News Summary 13th December 2016: Update On Rivers Re-Run, National Pensioners Day, etc

Speaker Commends Nigerian Army

Speaker Yakubu Dogara has urged Nigerians to support the families of dead Soldiers in whatever capacity they can, as a mark of appreciation for their sacrifices.

House Committee commence Retreat On 1999 Constitution Amendment

A three day retreat of the Ad-hoc committee of the House of Representatives on the 1999 Constitution Review and amendment has commenced in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The retreat with the theme “The imperatives of Constitution Review and Amendment, in Nation building” with fifty-five members calls for contributions from stakeholders.

President Buhari’s Eid-El Maulud Message

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Muslims as they mark yet another Eid- Malaud, saying it is another opportunity for pausing, taking a deep breath and a reflecting, on the current realities before the country.

He says the celebration of the birth of the Great Prophet, is important as though his teachings on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice, honesty and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely, in building a harmonious and prosperous society.

Climate Change & Food Production

The negative impact of climate change on Nigeria has over the years been taking its toll on Food production, Agriculture and Water supply nationwide.

It is based on this that the Director General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency is challenging the Academic Community and Researchers to come up with strategy and solution that will further mitigate environmental challenges.

Apostolic Faith Christmas Carol

The apostolic Faith Church has held its 2016 Christmas concert with a call on Nigerians to stick to the essence of Christmas which is remembering the birth of Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world and not a season for frivolous spending.

 Aftermath Of Ghana/Gambia Presidential Election

The Ghana Electoral process which again drew accolades from across the world has led to a renew call for Nigerians to emulate same.

Guests on NTA’ Good Morning Nigeria while speaking on the aftermath of the election say, the Ghana election conducted in a fair and peaceful manner has further underscore the maturity of democracy in the Gold Rich country.

GMN: Post Mortem On Rivers Re-Run Election

With reference to the Rivers Re-run elections, guests on NTA’s Good Morning Nigeria programme say Nigeria cannot have a strong democracy if urgent steps are not taken to allow total political reform. They say it was relatively peaceful but for the death of some police personnel.

CPC Orders VIP Express To Refund N25million

The Consumer Protection Council has ordered VIP Express Tourism limited to refund over 25 million naira to 63 aggrieved subscribers due to gross violation of their rights.

A statement by the  Director General, CPC, Dupe Atoki alleged that the company’s operational method was predatory and that its business practice in which consumers were pressurized to unwittingly sign off their legal rights to get a refund of monies paid was unethical and exploitative.

It further indicates that company’s business practice, which is designed in such a manner that after a 90 minutes presentation, prospective clients must immediately execute a 10 page contract and endorse 17 clauses containing a non-rescission clause and a non-refund clause without benefit of legal counsel, financial or other advise to afford the client time to consider the offer.

The CPC directed the company to present written assurances in line with section 10 of the Consumer Protection Council’s Act that it would refrain from a continuation of any conduct which is detrimental to the interest of consumers of their services.

NMA Free Medical Service

Nigeria Medical Association has concluded a tree day free medical services in Kogi state with a call on its members to uphold the ethics of the profession.

The Medical outreach was part of activities to mark the quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the Association.

Vice President At RCCG Christmas Carol

The Life Centre branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has held its maiden Christmas Carol Service.

Denis Adegunloye reports that an array of musical talents were on hand to give renditions of traditional carols with Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo in attendance.

National Pensioners Day

Nigeria Union of Pensioners has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate all those who embezzled pension funds and use the recovered funds to off-set pension arrears so as to relieve pensioners of heir plights.

The appeal was made at the Fifteenth National Pensioners Day in Abuja.

Nigerian Army Social Activities Day

The cosmopolitan nature of Military personnel in their formations serves as catalyst for peace, security and unity in the country.

This was in a message by Governor of Nasarawa state, Umaru Tanko Almakura to the Nigerian Army social Activities’ Day of 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi.

Senate Committee On Power And Metallurgy Visit Kaduna Electric

Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has called on Electricity Distribution Companies to patronize indigenous manufacturers of energy meters.

He stated this during an oversight visit to Power and Steel projects in Kaduna.

God’s Ministers Koinonia Pray For The Nation

As Nigerian Christians and non-Christians prepare for Christmas they have been told to continually seek God’s face and directions so that he can bring the nation out of recession and bless the nation.

General Overseer, Gospel Light Redemption Church, Rev. Isaac Oriakhi gave this message in a programme to mark end of year.

