Electricity tariff hike: Buhari supports suspension of plan – NASS leadership

President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to suggestions by National Assembly leadership to prevail on electricity distribution companies in the country to suspend their planned electricity tariff price hike.

The the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had announced that the the new price regime for electricity consumers would take off from Wednesday, July 1, 2020.

However, the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Pawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, held separate meetings with President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), in the State House on Tuesday on the matter.

The leaders of the federal legislature said they met with the President to make him consider the time factor in the price hike plan, adding that both the President and the Vice President listened and reasoned along the same line with them on the need to suspend the plan for now.

It would be recalled that the National Assembly had intervened in the matter on Monday and had suggested that the plan be kept on hold for the time being.

According to Gbajabiamila, both President Buhari and Osinbajo were on the same page with the National Assembly leadership on the deferment of the hike given the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the people.

“Let me just say that we saw the President earlier this morning and we have seen the Vice President today. The whole idea is that when there is a major policy decision, it is always good that the legislature and the executive are on the same page so that we don’t sing different tunes.

“I will like to say that I think we have all agreed on an increase in cost reflective tariff but the issue is that the timing is also important. Sometimes, timing is more important than even the policy decision that you make.

“There is a saying that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. So the intentions is good but what about the timing?

“We have all agreed to suspend this for a while, tarry a while and get the buy-in of the people, explain to the people why this has to be done, that it is for the betterment for the electricity to get stable.

“They (DisCos and GenCos) are businessmen and cannot be undercutting themselves.

“I think so far so good, the President listened attentively, the Vice President listened attentively and I think everybody is on the same page and hopefully, we will get some reprieve between now and whenever, but it’s not going to happen today”, he said.

Also speaking, the President of the Senator, Senator Lawan, affirmed that the villa meeting was in connection with the plan in electricity tariff hike, saying that time was not right for an increase.

He said necessary measures, including the provision of prepaid meters, must first be put in place before any hike can be made.

“The joint leadership of the National Assembly sat yesterday with DISCOS and Nigeria Regulatory Agency. We believe that this is not the right time to increase the tariff in the electricity sector. Nigerians have a lot of challenges today because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation requires that we do everything possible to make life easy for our citizens.

“Of course, government is doing a lot in this respect but we believe that DISCOS should meet with consumers, find better cost effective tariff. But before then, there must be some steps to ensure that the consumers are properly metered otherwise, you will still go back to guessing what consumers are consuming. That is to say that let the billing be scientifically based, it has to be based on what you actually consumed.

“So we had this discussion with Mr. Vice President and we are sure that that announcement in the increase of electricity tariff in Nigeria is untimely.

“We believe that we need to do more work to ensure that before any increase, there must be some measures, steps, line of actions that must be exhausted including the metering. This is a welcome idea to the Vice President as well.”

On how to achieve billing without overburdening Nigerians, he explained: “I believe that the share purchase agreement signed by the government and the DISCOS at the point of the privatization must be adhered to. These are businesses and they must do everything possible to provide services. It is when they provide efficient and effective services to consumers that they can make money.

“But as a government, we too must make sure that we discharge our obligations as provided for in share purchase agreement signed. Once we are able to achieve that, we will have a better situation in the power sector in Nigeria. It is doable, it has happened elsewhere.

“So, we cannot continue to give DISCOS and GENCOS the resources that we can ordinarily deploy to build hospitals. But whatever it’s necessary for us to do as part of our agreement with them we must do those”, he said.

ECOWAS endorses Okonjo-Iweala for WTO job

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has thrown its weight behind the candidature of former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the top job of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The regional body claimed that no African has assumed the position of Director-General of the Organisation since its creation on 1st January 1995.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed that the decision has the blessing of its highest body, the ECOWAS authority of Heads of States and Government.

The body called on other African countries as well as non-African countries to endorse her candidature.

The statement reads: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government have endorsed the candidature of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), for the period 2021-2025.

“The apex body noted that since the creation of the WTO on 1 January 1995, which is a successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established on 1 January 1948, no African has assumed the position of Director-General of the Organisation.

“The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government endorsed the Candidate of Nigeria noting “Her long years of managerial experience at the top echelons of multilateral institutions, her established reputation as a fearless reformer, her excellent negotiating and political skills, her experience of over 30 years as a Development Economist with a long standing interest in trade, her excellent academic qualifications, her positions as Managing Director World Bank, and currently as Board Chair Gavi, and AU Special Envoy to Mobilise Financial Resources for the fight against Covid19”.

