DailyMonitorngr

By Editor  October 31, 2022 Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has sacked the state commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Engineer, Newton Okojie from the state executive council over alleged failure of the ministry to  make progress in the roads and Bridges sector of the state. A statement by the state commissioner for information and orientation,Hon Chris Nehikhare and made available to newsmen in Benin City said the sack takes immediate effect. According to the statement, it's unfortunate that we have not been able to make the envisaged progress in our road infrastructure particularly in the last 12months. "And Sadly, the commissioner as much as he had tried, had not been able to make significant progress for the state government to achieve its goal",he said. He said the governor thanked the Commissioner for his service to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours. He urged the sacked commissioner to hand over all government property in his po

By Editor October 31, 2022 As the 2023 general elections approaches,  a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State Honourable Zibiri Mohammed has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Zibiri, an ally to the Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu and his supporters  dumped the party to pitch tent with the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole  and APC for the actualization of the former governor's ambition for the state’s senatorial bid during the elections. The  former secretary of  Etsako West local government of Edo state said he decided to join the former  governor of  Edo state Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the APC, due to his people- centred programmes during his tenure as governor of the state. He said when elected to represent the Edo North senatorial district in the National Assembly in the forthcoming election, the former governor will, no doubt, do more to the betterment of the people.  According to him, we can't abandon Oshiomhol

By Editor October 31, 2022 The combined market capitalization of stocks worth over one trillion (SWOOTs) appreciated by 1.46% to close at N17.43 trillion from N17.19 trillion the previous week. This shows a gain of N250.67 billion during the week under review.  Stocks included in this classification are AIRTELAFRICA, BUA CEMENT, DANGOTE CEMENT, BUAFOODS, and MTNN Plc.    Stocks Performance  1. BUA Cement Plc – N68.2 Bua Cement’s share price appreciated by 10% at the end of the trading week while its market cap stood at N2.31 trillion up from N2.10 trillion. It gained gained a total of N209.96 billion.  The company’s Q3 2022 financial report revealed revenue of N74 billion, reflecting a growth of 18.21% from N62.63 billion in 2021. Meanwhile, profit after tax dipped by N9.86 billion, reflecting a 44% decrease from N22.51 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021, to N12.65 billion in the current period.    2. MTNN Plc – N197.00  MTNN Plc’s share price appreciated

By Editor October 30, 2022 Professor Julius Ihonvbere,  Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education Services has lamented the dilapidated state of roads in his constituency, saying several letters have been written to the Federal Ministry of Works and yet nothing had been done. Ihonvbere, who is representing Owan Federal constituency of Edo State in the National Assembly  lamented that the  state of roads in the constituency are nothing to write home about. "We feel very bad about the state of roads in my constituency. The roads have been abandoned over the years by both the federal and state governments. "We have written letters to Ministry of Works, yet nothing was or has been done about them. Nothing to write home about concerning the state of the roads",he said. The federal lawmaker, who is seeking reelection on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), however, added that  he has constructed and rehabilitated no fewer than

By Editor October 29, 2022 No fewer than 197 drivers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, completed their three months training programme at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin City, Edo state. Abdulrasheed Bawa,  chairman of EFCC made the disclosure at the passing out ceremony which took place at the Muhammadu Buhari auditorium of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport in Benin City.  Bawa commended the Nigerian Army for allowing the Commission to use its facilities to train the drivers. He said the training was meant to address the operational gaps in the Commission. "Today you are delivering to us a group of professionally trained and disciplined drivers who will join us in achieving our vision of a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes. "Never see yourselves as just drivers but an important part of the system. No agency can function without everyone playing his part. Everyone is important,” he

By Editor October 25, 2022   It was celebrations of success as  Globacom, one of the leading telecommunication companies in the country last  Sunday, October 23, 2022, splashed subscribers with various awards. The subscribers who emerged winners in the special promotion organised by the company as part of its sponsorship of the 2022 Ofala Festival were presented with various gifts. The presentation of the awards took place at the Ime Obi, the palace of Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, on the second day of Ofala celebration called Azu Ofala.  The gifts presented to the winners are brand new tricycles, popularly called Keke,  industrial sewing machines and grinding machines. The lucky winners are, Chuka Augustine Amene, Kelvin Tochukwu who won brand new tricycles, Christopher Bobby, an Nnewi-based businessman, Emmanuel Joseph, a construction worker, and Trophy Ibeabuchi, a final year student of Computer Science at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University won   indus

