general elections in 2023, the G-5 of disgruntled governors will meet with Tinubu to finalize their agreement. The meeting will take place this week in one of the European nations, according to a source close to Tinubu who talked with Reporters. The meeting was scheduled, according to the source, who would not provide the precise date of their meeting, to explain their agreement on the 2023 presidency with the governors. The G-5 governors—Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu)—would reveal their favored presidential candidate following the meeting, the source claimed. This occurs shortly after the G-5 flew from Nigeria to the UK for a strategic conference. According to the source, "The G5's endorsement for Tinubu will be a ...

 Four students from Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, who had been held captive for five days in Ondo State by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers were freed on WednesdayAccording to sources, the students were released after the victims’ families paid an undisclosed ransom. The victims were abducted last week Friday while returning to their hometown of Ajowa-Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government for Christmas. The victims were Florence Obadero, Oreoluwa Aregbesola, Ifeoluwa Ahmed, and Omotoyosi Olarotimi. Their driver was identified as Monday Momodu. When the car they were riding in became stuck at the Ago Jinadu axis of the road, the gunmen kidnapped the students, all female, along the Akunnu-Ajowa highway in Akoko. An undisclosed sum was said to have been paid to ensure the students’ release, according to Soji Ogedengbe, a former majority leader in the Akoko North West Local Council. The entire Ajowa community, according to Ogedengbe, erupted in celebration when word of the vict...

 The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said its task team on city sanitation has removed a total of 3,197 shanties and illegal structures and crushed 1,292 commercial motorcycles within the last two weeks. The executivesecretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Hadi Ahmad, said the exercise was to ensure the safety and security of FCT residents and maintain a high standard of living for the residents devoid of any threat. He explained that a total of 123 illegal structures were removed at Katampe Extension and Guzape Districts and a total of 3,074 shanties were removed and cleared at Durumi I, II, III, Monkey Village, Dagba, the Illegal IDP Camp at Durumi District and under some bridges in the Federal Capital City (FCC) Also, a total of 1,292 commercial motorcycles were arrested, impounded, and crushed in the public glare in various Districts where their operations were banned in line with the Court’s forfeitureorder obtained. Ahmad, who ...

The Nigerian troops have arrested the Deputy Commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, one Nwagwu Chiwendu who is also responsible for the killing of a Northern politician Ahmed Gulak. Chiwendu, it was gathered, is IPOB’s main trainer in weapon handling and rose to become the second in command to Temple, who is now the leader of the group in Imo State. The notorious criminal deserted the Nigerian Army, and joined ESN since January 21. “He served on OPHK and thus have operational experience. He was arrested recently during the burial of his father at Mbaise. They have  their camp at Obowo. “He confessed to killing Gulak and confirmed that his camp is responsible for kidnapping the 2 expatriates along Owerri-Okigwe Road and the killing of 2 Police Inspectors escorting them. “They are the ones that also killed our soldiers in the same location and the burning of our Hilux last week. They equally participated in the attack on INEC office in Owerri. He is currently with the Po...

 Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai believes the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential poll, Bola Tinubu will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, Tinubu’s attributes and his efforts in reaching out to those that matter stands him out from other candidates. He said: “For a long time I have nursed this feeling that Tinubu is the next President because I see in him a true Nigerian who believes in everybody regardless of his tribe or religion.” Speaking while receiving Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima in his home Wednesday, Yakasai said the idea of reaching out to stakeholders regarding Nigerian affairs rather than sending messages is what differentiates Tinubu from others.

Residents of the Federal Capital Territory have called for the completion of the Apo-Karshi road before the expiration of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, saying the contractor handling the project should be mobilised back to site. The Apo-Karshi Road project was awarded to Kakatar Limited, an indigenous company, in 2011, with a completion period of 20 months; 11 years after, the project has yet to be completed. Malam Hussein Ahmed, who works at a federal ministry in Garki, told NAN that government should consider the plight of commuters by completing it this time around. ‘’I came to the Nyanya axis of the city in 2015 with the firm assurance from government that the road is a priority contract that will be completed before the end of the year. ‘’We are in the end of 2022 and the road is not completed. The toll the daily exhaustion is taking on us is heavy on our health and work....

