Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Globacom subscribers will not be able to make calls to MTN lines soon due to the non-settlement of interconnect charges.

 

The Nigerian Communications Commission disclosed this on Monday in a public notice signed by Director, Public Affairs Department, Reuben Muoka.

 

It stated that it granted partial approval for the disconnection of Globacom from MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

 

It said, “Globacom was notified of the application made by MTN and was given the opportunity to comment and state its case.

 

The commission, having examined the application and circumstances surrounding the indebtedness, determined that Globacom does not have sufficient or justifiable reason for non-payment of the interconnect charges.”

 

The NCC revealed that at the expiration of 10 days from the date of this notice, “subscribers of Globacom will no longer be able to make calls to MTN but will be able to receive calls.

 

“The partial disconnection, however, will allow in-bound calls to the Globacom network.

 

This is not the first time Glo subscribers will be disconnected from making calls to MTN over the same issue.

 

December 2018, the telecom regulator approved mobile network operators to disconnect other operators over rising interconnect debts and the failure of the affected operators to pay.

 

The total disconnect fee in the industry at the time was about N165bn.

 

Interconnect charge is the price that telecom operators pay each other for calls terminating on their networks.

 

According to a source in MTN, Glo owes the firm about N6bn for interconnect fees.

 

Efforts to get Glo’s reaction are still in progress as the firm has yet to comment on the issue.

 

There were 61.39 mobile subscriptions on Glo’s network as of the end of August 2023.

 

According to the new NCC notice, these lines will not be able to make calls to MTN lines from January 18, 2024.

 

Temitayo

The Kogi State Government has deposed four traditional rulers, including a first-class traditional ruler, the Ohimege Igu, Konto-Nkarfe, and Alhaji Abdulrazaq Koto.

 

Koto was subsequently banished to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

 

The state governor, Alhaji Yayaha Bello, also appointed Alhaji Salihu Seidu, popularly known as SAS, to replace the deposed Ohimege.

 

“He is to be turbaned immediately to avoid a vacuum,” Bello said.

 

The governor also announced the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Anaje, who until now is the Ohi of Okenwen, as the new Ohinoyi of Ebiraland.

 

The governor’s address on the appointments delivered shortly after a meeting held with members of the state executive committee reads, “Having followed through our Traditional and Chieftaincy Laws, rules and regulations and all the due processes, we have come to the following resolutions.

 

“His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe, who is also the Chairman, Lokoja/ Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council is hereby removed and to be deposed to Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.

 

His Royal Highness, Sam Bola Ojoa, the Olu Magongo of Magongo, is removed and to be deposed to Salka, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

 

“His Royal Highness, Samuel Adayi Onimisi, the Obobanyi of Emani, is removed and to be deposed to Doko, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State.

 

That similarly, on decision No. 3, the title “Obobanyi of Ihima” which reads on the promotion letter, upgrading the stool to first-class status, was done without cognisance to the fact that the title; “Obobanyi of Ihima” is a subject of litigation and the court of law is yet to arrive at the possible final decision, as such, the government has however received several petitions, calling attention to the need to revert and maintain status quo, until the court of law decides.

 

“To this end, the stool is hereby reverted to “Obobanyi of Ihima” as the present occupant remains deposed.

 

“His Royal Highness, Boniface Musa, the Onu-Ife in Omala Local Government is to be suspended, indefinitely.”

 

The governor added that some decisions were taken on some stools after due intervention by the government to resolve the lingering controversies that have characterised the selection process.

 

He added, “The government, hereby, comes up with the following appointments of the next occupants.

 

Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabir is hereby appointed as the Maigari of Lokoja.

 

“Alhaji Dauda Isah is hereby appointed as the Maiyaki of Kupa.

 

“Similarly, going by the selection decision of the Odaki Ruling House dated 27/4/2012 and endorsed by the Lokoja/Kogi Local Government Area Traditional Council, dated 14/5/2012, Mallam Saidu Akawo Salihu is hereby appointed as the Ohimege-Igu Koton-Karfe and to be turbaned immediately to avoid vacuum.

 

“Finally, going by the high court judgment of 1998, which give full recognition to Ododo as bonafide child of Ita’azi the father of Ebira land and Uhuodo as a distinct district in Ebira land with equal rights as others, therefore, the stool of Ohi of Uhuodo

is hereby created and processes for the occupation of the stool to commence with immediate effect.

 

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the Chief Executive Officers of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr Babatunde Irukera and Director-General/CEO, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Alexander Ayoola Okoh.

 

statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President on Monday, noted that the dismissed chief executives are directed to hand over to the next most senior officer in their respective agencies, pending the appointment of new Chief Executive Officers.

 

The presidency said by this directive of the president, their removal from office takes immediate effect.

