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Articles by Muhammad Ado Fili
Still on the opaque NIA matter
Until his rather unceremonious exit recently, I also know as a matter of fact that, Dauda has a service career devoid of any blemish, and is the most senior director in the service. As a career ambassador he has distinguished himself as a capable hand, qualified to hold any public office. I must also confess that I know the incumbent Director General, Abubakar Ahmed Rufai as a gentleman.
Still on the NIA matter
By Muhammad Ado Fili Like most Nigerians who value the place of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in the scheme of our national affairs, I have been worried with the dimension the crisis occasioned by the leadership change at the agency seems to be assuming. I have known the former Acting Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Muhhamed Dauda for the past twenty-three years. Besides my personal encounters with him, I know him as a very brilliant and highly reliable officer.
N2bn Fraud: Ex-Accountant General, Otunla’s absence stalls arraignment
The arraignment of a former Accountant-General of the Federation, Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla and eight others on charges of money laundering involving diversion of N2billion from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, earlier slated for today was again stalled following the absence of the first defendant (Otunla) in court. The arraignment, which was initially slated for December 7, 2017 was rescheduled to today as Otunla was not in court to take his plea.
12 States pass the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill
The #NotTooYoungToRun campaign is gathering momentum as a total of 12 states have passed the age reduction bill. The Bill seeks to reduce the age of running for political office, from President to House of Assembly. The age reduction Bill which was campaigned for by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) and sponsored by Hon. Tony Nwulu in the House of Representatives and Sen.
PhD: Buhari, others applaud OBJ at NOUN’s convocation
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for bagging a doctorate degree at the National Open University(NOUN). Buhari, who was the visitor at 7th Convocation of NOUN on Saturday in Abuja, described Obasanjo as the “Father of Open and Distance Education in Nigeria.’’ Obasanjo who was among the 14, 769 graduands, was conferred with Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology, thereby making him the first PhD product of NOUN.
How Police rescued U.S., Canadian nationals kidnapped in Kaduna
The Inspector-General of police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on Saturday said it rescued two Americans and two Canadians kidnapped on Tuesday along Jere-Kagarko Road in Kaduna State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two policemen were killed by gunmen during the incident. The Commander of the team, ACP Abba Kyari, who confirmed the rescue operation to newsmen in Lagos, said that two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested.
First NOUN PhD: Dickson congratulates Obasanjo, advocates support for Education
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Saturday called on governments at all levels to commit more attention to the promotion of education in the country. Dickson said that education remained the only route to sustainable stability and development in Nigeria. According to him, the most important of all investments any government could do was the development of the human mind through quality academic efforts.
PENGASSAN lauds Baru for industrial peace
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has conferred a distinguished award on the Group Managing Director of the of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, for promoting industrial harmony since assumption of office.
U.S. shuts down as Trump talks tough
The U.S. Government has officially shutdown at midnight Friday following the inability by the Republican and Democrats senators to reach a compromise on the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme and build a wall along the Mexican border. Congress also failed to reach an agreement to a limit on how much Congress could spend on military and domestic programmes in order to keep the government open.
Trending Video: ICRC Boxes of Cash Not in Nigeria
The Anti-Corruption agencies in Nigeria have denied alleged recovery of huge Red Cross boxes containing millions of dollars in a trending video. The video which has gone viral shows huge boxes containing large amounts of cash in the United States (US) dollars with the logos and emblems of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on all of them.
CPJ profiles police assault of NAN, AIT reporters
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), a U.S.-based journalists’ rights and press freedom campaign organisation, has profiled the police assault of Mrs Taiye Edeni of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The journalists’ defence organisation said the incident took place at Kaduna on Jan. 4, 2017, adding that Enemaku Ojochigbe of the African Independent Television (AIT) was also a victim of the assault by a personnel of the police.
Show no mercy to treasury looters: NSA charges EFCC Cadets
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, January 19, 2018 graduated 183 cadets of the Detective Inspector Course 4, at the Nigerian Defence Academy Parade Ground, Ribadu Campus, Kaduna. The colourful passing out parade climaxed 13 months of rigorous training to avail the officers with the necessary skills of law enforcement.
