Author: Chief Editor

Senate has uncovered N34 billion in a fixed deposit account allegedly traced to the management of Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) and non-remittance of N182 million interest. The agency only remitted N82 million, while withholding N100 million from an interest of N34 billion in various banks. The discovery by Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), chaired by Senator Matthew Urhoghide, was based on a 2016 Auditor General’s report, currently being considered by the committee. The management of PEF declined to appear before the committee for a meeting on Wednesday, last week. The new management of Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission is expected to…

Ralf Rangnick’s reign at Manchester United got off to a winning start thanks to a stunning strike from the much-maligned Fred to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday. A bright start from the Red Devils fizzled out without reward and the German looked like he might have to settle for a disappointing draw in his first match since taking charge until the end of the season. But Fred, who had been a target for much of the criticism towards the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time as manager, produced a moment of magic with a curling effort…

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has introduced the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP) to check project duplication and multiplication by government agencies in the Niger Delta. Presenting the plan yesterday in Abuja, the Minister said: “You will recall that I have at several fora, expressed my displeasure at the manner development initiatives were being implemented in the Niger Delta. It is such that two or more agencies would be working separately on a single infrastructural project, with the same reflecting and being appropriately funded in their respective budgets. SIWP would surely put an end to this…

Sonala Olumhense Full disclosure: I do not speak for the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).  I have never met anyone who works there. I have never gone to tea at SERAP, enjoyed its suya or sipped a glass of its wine.  But I love the organisation, whose historic work I have followed with great interest since 2004. In a country in which citizens subsist on a diet of despair, SERAP’s dogged pursuit of the rule of law, accountability, human rights, and several other causes fills me with pride. SERAP is not a clandestine political outfit which sprang into…

Opposition party shifts inauguration of Ayu, others to Friday There is palpable tension within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Supreme Court will tomorrow hear the appeal filed by the sacked National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, asking the apex court to quash his removal from office, THISDAY has learnt. THISDAY also gathered that the apex court may also decide to rule on the matter tomorrow, or later within the week. It was learnt that the fear that the decision of the Supreme Court may affect the recent National Convention of the party has led the main…

A former President of the Senate and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anyim Pius Anyim, has said although the south-east is entitled to the presidential seat in 2023, it would have to persuade other regions for support. Anyim said this yesterday while speaking at the national convention of the United for Better Nigeria Initiative (UBNI) held in Abuja. The former senate president encouraged the South-east to go ahead with the campaign for presidency with an attitude of persuasion. “Is it right for the South-east to produce the next president? My answer is legally no, and the reason is…

Students of the Lagos State University (LASU) yesterday expressed their readiness to participate in the ‘Lagos Peace Walk,’ proposed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to herald the healing of Lagos in the aftermath of last year’s EndSARS protests in the state. This is just as a rights activist and member of the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry over alleged police brutality, especially, the October 20, 2020 incident at the Lekki toll plaza, Mr. Segun Awosanya yesterday said he would join Sanwo-Olu in the proposed peace walk. LASU students who came out in large numbers to welcome the governor said they…

• It’s a slap on Nigerian football, analysts blast Dutch coach • Pinnick meets Minister on Rohr’s fate The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it has not received any application from former Super Eagles coach, Johannes Bonfrere, despite media reports that he has formally applied for the job. The Dutchman was sacked in 2001 after losing a World Cup qualifier in Sierra Leone. Before then, Bonfrere was assistant coach to Clemens Westerhof between 1990 and 1994, and he led Nigeria’s U-23 team to win gold at Atlanta ‘96 Olympics. About 20 years after his sack from the Super Eagles, Bonfrere feels…

The Senate has refused a N323 million productivity allowance for staff of National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) without approval from the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC). Its Public Accounts Committee hinged the rejection on the query raised in the 2016 Auditor General of the Federation report. The perk was captured via a payment voucher dated April 13, 2015 without sanctioning from the NSIWC –the legitimate body for approval of allowances. Speaking, NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, acknowledged that the approval was ongoing. She said: “The Productivity Allowance predated me. We are waiting for…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), yesterday, advised the country to prepare for possibly fresh and deadlier Lassa fever, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and COVID-19 outbreaks. Its President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, at the opening of the December National Executive Council (NEC) meeting (Caliphate City 2021) in Sokoto, expressed concerns over emerging and re-emerging infections. He stressed the need to continually put together effective outbreak prevention and control measures that are culturally appropriate, relevant and feasible for communities to check unnecessary loss of life and minimise disruptions to essential services. The obstetrician and gynaecologist canvassed uninterrupted community engagement, social mobilisation and communication…