 Former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, has predicted that All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will win the presidential election.  He restated his preference for Tinubu to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. The senator insisted that Tinubu will be elected the next president on February 25, 2023. The senator insisted that Tinubu will be elected the next president on February 25, 2023. Nnamani, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, spoke in his country home Agbani in Nkanu West Local Government Area. It was when he hosted some members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). They included former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; APC PCC spokesman in the Southeast, Dr. Josef Onoh; Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, and A. C. Udeh, among others.

 Immediate-past Senate President and former governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has denied the claim by the incumbent Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq that the former embezzled the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Fund. Saraki also denied the claim that he used his position as Senate President to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating the case. The former Senate President said he has asked his lawyers to write the Governor AbdulRazaq to retract the claims or face legal action. “I have told my lawyers to write him to retract the statement or be ready to prove it in court”, Saraki stated in a statement signed by his press officer on local matters, AbdulGaniyu AbdulQadir. “”It will be recalled that ( Governor) Abdulrahman made the claim on Sunday while speaking at the inauguration of the campaign council of the APC Senatorial Candidate for Kwara Central,” the statement added.

 The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has tipped Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2023 Presidential polls in Nigeria. Sylva stated this in an interview with newsmen in Jos on the impact of the huge turnout at the recently held presidential flag-off rally in Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos. The Minister of State for Petroleum said undoubtedly the outing and the activities that transpired at the Presidential campaign flag-off rally would positively stimulate the party’s chances in the coming election. He stressed that Tinubu’s antecedents in Lagos and his role as a national party leader have been so robust and resourceful, saying, Tinubu has made a meaningful impact in the country and in the lives of many. According to Sylva, the likes of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, are not a match for Tinubu because they really don’t have anything to offer. According to him, APC has made strong inroads into t...

  The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has tipped Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2023 Presidential polls in Nigeria. Sylva stated this in an interview with newsmen in Jos on the impact of the huge turnout at the recently held presidential flag-off rally in Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos. The Minister of State for Petroleum said undoubtedly the outing and the activities that transpired at the Presidential campaign flag-off rally would positively stimulate the party’s chances in the coming election. He stressed that Tinubu’s antecedents in Lagos and his role as a national party leader have been so robust and resourceful, saying, Tinubu has made a meaningful impact in the country and in the lives of many. According to Sylva, the likes of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, are not a match for Tinubu because they really don’t have anything to offer. According to him, APC has made strong inroads into ...

 The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced the amount it uses to maintain naira notes in Nigeria Aisha Ahmad, CBN's deputy director, said the bank spends about N150 billion every year on naira maintenance Ahmad told the House of Representatives that the CBN had spent over N800 billion between 2017 and 2021 to maintain the naira. Central Bank of Nigeria's Deputy Governor of Financial System Stability, Aisha Ahmad, has stated that the bank's spending on maintaining the naira has spiked by N10 billion yearly. She revealed this on Friday, December 23, 2022, when she appeared before the House of Representatives to defend the bank's new policy on cash withdrawal limits. She attributed over 90 per cent of currency management costs to the production of naira notes. The CBN spends about N150 billion yearly on naira management. The amount has now risen by N10 billion, per Ahmad's presentation. Kingsley Moghalu, an ex-CBN deputy governor, disclosed that the CBN spends about N1...

 A large number of Muslim youths and Islamic scholars attended this year’s Christmas service and shared many gifts to strengthen Christian–Muslim relationships in the northern part of the country. Different sects of Muslim organizations, including members of Tijjaniya, Shiites under the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and other Sunni Muslims joined them with the sole purpose of strengthening peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance. The Muslim groups also presented gifts to the Church as a sign of peace, love, and better understanding. “They came with many gifts and awards which they shared to the Christians to strengthen Christian and Muslim relationship." The Christian cleric said this year’s Christmas celebration came amid high inflation, insecurity, and rising costs of foodstuff, poverty, and unemployment bedeviling peace and stability in the country. Last year, more than 1,000 Muslims attended the Christmas service and they came with their different gifts to share with Chris...

