President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the national honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

President Buhari also conferred the vice president-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima with the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) honour.

The investiture of the two highest national honours on the incoming leaders was done on Thursday at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja as part of the Presidential Inauguration programme of events.
Below are some pictures.

After the investiture of national honours, the official handover of transition documents to Tinubu and Shettima also followed.

The handover of documents is in line with Executive Order 14 which mandates that the transition council issues handover notes containing, amongst other things, proposed policy direction for the incoming administration.

On Monday, May 29th, Tinubu will be sworn in as the next President of Nigeria, succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari.

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY PRESIDENT-ELECT, ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT HIS INVESTITURE FOR HIGHEST NATIONAL HONOUR IN ABUJA ON THURSDAY MAY 25TH, 2023.

1. Thank You, Mr. President, for bestowing the nation’s highest honors on my Vice President elect Shettima and me.

2. Our deep thanks also for the transition documents and the committed work performed by the transition council headed by the SGF.

3. The documents summarize the immense work of your administration. They constitute an impressive and noteworthy scorecard.

4. You have made history and no one can take your contribution to our nation’s development.

5. Your devotion to progressive and democratic good governance is unassailable.

6. As such, I stand here renewed not only in hope but also in dedication to our national purpose and destiny.

7. I also feel full of pride but this pride I feel is not for myself. It is for what this moment represents.

8. This stately occasion is living evidence that Nigeria is a vibrant and true democracy. All of us here bear witness to this inspiring proceeding where one leader bestows personal honor on his successor. Also, that leader does his utmost to exchange the baton of government by ensuring that his successor is as well-prepared as possible for the task at hand.

9. This hall is permeated with a sense of reverence for our democracy and the confident belief that this reverence shall be enshrined for generations to come.

10. Today is more than ceremony. It confirms that our path is right and that nothing will deter us from adhering to it.

11. Our way shall not always be smooth. Yet we are imbued with faith in our purpose and a firm belief in our collective ability to overcome the challenges that confront us.

12. President Buhari, you have shown courage in taking tough decisions others avoided.

13. One such decision was to recognize the injustice of the annulment of the 1993 election, to designate June
12 as Democracy Day, and to bestow the nation’s highest honor on the late MKO Abiola.

14 As much as anyone could, you reached back into history to set the record straight and heal a festering wound.

15. The justice you did in this matter lends special meaning to today.

16. I am a simple man who is the beneficiary of the support and goodwill of the people of Nigeria.

17. The people have put their trust in us. You have done your part Mr. President.

18. Now, that great duty descends on me. I understand the meaning of the honor given to me today and of the task that awaits.

19. I must run this race and must do it well. On security, the economy, agriculture, jobs, education, health and power and in all other sectors we must make headway. The people deserve no less. In this, I shall disappoint neither them nor you, Mr. President.

Thank You and May God Bless our beloved republic.

IGP approves redeployment of Commissioners of Police [CPs]

The Inspector-General of Police, [IGP] Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the posting of CP Okon Okon Effiong to head the Department of Finance and Administration ICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja; CP Zachariah A. Fera, fdc to Force Criminal Investigation (FCID) Annex Enugu, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka to Rivers State Command, and CP Gyogon Augustine Grimah to Cross River State Command.

The IGP in a Press Statement released by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi tasked the Commissioners of Police to deploy all requisite assets in ensuring sanity, professional standards and discipline in all ramifications in their new places of assignment.

“He has further charged the senior police officers to effectively apply their wealth of experiences to improving existing structural arrangements towards achieving a citizen-focused and community-oriented policing system”.

“The IGP also called for support and cooperation from members of the public to enable the newly posted senior officers to function optimally on their mandate”.
The posting is with immediate effect.

 

IGP speaks on professionalism, commitment at the training of CSOs, ADCs to Governors, VIPs.

The Nigeria Police Force has completed a 3-day Induction Course to train officers who have been appointed as Chief Security Officers (CSOs), Aide-de-Camps (ADCs), Orderlies to State Governors and other Very Important Persons (VIPs) on their duties and responsibilities while carrying out protective services in their different postings held on Wednesday 24th May, 2023, at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The induction course, according to the Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi catered for 53 CSO’s and ADC’s, as well as 18 Orderlies.

