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  • Customs re-directs strategy on rice anti-smuggling operation

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said the service had re-directed its strategy on rice anti-smuggling operation to boost revenue.

    Mr Joseph Attah, the NSC Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said the service had made tremendous efforts to deal with rice smuggling in the country, adding that the newly adopted strategy is aimed at deepening the success story.

    “We have re-sharpened our strategy on rice anti-smuggling. In recent past, 50 vehicles have been issued to the service by the Federal Government to curtail rice smuggling.

    “The federal government has also approved the purchase of another set of 68 vehicles to improve deployment and response time.

    “We are also aware that there is an ongoing effort to purchase another set of 70 vehicles for Joint Rice Anti-Smuggling Operation,” Attah said.

    Attah said the service had sustained crack down on suspected smugglers across the country because of the improved logistics.

    The PRO said a number of smugglers were arrested by the anti-smuggling team and they are presently under investigation.

    According to him, these smugglers are undergoing investigation surrounding their illegal border trade activities.

    Attah said the smuggling of rice had become one of the most challenging undertakings because of the searchlight the service placed on the illicit trade.

    According to him, tracking the smugglers is also a challenging task personnel face due to the porous nature of the country’s borders.

    He said the un-cooperating dispositions of neighbouring countries and attitudes of unpatriotic Nigerians at the border communities had made the fight more herculean. (NAN)

  • Pakistan set to get first female Chief Justice

    LAHORE: 

    Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday nominated Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar as the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC), paving way for her to become the first female chief justice of any court in the country.

    “Madam Tahira Safdar will be the next chief justice of BHC,” he announced at Justice Safdar’s book launch in Lahore, where he was invited as the chief guest.

    BHC’s incumbent Chief Justice Muhammad Noor Meskanzai is scheduled to retire on September 1 this year. He was sworn in on December 26, 2014 after Justice Qazi Faez Isa was elevated as a Supreme Court judge.BHC may have nation’s first woman chief justice

    Justice Tahira Safdar will work as the chief justice of the BHC till October 5 next year. Justice Tahira Safdar is part of the special court, hearing the high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

    Interestingly, Justice Safdar was the first woman to be appointed as a civil judge in Balochistan, besides having the distinction of being the first lady to be appointed in all posts she served. She was also the first female high court judge.

    Govt yet to notify new Musharraf trial court

    According to her profile on BHC’s website, Justice Safdar is the daughter of Syed Imtiaz Hussain Baqri Hanafi, a renowned lawyer.

    She was born on October 5, 1957, at Quetta. She received her basic education from the Cantonment Public School, Quetta, and finished her bachelors’ degree from the Government Girls College, Quetta. Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar did her Masters in Urdu Literature from the University of Balochistan, and completed her degree in law from the University Law College, Quetta, in 1980.

    While addressing the media today at the book launch, Justice Nisar said that he will never even let a scratch come to the institution. “Unfortunately, a few forces are trying to undermine and weaken the judiciary, I will never let that happen,” he remarked. “As long as the Supreme Court exists, no threats against democracy will succeed.”

    Culled from The Tribune Express

  • 2019 Elections: PDP deplores presidency’s funds request to NASS

    2019 Elections: PDP deplores presidency’s funds request to NASS

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday deplored the Presidency’s request for N242 billion for 2019 elections from the 2018 Budget, saying it constituted a threat to the polls.

    The PDP made this position known in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja.

    It said that the request on the National Assembly to vire funds already allocated to other issues in 2018 Budget smacked of a ploy to frustrate the conduct of the elections.

    According to it, the request to vire N242 billion already approved for other projects in 2018 budget, to finance INEC and other agencies ahead of 2019 elections is deliberately set to drag the elections into financial controversy.

    The party said that the request was capable of inducing disagreements in the polity, cause confusion in the electoral system and set the stage for a political crisis capable of frustrating the elections.

    It said that the request was not in consonant with constitutional provisions and extant rules guiding legislative virement of funds already meant for constituency development projects.

    The party advised that rather than such specific request, President Muhammadu Buhari should send “a fresh supplementary budget to the National Assembly for whatever amount he seeks for INEC instead of seeking for a controversial virement.”

    It said that Nigerians were eager to have the 2019 general elections, and were not ready for anything that would constitute threat to it.

