TOP STORIES: President Tinubu Inaugurates NEC.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday has
inaugurated the National Economic Council (NEC), headed by Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
The inauguration comes a week after he directed NEC to meet to come up with interventions to mitigate the effects of the petroleum subsidy.
The President charged the council to support his administration in transforming the economic Fortunes of the country.
He says the task of growing the nation’s economy is quite enormous adding that no excuse for failure.
He restated his administration’s commitment to delivering on its promises to Nigerians.
The NEC meets monthly and has the mandate to “advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”
Membership of the NEC comprises of the 36 State Governors, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted Government officials.
Those in attendance as at the time the meeting commenced are ;
Kwara, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Osun, Ademola Adeleke, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule, Akwa Ibom, Umo Eno and Enugu, Peter Mbah Cross River, Bassey Otu, Plateau, Caleb Muftwang, Kebbi, Nasir Idris, Katsina, Aliyu Radda and Benue Hycinth Alia.
Others are Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, Ogun, Dapo Abiodun, Anambra Charles Soludo, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, Taraba, Agbu Kefas, Gombe, Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori, Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, Niger Mohammed Bago and Sokoto, Ahmad Aliyu.
Others are Ebonyi, Francis Nwifuru, Kaduna, Uba Sani, Edo, Godwin Obaseki, Abia, Alex Otti, Bayelsa, Douye Diri, Kano, Abba Yusuf, Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, Oyo, Seyi Makinde and Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’.
President Tinubu had earlier inaugurated the council before it proceeded with its meeting.
Suspended EFCC chair, Bawa in DSS custody.
Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is currently in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
It was learnt that Bawa arrived the headquarters of DSS at about 9:02pm.
EFCC invites ex-Aviation minister, Sirika, others over ‘failed’ Nigeria Air project.
Nigeria Air: EFCC Invites Sirika For Questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over the investigation into the Nigeria Air project.
The minister is due to appear before the commission within the week to answer questions related to the launch of the national carrier and the alleged N3billion spent on the airline project.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation on the Nigeria Air project, however, did not give further details.
He said, “I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard.”
However, EFCC sources said the commission would look at the N3 billion public fund sunk into the project.
The EFCC had already questioned officials of the Nigerian Air over the recent launch of the airline in Abuja.
The sources told LEADERSHIP that, “We have already questioned some officials of Nigeria Air.
Tinubu planning to distribute cheap fuel — Mele Kyari
Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), disclosed on Wednesday that President Bola Tinubu has started putting in place structural plans to distribute cheap fuel through compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LPG). The president plans to use this to reduce the impact of the removal of subsidies on Nigerians.
Kyari made this known during a chat with State House correspondents after a meeting with Tinubu.
He said the president plans to roll out the structural plan very soon, as he promised that it is part of the president’s palliative measures to ameliorate the suffering the removal of the subsidy has brought upon Nigerians.
He added that the nation’s refineries were undergoing intense rehabilitation and would soon be completed.
NSCDC Boss- Citizens urged to join the fight against the insecurity.
Commandant General Abubakar Audi.
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has appealed to Nigerians to join in the fight against insecurity to sustain the nation’s democratic ideals.
Dr. Audi said that citizens needed to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration by embracing his policies and programs for a better Nigeria.
He made this statement while briefing officers and men at the Corps’ National Headquarters, Abuja, on Monday to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
He stated that security agencies require the cooperation and support of citizens to effectively ensure national security.
He called on citizens to endeavor to provide credible information that could help nip crime in the bud.
If you see something, do not waste time in saying something,” he advised.
The NSCDC boss urged Nigerians to engrain the spirit of national consciousness to move the nation forward, noting that only a safe and secure environment could guarantee the prosperity and growth of Nigeria’s democracy.
A rise in national security consciousness is the first step towards creating a nation with a shared sense of national identity.
It also fosters common understanding amongst different ethnic groups, religions, tribes, and organizations. adding that we have to develop a strong feeling of love, commitment, loyalty, and affection that enables us to work together for the growth, progress, and development of this country.
He further called on the government at all levels to give maximum support to security agencies to function effectively in crime fighting and prevention.
We will appreciate more governmental support to help us discharge our duties optimally. He advocated the need for security agencies to heed the advice of President Tinubu on synergy and collaboration.
We have to promote a culture of synergy and collaboration amongst ourselves.We must embrace the advice Mr. President gave us recently regarding synergy and collaboration for effective service delivery.
The task of eradicating crimes and criminality in the country required a formidable internal security apparatus that must be opposed to unhealthy rivalry.
He congratulates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all Nigerians on the occasion of democracy day celebrations and assured that NSCDC under his leadership will not derail but play its part with rene
wed vigor for the betterment of Nigeria.
Preserving Nigeria’s democracy is a collective effort in which, protecting her people and critical national assets is our role. We will continue to do our best in discharging our constitutional responsibility to the nation effectively without compromise CG said.
PSC Chairman, Arase Hosts NECO, Public Service Institute Delegations, Vows To Close Capacity Gaps In PSC, Police.
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, has met with delegations from the National Examination Council, NECO and the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, two rated Nigerian training and examination institutions.
Dr. Arase, as confirmed by the PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani met separately with the two Institutions at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission in Jabi, Abuja, on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 13th and 14th 2023 where he bemoaned the lack of capacity in the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force.
At the meeting, Ani said, Dr Arase vowed to close the capacity gaps in the Commission and the Police and extended a hand of fellowship to the management of the two training and examination institutions so as to quickly fix these gaps in the interest of a viable and efficient Policing in Nigeria as according to him, the Police, lead Agency in internal security and its oversight body, the Commission should not be allowed to lack capacity especially at this critical period of nation building.
“The Chairman noted that over 200 senior Police Officers would soon be retiring from service stressing that this will obviously create manpower shortfall and capacity gaps in the service.
“Dr. Arase said the Commission will want to deepen its relationship with the two Institutions so as to leverage on their manpower and capacity developments.
“He said the Commission will also make a case for the upgrading of junior Officers who have obtained additional qualifications and will need to collaborate with the Institutions for short service trainings for these Officers before they are upgraded to the Officer cadre.
“He also admitted that the Commission’s recruitment system has been problematic, adding that under his watch “we will do what is right and complement the efforts of the Police”, Ani stated.
Dr. Abdul-Ganiyu Obatoyinbo, mni, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria in his remarks, commended the PSC Chairman for his efforts so far in stablizing a very important sector of the nations existence.
“This is not the age where you bring people who can not read or write and we have to be careful with the people we give arms to”, he said.
The Administrator, was also quoted to have said that the Institute as the face of the nation as it relates to capacity building will want to use the PSC Chairman as a catalyst to forge a strong relationship with the Nigeria Police in terms of training since the Police officers are public servants.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of NECO, Prof. Dantani Ibrahim in his comment, told the Chairman that the examination body has come to stay and contributing to the nation’s educational career progression.
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