NTA News Summary: All You Need To Know Today 16/6/2016

FEC Approves New Debt Management Strategy

The Federal Executive Council has approved a new debt management strategy for 2016 to 2019. The decision was taken at today’s meeting.

Central Bank of Nigeria Announces New Flexible Forex Guideline

The Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele has announced a flexible foreign exchange regime that will have the country removing the dual exchange rate regime.

Chiazalam Ekiye reports that under the new plan, the official rate of the naira will operate as a single window to be determined by market forces.

Senate to Investigate NEITI Report

The senate has constituted an adhoc committee to investigate the fraud and anomalies uncovered by the 2013 audit report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative NEITI.

Saraki’s Trial at Code of Conduct Tribunal 

Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has again filed a fresh motion at the code of conduct tribunal seeking the chairman Danladi Umar to step aside from further participating in the ongoing trial.

Saraki who filed the motion through his lead counsel Kanu Agabi said the tribunal is in a hurry to convict him without giving him fair hearing and the opportunity to defend himself.

Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Visit Lai Muhammed

Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed says his ministry has put in place a mechanism for government and the citizens to interface as a deliberate policy to bridge the communication gap that has distanced the people from government.

The minister was speaking while interacting with members of the senate committee on media and publicity in his office.

Senate and House Joint Committees Visit Ajaokuta Steel

Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization Ben Murray Bruce, has commended the leadership of Ajaokuta steel company for their patriotism in protecting and preserving the company believed to be the springboard for sustainable development.

This was on the maiden visit of the senate and house committees on privatization to the site.

House to Investigate Centenary City Project

The house of representatives is to investigate the centenary city project of the federal government.

House Committee Oversight Naval Headquarters

The recent upsurge of militancy in the Niger Delta region and the attendant piracy in the gulf of guinea deserve special intervention fund as is being given to fighting terrorism in the north east.

Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Abdulsamad Dasuki stated this during an oversight visit to Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

Good Morning Nigeria on Nigerian police and security

With less than few weeks to his retirement from the Nigerian police, Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase says he is confident that the Nigerian police are well restructured to tackle any menace the society may encounter.

Solomon Arase was speaking as guest on NTA Good Morning Nigeria on the state of Nigerian Police and Security.

IGP on the Re-opening of PDP Secretariat

meanwhile, the inspector general of Police, Solomon Arase has admonished politicians to avoid desperation and play the game of politics by the rule in other not to overheat the polity.

The IGP in an interview with NTA news was reacting to the recent re-opening of the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja.

PDP National Secretariat was re-opened on Tuesday following leadership tussle within the party.

IGP Inagurates Forensic Equipment

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase says modern policing is no longer by power or extra-judicial means but driven by technology and citizens consent.

The IGP stated this at the inauguration of the-state-of-the art surveillance, operational and intelligence equipment at the force headquarters in Abuja.

President Buhari Condoles Ghanaian President

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled President John Mahama of Ghana on the passing away of his mother, Hajia Abiba Nnab

In a telephone call this Wednesday, President Buhari prayed that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of Hajia Nnaba eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.

A statement by special adviser to the President on media and publicity Femi Adesina the President told the Ghanaian leader that his personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Nigerians are with him as he mourns the passage of a beloved mother.

The President further prayed that the loving memory and virtues which Hajia Abiba Nnaba lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.

Ministry of Power on Electricity

The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola says the ministry is working towards a road map to ensure affordable and steady supply of electricity in the country.

The minister said this shortly after the 6^th monthly meeting of operators of the industry in Kano.

Federal Government on Egg Production

Nigeria is working towards scaling up the production of eggs to over ten million per day against current one million.

The initiative is expected to enhance the school feeding programme of the present administration.

This move is coming as the minister of Agriculture and the cassava producers association of Nigeria is also planning on how Nigeria will generate over ten trillion naira from cassava products.

New Civil Servants and Subsidy Removal

The Federal Government has been urged to expedite action on its plan to judiciously utilize the gains from the removal of fuel subsidy.

The association of senior civil servants of Nigeria made the appeal at their 3^rd annual seminar with a focus on the pains and gains associated with the removal of the subsidy.

Federal Government Tripartite on Repatriation of Nigerian Refugees in Cameroon

Minister of interior Abdurahman Bello Dambazau, has led a high powered government delegation to a tripartite discussions with the government of Cameroon and the United Nations high commissioner for refugees on the voluntary repatriation of the over sixty thousand Nigerian Refugees in the Miniawoa Camp, Cameroon.

the meeting which immediately followed the regional protection dialogue involving the Lake Chad Basin commission countries and the UNCHR, in pursuance of article 13(2) of the 1984 universal declaration of human rights, and article 12 of the 1966 international covenant on civil and political rights, which recognized the rights of citizens to leave and return to their own country.

This is sequel to the communique signed by Nigeria and Cameroon when President Paul Biya of Cameroon paid a State visit to Nigeria when both parties agreed to hold a tripartite arrangement by July 2016.

On his part, the Cameroonian Minister of Territorial Administration and decentralization, Mr. Rene Emmanuel Sadi welcomed the initiative and pledged his government’s commitment to its success.

Boko Haram Kill Vigilantes 

Boko Haram terrorists on motorcycles attacked Kutuva Village where they killed four persons and abducted four women. Sequel to this, vigilante in kaya village immediately mobilized and set a trail for the terrorists to their suspected hide-out somewhere in the south of Sabon Garin Bale, where they engage the terrorist in a fight.However, the terrorists fled into the bush.

Winning the Drug War under Buhari

One-time director-general of the drug law enforcement agency NDLEA Lanre Ipinmisho says the war against the narcotics business can be won under President Mohammad Buhari, because he has the needed political will.

He said the drug business and addiction was on the increase, with hard drugs now being sold in the open, in parts of the country.

He described the trend as dangerous with grave socioeconomic consequences for Nigeria, adding that government needed to strengthen the NDLEA financially, to support narcotics control operations

He said in addition to government support, the social factors that encourage drug use must be discouraged.