    “We therefore urge the President to follow the rules and submit a fresh supplementary budget or seek other legitimate ways and means, devoid of bottlenecks, to finance the elections.

    “Nothing must stop the 2019 general elections and the process must be credible, free and fair,’’ it stated.

    The party counselled against actions capable of dragging the nation into unnecessary electoral crisis. (NAN

  • NASENI to train 20 Nigerians on solar panel design, installation

    The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is to train 20 people in the design and installation of solar panel to serve as an alternative source of energy in the country.

    The training is expected to be conducted from July 30 to Aug. 10.

    NASENI’s Training Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Ajayi, made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He said the two-week training programme, scheduled to hold in Abuja, would be organised in collaboration with Cornell University Institute for African Development (IAD).

    Ajayi explained that the programme, designed to provide mentorship to 20 potential solar energy systems installers, would also encourage them to become solar energy enterpreneurs and service providers.

    “Solar energy system is becoming an important source of energy to the populace.

    “As the demand for solar electricity increases, so also is the demand for skilled solar installers,’’ he said.

    He expressed concern that activities of quack solar installers in the past marred the integrity of solar energy system in the country.

    “To avoid these types of challenges in the future of solar electricity, there is need to develop a critical mass of highly skilled solar systems installers,’’ he said.

    He added that the trainees would be exposed to practical field experience on how to design and install solar panel to power water supply systems in two rural communities.

    “The trainees will also be provided at least six months mentorship in their quest to becoming solar energy entrepreneurs and service providers,’’ he added. (NAN)

  • FG names new national carrier – ‘Nigeria Air’

    The Federal Government of Nigeria on Wednesday announced that the name of the proposed new National Carrier is ‘Nigeria Air’.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, disclosed this while unveiling the airline to investors at the ongoing Farnborough International Air Show in UK.

    The colour is green white green.
    Details later

  • Workers to know new minimum wage in August, says TUC

    The President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, announced on Wednesday that a new amount agreed on by the Federal Government and labour to serve as Nigeria’s new minimum wage would be announced next month.

    Bobboi, who made the disclosure in an interview with the labour correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that the committee working on the minimum wage had almost concluded negotiations on the matter.

    The Federal Government had set a September date to roll out a new minimum wage for workers, although the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, was recently reported as “double-speaking’’ on the issue.

    Civil servants in Nigeria are eagerly awaiting a wage increase after years of enduring a wage structure, described by analysts as one of the lowest in the world.

    But public office holders in Africa’s most populous nation, including members of the bi-cameral parliament enjoy some of the biggest wages in the world, according to analysts.

    Kaigama said that a tripartite committee meeting was holding on Wednesday in Abuja but refused to elaborate on issues being discussed at the meeting.

    “The tripartite meeting is holding today but I do not want to pre-empt the outcome or the level we have reached in our discussions, otherwise there will be unnecessary anxiety.

    ”But by the end of August, I am assuring you that workers will know what the agreed new minimum wage will be, ” he said.

    On Nov. 22, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of a 30-member committee to work out a new minimum wage. He inaugurated the committee on Nov. 27.

    Buhari was, subsequently, hailed by workers for listening to their cries for a review of the current N18, 000 minimum wage put in place by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

    The labour movement, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC had previously demanded N56, 000 as new minimum wage.

    However, the President of the NLC, Mr Ayuba Wabba later submitted a memorandum to the wage committee, demanding N66, 500 “living wage’’.

    Wabba said the living wage was necessary to restore confidence for workers, whom he said, had been devastated by years of exploitation and enduring slave wage.

    The committee negotiating the new wage is made up of representatives of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, the TUC/NLC and the government, represented by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. (NAN)

  • Court remands man, 30, in prison over generator theft

    Court remands man, 30, in prison over generator theft

    An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday remanded a 30-year-old unemployed man, Ismaila Babalola, in Kirikiri Prisons after pleading guilty to stealing a generator set valued at N56,000.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi, ordered the remand of the accused after he admitted committing the crime.

    Adeyemi-Ajayi, however, adjourned the case until July 24 for sentencing.

    The accused, whose address was not given, is being tried for entering a building with intent to steal.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Raji Akeem, had earlier told the court that the offence was committed on July 1 at 14, Araromi St., Iju, a suburb of Lagos.

    Akeem said that the accused jumped through the fence of Mr Adeola Ogundipe’s compound and stole his generator valued at N56, 000.