Night fire guts 3 duplexes in Gowon Estate, Lagos
Fire on Friday night gutted three duplexes on 34 Road, B Close of Gowon Estate, Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Egbada, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN also reports that there was no casualty recorded in the inferno. An eyewitness, who spoke to NAN said that the fire was first noticed at about 7.15pm in one of the duplexes before spreading to others.
Presidency frowns at media reports on new NIA DG, Rufai
The Presidency has frowned at media reports criticising the appointment of the new Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr Ahmed Rufa’i. A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, Deputy Director (Information), Media Unit of the State House, quoted Malam Garba Shehu, a Presidential Spokesman as flaying the negative reports. Shehu expressed concern during a send-off for the newly-appointed director-general of the NIA.
Shippers’ Council, stakeholders to discuss operations of Kaduna Dry Port
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to hold a one-day meeting with stakeholders on the operations of the Kaduna Inland Dry Port. A statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by the NSC Director, Special Duties, Mr Ignatius Nweke, said the meeting would hold on Jan. 25 in Lagos. According to the statement, the meeting is expected to focus on processes of documentation of Kaduna-bound cargo as well as obligations of terminal operators and shipping companies.
FCTA to empower youths through sports
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to empower youths in Abuja through sports. Dilichukwu Onyedinma, Director of Sports, FCT, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Abuja. She restated the commitment of the administration to take the youths out of the streets through various sports engagements. Onyedinma said that a positive engagement of youths was key to greater and secure economic future of any nation.
Buhari, others applaud OBJ on acquiring PhD at NOUN
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for bagging a doctorate degree at the National Open University (NOUN). Buhari, who was the visitor at 7th Convocation of NOUN on Saturday in Abuja, described Obasanjo as the “Father of Open and Distance Education in Nigeria.’’ Obasanjo who was among the 14, 769 graduands, was conferred with Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Theology, thereby making him the first PhD product of NOUN.
CHAN: Our players will make us proud - Dalung
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr Solomon Dalung, on Saturday said he was optimistic that the home-based Eagles would make Nigeria proud at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Congratulating the team on its 1-0 victory against Libya, Dalung said there was no better place rather than Nigeria to keep the CHAN trophy.
NEITI saves Extractive sector from collapse
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura says NEITI’s intervention in the management of Nigeria’s extractive sector has saved the sector from imminent collapse. Chairman Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Yahaya Kaura stated this in Abuja when NEITI appeared before the Committee to defend its 2018 budget proposal.
Atiku sympathises with victims of Yola, Ibadan fire outbreaks
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed his deepest sympathies to all those who lost so much in the fire that destroyed the Yola Township Market, Adamawa State, on Wednesday and the Plank Market in Ibadan, Oyo State last week. A statement by the Atiku Media Office said the former Vice President has “calls on both state governments to quickly rebuild the markets so the impact to those who depend on them for their livelihoods and for their daily needs is short.
GMOs: Ogbeh wants scientists to advise FG on way forward
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on Nigerian scientists to advise the Federal Government on the acceptability or otherwise of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Ogbeh made the call on Saturday during a working visit to the Agricultural and Veterinary Complex of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on Saturday.
NAPRI seeks FG support to revive storage plant
The NAPRI Director, Prof. Clarence Lakpini, made the appeal in Shika, Zaria, when Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, visited the institute on Saturday. The director, who noted that the plant had been vandalised since the 80s, said the institute had resorted to using chilled semen for artificial insemination. Lakpini said effective artificial insemination would help to increase the production of animals to meet the increasing demand of citizens in the country.
Police confirm release of abducted expatriates in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has said that the two Americans and two Canadians that were abducted on Tuesday by gunmen have been released. The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the four expatriates were abducted along Kwoi-Jere road in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State. Two Nigerian policemen were killed by the gunmen.
Only National Assembly can appropriate on general subsidy, says NNPC
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has clarified a statement wrongly attributed to the Managing Director of Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Umar Ajiya, suggesting that NNPC does not require the National Assembly’s nod to subsidize Premium Motor Spirit, otherwise called petrol.
Benue killings, others: CISLAC condemns conflicts, urges FG to be impartial
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has condemned the recent herdsmen/farmers conflicts in Nigeria.The CSO group also called on the “ Federal Government to as a matter of urgency decisively bring to justice all criminal elements fingered to be culpable either directly or remotely in these crimes which are at the least terrifying and mindboggling.