By Editor October 25, 2022 Nigeria occupies the 103rd position among 121 countries classified to be facing a hunger crisis, according to the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina. He stated this at the launch of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Nigeria in Abuja on Monday. Although he said Africa faces huge challenges in meeting its food needs, with 283 million people that go hungry annually. He, however, noted that Africa has massive agricultural potential with 65% of the uncultivated arable land left to feed over 9 billion people in the world by 2050 being in Africa. Adesina said: “According to the Global Hunger Index (2022), released just a week ago, Nigeria ranks 103rd among 121 countries facing a hunger crisis in the world. “Hunger in Nigeria cannot be justified. Nigeria has the land, with 34 million hectares of arable land with rich and diverse agroecology.” Speaking about the SAPZ, Adesina said the bank is investing o

By Editor  Rt Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, Senior Political Adviser to Delta State  Governor October 21, 2022 Honourable Funkekeme Solomon, the Senior Political Adviser to Delta State  Governor on Friday described the Supreme Court judgement that affirmed the nomination of  Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as the People's Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state as a process that will strengthen Nigeria's democratic progression. Funkekeme made the remarks while speaking on the supreme court judgement that upheld the nomination of the state house of assembly speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as the governorship  candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections. A statement signed by Hon Pius Mordi, Special Assistant (Political) to the state Governor opined that the Supreme Court judgement is a process that has strengthened Nigeria's democratic progression. While noting that the prolonged disagreement on the governorship candidate of the party has been laid to

---Countries to spend $27bn annually on diseases By Editor October 21, 2022   The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 500 million people globally may develop heart disease and diabetes between 2020 and 2030 due to inactivity. According to the WHO’s global status report on physical activity 2022, published on Wednesday, data from 194 countries show that less than 50 percent of countries have a national physical activity policy, of which less than 40 percent are operational. It added that although nearly all countries report a system for monitoring physical activity in adults, 75 percent of countries monitor physical activity among adolescents, and less than 30 percent monitor physical activity in children under five years. “Almost 500 million people will develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes or other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) attributable to physical inactivity, between 2020 and 2030, costing US$ 27 billion annually, if governments don’t take urgent action to encou

By Editor October 20, 2022 Kwara State University (KWASU) Malete has been given the approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) Degree. The university was also given a nod to run twenty-three other undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The approval is contained in a letter signed by the Director Academic Planning, Dr. N.B. Saliu for the Executive Secretary of the Commission and addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi, SAN. A press statement by Dr. Saeedat Aliyu Director, University Relations, Kwara State University and made available to newsmen said the new programmes are with effect from the 2022/2023 academic session. Aliyu said the approval of the new courses was due to the resource verification visits by panels of experts to the University. She added that the panel visitation was to assess the human and material resources available for their establishment. The

By Editor #Endsars protest in Benin City October 20, 2022 More than one year after the Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate police brutality, human rights abuses and extra-judicial killings by the disbanded police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) submitted its reports, Human Rights Activists have decried the non implementation of the reports by the state government. Recall that the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki had on October 26, 2020 inaugurated a 28-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to look into the circumstances surrounding the #EndSARs protest in the state. The panel after its assignment submitted its reports to the state government on July 14, 2021. In submitting its reports the panel Chairman, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (rtd.) at the Government House, Benin City recommended N288 million as compensation for victims of police’s excesses in the state. The money was breakdown into N98 million as enforcement of courts’ judgments and N190 mil

By Editor October 19, 2022 The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved N470 billion special fund in the 2023 budget for university revitalisation and upward review of lecturers’ salaries. N300 billion is for university revitalisation while N170 billion is for an upward review of university lecturers’ salaries, says Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed. More details later…

By Editor October 19, 2022 The Bank of America has projected that the official exchange rate could likely be devalued to N520/$ in 2023 because it is well above fair value.   This was disclosed by Bank of America Economist Tatonga Rusike, in a note to clients seen by Bloomberg.    As you may know, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) foreign exchange strategy has resulted in a significant premium between official and parallel market rates. "As a result, the apex bank’s major move next year may be a devaluation to bridge the deficit", Rusike explained.   According to Tatonga Rusike, the naira is 20% overpriced. And this is based on three indicators: “currency fair value research” Rusike said, “We see scope for it to weaken by an equivalent amount over the next six-nine months, taking it to as high as N520 per USD.” In the meantime, devaluation of the naira is unlikely to happen until after the February 2023 presidential elections, the bank said. "This is despit

By Editor October 19, 2022 The authorities of University of Benin (UNIBEN) has fixed Sunday, October 24, 2022 for the resumption of the 2020/2021 academic session  The University's senate made the announcement in a statement signed by Dr Benedicta Ehanire, the Public Relations of the University made available to newsmen in Benin City. Ehanire said lectures are expected to commence on 24th October due to the truncation of the institution's   2nd Semester which lasted for eight months. She said the resumption for the  2020/2021 academic calendar was occasioned by  the recent suspension of  strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.              She explained the semester  is to run until 23rd December.  She also explained that online registration of new students admitted for the 2021/2022 begins on the 2nd of December.   "The Vice Chancellor, Professor, Lilian Salami, who presided over the Senate meeting, solicit the cooperation and support of staf

