Featured News
now browsing by category
Ministerial screening: Senate withholds El-Rufai’s confirmation over security checks
The name of the immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, was on Monday missing from the list of the ministerial nominees confirmed by the Senate.
Also missing on the list was the name of Senator Abubakar Danlandi from Taraba State and former Nexim Bank Managing Director, Stella Okotete (Delta State).
The Senate approved and confirmed 45 out of the 48 nominees sent by President Bola Tinubu.
According to impeccable sources in the Senate, the unconfirmed nominees are currently undergoing security checks.
One of the sources noted, “Based on the findings, the nominees are currently undergoing security checks, having found some things against them.”
Another source told The PUNCH that, “We are observing them and we believe that there are some things that are incriminating against them. So, we have sent their names back to the executive for necessary checks.”
Read more: https://punchng.com/ministerial-screening-senate-withholds-el-rufais-confirmation-over-security-checks/
UPDATED: WASSCE 2023: WAEC withholds results of over 200,000 candidates, records 79.81% pass
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Monday, announced the release of the results for the 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
The examination body said out of a total of 1,613,733 candidates that sat the examination, the results of 262,803 candidates are being withheld “due to reports of cases of examination malpractice.”
The Head of Nigeria’s Office (HNO) of WAEC, Patrick Areghan, who made the announcement in Lagos, also hinted at his exit from the examination body as he is set to retire in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Mr Areghan announced an improvement in pass rate by candidates as a total of 1,361,608 candidates, representing 84.38 per cent, obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects with or without English Language or Mathematics.
Also, 1,287,920 candidates, representing 79.81 per cent of the total candidates, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects including English Language and Mathematics.
In 2022, 76.36 per cent of the 1,601,047 candidates that sat the examination, obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.
The release of the 2023 results would offer a ray of hope for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institutions.
Some of the admission seekers who sat the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) did not provide the required SSCE results in their application forms but declared they were awaiting their results.
Read more: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/614971-updated-wassce-2023-waec-withholds-results-of-over-200000-candidates-records-79-81-pass.html
Credit to: premiumtimes.ng
HER EXCELLENCY DR FATIMA JABBE MAADA BIO: THE GAME CHANGER FOR SIERRA LEONE’S FUTURE
Over D500K covid-19 funds to media undisbursed: Report
The NAO indicated that they could not confirm if this balance was subsequently used or paid back to the account as bank statements to verify the balances were not provided. The report further stated that the failure of the grantee to keep and maintain proper and up-to-date records of any transaction carried out is a violation of the grant agreement.
A supplementary appropriation bill was passed by the National Assembly in which D15,000,000.00 was approved as support to the media houses. The support to the media houses was provided through the Ministry of Information Communication and Infrastructure which was delegated to manage the funds and distribute them amongst the media houses – private or community media outlets – print, broadcast or online (newspapers, radios, TV, web).
According to NAO, the money was later transferred to the account that was opened by the Gambia Press Union (GPU) as directed by the Grant Management Committee. Furthermore, the report noted that a compliance audit was performed on the support to media houses mainly on the disbursements of funds to the media houses and whether those funds were utilised by the respective media houses in accordance with the policy put in place
On the non-submission of financial and narrative reports by the grantees, the report states: “No financial and narrative reports were received from some grantees contrary to the provisions of the grant agreement. As such, the use of the fund received for the intended purpose could not be established. Full payment to media houses should only be completed after the submission of financial and narrative report.”
In its conclusion, the NAO states that based on the information and documentation obtained during the audit, the management of covid-19 funds allocated to media houses substantially complied with the laws and regulations that govern them.
Credit to: Thepoint.gm
Niger coup: US sees ‘window of opportunity’ to end crisis
There is a “window of opportunity” to end Niger’s military coup diplomatically, the US has said.
While Washington believes the crisis can be resolved, it has suspended millions of dollars in aid until President Mohamed Bazoum is reinstated.
West African countries will meet on Thursday to discuss the coup having warned the junta of military action.
The coup leaders responded to the threat from the Ecowas bloc of African states by closing Niger’s airspace.
Ecowas had issued a 23:00 GMT Sunday deadline to Niger’s junta leaders to stand down and restore the elected president.
Speaking at a US State Department news conference on Monday, spokesman Matthew Miller said “the window of opportunity is definitely still open”.
He added that the US believes “the junta should step aside and let President Mohamed Bazoum resume his duties” and the US remained in contact with the deposed leader.