“The body also called on other African countries as well as non-African countries to endorse her candidature. “

I’ll be fair to all, says new Oniru

The newly installed Oniru of Iruland, Oba AbdulWasiu Gbolahan Lawal has promised to be fair to all those who contested the stool with him.

Oba Lawal assured all daughters and sons of Oniru Royal Family that the palace is open to all them.

He spoke at the palace in Victoria Island after he was presented with the instrument of office by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He extended hands of fellowship to Prince Hakeem Ajasa and Prince Adesegun Oniru, urging them to join him to further develop the Iruland.

The 15th Oniru of Iru kingdom thanked Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu for their supports.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described the monarch as a distinguished Lagosian, technocrat and fine gentleman.

He said Oba Lawal was a prosperous monarch, saying he has no doubt that his reign will usher in peace and development in Iruland.

He urged him to unite all sons and daughters of the royal family.

Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu said only God decides who gets what, urging the contenders to really round the monarch.

“Allah has destined you (Gbolahan) for the stool. You should embrace all your siblings to move Iru forward. You must build on the legacies of your ancestors and leave it better than the way you met it, ” Oba Akiolu said.

Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs Dr Wale Ahmed described the occasion as historic and unique.

He congratulated the monarch.

Chairman, Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Princess Rasheedat Adu, described Oba Oniru as an illustrious son of the land.

“He is focused, self-driven, steadfast and passionate. He is imbued with excellent leadership, communication, collaborative and organisational skills, “Princess Adu said.

Okwaraji’s mother dies at 83

Lady Janet, the mother of late Green Eagles superstar, Samuel Okwaraji, has died at 83.

The deceased,a devout Christian and retired school teacher, recently received the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare,who visited her with some gift items from the government.

She died few weeks ago, according to her eldest son, Patrick, while confirming the sad news to the Nation.

Though, no date has been fixed for the burial, a letter had been to the Minister and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to inform them on the development

Mama Okwaraji, a school proprietress in Enugu State, had unhappy with the government since Samuel died for abandoning her family.

The former soccer star died on August 12, 1989 during a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in a match against Angola

Since then, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and now NFF, according to the family, had not been able to do anything for the family despite all the appeals..

According to the eldest son because of the global pandemic, the family would meet first and discuss when and how the burial of our mother would take place.

Speaking with The Nation on Sunday, Okwaraji senior said he would meet with his people Umudioka Community, in Orlu, Imo State, to determine the next move for their late mother.

‘Nigerian lady offered for sale in Lebanon refuses to return home’

A NIGERIAN lady who was offered for sale at $1,000 in Lebanon, Peace Busari, has refused to return to the country, the Chairman of Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said.

The NiDCOM chairman, who spoke on Thursday during an interaction with the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Houssan Diab, said the woman turned down all entreaties to return to Nigeria.

She said the 31-year-old Busari said she had secured another job and would prefer staying back in Lebanon.

Not even the plea by the Oyo State government, her state, could make her change her mind as she insisted on staying back.

Dabiri-Erewa said: “As for the young Nigerian lady that we were able to save, who was advertised for $1,000, the Ambassador has told us that the culprit is actually a resident in Lebanon. However, the lady is still with the mission. In fact, she has got another job. But the reality is that she said she does not want to come back and she said she has found another job.

“I spoke to her myself on the phone and I told her that if she gets into any trouble, there will be nobody to call. But she said she does not want to come back, that she has found another job.

“Even the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Oyo State, where she is from, spoke to her. We just hope that Nigerians going to work in Lebanon will be properly treated and not treated as slaves.

“As the ambassador said, the issue of work permit will be properly looked into. Agents are there collecting and making money and not seeing to the welfare of these people who are going to work.”

Tenants get four-month free rent

A South African real estate investment firm, Novare, said on Wednesday that tenants at its three shopping malls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and one in Lagos would not pay rent for four months.

The firm also donated food items worth millions of Naira to the FCT to help residents cope with hardship caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

It said in a statement that this was a phased palliative intervention as part of its support for Nigeria in its anti-COVID-19 fight.

Novare has three retail malls in the FCT and one in Lagos State.

Each Mall, it said, accommodates over 60 tenants – including Shoprite and Game – over 600 direct employees and over 2,000 indirect employees (including suppliers of the goods and products sold therein).

I didn’t receive any oil block, Uwazuruike blasts Nnamdi Kanu

Leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has denied receiving any oil block from the Federal Government to drop agitations for Biafra.

