Yahaya Bello Appears Before EFCC Again

Yahaya Bello, the former Governor of Kogi State, has once again responded to the invitation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding allegations of misappropriation of funds.

Sources close to the EFCC inform us that Bello arrived at the agency's office with his lawyers on Tuesday morning, without the current Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo.

This follow-up appearance comes after a Supreme Court judgment dismissed the state's case questioning the constitutionality of the anti-graft agency.

According to reports, the former governor drove himself to the EFCC office in a black Hilux accompanied by his legal team. Last week, there were speculations about his visit to the EFCC, but the former governor's media aides did not respond to inquiries about these claims.

During the last court hearing on November 14, the EFCC requested an adjournment until tomorrow (November 27) in the new case it has filed against Bello, citing that the 30-day window for the previously issued summons is still ongoing. 

The EFCC also granted administrative bail to his co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, and requested an extension of time for the first defendant to appear.

STATE HOUSE PRESS REPRESENTATIVE TINUBU CELEBRATES THE REVIVAL OF THE PORT HARCOURT REFINERY AND DIRECTS NNPC LIMITED TO PROMPTLY REACTIVATE THE WARRI AND KADUNA REFINERIES.

President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery, marked by the official commencement of petroleum product loading on November 26, 2024.
The President acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all our refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.
Furthermore, President Tinubu commends the leadership of NNPC Limited's Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.
With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urges  NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries. 
These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration. 
The President underscores his administration's determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that cannot refine its resources for domestic consumption.
Highlighting the values of patience, integrity, and accountability in the rebuilding of the nation’s infrastructure, President Tinubu calls upon individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.
In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on shared economic prosperity for all, the President reaffirms his administration's commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting export capacity for Nigeria.
Bayo Onanuga  
Special Adviser to the President  
(Information & Strategy)  
November 26, 2024

Benue Governor, FRCN Personnel Shine at Honourees at 2024 Nigeria Media Nite- Out Awards.

Right - Abiola PETERS, recipient of NMNA Legendary Reporter of the Year 2024 and General Manager, Bond FM, Princess Adenike Adegoke.

It was a roll call of the Creme de la creme, at the 18th Nigeria Media Nite- Out Award, NMNA, on Saturday in Ikeja, Lagos. 

Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was the face of the 2024 edition of the prestigious NMNA for Best Governor of the Year.

The NMNA also recognized personalities from all walks of life across the country.

Benue State Radio won the Best Radio Station of the Year, while the Television Station of the Year, was clinched by TVC.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, was honoured as Media Friendly Speaker, alongside other political figures.

Media icon and spokesman of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati together with his wife, picked prestigious awards respectively, alongside notable media personality, Citizen Jones Usen who recently celebrated fifty years in broadcasting.

Assistant Director News at Radio Nigeria's Bond FM, Lagos, Mr Abiola Peters was honoured as Legendary Reporter of the Year 2024, so also was Mr Segun Akioya, Head Presentation at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, National Broadcast Academy.

From Right -Awardees: Dr Reuben Abati, Engineer Olusegun Ladipo and wife;6th -Abiola Peters and 9th; Jola Afolabi.

Broadcast Engineer icon who retired from Radio Nigeria, Olusegun Ladipo and Producer, Miss Stella Olly were also honoured for their meritorious services in the broadcast industry.

In the words of Engineer Ladipo, 'I feel elated about this rare honour for technicians, stating how he made the feat of constructing 29 out of the 32 FM Stations Projects of Radio Nigeria many years ago and his design of the transmitter that served ECOMOG forces during the Liberia Civil War'.

Late Head of Hausa Service, Bond FM, Alhaji Issa Koko, was also conferred a Posthumous Award.

The theme of the 2024 Nigeria Media Nite- Out Award, 'Revolutionizing Nigeria's Food Security for the Next Two Decades'.

In their respective presentations, the keynote speaker, Mr Dideolu Falobi, and President of Nigeria Institute of Food Security and Technology, NSITF, Dr Bola Osinowo, both awardees, canvassed for concerted efforts of government and other stakeholders to achieve the 2024 target for eradication of post - harvest food losses through research, storage and other measures.

Convener of NMNA, Mr Sola Olugbemiro thanked God and partners for the success of the eighteenth edition of the award, with a promise to continue to recognize people who do exceptionally well, so as to inspire others.

Dignitaries at the event included Former Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, FRCN Headquarters, Mr Gbenga Onayiga and General Manager, Bond FM, Princess Adenike Adegoke.