 Dr. Umar Mantu, the son of former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is contained in a statement issued by Plateau APC Publicity Secretary, Mr Sylvanus Namang, on Sunday. According to the statement, Umar officially joined the APC at his Chanso Ward in Mangu Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state. He said that the legal practitioner defected with over 20, 000 PDP supporters from Mangu and Bokkos LGAs “The young and charismatic politician, who is in his 30s, said he joined the APC due to the need to be in the right place to contribute my quota to the growth of democracy.” “My coming into the APC would add value to the party as I would actively play my role to ensure victory for the party from top to bottom in the 2023 general elections,” he said. Malam Sadak Zakari, the APC Chanso ward chairman, who received Umar, expressed delight over the development. Zakari said the defecti...

 Four Students of Kogi State Polytechnic have been abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Akunnu-Ajowa Road in the Akoko area of Ondo State on Friday. The students, said to be returning home for the Yuletide, were waylaid at Ago jinadu Axis, an area known for criminal activities, especially kidnapping. The development was said to have thrown the Ajowa community into a pensive mood just as parents of the victims were saddened by the ugly incident. Meanwhile, the Police have arrested the mechanic of a popular cream dealer in Ikare Akoko, the Late Augustine Okoye, who died in the kidnappers’ den last week. The late Okoye was allegedly tortured to death by his abductors despite collecting ransom from his family. Wife to the deceased, Mrs. Bolaji Okoye, had told the police that her husband’s mechanic simply called Segun was sighted in the bush while they were being held hostage. Confirming the two incidents, Ikare Police Area Commander, ACP Muri Agboola, said his men had been combin...

 The Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, yesterday appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance to defend the amendments proposed in the 2022 Finance Act which was recently sent to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. The amendments to the Finance Act are expected to be passed with the 2023 Appropriation Bill which is expected to be considered and passed next week. The Finance Bill, is the fourth in the series that seeks to complement the budget cycle of January to December, that was re-established with the 2020 Appropriation Act by the 9” National Assembly. Briefing the panel, the minister highlighted the key provisions in the Finance Act 2022 to include the change of the name of the Federal Inland Revenue service (FIRS) to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). She said, “It also included the reorganisation of the board of the FIRS by separating the executive management from the board “The Chairman of the agency will now be referre...

 A former deputy governor of Bauchi state, Sagir Aminu Saleh, has formally announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections. Saleh led thousands of supporters of other political parties to the APC on Thursday, December 22. The defectors were received by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the national chairman of the APC, at the campaign flag-off of the party's governorship candidate in Bauchi state, Ambassador Sadique Baba Abubakar. The campaign was held at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Stadium in Bauchi.

By Boniface Myom  The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) said  it has commenced  disconnection of all illegal connections to its water lines to save about N400 million which it loses. The General Manager, FCT Water Board, Engr Tauheed Amusan, disclosed this in Abuja,  yesterday when he briefed journalists.  Amusa lamented that while huge amount of money was being spent on maintaining all major sources of water supply,  including the lower Usuma Dam and trunk lines, certain individuals and organisations have continued to break its pipes and engaging in illegal connections.  He also noted that the Lower Usuma Dam, which is the major sources of water supply in Abuja, has the capacity to generate 20,000 cubic litre of water per hour, but only about 15,000 to 16,000 cubic litres are being pushed out. According to him, regardless the efforts that government make to subsidize water supply, there are individuals and organizations that do not want...

 Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), has promised that, if elected in 2023, his administration will put a stop to the ongoing strikes that pose a threat to the nation's federal universities. Obi also promised to enhance educational spending, give colleges more autonomy, and provide loans to students while speaking at a town hall meeting with young people in Port Harcourt. He also stated that under his presidency, pupils would not remain in schools past the end of their degree. I won't let them extend your stay to 8 years for a 5-year course, he declared. It will always be five years. It is between myself and ASUU if I have a problem. We shouldn't make you suffer because of our disagreement. The former governor of Anambra State argued that universities should be permitted to manage their resources so they are not forced to shut down as a solution to break the current impasse between the government and university administrators. "So many thin...

