Federal Government – Page 12

Gov Sule urges FG to complete equipping Nasarawa diagnostic centre

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has appealed to the Federal Government, to further complete equipping the Nasarawa State Infectious Disease, Diagnosis and Research Centre, with state-of-the-art facilities. Engineer Sule made the appeal during the town hall meeting on COVID-19 vaccination, organized by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, which held in Lafia, on Tuesday. The governor said completing equipping the facility, will enable the centre meets global standards, as well as reduce the rate of medical tourism for the diagnosis and treatment of viruses. According to the governor, the recent outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, not only brought along with it, attendant effect on human lives and global economy, but also exposed the poor state of healthcare centres at all levels. Engineer Sule explained that the prevailing situation, compelled government at various levels, to evolve measures towards controlling and containing the spread of the virus. He added that, one of such measures, was the resolve of his administration to strengthen the provision …

News

How Soldiers working for Boko Haram exposed civilian collaborators

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By ABDULAZIZ ABDULAZIZ Some soldiers arrested in the crack down on Boko Haram funders have disclosed the identities of their civilian collaborators, according to sources. The arrests of the officers came after an in-depth investigation into connections between Boko Haram members and military officers, that they helped to infiltrate into the army and sabotage efforts to end insurgency in Nigeria. Daily Trust had reported how the Federal Government launched an operation against suspected financiers and collaborators of Boko Haram. The ongoing inter-agency operation is being led by a top intelligence officer, with an army general leading a task team comprising military personnel and staff from intelligence services. Multiple sources informed Daily Trust that the closely-guarded operation is being coordinated by Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). As part of the operation, billions of naira traced to businesses belonging to persons of interest have been blocked in banks in series of “post no debit” letters sent out to banks by the CBN …

News

Implement Judicial Autonomy, Senate Tells Governors

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Nigeria’s 36 state governors have been urged by the Senate to immediately grant full autonomy to the judiciary to avoid the collapse of the country’s democracy. The call was made by the senate on Monday. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, stated this while reacting to the protest staged at the National Assembly by the Nigerian Bar Association on the issue. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had last year, signed into law, the Executive Order No 10 of 2020 cited as “the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislature and judiciary Order, 2020”. The Order granted powers to the Accountant-General of the Federation to deduct from the allocations due to a state from the Federation Account, any sums appropriated for the legislature or judiciary of that state which the state fails to release to its legislature or judiciary as the case may be, and to pay the funds directly to the state’s legislature or judiciary concerned. Speaking with journalists, Bamidele said judicial autonomy was non-negotiable and that state governors should …

News

It’s our job to print money, says CBN

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele has said printing money is a cardinal job of the lenders. Emefiele, on the official twitter handle of the CBN @cenbank on Friday, said printing money is about lending money. He was probably responding to Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki who alleged the Federal Government printed N60bn to augument March allocation to States at the weekend. There had been outcries over the Governor’s allegation which the Federal Government dismissed as “sad and untrue.” Obaseki replied the Federal Government on Thursday: “Rather than play the Ostrich, we urge the government to take urgent steps to end the current monetary rascality so as to prevent the prevailing economic challenge from degenerating further.” Emefiele, on Friday, said it would be irresponsible for any Central Bank to refuse to support its government when it is in need. He said: “The concept of printing of money is about lending money and that is our job…It will be irresponsible for the CBN or any Central Bank or Fed to stand idle and refuse to support its government at a …

News

Printed N60bn: CBN faults Obaseki, governor maintains stand

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to end the current monetary rascality, so as to prevent the prevailing economic challenge from degenerating further. Obaseki, who has come under fire for saying that the Federal Government printed N60bn to share as part of federal allocation in March, in a statement he signed on Thursday, said it was time to stop playing the ostrich and approach the Nigerian project with all sense of responsibility and commitment. Obaseki said this as the Central Bank of Nigeria faulted the Edo State governor’s claim that it printed N60bn in March for the Federal Government. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had faulted Obaseki on Wednesday. In an interview with State House correspondents, the minister described Obaseki’s claim as untrue. But the governor on Thursday insisted on his position. He stated, “We believe it is our duty to offer useful advice for the benefit of our country. “The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed should rally Nigerians …

News

States face cash crunch, salaries swallow revenues, Federal Govt seeks more funds

April 15, 2021April 15, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Two top officials of the Muhammadu Buhari regime on Wednesday indicated that the country urgently needed more funds to run government and provide basic amenities for Nigerians. Although the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, in an interview with the State House correspondents faulted a claim by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, that the Federal Government printed between N50bn and N60bn in March, she said there was a need to improve revenue to run government. On his part, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, at the 2021 retreat for members of the technical sub-committee on cash management, stated that there was increasing pressure on government funds. The minister and the accountant-general of the federation said these as investigations by The PUNCH revealed that most state governments were fast turning into salary-paying centres as a larger percentage of their revenues was spent on personnel costs compared to capital projects. For example, while the Ekiti State Government said it spent 93.6 per cent of its federal allocation on personnel costs, its Ondo counterpart admitted that it was …