Picture of the protesting land developers and residents of Oke-Oroma, Obagie Nevbosa other communities protesting against the demolition of their houses by the Edo State Government   By Editor October 17, 2022 Land developers in four communities in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State has threatened a legal action against the state government over the demolition of their houses DailyMonitorngr reports that the four communities are Oke-Oroma, Obagie Nevbosa, Obayantor 1,  and Ewhrekpen . The threat came barely about three weeks after their  houses were demolished by the state government over alleged land grabbing. Ojo Collins, the spokesperson of the developers made the disclosure on Tuesday during a protest in Benin City. Collins said he lost property worth over N100 million. While noting that he genuinely acquired his lands after due consultation with the EdoGis  called  for an unreserved apology from the government. He also want the state government to refrain f

  By Editor October 17, 2022     China says it has investigated more than 761,000 cases of corruption and improper conduct in workplace in the last 10 years. A senior anti-graft official made the disclosure  on Monday during  a news conference  at the ongoing 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).   Chinese President and Secretary General of the CPC, Xi Jinping in his opening address to the National Congress of the Party on Sunday, had referred to corruption as a cancer to the vitality and ability of the party and reminded party’s officials that fighting corruption is the most thorough kind of self-reform there is. Xiao Pei, the deputy head of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC Central Committee which is China’s top anti-graft watchdog, addressing the press conference, added that in the past 10 years, 265 senior officials under the management of the Organisation Department of the CPC Central Committee were placed under investi

Picture of the protesting Deaf Athletics at the NUJ press Centre on Monday. By Editor October 17, 2022 The Edo State chapter of the  Deaf Athletics  Association Association on Monday protested against their alleged  exclusion from the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) in Asaba. The athletics in their numbers stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) with placards with different inscriptions. The protesters, urged president Muhammadu Buhari and the minister of  Youths and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare to give  them chance in  the forthcoming  National Sports Festival (NSF) in Asaba as a parting gift of its administration. Dr Sunny Aimufua, Head Coach, Deaf Sports in Edo, who led the protest said the Ministry's decision was discriminatory. "The protest is on, because the deaf have been excluded from the forthcoming National Sports Festival and our athletics, made optional sport, which should not be so.  "We have Ministry Youths and Sports Deve

By Editor October 17, 2022 The authorities of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) are in high spirit as  Times Higher Education (THE) ranked the institution the best six in the country. Recall that last week, Times Higher Education (THE) in its latest World Universities rankings rated the university the six best in Nigeria and 1201-1500 in global ranking. A statement by the university's Public Relations Unit on Monday said the performance indicators were centred on the four areas of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The unit added that the rankings were also based on the analyses of over 15 million research publications and survey responses from approximately 40,000 scholars worldwide.  Reacting to the rating, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, Public Relations Officer of the institution said the  information has been well received by the University of Benin Community as it serves as confidence booster.  'According to her, the University is at the co

  By Editor October 17, 2022 Within the period of two years, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation committed over N33 billion on entertainment and telephone calls. The hefty sum has once again raised suspicions on the ongoing costs surrounding the oil giant NNPC. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company has revealed that it incurred N788.7bilion administrative expenses in 2021.  This is an increase from N648.6 billion reported in 2020, bringing its total expenses to over N1.4 trillion in two years.  NNPC stated this in its financial statement for 2021, published on its website. NNPC says its spent over N13bn on entertainment , A breakdown of NNPC administrative expenses showed that N13.46 billion went into entertainment for its staff and over N20 billion for telephone calls and Postage within the two-year period. Entertainment expenses in 2021 gulped the sum of N11.83 billion, while the sum of N1.636 billion was spent in 2020. This would mean that NNPC Ltd spent an average

By Editor October 15, 2022 Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) has been given nod by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run eleven undergraduate and post graduate courses. Mr Friday Bakare, the Registrar of the university announced the approval on Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen  in Benin City. Bakare said the NUC's approval to commence the new programmes is contained in a recent communication to the University by the Executive Secretary of the commission Professor Abubakar Rasheed. The programmes comprises six undergraduate and five postgraduate programmes. The new programmes  include B.Sc Industrial Chemistry, B.Sc Cyber Security, B.Sc Pharmacology, B.Sc Software Engineering and B.Eng Environmental Engineering. Also approved  are B.Eng Mechatronics Engineering; PGD, M.Eng & PhD Civil Engineering; PGD, M.Eng & PhD Petroleum Engineering, PGD, M.Eng & PhD Computer Engineering; M.Sc & PhD Sociology; and M.Sc & PhD Geography a