 

Ngelale also noted that the action was in conformity with plans to restructure and reposition critical agencies of the Federal Government towards protecting the rights of Nigerian consumers and providing a strong basis for enhanced contributions to the nation’s economy by key growth-enabling institutions.

 

Indications emerged on Monday that the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu was not allowed to see President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

This is as a Civil Society Organisation, Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative in Nigeria (CSCHEI) has commended.resident Tinubu for his swift action in suspending the Minister and ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, to thoroughly investigate the matter.

 

Tinubu had ordered the suspension of the minister following controversies about financial transactions she authorised in her ministry.

 

She was accused of financial infractions bordering on the approval of payments of about N585 million into the private accounts of civil servants, who are said to be the accountants in charge of grants for vulnerable Nigerians.

 

The minister had arrived at the presidential villa in Abuja shortly after her suspension was announced, perhaps with the intention of having a physical discussion with the president.

 

While she was able to clear all security checks up to the president’s office, she was blocked from seeing him in his office.

 

It was also learnt that, apart from being unable to have an audience with President Tinubu, her access tag to the villa was immediately withdrawn from her by the president’s security.

 

Besides that, she was also ferried out of the president’s office in a Toyota Hilux truck belonging to State House security.

 

It was not immediately clear whether she was later allowed to use her official vehicle out of the presidential villa premises.

 

Meanwhile, reacting to the suspension of the minister, the Director General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, said CSOs in Nigeria will not accept any administrative rascality or abuse of power by any appointees of the President.

 

to him, “Many Non- Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organisations have been vigorously developing various working concepts to align with Mr. President Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

“This is one of the reasons CSCHEI has set up a working template to evaluate and monitor 2024 budgets as approved by the President. Suspending the Hon. Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviations is a strong warning to all government officials.

 

“CSCHEI will definitely work with relevant agencies to make sure that investigations into the allegation that led to her suspension are logically concluded. It’s not only embarrassing but ridiculous hearing such financial administrative infractions.

 

“Seriously speaking, we have seen a President travelling around the globe marketing Nigeria Investment programmes. Hopefully, this may further increase Nigeria investment indexes. This is not the time for any government officials to be indulged in financial misconduct that may negate the integrity of this administration.

 

Yussuf said CSCHEI has already concluded plans to roll out training for NGOs and CBOs on “intelligence gathering, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation, the reporting system, government policy’s initiatives, radicalization, and extremism.

 

“These are the means to strengthen the Civil Society Organization in Nigeria to be proactive, strategic, and tactical in its daily responsibilities.”

 

The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo alongside the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mrs Caroline Wura-Ola Adepoju, on Saturday held a demo session with key stakeholders and development partners.

 

The session was put together to present the automated passport application process set to launch on Monday, January 8, 2024.

 

Tunji-Ojo who chaired the session, noted that constructive criticism that would enhance and improve the system was discussed.

 

Notable participants at the session included, Hon. (Dr.) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM); the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) represented by Stephen Matete; Dr. Joe Abah, Country Manager at Development Alternatives Incorporated; Tijjani Mohammad Musa, Founder of Kwandala Foundation; David Afolayan, co-founder of Technext.

 

Others are Akintunde Babatunde, Director of Programmes at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development; Lanre Lasisi, Journalist and Community Development Practitioner; Samson Itodo, Founder of Yiaga Africa; Adeyemi Adewoye, Good Governance Advocate; Mukhtar Mudibbo representing Connected Development (CODE), among others.

 

The planned launching of the online passport application platform will stop indiscriminate extortion of Nigerians at the passport offices, as transactions are now automated.

Palpable tension has gripped residents of Bwari, Ushafa and other villages in Bwari Area Council, Abuja over the activities of the daredevil bandits, causing havoc in the territory.

 

reports that the assailants have been on a rampage in the last few days, killing and kidnapping residents across communities in the council.

 

Seven family members were abducted on Wednesday last week when the gunmen invaded Zuma 1 in the Bwari central ward of the council.

 

A man identified as Alhaji was reportedly shot dead during a gun duel between the bandits and officers of the Nigeria Police.

 

At least two officers were also seriously injured during the incident. The terrorists reportedly overpowered the security operatives and whisked away several residents to unknown destinations.

 

Prior to the Wednesday incident, the blood-thirsty bandits had invaded Barangoni, still in the Bwari central ward and abducted several persons while a vigilante member sustained a life-threatening injury.

 

gathered on Saturday that Garam, Kuduru and Azu communities in the council were invaded a few days before Christmas when gunmen shot indiscriminately to scare residents.

 

It was learnt that the gunmen abducted no fewer than five persons in the process without any resistance from the security agents despite the presence of a police post in the area.