ECOWAS To Check Harzadous Chemicals

Representatives of sixteen African countries are in Abuja, Nigeria, deliberating on how to prevent the infiltration of hazardous chemicals into the continent.

HOS Host Housing Investors

Swedish Investors in the housing sector say they are set to invest in Nigeria following Governments’ credibility for affordable Housing for Citizens.

It was at a forum in the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Senate President/Dogara Maulud Message

Also, Senate president, Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslims to imbibe the injunctions of Prophet Muhammad on humility, gratitude and charity towards one another.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Senator Saraki urged Nigerians to irrespective of their faith, use the Eid-el-Maulud to practice Prophet Muhammad’s precepts of piety, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence within their communities, in the collective effort to overcome the current national challenges.

In the same vein, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has also felicitated with Muslims on the 2016 Eid-maulud.

A statement from his Special adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan indicates that the Speaker advises Muslims to use the occasion to imbibe and promote the virtues of humility, love, harmonious and mutual co-existence which the prophet of Islam exemplified.

He noted that as the celebration coincided with almost the end of year 2016, Muslims and Nigerians as a whole should use the unique opportunity to offer    special prayers for the unity, progress and prosperity of the country.

Presidency Refutes Replacement Of CDS And CNS

The Presidency has refuted the approval of replacements for Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.

A statement by the Special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina indicates that the information is unsubstantiated.

It states that though General Olonisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service, he is yet to be replaced and the Chief of Naval staff has a short while more.

The Presidency however cautioned some sections of the Media that would rather speculate to double-check information before disseminating it as this is not the way to go for national cohesion and development.

INEC FED. Commissioner On Rivers Re-Run

Reviewing the Rivers States Re-run elections INEC Federal Commissioner in-charge of the South-South Zone, Dr. Mustapha Lekki blamed the hitches experienced in the process on miscreants who tried to hijack the process.

It was at a press briefing in Port Harcourt.

VP At NTA Service Of Nine Lessons

On another note,  Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has urged Christians alike in the country to live in love with each other and non-Christians as they celebrate Jesus Christ.

It was at the Service of Nine Lessons and Christmas Carol in Abuja.

Rivers Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has released more results of the Rivers State National Assembly re-run elections.

George Thompson Sekibo of Peoples Democratic Party emerged Winner of Rivers East senatorial District Election.

He scored 93,098 votes while Andrew Uchendu of All Progressive Congress, APC scored 34,193 votes.

Also, in the Rivers West Senatorial District, Osinaka Ideozn of PDP won the election.  He pulled 107,166 votes while Otalamaba Dan Amakiri of APC scored 46,898 votes.

INEC has thus released the results of the three Senatorial District conducted in Rivers state.

MOD On CDS/CNS Replacement

Also the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali says there is no communication between his Office and the Service Chiefs directing any one of them to hand over and proceed on retirement.

This followed an online publications claiming that he has sent letters to the Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Olonisakin and Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas directing them to comply before Friday, 16 December.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer to the Minister, Colonel Tukur Gusau said the appointment and replacement of service Chiefs is a prerogative of the President and Commander in Chief.

It urged the Media to endeavour to always balance stories from the right sources to avoid mischief.

Buhari Condoles Uyo On Church Collapse

Meanwhile, the President has conveyed to the Governor and the People of Akwa-Ibom State, the deep sorrow of his family, the Government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injuries recorded following the incident of the collapse

In praying for the repose of the souls of the deceased and the quick recovery of the injured, President Buhari implored the people of the State, especially those in the catchment area of the incident to rally around the victims of the tragedy to help ease their sorrow and pains.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu said the President commended the Government of the State for the handling of the situation so far.

President Buhari also congratulated the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel and his family on their lucky escape from the tragic collapse.

Speaker Condoles Akwa-Ibom

In a related development, the Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has commiserated with all those affected by the Church building collapse in Uyo.

In a statement by his Spokesman, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker called for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse of the Church building.

While praying for the repose of the Souls who lost their lives and quick recovery of the injured, Dogara commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for staying back to personally supervise the rescue operation despite being among the rescued persons from the horrible incident.

Review Of ECOWAS Food Production Policy

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted a new strategy for Agricultural Investment, Food Security and Nutrition for the development of the Region.

Ministers of Agriculture of the Fifteen ECOWAS Countries signed the agreement in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital for their respective governments.