Why we hand over the Nigerian Observer Newspaper to new management team--- Edo Comm. By Editor October 15,  2022 Edo state government over the weekend said it decided to give the Nigerian Observer Newspaper out to new management in order to make it competitive with other private media outfits in the country. Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation made the disclosure during a media briefing to give weekly update of the state government activities. Nehikhare who said the medium was established by the military administration of the late Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia 55 years ago, noted that after its establishment successive governments bore the burden of its challenges such as payment of salaries among others. "Observer is one of the flagship newspapers in the country. It was established over 55 years ago. It was a very important news carrying medium. But over the years its fortune unfortunately dipped. "Government in and govern

  By Editor October 13, 2022 Lagos State Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he remained the best among the governorship candidates in the state. Sanwo-Olu made the remarks at the closure of the ninth Edition of Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit at Victoria Island. He also announced commencement of his campaign for a second term in office in the 2023 elections. The governor who rolled out his achievements and next plans for Lagos State said that he remained the best among the governorship candidates based on his administration’s track records in the last three and half years, through the THEMES developmental agenda for Greater Lagos. According to him, those contesting against him in the March 11, 2023 governorship election in Lagos State are yet to match his administration’s achievement. While speaking on the 2023 governorship elections in Lagos State, he expressed  optimism that Lagos State residents would do the right thing by re-electing him. “Today is the day that INEC did o

By Editor October 13, 2022 The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised the alarm on the alleged plan by the state-led People's Democratic Party (PDP) government to change the name of the Nigerian Observer newspaper to Echo newspaper. A statement by the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party in the State, Victor Ofure Osehobo, titled, "Fallacy as an Edo State government policy," and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Benin City alleged that the state government has employed a 14-man staff for the Echo newspaper.  Ofure added that the government  signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU)  with some unknown media firms for the purpose of daily printing and circulation of the medium on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. But when contacted, the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon Chris Nehikhare described the allegations as false and unfounded. Nehikhare said the old Nigerian Observer Newspaper

By Editor October 12, 2022 NSCDC announces discovery of huge dump site for stolen crude, illegally refined petroleum products in Rivers The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command has uncovered a huge dump site used in storing stolen crude oil and illegally refined petroleum products in Agbada Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. This appears to be one of the latest discoveries in the Federal Government’s fight against oil theft, illegal refineries, and pipeline vandals in the Niger Delta region of the country. The 10 plots fenced dump site which has 170 surface industrial tanks of 1,000 liters each and 2 metal storage tanks of about 5,500 capacity is less than 2 kilometers from the Agbada flow Station operated by Heirs Oil and Gas. Confirming the discovery, the Commandant of NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Michael Ogar, who led officers of the command and journalists to the dump site, says the premises was uncovered by the C

By Editor October 12, 2022 The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned one Emmanuel Adewunmi Jayeoba alongside his son, Adewale Daniel Jayeoba, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The twitter handle of the anti-graft agency said the defendants were re-arraigned on a 14-count amended information bordering on money laundering to the tune of N5, 697, 029, 685billion. The accused were, however, remanded in Prison custody by  Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The charge sheet reads:“ That you, Adewale Daniel Jayeoba and Emmanuel Adewunmi Jayeoba, between 2019 and 2020, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to use the aggregate sum of N5.697,029,685billion which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of your unlawful activity to wit. It alleged that the accused  carried on bankin

By Editor October 12, 2022 Honourable Funkekeme Solomon has urged Nigerians to rally for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections with a bid to return the country back to the path of sustainable growth after years of economic regression under the All Progressives Congress. Funkekeme, a  Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, senator Ifeanyi Okowa, made the call in a congratulatory message to the party's presidential running mate on the conferment of the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on him by president Muhammadu Buhari Dailymonitorngr reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred national awards on 437 Nigerians and some foreigners. A statement signed  by Honourable Pius Mordi, Special Assistant on Political affairs to the Governor and made available to Dailymonitorngr, said the Senior Political Adviser to Atiku’s running mate described the national award of Commander of

By Editor October 11, 2022 A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed Nov. 8 for hearing a suit challenging the emergence of Kola Abiola as the People’s Redemption Party (PRP)’s presidential candidate. Justice Ahmed Mohammed fixed the date after a consensus agreement by counsel for the parties in the suit. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Madam Patience Ndidi Key, a female presidential aspirant in the June 5 primaries conducted by the party, had prayed the court to nullify the poll that produced Abiola as the PRP’s presidential candidate. Key, in an originating summons marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1001/2022, also prayed for an order setting aside the declaration of Abiola as the winner of the primaries conducted across the country. NAN reports that Mr Kola is the son of late MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. The plaintiff (Key) had sued PRP, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Mr Latifu Kolawole Abiola a