 

Findings also revealed that some residents, especially in Bwari, Ushafa and other border communities, have started fleeing their homes as a result of incessant killings and abductions.

The armed men had recently attacked communities near a private university in the Bwari area of the FCT, Veritas University and kidnapped some residents.

 

DAILY POST recalls that the university was shut down on July 8, 2022, following a series of attacks in the area.

 

Management of the institution announced the closure after about eight soldiers were killed and three wounded in an ambush following a distress call from the Nigerian Law School in Bwari where the attack was earlier launched.

 

gathered on Saturday that the General Hospital in Bwari was partially shut down within the week following the intensified attacks being carried out by the bandits.

 

A source who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said some workers in the hospital including doctors are forced to sit at home over fear of being kidnapped.

 

“Since Wednesday, the hospital has not been functioning properly. Bandits have been attacking many places within Bwari here.

 

“One thing about them (bandits) is that they study their victims, know where he or she works, his or her financial status before they strike.

 

“The medical doctors are afraid that they may be targeted, so the hospital did not function like before on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

 

Although we initially heard that it was shut down but when we visited, we discovered that some activities were going on”, he said.

 

Meanwhile, Ushafa village also known as the Clinton Village under Bwari Area Council has also witnessed several heinous attacks by the terrorists recently.

 

The gunmen reportedly struck behind the Jordan FM on Wednesday leading to the abduction of unspecified residents.

 

A disturbing report also emerged on Saturday night that some residents returning from the farm allegedly sighted some bandits positioned near the rocks, behind the LEA Primary School.

 

The report which is yet to be confirmed by the FCT Police Command has stimulated fear and anxiety in the Clinton Village.

 

 

Two groups, the Conscience of Progressive Change (CPC) and Ondo Elites Assembly (OEA), have slammed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for not joining the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s family to receive his body after arriving at the country on Friday.

 

They condemned the governor’s absence at the airport where the late Akeredolu’s body was received, describing it as cruel

 

 

The Coordinator of CPC, Remi Ogunmola, and OEA General Secretary, Chief Yemi Oladiran, expressed their disapproval in separate press statements.

 

Ogunmola stated:”It is sheer wickedness to refuse to receive the body of your former principal, a man who died while in active service to the state, and whose tenure you are completing.”

 

“Since the demise of Governor Akeredolu, we have continued to hear and verify various stories that initially started as rumours.

 

“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s refusal to receive the late Akeredolu’s body has substantiated many of these insinuations and rumours.

 

“What could Hon. Aiyedatiwa be doing that is so important? Was it too much to lead all members of the state executive council in receiving the body of the late governor?.

If other state governors in the Southwest could send eminent representatives, was it too much to ask Aiyedatiwa, the direct beneficiary of Akeredolu’s death, to be present?”

 

On its part, the Ondo Elites Assembly said Aiyedatiwa’s actions since the demise of the late Akeredolu clearly indicate that he was only shedding crocodile tears.

 

The group found it even more shocking that Aiyedatiwa exclaimed ‘A ku orire’ (congratulations to us) during his inauguration, which occurred the day the late governor passed away.

 

With this development, we don’t need to be told that Aiyedatiwa didn’t hold his late boss in high regard,” it said.

 

“Even in death, Aiyedatiwa has continued to display a lack of respect and love for the deceased. It’s a sad and unfortunate situation.”

 

“We are deeply concerned by the way Governor Aiyedatiwa has been handling the death of his late principal. His behavior has been apathetic and unsympathetic.

 

“ It is evident that this is not the appropriate way to treat someone’s benefactor.

 

The group added that “ it’s highly disheartening to see Akeredolu’s body moved from the airport without any insignia or sign of the state government. Akeredolu did his best for the state and the Southwest at large. He deserved better

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new Executive Directors in for the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA.

 

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday, explained that the two agencies are under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

 

The new Executive Directors for NPA are, Ms. Vivian C. Richard Edet, Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director, Marine & Operations and Engr. Ibrahim Abba Umar, Executive Director, Engineering & Technical Services (NPA)

 

The new Executive Directors for NIMASA, are Mr. Jibril Abba, Executive Director, Maritime Labour & Cabotage Services, Mr. Chudi Offodile, Executive Director, Finance & Administration and

Engr. Fatai Taye Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations.

 

According to the statement, “The President approves these appointments with the firm belief, after studying their impressive profiles, that the new appointees will expeditiously and efficiently execute on their collective mandate to create the conditions required to significantly raise the contribution of the Marine & Blue Economy sector to the nation’s GDP while evolving the Nigerian economy into a labour-intensive and inclusive one that creates new opportunity for all Nigerians in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda, under the able guidance of the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, H.E. Adegboyega Oyetola.”