News

Okorocha spends second night with EFCC operatives, speaks on alleged N7.9b cash

April 14, 2021April 14, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

Abuja (Precise Post) – Former Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha spent his second night with his interrogators on Tuesday, with indications emerging that he would not be released until he had addressed all the things he knows about the sum of N7.9 billion and choice property allegedly traced to him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. A top source in the EFCC told Vanguard on Tuesday night that Okoroch was still being grilled and would not be allowed to go home until the operatives were satisfied with his submission. “As we speak, former governor Okorocha is still writing his statement at the headquarters of the EFCC and from the look of things he is not likely to be left off the hook until the operatives are satisfied with the answers over the questions being put to him regarding the amount traced in banks to him and the choice property spread across many towns and cities in Nigeria,” the source confided in our reporter. “The former governor is however cooperating with his interrogators and is writing his own statement …

News

There’s An Attempt At Sabotaging Buhari’s Presidency – Orji Uzor Kalu Raises Alarm

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Former Governor of Imo State and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu has alleged that there is an attempt at sabotaging the Buhari-led administration In an interview on Channels Television, the senator called on the Federal Government which he claimed is not responding as it should, to collaborate more with governors in tackling security challenges in the country. Orji Uzor Kalu said; “Anywhere you have no police to police the society, it means the society is failed because the major job of a government is to protect lives and properties of the citizens. Once that kind of aspect fails, we are in trouble. “I believe there is sabotage to the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. A lot of sabotage, things are on duty to sabotage him, the society. “The Federal Government should cooperate with the state governments. We have done well as a party in many areas but security is key and we need to address this issue, come together.” The senator also asked President Buhari to convene a security summit with the service chiefs, governors, selected ex-governors and former …

News

1.2m COVID-19 vaccine doses given

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Following demands by Nigerians, the Federal Government may extend the ongoing vaccination against Coronavirus by two weeks. The first phase of the vaccination is expected to end today by the Federal Government’s timeline. At least 1.2 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines have been administered on Nigerians. According to the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the government is impressed by the response of Nigerians to the vaccination. He said: “By the vaccination timeline, the exercise ought to end today (Tuesday) but due to increasing demands by Nigerians, the government may extend the deadline. “I think, a two-week extension is likely to create more access for vaccination.” He added: “So far, 1.2m out of the 2million vaccines have been administered on Nigerians. “We will continue to provide the right environment for easier vaccination.“ Concerning when the administration of the second dose of the vaccines will begin, Shuaib said:” It is normally about eight to 12 weeks after the first dose.” According to Shuaib, the NPHCDA partnering with the Independent Corrupt Practices …

Politics

Ezekwesili slams FG as twitter sites African operations headquarters in Ghana

April 13, 2021April 13, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Former Minister of Education (a.k.a Madam Due Process) , Dr Oby Ezekwesili has slammed the federal government over twitter’s siting of its African operational headquarters in Accra, Ghana, saying it’s a statement to our Nigerian government. Ezekwesili who disclosed this via his twitter handle said: “A troubling policy, regulatory and physical environment is a deal breaker. Businesses, especially Global ones at that- are not long-suffering citizens of your country. They have plenty choices of address. Twitter locating to Accra is a statement to our @NigeriaGov . ✍🏾” Precise Post recalls that the Internet giant, Twitter, has chosen Ghana ahead of Nigeria as the headquarters of its African operations. The preference for Ghana was despite the over 2.5 million users of Twitter in Nigeria, which is about the third-largest in the continent after Egypt and South Africa. The Twitter Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Jack Dorsey, confirmed this on Monday, saying, “Twitter is now present on the continent. Thank you, Ghana, and Nana Akufo Addo.” “The choice of Ghana as Headquarters for Twitter’s Africa …

World News

Campbell to Buhari: With Your Human Rights Abuses, You Can’t Get Help From US

April 11, 2021April 11, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

Abuja (Precise Post) – Former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, has said the Nigerian government may never receive any financial or technical assistance from the US and its allies in its fight against insecurity until the federal government addresses human rights abuses by the security forces in the country. He stated this on Friday during a virtual conference on the maiden edition of ‘Grow Nigeria Conversation’ with the theme, ‘Reversing the Flourishing Economy of Kidnapping and Banditry: Immediate & Long-term Solutions’ monitored by SaharaReporters. Campbell said the US laws prohibited the American government from giving technical expertise to any country whose security forces are accused of human rights violations. He urged the Buhari-led government to ensure it restores public confidence and trust in the security forces, especially the police. He said, “Under the United States law, we are prohibited from providing any technical expertise for security forces accused of human rights abuses. “Human rights abuses are a massive barrier to a more cordial relationship between the US and the Nigerian security forces. And we know that addressing this …