He told his accuser, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the allegation was baseless and malicious.

Rather than accusing him falsely, Uwazurike said Kanu should he grateful to him for getting Biafra into the membership of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) in the Hague.

In a statement on Thursday by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike’s Personal Assistant on Media Matters, Elder Chris Mocha, the MASSOB leader dismissed the allegation as outright falsehood.

He wondered where the IPOB leader got the information after leader of Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo, already confirmed the South East does not benefit from the about 77 oil wells and blocks in the country.

On allegation of abandoning the agitation for Biafra, Uwazuruike, who is also the leader of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), described Kanu as “a drowning man in the struggle for BIafra which he knew nothing about except globe- trotting and causing panic and confusion”.

The statement described Uwazuruike as firm, credible and genuinely fighting for the emancipation of his persecuted and marginalised Igbo Christians in Nigeria.

He accused Kanu of only targeting to bring him to disrepute before the international community.

“Instead of him (Nnamdi Kanu ) to remain ever greatful to Uwazuruike’s group that worked under the scorching sun and rain to ensure the facilitation of the admission of BIafra into UNPO membership, he busied himself blackmailing his master.

“Nnamdi Kanu and his gullible IPOB members have not been comfortable with the recent admission of Biafra as the 46th Member- Nations of the Unrepresented Nations & Peoples Organization (UNPO), which was secured through Uwazuruike -led BIM-MASSOB,” the statement reads.

The statement expressed happiness that notwithstanding the allegation, pro-Biafran members were still solidly behind Uwazuruike’s indefatigable committment for the achievement of the self- determination for BIafra through non violent process.

392 killed as Military launches operation against fleeing bandits

No fewer than 392 bandits have been killed as the Nigerian Military launches ‘Operation Accord’ against bandits fleeing the North West and North Central parts of the country.

Coordinator Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, told journalists in Abuja, that Operation Accord “was preemptively planned by the High Command of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to handle this situation”.

According to him, “following closely, in the North West and North Central parts of the Country, the gallant troops through land and air offensives successfully neutralized 392 bandits since the commencement of Operation KATSINA, which seriously degraded the bandits and other criminal elements in the two zones. Consequently, those bandits that escaped resorted to reprisal attacks on civilian targets.

“However, Operation ACCORD In this regard, the Chief of Defence Staff ordered the commencement of Operation ACCORD from 1 June 2020”.

He added that, “n the North East, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have been on the offensive against the terrorists mainly through the Land and Air components of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. The significant feats achieved in this theatre include deletion of key BHT/ISWAP commanders, destruction of their logistics bases and cutting off their supply routes.

“Equally, their camps have been in disarray as a result of the killing of some of their key commanders through airstrikes and artillery bombardments on their identified locations. This is additional to the aggressive mobile clearance operations and air interdictions. Thus, the terrorists now carry out attacks in depleted strength on soft targets which is being effectively countered by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE”.

Enenche explained further that, “let me state here that, Operation ACCORD is a joint operation involving the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies. It is a concomitant operation by all the theatres of operations in the North West and North Central regions of the Country targeted at tackling banditry and other criminal activities. In this regard, all identified hideouts and hibernations of the enemies will be decively cleared through land and air combat actions. This can easily be achieved through provision of credible information that can translate to actionable intelligence.

“Thus, the general public is hereby requested to avail the various operational out fits in their locations with this highly desirable information, to enable the Nigerian Military and other security agencies achieve the set objective.

“I am to also state that, the Military High Command congratulates all the gallant troops of Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country. It equally appreciates the general public for providing credible information, that have so far facilitated the successes of these operations. Furthermore, it enjoins the public to be proactive in providing timely information by reporting suspicious movements and strangers within their locality to troops stationed in their areas.

“This is very necessary for enhancement of operational activities. The Armed Forces of Nigeria assures that these offensives against the common enemies of this Nation will not cease until normalcy is restored to all the troubled regions of the Country”.

Anambra to teachers: you can’t force us to re-open schools

ANAMBRA State government has warned teachers to stop forcing it to open schools to endanger the lives of the students to Coronavirus.

The government declared that the decision not to open schools came from the Federal Government.

Commissioner for Basic Education Prof. Kate Omenugha declared that schools in Anambra would not reopen until the Federal Government gave such directives.

Omenugha, who spoke with reporters in her office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, said: “Government knows what it is doing. So, we are not going to reopen the schools and risk lives of our children to COVID-19 pandemic because some teachers are calling on us to resume.”