FG to establish extension offices in 774 LGAs to boost food production
The Federal Government plans to establish extension office in each of the 774 Local Government Areas across the country as part of renewed effort to boost food production. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh stated this during an official visit to the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria on Friday.
TCN to upgrade Anyigba transmission sub-station to 330/132kv
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Friday announced that it had perfected plans to upgrade the Anyigba 132/33kv to a 330/132kv sub-station in Kogi. The TCN General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mba, announced the plan at an interactive meeting with some members of Anyigba community. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Anyigba 132/33KV transmission sub-station was initially awarded to Omen International Ltd in 2007.
NITDA restructures certification of original equipment manufacturers
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it has restructured the process of registering and certification of indigenous Information Technology (IT) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for effective service delivery. Dr Isa Pantami, the Director-General of the agency said this in a statement on Friday made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
New Zealand Prime Minister pregnant with first child
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Friday that she was pregnant with her first child, prompting an outpouring of support from women rights groups and labour activists. She declared “I’ll be a prime minister and a mum”. Ardern said she planned to work until the end of her pregnancy in June and then take six-weeks leave, during which time Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters would run the country.
Buhari felicitates with King Charles Ayemi-Boltu at 70
President Muhammadu Buhari has joined illustrious sons and daughters of Seimbiri Kingdom in Delta state in celebrating the 70th birthday of King Charles Ayemi-Botu, which also marks his 24th anniversary on the throne of his fathers. The President’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Friday.
Sharia-based banking on the rise in Germany
Sharia-based banking on the rise in Germany Banks that conform to Islamic financial practice are on the rise among Germany’s Muslim population of around five million, a spokesman for KT Bank, a subsidiary of an Istanbul-based bank, said in Cologne on Friday. “We are on course and have attained our targets for 2017,” Ferhat Aslanoglu said. “KT Bank was the sole financial institution in the eurozone basing its transactions on Islamic practice,” he said.
Nokia signs its first official 5G equipment deal in Japan
Nokia signs its first official 5G equipment deal in Japan Finland’s Nokia said on Friday it signed its first major deal to supply new 5G wireless radio base stations to Japanese telecom operator, NTT DoCoMo. The operator boasts nearly half of the country’s mobile subscribers.
Bayelsa Govt allays fear of teachers over reforms
Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has assured that the State Government would not sack any teacher as a result of the on-going public service reforms. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that public primary and secondary schools in the state were shut down due to the on-going strike which entered its 11th day on Thursday.
Sterling Bank lauds NDIC examination reports
Sterling Bank on Friday commended the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) for the high quality of its bank examination reports. It said that the reports had contributed to the safety and soundness of the banking system. The corporation said in a statement in Lagos that management of the Sterling Bank gave the commendation during a courtesy call and formal introduction of its new Managing Director, Mr Abubakar Suleiman to NDIC.
Butchers agree to partner Oyo State Govt. on centralised abattoir
Oyo State Butchers Association have agreed to partner with Oyo State Government on the feasibility of the proposed centralised abattoir in Akinyele Local Government Area of the state. The butchers conveyed their position at a news briefing on Friday in Lagos after a facility tour of the Lagos State Centralised Abattoir situated in the Oko-Oba neighbourhood of the state.
FG approves N497m for Cross River dam project
The Federal Government has approved N497 million for the construction of the Ijegu Yala Dam in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River. The construction of the dam, which is expected to begin this year, is primarily for water supply, erosion and flood control as well as the provision of irrigation facilities to boost large-scale farming.
Several deaths due to extreme heat in Melbourne as Australia swelters
Several deaths due to extreme heat in Melbourne as Australia swelters Extreme heat has caused several deaths across the states in Victoria on Friday, emergency services said, as five of the eight states and territories sweltered above 40 degrees Celsius. Since Thursday, emergency workers responded to more than 30 cardiac arrest calls, a significant spike, and several of them had died, Ambulance Victoria’s state commander, Paul Holman, said. “That will be due to the heat.
Nigeria develops herbal drugs for treatment of Ebola, malaria
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) says it has successfully researched and developed six traditional herbal products for the treatment of Ebola, Malaria and other diseases. The NIPRD Director-General, Prof. Karniyus Gamaliel, said this while presenting the score card of his eight-year tenure (2009 to 2017) in Abuja on Friday.