The training similarly, he said covered the Rules of Engagement and Standard Operational Procedures to apply in various simulated situations as well as specific policies and etiquettes for strict adherence. Seasoned officers with a wealth of experiential knowledge, led by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, were on the ground to coordinate the course.

The Inspector-General of Police at the training emphasized the role of professionalism and commitment in effectively carrying out these specialized policing services and charged the officers and men to continuously develop themselves for efficiency.

President Buhari Again Approves $61.5million, N16billion Last-Minute Power Projects Amid Suspicion To Siphon Public Funds.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, who also confirmed this, said $6million and the onshore component of N145m, inclusive of all the taxes, was for the procurement of transmission line materials for re-conductoring works for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the Federal Executive Council Wednesday approved $61,500,000 and N16,733,500,000 for procurement of transmission line materials and award of contracts for sub-stations in some parts of the country.

The Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, who also confirmed this, said $6million and the onshore component of N145m, inclusive of all the taxes, was for the procurement of transmission line materials for re-conductoring works for the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
The minister added that the FEC also awarded contract for the construction of 15 kilometre turn in, turn out line of the existing Akure-dAdo-Ekiti 132 single-circuit transmission line at Akure 330, 132, 33 sub-stations of TCN at the cost of $2.5m with an onshore component of N988.5.

“The last memo which has five projects on it sought to design, supply and install 132 32kv sub-station and transmission lines across different locations in the country for TCN in favour of several contractors in the total $53m; this is the offshore; then the onshore is N15.6bn.”

SaharaReporters on Saturday had reported that the Buhari-led government with barely a week to handing over was involved in last-minute contracts worth N3.7trillion amid general suspicion by the ministers to use the contracts as conduits to siphon public funds.

It was learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari and his ministers made these appointments and entered into the contracts between March 20, 2023 and May 14, 2023, following the conduct of presidential and governorship elections, which produced Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress as “President-elect” and a total of 28 governors, 16 of whom will take over from their predecessors, who will complete their constitutionally approved second term in 2023.
According to analyses, over N3.7trillion in contracts were awarded between March 20 and May 14, 2023.

The Federal Executive Council approved N453.90 billion for the acquisition of rolling stock, operation and maintenance equipment for the under construction Kano-Maradi standard gauge rail line on March 23.
On the same day, the FEC approved N5,157,265,770 for the construction of 192 flats for officers and men of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, as well as $984.7 million for the procurement of maintenance equipment for the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Various contracts worth N210 billion were approved during the FEC meeting on March 29, 2023, for the provision of various infrastructure, including free Internet services at 20 of the country’s airports, 43 higher education institutions, and 20 markets across the country. A breakdown of the contracts revealed that N95.98 billion was approved for various road projects, while N59.78 billion was approved to continue the ongoing Ogoni clean up.

 

Nigerians later appreciated it’, I Deliberately Closed Borders, – Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he deliberately shut the country’s borders to encourage food production in Nigeria.
While the move was heavily criticised, Buhari noted that Nigerians later appreciated it.

He said this during the inauguration of the new Customs Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. “I deliberately closed the borders because knowing Nigerians, they order rice, give some Niger address, and then they bring the rice here,” he said at the event.

Buhari believes Nigeria can be self-sufficient in food production. Credit: Presidency. “With our land potential – we thank God Nigeria is favoured. We have people, we have land, and we have weather. How many nations are as lucky as Nigeria in the world? Very few nations are as lucky as we are! We thank God for that.”

Continuing, he said: “So, closing that border – 1,600 kilometres from Lake Chad to Benin – and Nigerians insist they that they have to impress their neighbours and other people and they eat foreign rice. I said, ‘No rice’.”

“You eat what you grow or you die. I tried to make my point. Later Nigerians appreciated it because it provided more jobs,” Buhari added.
“People got back to the lands – we have them– and we produced what we eat. Let whoever grows excess rice eat his own rice or sell it somewhere else.”

 

Kwara governor AbdulRazaq replaces Tambuwal as chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Sokoto State Governor and outgoing chairman of NGF Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said this in a communiqué at the end of the 7th emergency meeting of the state governors held on Tuesday night in Abuja.