She, however, lauded the government for supporting teaching on air programme, adding that since its commencement, it had been a success.

“I thank the governor, who has supported us since April 1, when we commenced the `teaching on-air-programme’.

“When schools were shut down on March 24 because of Coronavirus pandemic, we decided to engage school children in something meaningful instead of leaving them to idle away.

“Second week into the programme, we opened the lines for students to call in, so that we can get feedbacks because it’s being streamed live on Facebook and also on YouTube,” Omenugha said.

‘How we survived COVID-19’

A firm providing logistics, Dellyman, said the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic was not bad for its operation as it has helped it to strengthened its business leading to double-digit growth. It said this is a proof that aggregating logistics assets is the right solution to the challenge of same-day delivery in the country.

Its founder/Chief Executive Officer, Dare Ojo-Bello, who spoke in a virtual interaction, said the marketplace has seen an uptick in all major indices, including a 45 per cent spurt in the number of active customers to 1,586 between March and last month – a 91 per cent growth from January 2020.

The period also saw a surge in the number of logistics companies soaring to 450, with over 100 verified and active on the platform.

He said in March, the firm sealed its first major partnership with fintech firm, Opay to boost its delivery assets by deploying some of the idle motorcycle assets from ORide. This led to an increase in the number of riders on the platform and over 3,000 orders completed by the first week of this month – a 93 per cent increase from February this year.

He said: “The numbers we have seen within the past two months is a concrete validation of our business model. We had initially assumed that it is because of the lockdown alone, but we continue to see even a more increased adoption after the phased easing of the lockdown started. We are now looking to even expand our capacity to be able to keep up with the growing demand.”

Launched in March, last year, he said the firm set out to solve same-day delivery problem in the country and has since grown revenue 20 times between January and April 2020 with average monthly growth within the same period averaging 145 per cent. It now targets over 5,000 orders in May alone.

The platform has seen 20 average daily customer acquisitions with about 38 per cent of the total active customers placing at least one order since coming onboard.

He said most of the orders have come from online retailers, restaurants and home kitchens offering custom meals such as soup; pharmaceutical products and other medical supplies, computer and electronics retailers, cake and confectionary makers, foodstuffs sellers, marketers dispatching multi-level marketing products and documents.

Logistics is one of the major pain points of electronic commerce in Nigeria. It constitutes the highest overheads for most online retailers making the e-commerce sector unprofitable and accounting for the number one reason many e-commerce firms have shut down in Nigeria.

Some existing e-commerce firms have had to build independent logistics infrastructure, but that comes at an incredible expense threatening the industry’s growth, which is projected to reach $75 billion in value by 2025.

Dellyman has set out to solve these problems specifically by tackling the shortage of logistics assets and providers, especially for long-range last-mile deliveries.

It also seeks to provide solutions to the issues of idle capacity due to the inability of logistics companies to connect with available delivery requests, while providing critical robust technology for efficiency of delivery services.

He said: “Overall, these problems are complex and difficult but Dellyman’s business model provides the right solution and the numbers prove it.

“The model leverages cutting edge technology that guarantees quick pick up and same-day delivery; provides increased access to logistics assets through aggregation; delivers an on-demand delivery service, while offering a delivery infrastructure to retailers and e-commerce platforms so they don’t have to own logistics assets or technologies. Dellyman also puts customers in control as they get to choose a delivery.”

UPDATED: Six NAF Officers jailed over murder of former CDS, Badeh

The General Court Martial (GCM) sitting in Abuja, has sentenced six Nigerian Air Force Personnel for criminal conspiracy, dereliction of duty over the gruesome murder of former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh.

The sentences are however subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority.

The convicted Officers were Squadron Leader Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.

Four of the personnel were detailed to provide armed escort for the late CDS, while two others were detailed for guard duty at his residence.

Badeh was killed on the 18 of December 2018 by unknown gunmen along Gitata-Keffi Highway in Nasarawa State, while returning from his farm.

In a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, while delivering his judgment, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore David Aluku, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty of various charges including failure to perform Military duties, by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS while it came under attack, as well as conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, for giving false statements.

According to the statement, the charges against the accused also included other Civil Offences of Criminal Conspiracy and Miscellaneous Offences Relating to Property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others”.

It added that, “on the count of aiding and abetting, two of the personnel were found not guilty, while the other four personnel who were detailed to provide armed escort were handed various sentences.

“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsels urged the Court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first time offenders.