Osinbajo inaugurates sanctions committee
The committee comprised the Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami, as chairman, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, and the National Security Adviser. Other members are the Director General of DSS, the IGP, CBN Governor and the Chief of Army Staff. The rest are the DG National Intelligence Agency and the DG Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit. The mandate of the committee is to trace and freeze financial flows of terrorist funds.
Ibadan Chieftaincy: We‘ll appeal judgment, says Ajimobi
The Oyo State Government says it will appeal the judgment which declared unconstitutional and illegal the Commission of Inquiry recommending the elevation of some Ibadan high chiefs to Obas. Justice Olajumoke Aiki of Oyo State High Court had on Friday declared the retired Justice Akintunde Boade’s Commission of Inquiry which reviewed the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration and other Chieftaincies as unconstitutional and illegal. The state government had on Aug.
UN says conflict, hunger uprooted 700,000 South Sudanese
About 700,000 people were forced to flee South Sudan in 2017 as refugees to neighbouring countries due to conflict, hunger and disease, the UN humanitarian agency said on Thursday. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said nearly four million people have been displaced. This include over 1.9 million internally displaced and over 2 million who have fled as refugees to Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Jigawa Govt. employs 330 teachers
The Jigawa Government has presented letters of appointment to 330 newly-recruited Senior Secondary School teachers in the state. Alhaji Isma’il Ibrahim, the spokesman, Office of the state Head of the Civil Service (HoS), announced this in a statement in Dutse on Friday. While presenting the letters to the employees on Thursday, the HoS, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa, noted that those recruited were in areas of English language, Mathematics and other Science subjects.
Kaduna NUT calls off strike, urges recruitment of quality teachers
The Kaduna State chapter of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has called off the indefinite strike it embarked upon on Jan. 8, over the sack of 21,780 primary schools teachers. The union called of the strike in a statement jointly signed by the state NUT Chairman and Assistant Secretary, Audu Amba and Adamu Ango respectively and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
FG distributes 370 motorcycles to agric extension services nationwide
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, on Friday distributed no fewer than 370 motorcycles to support extension services across the country in order to boost agricultural activities. Ogbeh, while distributing the motorcycles to extension agents in Zaria, said the move was to educate farmers on best agronomic practices. He charged them to ensure easy and prompt access to farmers across the country.
JISEMA disburses N3m cash assistance to 73 fire victims
The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (JISEMA) on Friday disbursed over N3 million cash assistance to 73 victims of fire in Dutse Local Government Area of the state. Alhaji Yusuf Babura, Executive Secretary of the agency, announced this while disbursing the money to the victims in Abanderi village. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that an early morning fire had on Jan. 15, destroyed 36 houses, 46 silos and killed 40 goats and sheep in Abanderi village due to bush burning.
Voter education, important for successful elections - Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has stressed the need for continuous voter education to enable Nigerians choose leaders of their choice in forthcoming elections in the country. The President stated this when he hosted some leaders of the All Progressives Congress to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Liberia one of Africa’s enviable democracies - Johnson Sirleaf
Liberia’s outgoing President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, in a touching farewell address to the nation, declared that the country had become one of Africa’s enviable democracies. Johnson-Sirleaf said the country had punctured the expectations of doubting Thomases, who thought way back in 2006 when she took office, that its new found peace and democratic resurgence would not last.
FG to give NIPR N100m for research, devt of herbal medicine
The Federal Government has pledged to support the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) with N100 million grant to boost research and development of traditional herbal medicines. The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, made the pledge in Abuja on Friday at the occasion of the institute’s Research and Development Products Presentation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also marks the end of tenure of the NIPRD Director-General, Prof.
Sokoto distributes 45,000 desks to schools
Sokoto state government said it has distributed a total of 45,926 desks to various schools across the 23 local government areas of the state from 2015 to the end of 2017. Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, disclosed this while giving an update on the successes recorded in the education sector since the declaration of state of emergency in Sokoto state just over two years ago.
NASENI’s solar powered electronic voting system ready - Onu
Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has said solar powered electronic voting system produced by National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure ( NASENI) is ready for use. Onu made this known on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to him, the product is of world standard designed for effective and efficient voting.
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