Tambuwal’s tenure as NGF chairman would end on May 29.
It was gathered that Abdulrazaq emerged through consensus while Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde was chosen as vice chairman of the forum.

“On the leadership of the Forum, the Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, emerged the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum through a consensus, and the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde is now the vice chairman.

“Members expressed satisfaction with the success of the just concluded induction for new and returning governors that took place between the 14th and 19th of May, 2023.

“Members committed to sustained collaboration among the states through enhanced peer review, learning at the sub-national level and deepening the relationship with the federal government and other institutions.

“Finally, members were briefed by the Chairman of the Forum that the Hon. Minister of Finance has granted the request of the Forum to immediately stop further deductions from the accounts of states to meet Local Government Councils London Paris Club obligations and the monies so far deducted be paid back to the states.”

Supreme Court; Senator reacts to alleged double nomination against Shettima.

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, on Wednesday, said, the Vice President-elect committed no offence for purchasing Senatorial form for 2023 general election.

Senator Shettima was said to have purchased expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for senate before he was nominated for presidential running mate to Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
His alleged double nomination has been a subject of criticism with the critics dragging him to the Supreme Court.

Reacting in a statement he issued on Wednesday and made available to newsmen in Abuja, Shehu Sani made reference to the same scenario, saying that the Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan contested for the presidential election and re-contested to represent Yobe North Senatorial, which he won.

He added that Godswill Akpabio, who is a senator-elect, awaiting inauguration, also contested the presidential election, stressing that Kashim Shettima found himself in the same situation.

Sani expressed optimism that the Supreme Court will not rule against Shettima. He said: “What was good for Ahmed Lawan and Akpabio is good for Shetima.

“I don’t expect the Supreme Court to rule against the double nomination.
“No Nigerian should be denied the right and privilege of seeking another office if he fails to get one.”

Three Siblings Found Dead In Landlords Car In Lagos.

 

Picture of the RAV 4 car belonging to the landlord.

Three children of same parents were on Tuesday found dead inside a car belonging to their landlord in the Imota area of Ikorodu, Lagos state.

The deceased identified as, Lazarus, 8, Marvelous, 5, and Uche 3, all children of one Mr Osondu were found dead hours after they were last seen playing in the compound. It was gathered that the children while playing entered the car, a RAV 4, and mistakenly press the central lock and thereby trapping themselves inside in the process.

The landlord who was identified as one Moses was alleged to have left his vehicle unlocked before going into his apartment.
The children were playing with their cousin, identified as Blessing, 11, a foster daughter to the deceased father. around 11am on Tuesday, inside the compound before they entered the Landlord’s RAV4 SUV.

Nobody could say why Blessing, who is the most senior did not enter the car and also failed to raise the alarm when she discovered that her cousins were trapped inside the car. Some said it might have been for fear of being flogged for venturing into the area.

“The vehicle was parked in a fenced and gated compound, before one of them unconsciously pressed the central lock button of the vehicle and it ended up locking all of them. They were discovered dead inside the car” the witness said.

It was learnt that an angry mob descended on the landlord and beat him up until he was rescued by some policemen on patrol duty. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

Hundeyin said the Officer in Charge (O/C) Police Family Support Unit (FSU), around 7.40pm on Tuesday, got a distress call from an anonymous callers of a suspected Sudden and Unnatural Death (SUD)/Suffocation of under aged children.

He said Patrol team and FSU personnel swiftly moved to the scene, where they met a mammoth crowd that besieged the residence of Moses, in Ikorodu.
He said the crowd had allegedly over the death of Lazarus, 8, Marvelous, a girl of 5 years and Uche , 3, all children of of Mr Osondu.

“The father of the deceased children said he is from Izii community in Ebonyi State and tenant at the aforementioned address. The children were playing with their cousin, one Blessing Hyacinth, a girl of about 11 years, a foster daughter to Mr. Osondu at about 11am inside the Landlord’s RAV4 SUV with Reg. parked in a fenced and gated compound.

“One of them inadvertently pressed the central lock button of the vehicle and it ended up locking the trio till they got suffocated. The three children were taken to IKorodu General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead by medics and their corpses deposited at the same hospital’s mortuary for autopsy in the presence of their father.