“The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority”.

Rivers council chair dies

Chairman of Asari Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, Odiari Princewill, is dead.

He died on Wednesday at about 10 pm and was buried on Thursday at the Port Harcourt Cemetery.

ources said Princewill took ill for some days and was receiving treatment at an undisclosed facility.

His death was said to have shocked residents of the council, who described him as a true loyalist of Governor Nyesom Wike.

Obasanjo: Then and now

Since he emerged hero of the 1966 – 1970 civil war,  Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo has continued to be in the public space, sometimes espousing his leadership qualities, many times preaching and displaying his democratic credentials.  There is hardly a country in all of Africa where the renowned General has not carried the message of freedom of democracy and good government. To be fair to him, many leaders in Africa, indeed in the world have listened to him and have numbered him as a world leader worthy of emulation.

Back home in Nigeria Obasanjo has cut a mixed figure of a true statesman and an opportunist.  Here he has entered into controversy over every conceivable issue, dancing to the right and to the left when it pleased him.  As military Head of State (by chance), he caught the figure of a patriot who found himself at the head of a country ravaged by corruption and all the ills you can think of.  Under that assumption he played his part, inflicted punishment where he pleased and turning a blind eye where he though fit.

As a democratically elected president he had the opportunity of a life time to remodel the nation as he deemed fit and appropriate. Nigerians will however remember that he squandered valuable opportunity to create a society where values and ethos would be role model on the African continent.  But what did we have?  We had an administration which was as oppressive and nonchallant as previous military regimes.

Many will recall that President Obasanjo removed governors, high government officials at will.  The most significant ones occurred in the Southwest and in the Southeast.  Dr. Chris Ngige’s removal as governor had no precedence in history, either   of the military or whatever.  Ngige was not only sacked, he was subsequently kidnapped by people unknown till today!  This was a landmark event, by all records.

Today, the nation is assailed regularly by OBJ preaching, lecturing and telling Nigerians and especially its rulers how to behave, and how not to run an administration.  In his time as Nigeria’s Head of State, no one dared advise him on how to manage the affairs of our nation.  In his days, the EFCC was his attack dog which was sent to arrest, prosecute and curtail the freedom of innocent political opponents.

Presently we have been spared of his occasional lectures and pontifications.  The pontiff, like all ordinarily Nigerians, has to play safe of the ravaging world pandemic.  We pray the plague will soon go away so that we will have time to read his new gospel regularly.

But, do not be deceived Nigerians are not fools.  Most are amused, not awed by these unsolicited preaching from a man who has had the opportunity of a life time to change the Nigerian character and direction for a combined period of 10 years when he held sway at the seat of power.  Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the gymnastics put forward for a “Third Term project”.  But the God Almighty was, as He is, on the throne.  The project never materialized as the invisible Hand threw it away.  So was the recent ‘Third Force’ – a new, political organization which name and purpose had not been fully spelt to Nigerians!  Hurray, Nigerians now have a respite from this uncommon pontiff!

Who is afraid of E-Money?

If you are having a soiree and the compere mentions the name Emeka Okonkwo popularly known as E-Money, every attendee’s attention would be diverted to catch a glimpse of his fashion combinations, gait, and his dandy looks. Emeka connotes respect among all and sundry, most especially, for his financial war chest and philanthropic deeds.

The sophisticated music label executive has his hands across many business chains from music to agriculture, maritime, cargo, hospitality, procurement, transport, and oil and gas. Anywhere he saunters into, his exotic automobiles and security details are always flashy.

A few weeks ago, the Five Star Group boss was thrown off balance as the Inspector General of Police received a petition questioning E-Money’s source of income, flamboyant lifestyle, and unofficial use of Police security details.

While the investigation was ongoing, the police escort details attached to him were immediately withdrawn as he was invited for questioning. This generated mixed reactions among his fans and friends.

Immediately after the questioning, which proved him innocent, his security details were restored. Taking a new leaf, the socialite deleted all pictures showing his security details opening his car door for him on his Instagram page. He also vowed to stop posting pictures of his security details on social media.

An insider however insisted that E-Money is a law-abiding citizen and not the only one flaunting his wealth on social media as well as his security details. The insider insists that it has a political undertone.

“Some people think he would be contesting for a political post in his native state. They want to clip his growing influence before it gets out of hand. Since he threw the doors of his palatial country home in Imo open, he has become a threat to many people. The truth is that Emeka is not even delving into politics anytime soon,” the insider insisted.