 The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has recently revealed that he does not see himself giving up his pursuit for Presidency anytime soon. According to the report on Abuja Daily Mail, the Politician while speaking with Financial Times, revealed that as long as he is strong, healthy and alive, he will continue to run for presidency. In his words, he said: "It is a life-long ambition and as long as I’m alive and strong and healthy, I will continue pursuing it." Atiku Abubakar, according to history, is one of the Nigerian politicians who have run for Presidency for the highest number of times. In 1993, the Politician contested in the Presidential primaries of the Social Democratic Party but lost to late Business tycoon, Moshood Abiola and his running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe. Undeterred, the politician went on to contest in the 2007 general election under the Action Congress but lost to the PDP. In 2011, he lost the Presidential prima...

 In light of the upcoming presidential election in 2023, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has surpassed all other presidential candidates, such as Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, according to a poll that was carried out in December by the NOI Polls Limited. On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, during an interactive session with Channels Television newsmen, the president of the Foundation, Atedo Peterside, announced that the support that Peter Obi has gone beyond social media. This information was made public by Mr. Peterside. In the survey that was carried out by NOI polls, it was discovered that Peter Obi of the Labour Party received a score of 23%, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC received a score of 13%, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP received a score of 10%, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP received a score of 2%. A qoute attributed to the head of the NOI has him saying that "Nobody has gained or lost more t...

 The Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo yesterday visited the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima. Osinbajo since his defeat to Tinubu in the APC presidential primary has not been involved in the campaigns of the ruling party. The presidency, however, stated that it was President Muhammadu Buhari that directed Osinbajo and the Secretary to the Government Boss Mustapha be excused from campaign activities so they can focus on governance. There had been speculations that Tinubu and the Vice President had fallen out due to Osinbajo’s stand to contest against him in the presidential primary. Tinubu, however, after clinching the presidential ticket of the ruling party, visited Osinbajo to seek his support. Osinbajo months after being silent on the activities of the APC visited Tinubu and the former Governor of Borno State, Shettima. As of the time of filing this report, the details of their meeting have no...

 The star witness of the Independent National Electoral Commission, a Deputy Director in the ICT department of the commission, Mrs Abimbola Oladunjoye, has admitted that there was over-voting in the July 16 governorship election that brought in Ademola Adeleke as Governor of Osun State. Oladunjoye disclosed this on Wednesday while giving evidence before the Election Petition Tribunal hearing the petition filed by Adegboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress against the declaration of Adeleke as the winner of the election. While being cross-examined by the Petitioners’ counsel, Akin Olujinmi SAN, Oladunjoye admitted that in Ward 4 unit 7, Ede South Local Government, there is an over-voting of 75, as the figure of accreditation on the BVAS report presented by INEC is 313, while the result on form EC8A is 383. Oladunjoye’s attention was also drawn to paragraph 21.36 of his witness statement where she stated that the accreditation figure was 830, but in the BVAS report presente...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday announced the increase of the maximum weekly limit for cash withdrawals across all channels for individuals and corporate organisations. In a letter addressed to bank branches today, the apex bank said the withdrawal limit has now been increased to N500,000 and N5 million for individuals and corporate organizations, respectively. The apex bank said it made the decision based on feedback received from stakeholders. The letter quoting all Deposit Money Banks (DBMS) and other Financial Institutions [Payment Service Banks (PSBs), Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs), Microfinance Banks (MFBs), Mobile Money Operators (MMOs) and Agents], as stakeholders said customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS, eNaira, etc) to conduct their banking transactions. It added, “Bank and Mobile Money Agents are important participants in the financial system, enabling access to financial services in u...