America’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, told BBC News Ecowas had Washington’s full backing for its approach to the crisis in Niger.
“It’s very important that that constitutional order be restored and right now I think Ecowas is playing a very important role in moving the country back in that direction,” Mr Blinken said.
The European Union also said there remained a chance to restore Niger’s democratically elected government.
“The EU still thinks there is some room for mediation until Thursday 10 August,” a EU spokesperson said, referring to Thursday’s Ecowas summit.
The growing instability in the region compelled former colonial power France on Monday to warn its citizens against travelling to the Sahel region, and for those still there to be cautious due to anti-France sentiment.
The junta in Niger on Sunday said it had information that “a foreign power” was preparing to attack the country, following reports that military chiefs from Ecowas, a bloc of 15 countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana, had drawn up a detailed plan for use of force.
Earlier, Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas’ commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, said that while “all the elements” had been worked out about an “eventual intervention”, the body wanted “diplomacy to work”.
Over the weekend Nigeria’s Senate discussed the situation in Niger after President Bola Tinubu wrote to it about the Ecowas resolutions imposing sanctions and the possible use of military force.
Local media report there was strong opposition to military intervention, especially from senators representing states near the long border the two countries share.
President Tinubu has been especially vocal in demanding that the Niger military leave power and has threatened to use force if they do not – but he needs approval from the National Assembly for any foreign military intervention.
Mr Bazoum was deposed on 26 July, and Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, later proclaimed himself the new leader.
The coup leaders seem to be showing no sign of willingness to cede power, and on Sunday thousands of their supporters rallied defiantly at a stadium in the capital Niamey.
Niger is a significant uranium producer – a fuel that is vital for nuclear power – and under Mr Bazoum was a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist militants in West Africa’s Sahel region.
Credit to: bbc news
UPDATED: Akpabio arrives Villa after senators tried to block Keyamo’s ministerial screening
Senate President Godswill Akpabio is currently at the Presidential Villa following a rowdy Senate session during the screening of Festus Keyamo, a nominee from Delta State, Channels Television is reporting.
Mr Akpabio reportedly arrived at the Villa at about 2.55 p.m., nearly one hour after the Senate went into a closed-door session to discuss Mr Keyamo’s fate.
A presidency source confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Akpabio is currently at the presidential villa but that his mission is unknown.
“Yes, he is here, but we don’t know why he is here,” the source said.
Mr Akpabio’s visit is believed to tbe connected to the fate of Mr Keyamo, who was minister of state for labour and employment in the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Keyamo was Friday nominated to serve as minister by President Bola Tinubu.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported that a rowdy session erupted in the Senate chamber following a point of order raised by Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia), complaining that the nominee had in 2020 ignored the summons of the National Assembly over the implementation of the Special Public Works Programme of the federal government.
The motion was seconded by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia Central).
This newspaper reported, in 2020, the clash between Mr Keyamo and the lawmakers at a meeting he had with the joint committee of the National Assembly on employment and labour. The meeting was aimed at discussing the progress of the planned employment of 774,000 Nigerians by the federal government.
The National Assembly had in the 2020 budget appropriated N52 billion for the special public works programme aimed at employing 774,000 citizens, a thousand from each of the 774 local government areas in the country.
Credit to: Premiumtimesng.com
Atiku files fresh suit in US Court over Tinubu’s academic records
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar, has filed a fresh case at the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, United States, against President Bola Tinubu after he withdrew an existing one before a circuit court in Illinois.
Recall that the county court in Illinois had dismissed the suit filed by Atiku, seeking the release of the academic records of Tinubu at the Chicago State University.
Atiku had dragged the Chicago State University (respondent) before the court, seeking an order compelling the respondent to release the academic records of Tinubu in its possession.
However, according to Phrank Shaibu, Special Assistant on Public Communications to Atiku, the dismissal followed his principal’s withdrawal of the suit.
Arisenews reports Shaibu stated this on Sunday in reaction to enquiries about the dismissed suit by the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Shaibu said, “Waziri Atiku Abubakar only withdrew the case before a Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois County, United States of America because he is pursuing the same matter in a higher court and wanted to avoid abuse of court processes. So, this is just the beginning.”
He added that it was funny that Tinubu and his supporters rejoiced over the development as if it were a Supreme Court judgement.
