News Summary 21st December 2016: Senate Reaffirms Rejection of Magu’s Nomination
Senate Reaffirms Rejection of Magu’s Nomination
The Senate has reaffirmed its rejection of the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – EFCC as a result of Security reports before.
Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi emphasized this while addressing Senate Correspondents on Tuesday.
He said the clarification becomes necessary as a result of conflicting reports in some sections of the Media.
NNPC to fully rehabilitate three refineries
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation – NNPC is to embark on a comprehensive rehabilitation of the three Refineries in the Country to achieve optimal capacity utilization next year.
Speaking at the Annual General meetings of the three Refineries in Abuja, the Chief Operating Officer, Refineries, Mr. Anibor Kragha noted that the move will curtail quick fix approach and undertake a comprehensive revamp of the plans.
He added that the Port-Harcourt Refinery is few steps away from commencing Aviation Turbine Fuel – ATK production for domestic consumption.
The Managing Director, Warn Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Engineer Solomon Ladenegan expressed optimism that the refinery will achieve full capacity production despite the hostile environment.
Africa still center piece of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy- Foreign Affairs Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama says Africa remains the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy direction.
The Minister said this at an interactive session with Broadcast Editors in Abuja
President Buhari Receives UN Refugee Commissioner
President Muhammadu Buhari says his administration is being effectively guided by International Best Practice and standards in the rehabilitation of the enormous number of Internally Displaced Persons generated by Boko Haram Insurgency.
He stated this during an audience with the visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Phillipo Grandi
Presidential Initiative on North East commence collation of Data
The Presidential Initiative Committee for the North-East has commenced collation of information to be incorporated into a Master Plan for the development of insurgency ravaged areas.
The economic empowerment sub-committee led by Yusuf Captain Buba of the House of Representatives recently had engagements with some parts of Adamawa state.
Ekwueme reiterates importance of Sports in School Curriculum
Former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekweme has reiterated the importance of Sports in the school curriculum.
He stated this at the Opening Ceremony of the thirteenth edition of the Federal Government Colleges Games, taking place at Federal Government College, Enugu.
National Primary Healthcare Development Agency organize health lecture
Creating sustainable Primary Healthcare Financing was the focus of the Second Annual Primary Healthcare Service lecture of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
One of the recommendations at the lecture is that immediate appropriation should be made for the basic healthcare provision fund as contained in the National Health Act by the Federal, state and Local Governments.
Dry Season Farming Receives a Boost in Niger State
Dry season farming has received a boost in Niger State with the distribution of irrigation pumps and other inputs to farmers in Wushishi, Headquarters of Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger state.
The items were distributed by the state FADAMA Office when it flagged off 2016/2017 Dry Season farming in the state.
NLC president, Wabba Reacts to New Labour Union
Nigeria Labour Congress, President Ayuba Wabba says, his attention has been drawn to a news report of the formation of new labour movement known as United Labor Congress.
Wabba who assured the Public of the NLC’s commitment to the Unity of the working class and the labour movement described the splinter group led by Joe Ajaero, the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees as one which did not comply with the process of formation of a Labour Union.
It will be recalled that since the 2015 election which produced the Ayuba Wabba led NLC, a splitter group emerged which now calls itself the United Labour Congress.
Kafachan Town placed under 24hr Curfew
For the second time in some months, Kafanchan town in Kaduna state has been placed under 24 hour curfew by the Local Government following eruption of violence during a peace rally by some youths.
Educational Interventions to match educational development objectives- minister
Minister of State Education, Professor Anthony Anwuka has said that all education interventions must be geared towards the national education development objectives.
Professor Anwuka stated this when he represented the Minster of education, Mallam Adamu Adamu at the Joint National projects steering committee meeting of Federal and states investment and partnership projects code named SIPRP and NIPEP.
IGP vows to Prosecute all Political violence Perpetrators
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has vowed to bring to book all political violence perpetrators across the nation.
It was in a message in reaction to a demand by the National Support Groups for Good Governance, a Civil Society Organization which staged a protest to Force Headquarters over the killings of Police Officers and other civilians in the just-concluded legislative re-run election in Rivers state.
He was represented by AIG, Alkali Baba Usman. The Group says the protest is to prevent subsequent electoral violence which is also to preserve the nation’s democracy from being truncated
The Group emphasized their concern is borne out of a great sense of patriotism to the father land.
House of Representatives Promise to ensure Recapitalization of Development Banks
House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Production Services has emphasized that it is working towards ensuring that strategic institutions in the governments’ food security programme such as the Bank of Agriculture are recapitalized to ensure the attainment of the desired goal.
This came to the fore when the Management of the Bank appeared before the committee to provide explanations on its 2016 budget performance.
Civil Society Network challenges FG on Social Investment Programmes
The steering Committee of the Civil Society Network on Social Protection has urged the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address the challenge of the slow pace of implementation of the social investment programme in order to achieve the purpose for which it was set up.
Members of the Committee said this while briefing Journalist in Abuja on the progress of the initiative
The Civil Society Network on Social protection is a network of over 300 NGOs and other civil society Agencies interested in monitoring the federal government’s social investment programme for effective implementation, accountability and relevance.
FG urges Oil Producing Communities to maintain Peace
The Federal Government has commended the youths, elders and leaders of Akwa Ibom State for keeping the peace and refrain from the vandalisation of pipelines, oil and gas flows, as well as illegal exploration activities in the area.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, gave the commendation at the Commissioning of Erosion Control Project in Akwa Ibom State.
FG Promises to check unemployment rise
The Federal Government says it is scaling up efforts to change the Narrative of rising unemployment in the country even as data indicate unemployment rose to 108 million in the third quarter of the year.
At the Town Hall Meeting in Abuja, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed alongside some selected Ministers reassured the youth of more inclusiveness in the 2017 budget.
Nigeria’s Democracy; A reference point for African Countries
As Democratic Governance permeate the African continent, Nigeria’s Democratic experience especially in recent years is fast becoming a reference point for many African countries to ensure stability especially in electoral processes.
It is in the light of this that the Electoral Commission of Cameroon called on the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu with a view to borrow a leaf from the country’s Democratic tenets as well as share ideas for further development.
Nigerian Peace Corps to Commence Building of It’s Academy
As the Nigerian Peace Corps awaits the President’s ascent on the bill that will give statutory backing to its existence, already passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the corps is set to commence the construction of its Academy in 2017.
The National commandant, Dickson Akoh stated this while briefing the media in Abuja on the successes recoded by the organization in 2016
President Buhari Signs Eight Bills into Law
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law eight new bills passed by the National Assembly for good governance and effective service delivery in the Nation’s critical sectors Senior
Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters Solomon Ita Enang described the act as a significant demonstration of enhanced collaboration and cooperation between the Executive and Legislature.
Lassa Fever Outbreak, Minister confirms death of a Health Practitioner
Minister of Health Professor Isaac Adewale has confirmed the death of a health practitioner as a result of Lassa fever in Ogun State.
Following the incident the Minister has mandated the National Centre for disease control to investigate the death and educate the public accordingly.
He however urges members of the public to seek immediate care in healthcare facilities of symptoms of the disease manifest in anybody and advised health workers to take necessary precaution while treating patients