 The 9th Senate led by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan on Wednesday received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari asking the upper chamber to approve the advance of N1trillion to the Federal Government by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). President’s requests were stated in two letters read by Lawan at plenary on Wednesday. Buhari in his letter titled: “Restructuring of Ways and Means Advances” wrote: “The Ways and Means Advances by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Federal Government has been a funding option available to the Federal Government to cater for short term emergency finance to fund delayed government expected cash receipts or fiscal deficits. “The Ways and Means Balances as at 19th December 2022 in the sum of N22,719,703,884,306.90 is hereby attached as annexture one. “The detailed breakdown of the additional N1trillion to be advanced by the CBN is attached as annexture two. “I have approved the securitization of the Ways and Means Balances along the followi...

 The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has been hosting a Town Hall meeting with the youths in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State. During the question and answer section of the program, Peter Obi was asked many questions, one of which he delegated to one of the members of his campaign team, Professor Pat Utomi who answered the question on his behalf. The question was about the fallacy that education in Nigeria is now scam, meaning that there is no longer importance of education in the country. Peter Obi whom the question was directed at decided to delegate the question to Professor Pat Utomi. While answering the question, Professor Pat Utomi said that if education is scam, what can one say about ignorance. He nullified the fallacy that education is scam while encouraging the students to take it more seriously. Peter Obi who threw more lights to the question noted that he is not going to make education free in Nigeria, but he will ensure that there is...

 The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele is sick, Abuja Daily Mail gathered. This was disclosed after his failure to honour an invitation by members of the House of Representatives to defend the proposed cash withdrawal limit policy which is expected to kickstart on January 9, 2023. This development was contained in a letter sent to the House of Representatives signed by the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services of the CBN, Edward Adamu. Recall that the House was to grill Emefiele last Thursday over the policy which among others, restricted cash withdrawals from over-the-counter and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to N100, 000 and N500, 000 weekly for individuals and corporate organizations, respectively, but he failed to appear before the lawmakers. He was also billed to show up on Tuesday, but he did not. This newspaper understands that Emefiele will be represented by Aisha Ahmad, the CBN’s Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability. Ahmad will stand in...

By Abdul Jelil Adebayo In less than 100 days as the 8th Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Transportation Secretariat, Abdullahi Adamu Candido is already setting records. Candido is not new to administration as he left an indelible footprints in Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC as a two term executive chairman which he just handed over in May this year. It is on record that since the creation of AMAC as a local government, Candido achievements stand him out. The list is inexhaustible as he established the first community radio by a local government in Nigerian He also established a micro finance bank, AMAC Marshal, AMAC Investment and Property company, and AMAC Sanitary Inspectors being among the first in local government Administration in the country. So when he was appointed the Mandate Secretary of FCT Transportation Secretariat in September, many heaved a sigh of relief that a round peg in a round hole man has come to transform the transportation system in ...

 The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini has resigned from his position. Prof. Kunini cited personal reasons for his decision to step aside. Kunini was elected Speaker in 2019 after the resignation of the former Speaker, Abel Peter Diah. The Professor’s resignation notice was contained in a letter sent to the lawmakers on Wednesday and was read by the Deputy Speaker, Hammanadama Ibn-Abdullahi who stood as Acting Speaker during the sitting. John Kizito Bonzena, the Chief Whip of the Assembly, who represents Zing State Constituency, was elected unopposed by the lawmakers as the new Speaker.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has, at the end of its management meeting held on Tuesday, rolled out some major dates for its activities for the year 2023. Consequently, the Board has approved the commencement of registration for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from Saturday, January 14, to Tuesday, February 14, 2023. This, however, does not include registration for Direct Entry (DE) applications as the DE registration would commence from Monday, February 20 to Thursday, April 20, 2022. The Board also fixed Thursday, March 16, 2023, for the conduct of its optional mock-UTME. Candidates are to note that they would be required to pay the sum of N1,000 service charge for CBT Centres for the conduct of mock examination at the point of registration so as to prevent a situation where candidates would indicate their interest to sit for the mock-UTME leading the various centres to commit human and material resources only for them to stay away on ...