"Medicine Shortage: An Urgent Call to Action – Yakassai Urges CEOs to Invest in Local Production"

Captains of industries in Nigeria, especially the pharmaceutical companies have been charged to look inwards and produce goods not just for local consumption but for Africa as a whole. 
With strict compliance with the directives of regulatory bodies like the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Nigeria would not only be a producer of drugs for local and AAfricanconsumption but will compete with the United States and Europe in the production and Exportation of drugs.

These were some of the issues that took centre stage in the Book launch of Pharmacist Ibrahim Ahmed Yakassai, titled, "Pharmaceutical Industry and Drug Production in Nigeria ".
Pharmacist Yakassai, who noted that the book is a call to a new beginning in the pharmaceutical production industry, called on investors to channel energy and funds to the production of drugs as medicine sufficiency is an emergency issue in Nigeria.
" I will invest monies realized from the book lunch in the rehabilitation of schools with emphasis on the education of the girl child ". Yakassai

Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, Former President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria, urged Nigerian pharmaceutical industries to emulate countries like China and India in the local and mass production of drugs as "it will change the narrative in the pharmaceutical industry".
In his remark, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Pharm. Ayuba Tanko Ibrahim, lauded the author's innovation, saying it is worthy of emulation. 

" This book will help policymakers and contribute to the progress of the Pharmaceutical Industry ". Ibrahim
Also at the event, the Director General, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, challenged pharmaceutical companies to source raw materials for their drugs as it is an access point to quality products.
" Local manufacturing of drugs will not only boost the Gross Domestic Products, GDP but will reduce the rate of unemployment in the country ". Adeyeye
Dignitaries present at the event where former Governor of Kano State, former Minister of Education, Senator Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Emir of Kano State, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate.

PLAN YOUR MOVEMENT, AS LAGOS ANNOUNCES DIVERSION FOR SATURDAY CAPITAL CITY RACE.

The Lagos State Government has announced that traffic will be diverted to accommodate the inaugural 10-kilometre Capital City Race, which will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 5:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

During this time, the following route will be partially closed to vehicular traffic: starting from Shoprite Alausa Ikeja, traffic will move along Billings Way to Kudirat Abiola Way, Opebi Link Bridge, Opebi Glo Tower towards Allen Avenue, continuing to Allen Junction, GTBank on Adeniyi Jones, AP Filling Station on Oba Akran Avenue, and ending at the Samsung Authorized Service Centre, up to the Police College Sports Secretariat/Gym.

As a result, all junctions and intersections along the route from Shoprite Alausa Ikeja to the destination (Police College Sports Secretariat/Gym) will be blocked with barriers and monitored by personnel from LASTMA, NPF, FRSC, and LSNC to restrict access for other road users.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, advises motorists to be patient, as affected junctions will be intermittently reopened to allow access to other road users as the race progresses.

ADVISORY: Motorists are encouraged to remain patient, as the partial road closure is part of the traffic management plan for the first edition of the Capital City Race event in 2024.

NUJ Natl election holds as planned - Isiguzo assures delegates.... disregard fake news, as Industrial Court rules on injunction, Dec 13.