“The landlord, was brought to the station for protective custody and the RAV4 SUV recovered to the station for safekeeping. Meanwhile, Patrol team led by operations Officer has been deployed to the neighbourhood to ensure there’s no breakdown of law and order” he added.

CBN Revokes 132 Microfinance Banks’ Licences.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revoked the operating licences of 132 microfinance banks, four primary mortgage banks, and three finance companies in the country.

Channels Television reports that the revocation exercise of the Federal Government published on the website of the CBN on Tuesday.

According to the apex bank, the financial institutions “failed to fulfil or comply with the conditions subject to which their licences were granted; or failed to comply with the obligations imposed upon them by the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020, Act No. 5.”

The four primary mortgage banks whose licences were revoked are Resort Savings & Loans, Safetrust Mortgage Bank, Adamawa Savings & Loans and Kogi Savings & Loans. The finance companies whose licences were revoked include HHL Invest & Trust Limited, TFS Finance Limited and Treasures & Trust Limited.

Some of the microfinance banks listed include Bluewhales Microfinance Bank, Igangan Microfinance Bank, Mainsail Microfinance Bank, Everest Microfinance Bank, Merit Microfinance Bank, Musharaka Microfinance Bank, Nopov Microfinance Bank, among others.

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, said the licences were revoked in the exercise of the powers conferred on the apex bank under Section 12 of BOFIA 2020, Act No. 5.
See below the full list of the affected banks and financial institutions:

S/N        NAME OF INSTITUTION

BANK LIMITED MAYFAIR

MICRO FINANCE BANK

LIMITEDCALABAR MICROFINANCE

BANK LIMITEDIGHOMO

MICRO FINANCE BANK

LIMTED HACKMAN MICROFINANCE

BANK LIMITEDIDESE MICROFINANCE

BANK LIMITEDBRIDGEWAY

MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDGRASSROOT MICROFINANCE
BANK

LIMITED SURELIFE
MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED TIJARAH MICROFINANCE
BANK

LIMITEDIC-GLOBAL
MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED EJIAMATU MICROFINANCE
BANK

LIMITED BRIYTH COVENANT
MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED NANKA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED CUB MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED BFL MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED UMUNNE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OROKE MICROFINANCE BANK

ALKALERI MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED CROWNED EAGLE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED UNIFA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED DADINKOWA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED IFESOWAPO MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OAF MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED BAMA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDNGALA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED IWOAMA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED KADA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED KEFFI MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDNUT-ENDWELLMICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED FIRST MULTIPLE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED SBDC MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OROS CAPITAL MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OZIZZA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED PRIMERA CREDIT MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED IFEANYICHUKWU MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED IHIOMA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED JOSAD MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED AKPO MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED AIYEPE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED ABC MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED STAR MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED PURPLE MONEY MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED UTUH MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED STALLION MICROFINANCE
BANK

LIMITED KJL MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDCREDIT AFRIQUE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDCOWRIES MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED LAWEBOD MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED MABINAS MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED BUSINESS SUPPORT MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OGBE-AHIARA MICRO FINANCE BANK

LIMITED OLOFIN MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED OBOSI MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED FIYINFOLU MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED BISHOPGATE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDAWKA MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED ZIGATE MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED ESAN MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED ENUGU-UKWU MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITED ECHO MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDALLY MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDNETWORK MICROFINANCE BANK

LIMITEDAWGBU MICROFINANCE BANK LIMITED

SCHEDULE II
LIST OF FINANCE COMPANIES LICENCES REVOKED

S/N NAME OF  INSTITUTION

HHL Invest & Trust Limited

TFS Finance Limited

Treasures & Trust Limited

SCHEDULE  III

LIST OF PRIMARY MORTGAGE BANKS LICENCES REVOKED

S/N NAME OF INSTITUTION

RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS SAFETRUST MORTGAGE

BANKADAMAWA SAVINGS & LOANSKOGI SAVINGS & LOANS.