Sports

Edo 2020: SWAN President frowns at poor treatment of members

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Joan Nnenna Iwuchukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – The national president of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Comrade Honour Sirawo, has lamented what he describes as “the poor treatment” of members of the Association at the ongoing National Sports Festival, Edo 2020. Mr. Honour while addressing members at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Thursday, decried the inability of the organizers of the Games to provide basic media amenities and the bare minimums pertaining to the media coverage of the event to members of SWAN. He attributed part of the struggles and inadequacies of the organizers to the inability of the federal government through the federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to financially support the government of Edo state which had exhausted its budget for the Festival after the competition suffered a couple of postponements before it eventually commenced on April 2, 2021. Mr. Sirawo who is also the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers state Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, however called on members to remain calm and continue with their “commendable coverage” of the Games while he continues to …

News

Afenifere, Ohanaeze tackle ACF, forum says attacks on northerners provocative

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

Prominent northerners on Wednesday met in Kaduna over the state of the nation, saying some of the attacks of northerners in the South were meant to provoke the region. The pan-Northern socio-political organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum, made the assertion at a northern summit organised by the Professor Ango Abdullahi-led Northern Elders’ Forum which was held at the Arewa House, Kaduna. But southern groups including Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere criticised the ACF’s position. This was just as the Chairman of the Northern Elders’ Forum and former Vice Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ango Abdullahi, said the region would not vote for anybody along ethnic line in 2023. Abdullahi noted politicians that would be voted for must have the socio-economic development plans for the region irrespective of tribe and religion, adding that those who care for the people before, during and after elections would have their votes. The former VC, who is the convener of the northern people’s summit on barriers between the people and their leaders, said the region must, “think out of the box and elect new …

Sports

National Sports Festival To End Abruptly Due To Lack Of Funds – L.O.C

April 8, 2021April 8, 2021 - by Editor - Leave a Comment

By Ogechi Okorie Benin City (Precise Post) – Information reaching Precise Post has it that the organisers of the National Sports Festival have threatened to end the event abruptly over the failure of the Federal Government to release funds. They took the decision at the end of a meeting of the Local Organising Committee of the Sports Festival. According to the Coordinator of Media and Publicity, National Sports Festival, Ebomhiana Musa, the Federal Government has failed to fulfil its promise to make funds available for the festival. “The Local Organising Committee, Edo2020 regrets to announce that it will end the games abruptly tomorrow, Thursday, April 8, 2021, for lack of funds,” the statement read. “Rising from an emergency meeting this evening, the LOC says it has to take this hard decision due to lack of funds having expended its reserves to kick start the games. “Regrettably, the FG is yet to redeem its pledge to support us as the host state financially for the cost of postponements. So, we are left with no option but to end the games at …

Features

Imo Prison Attack: Criminals Are Using IPOB’s Name to Terrorize Nigerians – Deji Adeyanju

April 6, 2021April 6, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The federal government has been given a warning by Deji Adeyanju over new tactics by criminals who use the name of the Indigenous People of Biafra to commit crimes. The popular Abuja-based activist made the remark following attacks at government facilities in Owerri, Imo state. Some unknown gunmen had attacked the police headquarters and the Correctional Centre in Owerri and freed hundreds of inmates. The gunmen who operated from 1am to 3am, freed suspects in almost all the cells at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command. Reacting, Adeyanju warned that such an occurrence in the Southeast may be worse than Boko Haram. In a series of tweets, the activist wrote: “After the Edo jailbreak, it’s almost impossible to pass By-Pass road and many other places in Benin after 6pm. “The things some of you are supporting in Imo today will have repercussions tomorrow. And many criminal gangs will use IPOB’s name to operate and terrorize the people. “Something terrible is happening in the Southeast and if care is not taken, it will be worse than Boko Haram. We …

News

Ebonyi killings: FG promises justice for victims

April 5, 2021April 5, 2021 - by Precise Post - Leave a Comment

The Federal Government has pledged to ensure justice for victims of the recent attacks on three communities of Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi, by unknown gunmen. Vice President Yemi Osibanjo made the pledge on Sunday in Abakaliki while addressing stakeholders of the state after inspecting the affected communities and the Effium/Ezza-Effium intra-communal crisis. Osibanjo, who commiserated with the government and people of the state over the unfortunate incident, promised that the assailants would be arrested and duly prosecuted. “I convey the condolences from President Muhammadu Buhari as there is no justification whatsoever for the killings and destruction of property. “The killings must be condemned in its strongest terms as the victims must have lived together for long with those who may have killed them,” he said. The Vice President said that it was the responsibility of federal, state and local governments to ensure that such killings did not occur. “I am, however, pleased that at the Egedegede Community, the political leaders found some facts and evidence which would help security agencies in their investigations. “This would help trace the …