The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division has fixed December 13, 2024 for ruling in a matter challenging the conduct of the National Elections of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
The NUJ had fixed its 8th Triennial Delegates Conference for November 27, 2024 in Owerri, Imo State.
However, one Abdulwaheed Adubi had approached the National Industrial Court seeking to stop the election on the premise that the tenure of the present leadership of the union had lapsed since October 6th, 2024.
However, at the resumed hearing of Adubi’s application for injunction restraining the national leadership of the union from proceeding with the election, the trial judge, Justice Olufunke Anuwe had refused to grant intermediate order of injunction against the defendants but rather adjourned the matter to December 13 for ruling.
“This matter is adjourned to December 13, 2024 for ruling on the application for injunction,” Justice Anuwe noted, shrugging off all efforts by the applicant to secure an order of the court.
Counsel to the defendants, Patrick Ediale had earlier told the court that the National Executive Committee sought to be restrained by an order of court was not a body known to the Constitution of the NUJ.
He noted that rather what is created by the Union’s Constitution was the National Executive Council, adding further that the other bodies sought to be restrained by the order of court including the Central Working Committee and the Credential Committee, are bodies created by the Constitution of the NUJ but were not made parties to the suit of Mr. Adubi.
He therefore maintained that the court cannot make an order against a party that is not before it, adding further that the court cannot make an intermediate order of injunction when the powers of the court to adjudicate on the claims before it were being contested.
The defence counsel had equally argued in his affidavit 
that the Claimant (Mr. Adubi), who claims that he works for Money Central Newspapers, is not a legitimate member of the NUJ since the said Money Central Newspapers has no international standard serial number (ISSN) and thus does not exist.
“There will be more justice in refusing this application for the Claimant (Mr. Adubi) did not seek or resort to all or any internal mechanisms of resolving conflicts and disputes as provided in Article 7 (vi) (a) & (b) of the union’s constitution. 
“Under the constitution of the NUJ, it is only when the Central Working Committee is dissolved that the State Council Chairmen and Secretaries can take over and run the affairs of the 1st Defendant, NUJ.
Counsel to the claimant, Barrister Sarafa Yusuff had pleaded with the court to grant an intermediate order to prevent the Union from proceeding with her election next week.
Reacting to the Wednesday proceedings, the NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo thanked the Court for refusing to bow to the pressures from the claimant to grant an intermediate order.
The president said with the situation, the Union is not encumbered from proceeding with its triennial delegates conference by next week.
He therefore urged delegates to the conference to get ready for the event taking place in Owerri, assuring them that everything has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
“Let nobody be deceived by what some people are spreading across social media platforms that the election has been postponed. That one is fake news. We are all aware of what fake news is doing to our media industry. Nobody is spared. Our people should just ignore it and get ready for our outing next week,” he said

Manufacturers and experts chart a fresh path to energy security.

As Nigeria power supply challenges persists,  the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, met with experts to sort out ways of changing the narrative bedeviling the manufacturing sector, due to the crippling impact of unreliable electricity on industrial operations.

At a Summit with the theme : " Power Supply Adequacy for Industrial Growth in Nigeria,”  put together by the Manufacturers Power Development Company Ltd, discussions spanned critical areas, including the adoption of decentralised energy systems, integration of renewable energy sources and the need for policy reforms to foster a more stable power supply ecosystem.

Emphasis was placed on building resilient energy infrastructures, optimising energy efficiency within manufacturing processes and exploring public-private partnerships to bridge existing gaps.

The collaborative approach highlights the urgency of mitigating energy constraints to unlock the sector full potential and drive industrial growth in Nigeria.

In his address, the President, MAN, Francis Meshioye, noted that the event marked a significant milestone in the collective quest for energy security and sustainable manufacturing practices, emphasising the commitment of the association to explore collaborative strategies that will enable manufacturers to reduce energy costs, transit to sustainable energy sources and comply with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

Meshioye noted that, energy security is not only good for the growth of a business but also a national priority, calling for support for the manufacturing sector which accounts for a significant share of Nigeria’s GDP, which is critical to economic development.

He reeled out some of the challenges disturbing the industry to include unreliable power supply, high energy costs and environmental concerns. “But we also see opportunities for innovation, job creation and sustainable growth.”

Mathew Edevbie, Group Managing Director, Income Electrix Ltd, spoke on challenges, prospects and strategies for sustainable energy as part of ensuring energy security for manufacturers in Nigeria; the holistic Energy cost reduction approach.”

" Nigeria currently faces a huge electricity supply deficit , which manifests in high energy demand, huge supply-demand gap, low grid capacity, adding that " with the cost of infrastructure development, the supply demand gap is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon " Edevbie

He noted that a limited supply from electric grid has forced industries to self generate electricity, explaining that, Nigeria incurs #26billion in economic losses due to electricity shortages.

Cruise Ni, Director of Huawei Digital Power, Nigeria, spoke on Technology Innovation for Steady Power Supply in Nigeria: Optimizing Africa economic potential, explained in details, the innovation and alternative energy supply to reduce manufacturing energy cost.

Ni pointed out that, in the past five years the cost of diesel average grid tariff, prices of batteries and solar panels went high, as such there was need for improvement in innovation and technology to meet the rising demand.

Managing Director and CEO, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution (ANED), Sunday Oduntan stated and I quote, " the country’s power infrastructure is outdated, under maintained and insufficient to meet the growing needs ".

According to Oduntan, transmission and distribution networks suffer from technical inefficiencies resulting from significant energy losses, adding that, investing in grid infrastructure, modern transmission and distribution networks will reduce losses and increase capacity.

Odutan suggested that, consumers, large population, manufacturers and industrial areas should have access, supporting the motion that power should be affordable to all.

Sherifat Oyediran, Lagos