 

Sanwo-Olu Inaugurates 13 Infrastructural Facilities Across Lagos.

In line with his administration’s commitment to deliver dividends of democracy and good governance to Lagos residents, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, commissioned 13 projects in eight local government areas of the State.

The commissioning of the projects in Amuwo-Odofin, Badagry, Agege, Ojo, Alimoso, Ifako Ijaiye, Ikeja and Ajeromi/Ifelodun local government areas, were parts of the 11-day programme lined up to celebrate Governor Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat’s first term in office.

The projects commissioned are the School of Basic Medical Science Block, 120 Bed MCC (SDG Building), Ambulance Bay, Special Services Centre House, Officers’ Quarters at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH); newly rehabilitated Mba-Cardoso Street, Ajegunle; Akesan Obadore Road, Alimosho; Ikeja Town Square and unveiling of the newly installed Heidelberg Speedmaster CX 104-5+LX Machine at Lagos State Printing Corporation, Ikeja.

Other projects commissioned were constructed jetties with waiting shelters and shoreline protection at Marina and Isaju-Ajido in Badagry, as well as at Ilashe and Ijegun-Egba in Amuwo-Odofin; Government Girls Senior College in Agege; Alimosho Junior Grammar School and Ijaiye Housing Estate Junior Secondary School, Alimosho; newly constructed Primary Healthcare Centre, Ijedodo in Iba LCDA, Ojo and Ijaiye Ojokoro Senior High School, Ifako Ijaiye.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was represented during the commissioning held simultaneously in 13 places by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government; Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Sayanwo; Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries, among others.

Speaking during the commissioning of medical infrastructure projects, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the provision of the different projects is to ensure the delivery of modern medical facilities that will strengthen the capacity of the State’s healthcare system ostensibly to meet the needs of the people.

The governor, who was represented by Dr. Hamzat noted that the facilities have been provided in fulfillment of his administration’s promises and commitment to the people of Lagos State under the Health and Environment Pillar of his administration’s THEMES development agenda.

While appreciating the Senior Special Assistant to the Presidential on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire for the donation of a 124 Bed-SDG Multipurpose Medical Building, Sanwo-Olu said: “I have no doubt in my mind that with this facility, and several others that have been put in place in other parts of the country, we are on the path to improving our nation’s Human Capital Development Index and achieving the set targets under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals”.

He said the building equipped with modern medical care facilities, comprising four Medical schools in the areas of Anesthesia Technology, Echo Cardiograph, Orthopedic Cast Technology and Post Graduate Nursing, will significantly raise the status of LASUTH as a leading/award-winning Medical School and Centre of Excellence in Healthcare Service Delivery.

Speaking earlier, Princess Orelope-Adefulire said Lagos State being the most populous state in the country deserves the provision of necessary medical infrastructure. She noted that the infrastructure will take care of all Nigerians residing in the state.

Speaking at the commissioning of Mba-Cardoso Street in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Governor Sanwo-Olu represented by his deputy, said his administration will continue to expand the transportation sector, which includes the provision of modern and sustainable road infrastructure as part of activities to herald a new administration.

He added that his administration is committed to improving commuters’ travel experience, saving important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic; providing better riding surfaces; boosting interconnectivity and generally making life more meaningful for commuters.

In her welcome address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye said the Sanwo-Olu administration has kept its promise to improve the quality of life of the people and drive massive socio-economic growth through infrastructure upgrade and renewal.

“The commitment of this administration to put in place infrastructure that will enhance the well-being of Lagosians and empower them across economic activities is brought to the fore,” she said.

In his remarks, Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Hon. Fatal Adekunle Ayoola said the rehabilitation of the Mba-Cardoso road has brought great relief to the residents.

Speaking at the commissioning of newly upgraded jetties with waiting shelters and shorelines in Badagry, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Adebayo Olukayode Sodade, expressed his delight at the completion of the projects that will serve the populace of Ijegun Egba and its environs.

The governor assured Lagosians of the government’s commitment to completing ongoing jetty constructions and enforcing safety regulations to ensure safe travel on the waterways. The commissioning of multiple jetties reflects the Lagos State government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure, enhancing water transportation, and reducing travel time for Lagos residents.