Credit: Dailypostng
Nigeria take part in a women’s Elite Team Sprint
Nigeria take part in a women’s Elite Team Sprint qualification race at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome during the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on August 3, 2023. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
source: Channelsnews
FIFA women’s world cup
Morocco player Nouhaila Benzina has made history for becoming the first woman to play with hijab in the Women’s World Cup.
credit to bbchausa
Foreign minister under fire for ‘downplaying’ diplomats’ expulsion
Political and human rights activist, Pa Samba Jow, has advised Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara to resign over the visa scandal involving some Gambian diplomats in Washington DC, United States.
Few weeks ago, four top diplomats at the Gambian embassy in Washington were expelled from the United States for different offences, including visa fraud.
Reacting to the development in a press conference on Monday, Minister Tangara said it is rather unfortunate, but is nothing very serious in a Gambian context.
But according to Pa Samba Jaw, the minister should have resigned.
“This is what is expected of officials under whose purview such scandal happens, but again, we are talking about The Gambia where impunity runs rampant. The Gambia cannot come out of this looking great, because this is an embarrassing stain on our diplomats, especially those in the US and the embassy. I don’t think any serious country would downplay its diplomats being accused of engaging in criminal activities,” he said.
He said the country mustn’t continue to condone and excuse behaviours that are inimical to its collective well-being.
“If anything, this scandal should serve as a reminder that we cannot continue to relegate our diplomatic services to a dumping ground for political friends.”
“I was really taken aback by the minister’s suggestion that though serious; it wasn’t a very serious matter. First, what is alleged against the expelled diplomats is at least criminal and the height of corruption and dereliction of duty. These diplomats weren’t accused of traffic violations, they were accused of visa fraud. If that is not too serious, I don’t know what is.”
Pa Samba said diplomats have a unique responsibility to represent the very best image of their people and country, therefore whatever they do must represent the very best of “our country”.
“The Minister’s analogy is akin to suggesting that if a family member asks you to dip into the nation’s coffers to help them, that may be serious but not too serious, because if you don’t help them, they may consider you wicked. The Gambia must raise our standards especially when it comes to values and ethics,” he said.
Health minister
Commenting on the dismissal of some officials over the AKI deaths, Jaw said: “The decision by the Ministry of Health to fire officials due to the AKI incident is a welcomed move, but I hope that wasn’t done to placate the people, especially coming on the heels of the victims taking legal action against the government. I believe that there is more to this issue than the actions of these fired officials. Our healthcare system is chronically deficient – from management to service delivery, hence these avoidable deaths.”
Sabally
Als commenting on the issue of the diplomats and the health ministry, UDP firebrand campaign manager, Momodou Sabally, said: “Well I am not surprised because I have said in several interviews before that when it comes to proper professional conduct and morality, this government has brought us to a new low. Moreover, I did also say at the advent of this saga that not much will come out of this matter because more senior officials at the foreign office are guilty of similar misconduct.”
He said the implications of the diplomats’ visa fraud will be “pervasively damaging”.
“It is one thing for junior embassy staff to break the rules of a major global power like the USA; but for a Foreign Minister to come out in public to try to downplay it, that is simply adding injury to insult and am sure the US and other diplomatic missions in The Gambia will take note of this. The moral hazard is just too huge when a foreign minister says it is okay for his diplomats posted abroad to be engaged in visa fraud. This one will damage whatever shred of credibility The Gambia is left with in the international community,” he argued.
About the AkI report, Sabally said: “I am not surprised because President Barrow has always stood up to defend the health minister and other top brass of the ministry whenever mishaps happen under their watch. At the very advent of this AKI crisis, President Barrow’s first statement included a declaration of confidence in the health minister and he even commended them for a great job despite the loss of dozens of babies due to negligence.
“The dismissal of the MCA CEO is just a reflection of the Dr Banja situation in which case, an equally culpable minister was retained and his deputy sacrificed. This is now an established trend confirming my longstanding characterisation of this administration as ‘Animal Farm’: all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others,” Sabally said.
He said the minister’s resignation is long overdue. “From his mismanagement of the Covid-19 pandemic and the related funds for which his ministry was indicted by an audit report, to the rampant maternal mortality cases, Samateh should have resigned a long time ago. Since he does not have that moral decency to resign, he should be fired. Senegal’s health minister was recently fired for a lesser offense of babies’ deaths due to a fire outbreak at a health facility,” Sabally concluded.
Credit to: standard.gm
D5 Creation