Day: July 15, 2020

Our diaspora are our greatest assets – NiDCOM Boss

Emporium Reporters

The Chairman/CEO, NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa has described Nigerians in diaspora as greatest assets to Nigeria as a nation. Abike made this statement at the official presentation of Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical Personal Protective Equipment worth millions of Naira by the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas, NAPPSA, to the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC in Abuja. The NIDCOM Boss praised the Association Members for always responding to the call of THINK HOME wherever you are and whatever you are doing. She stressed that East or…

Senate holds public hearing for two bills in financial sector

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday held public hearing on Electronic Transactions Bill 2020 and Banks and other Financial Institutions Act, Cap, B3 LFN, 2004 Repeal and Amendment Bill, 2020. The Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central -APC) stated that the Electronic Transactions Bill “seeks to provide a legal framework for conducting transactions using electronic or related media and protection of the rights of the consumers and other parties in electronic transactions and services as well as facilitating electronic commerce in Nigeria. The…

Gov Sani-Bello commiserates with Minna Emirate over demise of Peter Sarki

Emporium Reporters

Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has sent his heartfelt sympathy to the Emir of Minna, HRH Alhaji Umar Faruq Bahago and the entire Minna Emirate over the death of one of their illustrious Son, Dr Peter Saleh Sarki. This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje. Governor Sani Bello who described the deceased as an astute Educationist and Administrator whom he had closely worked with, said the State has indeed lost a rare gem. He said the State will surely miss the vast…

Lawan mourns Nigeria’s first female combat copter pilot

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed shock and sadness at the tragic news of the death of Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Tolulope Arotile. Lawan said despite her brief service, the deceased flying officer, 24, left indelible footprints as a dedicated officer and Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot. The Senate President noted the attestation of the Nigeria Airforce that Arotile flew several combat missions and made remarkable contributions to the military efforts against banditry and other criminal activities particularly in the North Central states. Lawan said…

Senate passes bills to establish Maritime University, two others

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Delta State. Also passed were two bills to establish the University of Technology, Auchi, Edo State; and Federal College of Education, Giwa, Kaduna State. The three bills were passed by the upper chamber following a clause-by-clause consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND. While the bill seeking to establish the Nigeria Maritime University was sponsored by Senator James Manager (PDP – Delta South); the other two to establish…

Senate approves N168.8bn 2020 budget for FIRS …confirms appointment of Rahmon as REC, Hassan RMAFC Commissioner

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday approved the sum of N168,809,476,220 to fund the proposed Personnel, Overhead and Capital expenditure cost of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for the 2020 fiscal year. The approval came following the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Finance. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC – Lagos West) while giving a summary of the 2020 budget for the FIRS said N1.56 trillion was projected for Oil revenue; N4.502 from Non-Oil revenue; N180.086 billion projected for four percent cost of Collection;…

Senate wants age review for job seekers

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to direct the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to set up a Committee to review the age limit for job seekers in the country to allow competent applicants to be employed by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government. The call was made in a resolution which followed the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Ibrahim Gobir (APC – Sokoto East). Coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, Gobir noted…

Why are EFCC’s chiefs booted out of office always? By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to economic and financial crimes, including: Money Laundering Act 1995, The Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2004, The Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 1995, The Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and Financial Malpractices in Banks Act 1994, The Banks and other Financial Institutions Act 1991; and Miscellaneous Offences Act. Since the Commission was established, it has had four chairpersons, Malam Nuhu Ribadu (2003 – 2007); Mrs. Farida…

Disregard NASC directives,I remain Clerk to the N’Assembly – Omolori

Emporium Reporters

The management of National Assembly in a statement signed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori has urged general public to disregard a report credited to the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, informing the general public that the Commission has approved the retirement age of staff of the National Assembly as 35 years of service or 60 years of age whichever comes first. The Management stated that the extant regulation as contained in Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both Chambers of the 8th…

How NDDC spent N81bn in 4 months on fictitious projects

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian House of Representatives, on Wednesday, uncovered the numerous spendings by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from February to May, 2020. The cumulative sum of N81.5bn was said to have left the account of the NDDC without due process and for no implementation of any known project, since the IMC resumed work. This was disclosed by the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Rep. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo during the opening ceremony of the ongoing investigation hearing into the alleged financial recklessness at…