    “Thereafter, the accused was on his way with the generator when a neighbour, who has been noticing his movements, alerted other tenants.

    “The accused was apprehended and handed over to the police,’’ the prosecutor said.

    The offence contravened Sections 287 and 308 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN)

  • NFF appoints Ikpeme Acting Gen. Sec., postpones league resumption

    The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Chris Giwa, has appointed Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme Acting General Secretary of the football house following corruption allegation levelled against former General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the announcement was made on Tuesday night after an exhaustive meeting of the NFF Executive Committee at the football secretariat in Abuja.

    Sanusi had been mandated to step aside sequel to investigations into allegations of financial corruption levelled against him to give way for the appointment of an acting scribe pending when the Executive Committee will announce a substantive General Secretary.

    The Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee, Otunba Dele Ajayi, who addressed newsmen after their meeting, said the present NFF leadership had decided to restore match bonuses and allowances to all age group teams.

    “We are new in office, we have to collate records and when we are done with that we will let you know.

    “If we say we are restoring the match bonuses and allowances of all age group teams, it does not mean we will pay arrears immediately.

    “The board will meet to decide whether to pay outstanding debts to the teams or continue on a clean slate.

    “We will later fashion out a way to pay the outstanding debts and we are starting again to pay allowances to the age grade teams,” Dele Ajayi said.

    According to him, the teams in question are the U-23 team, Flying Eagles, Golden Eaglets, Falconets and the Flamingoes.

    He said the Giwa-led NFF had taken note of the various national teams preparations for Africa and World Cup qualifiers, noting that financial and moral support would be given to them to succeed.

    “The board notes the activities of NFF for the rest of the year which include the Flying Eagles qualifiers against Mauritania, as well as the Falconets World Cup preparation and tournament.

    “We have also noted the Super Eagles Nations Cup qualifiers against Seychelles in September and the Golden Eaglets African Nations qualifier in Niger Republic in September,” he added.

    The executive committee also resolved that the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) earlier scheduled to resume on July 18, be postponed by two weeks.

    It would be recalled the League Management Company had on Tuesday announced an indefinite suspension of the Premier League following the leadership crisis in the NFF.

    The Giwa-led board has also fixed an emergency congress on July 27 to find a lasting solution to the perennial crisis in Nigerian football. (NAN)

  • UN marks Mandela’s 100th birthday, says struggle for equality continues

    UN marks Mandela’s 100th birthday, says struggle for equality continues

    The UN will mark 100 years since the birth of the late anti-Apartheid activist, Nelson Mandela, on Wednesday, taking stock of what the organisation termed his vast legacy for mankind.

    “Nelson Mandela was a towering global advocate for justice and equality”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his video message for Nelson Mandela International Day.

    The Day is annually observed on July 18, which was inaugurated by UN General Assembly in November 2009, in recognition of Mandela’s global contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.

    Mandela, who died in 2013, was the first democratically-elected president of South Africa and the country’s first black head of State, after he had been in prison for 27 years on charges of sabotage before being released and eventually elected president.

    “He continues to inspire the world through his example of courage and compassion. Nelson Mandela was held captive for many years. But he never became a prisoner of his past”, Guterres said.

    The UN chief noted that Mandela poured his energy into reconciliation and his vision of a peaceful, multi-ethnic, democratic South Africa.

    “Rarely has one person in history done so much to stir people’s dreams and move them to action,” the UN chief said adding: “That struggle for equality, dignity and justice continues.”

    In December 2015, the General Assembly decided to extend the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to also promote humane conditions of imprisonment and to encourage societies everywhere to treat prisoners as a continuous part of society by adopting the revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules”.

    The Rules added important safeguards, including an absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment and clear restrictions on the use of solitary confinement, instruments of restraint and intrusive searches, as well as detailed guidance on prisoners’ rights to equivalent health-care services.

    Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said a nation should be judged by how it treats its lowest citizens, not the highest ones.

    “Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison in the course of his struggle for justice. He knew better than anyone that ‘no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails.

    “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones’”, the UNODC chief said.

    Fedetov said his office would assist all countries in translating these rules into action, to promote humane conditions of imprisonment and ensure no part of society is forgotten.

    “Nelson Mandela International Day 2018 marks 100 years since the birth of a true hero who left the world a better and more just place than he found it,” Fedotov said. (NAN)