 The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has mocked the Labour Party (LP) over the conviction of its hitherto director general of Obi-Datti presidential  campaign, Doyin Okupe, on Monday for breaching the Money Laundering Act by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. Sowore who reacted to the Okupe’s conviction via his twitter handle said his party, AAC, is different from other parties as it does not have money launders in its fold. Recall that Okupe, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. However, the presiding judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, gave an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the 26 count charges, totalling N13m for which he was found guilty. Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, opted to pay a fine of N13 million to beat the 4:30pm deadline. He has however resigned his position as director general.  But Sowore, who reacted to the situation on his twitter handle, said “We’re ...

 Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has said that he was trained by a market woman to become an accountant. The former Lagos State helmsman said this in a tweet on Tuesday night. He said apart from being friends with Professors, Senior lawyers and bankers, he is also friends with bus drivers and market women. “My name is Bola Tinubu. I’m a friend to Professors, Senior Lawyers, Bankers, Engineers. I’m also a friend to Market Women, Taxi and Bus Drivers. “You know that it was a Market Woman who trained me to become an Accountant…”, he tweeted. Earlier in the day, Tinubu had taunted his fellow presidential candidates, saying he does not wrestle with pigs. Tinubu, at a town hall meeting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, said Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and others do not have the kind of experience he possesses to rule the nation. According to him, other presidential c...

 Dr. Doyin Okupe, the director general of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has left his position. Following his Monday court conviction for offenses involving money laundering, Okupe resigned. He was sentenced to two years in prison after being found guilty of laundering N240 million. He was given the choice of a N13 million fine, with a Monday at 4:30 p.m. payment deadline. In announcing his intention to leave the LP PCC on Monday, Okupe stated he will support Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, using the sign-off Obi used on Twitter. He tweeted on his Twitter handle on Tuesday: “It’s time to step aside. “But I am with PO and the Obidients and the Presidential Campaigns till God gives us victory in Jesus Name.”

The Federal Government is set to activate the stoppage of cash withdrawal from all public accounts with immediate effect. In place of cash withdrawals, public officers are to open domiciliary accounts in foreign and local currencies ahead of the commencement of the new policy, which follows on the From Public Accounts heels of the new Naira withdrawal policy introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria. A statement made on Tuesday, disclosed that the Director/CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Modibbo Hamman Tukur, gave the new directive at a parley with the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, in Abuja. The action is also said to have been activated following the observation that most cash withdrawals from government accounts including payments for estacode for public officials, are often in excess of the cash withdrawal limit provided by the Money Laundering Act. The development, according to the NFIU boss, exposes innoc...

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, has been appointed as the substantive Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board. Onochie’s appointment was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. The presidential aide was among thirteen people screened by the lawmakers and confirmed for the NDDC roles at the plenary today, except for two who didn’t attend the screening conducted last Friday at the National Assembly complex. Onochie’s appointment was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. President Buhari had on Wednesday, last week, asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Lauretta and 14 others in the letter as Managing Director, Executive Directors, and members of the Board. They included Samuel Ogbokwu, from Bayelsa State, as the Managing Director, who would serve for two years to complete the term of his predecessor in office. Other members are Dimgba Erugba, representing Abia...

Presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has assured that he and the organised labour are together in advocating good governance. Tinubu said this during a townhall meeting with the Organised Labour at Chida Hotel Conference Centre in Abuja on Monday. He said, “I have spent my political life advocating the right and interests of ordinary Nigerians like you also do. We are fellow travellers on the same road. “I hope that we shall continue to be friends and brothers. Our nation has experienced many trials, battles, independence, wars, and democracy have and all been fought for and won. “It’s fragile, democracy is not easy to manage, the competitiveness, the insults, the abuse, the frustrations but yet democracy is the best form of governance, accountability and transparency,” Tinubu said. The APC presidential flag bearer told the Labour leaders he is the most qualified to lead Nigeria among the presidential candidates. The meeting is one of...